WO2013188908A1 - Body measuring method and garment production method and system - Google Patents

Body measuring method and garment production method and system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2013188908A1
WO2013188908A1 PCT/AU2013/000644 AU2013000644W WO2013188908A1 WO 2013188908 A1 WO2013188908 A1 WO 2013188908A1 AU 2013000644 W AU2013000644 W AU 2013000644W WO 2013188908 A1 WO2013188908 A1 WO 2013188908A1
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
garment
measuring
suit
person
produced
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2013/000644
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Barry Maxwell Rees
Original Assignee
2-George Enterprise Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2012902577A external-priority patent/AU2012902577A0/en
Application filed by 2-George Enterprise Pty Ltd filed Critical 2-George Enterprise Pty Ltd
Publication of WO2013188908A1 publication Critical patent/WO2013188908A1/en

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41H—APPLIANCES OR METHODS FOR MAKING CLOTHES, e.g. FOR DRESS-MAKING OR FOR TAILORING, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • A41H1/00—Measuring aids or methods
    • A41H1/02—Devices for taking measurements on the human body

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to a method for measuring a body and producing garments to fit the body.
  • One method is bespoke tailoring.
  • This method involves garments being tailored individually for a specific customer.
  • This method involves the maker (tailor) taking measurements of a person with a tape measure or similar device.
  • the tailor uses those measurements, combined with skilful judgment about the body shape and posture of the customer, to produce a rough version of the garment using a manually adjustable model, or creates a pattern and cuts the fabric from the pattern.
  • the fit of the garment is then improved by a series of "fittings" and adjustment to produce the final garment. Whilst clothing made using this method often fits the person well, it is time consuming, requires a high level of skill and multiple adjustments which makes it very expensive.
  • Another method involves scanning a person's body in a booth using electronic signals.
  • the electronic signals used for the scan form an image of the person's body which can be recorded onto a computer to make a pattern. This is an emerging method which has not been widely accepted due to privacy concerns.
  • Garments sold in most retail stores are made according to acceptable sizes that vary from country to country.
  • the most common method of producing garments which fit a person is for that person to purchase a garment made according to a predetermined standard size and alter it by hand until a satisfactory fit to their body is achieved.
  • a similar method is used in the wholesale industry for all forms of uniforms.
  • Garments are made in a range of environments, for example in a home or factory, and then sold to importers, wholesalers, retailers or directly to consumers. Every step in the process adds cost for handling and profit. Therefore by the time the end consumer purchases and puts on the garment, it is many times its original cost.
  • a method of measuring a body of a person including the steps of: providing a measuring suit having a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element; connecting the measuring suit to an electronic device able to access a database for recording measurements of the measuring suit when worn; calculating a length associated with the output measurement of the measuring elements when the body is wearing the measuring suit, the length measurements forming a body measurement profile; and storing the body measurement profile and the base measurement profile in the database.
  • the method may further include the step of: comparing the length measurements of the base measurement profile and the body measurement profile and storing the comparison in the database.
  • the measuring elements are preferably any one or more of: sensors; filaments; threads; copper oxide sensors; zinc oxide filament sensors; polymer sensors; conductive ink sensors; carbon nanotube sensors; and graphene filled lycra sensors.
  • a method of producing a garment for a person including the steps of: measuring a body using the method for measuring a body of a person described above; selecting a garment style ; inputting the garment style into the database; creating a pattern for the selected garment style using the body measurement profile, wherein the pattern can be stored in the database; selecting a garment fabric; inputting the garment fabric into the database; and sending the pattern and details of the garment fabric to a garment maker.
  • the pattern can also be sent to the consumer for home production of the garment.
  • the method also includes any one or more of the following further steps: automatically calculate an amount of the garment fabric needed to produce the garment based on the pattern; creating a virtual model using the body measurement profile; viewing the selected garment style in the selected garment fabric on the virtual model to visualise the selected garment style in the selected garment fabric on the person; selecting a garment maker; selecting a delivery method; making payment of the garment via electronic means; or sending the produced garment to the person who ordered it.
  • a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person, the system including: an electronic device able to access a database for recording and storing: details of the garment to be produced; and body details of the person for whom the garment is to be produced; a measuring suit for measuring said body details and forming a measurement profile of the body, wherein the measurement suit is connected to the electronic device; and a means for sending the garment to the person who ordered it.
