EP1006821B1 - A camisole garment - Google Patents

A camisole garment Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP1006821B1
EP1006821B1 EP98914523A EP98914523A EP1006821B1 EP 1006821 B1 EP1006821 B1 EP 1006821B1 EP 98914523 A EP98914523 A EP 98914523A EP 98914523 A EP98914523 A EP 98914523A EP 1006821 B1 EP1006821 B1 EP 1006821B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
fabric
garment
upper edge
camisole garment
elastic
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
EP98914523A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1006821A1 (en
Inventor
Joseph Richard Alberts
Edward Anthony Ii Drezdzon
Donald Merlin Fries
Richard Mark Konetzke
Thomas Theodore Kvitek
Michael Joseph Muhlebach
Michael Joseph Nelson
Gerald Leigh Rabe
Brendon Frank Ribble
James Frederick Roth
Jon Mark Wittmann
Paulette Mary Rosch
Ingrid Christine Mcphilliamy
Mark Louis Robinson
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Original Assignee
Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Kimberly Clark Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US08/841,958 external-priority patent/US5953754A/en
Priority claimed from US08/841,989 external-priority patent/US5907872A/en
Application filed by Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc, Kimberly Clark Corp filed Critical Kimberly Clark Worldwide Inc
Publication of EP1006821A1 publication Critical patent/EP1006821A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1006821B1 publication Critical patent/EP1006821B1/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

Links

Images

Classifications

    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41DOUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D7/00Bathing gowns; Swim-suits, drawers, or trunks; Beach suits
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41BSHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B13/00Baby linen
    • A41B13/08Bodices
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41BSHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B9/00Undergarments
    • A41B9/06Undershirts; Chemises
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41DOUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D11/00Garments for children
    • AHUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41WEARING APPAREL
    • A41HAPPLIANCES OR METHODS FOR MAKING CLOTHES, e.g. FOR DRESS-MAKING OR FOR TAILORING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A41H42/00Multi-step production lines for making clothes
    • DTEXTILES; PAPER
    • D10INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10BINDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBLASSES OF SECTION D, RELATING TO TEXTILES
    • D10B2501/00Wearing apparel
    • D10B2501/04Outerwear; Protective garments

