System for making a garment and garment made therewith

Abstract

The invention describes a system for making a garment which envisages making a single knitted tubular element on circular knitting machines, folding the tubular element in half along a generator line located in the centre of the rear portion of the garment to be made and tracing the outline of the garment onto the folded tubular element, the said garment being a pair of trousers obtained by means of three suitably shaped pieces, wherein a first piece - configured with a trapezoidal form - creates a leg and a first half of the upper portion of the trousers, a second piece - also configured with a trapezoidal form - creates the other leg and the other half of the upper portion of the trousers, and a third piece creates an upper rear portion of the trousers, i.e. the portion immediately below the waist of the trousers and the internal part of a left front pocket and a right front pocket. The system also envisages cutting and joining the three pieces together to create the trousers using just two seams: the first made to create the crotch and join the two upper front and rear halves and the second to close the two legs.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] SYSTEM FOR MAKING A GARMENT AND GARMENT MADE THEREWITH.

[0003] Technical field

[0004] The present invention relates to a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith, the said system being particularly suitable for making a remarkably ergonomic pair of seamless trousers featuring a very small number of seams and allowing a significant reduction in the production time and ensuing waste materials.

[0005] Background Art

[0006] Nowadays, many garments are made using seamless fabrics that are produced using a seamless knitting technology that eliminates the need for conventional seams, such as, for example, on the sides, as tubular fabrics without interruptions or joints are produced.

[0007] As is known, garments made with seamless fabrics offer greater comfort as the number of seams is limited, especially in areas where the said seams could annoy the user by causing skin irritation, especially in sensitive areas of the body; furthermore, seamless fabrics feature high elasticity, which makes them ideal for sportswear and dynamic activities, and the reduced number of seams contributes to enhanced freedom of movement. Furthermore, seamless technology allows for the creation of more flexible and adaptable designs as seamless fabrics have a clean, modern look, without visible interruptions, that renders the garment aesthetically pleasing, contributing to a more modern, minimalist style.

[0008] At present, although there are garments made that feature elastic or stretch yams in the knit that make the garment very flexible and extensible, the presence of seams joining the different parts of the garment creates zones that are less elastic, less soft, and unpleasant when in contact with the skin and have poor extensibility and therefore constrain and limit the user's movements.

[0009] As is known, seams are no longer aesthetically acceptable in underwear and sportswear precisely because these garments are rather tight and are in contact with the skin and the seams cause discomfort, irritation, and unsightliness, therefore the aim is to make garments that have the least number of seams possible, to offer the user both a better fit and fewer uncomfortable tension zones.

[0010] Last but not least, the production of seamless fabrics is often more efficient than the production of conventional fabrics, which require further time and processing to join the different parts of the garment.

[0011] From this perspective, at present, manufacturers are attempting to specialise and organise the production of seamless garments in order to achieve greater production speed by reducing production times, and to reduce the amounts of processing waste, thereby leading to a lower impact on the environment.

[0012] It is known that seamless fabrics are obtained by knitting tubular elements using circular knitting machines and the tubular element produced becomes the basis for the creation of the various garments. Nowadays, to produce, for example, a jersey, two or three tubular elements are used: one for the torso and the other for the sleeves. The process is similar for a pair of trousers, where at least two tubular elements are needed.

[0013] In addition to the explanations so far, the need for clothing with particular kinds of enhanced performance has led to research into the development of increasingly high- performance procedures and construction methods designed to meet very specific requirements, including versatility, comfort, and freedom of movement.

[0014] In particular, from this perspective, manufacturers are attempting to reduce the amounts of fabric scraps, which lead to a non-negligible waste of materials that impact the environment and must be disposed of as special waste, while also endeavouring to reduce the amount of energy consumed for the production of the tubular element, in order to optimise production resources.