  • the measuring suit has a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element.
  • the output of the measuring elements is preferably measured in the form of any one or more of: pressure, strain, conductivity, resistance, current and power.
  • the measuring suit is preferably made of stretchable material. More preferably the stretchable material includes any one or more of: nanowire arrays; silver; copper oxide; zinc oxide; carbon nanotubes; graphene filled lycra and a conductive material.
  • measuring suits preferably are manufactured in a number of predetermined sizes, for example, extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, extra, extra large. Further, each predetermined size preferably has its own base measurement profile.
  • the measuring suit is preferably wirelessly connected to the electronic device.
  • the measuring suit may be physically connected to the electronic device.
  • the electronic device is a computer.
  • the system further includes an assistance means for providing assistance to said person to use said system.
  • an assistance means for providing assistance to said person to use said system. This is advantageous because it allows the person purchasing a garment to obtain assistance via internet, telephone or other means to help with the selection of garment style, garment fabric, and use ofthe system.
  • Figure 1 shows a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
  • Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 1 .
  • Figure 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
  • Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 3.
  • Figure 5 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
  • Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 5.
  • Figure 7 shows a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person.
  • a measuring suit in its rest state used in the method of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 .
  • the present method requires a person for whom a garment is to be produced to wear a measuring suit 1 , shown in Figure 1 .
  • the measuring suit is preferably made of stretch material.
  • the measuring suit 1 is a full body garment made in size increments, such as extra small, small, medium, large, extra-large and larger as may be required.
  • the material for the measuring suit can be made of various conductive materials such as copper oxide, silver, or zinc oxide that are blended with a polymeric substrate including, but not limited, to nylon or spandex, such as lycra.
  • the material of the measuring suit, or part thereof can be made of conducting polymer, carbon nanotubes or graphene filled lycra.
  • the conductive material is formed into a thread and may be used as the material of the measuring suit alternatively the conductive thread can be woven into, or otherwise applied to the measuring suit. This conductive thread, may be considered as a sensor.
  • the measuring suit 1 contains a number of measuring elements 3.
  • the measuring elements may be sensors of any type including pressure sensors, conducting filaments, copper oxide sensors, zinc oxide filament sensors, polymer sensors, carbon nanotubes or graphene filled lycra sensors and conductive ink sensors.
  • the measuring suit lengthens and/or stretches when the user puts it on, as shown in Figure 2.
  • the amount of stretch or movement in the measurement suit between its rest state and its stretched state when worn by a user is calculated. This is achieved by measuring the output of each measuring element 3.
  • Each measuring element produces an output. The output depends on the type of measuring element, and may be measured in the form of conductivity, impedance, resistance, voltage, strain or pressure. The output measurement may also be in another form.
  • the output of the measuring element is correlated to a length measurement, or alternatively a length measurement can be calculated based on the output value.
  • the measuring suit in a rest state has a base measurement profile and the measuring suit when worn by a user has a body measurement profile.
  • the measurement profiles are created based on the output values of the measuring elements.
  • the series of output measurements form an output profile.
  • the measurements are taken using an electronic device, and the measurements taken when a body is wearing the measuring suit are compared to the initial base measurements of the measuring suit when in a rest state. This then forms an overall measurement profile which can be used to create garments for the body.
  • the measurement suit in its stretched state is measured.
  • the body measurement profile needs to be used to produce a garment for that body. It is not necessary to take measurements at every measurement element of the measuring suit. For example, if you wanted to make a pair of gloves, it may only be necessary to take measurements of the hands and forearms. When making trousers or pants it may only be necessary to take measurements from measuring elements located in the leg, waist, hip, buttock and ankle areas.
  • the account records what size measuring suit the person is wearing, and can record the difference in reading between the measuring suit when at rest and the measuring suit when worn, that is the overall measurement profile. It can also record the body measurement profile, that is, the measurements of the person's body when they are wearing the measuring suit.
  • the difference can be used to form a very accurate 'picture' of the person's body, in this case the arm. These measurements can then be used to make a pattern for a selected garment which results in the selected garment fitting the person perfectly.
  • the measuring elements 3 are conductive threads which form part of the measuring suit material.
  • the measuring suit 1 stretches when the user wears the suit 1 , and therefore the conductive threads 3 in the measuring suit also stretch or lengthen, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6.
  • a body's dimensions are recorded as a number of conductivity measurements.