Definitions

  • This invention pertains to elasticized camisole garments particularly, though not exclusively, intended for the use of bathers or swimmers and relates to the kind which are typically disposable and primarily for children.
  • Disposable diapers for example, have met a particular need and have become very popular.
  • Disposable training pants have also met a particular need and have become popular.
  • a waste containment garment for possible "accidents" during such travel as well as during the child's or adults activities at the pool or beach.
  • a disposable swim wear As part of a disposable swim wear, a disposable girl's top is desired by the child, the parent of that child, or both.
  • one form of the top is a fully elasticized structure which extends from just about the top of the arm pit to just above the wearer's stomach or down to the waist, as described in UK Patent No. GB-486475.
  • One problem in the fit of the elastidzed material occurs when it has consisted of a bulked web composite such as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,606,964.
  • the bottom edge of the top has a tendency to curl up and fold over. This creates a poor appearance, and the camisole garment tends to ride up on the wearer.
  • This invention pertains to a continuous process for the manufacture of garments such as sleeveless tops, shirts; and blouses intended for everyday wear, and more particularly to a process for the manufacture of camisole-type garments.
  • tops that minimize the bottom rollover tendency during wearing while maintaining proper coverage.
  • the top needs to be easy to place on the wearer and durable during wear.
  • an improved cost-effective, high speed process for manufacturing a sleeveless garment, such as a top, shirt, or blouse has been discovered.
  • the present invention is for a camisole garment as claimed in claim 1.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment to be worn about the upper body comprising: providing at least a single layer web of fabric including an upper edge, a lower edge, and a body covering assembly; intermittently cutting the fabric, defining at least one opening in the fabric wherein each opening includes a top edge adjacent to the upper edge of the fabric; folding at least a portion of the fabric between at least one of the openings and the upper edge of the fabric back onto the body covering assembly of the fabric wherein at least one shoulder strap is formed; fastening the folded portion of the fabric to the body covering assembly of the fabric to form a neckline fold; cutting the fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece of fabric includes at least one opening, at least one shoulder strap, and two opposing end portions; and folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric whereby the two opposing end portions are brought into contact with each other.
  • one embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprising an elastic top 10 having a body covering assembly 11, an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6, respectively, about its perimeter.
  • the top 10 comprises an outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 both of which generally cover a series of body elastics 20.
  • the body elastics 20 circumferentially surround the body of the wearer to form a relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10.
  • the body elastics 20 act independently to conform to the contours of various body types and builds. This provides a smooth, conformable, and comfortable fit within a given chest size range.
  • the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 form areas of ruffles on the top 10.
  • the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 each have a width ranging from 0.64 cm to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches). The widths of these regions 24 and 30 are independent of each other.
  • the desired width of the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 is between 0.64 cm to 5.1 cm (0.25 to 2.0 inches), and more desirably, from 0.64 cm to 2.5 cm (0.25 to 1.0 inch).
  • a pair of openings 32 and 34, serving as arm holes 33 and 35, respectively, are cut out of the relatively elastic region 22, desirably adjacent or near the inelastic upper region 24.
  • the top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.64 cm to 5.1 cm (0.25 inch to 2.0) inches below the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24.
  • the openings 32 and 34 are desirably located in opposing positions.
  • the openings 32 and 34 may be slits, circular holes, square holes, oval holes, irregular shaped holes, or the like.
  • the body elastics 20 are about 406 mm (16 inches) long unstretched.
  • the height of the top 10 is about 146 mm (5.75 inches) wide.
  • the height may be about 229 mm (9.50 inches) wide. If it does extend to the waist, the top 10 may be fastened to a bottom or pant-type garment.
  • the top 10 includes a pair of straps 26 and 28 which help hold the camisole garment 2 in place.
  • the straps 26 and 28 are formed by the fabric 3 located above the top edges 36 and 38 of the arm holes 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4 .
  • the straps 26 and 28 may be formed by folding the upper edge 4 , the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 , and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 back onto relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10.
  • the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40.
  • the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer.
  • the body covering assembly 11 includes only one opening 32 in the relatively elastic region 22 of the body covering assembly 11, and adjacent to the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 of the fabric 3.
  • the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40.
  • the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer. Only one shoulder strap 26 is formed on the camisole garment 2.
  • the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2 . In another embodiment, the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the neckline edge fold 40 is maintained by bonding the folded portion to the top 10 thereby forming a non-refastenable seam.
  • the non-refastenable seam may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic seating, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like.
  • One suitable method of forming such seams is disdosed in U.S. Patent 4,938,753.
  • Both the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer.
  • the following description of materials from which the outer cover 16 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the bodyside liner 18 .
  • the outer cover 16 may be any suitable gatherable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although they need not necessarily be, an elastic material.
  • Suitable fibrous gatherable webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins. e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing.
  • the gatherable webs may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
  • the outer cover 16 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness.
  • Outer cover 16 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films.
  • the outer cover 16 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like.
  • a suitable outer cover 16 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art Alternatively, the outer cover 16 is derived from a spunbonded web.
  • the outer cover 16 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS).
  • SMS spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate
  • the basis weight per ply of SMS is 14 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 osy) more desirably to about 20 gsm (0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven.
  • a pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 .
  • a variety of pigment colorants may also be added.
  • Such spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, GA.
  • the basis weight of the SMS material may vary from 1.4 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 osy).
  • the outer cover 16 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wireweave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 8.6 kg (19 pounds) as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cyde abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402.
  • Such spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Roswell, GA.
  • the outer cover 16 has a weight of from 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 50 gsm (1.5 osy), desirably about 24 gsm (0.7 osy).
  • the outer cover 16 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 51 gsm (1.5 osy) in the structure of the top 10 , the outer cover 16 desirably comprises a material having a basis weight of from 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 51 gsm (1.5 osy). Lesser basis weights may be used in the other regions of the article. Since the camisole garment 2 is typically intended for active wear, the outer cover 16 or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight and bonded structure which resist abrasion.
  • the bodyside liner 18 may be any soft, flexible, porous sheet. Again, the bodyside liner 18 must permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or bromated) and still retain its integrity.
  • the bodyside liner 18 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton.
  • the bodyside liner 18 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough.
  • a suitable adhesive for adhering the laminate layers is H2096 hot melt adhesive that can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
  • the outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color or pattern.
  • the bodyside liner 18 is either dyed, pigment, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
  • Materials suitable for use as the body elastics 20 indude a wide variety, but not limited to, elastic threads, meltblown elastomeric polymer, yam rubber, flat rubber (e.g. as bands), elastic tape, fdm-type rubber, polyurethane, and tape-like elastomer. or foam polyurethane or formed elastic scrim.
  • Each body elastic 20 may be unitary, multi-part, or composite in construction. Threads or ribbons, where used, may be multiple and may be applied as a composite.
  • the elastomerics used in the body elastics 20 may be latent and non-latent.
  • the body elastics 20 are elongated to between 50% to 300%.
  • the elongations may vary for separate elements and still be within the overall elongation for the composite of the elements comprising the body elastics 20.
  • the body elastics 20 circumferentially surround the body of the wearer to form a relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10.
  • the body elastics 20 act independently to conform to the contours of various body types and builds. This provides a smooth, snug, and comfortable fit within a given chest size range.
  • the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 form areas of ruffles on the top 10.
  • the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 each have a width ranging from 0.64 cm to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches). The widths of these regions 24 and 30 are independent of each other.
  • the desired width of the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively lower edge region 30 is between 0.64 to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 2.0 inches), and more desirably, from 0.64 to 2.5 cm (0.25 to 1.0 inch).
  • opposing end portions 48 and 50 of top 10 may be bonded together in the finished top 10 to form a body seam 42 that is non-refastenable.
  • the non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
  • the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42.
  • Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96.
  • Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10.
  • elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2.
  • the structure material of the top 10 desirably has stretch characteristics in a first direction such that it is capable of from 10 to 500 percent elongation and upon release of tension will recover at least 55 percent of its elongation. It is generally desired that the structure material of the top 10 in the first direction be capable of between 50 and 300 percent elongation, particularly at least 125 percent elongation and recovery upon release of tension of at least 80 percent of its elongation.
  • the top 10 may be formed of a material capable of stretching in one direction or capable of stretching in two perpendicular directions.
  • One suitable one-directional stretch material is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,720,415.
  • the one-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including at least one gatherable web bonded to at least one elongated elastic web.
  • the elastic web may be an elastic film or nonwoven fibrous elastic webs such as meltblown elastomeric fibrous webs.
  • the top 10 comprises a stretch bonded laminate formed of a pre-stretched elastic meltblown inner layer sandwiched between and attached to a pair of spunbond polypropylene nonwoven webs, each web having a basis weight of about 14 gsm (0.4 osy).
  • Suitable elastic materials can be purchased from the Shell Chemical Company of Houston, Texas under the trade name Kraton.
  • Other suitable one-directional stretch materials are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,606,964 issued August 19, 1986, to Wideman and 4,657,802 issued April 14, 1987, to Monnan.
  • Suitable two-directional stretch materials for the body elastics 20 are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,114,781 and 5,116,662.
  • a two-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including a neckable material and an elastic sheet, which may be formed by meltblowing or extrusion.
  • Neckable materials are those which may be constricted in at least one dimension by applying a tensioning force in a direction perpendicular to the desired direction of neck-down, and may include a spunbonded, meltblown or bonded carded web.
  • the tensioned, necked neckable material may be joined to the elongated elastic sheet at spaced locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration.
  • Another two-directional stretch composite material may comprise one or more layers of reversibly necked material joined to one or more layers of elastic sheet at spaced locations.
  • Reversibly necked materials are those that have been treated, such as with heat, while necked to impart memory to the material so that, when a force is applied to extend the material to its pre-necked dimensions, the treated, necked portions will generally recover to their necked dimensions upon termination of the force.
  • the material stretches in horizontal direction only, that is, around the body. If the material is elastic in both directions, it is desirable to limit the stretch in the vertical direction to less than 20% under normal tensions.
  • the body elastics 20 may be formed of a dry-spun coalesced multi-filament elastomeric thread sold under the tradename LYCRA and available from I.E. Du Pont de Nemours and Company. still altemately, the elastics may be formed of other typical elastics utilized in the diaper-making art, such as a thin ribbon of elastic material as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,940,464.
  • Elasticity could also be imparted to the structure material of the top 10 by extruding a hot melt elastomeric adhesive between the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18.
  • Other suitable elastic gathering means are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,938,754 to Mesek and 4,388,075 to Mesek et al.
  • the body elastics 20 may be individually laid on one of the adjacent gatherable layers (outer cover 16 or bodyside liner 18 ) and the other gatherable layer web applied over the elastics to bond the first layer.
  • the outer cover 16 may be employed and the body elastics 20 bonded to one side, desirably the bodyside, of the outer cover 16 .
  • the body elastics 20 are left exposed on one side of the outer cover 16 .
  • FIG. 1 Another embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 .
  • the upper body opening 12 has an upper edge 4 about its perimeter.
  • the lower body opening 14 has a lower edge 6 about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3 ; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the body covering assembly 11 ; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3 ; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opposing openings 32 and 34 over onto the body covering assembly 11 .
  • the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the single layer web of fabric 3 used in the process may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may include an elastic material.
  • Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing.
  • the web may also comprise a polymeric film layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
  • the fabric 3 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness.
  • the fabric 3 may also be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films.
  • the fabric 3 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, meltblown, bond-carded, or the like.
  • a suitable fabric 3 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.
  • the fabric 3 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the fabric 3 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
  • the body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 may comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • the non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
  • the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42.
  • the body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 comprises a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96 .
  • Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10 .
  • elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2 .
  • the camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprises a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 .
  • the upper opening 12 has an upper edge 4 about its perimeter.
  • the lower opening 14 has a lower edge 6 about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 ; at least one opening 32 in the body covering assembly 11 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 ; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 (not shown) between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 ; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opening 32 over onto the body covering assembly 11.
  • the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2. In another embodiment, the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the camisole garment 2 may further comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by non-refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • the non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
  • the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42 .
  • the body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 comprises a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96 .
  • Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10 .
  • elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2 .
  • the present invention relates to a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 , wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises: a relatively elastic region 22 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 ; a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the lower edge 6 wherein the lower edge region 30 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22 , and the lower edge region 30 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the upper edge 4 wherein the upper edge region 24 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22 , and the upper edge region 24 further being 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the relatively elastic region 22 ; and, two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the body covering assembly 11 between the
  • the camisole garment 10 may further comprise a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding over the upper edge 4, the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 above the opposing openings 32 and 34.
  • the camisole garment 10 may comprise an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18, both of which cover a series of body elastics 20 which circumferentially surround the body to form the relatively elastic region 22.
  • the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the garment 10 may be refastenably engaged to form a refastenable body seam 42.
  • the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the garment 10 may be non-refastenably engaged to form a non-refastenable body seam 42.
  • the outer cover 16 of the camisole garment 10 may be a gatherable material; a woven material; a nonwoven material; a polymeric film material; a fibrous material; or, an elastic material.
  • the outer cover 16 may be a spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material, or spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material laminate.
  • the outer cover 16 may be comprised of acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper, or a blend or combination of two or more of the foregoing.
  • the outer cover 16 may comprise acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a compatible mixture, blend or copolymer thereof.
  • the outer cover 16 may have a basis weight of from 14 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 ounces per square yard) and contain about 86% spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material and about 14% meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material.
  • the bodyside liner 18 of the camisole garment 10 may be a soft, flexible porous sheet which permits submersion in fresh water, salt water, chlorinated water or brominated water and thereafter retains its integrity.
