WO2008012551A2

WO2008012551A2 - Article of clothing with fastening poppers

Info

Publication number: WO2008012551A2
Application number: PCT/GB2007/002855
Authority: WO
Inventors: Dina Parbat
Original assignee: Dina Parbat
Priority date: 2006-07-26
Filing date: 2007-07-26
Publication date: 2008-01-31
Also published as: GB0614790D0; GB0714633D0; GB2441029A; WO2008012551A3

Abstract

An article of clothing (10) having fastening poppers (11) on a tape (12) attached to part (17, 18) of the article or to fasten the article at a break line (20), exemplified as: knickers (10) with a crotch (15, 16) fastened by poppers or other fastening which crotch opens fully from one leg to the other, and possibly on both sides a popper line opening from waist to leg enabling the article to be divided into a back panel (18) and a separable front panel (17); a G-string (103) with poppers or other fastening to fasten the crotch string (25) to the back waist; boxer shorts (101) with a popper-fastened fly (27) and/or back panel (21); a bra (104) with poppers to fasten it at the front and/or back; a vest (102) with poppers or other fastening at the shoulders, front and/or back; a shirt (1010) with popper-fastening at the cuffs (31); a towel (107) with popper self-fastening at the top as a wrapround (107); long pants (108) with popper or other fastening at the cuffs (35); a popper-fastening patch or other piece; a skirt (105, 106) having a belt part (105) and a hanging (e.g. wrapround) part (106) that fastens to the belt by poppers or other fastening; a popper belt (105); a combination of upper and lower parts (105, 106), joined together with poppers or other fastening, e.g. a combination boob tube (1011) and hot pants (1012); a one-piece baby suit (109) with a line of poppers from side to side around the back of the waist.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to clothing. BACKGROUND

On the whole, articles of clothing are more or less difficult to fasten or undo, don or doff, in many circumstances, and this often has to be set against fashion and ease of manufacture.

THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing having for fastening purposes one or more poppers on a tape (i.e. a strip or backing) attached to part of the article, e.g. attached by stitching or micro hook-and-catch, e.g. similar to that known under the trade name Velcro. The attachment, if not permanent, should be substantially stronger than the popper fastening for pulling of the article apart at the fastening to pull the popper fastening apart rather than any other part of the attachment (e.g. the micro hook-and-catch part). Fashion normally requires that the material lie flat at the fastening, which requires that the two edges so fastened together should fasten together flat without wrinkles. The present inventor realised that, if poppers are to be used, this requirement becomes that the poppers on one edge and the poppers on the cooperating edge be matchingly spaced apart, generally those on an edge being equally spaced apart. This is difficult to produce consistently and accurately if the poppers are fixed individually to the material, but as the present inventor realised can be done easily and substantially perfectly if the poppers are provided on a tape to be attached to the material. The invention also provides a part comprising at least one popper (or a plurality of poppers) of an article of clothing as disclosed herein. The invention also provides a tape of poppers for attachment to garment material. (The term 'garment' when used herein means the same as an 'article of

, clothing'.) The invention also provides a method of manufacturing an article of clothing in which the article is provided with one or more poppers from a tape of poppers. A popper fastening comprises a pair of elements such that when pressed together part of one element enters part of the cooperating element which thus holds it releasably so that they can be pulled apart but not too easily, usually comprising a positive (usually 'bobble'-shaped) part and a negative part that receives releasably the positive part, and the term "popper" is used herein to refer to either element, or the combination of these, according as the sense will allow. All fastenings mentioned herein, whether popper or otherwise, are deemed to be releasable unless otherwise stated. In variations of the embodiments described herein, any of the fastenings may be non-releasable for particular purposes, e.g. ease of manufacture of certain parts, e.g. using permanently fastenable (or fastened) poppers. It will be apparent that there can be used a single popper (exemplified herein for one form of G-string) but I prefer to use a plurality since this allows me to arrange the lie of the material more precisely and neatly.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing having a break line and one or more poppers to fasten the article at the break line. A break line is a line that extends from one topological opening of the article when closed to another to provide a break in the article or is topologically closed (i.e. topologically a closed loop) so as to enclose or separate topologically a part of the article at which line the part and the remainder of the article can be broken away from one another. Topologically, a garment may have only one opening for the body to go through, e.g. if it is for an extremity such as is a sock, glove or hat, or may have iwo openings, e.g. one for the waist and one for the legs, e.g. a skirt, or three openings, e.g. one for each leg and one for the waste, e.g. knickers, or four openings, e.g. one for the waist, one for the neck and one for each arm, e.g. a shirt, or five openings, e.g. for two legs, two arms and neck, e.g. a body suit, and so on, e.g. a fingeriess glove may have six openings. The term "article of clothing" as used herein includes reference to e.g. part of a garment where the context will allow. The article may have (at least) two topological openings interconnected by a said break line. The article may have a said break line that is topologically closed so as to enclose or separate topologically a part of the article at which line the part and the remainder of the article can be broken away from one another. The article may have a part removable at a said break line (possibly with the aid of other breaklines as exemplified in the separable panel knickers disclosed herein).