  • the conductivity of each thread corresponds to the length of the thread 4 and 5 or the length by which the thread has been lengthened.
  • the conductivity of any one or more of the threads in the measuring suit can be measured and recorded.
  • the measurement of the conductivity of each thread forms a conductivity profile (output profile).
  • the conductivity measurements in the profile are then converted into corresponding length measurements, forming a body measurement profile.
  • the conductivity profile and body measurement profile essentially form a three dimensional image of the body being measured, thereby providing a very accurate 'picture' of the person's body.
  • the person puts on the measuring suit they connect it to a computer, and login to their account on the internet.
  • the account records the conductivity profile relative to the size of the measuring suit the person is wearing.
  • a plurality of threads 3 may run along the measuring suit, that is, from finger tip to shoulder, ankle to thigh, thereby providing measurements in the vertical direction along the body.
  • the plurality of threads may provide measurements in the horizontal direction, that is, measure the circumference of various body parts, for example the stomach, bicep or thigh girth, at very small intervals measuring the body.
  • the plurality of threads may be arranged in such a way so as to provide measurements in both the vertical direction and horizontal direction. This may be achieved by the threads being in the same layer or different layers of the measuring suit.
  • the measuring suit is re-usable. If the person's body alters in shape slightly, the next garment made for that body will accurately fit the body's new size, as the person simply repeats the body measuring process described above, and updates their account details.
  • the measuring suit and method described above can also be used to accurately alter garments if the person's shape changes during the life of the garment.
  • a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person is shown in Figure 7.
  • the system 10 includes a measuring suit 12 for measuring a body and capturing the body details, wherein the measurements form a measurement profile of the body.
  • the system further includes an electronic device 1 1 , such as a computer, able to access a database for recording and storing various details about the body and the garment to be produced. Specific items which may be recorded and stored include details of the garment to be produced as well as body details (such as the measurement profile of the body) of the person for whom the garment is to be produced. These details can be stored in the database when the measuring suit 12 is connected (physically, wirelessly or in some other manner) to the electronic device 1 1 .
  • the system also provides a means 13 for sending the completed garment to the person.
  • the database can also be used to record other details including: customer details, customer preferences, customer contact details, order details, garment maker details, garment style, garment fabric or material, quality of garment, information or feedback about the service for producing a garment, customer service experience and 'loyalty club' details so that special deals can be offered to customers.
  • the customer can choose what garment they want made from a range of garments listed in an electronic catalogue. This electronic catalogue may or may not be stored on the database.
  • the customer Once the customer has chosen the style of garment, they then choose a fabric or material for the garment to be made out of. The system calculates the amount of fabric which will be needed. The customer can then choose a speed of delivery and the system calculates the overall price.
  • Payment can be made by any conventional method, for example by credit or debit card payment, or by charging a business account.
  • the system selects a garment maker based on previously determined criteria, from known garment makers in the database.
  • the pattern is then forwarded electronically to the selected garment maker with a confidential code.
  • the garment maker then makes the garment according to the agreed schedule and delivers the made garment to an X-docking operation that has the code loaded in its logistics system.
  • the garment is matched to the original customer order and is then forwarded 13 to the final destination, the customer who ordered the garment.
  • the customer can use a tracking system to follow the progress of their order.
  • the maker never knows the identity of the customer, and the customer doesn't know the identity of the maker (other than business customers with logo garments, which can also be fitted by a third party) so privacy is protected, and the customer database is protected.
  • the customer may use a remote assistant to assist with selection of a garment or any step of the process.
  • the remote assistant may be contactable through the internet, telephone or other means.
  • the customer Prior to an order being placed, the customer has the opportunity to view the style and colour of garment they have chosen fitted to, and worn by a virtual model.
  • the virtual model is created using the measurement profile of the customer. Further, if the customer has uploaded a passport sized image of themselves to the database, the image can be placed on the virtual model. In this way it provides the customer with a more accurate indication of how the garment will look when they wear it, assuming they decide to purchase the garment.
  • This system is flexible and if specific fabric is needed, for example for a company uniform, the company can provide fabric to the garment maker. Alternatively the garment maker provides the fabric specified by the purchaser. In some cases, the consumer will want to make their own garment, so the system prints a pattern, and the fabric and pattern is mailed to the consumer. This method is ideal for students or those people who want to sew their own garments.
