US20230009574A1

US20230009574A1 - Shirt manufactured with placket stays, placket stays, and kit to retrofit shirt with placket stays

Info

Publication number: US20230009574A1
Application number: US17/367,732
Authority: US
Inventors: Gregory John Wenkman
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2021-07-06
Filing date: 2021-07-06
Publication date: 2023-01-12

Abstract

Shirt manufactured with planar or non-planar plastic placket stays to reduce or eliminate placket droop and are positioned within said shirt during the manufacturing of said shirt, and where a portion of said stays may extend beyond said plackets behind the front panel(s) of said shirt to prevent placket rollover, and a kit to retrofit shirt to the make same.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION

The present invention relates to shirts, and more particularly to partial button-down shirts, full button-up shirts, and full button-down shirts having a collar with collar band having at least one button and buttonhole and said shirt having two adjacent front plackets with at least two buttons and buttonholes, and even more particularly to these shirts having a placket stay incorporated in these shirts at time of manufacturing the shirt and the placket to prevent or reduce placket droop and placket rollover while shirt is worn.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

For decades there has been an inherent problem with collared shirts of the type known as partial button-down pullover shirts, and full button-down shirts, or full button-up shirts all having two front plackets in that the weight of the collar and collar band weighs upon the shirt plackets and when the shirt's collar band button and the first placket button is unbuttoned the weight of the collar can collapse the placket resulting in what is commonly called or referred to as placket droop. This, in the past, has not been that severe of a problem because the shirts, particularly dress shirts for men, have been made out of sturdy heavyweight cotton fabric that resists placket droop. To help prevent placket droop the user or dry cleaner has sprayed the placket area with considerable starch on the cotton fabric to stiffen the plackets.
In recent years the trend in shirt manufacturing has been away from heavyweight cotton material or fabric to new lightweight knit and woven polyester fabrics which significantly increases this problem of placket droop, when at least the first placket button is unbuttoned which gives the appearance to others that the wearer is unkempt.
The Covid-19 pandemic has greatly impacted the business world including that in particular of those men employed in the ‘white-collar business world’. While in the past most men in the business office environment have worn a shirt and tie, with their collar band buttoned and hidden behind a suit tie, where they have not had to deal with the placket droop in that event. Now many office employees during this pandemic period have found themselves working from home, or working in a less formal office environment, where they are no longer wearing their suit jacket and tie, but are still wearing their full-button up shirt, or full button-down shirt, and now are having to experience this problem of placket droop when the collar band button and the first placket button is unbuttoned. Usually, the only time anyone buttons the collar band button is when the wearer wears a necktie. To have the top button buttoned without a necktie makes others think the wearer to be different, eccentric, or unusual in today's norm. If the wearer has the first and second placket button unbuttoned the placket droop is considerable and others think the wearer to be overtly macho or unkempt. If the wearer has the first placket buttoned, to prevent placket droop, others thinks wearer lives with his mother as revealed by this famous quote from the popular TV sitcom ‘Seinfeld’, where Jerry states in the opening dialogue of season one: “Seems to me, that button is in the worst possible spot. [talking about George's shirt] The second button literally makes or breaks the shirt, look at it: it's too high! It's in no-man's-land, you look like you live with your mother” This reference to the second button includes the collar band button, which in present application is, technically, the first placket button. This famous quote has to do with one thing and that is “placket droop”. Most men would not button the first button placket button, because it is too high, if they did not have to contend with the problem of “placket droop”.
Now more than ever before, due to the very lightweight polyester shirts, there is a need to solve this problem and as a result the present invention is needed and timely.
While there has been numerous patents grants over the last several decades regarding ‘shirts made with collar stays’ or ‘collar stays’, there has been fewer patents granted regarding ‘garments or shirts with placket stays’ or ‘placket stays or stiffeners’, but none granted for a shirt manufactured with a placket stay. The present invention offers a solution to manufactured shirts with placket stays as well as a kit for the consumer or user to quickly and easily modify or retrofit their existing shirt without placket stays to shirts with placket stays.
There has existed in the past a similar problem with shirt collar flap droop and this has been addressed and resolved in the past by the shirt manufactures adding a slot or cut in the fabric underneath the collar flap to accept a planar stay which has been inserted into a slotted collar stay area. Initially the shirt manufactures designed said slotted stay area so that the stay could be removed prior to the shirt being laundered or dry cleaning for fear of damaging the stay. In recent years the technology in making plastic collar stays has improved to where today they are molded of durable plastic that will not bend, damage, or take shape different from its molded shape during laundering, or dry cleaning, or use, of these shirts. However, to date there does not appear to be any shirt manufacturer making shirts, or having made shirts, with placket stays. All patents in this area are concerned with or directed to modifying an existing shirt to have placket stay or stiffener.
As a result, the applicant/inventor believes there is a substantial need, for the present invention, for a manufactured shirt that includes placket stays to address and reduce or eliminate the problem of placket droop. Furthermore, there is a need to manufacture shirts with placket stays made of plastic that are planar or non-planar that maintain its molded shaped when positioned in the placket and is not be subject to being ‘user-shapeable’ by the user. Further there is a need for a manufactured shirt with placket stays that are interchangeable where the consumer or user can determine what shape, contour, or length of stay he wishes to have in his plackets which will allow the wearer or user to determine how he wants his placket to look, or be contoured, and how much placket droop, if any, he wishes to permit below said collar band. This can be accomplished by the manufacturer of the shirt including a placket stay opening in the back layer of the placket, at the time the shirt is manufactured.
The present patent application addresses the need for a kit, containing the necessary tools and components, so that the user can quickly and easily retrofit or modify their existing shirts to have placket stays which will solve this inherent problem of placket droop. It is the intention of the present application that said kit includes everything necessary for the user to retrofit or modify said existing shirts to have placket stays, with the exception of a household iron or press heat. This problem of shirt placket droop relates mostly to males rather than females as males tend to where shirts with plackets. Few men are equipped at home to deal with tailoring or retrofitting their shirts, but most have a household iron.
Most patents issued or patent applications published, regarding this subject matter, direct our attention to a stay or stiffener for a garment or shirt, and fewer for a garment or shirt being altered after manufacturing to have a stay or stiffener, but no one has invented, to the inventor's/applicant's knowledge, a shirt manufactured with a placket stay or a kit to provide the user with want he needs to retrofit a shirt with a placket stays.
Again, there exist in the marketplace a substantial need for a manufactured collared partial button-down shirt or a collared full button-down shirt with placket stays of the type described in the present application. But, even more importantly there are billions of existing shirts in home closets that need to be modified or retrofitted to include placket stays of the type described in the present application. This great need has not been addressed by anyone or any company thus far, as far as the applicant can find, and the only way to resolve this problem is, through the present invention, by offering the consumer or user a kit that includes all necessary items and tools, with the exception of a hold house iron, to retrofit their existing shirts.
The applicant would, now, like to draw attention to four patents in particular that are relative, but substantially different, to the present invention.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,001,619 granted to Baehring on Aug. 23, 2011 discloses: A shirt stiffening device made of clear layer that has a self-adhesive layer capable of being non-permanently attached to a shirt fabric, which is outside the placket. This invention differs substantially from the present invention for obvious reasons.
Another patent, that being, U.S. Pat. No. 9,204,671 by Kessler, III published Dec. 8, 2015 cites: “A stiffener member is contained within each passage, and extends into the upper neck area of the front panel and downwardly therefrom within the closed passage so as not to be removable from within the passage.” This patent specifically claims: “a stiffener member contained within each front passage, wherein each stiffener member includes a lower portion disposed within one of the front passages and an upper portion that extends upwardly from the upper end of the front panel edge area and that is positioned within the collar passage, wherein the stitches extend through the stiffener member, and wherein the stiffener member is fixed in position by the stitches and is not removable from the passage, and wherein the stiffener members are configured and arranged so as to maintain the front panels apart from each other in front of the neck of the user.” Meaning that the stiffener or stay is positioned in the both the collar or collar band and the placket and it is stitched into place across where the collar band meets the placket. This, the present applicant believes, is not desirable for the user as the planar placket stay that goes into the collar band and the placket where it is stitched into place makes the collar band and placket have a planar shape together, when it most desirable to have the collar band to be at an angle of approximately 20 to 45 degrees relative to that of the placket so that the top of the collar band does not rub against the users neck, but is at an angle similar to the angle between the normal angularity of most shirts with a collar band and neck of the wearer. The present applicant believes that the patent should be titled: COLLAR AND PLACKET STIFFENER, rather than “PLACKET STIFFENER” because that is what it is and that is what it does. The current invention and application is about a shirt with placket stay. The Kessler patent further states: “It is also contemplated that the stiffeners may be applied to the shirt 20 in a retrofit manner. In an arrangement such as this, a stiffener 36 is positioned between a retrofit panel and the inside of each placket. Representatively, the stiffener has a width that does not interfere with the buttonholes. The retrofit panel is then secured to the back of the placket so as to secure the stiffener in position within a peripherally closed space the corresponds to and is slightly larger than the peripheral configuration of the stiffener. The stiffener preferably is positioned so as to extend up to and behind the collar, as explained previously. The retrofit panel may be secured to the inside surface of the shirt behind the placket in any satisfactory manner, such as by adhesive, stitching, etc.”. Herein, it is clear that this patent calls for, in the case of retrofitting a shirt to accept their placket stiffener that the “stiffener 36 is positioned between a retrofit panel and the inside of each placket” and “the retrofit panel is then secured to the back of the placket”. The Kessler invention differs significantly from the present invention.
