Garment with slip-resistant liner

A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an opening at one end and an opening at an opposite end and a non-slip portion disposed proximate one of the openings. A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an upper opening at one end and a lower opening at an opposite end and sides between the upper opening and the lower opening. A non-slip portion disposed proximate the lower opening that adheres to the abdomen of the wearer.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner. More particularly, the disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner that is elasticized to provide a firm fit against the body of the wearer. Still more particularly, the disclosure relates to garments that have an inner liner that is elasticized and has a gripping edge that prevents slipping of the liner against the body of the wearer.

2. Description of Related Art

There exist many styles of outer garment that are designed to be loose fitting and comfortable. Such styles include tunics, tee-shirts, casual dresses and long swimming suit tops. While these garments are loose fitting and comfortable, many women still prefer or require a level of control in the abdominal region beneath such garments that the loose fitting garment necessarily does not provide. Often tee-shirts are worn beneath such garments; however, they are not designed to provide control or shaping of the body beneath the garment.

Accordingly, there is a need for a garment that has a liner that is shaped to provide control and shaping beneath the garment and will not slip against the body of the wearer during movement.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present disclosure provides for a garment that has a liner that has a modulus of elasticity to provide control and shaping to the abdomen of the wearer and will not slip against the abdomen of the wearer.

The present disclosure also provides for a garment having a liner that remains taut against the abdomen of the wearer and has an edge having a non-slip material that prevents movement of the edge.

The present disclosure still further provides for a garment having a liner made from a control fabric that provides support to the wearer in the lower abdomen region, beneath the navel and above the pubic region of the wearer.

The present disclosure yet still further, provides for a garment having a liner made from a control fabric that has a non-slip material affixed thereto in the region of the abdomen beneath the navel to prevent slipping of the liner on abdomen of the wearer.

The present disclosure still yet further, provides for a garment having a liner made from a control fabric that has a non-slip material affixed thereto in a lower third of the line to place such non-slip material in the region between the navel and pubic region of the wearer.

The present disclosure still yet further, provides a garment having a liner including an elasticized band at its lower edge. The elasticized band has a non-slip material that anchors the liner in place against the abdomen of the wearer to prevent movement of the liner during wear.

The present disclosure further provides for a garment having an inner liner that is specifically shaped to be wider at the hip dimension than at the waist dimension while providing uniform control to offer an aesthetically pleasing shape to the wearer.

A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an opening at one end and an opening at an opposite end and a non-slip portion disposed proximate one of the openings.

A garment having a liner including a tubular member having an upper opening at one end and a lower opening at an opposite end and sides between the upper opening and the lower opening. A non-slip portion disposed proximate the lower opening that adheres to the abdomen of the wearer.

These and other benefits, features and advantages will be apparent from the following detailed description.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

Referring toFIG. 1, a liner according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally referenced by reference numeral2. Liner2is disposed beneath an outer garment1such as, for example, a loose fitting garment that is sized to fit at or over the hips of the wearer. Liner2is a tubular member that has an upper opening4and a lower opening5. It will be understood that liner2is in contact with abdomen of wearer and is disposed inside outer garment1. While garment1is shown as being a swimming tank top, garment could also be a tunic or a t-shirt or any other such garment that is loose fitting. While liner2is described as being tubular, such liner may be knit on a warp or circular knitting machine. Alternatively, liner2may be a made using a cut and sew process from a wide fabric and have a straight sewn seam on at least one side between upper opening4and lower opening5to form a tubular member.

Referring toFIGS. 1 and 2, liner2has three regions. Liner2has an underbust region6that is attached to garment1beneath a breast-receiving area3. At an opposite end of liner2from underbust region6is a hip region7that has a non-slip material8affixed thereto. Hip region7is disposed at a lower third of liner2. Non-slip material8is preferably a material that has a degree of tack and will removably adhere to the skin of the wearer. Such material is preferably silicone, although other materials could also be used. Between underbust region6and hip region7is a waist region21.

Underbust region6, hip region7and waist region21each is preferably a third of the length of liner2and coincides with a particular region of the body of the wearer. Underbust region6surrounds the area of the body near the ribcage of the wearer. Waist region21coincides with the most narrow portion of the body at the waist of the wearer. Hip region7coincides with the lower abdomen of the wearer beneath the navel and above the pubic region of the wearer. Hip region7also surrounds the widest portion of the body at the hips of the wearer.