  • An advantage of the described method is the process of a customer using a unique measuring suit to measure their body very accurately in a private location of their choosing.
  • the measurements and other details can be stored on a database.
  • the customer can see how certain styles of garments suit their body prior to making an order.
  • the whole process of having their body measured and garments made using those measurements can be conducted in the comfort of their own home. Using this method and system, a garment can be made very economically and quickly, which fits the customer extremely well.
  • This process is advantageous for many consumers seeking value for money and who cannot locate correctly sized garments for their body size and shape, do not have time to shop for correct fitting clothes, or alter the clothes bought at retail shops to fit their body shape.
  • This method and system allows clothing specifically tailored to the consumer to be available to more people because the consumer takes the measurements and the details are entered into a computer system. Since the maker or manufacturer can make a garment based on those measurements and send it directly to the consumer, the cost of garments produced using this method will ultimately be cheaper.
  • This method uses the actual measurements of a customer, recorded by the measurement suit. Therefore, clothing is produced from a pattern generated specifically for a customer's measurements.
  • the custom-made clothing provides a superior fit to that which a customer would typically experience from the retail purchase of a similar mass-produced garment.
  • This method has a further advantage in that not only will it produce garments that fit a person's body very accurately, it will reduce the garment fabric usage and reduce the garment production process time and the garment production cost, thereby reducing the overall price of a garment. In addition, since up to 25% of the cost of the garment is in rework, when the person receives the garment, and it does not fit accurately, this method significantly reduces the rework necessary to potentially 5-10% of the garment cost.
  • Another significant advantage of the system is for business customers whose employees are required to wear uniforms, such as pilots, bank employees, etc. because the system can record styles and colours of garments. This method and system is also very useful for those customers wanting to purchase special needs items, such as bridal dresses, ballroom dancing garments, shoes etc.
  • This method and system can also be advantageous to retail stores. If a customer still wants to use the traditional method of going into a store to buy a garment, retail stores can use this system to accurately fit their customer in-store.

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of measuring a body including the steps of: the body wearing a measuring suit having a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing the body the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element; connecting the measuring suit to an electronic device having a database for recording measurements of the measuring suit when worn; calculating a length associated with each output measurement of each measuring element when the measuring suit is worn by the body, the length measurements forming a body measurement profile; and storing the body measurement profile in the database.

Description

BODY MEASURING METHOD AND GARMENT PRODUCTION METHOD AND
SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates generally to a method for measuring a body and producing garments to fit the body.
BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
There are a number of methods commercially available for making clothing to fit to the human body.
One method is bespoke tailoring. This method involves garments being tailored individually for a specific customer. This method involves the maker (tailor) taking measurements of a person with a tape measure or similar device. The tailor then uses those measurements, combined with skilful judgment about the body shape and posture of the customer, to produce a rough version of the garment using a manually adjustable model, or creates a pattern and cuts the fabric from the pattern. The fit of the garment is then improved by a series of "fittings" and adjustment to produce the final garment. Whilst clothing made using this method often fits the person well, it is time consuming, requires a high level of skill and multiple adjustments which makes it very expensive.
Another method involves scanning a person's body in a booth using electronic signals. The electronic signals used for the scan form an image of the person's body which can be recorded onto a computer to make a pattern. This is an emerging method which has not been widely accepted due to privacy concerns.
Garments sold in most retail stores are made according to acceptable sizes that vary from country to country. The most common method of producing garments which fit a person is for that person to purchase a garment made according to a predetermined standard size and alter it by hand until a satisfactory fit to their body is achieved. A similar method is used in the wholesale industry for all forms of uniforms.
There are many steps in the production and manufacture of garments. Garments are made in a range of environments, for example in a home or factory, and then sold to importers, wholesalers, retailers or directly to consumers. Every step in the process adds cost for handling and profit. Therefore by the time the end consumer purchases and puts on the garment, it is many times its original cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Therefore, it is an object of the present invention to create a method for measuring a person's body and producing garments which fit that person's body very accurately, reduce the garment fabric usage and reduce the garment production process time, including the number of adjustments or alterations, and the garment production cost, thereby reducing overall price of a garment.
According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided, a method of measuring a body of a person including the steps of: providing a measuring suit having a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element; connecting the measuring suit to an electronic device able to access a database for recording measurements of the measuring suit when worn; calculating a length associated with the output measurement of the measuring elements when the body is wearing the measuring suit, the length measurements forming a body measurement profile; and storing the body measurement profile and the base measurement profile in the database.