  • the body liner 18 may comprise a nonwoven or sheet of spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, or cotton filaments.
  • the body elastics 20 are elastic threads, yam rubber, flat rubber, elastic tape, polyurethane, or foamed elastic scrim.
  • the body elastics 20 are elongated to between 50% to 300%.
  • the body covering assembly 11 of the camisole garment 10 may be made of materials having stretch characteristics such that the body covering assembly is capable of between 50% to 300% elongation, and recovery, upon release of tension, of at least 80% of its elongation.
  • the body covering assembly 11 may be made of materials capable of stretching in one direction or of materials capable of stretching in two substantially perpendicular directions.
  • FIG. 1 Another embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises: a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the body covering assembly 11; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opposing openings 32 and 34.
  • the camisole garment 10 further comprises a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50.
  • the garment 10 may comprising a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • the present invention relates to a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 , wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises: a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; at least one opening 32 in the body covering assembly 11 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opening 32.
  • the camisole garment 10 may further comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • the camisole garment 10 may further comprise a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 .
  • the camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 , wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises: a relatively elastic region 22 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 ; a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the lower edge 6 wherein the lower edge region 30 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the lower edge region 30 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the upper edge 4 wherein the upper edge region 24 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the upper edge region 24 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; at least one opening 32 in the relatively elastic region 22; and, two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the body covering assembly 11 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 engaged to
  • the camisole garment 10 may further comprise a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding over the upper edge 4, the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 above the opening 32.
  • the camisole garment 10 may also comprise an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18 , both of which cover a series of body elastics 20 which circumferentially surround the body to form the relatively elastic region 11 .
  • the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 may be refastenably engaged to form a refastenable body seam 42 .
  • the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are non-refastenably engaged to form a non-refastenable body seam 42 .
  • camisole garment 2 of this invention is generally intended to be disposable, any camisole garment which is reusable may take advantage of this invention.
  • reusable and disposable items the latter term meaning items intended to be discarded after a single use rather than being laundered and reused
  • the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3 .
  • the fabric 3 or material, used in the process may be a single layer web or a multi-layer laminate web.
  • the fabric 3 is desirably a soft, flexible sheet.
  • One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 (see Fig. 3 ) for wearing about the body comprising a top 10 having a body covering assembly 11 , an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 , each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6 , respectively, about its perimeter.
  • the illustrated top 10 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3 .
  • the single layer web of fabric 3 used in the process may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous, or a polymeric film material and may include an elastic material.
  • Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing.
  • the web may also comprise a polymeric film layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
  • the fabric 3 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness.
  • the fabric 3 may also be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films.
  • the fabric 3 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, meltblown, bond-carded, or the like.
  • a suitable fabric 3 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.
  • the fabric 3 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the fabric 3 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
  • a repeating series of pairs of openings 32 and 34 are cut into the fabric 3.
  • the location of the openings 32 and 34 corresponds to the arm holes 33 and 35, respectively, in the finished garment 2.
  • the openings 32 and 34 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation.
  • the openings 32 and 34 can have a variety of shapes ranging from slit, circular, square, oval, irregular, or the like. The pattern is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of fabric 3 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.
  • the top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 13 cm (0.25 inch to 5.0 inches) from the upper edge 4.
  • the portion of the fabric 3 of the body covering assembly 11 between the upper edge 4 and the openings 32 and 34 is folded back onto itself, thereby forming a neckline edge fold 40 .
  • the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2 .
  • the folded material 5 is bonded between the openings 32 and 34, thereby creating shoulder straps 26 and 28.
  • the shoulder straps 26 and 28 help hold the camisole garment 2 in place.
  • the bonding forms a non-refastenable seam 42.
  • the non-refastenable seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, tape, sewing, or the like accomplished on a continuous or intermittent basis.
  • One suitable method of forming such seams is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,938,753.
  • the fabric 3 is then cut into discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece contains one pair of openings 32 and 34, one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 and one pair of opposing end portions 48 and 50.
  • Each piece of fabric 3 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through folding and redirection operations. Folding and redirection operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means.
  • the piece of fabric 3 is folded (desirably via a turn roll) so as to bring together the opposing end portions 48 and 50 to form a body seam 42.
  • the piece of fabric 3 is redirected (or reoriented) to allow easy bonding of the body seam 42.
  • the piece of fabric 3 is reoriented 90 degrees.
  • the body seam 42 can be a non-refastenable seam or a refastenable seam. Any excess fabric 3 may be removed from the edge 47 of the body seam 42 to reduce and smooth out the body seam 42.
  • the non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or the like.
  • the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42.
  • Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include refastenable adhesive systems and mechanical type fasteners 96.
  • Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10.
  • elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2.
  • the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the fabric 3 before the fabric 3 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces.
  • the folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when a refastenable body seam 42 is Included in the camisole garment 2. There may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.
  • FIG. 1 and 2 Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 (see Fig. 1 and 2 ) for wearing about the body comprising an elastic top 10 having a body covering assembly 11 , an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14 , each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6 , respectively, about its perimeter.
  • the top 10 comprises an outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 both of which generally cover a series of body elastics 20 .
  • the top 10 comprises a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 3.
  • Both the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer.
  • the following description of materials from which the outer cover 16 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the bodyside liner 18 .
  • a repeating series of pairs of openings 32 and 34 are cut out of the relatively elastic region 22 , of the fabric 3 , desirably near the inelastic upper region 24.
  • the location of the openings 32 and 34 correspond to the arm holes 33 and 35 in the finished garment 2.
  • the top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 5 cm (0.25 inch to 2.0 inches) below the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24.
  • the openings 32 and 34 can have a variety of shapes.
  • the pattern is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of fabric 3 that must remain having suffecient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture.
  • the openings 32 and 34 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation.
  • The. top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 13 cm (0.25 inch to 5.0 inches) from the upper edge 24.
  • the top 10 includes a pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 which help hold the camisole garment 2 in place.
  • the shoulder straps 26 and 28 are made of the fabric 3 located between the top edges 36 and 38 of the arm holes 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4.
  • the portion of the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2, wherein the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40.
  • the portion of the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2, wherein the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer.
  • the neckline edge fold 40 is maintained by bonding the folded material 5 to the fabric 3 between the openings 32 and 34 , thereby creating the shoulder straps 26 and 28 .
  • the bonding forms a non-refastenable seam 42 .
  • the non-refastenable seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
  • the fabric 3 is then cut into discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece contains one pair of openings 32 and 34 , one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 and one pair of opposing end portions 48 and 50.
  • Each piece of fabric 3 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through folding and redirection operations.
  • the piece of fabric 3 is folded so as to bring together the opposing end portions 48 and 50 to form a body seam 42 .
  • the piece of fabric 3 is redirected (or reoriented) to allow easy bonding of the body seam 42 .
  • the body seam 42 can be a non-refastenable seam or a refastenable seam. Any excess fabric 3 may be removed from the edge 47 of the body seam 42 to reduce and smooth out the body seam 42 .
  • the non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
  • the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42 .
  • Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include refastenable adhesive systems and mechanical type fasteners.
  • Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10 .
  • elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2 .
  • the camisole garment 2 includes a refastenable body seam 42
  • the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the fabric 3 before the fabric 3 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces. The folding and redirection operations are eliminated when a refastenable body seam 42 is included in the camisole garment 2 .
  • the fabric 3 of the top 10 desirably has stretch characteristics in a first direction such that it is capable of from 10 to 500 percent elongation and upon release of tension will recover at least 55 percent of its elongation. It is generally desired that the structure material of the top 10 in the first direction be capable of between 50 and 300 percent elongation, particularly at least 125 percent elongation and recovery upon release of tension of at least 80 percent of its elongation.
  • top 10 may be formed of a material capable of stretching in one direction or capable of stretching in at least two substantially perpendicular directions.
  • One suitable one-directional stretch material is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,720,415.
  • the one-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including at least one gatherable web bonded to at least one elongated elastic web.
  • the elastic web may be an elastic film or nonwoven fibrous elastic webs such as meltblown elastomeric fibrous webs.
  • the top 10 comprises a stretch bonded laminate formed of a pre-stretched elastic meltblown inner layer sandwiched between and attached to a pair of spunbond polypropylene nonwoven webs each having a basis weight of about 14 gsm (0.4 osy).
  • Suitable elastic materials can be purchased from the Shell Chemical Company of Houston, Texas under the trade name Kraton.
  • Other suitable one-directional stretch materials are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,606,964 issued August 19, 1986, to Wideman and 4,657,802 issued April 14, 1987, to Morman.
  • Suitable two-directional stretch materials for the body elastics 20 are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,114,781 and 5,116,662.
  • a two-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including a neckable material and an elastic sheet, which may be formed by meltblowing or extrusion.
  • Nedcable materials are those which may be constricted in at least one dimension by applying a tensioning force in a direction perpendicular to the desired direction of neck-down, and may include a spunbonded. meltblown or bonded carded web.
  • the tensioned, necked neckable material may be joined to the elongated elastic sheet at spaced locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration.
  • Another two-directional stretch composite material may comprise one or more layers of reversibly necked material joined to one or more layers of elastic sheet at spaced locations.
  • Reversibly necked materials are those that have been treated, such as with heat. white necked to impart memory to the material so that, when a force is applied to extend the material to its pre-necked dimensions, the treated, necked portions will generally recover to their necked dimensions upon termination of the force.
  • the material stretches in horizontal direction only, that is, around the body. If the material is elastic in both directions, it is desirable to limit the stretch in the vertical direction to less than 20% under normal tensions.
  • the body elastics 20 may be formed of a dry-spun coalesced multi-filament elastomeric thread sold under the tradename LYCRA and available from I.E Du Pont de Nemours and Company. Still alternately, the elastics may be formed of other typical elastics utilized in the diaper-making art, such as a thin ribbon of elastic material as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,940.464.
  • Elasticity could also be imparted to the structure material of the top 10 by extruding a hot melt elastomeric adhesive between the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18 .
  • Other suitable elastic gathering means are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,938,754 to Mesek and 4,388,075 to Mesek et at.
  • the body elastics 20 may be individually laid on one of the adjacent gatherable layers (outer cover 16 or bodyside liner 18 ) and the other gatherable layer web applied over the elastics to bond the first layer.
  • the outer cover 16 may be employed and the body elastics 20 bonded to one side, desirably the bodyside, of the outer cover 16 .
  • the body elastics 20 are left exposed on one side of the outer cover 16 .
  • One embodiment of the present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • the continuous process may further comprise cutting off excess fabric 47 remaining of the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42 . At least one pair of openings 32 and 34 are cut into the fabric 3 .
  • the body seam 42 can be refastenable or non-refastenable.
  • Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • the continuous process may further comprise cutting off the excess fabric 47 remaining on the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42.
  • the body covering assembly 11 comprises a relatively elastic region 22 between a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 adjacent to the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3 and a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 .
  • the relatively elastic region 22 comprises body elastics 20 between an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18 and in which the body elastics 20 circumferentially surround a body of a wearer.
  • the present invention also relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 does not need to be folded, nor does the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 have to be brought into contact with each other during the process of the present invention.
  • the mechanical fasteners 96 when used, can be applied during the process of the present invention and the opposing end portions 48 and 50 need never be brought into contact with each other prior to use.
  • the continuous process may further comprise cutting off excess fabric 47 remaining of the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42 .
  • the body seam 42 may be refastenable or non-refastenable.
  • the continuous process may also further comprise turning the folded discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 to move sideways.
  • the present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • the material used to obtain this example consists of a laminate made of 2 facings of 20 gsm (0.6 osy) nonwoven material covering 470 decitex LYCRA elastic strands placed about 3 strands per cm width (7 strands per inch width) of material.
  • the elastic strands are adhesively attached using an add-on of 5 gsm.
  • the elastics are also applied at 150% to 170% stretch.
  • the width of the final laminate is 10cm (4 inches) excluding any non-elasticized ruffle that is added.
  • the ruffle is formed on the edge of the material by eliminating the elastic strands and allowing the 2 nonwoven facings to be bonded adhesively together, then slitting to the desired ruffle width.
  • the nonwoven used in this case was a 20 gsm (0.6 osy) spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminate (SMS), although other nonwoven facings (i.e. 14 and 20 gsm (0.4 and 0.6 osy) spunbond) have shown similar results.
  • the elastic strands decitex and spacing, the adhesive add-on and the percent stretch may also vary. The codes tested are as follows:
  • Samples of each code are cut to at least 46 cm (18") in length (this provides for a testing length of 41 cm (16"), the approximate length needed to make a swimsuit top) and 2.5cm (an inch) in either side for attachment to the test template.
  • the center of the width of each sample is determined as between the two outermost strands of elastics stands and a line is drawn down the entire center length of the sample. The ruffle width is not included in the measurement.
  • a piece of foam core or cork board is marked at 0, 41, 51 and 55 cm (0", 16", 20" and 21.5").
  • the 51 cm and 55 cm (20" and 21.5") marks represent the 41 cm (16") sample pulled to 25% and 35% respectively, which is the typical amount of stretch the material demonstrates when worn by a typical child.
  • one end of the material is attached into the board at the 0 cm (0") mark. Taking care to lay the material flat and straight, but without any elongation, the pin through the second end of the material is attached into the board at the 41 cm (16") mark. Once the material is attached, the end of the material at the 41 cm (16") mark is stretched to 51 cm (20") by removing the pin from the board and using the pin to pull the material to the 51 cm (20") mark. Any wrinkles are smoothed out around the pin and the sample is allowed to sit for 5 minutes.
  • the amount of curling of the lengthwise edges of the material is measured. This is accomplished with an inverted U-shaped clear template (approximately 5 cm (2.0) high by 15 cm (6.0") long) with a line drawn lengthwise at the centerline of the template.
  • the centerline of the template should be directly over the centerline of the sample.
  • the edge of the template start of the centerline
  • should be placed at the exact center of the length of the sample a line drawn of the board prior to testing to mark this point).
  • Measurement of amount of curl is accomplished by placing the U-shaped template over the sample so that the centerline of the template is directly above the centerline of the sample. Once the template is in place, measure the distance (in mm) from the centerline to each edge of the material should be measured and recorded. If the material has curled over enough to cover the centerline of the sample, the distance past the centerline should be added as well. In addition, it should be noted whether the material edge has just curled or has actually begun to fold over. After recording the measurements, the results for the ruffled material should be adjusted to take into account the width of the ruffle. This is accomplished by subtracting the width of the ruffle from the respective results of materials with ruffles.