Other aspects of the invention provide (as hereinafter exemplified in the embodiments shown in the drawings) an article of clothing with a line of poppers, particularly for intimate garments (garments normally worn next to the skin or at least underwear), or those wherein the fastening along a line of poppers is not adapted to protect against wind or rain or the weather generally (e.g. so that there is no other method of fastening along the line), or those which have a normal mode of use in which for a substsantial time they are worn with the majority of the article next to the skin, or those which have a normal mode of use in which for a substsantial time they are worn with the popper line next to the skin, or where this makes the article easy to fasten or undo, or easy to don or doff, wholly or partially. Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing with a plurality of (separate) lines of poppers.

For some of the above reasons, another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing with a line of poppers spaced apart at most 3 cm, or preferably 2.5 cm, or more preferably 2 cm, preferably regularly or equally spaced apart.

For some of the above reasons, another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing with a plurality of poppers adapted to enable at least one flap, panel, cuff or other part of the article to be folded back from or against the remainder, preferably adapted for the foldable-back part to be held folded back by use of said poppers. The poppers may be in a single line (hereinafter exemplified in boxer shorts) or in separate lines (hereinafter exemplified in respective legs of long pants, e.g. jeans, or respective arms of a shirt).

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing with a plurality of poppers adapted to enable part of the article to be separated or removed from the remainder or defining or enclosing such a part The poppers may be in a single line (hereinafter exemplified in a skirt or a combination boob tube and hot pants) or in separate lines (hereinafter exemplified in tank knickers). A further aspect of the invention provides a clothing set comprising first parts that fasten together by means of one or more poppers to form an article of clothing and at least one further part that can be substituted for at least one said first part.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising knickers with a crotch fastened by poppers or other fastening which crotch opens fully from one leg opening to the other leg opening. Preferably the article comprises on at least one side a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening. More preferably, the article comprises on both sides a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening whereby the article can be divided into a back panel and a front panel separable from one another, e.g. for one of the panels to be replaced by a panel of different colour, pattern or shape.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a G-string with one or more poppers or other fastening to fasten the crotch string to the back in the region of the waist.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising boxer shorts with a fly and/or a back panel, e.g. a fold-up panel, that can be unfastened and one or more poppers to fasten the fly and/or back panel.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising trousers with a fly and one or more poppers to fasten the fly.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a bra with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the front and/or back. Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a vest with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening to fasten it at one or both shoulders and/or at the front and/or back.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a shirt with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening (extending to the lower arm opening) to fasten it at one or both cuffs, e.g. so that the cuffs may be opened, folded up and/or held up e.g. by the poppers or other fastening, e.g. like a flap, e.g. to shorten the arm length, and/or a line of poppers to fasten it at the front, e.g. fully from neck opening to waist opening.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a towel with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the top as a wrapround, e.g. at the neck or under the armpits or at the waist. In this and other embodiments, any line of poppers (usually, for strength of fastening, three or four or more, so that at least two or three or more poppers respectively can be in engagement simultaneously) will usually be adapted to enable adjustment since a line of (e.g. positive) poppers, e.g. at one edge, can engage at different locations along a cooperating line of (e.g. negative) poppers along a cooperating edge, e.g. one said line being shiftable by one popper spacing at a time along the other line.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising long pants (e.g. skin-tight pants or trousers or jeans) with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening (extending to its lower leg opening) to fasten it at one or both cuffs, e.g. so that these may be opened, folded up and/or held up e.g. by the poppers, e.g. like a flap, e.g. to shorten the leg length. Of course, poppers may be used to fasten an extra piece on top of the material of an existing garment, e.g. as a patch, e.g. a fashion patch, e.g. comprising a different colour, pattern and/or design (e.g. a logo or message), or matching the surrounding material to cover an area that is different in such a manner from the surrounding material. Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a skirt that comprises a belt part and a part that hangs from the belt and is able to fasten to the belt by poppers or other fastening. The hanging part may be a wrapround part, e.g. having at its top a line of poppers inside and outside at one end and inside at the opposite end so that said one end is adapted to fasten to the belt and said opposite end is adapted to fasten to said one end, possibly with other poppers intermediate the two ends to fasten also to the belt to give added support The invention also provides a belt with a line of poppers (which may be used to support a hanging part, or may be used to adjust the length of the belt e.g. so that at least two or three or more poppers can be in engagement simultaneously for strength of attaching the belt to itself to hold it closed), and also provides a hanging part for an article of clothing, with a line of poppers in the region of its top to enable it to hang from a belt provided with cooperating poppers. Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a boob tube (close-fitting strapless top) having poppers or otherfastening at its bottom, e.g. all around, to fasten thereto a lower article.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a skirt, wrapround, hot pants or other lower article having poppers or other fastening at its top, e.g. all around, to fasten thereto an upper article.

Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a combination boob tube and hot pants, the boob tube having poppers or otherfastening at its bottom, e.g. all around, and the hot pants having poppers or other fastening at its top, e.g. all around, to fasten the boob tube and hot pants together. Another aspect of the invention provides an article of clothing comprising a one-piece baby suit (e.g. of a similar, possibly elastic, kind to that known under the trade name Babygro) with a line of poppers from the neck opening down to the waist, and/or with a line of poppers from side to side around the back of the waist (possibly with the ends of the line extended downwards to form a down-foldable panel) e.g. to enable the babysuit to open at the back sufficiently for the baby's buttocks and surrounding area, e.g. encased in a nappy (diaper), to be eased out of the babysuit, e.g. to enable the process of a nappy being taken off, put on or changed, without taking the babysuit off the baby at the top (in an area around the baby's trunk) or at the bottom (in an area around the feet and ankles and possibly extending a large part of the way up the legs) of the babysuit, e.g. to keep the baby warm during the process.

By way of example, the knickers may be popping active tank knickers (i.e. useful for a person while leading an active life). This underwear is of a new type as it has a row of poppers on a tape; there will be a row with three poppers on it, at each side of the knickers and at the crotch, making it easier for ladies, teenagers and children to use the lavatory.

The poppers provide a safe and secure fastening for baby wear, bodies (women's close-fitting one-piece garments for the torso) and other garments, but I will additionally be using the popping tape to make a convenient pair of lower- body underwear that pop at each side and the crotch, making it easier for ladies, children, people with disabilities or people who find it hard to bend, to pull down underwear.

Embodiments of such garments (and, as the case may be, other garments described herein) can have the following advantages:

• Convenient popping knickers for all ages.

• Popping at the crotch, e.g. making it easier to go to the lavatory

• Popping at the sides

• Changeable front and backs • Convenient for travelling, e.g. packaged in a plastic travel case.

• Convenient for use as travel underwear, as you do not have to take the knickers off, simply pop at the crotch.

• Convenient for people with disabilities or back problems, or for older ladies and people who have difficulties bending, making it easier by just popping. • Convenient for disabled people when using the lavatory, and for pregnant ladies

• Poppers provide safe and secure snap fastening

• The poppers can have multi-purpose safety, i.e. have multiple safety aspects, e.g. against flammability, cutting oneself on them and so on.