Liner2is made from a control fabric that provides shaping and contouring to the body of the wearer. Control fabric is an elastomeric material having a degree of stretch and modulus that exert a force on the body that will slim and shape the torso of the wearer. Modulus is the power of retraction of a fabric. Stretch and modulus are determined by the industry standard test method, ASTM D4964, at 20 pounds effective weight. Control fabric preferably has a stretch from 95% to 250%. Control fabric preferably has a modulus from 0.9 to 2.6 (pounds of holding power). The modulus readings are taken at 30% in the direction of the fabric to be used around the torso. While these ranges are preferable, other degrees of stretch and modulus that offer similar effect could also be used. Control fabric is preferably includes different fabrics. For example a fabric with a content of 69% nylon and 31% spandex, having a modulus of 2.8 pounds of holding power at 30% extension could be used as a control fabric. Alternatively, a fabric with a content of 77% nylon and 23% spandex having a modulus of 1.069 pounds of holding power at 30% extension is also an effective control fabric. Further, a fabric having a content of 44% nylon and 56% spandex, having a modulus of 2.13 pounds of holding power at 30% extension could be used as a control fabric.

The construction of liner2from control fabric ensures that each region of liner2will exert a high modulus against the surface of the wearer's body on which it rests. In particular, liner2will exert a high modulus against the abdomen, between the navel and the pubic region at the hip region7of liner2. Non-slip material8will prevent hip region7from moving either laterally or vertically on the abdomen of the wearer during active movement. By being located in the lower third of liner2, hip region7is anchored against the desired location of the abdomen, namely between the navel and the pubic area.

Hip region7has multiple configurations. Hip region7is preferably covered by a solid band of non-slip material8. Further, Hip region7, preferably has rows of non-slip material8that alternate with uncovered fabric of hip region7. Rows of non-slip material8and the uncovered fabric provide an irregular surface or a texture to hip region7to encourage adhesion to the abdomen. Referring toFIG. 3, hip region7alternatively has an elasticized band23near lower opening5that has non-slip material8affixed thereto to prevent movement of hip region7against abdomen of wearer.

Referring toFIG. 4, a liner according a second embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral20. Liner20is a tubular member and has an upper opening9that would be positioned beneath the bosom of a wearer. Upper opening9has an edge12. Liner20has a lower opening14with an edge19. Liner20has a longitudinal axis16. Three cross-sectional areas, namely area11, area13, and area17, for example, are perpendicular to longitudinal axis16. Areas11,13, and17each has a different circumference and cross-sectional area due to curvature of lateral sides18. Lateral sides18are concave between upper opening9and lower opening14. Areas11,13, and17correspond to the underbust region beneath the ribcage, the waist, and the hips, respectively. To flatter and shape the figure of a wearer, a portion of liner20covering the hips is wider than other portions. These wider portions are preferably in the lower third of liner20or proximate edge19to accommodate the hips of the wearer and to provide firm control in the lower abdomen between the navel and the pubic area. While liner2is described as being tubular, such liner may be knit on a warp or circular knitting machine or have a straight seam on at least one side between upper opening9and lower opening14.

Referring toFIG. 5, garment10is shown as a loose fitting garment, such as for example, a swimming tank top. Garment10is sized to fit at least over the hips of the wearer and to be loose fitting. Garment10has an outer fabric15and liner20disposed inside of outer fabric. It will be understood that liner20in contact with abdomen of wearer and is disposed inside outer fabric15. While garment10is shown as being a swimming tank top, garment could also be a tunic or a t-shirt or any other such garment that is loose fitting.

Referring toFIG. 6, liner20is preferably connected to an underbust seam18beneath a breast-receiving portion30of garment10. Alternatively, as shown inFIG. 7, liner20is connected directly to breast-receiving portion30of garment10. Breast-receiving portion30can include cups of any application and are not part of the inventive concept of the present disclosure. Liner20has three distinct regions that each preferably comprises a third of the length of liner20. Liner20remains taut against the body, and particularly, the abdomen of the wearer during wear and particularly during active movement.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 8, liner20completely surrounds the abdomen of the wearer. Liner20has lateral sides42on opposite sides of garment10beneath the armholes that have a contoured shape. Liner20has three distinct regions. Underbust region45is a tapered region immediately beneath underbust seam18(or breast receiving portion30ofFIG. 7). Waist region50is a generally cylindrically shaped region immediately beneath underbust region45. Hip region60is located immediately beneath waist region50and lies against the lower abdomen of the wearer beneath the navel and above the pubic area.

Underbust region45lies against the ribcage of the wearer and extends in a direction towards the waist. Underbust region45is tapered at an angle to slim the portion of the abdomen of the wearer beneath the ribcage and above the navel. Modulus of liner20permits underbust region45to lie firmly against the ribcage and to contour the abdomen towards the waist.

