WO2012102853A1

WO2012102853A1 - Self-adjusting panty

Info

Publication number: WO2012102853A1
Application number: PCT/US2012/020705
Authority: WO
Inventors: Lina Maria Saldarriaga Moreno; Marisol Pioquinto; Paloma Hernandez; Monique Duran BOLIO
Original assignee: Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, Llc
Priority date: 2011-01-26
Filing date: 2012-01-10
Publication date: 2012-08-02
Also published as: BR112013018965A2; BR112013018965B1; CL2013002132A1; MX344199B; MX2011001012A

Abstract

A self-adjusting panty (100) is provided having a body (120) with a front (122), back (124), opposed sides (128), a waist opening (123), and two leg openings (125), and a stretchable side panel (140) proximate each opposed side and extending between the waist opening and each leg opening, each stretchable panel being self - adj ustable to a wearer's leg size.

Description

SELF-ADJUSTING PANTY

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to the field of women's undergarments, and, in particular, to a lower torso undergarment, or panty, having stretchable panels, for self- adjusting to the correct fit when worn.

Background of the Invention

Women's undergarments, and panties, in particular, are selected for a number of reasons, including modesty and concealment, comfort beneath outerwear, figure control, etc.

Having improperly fitted panties is a fairly common problem, however, and may be due to one or more factors. First, from brand to brand, the advertised sizes of panties are not necessarily consistent. Second, it has been found that many women actually do not know their correct panty size, or else buy a smaller size than needed. Further, for natural physical reasons, including weight changes, a woman's body changes frequently. When any of these reasons exist, the result is a panty, which causes undesirable body bulges, is uncomfortable, and thus limits freedom of movement.

While numerous, and some costly, solutions to adjust panties to resolve these problems have been devised, none have provided features in a panty that are self- adjusting to provide the correct fit over a range of waist band or leg sizes, or both, while at the same time providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance when the panty is worn, and that can be manufactured at a relatively low cost.

Summary of the Invention

The present invention is directed to a self-adjusting panty that addresses the above issues. As used herein, "panty" refers to women's lower torso underwear, including briefs, panty girdles, shapewear, etc. In one embodiment, the self-adjusting panty includes a panty body having a front, back, opposed sides, a waist opening, and two leg openings. A stretchable, expansible side panel is inserted proximate each opposed side and extends between the waist opening and each leg opening, each side panel being self-adjustable to a wearer's leg size.

In one embodiment, the self-adjusting panty includes a stretchable, expansible rear panel, which extends downwardly from the waist opening in the back of the panty, the rear panel being self-adjustable to the wearer's waist size.

Various features and aspects of the invention will become apparent upon review of the detailed description set forth below when taken in conjunction with the

accompanying drawings, which are briefly described as follows.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a front perspective, environmental view of a first embodiment of the self-adjusting panty formed according to the present invention.

Figure 2 is a rear perspective, environmental view of the embodiment of Figure 1 . Figure 3 is a sectional view of the panty of Figure 1 , taken along line Ill-Ill.

Figure 4 is a sectional view of the panty of Figure 2, taken along line IV— IV.

Figure 5 is a front perspective, environmental view of an alternative embodiment of the self-adjusting panty formed according to the present invention.

Figure 6 is a rear perspective, environmental view of the embodiment of Figure 5.

Detailed Description

Certain exemplary embodiments of the present invention are described below and illustrated in the accompanying figures. The embodiments described are only for purposes of illustrating the present invention and should not be interpreted as limiting the scope of the invention, which, of course, is limited only by the claims below. Other embodiments of the invention, and certain modifications and improvements of the described embodiments, will occur to those skilled in the art, and all such alternate embodiments, modifications, and improvements are within the scope of the present invention.

Referring now to the figures in general, the present invention is directed to a self- adjusting panty, which addresses the problems described above. More specifically, and as described in greater detail below, the present invention is directed to a panty construction that self-adjusts to the correct leg opening and waist sizes, when worn. As will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art, the actual dimensions for the component portions and panels of each of the self-adjusting panty embodiments described below will vary depending upon the desired finished size of the panty; i.e., each of the component body portions and panels for a finished Small panty will generally be smaller than those in a Medium panty, etc. Similarly, dimensions for a full cut panty will be generally larger than those for a bikini cut panty, French cut panty, etc.