[0015] On this matter, the Applicant is aware of patent WO 2022 / 243771 Al, which describes a method for the production of a textile article envisaging the formation of a tubular fabric wrapped around itself along a longitudinal axis, which is made using a circular knitting machine with seamless technology in which the tubular element has a cylindrical section and a conical section of fabric. The conical section is formed of a plurality of rows composed of a number of stitches that increases axially. Once the tubular element has been made, at least one portion of the conical section is cut axially along a pair of generatrixes, so as to determine at least a first cut edge and a second cut edge for each generatrix, followed by a step to join together, preferably by sewing, the first cut edge of each generatrix with the second cut edge of the other generatrix so as to form two respective conical tubular elements. By making a conical tubular element that is used to form the legs of the trousers, it is possible to reduce the amount of waste material produced by cutting out the shape of the trousers.

[0016] As is known, for sports and other activities, users are required to wear apparel which meets well-defined requirements; indeed, the garment must fit comfortably and must offer ever greater freedom of movement, allowing natural movement, and must not make the user feel restricted or constrained. Furthermore, a garment must offer the user an optimal feeling of wellbeing, while also having an aesthetically unusual, eye-catching, and pleasing appearance.

[0017] As mentioned earlier, there is a very pressing need among users of sports underwear and other sports apparel for clothing items that offer optimal adherence to the body and are lightweight, since these characteristics guarantee enhanced comfort and functionality and ensure the user the maximum range of movement and wellbeing, and seamless fabrics are preferably used for this type of garment. D i s c 1 o sure of nvention

[0018] The object of the present invention is essentially to solve the problems of the prior art by overcoming the difficulties described by means of a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith that offers a user optimal comfort during use and good garment aesthetics, also allowing freedom of movement without any feeling of constriction or restriction when worn.

[0019] A second object of the present invention is to make a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith which is ergonomic with respect to the shape of the body, by decreasing the amount of material in delicate zones such as, for example, the crotch, and increasing the amount of material in the buttock zones in order to eliminate the discomfort caused by the seams and likewise the restricted movement of the legs caused thereby.

[0020] A third object of the present invention is to make a system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) that saves time during the production of the garment, including saving time during sewing, and offers savings with respect to the amount of materials used.

[0021] A further object of the present invention is to create a system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) that offers low environmental impact, reduced waste disposal costs, and lower production costs.

[0022] A further but not final aim of the present invention is to make a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith which is easy to manufacture and works well.

[0023] These and further objects, which will emerge more clearly over the course of the present description, are essentially achieved by means of a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith as outlined in the claims below.

[0024] Brief Description of Drawings Further characteristics and advantages will better emerge in the detailed description of a system for making a garment and a garment made therewith according to the present invention, provided in the form of a non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0025] Figure 1 shows, from a front view, the production diagram for a pair of trousers according to the present invention;

[0026] Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a tubular element of the component parts of the trousers in Figure 1 ;

[0027] Figures 3A, 3B, 3C, 3D, 3E, and 3F show, schematically, the sequence for assembly of the trousers in Figure 1.

[0028] With reference to the figures, 1 denotes, as a whole, a garment made using the system for making a garment according to the present invention.

[0029] Best Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0030] The garment 1 in question is a pair of trousers obtained from a single knitted tubular element 2 made on circular knitting machines, as shown in Figure 2.

[0031] Once the tubular element has been created, the outline of the trousers is traced out, the said trousers being obtained using three appropriately shaped pieces wherein the first piece 3 creates a leg and a first half of the upper portion of the trousers, and is configured in a trapezoidal form, where the smaller base 30 corresponds to the bottom of the leg, and the portion 31 located at the other end corresponds to a first half of the front portion of the trousers, followed by a recess 32 which corresponds to the crotch, followed by a curvilinear section 34 which forms a first half of the rear portion of the trousers and corresponds to a sector of the buttock, as shown in Figure 3F. At the opposite end of the portion 31, there is a straight portion 33 which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (right pocket). The second piece 4 has a very similar shape to the first piece 3. In particular, the second piece 4 makes the other leg, with a smaller base 40 (which is the bottom of the leg) and the other half 41 (which completes the front portion), followed by a recess 42 (which is the crotch), and continues with a curved section 44, which forms a second half of the rear portion of the trousers. In greater detail, almost in the centre of the section 44, there is a rectangular appendix 45 envisaged to form a rear pocket. At the opposite end of the portion 41, there is a straight portion 43 which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (left pocket), whose interior is obtained from a third piece 5. The third piece 5 creates the upper rear portion of the trousers and the internal part of the front pockets, as will be explained below.