Waist region50has substantially parallel, as intended to be parallel, opposing sides to form a tubular or cylindrical region. Waist region50is immediately beneath underbust region45. Modulus of liner20permits waist region50to slim the waist in the region of the abdomen near the navel. The tubular shape of waist region50does not constrict wearer in such a manner that would cause discomfort or an unflattering appearance. Accordingly, waist region50provides comfort and firm control at the narrowest portion of the body to provide an hourglass figure to the wearer.

Referring toFIGS. 6 through 8, hip region60is located immediately beneath waist region50and lies against the lower abdomen of the wearer above the pubic region. Hip region60has sides65that are flaired and has an angle62relative to a vertical line51coincident with waist region50. Sides65lie at an angle of from 30° to 40° relative to vertical line51of waist region50. Sides65flair to contour the anatomical shape, particularly the hips, of a woman's body. If liner20is of a tubular construction, the liner would have a tendency to fold or roll over on itself due to the width of the hips and the modulus of the fabric. Flaired sides65permit hip region60, the widest portion of liner20, to fully encircle the torso and to provide consistent modulus over the entire surface of the liner.

Referring toFIG. 8, hip region60has an inner surface70in contact with the body of the wearer and a lower edge80. Inner surface70has a non-slip portion75that extends to lower edge80. Non-slip portion75has non-slip material76thereon. Non-slip material76is preferably silicone that has a degree of tack or adhesion to grip the skin of the abdomen of the wearer. Alternatively, non-slip material76would also adhere to the fabric in a separate bottom portion of the swimsuit or garment. Non-slip material76covers a width of 0.75 inches to 3 inches over non-slip portion. Such width of non-slip material76ensures sufficient tack to prevent hip region60from changing position on abdomen of the wearer. Further, non-slip portion75is located in the lower third of liner20at an opposite end from underbust region45. By being located in the lower third of liner20, the non-slip portion75will be anchored against the desired location of the abdomen, namely between the navel and the pubic area.

Non-slip material76ensures that entire liner20and, in particular, hip region60will not roll over itself due to the modulus of material40. Although, silicone is the preferred material of non-slip portion75, other materials could also be used that provide the same gripping capability. Such alternative materials include elastic strapping with silicone coating, elastic strapping with exposed elastic and other similar combinations of materials that offer similar functionality.

Non-slip portion75can have multiple configurations. Edge80of non-slip portion75is preferably covered by a solid band74of non-slip material76. Solid band74will anchor non-slip portion75to the skin between the navel and the pubic region of the wearer and prevent movement. Further, non-slip portion75preferably has rows of non-slip material76that alternate with uncovered fabric of non-slip portion. Rows of non-slip material76and the uncovered fabric provide an irregular surface or a texture to non-slip portion75to encourage adhesion to the abdomen. For example, non-slip portion75can have a decorative, waved or patterned texture that provides areas that are covered with non-slip material76and those that are not. Preferably 25% of non-slip portion75is covered with non-slip material.

Three regions, namely, underbust region45, waist region55and hip region60function to provide not only control to torso, but also an aesthetically pleasing hourglass appearance due to modulus of liner20.

Referring toFIG. 9a third embodiment of the garment is shown and is generally referenced using reference numeral100. Garment100is shown as a loose fitting garment, such as for example, a swimming tank top. Garment100is sized to fit at least over the hips of the wearer and to be loose fitting. Garment100has a liner110.

Referring toFIG. 10, liner110has an upper edge115and a lower edge125. Upper edge115is preferably secured to an underbust seam120. Liner110is made from the same control fabric described above with respect to the first embodiment.

Referring toFIG. 10, lower edge125is secured to a non-slip region150. Non-slip region150has a width of 0.375 inches to 1.5 inches measured in a direction from lower edge125towards upper edge115. Non-slip region150includes an elasticized band155. A non-slip material160is affixed to elasticized band155. Elasticized band155is attached to garment110. Elasticized band155has a stretch of 90% to 150%. The modulus ensures that liner110together with elasticized band155with non-slip material remains taut against abdomen of wearer.

Non-slip region150is specifically located on liner110to lie against the lower abdomen of the wearer between the navel and the pubic region. This is ensured by being located at the lower edge of liner110and by having a width of from 0.375 to 1.5 inches. The width non-slip region150maintains a taut fit of liner110around the hips and against the abdomen of women of a range of heights. By lying in this region of the abdomen, the modulus of liner110the modulus of elasticized band155in non-slip region150will provide control and support. Additionally, non-slip material160affixed to elasticized band155will prevent non-slip region150from rolling over itself over the hips.

While the present disclosure has been described with reference to particular embodiments, it should be understood that the embodiments are illustrative and that the scope of the disclosure is not limited to these embodiments. Many variations, modifications, additions and improvements to the embodiments described above are possible. It is contemplated that these variations, modifications, additions and improvements fall within the scope of the disclosure as detailed within the following claims.