Landscapes

  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Details Of Garments (AREA)
  • Undergarments, Swaddling Clothes, Handkerchiefs Or Underwear Materials (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)
  • Corsets Or Brassieres (AREA)
  • Gears, Cams (AREA)
  • Saccharide Compounds (AREA)
  • Pharmaceuticals Containing Other Organic And Inorganic Compounds (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Transition And Organic Metals Composition Catalysts For Addition Polymerization (AREA)
  • Outer Garments And Coats (AREA)
  • Compressors, Vaccum Pumps And Other Relevant Systems (AREA)

Abstract

A camisole garment (2) including an elastic system which is under tension and a ruffle which forms an edge (4) of the elastic structure whereby the curl-over of the structure is minimized during use. In addition, a continuous process for the manufacture of garments including sleeveless tops, shirts, or blouses.

Description

Background of the Invention
This invention pertains to elasticized camisole garments particularly, though not exclusively, intended for the use of bathers or swimmers and relates to the kind which are typically disposable and primarily for children.
Currently, disposable waste containment articles find widespread use in the areas of adult care, infant care, and child care, and have generally replaced reusable cloth articles. Disposable diapers, for example, have met a particular need and have become very popular. Disposable training pants have also met a particular need and have become popular. However, once a child desires to travel to a swimming pool or beach, the child requires a waste containment garment for possible "accidents" during such travel as well as during the child's or adults activities at the pool or beach. As part of a disposable swim wear, a disposable girl's top is desired by the child, the parent of that child, or both.
In fitting the child, one form of the top is a fully elasticized structure which extends from just about the top of the arm pit to just above the wearer's stomach or down to the waist, as described in UK Patent No. GB-486475.
One problem in the fit of the elastidzed material occurs when it has consisted of a bulked web composite such as described in U.S. Patent No. 4,606,964. The bottom edge of the top has a tendency to curl up and fold over. This creates a poor appearance, and the camisole garment tends to ride up on the wearer.
This invention pertains to a continuous process for the manufacture of garments such as sleeveless tops, shirts; and blouses intended for everyday wear, and more particularly to a process for the manufacture of camisole-type garments.
Manufacturers are always looking for new, cost-effective, high-speed continuous processes for manufacturing inexpensive clothing, both disposable and reusable garments, for everyday use. In addition, consumers are interested in active wear that is comfortable and relatively inexpensive, especially if the garments are for children.
Previous methods used in clothing manufacture require pieces of fabric or similar such material to be cut into specific patterns. The pieces are then sewn together in a multistep process for assembly into articles of clothing. Such processes are labor intensive. The process speeds typically depend on the speed of the final sewing stages.
Summary of the Invention
Thus, there is a need to provide an improved child's swimming apparel that minimizes the bottom rollover tendency during wearing while maintaining proper coverage. In addition, the top needs to be easy to place on the wearer, durable during wear, and, because the top is disposable, low in cost In response to these needs, an improved elasticized top has been discovered.
Thus, there is a need to provide a comfortable and inexpensive active wear clothing, specifically tops that minimize the bottom rollover tendency during wearing while maintaining proper coverage. In addition, the top needs to be easy to place on the wearer and durable during wear. In response to these needs, an improved cost-effective, high speed process for manufacturing a sleeveless garment, such as a top, shirt, or blouse, has been discovered.
The present invention is for a camisole garment as claimed in claim 1.
One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment to be worn about the upper body comprising: providing at least a single layer web of fabric including an upper edge, a lower edge, and a body covering assembly; intermittently cutting the fabric, defining at least one opening in the fabric wherein each opening includes a top edge adjacent to the upper edge of the fabric; folding at least a portion of the fabric between at least one of the openings and the upper edge of the fabric back onto the body covering assembly of the fabric wherein at least one shoulder strap is formed; fastening the folded portion of the fabric to the body covering assembly of the fabric to form a neckline fold; cutting the fabric, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece of fabric includes at least one opening, at least one shoulder strap, and two opposing end portions; and folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric whereby the two opposing end portions are brought into contact with each other.
Numerous features and advantages of the present invention will appear from the following description. In the description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings which illustrate desired embodiments of the invention. Such embodiments do not represent the full scope of the invention. Reference should therefore be made to the claims herein for interpreting the full scope of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The above-mentioned and other features of the present invention and the manner of attaining them will become more apparent, and the invention itself will be better understood by reference to the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:
  • Fig. 1 is a front view of a top typifying an embodiment of the present invention for a camisole garment.
  • Fig. 2 is a front view of a top typifying another embodiment of the present invention for a camisole garment having one shoulder strap.
  • Fig. 3 is a back view of a top typifying an embodiment of the present invention showing a refastenable body seam.
  • Definitions
    Within the context of this specification, each term or phrase below will include the following meaning or meanings:
  • (a) "Bonded" refers to the joining, adhering, connecting, attaching, or the like, of two elements. Two elements will be considered to be bonded together when they are bonded directly to one another or indirectly to one another, such as when each is directly bonded to intermediate elements.
  • (b) "Bonded Carded Fabric or Web" refers to fabric or webs made from staple fibers which are sent through a combing or carding unit, which breaks apart and aligns the staple fibers in the machine direction to form a generally machine direction-oriented fibrous nonwoven web. Such fibers are usually purchased in bales which are place in a picker which separates the fibers prior to the carding unit. Once the web or fabric is formed, it is then bonded by one or more of several known bonding methods. Once such bonding method is powder bonding, wherein a powdered adhesive is distributed through the web or fabric and then activated, usually by heating the fabric and adhesive with hot air. Another suitable bonding method is pattern bonding, wherein heated calender rolls or ultrasonic bonding equipment are used to bond the fibers together, usually in a localized bond pattern, though the fabric can be bonded across its entire surface if so desired. Another suitable and well-known bonding method, particularly when using bi-component staple fibers, is through-air bonding.
  • (c) "Camisole" refers to a sleeveless top garment, similar to a sleeveless undergarment, but which can be worn as an outer garment.
  • (d) "Cross Machine Direction" means the width of the fabric in a direction generally perpendicular to the machine direction.
  • (e) "Disposable" includes being disposed of after use, and not intended to be washed and reused.
  • (f) "Disposed", "disposed on", "disposed with", "disposed at", "disposed near", and variations thereof are intended to mean that one element can be integral or unitary with another element, or that one element can be a separate structure joined to or connected to or placed with or placed near another element.
  • (g) "Elasticity" and "elastic" include that property of a material by virtue of which it tends to substantially recover to its original size and shape after removal of a force causing deformation of the material.
  • (h) "Elastically connected" and "elastically connecting" refer to two elements being separated by and bonded to an elastic member, where the relative position of the two elements may change due to extension of the elastic member.
  • (i) "Elongation" indudes the ratio of the extension of a material to the length of a material prior to the extension. Elongation is expressed in percent.
  • (j) "Extension", "extend", and "extended" include the change in length of a material due to stretching. Extension is expressed in units of length.
  • (k) "Fabric" is used to refer to all of the woven, knitted. and nonwoven webs.
  • (I) "Flexible" refers to materials or fabrics that are compliant and readily conform to the general shape and contours of an individual's body.
  • (m) "Force" indudes a physical influence exerted by one body on another which produces acceleration of bodies that are free to move and deformation of bodies that are not free to move. Force is expressed in Newtons (grams-force).
  • (n) "Foreshortened" and "foreshortening" include to shorten beforehand, that is, before a subsequent step.
  • (o) "Front" and "back" are used to designate relationships relative to the garment itself, rather than to suggest any position the garment assumes when it is positioned on a wearer.
  • (p) "Gatherable" material is one which, when bonded to the reticular web with the latter under tension, will gather, with the formation of puckers or gathers, to accommodate contraction of the reticulated web upon release of the tensioning forces.
  • (q) "Machine Direction" means the length of a fabric in the direction in which it is produced or the length of fabric moving in the direction of the machine operations.
  • (r) "Meltblown Fibers" means fibers formed by extruding a molten thermoplastic material through a plurality of fine, usually circular, die capillaries as molten threads or filaments into converging high velocity, usually hot gas (e.g. air) streams which attenuate the filaments of molten thermoplastic material to reduce their diameter, which may be to microfiber diameter. Thereafter, the meltblown fibers are carried by the high velocity gas stream and are deposited on a collecting surface to form a web of randomly disbursed meltblown fibers. Such a process is disclosed, for example in U.S. Patent 3,849,241 to Butin et al. Meltblown fibers are microfibers which may be continuous or discontinuous, are generally smaller than 10 microns in average diameter, and are generally tacky when deposited onto a collecting surface.
  • (s) "Member" when used in the singular can have the dual meaning of a single element or a plurality of elements.
  • (t) "Multi-layer Laminate" means a laminate wherein some of the layers are spunbond and some are meltbtown such as a spunbond/meltblown/spunbond (SMS) laminate and other as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,041,203 to Brock et al., U.S. Patent 5,169,706 to Collier et al., U.S. Patent 5,145,727 to Potts et al., U.S. Patent 5,178,931 to Perkins, et al., and U.S. Patent 5,188,885 to Timmons et al. Such a laminate may be made by sequentially depositing onto a moving forming belt first a spunbond fabric layer, then a meltblown fabric layer and last another spunbond layer and then bonding the laminate in a manner described below. Alternatively. the fabric layers may be made individually, collected in rolls, and combined in a separate bonding step. Such fabrics usually have a basis weight of from about 4 to 400 gsm (about 0.1 to 12 osy), or more particularly from about 25 to 100 gsm (about 0.75 to about 3 osy). Multi-layer laminates may also have various numbers of meltblown layers or multiple spunbond layers in many different configurations and may include other materials like films or coform materials.
  • (u) "Neckable Material" means any material which can be necked.
  • (v) "Necked Material" refers to any material which has been vonstricted in at least one dimension by processes such as, for example, drawing or gathering.
  • (w) "Non-elastic" or "Inelastic" refers to any material that does not fall within the definition of "elastic".
  • (x) "Nonwoven fabric or web" means a web having a structure of individual fibers or threads which are interlaid, but not in an identifiable manner as in a knitted fabric. Nonwoven fabrics or webs have been formed from many processes such as, for example, meltblowing processes, spunbonding processes, and bonded carded web processes. The basis weight of nonwoven fabrics is usually expressed in ounces of material per square yard (osy) or grams per square meter (gsm) and the fiber diameters are usually expressed in microns.
  • (y) "Operatively joined" with reference to the attachment of an elastic member to another element means that the elastic member when attached to or connected to or treated with heat with the element gives that element elastic properties. With reference to the attachment of a non-elastic member to another element, it means that the member and element can be attached in any suitable manner that permits or allows them to perform the intended or described function of the joinder. The joining, attaching, connecting or the like can be either directly, such as joining either member directly to an element, or can be indirectly by means of another member or element disposed between the first member and the first element.
  • (z) "Pattern" includes any geometric or non-geometric form that can include, among others, a series of connected or unconnected lines or curves, a series of parallel or nonparallel or intersecting lines or curves, a series of linear or curvilinear lines, and the like, or any combinations thereof. The pattern can include a repeating form and/or non-repeating form.
  • (aa) "Ruffles" includes the region of the material which lies outside the outermost elastic and includes no elastic material. That is, no elastic material is present or the elastic material which was present has been rendered inelastic.
  • (bb) "Rupture" includes the breaking or tearing apart of a material. In tensile testing, rupture refers to the total separation of a material into two parts, either all at once or in stages, or the development of a hole in some materials.
  • (cc) "Stretch bonded" refers to an elastomeric strand being bonded to another member while the elastomeric strand is elongated at least 25 percent of its relaxed length. Desirably, the term "stretch bonded" refers to the situation wherein the elastomeric strand is elongated at least 50 percent, more desirably at least 300 percent, of its relaxed length when it is bonded to the other member.
  • (dd) "Stretch bonded laminate" ("SBL") refers to a composite material having at least two layers in which one layer is a gatherable layer and the other layer is a stretchable, that is, elastic, layer. The layers are joined together when the stretchable layer is in a stretched condition so that upon relaxing the layers, the gatherable layer is gathered.
  • (ee) "Spunbonded fibers" refers to small diameter fibers which are formed by extruding molten thermoplastic material as filaments from a plurality of fine, usually circular capillaries or spinneret with the diameter of the extruded filaments then being rapidly reduced as by, for example, as disclosed in in U.S. Patent 4,340,563 to Appel et al., and U.S. Patent 3,692,618 to Dorschner et al., U.S. Patent 3, 802,817 to Matsuki et al., U.S. Patents 3,338,992 and 3,341,394 to Kinney, U.S. Patent 3,502,763 to Hartman, and U.S. Patent 3,542,615 to Dobo et al. Spunbond fibers are generally not tacky when they are deposited onto a collecting surface. Spunbond fibers are generally continuous and have average diameters (from a sample of at least 10) larger than 7 microns, more particularly, between about 10 and 20 microns.
  • (ff) "Tension" includes a uni-axial force tending to cause the extension of a body or the balancing force within that body resisting the extension.
  • (gg) "Two-dimensional" refers to a garment, such as a diaper, that can be opened and laid in a flat condition without destructively tearing any structure. This type of garment does not have continuous leg and waist openings when opened and laid flat, and requires a fastening device, such as adhesive tapes, to attach the garment about the wearer.
  • (hh) "Three-dimensional" refers to a finished garment similar to shorts or pants in that they have continuous leg and waist openings that are bounded by the material of which the garment is made. This type of garment can be opened and laid flat only by destructively tearing it This type of garment may or may not have manually tearable seams.
  • (ii) "Ultimate elongation" includes the elongation at the point of rupture.
  • These definitions are not intended to be limiting and these terms may be defined with additional language in the remaining portion of the specification.
    Referring to Fig. 1, one embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprising an elastic top 10 having a body covering assembly 11, an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6, respectively, about its perimeter. The top 10 comprises an outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 both of which generally cover a series of body elastics 20.
    The body elastics 20 circumferentially surround the body of the wearer to form a relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10. The body elastics 20 act independently to conform to the contours of various body types and builds. This provides a smooth, conformable, and comfortable fit within a given chest size range.
    About the lower body opening 14, below and adjacent the relatively elastic region 22, there is formed at the lower edge 6 a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30. In addition, about the upper body opening 12, above and adjacent the relatively elastic region 22, there is formed at the upper edge 4 a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24. The relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 form areas of ruffles on the top 10. The relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 each have a width ranging from 0.64 cm to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches). The widths of these regions 24 and 30 are independent of each other. The desired width of the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 is between 0.64 cm to 5.1 cm (0.25 to 2.0 inches), and more desirably, from 0.64 cm to 2.5 cm (0.25 to 1.0 inch).
    A pair of openings 32 and 34, serving as arm holes 33 and 35, respectively, are cut out of the relatively elastic region 22, desirably adjacent or near the inelastic upper region 24. The top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.64 cm to 5.1 cm (0.25 inch to 2.0) inches below the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24. The openings 32 and 34 are desirably located in opposing positions. The openings 32 and 34 may be slits, circular holes, square holes, oval holes, irregular shaped holes, or the like.
    In a top 10 intended for a 25 pound girl, the body elastics 20 are about 406 mm (16 inches) long unstretched. For a top 10 does not cover the girl's stomach, the height of the top 10 is about 146 mm (5.75 inches) wide. For a top 10 that does cover to the waist the height may be about 229 mm (9.50 inches) wide.. If it does extend to the waist, the top 10 may be fastened to a bottom or pant-type garment.
    The top 10 includes a pair of straps 26 and 28 which help hold the camisole garment 2 in place. The straps 26 and 28 are formed by the fabric 3 located above the top edges 36 and 38 of the arm holes 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4. The straps 26 and 28 may be formed by folding the upper edge 4, the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24, and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 back onto relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10. Desirably, the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40. In an alternative embodiment, the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer.
    In an alternative embodiment of the present invention (See Fig. 2), the body covering assembly 11 includes only one opening 32 in the relatively elastic region 22 of the body covering assembly 11, and adjacent to the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 of the fabric 3. Desirably, the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40. In an alternative embodiment, the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer. Only one shoulder strap 26 is formed on the camisole garment 2.
    In a desired embodiment, the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2. In another embodiment, the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2.
    The neckline edge fold 40 is maintained by bonding the folded portion to the top 10 thereby forming a non-refastenable seam. The non-refastenable seam may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic seating, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like. One suitable method of forming such seams is disdosed in U.S. Patent 4,938,753.
    Both the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the outer cover 16 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the bodyside liner 18.
    The outer cover 16 may be any suitable gatherable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may be, although they need not necessarily be, an elastic material. Suitable fibrous gatherable webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins. e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The gatherable webs may also comprise polymeric film layers such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
    The outer cover 16 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. Outer cover 16 may be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. wood or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The outer cover 16 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, carded, or the like. A suitable outer cover 16 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art Alternatively, the outer cover 16 is derived from a spunbonded web. In a desired embodiment, the outer cover 16 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven and spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven laminate (SMS). The basis weight per ply of SMS is 14 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 osy) more desirably to about 20 gsm (0.6 osy) and is made with about 86% spunbonded nonwoven and 14% meltblown nonwoven. A pigment such as titanium dioxide may be incorporated into the outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18. A variety of pigment colorants may also be added. Such spunbonded meltblown nonwoven laminate material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Roswell, GA. The basis weight of the SMS material may vary from 1.4 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 osy).
