Sportswear with targeted shaping control

Abstract

An article of sportwear, such as a swimsuit, having an outer exterior layer and an inner liner layer wherein the inner layer has an elastomeric material applied in a pattern, between the inner layer and the outer layer, to provide targeted zoned shaping control for the wearer. The pattern is not visible on or through the outer layer, so the shaping technology is not apparent. The pattern of elastomeric material has a first zone with a series of curves and a second zone with a more densely applied elastomeric material so that the first zone applies less shaping pressure and the second zone ap plies more shaping pressure for targeted zoned control. A third zone preferably along certain edges may not have any applied elastomeric coating.

Description

[0001] SPORTSWEAR WITH TARGETED SHAPING CONTROL

[0002] FIELD OF THE DISCLOS URE

[0003] The disclosure relates to targeted control in sportswear for shaping the wearer's body. Particularly appropriate for women1s swimwear, a printed elastomeric design with zoned patterned technology on one side of a liner is between layers of fabric of the finished sportswear to be invisible on the exterior.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Sportswear, such as swimwear, is often designed for numerous features including good style, appropriate fit, ease of movement, and comfort, while also providing shaping for targeted areas on the wearer's body.

[0006] The use of multiple materials to make articles of clothing is known, such as disclosed in Linea Aqua's U.S. Publication 2017 / 0081800, where one inner material is used with an outer material that substantially covers the inner material to form a water repelling article of clothing. A water repelling agent can be uniformly distributed throughout.

[0007] Further, control panels for sportswear are disclosed in U.S. Publication 2009 / 0300816, where a garment has an inner layer for providing support and control to a wearer's body. The inner layer is formed by bonding control liners to a main panel. This disclosure addresses different moduli of elasticity in different areas of a fabric panel to avoid unsightly bulges and discontinuities. The inner layer may be bonded in several methods, such as hot melted or adhered together. In one embodiment, the inner layer is bonded together only in specific areas in which control and support are required.

[0008] Miraclesuit is another leader in slimming swimsuits and compression swimwear with slimming fabric. All over body control is known, such as for MiracleSuit swimsuits with Miratex fabric that provides all over body control, shaping, and slimming. It has Body: 69% nylon / 31% LYCRA® spandex; Drape: 82% nylon / 18% LYCRA® spandex. Cleverly draped fabric conceals the wearer's tummy.

[0009] Lands' End also sells Slendersuit swimsuits with firming Slendertex® fabric that smooths and shapes with all-over control. It includes a nylon / spandex fab lie. Strategic shape-enhancing shirring flatters the wearer's curves. These slimming swim wear suits are both fashionable and flattering.

[0010] Further known art is a product from SPANX, Thinstincts® 2.0 Style 10233R. With single-layer Printed Power® shaping technology, Thinstincts® 2.0 made with LYCRA® FitSense™ technology offers lightweight targeted tummy shaping and wraps around sides for added side support. It was designed with an ultra-thin fabric that is lightweight and breathable. It smooths

[0011] 1

[0012] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the appearance of lumps and bumps as it lifts and firms. It has visible linear angled patterns around the core tummy zone. It guarantees no visible panty lines and has free cut leg openings that do not show through clothes worn over it.

[0013] Further, U.S. Patent 9,717,289 discloses swimwear providing targeted compression areas including inner and outer fabric layers that are bonded together with adhesive layers having different compressive strengths.

[0014] Thus, a variation of targeted shaping control for sportswear is desired that has a fluctuating pattern for shaping different zones, which is invisible, lightweight, breathable, and effective for sportswear that does not require overgarments to hide the compression technology.

[0015] SUMMARY

[0016] The focus of this disclosure is providing sportswear with targeted shaping control that is not readily visible while being worn. The sportswear slims in a particular zone, such as the midsection, giving the semblance of a flatter stomach by gently but firmly providing additional support in zones targeted for more shaping control, such as extra support and sculpting in the midsection.

[0017] The total compression of prior control fabric with all-over control is often greater than the comfortable pressure of sportswear with targeted shaping control of the present disclosure. The zones of the present disclosed sportswear providing targeted control allow the sportswear to more easily be put on and taken off.

