Abstract:
A garment, such as a woman&#39;s slip, that includes a skirt portion weighted so as to induce tension into the garment when worn by a wearer standing erect. The skirt portion is weighted by securing one or more concentrated tensioning weights to the skirt portion proximate its bottom. The tension induced into the garment by the concentrated tensioning weight(s) inhibits the garment from riding-up on the wearer. The amount of weight provided by the concentrated tensioning weights and the location of the tensioning weights on the skirt can be carefully selected to minimize swinging, for example, while walking and climbing stairs.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION DATA 
     This application claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/834,062, filed Jul. 28, 2006, and titled “Weighted Slip,” which is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure generally relates to the field of garments. In particular, the present disclosure is directed to a weighted slip. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Women typically wear full- or half-slips under dresses, skirts and skirt/blouse combinations for a variety of reasons, such as comfort and to prevent silhouetting of their legs through a sheer dress or skirt in backlit conditions, among other things. Slips are typically made to be relatively thin, lightweight, but opaque, and generally form-fitting in the hip and torso regions so as to inhibit interfering with the fit and drape of the dress or skirt under which the slip is worn. Slips are usually made of one or more thin and smooth layers of material so as to provide a low coefficient of friction between the slip and dress or skirt, and between the slip and skin or undergarment, for example, hosiery (nylons, leggings, etc.) or panties, among others. Despite the use of smooth materials, slips frequently “ride up,” or bunch up into generally horizontal folds (when the wearer is standing erect) under conditions such as walking and moving from a crouched or bent-over position to a standing position. The problem of riding up is often exacerbated when the wearer of the slip is also wearing hosiery and in low humidity environments that tend to cause static electricity to build up in the various layers of a woman&#39;s attire. This static electricity leads to the phenomenon widely known as “static cling.” 
     SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     One aspect of the present invention is a garment comprising a front, a back, a left side and a right side relative to a wearer when the wearer is properly wearing the garment while standing erect; a skirt portion having an upper end and a lower end when properly worn by the wearer while standing erect; and a plurality of concentrated weights secured to the skirt portion proximate the lower end, the plurality of concentrated weights selected specifically to tension the skirt portion between the upper end and the lower end when the wearer is properly wearing the garment and standing erect. 
     Another aspect of the present invention is a slip having a weight, comprising a front, a back, a left side and a right side relative to a wearer when the wearer is properly wearing the garment while standing erect; an intentionally tensioned skirt portion having an upper end and a lower end when properly worn by the wearer while standing erect, the intentionally tensioned skirt portion designed for being worn under an outer garment and comprising a fabric selected for opaqueness and for low coefficient of friction; a plurality of non-ornamental concentrated weights secured to the skirt portion proximate the lower end only on the left and right sides, the plurality of non-ornamental concentrated weights selected specifically to tension the skirt portion between the upper end and the lower end when the wearer is properly wearing the garment and standing erect, the plurality of non-ornamental concentrated weights having a total weight that is in a range of about 2% to about 10% of the weight of the slip and comprising weight elements having a density of at least 5 g/cm 3    
     Still another aspect of the present invention is a method of making an intentionally tensioned garment, comprising selecting a fabric for the garment; selecting concentrated tensioning weights to be used to tension a portion of the garment to a predetermined amount; making a skirt portion using the fabric, the skirt portion having an upper end and a lower end when the skirt portion is properly worn by a wearer standing erect; and securing the concentrated tensioning weights to the skirt portion proximate the lower ends in a distributed manner so that the concentrated tensioning weights tension the skirt portion when properly worn by a wearer standing erect. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For the purpose of illustrating the invention, the drawings show aspects of one or more embodiments of the invention. However, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown in the drawings, wherein: 
         FIG. 1A  contains a perspective view and an enlarged detail of a half-slip made in accordance with the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 1B  is a partial schematic view/partial sewing diagram of the half-slip of  FIG. 1A  as taken at the bottom edge of the half-slip showing one of the weights located in a weight-concealing pocket integrated into one of the vertical seams of the half-slip; and 
         FIG. 2  is an elevational view of a full-slip made in accordance with the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Referring to the drawings,  FIGS. 1A-B  illustrate a weighted half-slip  100  made in accordance with the present disclosure. Generally, weighted half-slip  100  includes a skirt portion  104  and a plurality of tensioning weights, here weights  108 A-B, secured to the skirt portion so as to reduce or eliminate the tendency of the slip to ride-up on a wearer during use. As discussed below in more detail, the plurality of weights may take any one of a variety of forms and may be secured to skirt portion  104  in any of a number of different manners and in any of a number locations. 