Referring now to Figures 1 through 4, a first exemplary embodiment of the self- adjusting panty, or women's brief, of the present invention, is shown generally as 100. The panty 100 comprises a body portion 120, a pair of stretchable, expansible self- adjusting side panels 140, and a stretchable, expansible self-adjusting rear panel 160. The body portion 120 comprises a front portion 122, a rear portion 124, and opposed sides 128, each being substantially conventionally shaped for a panty having a waist opening 123 and two leg openings 125. As discussed below, the panty may be formed in any of the numerous styles and cuts, such as a full brief, bikini, french cut, etc.

For the self-adjusting panty 100 shown in Figures 1 and 2, each of the body portions 122, 124 is formed of a knit tricot fabric. As used herein, "tricot" refers to the most common type of warp-knit fabric, and may be knit in numerous designs, including a plain jersey. In one embodiment, the fabric forming the body portions 122, 124 comprises yarns that are about 85 percent polyamide and 15 percent elastane, and may be obtained from Protela in Bogota, Colombia as Item Number 83058 (MORON). This knit tricot fabric has a weight of 176 grams per square meter. When tested in

accordance with ASTM D4964-96, Standard Test Method for Tension and Elongation of Elastic Fabrics (Constant-Rate-of-Extension Type Tensile Testing Machine), on a Zwick Model 1446 Elastometer, this fabric has an elongation of approximately 140 percent in the length (warp) direction and approximately 1 10 percent in the width (weft) direction, respectively, when a load of 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction. The modulus, or force required to return the fabric to its original dimensions, for length is 100 percent of 1 .7 kilograms, and for width is 30 percent of 0.2 kilograms.

As shown in Figure 1 , a stretchable, expansible side panel 140 is inserted on opposed sides of the panty 100, about the hip area. Each panel 140 extends

substantially the entire height of each side, from the waistband 127 down to the leg opening 125. In the embodiment shown, each panel 140 is generally triangular. Other shapes for this panel 140 are also possible, so long as the lower end 144 of the panel 140 is substantially longer than the upper end 142. Shaped in this manner, and extending between the waistband 127 and the leg opening 125, the panels 140 have a maximum expansibility, and therefore greater self-adjustability about each leg opening. In one embodiment, the panels 140 will self-adjust up to at least one leg size; e.g., Medium to Large, without affecting any other portion of the panty 100. Thus, if the waist size is already proper, then the waist size will be unaffected by elongation of the side panels 140.

Each of the self-adjusting side panels 140 is formed of a knit raschel mesh fabric. As used herein, a "raschel mesh" refers to a versatile type of warp knitting made in a plain pattern. As shown in Figure 3, in this embodiment the self-adjusting panels 140 comprise two layers of the mesh fabric, formed by folding an initially single layer at the leg opening, or lower end 144, thus eliminating the need for a separate seam or leg band at the lower end 144. The lack of a seam or leg band enhances the ability of the panel 140 to adjust/elongate.

In one embodiment, the fabric comprises yarns that are about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane, and may be obtained from Telas Laprotex S. De R.I. de C.V in Mexico as Item Number 215. The knit raschel mesh fabric has a weight of 76 grams per square meter. When tested in accordance with ASTM D4964-96, this fabric has an elongation of approximately 1 17 percent in the length (warp) direction and approximately 70 percent in the width (weft) direction, respectively, when a load of 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction. The modulus for length is 40 percent of 0.2 kilograms, and for width is 40 percent of 0.48 kilograms. Because the raschel mesh is an open knit, it has a more controlled stretch, thus causing the fabric to adapt more closely to the shape of the body, whereas a jersey or knit tricot has less controlled elongation. The self-adjusting side panels 140, as described herein, will elongation/expand between 1 and 2 centimeters along their width to accommodate up to one leg size.