The method may further include the step of: comparing the length measurements of the base measurement profile and the body measurement profile and storing the comparison in the database.
The measuring elements are preferably any one or more of: sensors; filaments; threads; copper oxide sensors; zinc oxide filament sensors; polymer sensors; conductive ink sensors; carbon nanotube sensors; and graphene filled lycra sensors.
According to another aspect of the present invention there is provided, a method of producing a garment for a person including the steps of: measuring a body using the method for measuring a body of a person described above; selecting a garment style ; inputting the garment style into the database; creating a pattern for the selected garment style using the body measurement profile, wherein the pattern can be stored in the database; selecting a garment fabric; inputting the garment fabric into the database; and sending the pattern and details of the garment fabric to a garment maker. At this stage, the pattern can also be sent to the consumer for home production of the garment.
Preferably the method also includes any one or more of the following further steps: automatically calculate an amount of the garment fabric needed to produce the garment based on the pattern; creating a virtual model using the body measurement profile; viewing the selected garment style in the selected garment fabric on the virtual model to visualise the selected garment style in the selected garment fabric on the person; selecting a garment maker; selecting a delivery method; making payment of the garment via electronic means; or sending the produced garment to the person who ordered it.
According to yet another aspect of the present invention there is provided, a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person, the system including: an electronic device able to access a database for recording and storing: details of the garment to be produced; and body details of the person for whom the garment is to be produced; a measuring suit for measuring said body details and forming a measurement profile of the body, wherein the measurement suit is connected to the electronic device; and a means for sending the garment to the person who ordered it.
Preferably the measuring suit has a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element.
The output of the measuring elements is preferably measured in the form of any one or more of: pressure, strain, conductivity, resistance, current and power.
The measuring suit is preferably made of stretchable material. More preferably the stretchable material includes any one or more of: nanowire arrays; silver; copper oxide; zinc oxide; carbon nanotubes; graphene filled lycra and a conductive material. In addition, measuring suits preferably are manufactured in a number of predetermined sizes, for example, extra small, small, medium, large, extra large, extra, extra large. Further, each predetermined size preferably has its own base measurement profile.
In the system, the measuring suit is preferably wirelessly connected to the electronic device. Alternatively, the measuring suit may be physically connected to the electronic device. Preferably the electronic device is a computer.
Preferably the system further includes an assistance means for providing assistance to said person to use said system. This is advantageous because it allows the person purchasing a garment to obtain assistance via internet, telephone or other means to help with the selection of garment style, garment fabric, and use ofthe system.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
It will be convenient to further describe the invention with respect to the accompanying drawings which illustrate preferred embodiments thereof. Other embodiments of the invention are possible, and consequently, the particularity of the accompanying drawings is not to be understood as superseding the generality of the preceding description of the invention.
Figure 1 shows a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
Figure 2 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 1 .
Figure 3 shows an alternate embodiment of a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
Figure 4 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 3.
Figure 5 shows yet another alternate embodiment of a measuring suit used to measure a person's body so that an accurate garment can be made for the person.
Figure 6 shows an enlarged view of the left arm of the measuring suit shown in Figure 5.
Figure 7 shows a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person. DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
Embodiments of the method for producing a garment that fits a person will now be described with reference to the figures.
Every person is different and has different sized body parts. Making clothing, especially clothing that fits a specific person accurately usually takes time and many iterations to get the fit correct.
A measuring suit in its rest state used in the method of the present invention is shown in Figure 1 . The present method requires a person for whom a garment is to be produced to wear a measuring suit 1 , shown in Figure 1 . The measuring suit is preferably made of stretch material. The measuring suit 1 is a full body garment made in size increments, such as extra small, small, medium, large, extra-large and larger as may be required. The material for the measuring suit can be made of various conductive materials such as copper oxide, silver, or zinc oxide that are blended with a polymeric substrate including, but not limited, to nylon or spandex, such as lycra. Alternatively, the material of the measuring suit, or part thereof, can be made of conducting polymer, carbon nanotubes or graphene filled lycra. In yet another alternative, the conductive material is formed into a thread and may be used as the material of the measuring suit alternatively the conductive thread can be woven into, or otherwise applied to the measuring suit. This conductive thread, may be considered as a sensor.