[0032] According to the present system, the tubular element 2 is folded in half along a generatrix of the cylindrical element obtained after the knitting step. In particular, the folding generatrix corresponds to the centre of the rear portion of the trousers according to a line 50 shown in Figures 1 and 3C. In greater detail, the central rear line 50 of the trousers divides the third piece 5 into two identical symmetrical parts.

[0033] The third piece 5 features, running from the central line 50 symmetrically, a right section 51 and a left section, which make up the upper rear part of the trousers, i.e. the portion immediately below the waist of the trousers, as shown in Figure 3F.

[0034] In addition to the explanations so far, the third piece 5 features a pair of arched portions 52, which form an arch and correspond to the upper part of the seat of the trousers and are intended to be coupled with, respectively, the curved sections 34 and 44.

[0035] Furthermore, the third piece 5 comprises two protuberances 53a and 53b, respectively located at the opposite end with respect to the central rear line 50, which each correspond to the internal portion of the left front pocket 53b and the right front pocket In greater detail, the protuberance 53a is envisaged to couple with a straight portion 33 of the first piece 3, which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (right pocket). Similarly, the protuberance 53b is envisaged to couple with the straight portion 43 of the second piece 4 to create the left front pocket.

[0036] Once the three pieces have been drawn and cut out, they must be joined together to construct the trousers. The three pieces are joined using just two seams: the first 60 made to create the crotch and join the two upper front and rear halves (mutually joining the lines 32 and 42) and the second to seam the two legs, as shown in Figures 3D, 3E, and 3F.

[0037] In greater detail, the second seam runs from the back of the edge at the lower end of a leg, around the leg, around the knee, until it reaches the rear of the trousers, at the buttocks, where it forms an arched seam and then runs to the bottom edge of the other leg specularly.

[0038] As already mentioned, the trousers feature two front pockets and one back pocket, which are already inserted into the model and require just one seam for assembly. The back pocket bag is made with the rear arched area as a single piece.

[0039] To complete the trousers, then, other seams - of a commonly known type - are envisaged, i.e. to add an edge at the waist and around the bottom edges of the leg, or to create a hem and to seam the back pocket and to make an edge at the opening of the front pockets.

[0040] In addition to the explanations so far. the absence of inseams eliminates all those discomforts that are due to the presence of a more rigid seam in more delicate zones which are prone to chafing.

[0041] This latter configuration of the system for making a garment allows for better work management as it allows greater organisation in the management of semi-finished products given by the smaller amount of material to handle, which also has benefits for subcontractors (contracted for dyeing and sewing).

[0042] Furthermore, the reduced number of seams guarantees simplified sewing steps given the smaller number of components to sew together and the smaller number of scams needed to assemble the trousers.

[0043] With the system for making a garment in question, an approximately 8% reduction in the amount of yarn used is obtained due to the smaller amount of seamless fabric that needs to be produced in order to make a tubular element, given that both the legs and all the pockets can be obtained with a single tubular element. Furthermore, there is an approximately 8% reduction in processing waste when making a garment, which translates into a lower environmental impact and therefore a more environmentally friendly, greener production.

[0044] In addition to the explanations so far, with the system for making a garment according to the present invention, an 8% saving in garment production times has been found, which is due to the removal of a single tube (comprising all the components to make the trousers) from the knitting machine rather than the conventional two tubes and also due to the reduced length of the tube compared to conventional tubes. The reduction in the length of the tubular element originates from the way in which the shapes of the three pieces are drawn / arranged on the tubular element, as shown in Figure 2.