• The poppers can provide secure fastening for active wear • Good for potty-training for toddlers - A -

• Adapted for self use (i.e. for older children and adults, but not for babies)

• Readily adaptable for fashion purposes, since the fronts and backs can be changed

Thus, for example, the above knickers have poppers on both sides and the crotch, providing the knickers with changeable fronts and backs, they pop off completely, they also enable ladies to pop them open at the crotch to use the lavatory, they make it easier for pregnant ladies or older ladies or ladies who cannot bend down, and they facilitate a new fashion trend for the younger generation due to the changeable front and backs and due to the poppers. They are very convenient for all ages and for travel.

Since the priority date of this application, there has come onto the market a suitable tape of poppers known under the trade name 'intimate pyrm'.

PARTICULARDESCRIPTION RELATINGTO THE DRAWINGS -

Reference will now be made by way of wxample to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figures 1 and 2 are schematic views of the front and back panels respectively of tank knickers embodying the invention;

Figures 3 and 4 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of boxer shorts embodying the invention;

Figures 5 and 6 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of a vest embodying the invention; Figures 7 and 8 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of a G-string embodying the invention, and

Figure 9 is a view like Figure 8 of a variation thereof, both of Figures 8 and 9 being partly broken away for clarity;

Figures 10 and 11 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of a bra embodying the invention;

Figures 12, 13 and 14 are schematic views, respectively perspective of a belt and front and back of a wrapround, of an embodiment of the invention, both of Figures 13 and 14 being partly broken away for clarity; Figures 15 and 16 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of a towel embodying the invention;

Figure 17 is a schematic view of the front of pants embodying the invention (schematically, the back looks the same);

Figures 18 and 19 are schematic views of the front and back respectively of a babysuit embodying the invention;

Figure 20 is a schematic view of the front of a shirt embodying the invention; and

Figures 21 and 22 are schematic front views of a boob tube and hot pants, respectively, of an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 23 is a schematic view of a tape of poppers in an embodiment of the invention.

Referring to the drawings, references with the same first two digits denote items that are alike or similar or have resembling functions.

An article of clothing 10 has for fastening purposes one or more poppers 11 on a tape 12 (i.e. a strip or backing) attached to part of the article 10 by stitching. The two edges 13, 14 or 15, 16 so fastened together fasten together flat without wrinkles. The poppers 11 on one edge 13, 15 and the poppers 11 on the cooperating edge 14, 16 are matchingly and equally spaced apart. The embodiment thus includes a part 17, 18 comprising a plurality of poppers of an article of clothing 10. There is used a tape 12, Figure 23, of poppers 11 for attachment to the garment 10 material. In the method of manufacturing article of clothing 10, the article 10 is provided with one or more poppers 11 from a roll 19 of tape 12, Figure 23, of poppers 11, stitched to the part 17, 18 and cut off from the roll 19.

As mentioned above, each of the poppers 11 comprises a positive or negative element 110, 111 such that when pressed together the positive part of the positive element 110 enters the negative (receiving) part of the cooperating negative element 111 which thus holds it releasably. The tape 12, Figure 1, carries positive elements 110 and the tape 13 carries negative elements 111. The roll 19 carries only positive elements 110 and another such roll (not shown) carries the negative elements 111, but other arrangements are possible, e.g. with alternate positive and negative elements 110, 111 on a roll 19.

Each part 17, 18 of the article of clothing 10, Figures 1 and 2, has three break lines 20 (as defined above), each provided with three poppers 11 to fasten the article together at the break lines 20.

The article of clothing 10 has a line of poppers 11 spaced apart 2 cm, regularly and equally.

The articles of clothing 101, 109, 108, 1010 have a plurality of poppers 11 adapted to enable at least one flap or panel 21 , 210, cuff 211 , 212 or other part of the article to be folded back from or against the remainder, preferably adapted for the foldable-back part 21, 210, 211, 212 to be held folded back by use of said poppers 11. The poppers 11 may be in a single line (exemplified in boxer shorts 101) or in separate lines (exemplified in respective legs of long pants 108, e.g. jeans 108, or respective arms of a shirt 1010). The article of clothing 10 has a plurality of poppers 11 adapted to enable part 17of the article 10 to be separated or removed from the remainder 18. The poppers 11 may be in a single line (exemplified in a skirt 105, 106 or a combination boob tube 1011 and hot pants 112) or in separate lines (exemplified in tank knickers 10). A clothing set comprises first parts 17, 18 that fasten together by means of one or more poppers 11 to form an article of clothing 10 and at least one further part 17, 18 that can be substituted for at least one said first part 17, 18, e.g. of different colour or shape.