The applicant would like to draw attention to the published patent application no. 20140173809 by Partsch, IV filed Dec. 23, 2013, which relates to application No. 61/848,170, filed Dec. 26, 2012 and which relates to U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,512 issued Apr. 18, 2017 as filed Dec. 23, 2014 and was granted was to Partsch, IV and titled: “Fashion and functional garments stays”, where the patent has numerous changes from the filed published patent application including within the claims. The patent title refers to “garment stays”, however, Claims 1 through 11 specifically refers to a “garment” not “garment stays”, while Claims 12-19 refer to “placket stay”. Independent Claim 12 of the patent identifies the type of stay invented by stating: “stay comprises: a main body; a first appendage coupled to the main body; a second appendage coupled to the main body, and wherein the second appendage is longer than the main body; a cut-out channel disposed between the first and the second appendages.” The present application has no similar stay to that which is described herein in claims 12-19. While Partsch, IV patent and patent application differs considerably, the drawings in both are the same. Many drawings refer to external stays (FIGS. 15, & 16 and stays for the collar (FIGS. 17, 19, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29) and collar magnets (FIG. 26), none of which are cited in any claims of this patent. In the many drawings of this Partsch, IV patent it shows collared shirt and collarless shirts where the plackets end at the neck hole. There is no reference to a collar band within this patent and Claim 1 and independent Claim 12 specifically states in this patent: “wherein the left and right placket regions each has a top terminal end terminating at a neck hole of the garment”. Figures in FIGS. 6, 7, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 20) show shirts with placket “terminating at the hole of the garment”. In the present invention and application it states under Claim 1: “having a total of two adjacent front plackets, wherein said plackets have a top terminal end terminating at said collar band”. Claim 1 of the Partsch, IV patent further states: “wherein the at least one stay is entirely planar and has an upper distal end which is disposed at the top terminal end of the left or right placket regions” where Claim 1 defines that as: “wherein the left and right placket regions each has a top terminal end terminating at a neck hole of the garment”. Wherein the present patent application states under Claim 1: “(g) said plackets, during time of manufacturing said shirt and said plackets, receiving at least one stay (1) between said front layer and back layer and or elongated passageway, that is or will become a placket, and (2) below the top terminal end of the placket, but where the top of said stay is not more than 2½ inches below the collar band and where the bottom of said stay is less than 15 inches below the collar band,”. Partsch, IV patent further states under Claim 1: “wherein the at least one stay is entirely planar and has an upper distal end which is disposed at the top terminal end of the left or right placket regions”. In Claim 1 of U.S. Pat. No. 9,622,512 it states, in part: “A garment with a user-shapeable contour of material, wherein at least one stay is attached internally for purposes of providing a user-desirable shape to said garment”. It is important to note that in the present invention the top of said stay may be as much as 2½ inches below said collar band because the user or wearer may desire the look and feel of a shirt with a lower stay as to not have the collar or collar band rub against his neck as in the present invention said stay is molded of plastic that is not “user-shapeable” as opposed to the Partsch, IV patent that is made “with a user-shapeable contour of material” wherein the stay “terminating at a neck hole of the garment” can be substantially bent away from the wearer's neck, as the Partsch, IV patent states: “For pliable, bendable stays of the contemplated embodiments, these types of stays can be shaped by a user simply by hand when the stay is inside of the garment”. As stated there appears to be numerous changes between the patent application, filed on Dec. 26, 2013 and the Apr. 18, 2017 issued patent. Under the DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION section the applicant covers numerous reasons why the inventor has chosen a “bendable” stay, where it specifically states: “The type of stay used here is contemplated to be 4″-12″ in length, flat, but bendable enough to provide a user-shapeable contour with the garment . . . The purpose of this stay is to reduce the crease in the outer, vertical front surface of the lapel caused by its wearer if he or she is barrel-chested.” In claim 1 it states: “A garment with user-shapeable contour of material” and under FIG. 1 it covers as to why the inventor has chosen a “bendable” stay, wherein the present invention and application specifically cites within claim 1: (A) injection-molding to produce a plastic non-planar shaped stay having a thickness between 0.030 inch and 0.175 inch, or (B) sheet-extrusion molding to produce a plastic planar shaped stay, having a thickness of between 0.008 inch and 0.050″ inch which is then die-cut, or laser-cut, or water-jet cut to size; and where said either molded stay is made of plastic molded material that maintains its molded shape, and is not ‘user-shapeable’, but which maintains its molded non-planar or planar shape, configuration, or contour. In the present application it is important that user being given the opportunity to purchase a manufactured shirt with a placket stay that is not “user-shapeable”, but has the opportunity to exchange the shirt's placket stays of different lengths so they can decide what degree of placket droop they prefer. When the plackets are made by the manufacturer and include placket stays and then the plackets are stitched closed on all sides, the only way to remove or exchange stays is by the shirt manufacturer including a stay-slot, preferably on the back placket panel to allow the user to exchange stays of various length shape and contour. This stay-slot would not be required if the stays in the present application were made to be “user-shapeable”. Because the stays referenced in the present application are not “user-shapeable” a stay-slot is desirable to allow the user to determine the type of stay best suited for control of placket droop. The Partsch, IV patent goes on to state in Claim 1: “wherein at least one of said left or right placket region has an opening leading to said internal compartment, and to receive said stay to pass therethrough”. In Claim 1 of the of present application it specifically states: “A shirt manufactured with placket stays” meaning that said stays are incorporated into said shirt during manufacturing of said shirt and where said stays are placed within the plackets or what may become the plackets and or said elongated passageway at time the plackets are being made which does not require “an opening leading to said internal compartment, and to receive said stay to pass therethrough” as in the Partsch, IV patent requires. If the manufacturer of said shirt chose to stitch all four perimeters of said placket closed and chose to include said stay in said shirt he would do so at time of making the shirt and the plackets, and would not require the manufacturer to make “an opening leading to said internal compartment, and to receive said stay to pass therethrough”. The Partsch, IV patents states: “Preferably, the garment is an off-the-shelf garment requiring no additional modification to receive these stays”. There are numerous stated differences between the Partsch, IV patent and the present invention and application.
Lastly, the applicant would like to draw attention to U.S. Pat. No. 10,842,200 by Colon published Nov. 24, 2020 titled: “Removable stiffener elements for an open collared shirt” and where the abstract states: “A stiffener assembly for a shirt with an open collar includes a pair of stiffener pockets, and a pair of removable stiffener inserts to be inserted into the pair of stiffener pockets to hold the open collar of the shirt in a desired shape. Each stiffener pocket includes an outer pocket panel, and an inner pocket panel aligned with the outer pocket panel. The outer and inner pocket panels each have a top, a bottom and sides extending between the top and bottom. Stitching couples together the outer and inner pocket panels along the sides and bottom thereof so as to form a passageway extending between the outer and inner pockets panel. The top of the outer and inner pocket panels are not stitched so as to form a stiffener pocket opening. The removable stiffener inserts are inserted into the passageways of the stiffener pockets through the stiffener pocket openings.” This the applicant feels is a costly solution to adding a stay to a shirt in that this method requires the modification of the shirt to include “a pair of stiffener pockets” in which to insert the stays and where the pockets have to be applied to the back of the panel or placket using adhesive or stitching when the present invention makes use of the existing plackets as what can be referred to as the “pockets” to received said stays without the additional expense of adding external pockets as called for in the Colon patent.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a shirt manufactured with placket stays to reduce or eliminate placket droop with the shirt being of the type known as collared partial button-down or collared full button-down or collared button-up shirts each having a collar band with at least one button and buttonhole, or like attachment devices, having front panel(s) with a total of two plackets each having a plastic stay below the collar band that is not ‘user-shapeable’ but which maintains its plastic molded shape and a kit to retrofit a shirt to have the same.
Various objects, features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments of the invention, along with the accompanying drawings.
There exists a tremendous demand for shirts to be manufactured with plastic placket stays, that would not only prevent or reduced placket droop, but would or could reduce or prevent placket rollover. By adding a placket stay or placket stiffener the problem of placket droop may be resolved, but that does not prevent placket rollover which occurs when the stiffened placket actually rollovers and onto the front panel of said shirt, which would be an annoyance and makes the wearer look unkempt. The invention of a stay with and extension or appendage from the main body of the elongated stay could be positioned in the placket where a portion of the stay extends beyond the inner placket edge and to behind the shirt's front panel which would reduce or eliminate placket rollover. By the shirt manufacturer offering shirts manufactured to have different placket stays of various lengths, molded shapes and contours, and the means to offer the wearer or user the opportunity to change out the placket stays the wearer or consumer would find the best choice for himself to prevent placket droop and placket rollover.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a typical full button-down shirt and what some call a full button-up shirt, having a collar with collar band, having one button and buttonhole, that is experiencing placket droop. This drawing depicts placket droop or how the plackets droop when no placket stays are present.

FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of the same collared button-down shirt, as shown in FIG. 1 but having hidden placket stays (no shown) showing the plackets that are not experiencing placket droop.

FIG. 3 is a front perspective view of a collared button-down shirt with two adjacent plackets with hidden planar placket stays (not shown) no placket droop present.

FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of a collared button-down shirt with two adjacent plackets with hidden non-planar placket stays (no placket droop) showing a contoured top portion of the placket.

FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of a pullover collared partial button-down shirt with two adjacent plackets with hidden non-planar placket stays (no placket droop).

FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of seven injection molded plastic non-planar placket stays—FIGS. 6 .[1], 6.[2], 6.[3], 6.[4], 6.[5], 6.[6], 6.[7], (3rd dimension not shown) of various lengths, contour, and design.

FIG. 7 is a front perspective of four planar sheet-molded plastic placket stays, die-cut to size of various configurations FIGS. [1.1], 7.[2], 7.[3], 7.[4].

FIG. 8 is a front perspective to two planar sheet-molded plastic placket stays design with appendages to prevent or reduce placket rollover shown in FIG. 8 .[1], 8.[2].

FIG. 9 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 9 .[1] and FIG. 9 .[2] each placket having a stay.

FIG. 10 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 10 .[1] and FIG. 10 .[2]), each having a placket stay of a different design configuration than the last drawing.

FIG. 11 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 11 ..[1] and FIG. 11 .[2], each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 12 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 12 .[1] and FIG. 12 .[2]), each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 13 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 13 .[1] and FIG. 13 .[2]), each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing

FIG. 14 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 14 .[1] and FIG. 14 .[2]), each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing with each placket having a stay-stop below the stay and a slot for removing or replacing the stay on the back side of the placket.

FIG. 15 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 15 ..[1] and FIG. 15 .[2]), each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 16 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 16 .[1] and FIG. 16 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 17 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets (shown in FIG. 1 .[1] and FIG. 17 .[2]), each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 18 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 18 .[1] and FIG. 18 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 19 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 19 .[1] and FIG. 19 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 20 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 20 .[1] and FIG. 20 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 21 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 21 .[1] and FIG. 21 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 22 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 22 .[1] and FIG. 22 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 23 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 23 .[1] and FIG. 23 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 24 is a close-up front perspective view of the two plackets, (shown in FIG. 24 .[1] and FIG. 24 .[2]) each having a stay of a different design configuration than in the last drawing.

FIG. 25 is a front perspective view of a pull-over partial button-down collared shirt with the two plackets, each having a stay shown in the plackets.