    In other desired embodiments, the outer cover 16 is spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven with a wireweave bond pattern having a grab tensile of 8.6 kg (19 pounds) as measured by ASTM D1682 and D1776, a Taber 40 cyde abrasion rating of 3.0 as measured by ASTM D1175 and Handle-O-Meter MD value of 6.6 grams and CD value of 4.4 grams using TAPPI method T402. Such spunbonded material is available from Kimberly-Clark Corporation. Roswell, GA. The outer cover 16 has a weight of from 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 50 gsm (1.5 osy), desirably about 24 gsm (0.7 osy).
    The outer cover 16 may be constructed of a single spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven web having a basis weight of 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 51 gsm (1.5 osy) in the structure of the top 10, the outer cover 16 desirably comprises a material having a basis weight of from 17 gsm (0.5 osy) to 51 gsm (1.5 osy). Lesser basis weights may be used in the other regions of the article. Since the camisole garment 2 is typically intended for active wear, the outer cover 16 or portions thereof, can be made of materials having a basis weight and bonded structure which resist abrasion.
    The bodyside liner 18 may be any soft, flexible, porous sheet. Again, the bodyside liner 18 must permit submersion in fresh water or salt water or treated water (chlorinated or bromated) and still retain its integrity.
    The bodyside liner 18 may comprise, for example, a nonwoven web or sheet of a spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of synthetic polymer filaments, such as polypropylene, polyethylene, polyesters or the like, or a web of natural polymer filaments such as rayon or cotton. The bodyside liner 18 may be selectively embossed or perforated with discrete slits or holes extending therethrough.
    A suitable adhesive for adhering the laminate layers is H2096 hot melt adhesive that can be obtained from Findley Adhesives, Inc. of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin.
    The outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color or pattern. Desirably, the bodyside liner 18 is either dyed, pigment, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
    Materials suitable for use as the body elastics 20 indude a wide variety, but not limited to, elastic threads, meltblown elastomeric polymer, yam rubber, flat rubber (e.g. as bands), elastic tape, fdm-type rubber, polyurethane, and tape-like elastomer. or foam polyurethane or formed elastic scrim. Each body elastic 20 may be unitary, multi-part, or composite in construction. Threads or ribbons, where used, may be multiple and may be applied as a composite. The elastomerics used in the body elastics 20 may be latent and non-latent.
    Desirably, the body elastics 20 are elongated to between 50% to 300%. The elongations may vary for separate elements and still be within the overall elongation for the composite of the elements comprising the body elastics 20.
    The body elastics 20 circumferentially surround the body of the wearer to form a relatively elastic region 22 of the top 10. The body elastics 20 act independently to conform to the contours of various body types and builds. This provides a smooth, snug, and comfortable fit within a given chest size range.
    About the lower body opening 14, below and adjacent the relatively elastic region 22, there is formed at the lower edge 6 a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30. In addition, about the upper body opening 12, above and adjacent the relatively elastic region 22, there is formed at the upper edge 4 a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24. The relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 form areas of ruffles on the top 10. The relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 each have a width ranging from 0.64 cm to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches). The widths of these regions 24 and 30 are independent of each other. The desired width of the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and the relatively lower edge region 30 is between 0.64 to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 2.0 inches), and more desirably, from 0.64 to 2.5 cm (0.25 to 1.0 inch).
    As illustrated most dearly in Fig. 1, opposing end portions 48 and 50 of top 10 may be bonded together in the finished top 10 to form a body seam 42 that is non-refastenable. The non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above. In other embodiments, the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42.
    Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10. In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2.
    The structure material of the top 10 desirably has stretch characteristics in a first direction such that it is capable of from 10 to 500 percent elongation and upon release of tension will recover at least 55 percent of its elongation. It is generally desired that the structure material of the top 10 in the first direction be capable of between 50 and 300 percent elongation, particularly at least 125 percent elongation and recovery upon release of tension of at least 80 percent of its elongation.
    As described previously, the top 10 may be formed of a material capable of stretching in one direction or capable of stretching in two perpendicular directions. One suitable one-directional stretch material is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,720,415.
    The one-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including at least one gatherable web bonded to at least one elongated elastic web. The elastic web may be an elastic film or nonwoven fibrous elastic webs such as meltblown elastomeric fibrous webs. In one embodiment, the top 10 comprises a stretch bonded laminate formed of a pre-stretched elastic meltblown inner layer sandwiched between and attached to a pair of spunbond polypropylene nonwoven webs, each web having a basis weight of about 14 gsm (0.4 osy). Suitable elastic materials can be purchased from the Shell Chemical Company of Houston, Texas under the trade name Kraton. Other suitable one-directional stretch materials are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,606,964 issued August 19, 1986, to Wideman and 4,657,802 issued April 14, 1987, to Monnan.
    Suitable two-directional stretch materials for the body elastics 20 are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,114,781 and 5,116,662.
    A two-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including a neckable material and an elastic sheet, which may be formed by meltblowing or extrusion. Neckable materials are those which may be constricted in at least one dimension by applying a tensioning force in a direction perpendicular to the desired direction of neck-down, and may include a spunbonded, meltblown or bonded carded web. The tensioned, necked neckable material may be joined to the elongated elastic sheet at spaced locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration.
    Another two-directional stretch composite material may comprise one or more layers of reversibly necked material joined to one or more layers of elastic sheet at spaced locations. Reversibly necked materials are those that have been treated, such as with heat, while necked to impart memory to the material so that, when a force is applied to extend the material to its pre-necked dimensions, the treated, necked portions will generally recover to their necked dimensions upon termination of the force.
    Desirably, the material stretches in horizontal direction only, that is, around the body. If the material is elastic in both directions, it is desirable to limit the stretch in the vertical direction to less than 20% under normal tensions.
    Alternately, the body elastics 20 may be formed of a dry-spun coalesced multi-filament elastomeric thread sold under the tradename LYCRA and available from I.E. Du Pont de Nemours and Company. still altemately, the elastics may be formed of other typical elastics utilized in the diaper-making art, such as a thin ribbon of elastic material as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,940,464.
    Elasticity could also be imparted to the structure material of the top 10 by extruding a hot melt elastomeric adhesive between the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18. Other suitable elastic gathering means are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,938,754 to Mesek and 4,388,075 to Mesek et al.
    In forming the top 10 structure material, the body elastics 20 may be individually laid on one of the adjacent gatherable layers (outer cover 16 or bodyside liner 18) and the other gatherable layer web applied over the elastics to bond the first layer. Alternatively, only one gatherable layer, e.g., the outer cover 16, may be employed and the body elastics 20 bonded to one side, desirably the bodyside, of the outer cover 16. In such an embodiment, the body elastics 20 are left exposed on one side of the outer cover 16.
    Another embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14. (See Fig. 3) The upper body opening 12 has an upper edge 4 about its perimeter. The lower body opening 14 has a lower edge 6 about its perimeter.
    The body covering assembly 11 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the body covering assembly 11; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opposing openings 32 and 34 over onto the body covering assembly 11. In the desired embodiment, the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2. In another embodiment, the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2.
    The single layer web of fabric 3 used in the process may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous or a polymeric film material and may include an elastic material. Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The web may also comprise a polymeric film layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
    The fabric 3 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. The fabric 3 may also be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The fabric 3 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, meltblown, bond-carded, or the like. A suitable fabric 3 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.
    The fabric 3 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the fabric 3 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
    The body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 may comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. (See Fig. 1) The non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above. In other embodiments, the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42. (See Fig. 3)
    In another embodiment of the present invention, the body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 comprises a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10. In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2.
    In another embodiment of the present invention, the camisole garment 2 for wearing about the body comprises a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14. (See Fig. 2) The upper opening 12 has an upper edge 4 about its perimeter. The lower opening 14 has a lower edge 6 about its perimeter.
    The body covering assembly 11 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; at least one opening 32 in the body covering assembly 11 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 (not shown) between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opening 32 over onto the body covering assembly 11.
    In the desired embodiment, the folded material 5 which includes the upper edge 4 and the portion of the body covering assembly 11 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2. In another embodiment, the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2.
    The camisole garment 2 may further comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by non-refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. The non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above. In other embodiments, the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42.
    In another embodiment of the present invention, the body seam 42 of the camisole garment 2 comprises a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include adhesives and mechanical type fasteners 96. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10. In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2.
    The present invention relates to a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter. The body covering assembly 11 comprises: a relatively elastic region 22 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the lower edge 6 wherein the lower edge region 30 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the lower edge region 30 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the upper edge 4 wherein the upper edge region 24 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the upper edge region 24 further being 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the relatively elastic region 22; and, two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the body covering assembly 11 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 engaged to form a body seam 42.
    The camisole garment 10 may further comprise a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding over the upper edge 4, the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 above the opposing openings 32 and 34. The camisole garment 10 may comprise an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18, both of which cover a series of body elastics 20 which circumferentially surround the body to form the relatively elastic region 22.
    In the present invention, the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the garment 10 may be refastenably engaged to form a refastenable body seam 42. In the alternative, the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the garment 10 may be non-refastenably engaged to form a non-refastenable body seam 42.
    The outer cover 16 of the camisole garment 10 may be a gatherable material; a woven material; a nonwoven material; a polymeric film material; a fibrous material; or, an elastic material. The outer cover 16 may be a spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material, or spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material laminate.
    The outer cover 16 may be comprised of acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper, or a blend or combination of two or more of the foregoing. Alternatively, the outer cover 16 may comprise acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a compatible mixture, blend or copolymer thereof. The outer cover 16 may have a basis weight of from 14 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 ounces per square yard) and contain about 86% spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material and about 14% meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material.
    The bodyside liner 18 of the camisole garment 10 may be a soft, flexible porous sheet which permits submersion in fresh water, salt water, chlorinated water or brominated water and thereafter retains its integrity. The body liner 18 may comprise a nonwoven or sheet of spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, or cotton filaments.
    The body elastics 20 are elastic threads, yam rubber, flat rubber, elastic tape, polyurethane, or foamed elastic scrim. The body elastics 20 are elongated to between 50% to 300%.
    The body covering assembly 11 of the camisole garment 10 may be made of materials having stretch characteristics such that the body covering assembly is capable of between 50% to 300% elongation, and recovery, upon release of tension, of at least 80% of its elongation. The body covering assembly 11 may be made of materials capable of stretching in one direction or of materials capable of stretching in two substantially perpendicular directions.
    Another embodiment of the present invention is a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter. The body covering assembly 11 comprises: a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; at least two opposing openings 32 and 34 in the body covering assembly 11; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opposing openings 32 and 34.
    The camisole garment 10 further comprises a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. In the alternative, the garment 10 may comprising a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50.
    In still another embodiment, the present invention relates to a camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter. The body covering assembly 11 comprises: a single layer web of fabric 3 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; at least one opening 32 in the body covering assembly 11 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3; two opposing end portions 48 and 50 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; and, a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding the upper edge 4 and a portion of the body covering assembly 11 above the opening 32.
    The camisole garment 10 may further comprise a non-refastenable body seam 42 by engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50. Alternatively, the camisole garment 10 may further comprise a refastenable body seam 42 by refastenably engaging the two opposing end portions 48 and 50.
    According to another embodiment of the present invention, the camisole garment 10 for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly 11 having an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, wherein each opening having an edge about its perimeter. The body covering assembly 11 comprises: a relatively elastic region 22 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6; a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the lower edge 6 wherein the lower edge region 30 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the lower edge region 30 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 between the relatively elastic region 22 and the upper edge 4 wherein the upper edge region 24 is relatively inelastic compared to the relatively elastic region 22, and the upper edge region 24 further being from 0.6 to 10 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width; at least one opening 32 in the relatively elastic region 22; and, two opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the body covering assembly 11 between the upper edge 4 and the lower edge 6 engaged to form a body seam 42.
    The camisole garment 10 may further comprise a neckline edge fold 40 created by folding over the upper edge 4, the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 and a portion of the relatively elastic region 22 above the opening 32. The camisole garment 10 may also comprise an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18, both of which cover a series of body elastics 20 which circumferentially surround the body to form the relatively elastic region 11.
    The two opposing end portions 48 and 50 may be refastenably engaged to form a refastenable body seam 42. Alternatively, the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are non-refastenably engaged to form a non-refastenable body seam 42.
    Although the camisole garment 2 of this invention is generally intended to be disposable, any camisole garment which is reusable may take advantage of this invention. Thus, both reusable and disposable items (the latter term meaning items intended to be discarded after a single use rather than being laundered and reused) are provided by the present invention.
    The present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 as shown in Fig. 1, 2 and 3. The fabric 3, or material, used in the process may be a single layer web or a multi-layer laminate web. The fabric 3 is desirably a soft, flexible sheet.
    One embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 (see Fig. 3) for wearing about the body comprising a top 10 having a body covering assembly 11, an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6, respectively, about its perimeter. The illustrated top 10 comprises a single layer web of fabric 3.
    The single layer web of fabric 3 used in the process may be any suitable material, such as a woven material, a nonwoven material, a fibrous, or a polymeric film material and may include an elastic material. Suitable fibrous webs may utilize any suitable natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, woven or nonwoven webs of fibers made of acrylic polymers, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyolefins, e.g., polyethylene and polypropylene, cellulosic derivatives such as rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper and the like, as well as blends or combinations of any two or more of the foregoing. The web may also comprise a polymeric film layer such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyamide, polyester, acrylic polymers, and compatible mixtures, blends and copolymers thereof.
    The fabric 3 may be liquid pervious, permitting liquids to readily penetrate into its thickness, or impervious, resistant to the penetration of liquids into its thickness. The fabric 3 may also be made from a wide range of materials, such as natural fibers (e.g. rayon, wood, or cotton fibers), synthetic fibers (e.g. polyester or polypropylene fibers) or from a combination of natural and synthetic fibers or reticulated foams and apertured plastic films. The fabric 3 may be woven, nonwoven or film such as spunbonded, meltblown, bond-carded, or the like. A suitable fabric 3 is carded, and thermally bonded by means well known to those skilled in the fabric art.
    The fabric 3 may be further dyed, pigmented, or imprinted with any suitable color. Desirably, the fabric 3 is either dyed, pigmented, or printed with a material which does not irritate or bleed the color onto the skin of the wearer.
    A repeating series of pairs of openings 32 and 34 are cut into the fabric 3. The location of the openings 32 and 34 corresponds to the arm holes 33 and 35, respectively, in the finished garment 2. The openings 32 and 34 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The openings 32 and 34 can have a variety of shapes ranging from slit, circular, square, oval, irregular, or the like. The pattern is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of fabric 3 that must remain having a sufficient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 13 cm (0.25 inch to 5.0 inches) from the upper edge 4.
    The portion of the fabric 3 of the body covering assembly 11 between the upper edge 4 and the openings 32 and 34 is folded back onto itself, thereby forming a neckline edge fold 40. In the desired embodiment, the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2. In another embodiment, the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2.
    The folded material 5 is bonded between the openings 32 and 34, thereby creating shoulder straps 26 and 28. The shoulder straps 26 and 28 help hold the camisole garment 2 in place. The bonding forms a non-refastenable seam 42. The non-refastenable seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, tape, sewing, or the like accomplished on a continuous or intermittent basis. One suitable method of forming such seams is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,938,753.