Knickers 10 have a crotch 15, 16 fastened by poppers 11 which crotch 15, 16 opens fully from one leg opening 22 to the other leg opening 23. The article 10 comprises on both sides a line of poppers 11 opening fully from waist opening 24 to leg opening 22, 23 whereby the article 10 can be divided into a back panel 18 and a front panel 17 separable from one another, for one of the panels 17, 18 to be replaced by a panel 17, 18 of different colour, pattern or shape. A G-string 103 has one or more poppers 11 to fasten the crotch string 25 to the back 26 in the region of the waist.

Boxer shorts 101 have a fly 27, and a fold-up back panel 21 that can be unfastened and one or more poppers 11 to fasten the fly 27 and back panel 21. Trousers like 108 have a fly 27 (shown in dashed lines in Figure 17) and one or more poppers 11 to fasten the fly 27. A bra 104 has one or more lines of poppers 11 to fasten it at the front and/or back.

A vest 102 has one or more lines of poppers 11 to fasten it at one or both shoulders 28 and a line 29 of poppers 11 at the front.

A shirt 1010 has one or more lines of poppers 11 (extending to the lower arm opening 30) to fasten it at one or both cuffs 31, so that the cuffs 31 may be opened, folded up and held up by the poppers 11 like a flap 211, e.g. to shorten the arm length, and a line 20 of poppers 11 to fasten it at the front, fully from neck opening 32 to waist opening 33.

A towel 107 has one or more lines of poppers 11 to fasten it at the top as a wrapround 107.

Long pants 108 (e.g. skin-tight pants 108 or trousers or jeans) with one or more lines of poppers 11 (extending to its lower leg opening 34) to fasten it at one or both cuffs 35, e.g. so that these may be opened, folded up and held up by the poppers 11 , like a flap, to shorten the leg length.

A skirt 105, 106 comprises a belt part 105 and a part 106 that hangs from the belt 105 and is able to fasten to the belt 105 by poppers 11. The hanging part 106 is a wrapround part 106, having at its top 36 a line 20 of poppers 11 inside and outside at one end 37 and inside at the opposite end 38 so that said one end 37 is adapted to fasten to the belt 105 and said opposite end 38 is adapted to fasten to said one end 37.

A boob tube 1011 has poppers 11 at its bottom 40, all around, to fasten thereto a lower article 1012. Hot pants 1012 have poppers 11 at its top 39, all around, to fasten thereto an upper article 1011. Fastened together, these provide a single garment 1011, 1012, being a combination boob tube 1011 and hot pants 1012.

A one-piece baby suit 109 has a line 42 of poppers 11 from the neck opening 41 down to the waist 43, and a line 44 of poppers 11 from side to .side around the back of the waist with the ends 45,45 of the line 44 extended downwards to form a down-foldable panel 210 for the purposes mentioned above. The articles 10, 101-112 may have the actual numbers of poppers 11 shown in the drawings.

It will be apparent to one skilled in the art, that features of the different embodiments disclosed herein may be omitted, selected, combined or exchanged and the invention is considered to extend to any new and inventive combination thus formed. Where a preference or particularisation is stated, there is implied the possibility of its negative, i.e. a case in which that preference or particularisation is absent.

Many variations of the invention and embodiments hereinbefore described will be apparent to people skilled in the art and all such variations are to be considered as falling within the scope of the invention.

Claims

CLAlMS

I . An article of clothing having for fastening puiposes one or more poppers on a tape attached to part of the article.

2. An article as claimed in claim 1 , in which the tape is attached by stitching.

3. An article as claimed in claim 1 , in which the tape is attached by micro hook-and-catch.

4. An article as claimed in claim 1 , in which the tape is attached by a micro hook-and-catch attachment which is substantially stronger than the popper fastening.