Turning to Figure 2, in the embodiment shown, the self-adjusting panty 100 further comprises a stretchable, expansible self-adjusting rear panel 160 for self- adjustability of the waist size. The self-adjusting rear panel 160 is centrally inserted in the rear portion 124 of the body 120 and extends downwardly from the waistband 127 a prescribed distance, and is generally shaped like an inverted triangle. Again, other shapes for this panel 160 are also possible, so long as the upper end 162 of the panel 160 is substantially longer than the lower end 164. Shaped in this manner, the panel 160 has maximum expansibility along the waistband for self-adjustability about the waist opening 123. In one embodiment, the panel 160 will self-adjust up to at least one waist size; e.g., Medium to Large, without affecting any other portion of the panty. Thus, if the leg sizes are already correctly sized, then the size of the leg openings will be unaffected by elongation of this panel 160.

The self-adjusting rear panel 160 also is formed of the same knit raschel mesh fabric as the self-adjusting side panels 140, and comprises yarns that are about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane, has a weight of 76 grams per square meter, and the same fabric elongations and moduli, when tested in accordance with ASTM D4964-96.

As shown in Figure 4, in this embodiment the self-adjusting panel 160 also comprises two layers of mesh fabric, although it is not necessary to fold the fabric at the waist opening since a waist band 127 is desired for holding the panty 100 snugly in place about the waist when worn.

Optionally, as shown in Figure 1 , the panty 100 may further comprise an abdominal control panel 180. The abdominal control panel 180 may also be formed of a knit raschel mesh fabric, and in one embodiment, the fabric also comprises yarns that are about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane, and may be obtained from Telas Laprotex S. De R.I. de C.V in Mexico as Item Number 215. This knit raschel mesh fabric, however, has a heavier weight of 185 grams per square meter. When tested in accordance with ASTM D4964-96, this fabric has an elongation of

approximately 165 percent in the length (warp) direction and approximately 120 percent in the width (weft) direction, respectively, when a load of 14 kilograms is independently applied in each direction (a heavier load is required for the heavier weight fabric per the ASTM standard). The modulus for length is 40 percent of 0.97 kilograms, and for width is 40 percent of 1 .0 kilogram. The fabric forming the abdominal control panel 180 is optimal since the knit is tighter and heavier. As best shown in Figure 1 , the abdominal control panel 180 comprises a single layer of this heavier weight fabric, wherein the panel 180 is stitched inside the front of the panty body, extending approximately from the waistband 127 downwardly toward the crotch.

Referring again to Figures 1 and 2, the stretchable, expansible self-adjusting side panels 140 are inserted at opposed sides 128 between the front body portion 122 and back body portion 124 and affixed along seams 122a and 124a. Prior to the seaming operation, the panels 140 optionally may be reinforced along their side edges so that they may be more securely seamed. Seams 122a and 124a then may be

conventionally formed. The self-adjusting rear panel 160 may be similarly reinforced and inserted in the back body portion 124 by seaming along seams 124c and 124d, as shown in Figure 2. The front body portion 122 and back body portion 124 may be joined along a crotch seam (not shown), as such seams are conventionally formed.

Waist band 127 and leg bands 129 are affixed about the waist opening 123 and leg openings 125. These bands 127, 129 are elasticized weft knitted flat bands, formed of yarns comprising 71 percent polyamide and 29 percent elastane. The elastic bands have a weight basis of about 585 meters per kilogram, and are available from Textiles Guarne S.A. in Medellin, Colombia as item Number 398-05. When tested in

accordance with ASTM D4964-96, the weft knitted flat bands have an elongation of approximately 147 percent in the length (warp) direction, when a load of 4 kilograms is applied in the length direction. The modulus for length is 70 percent of 0.33 kilograms, and for width is 40 percent of 0.22 kilograms.

The elasticized bands are affixed along the waist and leg openings without folding any part of the fabric, i.e., the bands, or the fabric, comprising the front body portion 122 and the back body portion 124. Conventional cover stitches are then applied to cover the bands and the fabric, so that the resulting waist bands 127 and leg bands 129 remain substantially flat. Formed in this manner, visible panty lines are minimized when the self-adjusting panty 100 is worn.