The measuring suit 1 contains a number of measuring elements 3. The measuring elements may be sensors of any type including pressure sensors, conducting filaments, copper oxide sensors, zinc oxide filament sensors, polymer sensors, carbon nanotubes or graphene filled lycra sensors and conductive ink sensors.
The measuring suit lengthens and/or stretches when the user puts it on, as shown in Figure 2. In an embodiment the amount of stretch or movement in the measurement suit between its rest state and its stretched state when worn by a user is calculated. This is achieved by measuring the output of each measuring element 3. Each measuring element produces an output. The output depends on the type of measuring element, and may be measured in the form of conductivity, impedance, resistance, voltage, strain or pressure. The output measurement may also be in another form. The output of the measuring element is correlated to a length measurement, or alternatively a length measurement can be calculated based on the output value.
The measuring suit in a rest state has a base measurement profile and the measuring suit when worn by a user has a body measurement profile. The measurement profiles are created based on the output values of the measuring elements. The series of output measurements form an output profile.
The measurements are taken using an electronic device, and the measurements taken when a body is wearing the measuring suit are compared to the initial base measurements of the measuring suit when in a rest state. This then forms an overall measurement profile which can be used to create garments for the body.
Alternatively, in another embodiment the measurement suit in its stretched state (when worn by a user) is measured. In this way, only the body measurement profile needs to be used to produce a garment for that body. It is not necessary to take measurements at every measurement element of the measuring suit. For example, if you wanted to make a pair of gloves, it may only be necessary to take measurements of the hands and forearms. When making trousers or pants it may only be necessary to take measurements from measuring elements located in the leg, waist, hip, buttock and ankle areas.
Once the person is wearing the measuring suit, they connect it to a computer, and login to their account on the internet. If they do not yet have an account, they will need to open or create an account. The account records what size measuring suit the person is wearing, and can record the difference in reading between the measuring suit when at rest and the measuring suit when worn, that is the overall measurement profile. It can also record the body measurement profile, that is, the measurements of the person's body when they are wearing the measuring suit.
The difference can be used to form a very accurate 'picture' of the person's body, in this case the arm. These measurements can then be used to make a pattern for a selected garment which results in the selected garment fitting the person perfectly.
For example, and referring to the figures, in an embodiment the measuring elements 3 are conductive threads which form part of the measuring suit material. The measuring suit 1 stretches when the user wears the suit 1 , and therefore the conductive threads 3 in the measuring suit also stretch or lengthen, as shown in Figures 2, 4 and 6.
For example, and referring to Figures 2, 4 and 6, when a body wears the measuring suit 1 the conductive threads 3 in the measuring suit lengthen. The conductivity of the conductive thread 3 changes depending on the length of the thread. Therefore, the conductivity measured on any particular thread will depend on the length of the conductive thread. The material's conductivity at any given point changes as it stretches or contracts. When the conductive thread 3 lengthens the conductivity of the thread 3 changes.
When wearing the measuring suit, a body's dimensions are recorded as a number of conductivity measurements. The conductivity of each thread corresponds to the length of the thread 4 and 5 or the length by which the thread has been lengthened. When worn by a user, the conductivity of any one or more of the threads in the measuring suit can be measured and recorded. The measurement of the conductivity of each thread forms a conductivity profile (output profile). The conductivity measurements in the profile are then converted into corresponding length measurements, forming a body measurement profile. The conductivity profile and body measurement profile essentially form a three dimensional image of the body being measured, thereby providing a very accurate 'picture' of the person's body. These measurements can then be used to make a pattern for a selected garment which results in the selected garment fitting the person very accurately.
When the person puts on the measuring suit, they connect it to a computer, and login to their account on the internet. The account records the conductivity profile relative to the size of the measuring suit the person is wearing.
As shown in Figures 1 and 2, a plurality of threads 3 may run along the measuring suit, that is, from finger tip to shoulder, ankle to thigh, thereby providing measurements in the vertical direction along the body. Alternatively, as shown in Figures 3 and 4, the plurality of threads may provide measurements in the horizontal direction, that is, measure the circumference of various body parts, for example the stomach, bicep or thigh girth, at very small intervals measuring the body. In a further alternative, as shown in Figures 5 and 6, the plurality of threads may be arranged in such a way so as to provide measurements in both the vertical direction and horizontal direction. This may be achieved by the threads being in the same layer or different layers of the measuring suit.
