Patent ID: 6079343
Filing Date: 2000-06-27
Classification: A41B,A41D,B29C,B29L

Abstract:
A method for producing a smooth garment seam between a first garment component and a second garment component, said method comprising the steps:(a) placing the first garment component having a first and a second surface in an adjacent relationship to a second garment component having a first surface and a second surface so as to define a seam;(b) reverse folding an edge portion of the first garment component over an edge portion of the second garment component along the seam wherein the first surface of the first garment component overlaps and abuts the first surface of the second garment component;(c) placing a bonding strip of thermal adhesive having a first surface and a second surface along the seam such that the second surface of the bonding strip abuts the reverse folded edge portion of the second surface of the first garment component;(d) sewing the first and second garment components and the bonding strip together by a set stitch running along the seam;(e) reverse folding the second garment component over the bonding strip such that the first surface of the second garment component is folded over and abuts against the first surface of the bonding strip while maintaining the bonding strip in a substantially planar condition;(f) sewing at least one top stitch through the reverse folded second garment component, the bonding strip, the reverse folded edge portion of the first garment component, an edge portion of the second garment component and the first garment component along the seam; and(g) applying sufficient heat and pressure to said bonding strip to cause the thermal adhesive to melt such that said adhesive flows onto the reverse folded portion of the second surface of the first garment component along the second surface of the bonding strip and concomitantly onto the reverse folded portion of the first surface of the second garment component along the first surface of the bonding strip to provide a bond along the seam and around the top stitch such that the bonded components will effectively reduce a tendency of the seam to exhibit pucker following laundering operations.