FIG. 26 is front perspective view of the components included in the ‘Retrofitting Shirt To Have Placket Stays’

In describing the embodiment of the invention which is illustrated in the drawings, specific terminology will be resorted to for the sake of clarity. However, it is not intended that the invention be limited to the specific terms so selected and it is to be understood that each specific term includes all technical equivalents which operate in a similar manner to accomplish a similar purpose. For example, the word connected, attached, or terms similar thereto are often used. They are not limited to direct connection but include connection through other elements where such connection is recognized as being equivalent by those skilled in the art.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 1 is a partial front perspective view of a typical full button-down shirt 1 and what some call a full button-up shirt, having two front panels 2, 3, and two sleeves 4, a collar 5 with collar band 6 having one button 7 and buttonhole 8 both attached on collar band 6 and that is experiencing placket droop 18 and 18 a on plackets 12 and 11. This drawing depicts placket droop 18 and 18 a or how the plackets droop when no placket stays are present in plackets 12, 11. The front plackets 11 and 12 which have a terminal end 17 where plackets 11 and 12 meet collar band 6. First placket button 9 on placket 12 has a corresponding buttonhole 10, on placket 11, second placket button 13, third placket button 14, and fourth button 15, and placket 11 has an outer edge 11 a and an in edge 11 b, and placket 12 has an outer edge 12 a and an inner edge 12 b.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 2 is a partial front perspective view of a button-down shirt 1 having hidden placket stays (no shown) showing the plackets 11 and 12 being without placket droop. This is one of the depicted drawing showing how the button-down shirt should appear without placket droop when the first placket button 9 is not connected to the first buttonhole 10.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 3 is front perspective view of the collared button-down shirt 1 with hidden planar placket stays (27 and 27 a) (not shown) where the plackets 11 and 12 are shown in the upright configuration without contour do to the hidden planar placket stays (27 and 27 a) where the plackets 11 and 12 are shown in adjacent and parallel layout with placket buttons 9, 13, and the third placket button 14, and the fourth placket button 15, and the fifth placket button 19, and the sixth placket button 20 shown, and correspond to the second placket buttonhole 21, and the third placket buttonhole 22, and the fourth buttonhole 23, and the fifth buttonhole 24, and the sixth buttonhole 25.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 4 the only difference between FIG. 3 and FIG. 4 is the contours plackets 11 and 12 having hidden non-planar placket stays (26 and 26 a not shown).
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 5 is shown a pullover partial button-down collared shirt 28 with a front panel 29 with a collar 30 and a collar band 31 and the collar band button 33 and the corresponding collar band buttonhole 32 having a front plackets 34 and 35 with a first placket button 36 and a first placket buttonhole 37 and a second placket buttonhole 38 and a second placket button 39 where the lower terminal placket end 40 and the upper terminal end of the plackets 41 is attached to the collar band 31. This drawing depicts a shirt having hidden placket stays (not shown) because there is no placket droop and the shirt is how it should look when worn. Here in this shirt 28 the outside edge placket 34 has a top terminal end 41 at the bottom of collar band 31 and a bottom terminal end 40 at the bottom of outside placket 34 has an outer placket edge 42 and an inner edge 44, and likewise the inside placket 35 has a top terminal end 41 at the bottom of collar band 31 and an inside placket 35 has outer placket edge 45 and an inner placket edge 43.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 6 there are shown seven different injection molded non-planar plastic placket stays shown in FIGS. 6 .[1], 6.[2], 6.[3], 6.[4], 6.[5], 6.[6,] 6.[7], of various lengths, contours, and designs with all seven being non-planar in contour (not shown in 3-dimensions) to give the placket a slight contoured flare outward from the wearer's chest and away the wearer's neck, which the coming planar molded placket stays do not offer. FIG. 6 .[1] shows a simple non-planar molded plastic stay 46 molded to retain its curved molded shape and is not ‘user-shapeable’ like all of the following molded stays that are made of nylon or similar plastic material. The stay shown in FIG. 6 .[1] can be positioned in the placket during the manufacturing phase of making the placket and can be contained in the placket by the outer or inner placket edge and the buttons or buttonholes that are attached to the placket front layer and back layer of the placket and further contained at the upper terminal end of the placket and contained at the lower end by a stay stop, or the stay can be stitching into position, or heat sealed in position, or ultrasonically welded into position by the shirt manufacturer. In FIG. 6 .[2] the contoured stay 47 has a hole through each end 48 and 49 of the injection-molded stay 47 where the stay can be stitched in place through hole 48 or 49 during manufacturing of the placket or stay 47 can be included in a kit where the consumer can retro fit the shirt and sew the stay 47 in place. In FIG. 6 .[3] this contoured molded stay 50 has a flat portion 51 that can be ultrasonically welded or heat bonded to the shirt and contained at time of manufacturing within the placket. In FIG. 6 .[4] is shows a molded stay 52 offers a stay-stop 54 which is designed to be stay-stop and catch the first placket button or buttonhole and be stop in position from moving lower with the placket, and the flat end portion 53 can retain the stay in position by heat-sealing or ultrasonically welding the stay to the inside back layer of the placket. In FIG. 6 .[5] the contoured or non-planar molded stay 55 is designed with two stay stops 57 and 58 which is designed to rest against then the inside edge of the first and second button or buttonhole within the placket to prevent movement passed said first and second button or buttonhole and flat portion 56 can help prevent rollover of the stay if secured to the inside back of the placket by ultrasonically welding or heat-bonding or stitching said stat to the back layer of said placket. In FIG. 6 .[6] this injection molded contour 3-D stay 59 has two stay-stops 61 and 62 where stay stop 62 extends further than stay stop 62. This stay 59 is positioned within the placket at time of manufacturing the shirt and placket where the stay stops 61 and 62 are positioned between then second and third button or buttonhole to contain stay 59 in place. Stay 59 has a stay-stop 62 is designed longer to prevent or reduce chance of placket rollover, where the placket at the outer edge actually rollover if not prevented by this extended member 62 which may extend outside the placket and behind the front panel. In FIG. 6 .[7] this non-planar injection molded stay 63 has a 3-D (not shown) shape and contour designed to introduce a curvature to the unbuttoned plackets out and way the wearer's chest. This increases the chance of placket rollover, where the placket actually rollover at the outer edge of the placket, and by adding the protrusion 66 which extends out beyond the outer edge of the placket it reduces the possibility of placket rollover. This stay 63 is contained between the second placket button and the third placket button or the second placket buttonhole and the third buttonhole by the stay- stops 65 and 66 on the inner placket or on the outer placket this stay 63 the second and third buttonholes contain said stay 63 by the stay- stops 65 and 68, with the area 67 having little to no plastic.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 7 there are four planar plastic molded placket stays shown in FIGS. 7 .[1], 7.[2], 7.[3], 7.[4] all made of plastic where the planar molded stays 69, 70, 73, and 75 retains its mold planar shape and are not ‘user-shapeable’. FIG. 7.1 shows a stay 69 that can be inserted in the shirt at time of manufacturing the shirt and placket and can be contained with the placket by the top terminal end of the placket at the collar band, and by the inner or outer placket edge and by the button or buttonholes, or like attachment devices and by a stitched stay stop underneath the stay, or stitching across the stay 69, can be held in position, while stay 70 shown in FIG. 7 .[2] can be stitched into position by using hole 71 or 72, or can be stitched across stay 70. In FIG. 7 .