    The fabric 3 is then cut into discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece contains one pair of openings 32 and 34, one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 and one pair of opposing end portions 48 and 50. Each piece of fabric 3 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through folding and redirection operations. Folding and redirection operations are desirably carried out by turn rolls and turn tables, as well as any other known means. The piece of fabric 3 is folded (desirably via a turn roll) so as to bring together the opposing end portions 48 and 50 to form a body seam 42. The piece of fabric 3 is redirected (or reoriented) to allow easy bonding of the body seam 42. The piece of fabric 3 is reoriented 90 degrees. The body seam 42 can be a non-refastenable seam or a refastenable seam. Any excess fabric 3 may be removed from the edge 47 of the body seam 42 to reduce and smooth out the body seam 42. The non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, tape, heat sealing, sewing, or the like.
    In other embodiments, the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42. Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include refastenable adhesive systems and mechanical type fasteners 96. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10. In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2. If the camisole garment 2 includes a refastenable body seam 42, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the fabric 3 before the fabric 3 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces. The folding and redirection operations may be eliminated when a refastenable body seam 42 is Included in the camisole garment 2. There may be packaging reasons for which one would still carry out these two steps.
    Another embodiment of the present invention is a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 2 (see Fig. 1 and 2) for wearing about the body comprising an elastic top 10 having a body covering assembly 11, an upper body opening 12 and a lower body opening 14, each opening 12 and 14 having an edge 4 or 6, respectively, about its perimeter. The top 10 comprises an outer cover 16 and bodyside liner 18 both of which generally cover a series of body elastics 20. The top 10 comprises a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 3.
    Both the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18 are desirably compliant and soft feeling to the wearer. The following description of materials from which the outer cover 16 may be formed may also be used to form the material of the bodyside liner 18.
    A repeating series of pairs of openings 32 and 34 are cut out of the relatively elastic region 22, of the fabric 3, desirably near the inelastic upper region 24. The location of the openings 32 and 34 correspond to the arm holes 33 and 35 in the finished garment 2. The top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 5 cm (0.25 inch to 2.0 inches) below the relatively inelastic upper edge region 24.
    The openings 32 and 34, as discussed above, can have a variety of shapes. The pattern is restricted only by fashion and the minimum amount of fabric 3 that must remain having suffecient integrity to withstand the remaining steps or operations of the process of manufacture. The openings 32 and 34 may be produced by a die cut operation, an ultrasonic operation, or any other suitable method of operation. The. top edges 36 and 38 of the openings 32 and 34, respectively, may be located from 0.6 to 13 cm (0.25 inch to 5.0 inches) from the upper edge 24.
    The top 10 includes a pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 which help hold the camisole garment 2 in place. The shoulder straps 26 and 28 are made of the fabric 3 located between the top edges 36 and 38 of the arm holes 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4.
    The portion of the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the outer surface 37 of the finished garment 2, wherein the outer cover 16 is folded back onto itself, exposing a portion of the bodyside liner 18 and creating a neckline edge fold 40. In an alternative embodiment, the portion of the fabric 3 is folded such that the folded material 5 lies on the inner surface 39 of the finished garment 2, wherein the bodyside liner 18 is folded back onto itself, positioning a portion of the outer cover 16 against the body of the wearer.
    The neckline edge fold 40 is maintained by bonding the folded material 5 to the fabric 3 between the openings 32 and 34, thereby creating the shoulder straps 26 and 28. The bonding forms a non-refastenable seam 42. The non-refastenable seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
    The fabric 3 is then cut into discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece contains one pair of openings 32 and 34, one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 and one pair of opposing end portions 48 and 50. Each piece of fabric 3 is transported, typically by vacuum screens, belts, or conveyors, through folding and redirection operations. The piece of fabric 3 is folded so as to bring together the opposing end portions 48 and 50 to form a body seam 42.
    The piece of fabric 3 is redirected (or reoriented) to allow easy bonding of the body seam 42. The body seam 42 can be a non-refastenable seam or a refastenable seam. Any excess fabric 3 may be removed from the edge 47 of the body seam 42 to reduce and smooth out the body seam 42. The non-refastenable body seam 42 may be formed by any suitable means such as ultrasonic sealing, adhesive bonding, heat sealing, or the like, as discussed above.
    In other embodiments, the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 may be held together in the finished top 10 to form a refastenable body seam 42. Refastenable means for securing the opposing end portions 48 and 50 of the top 10 include refastenable adhesive systems and mechanical type fasteners. Mechanical type fasteners include buttons, button holes, snaps, buckles, clasps, hooks and loops, end extensions, tabs, and the like which are designed or adapted to interlock or engage some type of a complimentary device or the outer cover 16 of the top 10.
    In addition, elasticized fasteners may also be used in assuring better fit of the camisole garment 2. If the camisole garment 2 includes a refastenable body seam 42, the refastenable means are desirably strategically placed on the fabric 3 before the fabric 3 is cut into discrete garment-sized pieces. The folding and redirection operations are eliminated when a refastenable body seam 42 is included in the camisole garment 2.
    The fabric 3 of the top 10 desirably has stretch characteristics in a first direction such that it is capable of from 10 to 500 percent elongation and upon release of tension will recover at least 55 percent of its elongation. It is generally desired that the structure material of the top 10 in the first direction be capable of between 50 and 300 percent elongation, particularly at least 125 percent elongation and recovery upon release of tension of at least 80 percent of its elongation.
    As described previously the top 10 may be formed of a material capable of stretching in one direction or capable of stretching in at least two substantially perpendicular directions. One suitable one-directional stretch material is disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,720,415.
    The one-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including at least one gatherable web bonded to at least one elongated elastic web. The elastic web may be an elastic film or nonwoven fibrous elastic webs such as meltblown elastomeric fibrous webs. In one embodiment, the top 10 comprises a stretch bonded laminate formed of a pre-stretched elastic meltblown inner layer sandwiched between and attached to a pair of spunbond polypropylene nonwoven webs each having a basis weight of about 14 gsm (0.4 osy). Suitable elastic materials can be purchased from the Shell Chemical Company of Houston, Texas under the trade name Kraton. Other suitable one-directional stretch materials are disclosed in U.S. Patents 4,606,964 issued August 19, 1986, to Wideman and 4,657,802 issued April 14, 1987, to Morman.
    Suitable two-directional stretch materials for the body elastics 20 are disclosed in U.S. Patents 5,114,781 and 5,116,662.
    A two-directional stretch material may comprise a composite material including a neckable material and an elastic sheet, which may be formed by meltblowing or extrusion. Nedcable materials are those which may be constricted in at least one dimension by applying a tensioning force in a direction perpendicular to the desired direction of neck-down, and may include a spunbonded. meltblown or bonded carded web. The tensioned, necked neckable material may be joined to the elongated elastic sheet at spaced locations arranged in a nonlinear configuration.
    Another two-directional stretch composite material may comprise one or more layers of reversibly necked material joined to one or more layers of elastic sheet at spaced locations. Reversibly necked materials are those that have been treated, such as with heat. white necked to impart memory to the material so that, when a force is applied to extend the material to its pre-necked dimensions, the treated, necked portions will generally recover to their necked dimensions upon termination of the force.
    Desirably, the material stretches in horizontal direction only, that is, around the body. If the material is elastic in both directions, it is desirable to limit the stretch in the vertical direction to less than 20% under normal tensions.
    Alternately, the body elastics 20 may be formed of a dry-spun coalesced multi-filament elastomeric thread sold under the tradename LYCRA and available from I.E Du Pont de Nemours and Company. Still alternately, the elastics may be formed of other typical elastics utilized in the diaper-making art, such as a thin ribbon of elastic material as disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,940.464.
    Elasticity could also be imparted to the structure material of the top 10 by extruding a hot melt elastomeric adhesive between the outer cover 16 and the bodyside liner 18. Other suitable elastic gathering means are disclosed in U.S. Patents No. 4,938,754 to Mesek and 4,388,075 to Mesek et at.
    In forming the top 10 structure material, the body elastics 20 may be individually laid on one of the adjacent gatherable layers (outer cover 16 or bodyside liner 18) and the other gatherable layer web applied over the elastics to bond the first layer. Alternatively, only one gatherable layer, e.g., the outer cover 16, may be employed and the body elastics 20 bonded to one side, desirably the bodyside, of the outer cover 16. In such an embodiment, the body elastics 20 are left exposed on one side of the outer cover 16.
    One embodiment of the present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • a. providing a single layer web of fabric 3 including an upper edge 4, a lower edge 6, and a body covering assembly 11;
  • b. intermittently cutting the fabric 3, defining openings 32 and 34 in the fabric 3 wherein each opening 32 and 34 includes a top edge 33 and 35 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3;
  • c. folding at least a portion of the fabric 3 between at least one of the openings 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 back onto the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 wherein at least one shoulder strap 26 is formed;
  • d. fastening the folded portion of the fabric 3 to the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 to form a neckline fold 40;
  • e. cutting the fabric 3, defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece of fabric 3 includes at least one opening 32, at least one shoulder strap 26, and two opposing end portions 48 and 50;
  • f. folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 whereby the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are brought into contact with each other;
  • g. turning the folded discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 to move sideways; and,
  • h. fastening the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 together to form a body seam 42.
  • The continuous process may further comprise cutting off excess fabric 47 remaining of the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42. At least one pair of openings 32 and 34 are cut into the fabric 3. The body seam 42 can be refastenable or non-refastenable.
    Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • a. providing a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 3 including an upper edge 4, a lower edge 6, and a body covering assembly 11;
  • b. intermittently cutting the fabric 3, defining openings 32 and 34 in the fabric 3 wherein each opening 32 and 34 includes a top edge 33 and 35 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3;
  • c. folding at least a portion of the fabric 3 between at least one of the openings 32 and the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 back onto the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 wherein at least one shoulder strap 26 is formed;
  • d. fastening the folded portion of the fabric 3 to the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3;
  • e. cutting the fabric 3, defining discrete garment-sized pieces of fabric 3 wherein each piece of fabric 3 includes at least one opening 32, at least one shoulder strap 26, and two opposing end portions 48 and 50;
  • f. folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 whereby the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are brought into contact with each other;
  • g. turning the folded discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 to move sideways; and,
  • h. fastening the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 together to form a body seam 42.
  • The continuous process may further comprise cutting off the excess fabric 47 remaining on the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42. The body covering assembly 11 comprises a relatively elastic region 22 between a relatively inelastic lower edge region 30 adjacent to the lower edge 6 of the fabric 3 and a relatively inelastic upper edge region 24 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3. The relatively elastic region 22 comprises body elastics 20 between an outer cover 16 and a bodyside liner 18 and in which the body elastics 20 circumferentially surround a body of a wearer.
    The present invention also relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • a. providing a single layer web of fabric 3 including an upper edge 4, a lower edge 6, and a body covering assembly 11;
  • b. intermittently cutting the fabric 3, defining openings 32 and 34 in the fabric 3 wherein each opening 32 and 34 includes a top edge 33 and 35 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3;
  • c, folding at least a portion of the fabric 3 between at least one of the openings 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 back onto the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 wherein at least one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 are formed;
  • d. fastening the folded portion of the fabric 3 to the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 to form a neckline fold 40;
  • e. cutting the fabric 3, defining discrete garment-sized pieces of fabric 3 wherein each piece of fabric 3 includes at least one pair of openings 32 and 34, at least one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28, and two opposing end portions 48 and 50; and,
  • f. folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 whereby the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are brought into contact with each other.
  • However, the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 does not need to be folded, nor does the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 have to be brought into contact with each other during the process of the present invention. The mechanical fasteners 96, when used, can be applied during the process of the present invention and the opposing end portions 48 and 50 need never be brought into contact with each other prior to use.
    The continuous process may further comprise cutting off excess fabric 47 remaining of the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 adjacent to the body seam 42. The body seam 42 may be refastenable or non-refastenable. The continuous process may also further comprise turning the folded discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 to move sideways.
    The present invention relates to a continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment 10 comprising:
  • a. providing a multi-layer laminate web of fabric 3 including an upper edge 4, a lower edge 6, and a body covering assembly 11;
  • b. intermittently cutting the fabric 3 defining openings 32 and 34 in the fabric 3 wherein each opening 32 and 34 includes a top edge 33 and 35 adjacent to the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3;
  • c. folding at least a portion of the fabric 3 between at least one of the openings 32 and 34 and the upper edge 4 of the fabric 3 back onto the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3 wherein at least one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28 are formed:
  • d. fastening the folded portion of the fabric 3 to the body covering assembly 11 of the fabric 3;
  • e. cutting the fabric 3, defining discrete garment-sized pieces of fabric 3 wherein each piece of fabric 3 includes at least one pair of opposing openings 32 and 34, at least one pair of shoulder straps 26 and 28, and two opposing end portions 48 and 50; and,
  • f. folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric 3 whereby the two opposing end portions 48 and 50 are brought into contact with each other.
  • The foregoing detailed description has been for the purpose of illustration. Thus, a number of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. For instance, alternative or optional features described as part of one embodiment can be used to yield another embodiment Therefore, the invention should not be limited by the specific embodiments described, but only by the claims.
    Example
    The material used to obtain this example consists of a laminate made of 2 facings of 20 gsm (0.6 osy) nonwoven material covering 470 decitex LYCRA elastic strands placed about 3 strands per cm width (7 strands per inch width) of material. The elastic strands are adhesively attached using an add-on of 5 gsm. The elastics are also applied at 150% to 170% stretch. The width of the final laminate is 10cm (4 inches) excluding any non-elasticized ruffle that is added.
    The ruffle is formed on the edge of the material by eliminating the elastic strands and allowing the 2 nonwoven facings to be bonded adhesively together, then slitting to the desired ruffle width.
    The nonwoven used in this case was a 20 gsm (0.6 osy) spunbond/meltblown/spunbond laminate (SMS), although other nonwoven facings (i.e. 14 and 20 gsm (0.4 and 0.6 osy) spunbond) have shown similar results. In addition, the elastic strands decitex and spacing, the adhesive add-on and the percent stretch may also vary. The codes tested are as follows:
  • Code A: 10 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with no ruffle
  • Code B: 10 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with 0.6 cm (0.25") ruffle
  • Code C: 10 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with 1.3 cm (0.50") ruffle
  • Code D: 10 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with 1.9 cm (0.75") ruffle
  • Code E: 10 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with 2.5 cm (1.0") ruffle (desired design)
  • Code F: 13 cm (4.0") SMS/elastic strand laminate with no ruffle (this code was tested to eliminate the effect of sample width on the data).
  • Samples of each code are cut to at least 46 cm (18") in length (this provides for a testing length of 41 cm (16"), the approximate length needed to make a swimsuit top) and 2.5cm (an inch) in either side for attachment to the test template. The center of the width of each sample is determined as between the two outermost strands of elastics stands and a line is drawn down the entire center length of the sample. The ruffle width is not included in the measurement.
    A piece of foam core or cork board is marked at 0, 41, 51 and 55 cm (0", 16", 20" and 21.5"). The 51 cm and 55 cm (20" and 21.5") marks represent the 41 cm (16") sample pulled to 25% and 35% respectively, which is the typical amount of stretch the material demonstrates when worn by a typical child.
    Using a pin, one end of the material is attached into the board at the 0 cm (0") mark. Taking care to lay the material flat and straight, but without any elongation, the pin through the second end of the material is attached into the board at the 41 cm (16") mark. Once the material is attached, the end of the material at the 41 cm (16") mark is stretched to 51 cm (20") by removing the pin from the board and using the pin to pull the material to the 51 cm (20") mark. Any wrinkles are smoothed out around the pin and the sample is allowed to sit for 5 minutes.
    After waiting for 5 minutes, the amount of curling of the lengthwise edges of the material is measured. This is accomplished with an inverted U-shaped clear template (approximately 5 cm (2.0) high by 15 cm (6.0") long) with a line drawn lengthwise at the centerline of the template. When placed over the sample, the centerline of the template should be directly over the centerline of the sample. In addition, the edge of the template (start of the centerline) should be placed at the exact center of the length of the sample (a line drawn of the board prior to testing to mark this point).
    Measurement of amount of curl is accomplished by placing the U-shaped template over the sample so that the centerline of the template is directly above the centerline of the sample. Once the template is in place, measure the distance (in mm) from the centerline to each edge of the material should be measured and recorded. If the material has curled over enough to cover the centerline of the sample, the distance past the centerline should be added as well. In addition, it should be noted whether the material edge has just curled or has actually begun to fold over. After recording the measurements, the results for the ruffled material should be adjusted to take into account the width of the ruffle. This is accomplished by subtracting the width of the ruffle from the respective results of materials with ruffles.
    After the measurements are completed at 25% stretch, the material pulled to the 55cm (21.5 inch) mark (35% elongation) using the pin again. The measurements of curl-over should be taken as described above and recorded. The test results are shown Table 1.
    Ruffle Width Percent Mean SAMPLE NUMBER Distance (mm)
    Sample (in) Side Stretch 1 2 3 4 5
    1 0.00 A 25 40.00 35.00 38.00 46.00 37.00 39.2
    1 0.00 Aa 25 20.00 23.00 30.00 18.00 33.00 24.8
    1 0.00 A 35 31.00 24.00 30.00 41.00 30.00 31.2
    1 0.00 Aa 35 2.00 6.00 19.00 2.00 22.00 10.2
    2 0.25 A 25 40.00 48.00 48.00 49.00 52.00 47.4
    2 0.25 B 25 51.65 40.65 44.65 49.65 48.65 47.1
    2 0.25 A 35 12.00 18.00 35.00 29.00 30.00 24.8
    2 0.25 B 35 48.65 39.65 30.65 35.65 38.65 38.7
    3 0.50 A 25 49.00 46.00 46.00 50.00 44.00 47.0
    3 0.50 B 25 40.30 47.30 46.30 44.30 37.30 43.1
    3 0.50 A 35 25.00 28.00 25.00 13.00 16.00 21.4
    3 0.50 B 35 29.30 43.30 36.30 39.30 29.30 35.5
    4 0.75 A 25 18.00 30.00 35.00 31.00 22.00 27.2
    4 0.75 B 25 43.95 42.95 45.95 23.95 40.95 39.6
    4 0.75 A 35 -10.00 0.00 13.00 3.00 8.00 2.8
    4 0.75 B 35 40.95 32.95 26.95 2.95 17.95 24.4
    5 1.00 A 25 30.00 20.00 21.00 34.00 18.00 24.6
    5 1.00 B 25 41.60 42.60 37,60 44.60 42.60 41.8
    5 1.00 A 35 7.00 -5.00 -5.00 17.00 2.00 3.2
    5 1.00 B 35 38.60 44.60 30.60 27.60 34.60 35.2
    6 0.00 A 25 36.00 29.00 35.00 33.00 45.00 35.6
    6 0.00 Aa 25 21.00 33.00 9.00 19.00 15.00 19.4
    6 0.00 A 35 15.00 7.00 35.00 28.00 23.00 21.6
    6 0.00 Aa 35 0.00 15.00 -8.00 -5.00 0.00 0.4