5. An article of clothing having a break line and one or more poppers to fasten the article at the break line.

6. An article as claimed in claim 5, in which the break line extends from one topological opening of the article when closed to another to provide a break in the article.

7. An article as claimed in claim 5 or 6, in which the break line is topologically closed.

8. An article as claimed in claim 5, 6 or 7, which has a part removable at a said break line.

9. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, or in any combination of the preceding claims, with a line of poppers.

10. An article as claimed in claim 9, comprising a plurality of separate lines of poppers.

II. An article as claimed in claim 9 or 10, comprising an intimate garment.

12. An article as claimed in claim 9, 10 or 11, wherein the fastening along a line of poppers is not adapted to protect against wind or rain or the weather generally.

13. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 12, wherein there is no other method of fastening along the line.

14. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 13, which has a normal mode of use in which for a substsantial time it is worn with the majority of the article next to the skin.

15. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 14, which has a normal mode of use in which for a substsantial time it is worn with the popper line next to the skin.

16. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 15, wherein the line of poppers makes the article easy to fasten or undo, or easy to don or doff, wholly or partially.

17. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 16, in which said line comprises poppers spaced apart at most 3 cm.

18. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 17, in which said line comprises poppers spaced apart at most 2.5 cm.

19. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 18, in which said line comprises poppers spaced apart at most 2 cm.

20. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 19, in which said line comprises poppers equally spaced apart.

21. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 20, comprising a plurality of poppers adapted to enable at least one flap, panel, cuff or other part of the article to be folded back from or against the remainder.

22. An article as claimed in claim 21, adapted for the foldable-back part to be held folded back by use of said poppers.

23. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 22, in which said poppers are in separate lines.

24. An article as claimed in any one of claims 9 to 23, comprising a plurality of poppers adapted to enable part of the article to be separated or removed from the remainder or defining or enclosing such a part.

25. An article as claimed in any preceding claim, comprising knickers with a crotch fastened by poppers or other fastening which crotch opens fully from one leg opening to the other leg opening.

26. An article as claimed in claim 25, which comprises on at least one side a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening.

27. An article as claimed in claim 26, which comprises on both sides a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening whereby the article can be divided into a back panel and a front panel separable from one another.

28. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 27, comprising a G-string with one or more poppers or other fastening to fasten the crotch string to the back in the region of the waist.

29. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, comprising boxer shorts with a fly and/or a back panel that can be unfastened and one or more poppers to fasten the fly and/or back panel.

30. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 29, comprising trousers with a fly and one or more poppers to fasten the fly.

31. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 30, comprising a bra with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the front and/or back.

32. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to, comprising a vest with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening to fasten it at one or both shoulders and/or at the front and/or back.

33. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 31, comprising a shirt with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening to fasten it at one or both cuffs, and/or a line of poppers to fasten it at the front

34. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 32, comprising a towel with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the top as a wrapround.

35. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 33, comprising a line of poppers adapted to enable adjustment

36. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 34, comprising long pants, with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening extending to its lower leg opening to fasten it at one or both cuffs.

37. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 35, adapted for poppers to be used to fasten an extra piece on top of the material of the garment.

38. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 36, comprising a skirt that comprises a belt part and a part that hangs from the belt and is able to fasten to the belt by poppers or other fastening.

39. An article as claimed in claim 38, in which the hanging part is a wrapround part.

40. An article as claimed in claim 39, in which the wrapround part has at its top a line of poppers inside and outside at one end and inside at the opposite end so that said one end is able to fasten to the belt and said opposite end is able to fasten to said one end.

41. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 40, comprising a boob tube (close-fitting strapless top) having poppers or other fastening at its bottom to fasten thereto a lower article.

42. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 41, comprising a skirt, wrapround, hot pants or other lower article having poppers or other fastening at its top to fasten thereto an upper article.

43. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 42, comprising a combination boob tube and hot pants, the boob tube having poppers or other fastening at its bottom and the hot pants having poppers or other fastening at its top to fasten the boob tube and hot pants together.