[3] it shows stay 73 that has a portion 74 of stay 73 that has been coated with a heat-activated thermoplastic adhesive 74 where said stay 73 can be heat sealed to the one or both inside layers of the placket using a heat press or household iron. Stay 73 can also be ultrasonically weld at 74 to the inside layers of the placket where there is no need to add of have the heat-activated adhesive in area 74. In FIG. 7 .[4] it depicts stay 75 that has an stay-stop 76 which acts as a stay-stop when the stay-stop is stopped by a button or buttonhole in the placket, when the stay 75 is inserted between the out or inner placket edge and the buttons or buttonholes as shown in later drawings.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 8 two stay shown in FIG. 8 .[1] and FIG. 8 .[2] are shown where in FIG. 8 .[1] the plastic molded planar stay 77 is shown having stay-stop 80 and stay-stop 81 wherein this stay 77 when position within the placket the portion 80 and the portion 81 abut buttons or buttonholes to prevent movement of the stay 77 from moving up or down within the placket. Stay-stop 79 of stay 77 is designed to extend beyond the inner placket edge and behind the front shirt panel to prevent placket rollover. In FIG. 8 .[2] the design of stay 82 shows where the stay 82 is intended to be held into position between button or buttonholes on the placket at area 83 and 84, as will be shown in later drawings. The stay-stop 85 is designed to extend past the inner placket edge and end behind the front shirt panel to prevent placket rollover. Area 86 may or may be cutout and therefore may or may not have plastic within this area 86 of stay 82.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 9 shows two adjacent shirt plackets 11, 12 in FIG. 9 .[1] and FIG. 9 .[2] where placket 11 is connected to front shirt panel 3, which is part of shirt 1, where the placket has a top terminal end 17 connecting to collar band 6 which is connected to collar 5, where placket 11 has an outer edge 11 a, in FIG. 9 .[2] comprising at least a front layer and a back layer that may or may not be stitched together at the outer edge 11 a, and an inner edge 11 b, comprising at least a front layer and a back layer that may or may not be stitched at inner edge 11 b, and placket 12 has a top terminal end 17 ending at the collar band 6 and the placket 12 has an outer edge 12 a and an inner edge 12 b each comprising at least a front layer and a back layer that may or may not be stitched together at the outer edge 12 a or the inner edge 12 b. Placket 11 has a planar placket stay 91 with two holes 94, 95 is positioned, at time of manufacturing the shirt, between the front layer and the back layer of placket 11 where stay 91 is further held in position by buttonhole 10 and buttonhole 21 and the stitching of the buttonholes where the front lay and the back layer of the placket are stitched together to form buttonholes 10, 21 through placket stay 91 holes 94, 95, where stitching may go through stay 91 has an upper end 93 and a lower end 92. FIG. 9 .[1] shows a planar placket stay 87 that has an upper end 89 below the top terminal end of the placket 17 and a lower end 90 and said stay 87 is placed between the front layer and the back layer during manufacturing of the shirt and placket where the placket 12 has an outer edge 12 a comprising at least a front layer and a back layer that may or may not be stitched together at the outer edge 12 a, and a inner edge 12 b comprising at least a front layer and a back layer that may or may not be stitched together and an inner edge 12 b. Stay 87 has three holes 88, 88 a, and 88 b, where buttons 9, 13, 14 are stitched to at least the front layer and the back layer of placket 12 and where stitching may go through stay 87 trapping or containing stay 87 in place within placket 12. The stay 87 within placket 12 and the stay 91 within placket 11 is designed to reduce or eliminate placket droop.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 10 there are FIG. 10 .[1] and FIG. 10 .[2] showing two plackets 11, 12 of shirt 1 where front panel 2 is connected to or part of placket 12 shown in FIG. 10 .[1] where placket stay 96 is depicted behind held in place by appendages 98 and 99 by straddling button 13 with the ends of stay 96 reaching beyond buttons 9 and 13 understanding that the distal ends of stay 96 may extend further but not beyond the upper terminal end 17 nor below where the stay 96 is more than 15 inches below the collar band 6. In FIG. 10 .[2] it depicts placket 11 containing placket stay 97 which is positioned within what is or what will become placket 11 during the shirt manufacturing process where elongated stay 97 has two integral of stay appendages 100, 101 which straddle buttonhole 21 to be held in place by one buttonhole 21 without the need of stitching through the stay 97. The stay 96 within placket 12 and the stay 97 within placket 11 is designed to reduce or eliminate placket droop.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 11 which depicts placket 12 shown in FIG. 11 .[1] containing between the front layer and the back layer placket stay 102 which is placed in position during the manufacturing of shirt 1 where stay 102 has a single appendage 104 acting as a stay-stop 106 which stops stay 102 from moving past button 9. In FIG. 11 .[2] placket stay 103 has been positioned between the front layer and the back layer of placket 11 in shirt 1 at time of manufacturing where stay 103 has a stay-stop 105 which is an integral appendage 105, being one and the same as the stay-stop 105. Stay 103 is trapped in the elongated passageway between the outer edge 11 a comprising of at least the front layer and the back layer of placket 11 and buttonholes 10, 21, and 22 where said buttonholes are attached to at least the front panel and the back panel that make up placket 11. Stay-stop 105 is depicted just above the third placket buttonhole 22 and is stopped from moving lower in the placket 11 by the interaction 107 between stay-stop 105 and the buttonhole 22. The integral appendage/stay-stop 105 extends beyond outer edge 11 b of placket 11 and ends behind the front panel 3 and is designed to prevent placket rollover, which is where the placket rolls over and onto the front panel 3 of shirt 1. Stays 102, 103 are designed to prevent or eliminate placket droop.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 12 where in FIG. 12 .[1] shows placket 12 having between the front layer and the back layer a placket stay 69 which is contained by the outer placket edge 12 a and three buttons 9,13, and 14 being attached to at least the front layer and the back layer of placket 12. Stay 69 is prevented from moving up or down in the passageway between the outer edge 12 a and the buttons 9, 13, 14 by in this depiction by the stitching the stay 69 in place by stitches 14 a done during manufacturing of shirt 1. In FIG. 12 .[2] placket stay 70 has been placed within placket 11 at time of manufacturing the shirt 1 and the placket 11. Here the difference from FIG. 12 .[1] is that placket stay 70 is stitched to at least the back panel of placket 11 through the placket stay hole 71. Both stays 69 and 70 are designed to prevent or reduce placket droop.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 13 which contains FIG. 13 .[1] and FIG. 13 .[2] which shows in FIG. 13 .[1] placket 12 containing placket stay 75 which has an appendage 75 a which acts as a stay-stop 75 a which stops the stay 75 from going past button 9. In FIG. 13 .[2] the stay 75 is the same stay 75 shown in FIG. 13 .[1]. In both figures in FIG. 13 the stay 75 is contained between the our placket edge 11 a and 12 a and between the buttons 9, 13, 14, or the buttonholes 10, 21, and 22. The only difference between FIG. 13 .[1] and FIG. 13 .[2] is that FIG. 13 .[2] has a stay opening 103 in the back layer side for removal of stay 75. Placket stay 75 is made of molded plastic that is made to retain its molded shape whether that being planar or non-planar and therefore is not ‘user-shapeable’.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 14 , again two plackets are shown one in FIG. 14 .[1] and another in FIG. 14 .[2] wherein each placket stay 69 is the same where the placket stay 69 is molded to retain its molded shape and is not ‘user-shapeable therefore the only way to control the contour of the plackets 11 and 12, shown in FIG. 14 .[1] and FIG. 14 .[2] is by the length of the placket stay 69. If the placket stay was made “with a user-shapeable contour of material” the user could bent the stay to the contour he prefers. This stay 69, like all other stays depicted in all drawings of this patent application are made of molded plastic that does not allow the user to shape or contour the stays. By the manufacturer making shirt 1 with stay-slot 103 the user can change to other molded stays with longer or shorter planar placket stays or molded non-planar placket stays. In FIG. 14 .[1] and FIG. 14 .[2] there is present a stitched stay-stop 103 or ultrasonically welded stay-stop 103 where at least the front layer and the back layer and or the elongated internal passageway within placket 11 and 12 are attached together to prevent the stay 69 from moving past said stay-stop 103.