Turning now to Figures 5 and 6, a second embodiment 200 of the self-adjusting panty is shown. As shown, this self-adjusting panty construction 200 is formed as Jacquard knit construction and styled as a bikini. This self-adjusting panty construction 200 also comprises a body portion 220, a pair of stretchable, expansible self-adjusting side panels 240, and a stretchable, expansible self-adjusting rear panel 260. The body portion 220 again comprises a front portion 222, a rear portion 224, and opposed sides 228, each portion being substantially conventionally shaped for a bikini cut panty having a waist opening 223 and two leg openings 225.

For the panty 200 shown in Figure 5, each of the body portions is formed of a knit Jacquard fabric, having an ornamental pattern; however, the ornamental pattern is not important to the panty construction. In one embodiment, the fabric comprises yarns that are about 89 percent polyamide and 1 1 percent elastane, and may be obtained from C.I. Confecciones Balalaika in Medellin, Colombia as Item Number 5076. The Jacquard knit fabric has a weight of 160 grams per square meter. When tested in accordance with ASTM D4964-96, this fabric has an elongation of approximately 1 10 percent in the length (warp) direction and approximately 140 percent in the width (weft) direction, respectively, when a load of 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction. The modulus for length is 40 percent of 0.3 kilograms, and for width is 30 percent of 0.5 kilograms.

As also shown in Figure 5, a stretchable elastic panel 240 again is inserted on each of the opposed sides 228 of the panty 200. Again, as in the first previous embodiment, each panel 240 extends substantially the entire height of each side, downwardly from the waistband 227 to the leg opening 225. Again, in this embodiment the panel 240 is generally triangular. Also, again, other shapes for this panel 240 are possible, so long as the lower end 244 of the panel 240 is substantially longer than the upper end 242. Again, the panels 240 will self-adjust up to at least one leg size; e.g., Medium to Large, without affecting any other portion of the panty. Similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the self-adjusting panels 140 again comprises two layers of the mesh fabric, formed by folding an initially single layer at the leg opening, or lower end 144, thus eliminating the need for a separate seam, or leg band, at the lower end 144. As shown in Figure 5, the self-adjusting Jacquard bikini 200 also comprises a self-adjusting rear panel 260 for self-adjustability of the waist size. Again, the self- adjusting rear panel 260 is centrally inserted in the rear portion 224 of the body 220 and extends downwardly from the waistband 227 a prescribed distance, and is generally shaped like an inverted triangle.

Other shapes for this panel 260 are also possible, so long as the upper end 262 of the panel 260 is substantially longer than the lower end 264. Again, shaped in this manner, the panel 260 has a maximum expansibility along the waistband and is therefore self-adjustable about the waist opening. In the embodiment shown, the panel 260 also will self-adjust up to at least one waist size; e.g., Medium to Large, without affecting any other portion of the panty. Similar to the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the self-adjusting rear panel 260 also comprises two layers of mesh fabric, so that it is not necessary to fold the fabric at the waist opening since a waist band 227 is provided for holding the panty 200 in place about the waist.

In this embodiment, each of the self-adjusting panels 240, 260 again is formed of a knit raschel mesh fabric. Here, the fabric comprises yarns that are about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane, and may be obtained from Telas Laprotex S. De R.I. de C.V in Mexico as Item Number 305. The knit raschel mesh fabric has a weight of 76 grams per square meter. When tested in accordance with ASTM D4964-96, this fabric has an elongation of approximately 1 17 percent in the length (warp) direction and approximately 70 percent in the width (weft) direction, respectively, when a load of 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction. The modulus for length is 40 percent of 0.2 kilograms, and for width is 40 percent of 0.48 kilograms.

The self-adjusting side panels 240 and self-adjusting rear panel 260 are inserted and affixed along seams 222a and 224a, and 224c and 224d in the same manner as the previous embodiment. Again, prior to the seaming operation, the panels 240 and 260 optionally may be reinforced along their side edges, and the front body portion 222 and back body portion 224 again may be joined along a crotch seam (not shown), as such seams are conventionally formed. The elasticized waistband 227 and leg bands 229 also are formed in the same manner, and of the same materials, as described above in the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2.