[0018] The present disclosure provides sportswear with targeted shaping control that has an outer exterior layer and a stretchable liner layer attached to the exterior layer. The liner layer has an elastomeric material applied in a pattern on one side of the liner layer that is between the liner layer and the exterior layer, wherein the pattern of elastomeric material is not visible through or on the exterior layer. The pattern of elastomeric material has a first zone with a series of curves ideally forming waves and a second zone with more densely applied elastomeric material. There may be a third zone with no applied elastomeric material where the inner layer stretches only based on characteristics of the inner layer.

[0019] The disclosed pattern with curves may form a series of waves having areas between each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material. The waves may be oriented at an angle from horizontal between 20 and 65 degrees, such as approximately 45 degrees.

[0020] In a preferred embodiment, the waves include a plurality of groups of waves with areas within each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material. Each group of waves may include three waves of different thicknesses with the thinnest wave being adjacent to an area without elastomeric material between each group of waves. The wave arrangement allows for gradual and less visible shaping pressure with localized compression and overall compression.

[0021] 2

[0022] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In a preferred embodiment, the second zone includes a continuation of the waves from adjacent first zones, wherein the waves overlap in the second zone that has more densely applied elastomeric material to provide stronger shaping capabilities than the first zones with only the series of waves. In other embodiments, the second zone can have an even more dense coating of elastomeric material.

[0023] The disclosed innovative sportswear uses its elastomeric coating design with zoned patterned shaping technology on one side of a liner between layers of fabric of the finished sportswear to be invisible on the outside to provide varying and targeted sculpting of the wearer's body.

[0024] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0025] The above-mentioned and other features of this disclosure and the manner of obtaining them will become more apparent, and the disclosure itself will be best understood by reference to the following descriptions of sportswear and associated methods considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures, which are given as non-limiting examples only, in which:

[0026] FIG. 1 shows a front view of an article of sportswear clothing where the targeted control is not visible;

[0027] FIG. 2 shows a front view of an inner layer with a zone of applied elastomeric material, a second zone of more densely applied elastomeric material, and a zone along the edges with no applied elastomeric material;

[0028] FIG. 3 shows a rear view of an inner layer with a zone of applied elastomeric material and a zone along the edges with no applied elastomeric material;

[0029] FIG. 4 shows a planar view of a flattened inner layer with a first zone having some elastomeric material, a second zone with denser elastomeric material, and the third zone along certain edges with no elastomeric material; and

[0030] FIG. 5 shows a planar view of another flattened inner layer with a denser portion of elastomeric material applied in the core area of the second zone.

[0031] The exemplifications set out herein illustrate embodiments of the disclosure that are not to be construed as limiting the scope of the disclosure in any manner. Additional features of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the following detailed description of illustrative embodiments exemplifying the best mode of carrying out the disclosure as presently perceived.

[0032] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0033] While the present disclosure may be susceptible to embodiments in different forms, the figures show, as herein described in detail, embodiments with the understanding that the present descriptions are to be considered exemplifications of the principles of the disclosure and are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure to the details of construction and the arrangements of components and steps set forth in the following description or conveyed in the figures.

[0034] As disclosed, the article of clothing 10, as ideally a female one-piece swimsuit, includes an inner layer 12 and an outer layer 14, which is typically the exterior layer of the article of clothing 1 0. The inner layer 12, sometimes referred to as a lining or liner, can be adjacent to the wearer' s skin. The outer layer 14, sometimes referred to as a shell, is the visible layer of the article of clothing 10.

[0035] The inner layer 12 and outer layer 14 are made of fabrics that include the desired characteristics for the article of clothing 10, but to function with the elastomeric material 20 of the present disclosure, the fabric of the inner layer 12 must have some stretch capabilities. The inner layer 12 may be attached to the outer layer 14 in several methods, but the preferred method is being sewn together, which is preferred over methods where the layers are held together, such as hot melted or adhered together. The inner layer 12 is attached to the outer layer 14, wherein the inner layer 12 has an elastomeric material 20 applied in a pattern 22 on one side of the inner layer 12 that is between the inner layer 12 and the outer layer 14 of the article of clothing 10. The elastomeric material 20 is preferably not bonded or adhered to the outer layer 14.

[0036] An elastomeric material 20, such as printed synthetic rubber, silicone, or plastic polymeric compositions, is applied in a pattern 22 on the inner layer 12 so that the elastomeric material 20 is sandwiched between an inner layer 12 and an outer layer 14, which contributes to a preferred feature that the elastomeric material 20 is not visible on the article of clothing 10. As such, the article of clothing 10 can be worn on its own without being able to see any source of the targeted shaping control.