Alternatively, instead of measuring the conductivity, it is possible to measure the voltage, electric energy, power generated, current, resistance or any other such measurement and form a profile based on those measurements with corresponding length measurements.
The measuring suit is re-usable. If the person's body alters in shape slightly, the next garment made for that body will accurately fit the body's new size, as the person simply repeats the body measuring process described above, and updates their account details. The measuring suit and method described above can also be used to accurately alter garments if the person's shape changes during the life of the garment.
In an embodiment, a system enabling a garment to be produced for a person is shown in Figure 7. The system 10 includes a measuring suit 12 for measuring a body and capturing the body details, wherein the measurements form a measurement profile of the body. The system further includes an electronic device 1 1 , such as a computer, able to access a database for recording and storing various details about the body and the garment to be produced. Specific items which may be recorded and stored include details of the garment to be produced as well as body details (such as the measurement profile of the body) of the person for whom the garment is to be produced. These details can be stored in the database when the measuring suit 12 is connected (physically, wirelessly or in some other manner) to the electronic device 1 1 . The system also provides a means 13 for sending the completed garment to the person.
The database can also be used to record other details including: customer details, customer preferences, customer contact details, order details, garment maker details, garment style, garment fabric or material, quality of garment, information or feedback about the service for producing a garment, customer service experience and 'loyalty club' details so that special deals can be offered to customers. The customer can choose what garment they want made from a range of garments listed in an electronic catalogue. This electronic catalogue may or may not be stored on the database.
Once the customer has chosen the style of garment, they then choose a fabric or material for the garment to be made out of. The system calculates the amount of fabric which will be needed. The customer can then choose a speed of delivery and the system calculates the overall price.
An order is then placed. Payment can be made by any conventional method, for example by credit or debit card payment, or by charging a business account.
Otherwise, the system selects a garment maker based on previously determined criteria, from known garment makers in the database. The pattern is then forwarded electronically to the selected garment maker with a confidential code. The garment maker then makes the garment according to the agreed schedule and delivers the made garment to an X-docking operation that has the code loaded in its logistics system. The garment is matched to the original customer order and is then forwarded 13 to the final destination, the customer who ordered the garment. The customer can use a tracking system to follow the progress of their order.
The maker never knows the identity of the customer, and the customer doesn't know the identity of the maker (other than business customers with logo garments, which can also be fitted by a third party) so privacy is protected, and the customer database is protected.
The customer may use a remote assistant to assist with selection of a garment or any step of the process. The remote assistant may be contactable through the internet, telephone or other means.
Prior to an order being placed, the customer has the opportunity to view the style and colour of garment they have chosen fitted to, and worn by a virtual model. The virtual model is created using the measurement profile of the customer. Further, if the customer has uploaded a passport sized image of themselves to the database, the image can be placed on the virtual model. In this way it provides the customer with a more accurate indication of how the garment will look when they wear it, assuming they decide to purchase the garment. This system is flexible and if specific fabric is needed, for example for a company uniform, the company can provide fabric to the garment maker. Alternatively the garment maker provides the fabric specified by the purchaser. In some cases, the consumer will want to make their own garment, so the system prints a pattern, and the fabric and pattern is mailed to the consumer. This method is ideal for students or those people who want to sew their own garments.
An advantage of the described method is the process of a customer using a unique measuring suit to measure their body very accurately in a private location of their choosing. The measurements and other details can be stored on a database. In addition, the customer can see how certain styles of garments suit their body prior to making an order. In particular and advantageously, the whole process of having their body measured and garments made using those measurements can be conducted in the comfort of their own home. Using this method and system, a garment can be made very economically and quickly, which fits the customer extremely well.
This process is advantageous for many consumers seeking value for money and who cannot locate correctly sized garments for their body size and shape, do not have time to shop for correct fitting clothes, or alter the clothes bought at retail shops to fit their body shape. This method and system allows clothing specifically tailored to the consumer to be available to more people because the consumer takes the measurements and the details are entered into a computer system. Since the maker or manufacturer can make a garment based on those measurements and send it directly to the consumer, the cost of garments produced using this method will ultimately be cheaper.
This method uses the actual measurements of a customer, recorded by the measurement suit. Therefore, clothing is produced from a pattern generated specifically for a customer's measurements. The custom-made clothing provides a superior fit to that which a customer would typically experience from the retail purchase of a similar mass-produced garment.