Although the present invention has been described with exemplary

embodiments, it is to be understood that modifications and variations may be utilized without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention, as those skilled in the art will readily understand. Such modifications and variations are considered to be within the purview and scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Claims

We claim:

1 . A self-adjusting panty, comprising:

(a) a panty body having a front, back, opposed sides, a waist opening, and two leg openings;

(b) a stretchable, expansible side panel proximate each opposed side and extending between the waist opening and a respective leg opening, each panel self-adjusting to a wearer's leg size; and

(c) a stretchable, expansible rear panel extending downwardly from the waist opening in the back of the panty body, the rear panel self-adjusting to the wearer's waist size.

2. The panty of Claim 1 , further comprising an abdominal control panel in the front of the panty, the abdominal control panel extending downwardly from proximate the waist opening.

3. The panty of Claim 1 , wherein the panty body is formed of knit tricot fabric.

4. The panty of Claim 1 , wherein the panty body is formed of a knit jacquard mesh fabric.

5. The panty of Claim 3 wherein the knit tricot fabric comprises about 85 percent polyamide and 15 percent elastane.

6. The panty of Claim 5, wherein the knit tricot fabric has an elongation of about 140 percent in the length direction and about 1 10 percent in the width direction, when a load of about 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction, when tested in accordance with standard ASTM D4964-96.

7. The parity of Claim 6, wherein the knit tricot fabric has a modulus for length of about 100 percent of 1 .7 kilograms and a modulus for width of about 30 percent of 0.2 kilograms.

8. The panty of Claim 4 wherein the knit jacquard mesh fabric comprises about 89 percent polyamide and 1 1 percent elastane.

9. The panty of Claim 8, wherein the knit jacquard mesh fabric has an elongation of about 1 10 percent in the length direction and about 140 percent in the width direction, when a load of about 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction, when tested in accordance with standard ASTM D4964-96.

10. The panty of Claim 9, wherein the knit jacquard mesh fabric has a modulus for length of about 40 percent of 0.3 kilograms and a modulus for width of about 30 percent of 0.5 kilograms.

1 1 . The panty of Claim 1 , wherein each stretchable, expansible side panel comprises a two-layer knit raschel mesh fabric.

12. The panty of Claim 1 1 , wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric comprises about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane.

13. The panty of Claim 12, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has an elongation of about 1 17 percent in the length direction and about 70 percent in the width direction, when a load of about 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction, when tested in accordance with standard ASTM D4964-96.

14. The panty of Claim 13, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has a modulus for length of about 40 percent of 0.2 kilograms and a modulus for width of about 40 percent of 0.48 kilograms.

15. The parity of Claim 1 wherein each stretchable, expansible side panel comprises an upper end and a lower end, the lower end being wider than the upper end.

16. The panty of Claim 15, wherein each stretchable, expansible side panel is 5 substantially triangular.

17. The panty of Claim 1 , wherein the stretchable, expansible rear panel comprises a two-layer knit raschel mesh fabric.

10 18. The panty of Claim 17, wherein knit raschel mesh fabric comprises about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane.

19. The panty of Claim 18, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has an elongation of about 1 17 percent in the length direction and about 70 percent in the width direction,

15 when a load of about 4 kilograms is independently applied in each direction, when

tested in accordance with standard ASTM D4964-96.

20. The panty of Claim 19, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has a modulus for length of about of about 40 percent of 0.2 kilograms and a modulus for width of about

20 40 percent of 0.48 kilograms.

21 . The panty of Claim 1 , wherein the stretchable, expansible rear panel comprises an upper end and a lower end, the upper end being wider than the lower end.

25 22. The panty of Claim 21 , wherein the stretchable, expansible rear panel is

substantially an inverted triangular shape.

23. The panty of Claim 2, wherein the abdominal control panel comprises a knit raschel mesh fabric.

30

24. The parity of Claim 23, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric comprises about 95 percent polyamide and 5 percent elastane.

25. The panty of Claim 24, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has an elongation of about 165 percent in the length direction and about 120 percent in the width direction, when a load of about 14 kilograms is independently applied in each direction, when tested in accordance with standard ASTM D4964-96.

26. The panty of Claim 25, wherein the knit raschel mesh fabric has a modulus for length of about of about 40 percent of 0.97kilograms and a modulus for width of about 40 percent of 1 .0 kilogram.

27. The panty of Claim 2, wherein the abdominal control panel is substantially an inverted triangular shape.