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 15 again shows a portion of shirt 1 having a placket 12 connected or part of front panel 2 shown in FIG. 15 .[1] where said placket 12 has within the front layer and back layer of placket 12 a placket stay 76 that has two appendages 76 a and 76 b otherwise called stay-stops 76 a where when stay 76 is positioned between the front layer and the back layer, at time of manufacturing, of what is or what will become placket 12 the stay 76 with its appendage 76 a and 76 b is positioned between button 9 and button 10 and therefore stay 76 cannot up or down within placket 12. Likewise the same is true as shown in FIG. 15 .[2] where stay 77 with its two appendages 80, 81 or otherwise herein called stay-stops 80, 81 is contained movement up or down is restricted within placket 11 because of buttonhole 10 and buttonhole 21 having the front layer attached to the back layer of placket 11 prevents movement of stay 77 because of where the appendages are positioned in relation to the buttons 9, [10. The extended integral appendage 79 integral part of stay 77 extends beyond the outer placket edge 11 b to behind shirt front panel 3 to prevent placket rollover. The applicant/inventor claims that no placket stay has addressed the problem of placket rollover by having an appendage of the stay extend laterally beyond the placket and behind the front shirt panel 3.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 16 depicts two drawings FIG. 16 .[1] and FIG. 16 .[2] wherein FIG. 16 .[1] shows placket 12 having between the front layer and the back layer placket stay 77 a having an elongated body with two integral appendages 80 a and 81 a to stay 77 a where appendage 80 a extends 78 a to the inner placket edge 12 b while the appendage 81 a extends 79 a beyond the inner placket edge 12 a and to the shirt front panel 2 to reduce placket rollover. There are numerous alternatives to to the stay design to prevent placket rollover including having appendage 80 a extend beyond the inner placket edge similar to extend 79 a appendage 81 a. Here, the stay-stops 81 a and 80 a are wedged in between second placket button 13 and third placket button 14 to prevent movement of stay 77 a. In FIG. 16 .[2] a placket stay 75 that was shown in FIG. 13 but now has an ultrasonically welded appendage 104 welded at the intersection 105 of stay 75 and appendage 104. Welded appendage 104 extends beyond the outer placket edge 11 b and is behind the shirt's front panel 3 to prevent placket rollover.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 17 where in FIG. 17 .[1] is shown placket 12 having a placket stay 82 that has two appendages 84 and 85 that come together to form one appendage 85 where the open section devoid of plastic 86 may alternatively have plastic at 86 which then would make only one appendage 85. The stay 82 is contained in place by the place by being trapped by the second placket button 13 and the third place button 14 at stay stop 83, 84. The appendage apex 85 extends beyond the inner placket edge 12 b and ends on the inside of the shirt's front panel 2 to prevent placket rollover. The only difference in FIG. 17 .[2] is that the placket stay 105 has two appendages 106 and 107 that come together to form one appendage 109 or alternatively if space 108 has plastic material within then said stay 105 has only one appendage 109 which extends beyond the inner placket edge and end behind the shirt's front panel 3 to prevent rollover.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 18 there are once again two plackets one shown in FIG. 18 .[1] and the other shown in FIG. 18 .[2] where the placket stay 110 shown in FIG. 18 .[1] is an elongated stay that has a hole 114 where a second stay 111 has been inserted through hole 114 where stay 111 has a flange 112 that keeps stay 111 from pulling through hole 114. The stay 111 ends 113 outside the inner placket edge 12 b and behind the shirt's front panel 2 where the stay 111 can be stitched 111 a to hold said stay 111 in place. Stay 111 is designed to prevent placket rollover. In FIG. 18 .[2] is shown a placket stay 73 that has heat-activated adhesive applied to at least a portion 74 of at least one side of the stay 73 wherein the stay portion 74 is then bonded to at least the back side of the front layer and or the back side of the back layer of the placket 11 to bond the stay 73 within placket 11.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 19 is depicted two drawings FIG. 19 .[1] and FIG. 19 .[2]. wherein FIG. 19 .[1] is how a placket that has incorporated between the front placket layer and the back placket layer a placket stay 115 where the top portion 116 of stay 115 is ultrasonically welded at 116 to at least the front layer and or back layer of the plackets or to the backside of one of both said layers to hold said stay 115 in position. In FIG. 19 .[2] is shown a placket stay 117 within 11 the placket between the front layer and the back layer of the placket where placket stay 117 has three holes 118, 119, and 120 where during the manufacturing of shirt 1 said stay 117 is stitched so that the stay 117 is contained by the stitching of the three buttonholes 118, 119, and 120 when the front layer and the back layer are stitched to form the buttonholes 118, 119, and 120.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 20 shows a placket of shirt 1 having a non-planar injection molded plastic placket stay 122 where the stay 122 has three integrally molded holes 124, 125, 126 where during the manufacturing of said shirt 1 the buttons 9, 13, 14 are stitched to the placket trapping the stay 122 in place between the front layer and the back layer of the placket at the button hole area 124, 125, 126. the molded contoured shape of placket stay 122 is intended to flair out the placket are away from the body of the user's neck. In FIG. 20 .[2] is basically the same as shown in FIG. 20 .[1] with the exception the instead a holes to accept button there are three hole 127, 128, and 129 to accept buttonholes that are in the shape of slots.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 21 are shown two plackets one in FIG. 21 .[2] and the other in FIG. 21 .[2] wherein the FIG. 21 .[1] displays a placket stay 50 which is injection molded to be non-planar placket stay 50 to have curvature and shaped in 3-dimension (not shown) and is contain between the front layer and the back layer of the placket 12 and further contained between the outer placket edge and the buttons 9, 13, and 14, and the stay 50 is further contained by a stay-spot 130 stitched or ultrasonically welded at 130 to prevent the stay 50 from going past the stay-spot 130. Above the stay 50 exist a stay-slot opening 103 where the user can remove the stay 50 through said stay-slot opening 130. In FIG. 21 .[2] there is shown a shorter injection molded placket stay 46 mold to retain its molded contour and not to be ‘user-shapeable’ where the placket stay 46 cannot go beyond the shown stay-stop 131 and where the stay 50 can be removed from the placket 11 through the shown stay-slot opening 103 by the user.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 22 here is shown in FIG. 22 .[1] a placket 12 containing a placket stay 52 which is injection molded with 3-dimensional contour (not shown) to give flair to the placket while worn by the user where the molded stay 52 is designed to retain its molded contour and is not ‘user-shapeable’ and where the stay 52 has integrally molded appendage 54 which acts as a stay-spot 54 that prevent the stay 52 from going past the first placket button 52. The stay 52 can be removed by the user through stay-slot opening 103. In FIG. 22 .[2] the only difference from FIG. 22 .[1] is that the injection molded non-planar placket stay 52 is shorter than shown in FIG. 21 .[1]