    Claims (31)

    1. A camisole garment (2) for wearing about the body comprising a body covering assembly (11) having an upper body opening (12) and a lower body opening (14) wherein each opening has an edge about its perimeter (4, 6), and two opposing end portions (48, 50) of the body covering assembly between the upper edge (4) and the lower edge (6) are engaged to form a body seam (42), the body covering assembly characterised by:
      an elastic region (22) between the upper edge (4) and the lower edge (6);
      a relatively inelastic lower edge region (30) between the elastic region and the lower edge wherein the lower edge region is relatively inelastic compared to the elastic region and the lower edge region further being from 0.64 to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width;
      a relatively inelastic upper edge region (24) between the elastic region and the upper edge region wherein the upper edge region is relatively inelastic compared to the elastic region, and the upper edge region further being from 0.64 to 10.2 cm (0.25 to 4.0 inches) in width;
      at least one opening (32, 34) in the elastic region.
    2. The camisole garment (2) of claim 1, further comprising a neckline edge fold (40) created by folding over the upper edge (4), the relatively inelastic upper edge region (24) and a portion of the elastic region (22) above the at least one opening (32, 34).
    3. The camisole garment (2) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the body covering assembly (11) comprises:
      at least two opposing openings (32, 34) in the elastic region (22).
    4. The camisole garment (2) according to claim 1, 2 or 3 comprising an outer cover (16) and a bodyside liner (18), both of which cover a series of body elastics (20) which circumferentially surround the body to form the elastic region (22).
    5. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two opposing end portions (48, 50) are refastenably engaged to form a refastenable body seam (42).
    6. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 1 to 4, wherein the two opposing end portions (48, 50) are non-refastenably engaged to form a non-refastenable body seam (42).
    7. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the outer cover (16) is a gatherable material.
    8. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 7 wherein the outer cover (16) is a woven material.
    9. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the outer cover (16) is a nonwoven material.
    10. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the outer cover (16) is a polymeric film material.
    11. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 9, wherein the outer cover (16) is a fibrous material.
    12. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 11, wherein the outer cover (16) is an elastic material.
    13. The camisole garment (2) according to claim 11, wherein the outer cover (16) comprises acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, glass, polyethylene, polypropylene, rayon, cotton, silk, wool, pulp, paper, or a blend or combination of two or more of the foregoing.
    14. The camisole garment (2) according to claim 10, wherein the outer cover (16) comprises acrylic polymer, polyester, polyamide, polyethylene, polypropylene, or a compatible mixture, blend or copolymer thereof.
    15. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 7, wherein the outer cover (16) is a spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material, meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material or spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material laminate.
    16. The camisole garment (2) according to claim 15, wherein the outer cover (16) has a basis weight of from 13 to 34 gsm (0.4 to 1.0 ounces per square yard), and contains 86% spunbonded polypropylene nonwoven material and 14% meltblown polypropylene nonwoven material.
    17. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 16, wherein the bodyside liner (18) is a soft, flexible porous sheet which permits submersion in fresh water, salt water, chlorinated water or brominated water and thereafter retains its integrity.
    18. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 17, wherein the bodyside liner (18) comprises a nonwoven or sheet of spunbonded, meltblown or bonded-carded web composed of polypropylene, polyethylene, polyester, rayon, or cotton filaments.
    19. The camisole garment (2) of any of claims 4 to 18, wherein the body elastics (20) are elastic threads, yam rubber, flat rubber, elastic tape, polyurethane, or foamed elastic scrim.
    20. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 4 to 19, wherein the body elastics (20) are elongated to between 50% to 300%.
    21. The camisole garment (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body covering assembly (11) is made of materials having stretch characteristics such that the body covering assembly (11) is capable of between 50% to 300% elongation, and recovery, upon release of tension, of at least 80% of its elongation.
    22. The camisole garment (2) according to any preceding claim, wherein the body covering assembly (11) is made of materials capable of stretching in one direction.
    23. The camisole garment (2) according to any of claims 1 to 21, wherein the body covering assembly (11) is made of materials capable of stretching in two perpendicular directions.
    24. A continuous process for the manufacture of a camisole garment (2) comprising:
      a. providing at least a single layer web of fabric (3) including an upper edge (4), a lower edge (6), and a body covering assembly (11);
      b. intermittently cutting the fabric (3), defining at least one opening (32,34) in the fabric (3) wherein each opening includes a top edge (36,38) adjacent to the upper edge (4) of the fabric (3);
      c. folding at least a portion of the fabric (3) between at least one of the openings (32, 34) and the upper edge (4) of the fabric (3) back onto the body covering assembly (11) of the fabric (3) wherein at least one shoulder strap (26) is formed;
      d. fastening the folded portion of the fabric (3) to the body covering assembly (11) of the fabric (3) to form a neckline fold (40);
      e. cutting the fabric (3), defining discrete garment-sized pieces wherein each piece of fabric (3) includes at least one opening (32,34), at least one shoulder strap (26), and two opposing end portions (48,50);
      f. folding the discrete garment-sized piece of fabric (3) whereby the two opposing end portions (48,50) are brought into contact with each other.
    25. The continuous process according to claim 24, further comprising fastening the two opposing end portions (48,50) together to form a body seam (42).
    26. The continuous process according to claim 24 or 25, wherein at least one pair of openings (32, 34) are cut into the fabric (3), and wherein each garment-sized piece of fabric (3) includes at least one pair of openings (32, 34) and at least one pair of shoulder straps (26,28).
    27. The continuous process of claims 24 to 26 wherein the web of fabric (3) is a multi-layer laminate web of fabric.
    28. The continuous process according to any of claims 24 to 27, further comprising tuming the folded discrete garment-sized piece of fabric (3) to move sideways.
    29. The continuous process according to claims 24 to 28 further comprising cutting off excess fabric (3) remaining of the two opposing end portions (48,50) adjacent to the body seam (42).
    30. The continuous process according to claims 24 to 29, wherein the body seam (42) is refastenable.
    31. The continuous process according to claims 24 to 29, wherein the body seam (42) is non-refastenable.
    EP98914523A 1997-04-08 1998-04-06 A camisole garment Expired - Lifetime EP1006821B1 (en)