44. An article as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 43, comprising a one-piece baby suit with a line of poppers from side to side around the back of the waist

45. An article of clothing with a plurality of separate lines of poppers.

46. An article of clothing with a line of poppers spaced apart at most 3 cm.

47. An article of clothing with a line of poppers spaced apart at most 2.5 cm.

48. An article of clothing with a line of poppers spaced apart at most 2 cm.

49. An article of clothing with a plurality of poppers adapted to enable at least one flap, panel, cuff or other part of the article to be folded back from or against the remainder

50. An article as claimed in claim 49, which is adapted for the foldable-back part to be held folded back by use of said poppers.

51. An article of clothing with a plurality of poppers adapted to enable part of the article to be separated or removed from the remainder or defining or enclosing such a part.

52. An article of clothing comprising knickers with a crotch fastened by poppers or other fastening which crotch opens fully from one leg opening to the other leg opening.

53. An article as claimed in claim 52, which comprises on at least one side a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening.

54. An article as claimed in claim 53, which comprises on both sides a line of poppers opening fully from waist opening to leg opening whereby the article can be divided into a back panel and a front panel separable from one another.

55. An article of clothing comprising a G-string with one or more poppers or other fastening to fasten the crotch string to the back in the region of the waist

56. An article of clothing comprising boxer shorts with a fly andfor a back panel that can be unfastened and one or more poppers to fasten the fly and/or back panel.

57. An article of clothing comprising a bra with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the front and/or back.

58. An article of clothing comprising a vest with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening to fasten it at one or both shoulders.

59. An article of clothing comprising a vest with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at one or both shoulders and/or at the front and/or back.

60. An article of clothing comprising a shirt with one or more lines of poppers (extending to the lower arm opening) to fasten it at one or both cuffs.

61. An article of clothing comprising a towel with one or more lines of poppers to fasten it at the top as a wrapround.

62. An article of clothing comprising long pants with one or more lines of poppers or of other fastening extending to its lower leg opening to fasten it at one or both cuffs.

63. An article of clothing comprising poppers adapted to used to fasten an extra piece on top of the material of the garment.

64. An article of clothing comprising a skirt that comprises a belt part and a part that hangs from the belt and is able to fasten to the belt by poppers or other fastening.

65. An article as claimed in claim 64, in which the hanging part is a wrapround part

66. An article as claimed in claim 65, in which the wrapround part has at its top a line of poppers inside and outside at one end and inside at the opposite end so that said one end is able to fasten to the belt and said opposite end is able to fasten to said one end.

67. A belt provided with a line of poppers.

68. A hanging part for an article of clothing, with a line of poppers in the region of its top to enable it to hang from a belt provided with cooperating poppers.

69. An article of clothing comprising a boob tube (close-fitting strapless top) having poppers or other fastening at its bottom to fasten thereto a lower article.

70. An article of clothing comprising a skirt, wrapround, hot pants or other lower article having poppers or other fastening at its top to fasten thereto an upper article.

71. An article of clothing comprising a combination boob tube and hot pants, the boob tube having poppers or other fastening at its bottom and the hot pants having poppers or other fastening at its top to fasten the boob tube and hot pants together,

72. An article of clothing comprising a one-piece baby suit with a line of poppers from side to side around the back of the waist.

73. An article as claimed in claim 72, in which the ends of the line from side to side around the back of the waist extend downwards to form a down-foldable panel.

74. A part, comprising at least one popper (or a plurality of poppers), of an article of clothing as claimed in any preceding claim.

75. A clothing set comprising first parts that fasten together by means of one or more poppers to form an article of clothing and at least one further part that can be substituted for at least one said first part

76. A clothing set as claimed in claim 75, comprising an article of clothing as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 73.

77. A tape of poppers for attachment to garment material.

78. An article of clothing substantially according to any example hereinbefore described.

79. An article of clothing substantially according to any example hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

80. A method of fastening or unfastening or adjusting clothing or part thereof as claimed in any preceding claim, in which one or more poppers of said clothing or part are fastened and/or unfastened.

81. A method of manufacturing an article of clothing in which the article is provided with one or more poppers from a tape of poppers.