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 23 shows placket in FIG. 23 .[1] having a injection molded plastic non-planar placket stay 59 with two appendages 61, 62, that are positioned at time of manufacturing said shirt 1 and said placket 12 where appendage 6 is position below the second placket button 13 and appendage 62 is position about the third placket button and appendages 61 and 62 act as stay-stops because they stop the stay from movement up or down with placket 12. The curved molded stay 59 which is not ‘user-shapeable is contained further between the outer placket edge 12 a and buttons 9, 13, and 14 being attached to the front; layer and back layer of said placket 12. The appendage 62 extended beyond the inner placket edge 12 b and extends behind the shirt's front panel 2 to prevent placket rollover. The end of appendage 62 is shaped such that it will avoid poking the user and could be ultrasonically welded to the back side of the shirt's front panel 2. In FIG. 23 .[2] is shown placket 11 having a injection molded non-planar placket stay 63 molded to retain its molded contour and is not molded of a material that would be ‘user-shapeable’ but instead is molded of a material such as nylon 66 which will yield a stay 63 that is not ‘user-shapeable’. Placket stay 63 has an appendage 66 that forms a triangle and is integrally molded to the elongated body of stay 63 and is designed to be positioned at time of manufacturing said shirt 1 between buttonhole 21 and buttonhole 22 which would prevent movement of stay 63 from moving up or down within placket 11. There is an another small appendage 64 that provides a surface area where the stay 64 can be ultrasonically welded to the front layer and or back layer of placket 11. Injection molded stay 63 has an open area 67 that provides flexibility to the appendage 66 while preventing placket rollover.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 24 shows placket 12 having an injection molded non-planar placket stay 47 (3rd dimension not shown) having two holes 48, 49 at opposite ends of stay 47 where the manufacturer can stitch stay 47 using holes 48, 49 securing the stay 47 in place within the front layer and the back layer of placket 12. In FIG. 24 .[2] shows placket 11 having an injection molded non-planar placket stay 52 (3rd dimension not shown) that has an appendage 54 that acts as a stay-spot 54 where it cannot move past buttonhole 21, the second appendage 53 at the top end of stay 52 can be ultrasonically welded or heat bonded to the inside back layer and or inside front layer of the placket 11.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 25 where the drawing shows a pullover collared partial button-down shirt 26 have sleeves 4 a front panel 29 and a collar 30 with a collar band 31 having a button 33 and a buttonhole 32 where the collar band 31 is stitched 41 to two plackets 35, 34 the inner placket 35 and the outer placket 34 where placket 35 has a first placket button 36 and a second placket button 39 and where the placket 35 has an inner placket edge 43 and an outer placket edge 45 and the placket 35 has a top terminal end 41 and a bottom terminal end 44 where a placket stay 46 is shown but is actually between the front layer and the back layer of placket 35. The outer placket 34 has a first placket buttonhole 37 and a second buttonhole 38 and an outer placket edge 44 and an inner placket edge 42. The placket stay 46 is positioned between the front layer and the back layer during the manufacturing of the shirt 28 and plackets 34 and 35 and are further contained by the outer placket edges 44 and 45 and the inner placket edges 42, 43. Placket stay 46 in each placket is designed to prevent or reduce placket droop.
Referring now in more detail to the drawing(s) in FIG. 26 is a drawing depicting the potential items included in a KIT to provide the consumer/user the necessary components and tools to retrofit an existing shirt without placket stays to a shirt having placket stays. The kit will include either: (a) a thread cutter 132, or (b) a fabric snips 133, or (3) a scissors 134, to aid the user in cutting the back layer of the placket to gain access to the inside passageway of the placket to insert a placket stay 135 wherein at least two stays 135 are included in the kit. Different retrofit kits will be available where the consumer can determine the molded length, contour, or shape of the placket stay they wish to have. The stays can be plain stays or stays with a hole to allow the user to stitch the stay in place using the stay hole 135 b or the user can heat seal the stay 135 a to the inside back of the front layer and or the backside of the back layer of the placket using heat-activated adhesive coating provided on at least a portion 135 of at least one side of stay 135. Or a heat-activated adhesive (frontside) patch can be lightly (backside) tacked applying a light coating of pressure sensitive adhesive to temporarily hold the patch on the end of stay 135 c where patch 135 c is fold over onto both sides of the end of stay 135 then stay 135 c is positioned between the front layer and the back layer within the placket and once in the desired position can by using a house hold iron adhere the patch to the inside back layer and or inside front layer within the placket forming a U-shaped stay-stop where then the stay 135 can be free to be removed and reinserted leaving behind a permanent stay-stop wherein the U-shaped adhered patch will prevent the stay 135 going beyond the stay stop patch 135 c. A needle 138 and thread 139 of different colors 140, 141 (colors not shown) can be included in each kit to aid the user in being able to stitch the stay 135 to the inside of the placket. Once the fabric is cut on the back side of the placket to gain access to the internal passageway within the placket a repair has to be made to prevent the fabric thread from unraveling. This is accomplished be including in the kit at least two heat-activated adhesive patches 136 that the user then covered the slit opening with the patch and using a heated household iron can heat seal the patch of the damaged thread to prevent unraveling of the threads and to conceal the damaged area. An optional heat-activated patch with slit 137 can be included in the kit that would allow the user to be able to remove the stay for different stays that may provide different contours of the placket. The provided needle 138 and provided thread 139, 140, 141, allows the user to quickly stitch a stay-stop below the stay 135.
For purpose of clarity, when the word placket is used, herein, it is meant to mean the portion of the front of the shirt that is connected to or part of at least one front panel of the shirt, wherein the placket has at least two layers, at least a front layer and a back layer, where at least two buttons or buttonholes, or like attachment devices, are affixed to at least the front layer and the back layer of the placket.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A shirt manufactured with placket stays to prevent or reduce placket droop comprising: (a) a back panel, with or without a yoke, and (b) two sleeve panels, and (c) a collar having a collar band with at least one affixed button and buttonhole, or like closure devices, and (d) one or two front panel(s) having a total of two adjacent front plackets, wherein said plackets have a top terminal end terminating at the bottom of the collar band, and (e) said plackets having at least a front layer and a back layer where between exists at least one elongated passageway within said plackets, each having at least an outer edge and an inner edge within said placket and (f) said plackets having at least two buttons and buttonholes, or like closure devices, affixed to at least a front layer and back layer of said plackets wherein a passageway is created between the affixed buttons or buttonholes and at least said outer edge of said placket, and (g) said plackets, during time of manufacturing said shirt and said plackets, receive at least one stay in each placket: (1) between said front layer and back layer and or elongated passageway, that is or will become a placket, and (2) below the top terminal end of the placket, but where the top of said stay is not more than 2½ inches below the collar band and where the bottom of said stay is less than 15 inches below the collar band, and where at least a portion of said stay is positioned within the placket between the first placket button or buttonhole, or like attachment devices, and or the second placket button or buttonhole, or like attachment devices, and where said stay is further contained by (3)(a) stitching, heat-sealing using thermoplastic adhesive, or ultrasonically welding said stay directly to said front layer and or said back layer and or at least one elongated passageway, and or (b) by stitching, and or heat-gluing, and or ultrasonically welding, said front layer and said back layer together and or said at least one passageway together within said placket to form a stay-stop, outside of said stay, to prevent said stay from moving lower or beyond said stay stop, and or (c) by said stay, or a portion thereof, catching the first and or the second placket button or buttonhole to prevent said stay, or a portion thereof, from moving past or lower within said placket, and or (d) by the stay being designed such that a portion of said stay traps said stay between the second and third button or buttonhole to contain its movement of said stay; and where said placket stay is made using: (A) injection-molding to produce a plastic non-planar shaped stay having a thickness between 0.030 inch and 0.175 inch, or (B) sheet-extrusion molding to produce a plastic planar shaped stay, having a thickness of between 0.008 inch and 0.050 inch which is then die-cut, or laser-cut, or water-jet cut to size; and where either said stay is made of plastic molded material that maintains its molded shape, and where said stay is not ‘user-shapeable’, and where said stays maintain their molded non-planar or planar shape, configuration, or contour.

2. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein the shirt is a pull-over partial button-down shirt, or a full button-down shirt, or a full button-up shirt having a collar and collar band with at least one button and buttonhole, and two front plackets with at least two buttons and buttonholes, or like attachment devices.

3. A shirt manufactured with placket stay of claim 1, wherein said “like closure devices” consists of any of the following devices: male buttons snaps and female button snaps, or hook and loop devices.

4. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein the length of said stays are between 3 inches and 15 inches in length.

5. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said stays have a thermoplastic heat-activated adhesive on at least a portion of at least one side where said stay is bonded to the inside of said placket, between the front layer and back layer, and or elongated passageway using a heat and pressure at time of manufacturing said shirt.

6. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein the stay has at least one hole in at least one stay which is used to stitch the said stay to or within said placket.

7. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said stitching, or heat-gluing, or ultrasonically welding at least a portion of said front and back layers and or the elongated passageway of said placket together to form a stay-stop, below or around said stay, so as to prevent said stay from moving beyond said stay stop, where at least a portion of said stay-stop is located on, or within, at least one placket between 4 inches and 15½ inches below said collar band.

8. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said shirt is manufactured of manmade fabric consisting of at least 80 percent polyester, and which permits heat-gluing and or ultrasonic welding of said front layer and or back layer, and or elongated passageway, and or said stay, together.

9. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said stay is contained between said front layer and said back layer of said placket and which is further contained in position by a least one button or one buttonhole, or like attachment devices that is affixed to at least said front layer and said back layer of said placket.

10. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said stays have at least a portion of said stays that extends beyond the inner placket edge to end behind said front panel by at least ⅛ inch, but not more than 2½ inches beyond said inner placket edge, between the first and second placket button or buttonhole affixed to at least said front layer and said back layer of said placket, to prevent or reduce placket rollover.

11. A shirt manufactured with placket stays of claim 1, wherein said plackets each have a placket slot opening between 1/16 inch and 2 inches below the collar band and said placket slot opening is between 3/16 inch and 1 inch in width on said back layer of said placket where said stay can be removed and or replaced from said placket.

12. A placket stay to prevent or reduce shirt placket droop, comprising: an injection-molded non-planar plastic placket stay having an elongated main body having a length of between 4 inches and 15 inches, and a thickness of between 0.050 inch and 0.175 inch, and a minimum width not including its non-planar curvature of 0.080 inch, or a sheet-molded planar plastic placket stay die-cut, or water-jet cut, or laser-cut to size having an elongated main body having a length between 4 inches and 15 inches and a thickness of between 0.008 inch and 0.050 inch and a minimum width of 0.185, either being made of plastic material which when molded will retain its molded shape where said placket stay is not ‘user-shapeable’, where both the injection molded non-planar plastic placket stay and the sheet-molded planar cut plastic placket stay has one or more appendage integral with the main elongated body that are shorter than the elongated main body and where said one or more appendage is designed to abut at least one button or buttonholes, or their attachment to the inner and or outer layer of the placket, where appendage acts as a stay-stop to restrict or stop movement of said stay in said placket.

13. A shirt placket stay of claim 12, wherein two appendages integral to the main elongated body of stay are each designed to abut at least one buttons or buttonholes, or the attachment to the inner and or outer layer of the placket, where appendages each act as a stay-stop to restrict or stop movement of said stay within said placket.

14. Shirt placket stay of claim 12, wherein said one or more appendage integral with the main elongated body of the stay is designed to extend beyond inner placket edge to end behind the front panel of the shirt where the appendage extends beyond the placket edge by at least ⅛ inch but not more than 2½ inches behind said front panel to prevent or reduce the chance of placket rollover.

15. A kit to retrofit shirt with placket stays having the necessary components to retrofit an existing collared partial or full button-down shirt with one or two front panels with a total of two front plackets without placket stays to a shirt having placket stays to prevent or reduce placket droop, comprising: (a) at least one thread cutter, or scissors, or fabric cutting snips for the user to cut opening(s) in the plackets to allow insertion and placement of said stays within cut fabric openings, and (b) at least two planar or non-planar placket plastic stays, having a length between 3 inches and 15 inches to address placket droop, where said stays are inserted into said cut fabric openings within said plackets by the user, and (c) at least two heat-activated adhesive patches for the user to place over said cut fabric openings on said plackets, after user inserts said stays within said cut fabric openings of said plackets, for the purpose (1) to prevent the cut fabric threads from unraveling, and (2) to conceal said cut fabric opening from view of others while the shirt is worn; where the user using a household iron or heat press can permanently apply said heat-activated adhesive patches to cover said cut fabric openings, and (d) kit packaging and printed instructions on or within said kit packaging.

16. A kit of claim 15, wherein said kit also includes a needle and thread that is black, white and or at least one color for the user to at least stitch the stay in position or to stitch a stay-stop to prevent said stay from moving past said stay-stop within said placket.

17. A kit of claim 15, wherein said kit also includes at least two heat-activated adhesive patches to be placed over said cut fabric opening and that are made with a slot-opening in the patches to allow said stay to be inserted and removed from within said placket through said slot-opening.

18. A kit of claim 15, which also includes at least two placket stays that have heat activated adhesive on at least a portion of at least one side of each stay where the user can heat-bond the stay within said plackets using a household iron or heat press.

19. A kit of claim 15, wherein heat-activated adhesive strips or pieces are included for the user to apply to the surface of said stays to heat-bond stays within said plackets using a household iron.

20. A kit of claim 15, wherein at least two stays each has at least one hole going through said stay for user to sew or stitch said stays to said plackets.

21. A kit of claim 15, wherein at least two additional plastic molded stays of various length, or contour, or shape, or configuration are included in said kit.

22. A kit of claim 15, wherein said stay and or patches includes: a name, or trademark, or logo, or graphic design on the stays and or said heat-active adhesive patches.

23. A kit of claim 15, wherein said kit contains at least two plastic placket stays where a portion or appendages of said stays are designed to be positioned between: (1) the first and second button or buttonhole on said placket to prevent the placket stays from moving up or down within the placket by more than one inch, or (2) the second and third button or buttonhole on said placket to prevent the placket stays from moving up or down within the plackets by more than one inch.

24. A kit of claim 15, wherein said kit contains at least two plastic placket stays where a portion or appendages extend off the main body of said placket stays and are designed to extend beyond the inner placket edge, between the first placket button or buttonhole and the third button or buttonhole on the placket, where the extended portion or appendages end behind the front shirt panel for the purpose of reducing or eliminating the chance of placket rollover.

25. A kit of claim 15, wherein said kit includes at least two plastic collar stays and at least two heat-activated adhesive patches to cover collar stay openings.

26. A kit of claim of 15, wherein said kit packaging and or said instructions includes a QR Code which directs the user to an internet connection that includes display or instructional video concerning said kit, or the use, or installation of the kit components.