[0045] The savings just mentioned translate into a greater production speed, due to the reduction in the times and materials used to make a pair of trousers.

[0046] Furthermore, there are further consequent savings in the use of electricity due to the reduced time needed to produce a garment and significantly curbed wear of the knitting machine due to the reduced length of time the said machine is used for the production of the tubular element. After this predominantly structural description, the operation of the invention in question is described as follows.

[0047] When a user wishes to use a garment according to the present invention, such as a pair of trousers, they simply have to put on the said garment in order to have a good adaptability to the body and ergonomics that allow them to go about their everyday and sports activities with greater comfort and a lower expenditure of energy due to the ease of movement.

[0048] Furthermore, the garment allows unlimited freedom of movement, a sense of comfort and wellbeing during movement, and also a pleasant sensation on the skin since there are no seams in delicate, sensitive areas.

[0049] Furthermore, the user does not have sensations such as constriction and restriction in their movement and has no discomfort at the inner thighs since there are no seams in those zones, leading to enhanced fit and wearability.

[0050] The present invention thus achieves the objects set.

[0051] The system for making a garment and a garment made therewith in question guarantees a user a very great freedom of movement without any sensation of constriction or restriction and with optimal comfort when worn.

[0052] Advantageously, the system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) allows the production of a garment which is ergonomic with respect to the shape of the body, by decreasing the amount of material in delicate zones such as, for example, the inner thigh zone, in order to eliminate the discomfort caused by the seams and likewise the restricted movement of the legs caused thereby.

[0053] Furthermore, the system for making a garment allows a garment to be made that becomes a second skin, adapting to the physiological characteristics and morphology of the user's body, to offer optimal comfort, a feeling of wellbeing when worn, in addition to unlimited freedom of movement, without forgetting the protection of the most delicate and irritable parts of the body.

[0054] Furthermore, the system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) saves time during the production of the garment, including saving time during sewing, and offers savings with respect to the amount of materials used.

[0055] In particular, another advantage brought by the garment manufacturing system emerges from the feet that the reduction of seams implies lower garment finishing costs due to the reduction in processing steps that considerably affect production costs, in addition to a smaller equipment base with, consequently, lower energy costs. A further advantage given by the reduced number of seams in the garments allows for products to be ready immediately, with fester sample production, which makes it possible to offer the public a wider choice and a level of customisation of garments that is not easily achievable with the systems according to the prior art.

[0056] A further advantage highlighted with the present system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) is that the system offers the possibility of achieving limited environmental impact, reduced waste material disposal costs, and lower production costs.

[0057] One advantage obtained with this garment is to allow, promote, and facilitate a state of comfort for the user, as the elements of disturbance and discomfort and the feeling of restriction and constriction caused by the seams are eliminated, while leaving, at the same time, optimal freedom of movement for the wearer thereof.

[0058] A further advantage is due to the fact that the system for making a garment (and a garment made therewith) in question is simple to manufacture and works well.

[0059] Of course, numerous modifications and variations may be made to the present invention while remaining within the scope of the inventive concept that characterises it.