[0037] In one aspect, the pattern 22 of elastomeric material 20 is applied, such as by printing, differently in different zones, such as a first zone 24 with less applied elastomeric material 20 and a second zone 26 with more applied elastomeric material 20. The inner layer 12 may also have a third zone 28 where no elastomeric materials are applied.

[0038] The first zone 24 may correspond to the side and back area 30 of the wearer. The first zone 24 has some elastomeric material 20 applied to provide some targeted control of the wearer's body.

[0039] The second zone 26 may correspond to the core or stomach area 32 of the wearer. The second zone 26 has a more densely applied elastomeric material 20 to provide stronger shaping capabilities.

[0040] 4

[0041] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) The third zone 28 with no elastomeric material may correspond to the areas of the wearer's body where no targeted shaping control is desired, such as the upper back 34 or buttock area 36 of the wearer as shown in Figure 3. The outer edge of the pattern 22 along the upper back 34 or buttock area 36 may be a gradual curve. As noted above, the fabric would have typical stretch capabilities, but without any added elastomeric material, there would be no added shaping control. The inner layer 12 in the third zone 28 stretches only based on the characteristics of the fabric that the inner layer 12 is made of. This third zone 28 is preferably along the edges of the article of clothing 10, such as adjacent the leg openings where there is a transition from the areas of elastomeric material 20 so both that and the shaping effect are not visible.

[0042] A preferred pattern of elastomeric material 20 in the first zone 24 has non-linear elements and preferably at an angle from the horizontal, such as between 20 and 65 degrees, including approximately 45 degrees as shown in Figures 2, 3, 4, and 5. The specific printed portion 40 may include a continuous wave, such as a sinusoidal wave or just sinusoid, with amplitude and frequency that may vary in different patterns. The curve aspect of a wave may apply pressure in a non-linear manner within the smaller localized area to balance the shaping control. Also, the curve aspect eases the transition between zones to be less visible (and avoid bulges, rolls or muffins at the edges of the zones).

[0043] As shown, the specific printed portion 40 includes a series of waves, such as a group of three waves, that are separated with areas between 42 that are not printed, including between each wave and series of waves. The areas between 42 still have natural stretch of the fabric but would be less compression than specific printed portion 40. The areas between 42 may have breathable or other features that remain by not having an elastomeric coating.

[0044] The pattern 22 may have numerous groups of continuous waves with areas within each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material and areas between each group of waves do not include elastomeric material. The group of continuous waves may include three waves of different thickness with the thinnest wave adjacent to the area between groups of waves without elastomeric material.

[0045] A preferred pattern of elastomeric material 20 in the second zone 26 is more densely applied than in the first zone 24. The denser printed portion 44 being denser allows for more compression for stronger targeted control in the second zone 26 than the first zone 24. The more densely applied second zone 26 asselts more pressure for greater tightness to more aggressively shape the corresponding portion of the wearer's body, such as the stomach.

[0046] In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, the denser printed portion 44 includes a continuation of the waves from each adjacent first zone 24, so that the waves overlap in the second zone 26. The series of waves of the specific printed portion 40 from each side of the first zone 24 adjacent to the denser printed portion 44 are angled inward so that the curves and waves overlap in the second zone 26.

[0047] 5

[0048] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) In the embodiment shown in Figure 5, the denser printed portion 44 is more densely applied to provide greater shaping control in this targeted zone. Preferably, areas between 46 that are not printed, including examples such as dots, diamonds, or triangles of no elastomeric material.

[0049] The regular smooth repeating pattern of a curve allows for measured pressure and ease of manufacturing because the pattern 22 may be applied to different sized and shaped articles of clothing 10. It is understood that the patterns, dimensions, waves, and curves themselves can be adjusted to fit articles of clothing in different sizes, shapes, and side seam lengths.

[0050] The different zones for shaping allow for targeted control and sculpting to particular areas of the body as desired without being visible while wearing the article of clothing 10 without undue squeezing in areas needing less shaping.