This method has a further advantage in that not only will it produce garments that fit a person's body very accurately, it will reduce the garment fabric usage and reduce the garment production process time and the garment production cost, thereby reducing the overall price of a garment. In addition, since up to 25% of the cost of the garment is in rework, when the person receives the garment, and it does not fit accurately, this method significantly reduces the rework necessary to potentially 5-10% of the garment cost.
Another significant advantage of the system is for business customers whose employees are required to wear uniforms, such as pilots, bank employees, etc. because the system can record styles and colours of garments. This method and system is also very useful for those customers wanting to purchase special needs items, such as bridal dresses, ballroom dancing garments, shoes etc.
This method and system can also be advantageous to retail stores. If a customer still wants to use the traditional method of going into a store to buy a garment, retail stores can use this system to accurately fit their customer in-store.
It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that other embodiments and arrangements of the method and system are also possible within the spirit and scope of the invention described herein or as claimed in the appended claims.

Claims

THE CLAIMS DEFINING THE INVENTION ARE AS FOLLOWS:
1 . A method of measuring a body of a person including the steps of:
• providing a measuring suit having a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element;
• connecting the measuring suit to an electronic device able to access a database for recording measurements of the measuring suit when worn;
• calculating a length associated with each output measurement of each measuring element when the measuring suit is worn by the body, the length measurements forming a body measurement profile; and
• storing the body measurement profile and the base measurement profile in the database.
2. A method of measuring a body of a person according to claim 1 further including the step of comparing the length measurements of the base measurement profile and the body measurement profile and storing the comparison in the database.
3. A method of measuring a body of a person according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the measuring elements are any one or more of: sensors; filaments; threads; copper oxide sensors; zinc oxide filament sensors; polymer sensors; carbon nanotube sensors, graphene filled lycra sensors and conductive ink sensors.
4. A method of producing a garment for a person including the steps of:
• measuring a body using the method according to any one of claims 1 to 3;
• selecting a garment style;
• inputting the garment style into the database;
• creating a pattern for the selected garment style using the body measurement profile, wherein the pattern can be stored in the database;
• selecting a garment fabric;
• inputting the garment fabric into the database; and
• sending the pattern and details of the garment fabric to a garment maker.
5. A method of producing a garment for a person according to claim 4 further including any one or more of the following steps:
• automatically calculate an amount of the garment fabric needed to produce the garment based on the pattern;
• creating a virtual model using the body measurement profile;
• viewing the selected garment style in the selected garment fabric on the virtual model to visualise the selected garment in the selected fabric on the person;
• selecting a garment maker;
• selecting a delivery method;
• making payment of the garment via electronic means; or
• sending the produced garment to the person who ordered it.
6. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person, the system including:
• an electronic device able to access a database for recording and storing:
- details of the garment to be produced; and
- body details of the person for whom the garment is to be produced;
• a measuring suit for measuring said body details and forming a measurement profile of the body, wherein the measurement suit is connected to the electronic device; and
• a means for sending the garment to the person who ordered it.
7. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to claim 6, wherein the measuring suit has a plurality of measuring elements, each producing a measurable output, wherein when not containing a said body, the measuring suit has a base measurement profile determined by length measurements associated with the output of each measuring element.
8. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to claim 7, wherein the output of the measuring elements is measured in the form of any one or more of: pressure, strain, conductivity, resistance, current and power.
9. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the measuring suit is made of stretchable material.
10. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to claim 9, wherein the stretchable material includes any one or more of: nanowire arrays; silver; copper oxide; zinc oxide; carbon nanotube sensors; graphene filled lycra sensors and a conductive material.
1 1 . A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the measuring suit is one of a number of predetermined sizes.
12. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to claim 1 1 , wherein each said predetermined size has its own base measurement profile.
13. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to claim 7 or claim 8, wherein the size of the measuring suit the body is wearing is recording in the database.
14. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to any one of claims 6 to 13, wherein the measuring suit is physically or wirelessly connected to the electronic device.
15. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to any one of claims 6 to 14, wherein the electronic device is a computer.
16. A system enabling a garment to be produced for a person according to any one of claims 6 to 15 further including an assistance means for providing assistance to said person to use said system.
PCT/AU2013/000644 2012-06-20 2013-06-18 Body measuring method and garment production method and system WO2013188908A1 (en)

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