    Applications Claiming Priority (5)

    Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
    US08/841,958 US5953754A (en) 1997-04-08 1997-04-08 Camisole garment
    US841958 1997-04-08
    US841989 1997-04-08
    US08/841,989 US5907872A (en) 1997-04-08 1997-04-08 Process for manufacturing sleeveless tops, shirts, or blouses
    PCT/US1998/006785 WO1998044816A1 (en) 1997-04-08 1998-04-06 A camisole garment

    Publications (2)

    Publication Number Publication Date
    EP1006821A1 EP1006821A1 (en) 2000-06-14
    EP1006821B1 true EP1006821B1 (en) 2003-09-17

    Family

    ID=27126304

    Family Applications (1)

    Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
    EP98914523A Expired - Lifetime EP1006821B1 (en) 1997-04-08 1998-04-06 A camisole garment

    Country Status (11)

    Country Link
    EP (1) EP1006821B1 (en)
    JP (1) JP2001518992A (en)
    KR (1) KR100503593B1 (en)
    AT (1) ATE249760T1 (en)
    AU (1) AU736745B2 (en)
    CA (1) CA2284578C (en)
    DE (1) DE69818273T2 (en)
    ES (1) ES2207825T3 (en)
    IL (1) IL131923A (en)
    TR (1) TR199902467T2 (en)
    WO (1) WO1998044816A1 (en)

    Families Citing this family (4)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    JP6462038B2 (en) * 2017-05-23 2019-01-30 ユニ・チャーム株式会社 Disposable swimsuit for upper body part for infants, set of disposable swimsuit, and method for manufacturing disposable swimsuit for upper body part for infants
    JP7049116B2 (en) * 2018-01-09 2022-04-06 大王製紙株式会社 Disposable swimwear for the upper body
    JP7050497B2 (en) * 2018-01-23 2022-04-08 大王製紙株式会社 Disposable swimwear for the upper body
    JP7129175B2 (en) * 2018-02-27 2022-09-01 大王製紙株式会社 Upper body disposable swimwear

    Family Cites Families (3)

    * Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
    Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
    GB486475A (en) * 1937-03-30 1938-06-03 R & W H Symington & Company Lt Improvements in or relating to the manufacture or production of material and garments therefrom for bathing and swimming
    US2760202A (en) * 1953-06-22 1956-08-28 Fairtex Undies Inc Manufacture of garments, such as slips for girls
    DE1925303A1 (en) * 1969-05-17 1970-12-03 Triumph International Ag Brassiere

    Also Published As

    Publication number Publication date
    AU6886098A (en) 1998-10-30
    ATE249760T1 (en) 2003-10-15
    DE69818273T2 (en) 2004-04-08
    IL131923A (en) 2003-04-10
    TR199902467T2 (en) 2000-01-21
    AU736745B2 (en) 2001-08-02
    CA2284578C (en) 2007-03-13
    WO1998044816A1 (en) 1998-10-15
    ES2207825T3 (en) 2004-06-01
    KR20010006109A (en) 2001-01-26
    CA2284578A1 (en) 1998-10-15
    KR100503593B1 (en) 2005-07-26
    IL131923A0 (en) 2001-03-19
    DE69818273D1 (en) 2003-10-23
    JP2001518992A (en) 2001-10-16
    EP1006821A1 (en) 2000-06-14

    Similar Documents

    Publication Publication Date Title
    US5907872A (en) Process for manufacturing sleeveless tops, shirts, or blouses
    US5790983A (en) Elasticized top garment
    US5953754A (en) Camisole garment
    US6192521B1 (en) Process for manufacturing shorts or trousers
    AU681517B2 (en) Method of joining an elastic band to a continuously moving partially elastic substrate
    US6435116B2 (en) Process for manufacturing shirts with raglan sleeves
    MXPA06012541A (en) Process for making a garment including an absorbent assembly.
    US6557479B2 (en) Process for manufacturing shirts with inset sleeves
    EP0973472B1 (en) Disposable garments and their manufacturing
    EP1006821B1 (en) A camisole garment
    US6578504B2 (en) Process for manufacturing unibody shirts with sleeves
    US6830543B2 (en) Process for manufacturing unibody shirts with sleeves
    US6497188B2 (en) Alternate process for manufacturing shirts with inset sleeves
    KR20220010951A (en) Durable camisole type clothing
    AU5187401A (en) A camisole garment
    KR100714954B1 (en) Process for Manufacturing Shirts with Inset Sleeves
    MXPA99009198A (en) A camisole garment
    MXPA99009222A (en) Disposable garments and their manufacturing
    AU5989801A (en) Disposable garments and their manufacturing

    Legal Events

    Date Code Title Description
    PUAI Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012

    17P Request for examination filed

    Effective date: 19991021

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: A1

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL SE

    17Q First examination report despatched

    Effective date: 20010905

    GRAH Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOS IGRA

    GRAS Grant fee paid

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR3

    GRAA (expected) grant

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009210

    RAP1 Party data changed (applicant data changed or rights of an application transferred)

    Owner name: KIMBERLY CLARK WORLDWIDE, INC.

    AK Designated contracting states

    Kind code of ref document: B1

    Designated state(s): AT BE CH DE ES FR GB GR IE IT LI NL SE

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: NL

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030917

    Ref country code: LI

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030917

    Ref country code: CH

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030917

    Ref country code: BE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030917

    Ref country code: AT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20030917

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: GB

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: EP

    REF Corresponds to:

    Ref document number: 69818273

    Country of ref document: DE

    Date of ref document: 20031023

    Kind code of ref document: P

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: FG4D

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF FAILURE TO SUBMIT A TRANSLATION OF THE DESCRIPTION OR TO PAY THE FEE WITHIN THE PRESCRIBED TIME-LIMIT

    Effective date: 20031217

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: SE

    Ref legal event code: TRGR

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: ES

    Payment date: 20040203

    Year of fee payment: 7

    NLV1 Nl: lapsed or annulled due to failure to fulfill the requirements of art. 29p and 29m of the patents act
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: CH

    Ref legal event code: PL

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20040406

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: SE

    Payment date: 20040419

    Year of fee payment: 7

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FG2A

    Ref document number: 2207825

    Country of ref document: ES

    Kind code of ref document: T3

    ET Fr: translation filed
    PLBE No opposition filed within time limit

    Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009261

    STAA Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent

    Free format text: STATUS: NO OPPOSITION FILED WITHIN TIME LIMIT

    26N No opposition filed

    Effective date: 20040618

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: IE

    Ref legal event code: MM4A

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: SE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20050407

    Ref country code: ES

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20050407

    EUG Se: european patent has lapsed
    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: ES

    Ref legal event code: FD2A

    Effective date: 20050407

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Payment date: 20080602

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Payment date: 20080428

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: FR

    Payment date: 20080417

    Year of fee payment: 11

    PGFP Annual fee paid to national office [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Payment date: 20080429

    Year of fee payment: 11

    GBPC Gb: european patent ceased through non-payment of renewal fee

    Effective date: 20090406

    REG Reference to a national code

    Ref country code: FR

    Ref legal event code: ST

    Effective date: 20091231

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: DE

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20091103

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: GB

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20090406

    Ref country code: FR

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20091222

    PG25 Lapsed in a contracting state [announced via postgrant information from national office to epo]

    Ref country code: IT

    Free format text: LAPSE BECAUSE OF NON-PAYMENT OF DUE FEES

    Effective date: 20090406