Claims

CLAIMS1) A system for making a garment characterised by the fact that the said system comprises:- making a single knitted tubular element on circular knitting machines,- folding the tubular element in half along a generating line located in the centre of the rear portion of the garment to be made,- tracing the outline of the garment onto the folded tubular element, the said garment being a pair of trousers obtained from three suitably shaped pieces, wherein a first piece - configured in a trapezoidal form - creates one leg and a first half of the upper portion of the trousers, a second piece - also configured in a trapezoidal form - creates the other leg and the other half of the upper portion of the trousers, and a third piece creates an upper rear portion of the trousers, i.e. the portion immediately below the waist of the trousers and the internal part of a left front pocket and a right front pocket,- cutting out the three pieces.-joining the three pieces together to create the trousers using just two seams: the first made to create the crotch and join the two upper front and rear halves and the second to close the two legs.2) A system for making a garment according to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that the second seam runs from the back of the edge at the lower end of a leg, around the leg, outside the knee, until it reaches the rear of the trousers, at the seat, where it forms an arched seam and then runs to the edge at the lower end of the other leg specularly.3) A system for making a garment according to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that other seams are envisaged to make an edge at the waist and around the bottom edgesof the leg, or to create a hem and to close the back pocket and to make an edge at the opening of the front pockets.4) A system for making a garment according to Claim 1 characterised by the fact that the system envisages the creation of a pair of front pockets and a back pocket which are comprised within the outline of the model and require one seam only for the assembly thereof and the back pocket is made as a single piece with the rear arched area.5) A garment made according to the production system according to any one of Claims 1 to 4 characterised by the fact that the said garment is a pair of trousers obtained from a single tubular element from which three shaped pieces are obtained, wherein a first piece - configured with a trapezoidal form - creates a leg and a first half of the upper portion of the trousers, a second piece - also configured with a trapezoidal form - creates the other leg and the other half of the upper portion of the trousers, and a third piece creates an upper rear portion of the trousers, i.e. the portion immediately below the waist of the trousers and the internal part of a left front pocket and a right front pocket, wherein the three pieces are joined together by just two seams: a first (60) made to create the crotch and join the two upper front and rear halves and the second (61) to close the two legs.6) A garment according to Claim 5 characterised by the fact that the first piece (3) is configured with a trapezoidal form, wherein the smaller base (30) corresponds to the lower end of a leg, the other base comprises a portion (31) located at the other end which corresponds to a first half of the front portion of the trousers, followed by a recess (32) which corresponds to the crotch followed by a curvilinear section (34) which represents a first half of the rear portion of the trousers and corresponds to a sector of the seat while, at the opposite end of the portion (31) with respect to thecrotch, there is a straight portion (33) which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (right pocket).7) A garment according to Claim 5 characterised by the fact that the second piece (4) features a similar conformation to the first piece (3) and creates the other leg with the smaller base (40) at the end of the other leg and a portion (41) which completes the front portion, followed by a recess (42) which is the crotch which continues with a curvilinear section (44) which represents a second half of the rear portion of the trousers and, almost in the centre of the section (44) there is a rectangular appendix (45) envisaged to form a rear pocket while, at the opposite end of the portion (41), there is a rectilinear portion (43) which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (left pocket).8) A garment according to Claim 5 characterised by the fact that the third piece (5) creates the upper portion of the trousers and the internal part of the front pockets and is symmetrical with respect to a central line (50) which divides the third piece into two equal symmetrical parts, the said third piece featuring, from the central line (50), symmetrically, a right section (51) and a left section which make up the upper rear part of the trousers, i.e. the portion immediately below the waist of the trousers and having a pair of arched portions (52) which form an arch and correspond to the upper part of the seat of the trousers and are envisaged to couple respectively with the curvilinear sections (34 and 44), and the third piece (5) comprises two protuberances (53a and 53b), located respectively at each end of the said third piece and corresponding to the internal portion of the left front pocket (53b) and the right front pocket (53a).9) A garment according to claim 8 characterised by the fact that the protuberance (53a) on the third piece (5) is envisaged to couple with the straight portion (33) of the first piece (3) which corresponds to the opening of a front pocket (right pocket) and.similarly, the protuberance (53b) is intended to couple with the straight portion (43) of the second piece (4) to create the left front pocket.10) A garment according to Claim 5 characterised by the fact that the first seam joins the lines (32 and 42) and the second seam, which runs from the edge at the lower end of a leg, around the leg outside the knee and reaches the rear part at the seat joining the curvilinear sections (34 and 44) with the corresponding sections (52) of the third piece (5).11) A garment according to Claim 5 characterised by the fact that, to complete the trousers, other seams are envisaged to add an edge at the waist and around the bottom edges of the leg, or to create a hem and to close the back pocket and to make an edge at the opening of the front pockets.

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