[0051] The method of making the article of clothing 10 with targeted shaping control includes applying an elastomeric material 20 to one side of a substate that will be an inner layer 12. The printing of the elastomeric material 20 can utilize MAS or Linea Aqua licensed silicone technology to novelly give the wearer a more contoured shape through targeted support and control by printing a different amount in unique patterns, or not printing, in different zones. The resulting inner layer 12 with the elastomeric material 20 on one side is secured to an outer layer 14 so that the elastomelic material 20 is completely between the layers 12 and 14. The inner layer 12 may be attached to an outer layer 14 in various methods, such as sewn together in a traditional manner.

[0052] If certain poltions of the layers 12 and 14 are not adhered or bonded, the outer layer 14 may float over the inner layer 12, which provides most of the targeted zoned shaping control. The inner la ye r and exterior layer not being completely bonded together also makes the shaping technology less visible.

[0053] In pl inting the specific printed portion 40 as continuous waves as a plurality of groups of waves that overlap in the second zone 26 as shown in Figure 4, each printed portion 40 may be printedin one application or preferably be layered in coats so that the wave aspect at an angle has vanable stretch based on each coating. As an example in Figure 4, there are five sets of groups of three printed curved waves as printed portion 40 that overlap to form the more densely printedportion 44.

[0054] This disclosure has been described as having exemplary embodiments and is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations using its general principles. It is envisioned that those skilled in the art may devise various modifications and equivalents without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure as recited in the claims. Further, this disclosure is intended to cover such variations from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice within the art to which it pertains.

[0055] 6

[0056] SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:

1. An article of sportswear providing targeted shaping control comprising: an exterior layer; and a stretchable inner layer attached to the exterior layer, wherein the stretchable inner layer includes an elastomeric material applied in a pattern on one side of an inner layer that is between the inner layer and the exterior layer; wherein the pattern of elastomeric material has a first zone with a series of curves and a second zone with a densely applied elastomeric material, and wherein the pattern is not visible on the exterior layer.

2. The article of sportswear of claim 1, the pattern of elastomeric material further comprises a third zone with no applied elastomeric material such that the inner layer stretches based on characteristics of fabric of the inner layer.

3. The article of sportswear of claims 1-2, wherein the series of curves are continuous waves.

4. The article of sportswear of claim 3, wherein the continuous waves are oriented at an angle from horizontal in a range between 20 and 65 degrees.

5. The article of sportswear of claim 4, wherein the angle is approximately 45 degrees.

6. The article of sportswear of any of claims 3-5, wherein the continuous waves include a plurality ofgroups of waves with areas within each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material.

7. The article of sportswear of claim 6, wherein areas between each group of waves do not include elastomeric material.

8. The article of sportswear of any of claims 6- 7, wherein each group of waves includes waves of different thicknesses with a thinnest wave being adjacent to one area without elastomeric material between each group of waves.

9. The article of sportswear of any preceding claim, wherein the article of sportswear is a swimsuit.

10. The article of sportswear of any of claims 3-9, wherein the second zone includes a continuation of continuous waves from adjacent first zones, wherein the continuous waves overlap in thesecond zone.7SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)11. An article of sportswear providing targeted shaping control comprising: an exterior layer; and a stretchable liner layer attached to the exterior layer, where in the stretchable liner layer has an elastomeric material applied in a pattern on one side of an liner layer that is between the liner layer and the exterior layer; wherein the pattern of elastomeric material has a first zone with a series of curves forming waves, a second zone with densely applied elastomeric material, and a third zone not having app lied elastomeric material, the series of curves having areas between each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material, and wherein the pattern of elastomeric material is not visible on the exterior layer.

12. The article of sportswear of claim 11, wherein the third zone is along certain edges of the article of sportswear.

13. The article of sportswear of any of claims 11-12, wherein the waves are oriented at an angle from horizontal between 20 and 65 degrees.

14. The article of sportswear of any of claims 11-13, wherein the waves include a plurality of groups of waves with areas within each group of waves that do not include elastomeric material.

15. The article of sportswear of claim 14, wherein each group of waves includes waves of different thicknesses with a thinnest wave being adjacent to one area without elastomeric material between each group of waves.

16. The article of sportswear of any of claims 11-15, wherein the second zone includes a continuation ofwaves from adjacent first zones, wherein the waves overlap in the second zone.

17. The article of sportswear of any of claims 11-16 wherein the elastomeric material includes silicone and does not adhere to the exterior layer.SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

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