     Skirt portion  104  may be made of one or more panels  112 A-B that substantially form the skirt portion. Unless skirt portion  104  is made from a continuous ring of fabric, it will include one or more seams where the ends of the panel(s), here panels  112 A-B are joined to one another. In the example shown, skirt portion  104  is made from two panels that extend circumferentially and are joined together at their ends. More particularly, in this example, skirt portion  104  is substantially identical to the COMMANDO™ half slip currently available from Her Look Enterprises, South Burlington, Vt. Consequently, skirt portion  104  has two vertical seams  116 A-B (vertical relative to the orientation of a wearer (not shown) when the wearer is properly wearing slip  100  and is standing erect) where the ends of the two panels  112 A-B are joined to one another, in this example by sewing. Preferably, though not necessarily, at least some of the seams provided, such as seams  116 A-B, are oriented substantially vertically relative to the longitudinal axis  120  of skirt portion  104  and are also preferably, but not necessarily, located on the sides  122 A-B of the skirt portion, as shown and for reasons described below. Like the term “vertical” above, sides  122 A-B (right and left, respectively) are determined relative to a wearer properly wearing the slip and standing erect. The same is true for the terms “front,” “back,” “upper end” and “lower end,” as used below and in the appended claims. 
     It is noted that in the example shown in  FIG. 1A  neither the upper end  124  nor the lower end  128  of skirt portion  104  has a finished edge. While unfinished edges are not necessary and indeed are not practical with some types of fabric, keeping upper and lower ends of skirt portion  104  unfinished, among other things, generally increases the comfort of weighted half-slip  100  to the wearer and tends to make the slip visibly less noticeable to others. For example, the unfinished upper end  124  does not have an elastic waistband that could cause discomfort and lower end  128  is less pronounced than many finished and ornamented lower ends. Certain fabrics, such as a single layer of nylon-spandex blend microfiber fabric (which is used in the exemplary embodiment of  FIGS. 1A-B ), are known in the art to permit the use of unfinished edges. That said, in other embodiments, each or both of upper and lower ends  124 ,  128  may be finished, for example, by hemming, adding elastic, piping, tassel, lace, etc., as desired. 
     In the example shown in  FIGS. 1A-B , each weight  108 A-B is a cord-type weight that includes a plurality of individual weight elements  130 , for example, metal cylinders or other structure made of, or otherwise containing, a dense material (relative to the bulk density of the fabric used for skirt portion  104 ), and that are inserted into a fabric sleeve. Such weights are commonly known as “sausage bead weighted tape” due to their appearance being reminiscent of sausage links that are strung together. Sausage bead weighted tape suitable for use as weights  108 A-B is available commercially in several suitable sizes, such as 0.75 oz/yard ( 3/32″ outside diameter, style A), 1 oz/yard ( 4/32″ outside diameter, style B) and 1.4 oz/yard ( 5/32″ outside diameter, style C). These particular styles utilize lead beads and a nylon-containing fabric sleeve. However, other styles may include beads and sleeves made of other materials. It is noted that lead has a density of 11.4 g/cm 3 . 
     Of course, another type of weight may be used for each of weights  108 A-B. For example, each weight may be a single weight element, for example, a rod or plate, etc., or be another type of multi-element weight, such as a chain (coated or uncoated and covered or uncovered), plastic tubing filled with relatively dense substance, for example, metal particles, sand, silicone, etc., among others. It is desirable for weight elements  130  to have a relatively high density, for example, greater than 5 g/cm 3  and preferably greater than 7 g/cm 3 , so as to keep the size and obtrusiveness of weights  108 A-B to a minimum. For the purposes of this disclosure and the appended claims, the term “concentrated” and like terms used to describe the tensioning weights means that the weights have a much higher density than the density fabric that makes up the bulk of the corresponding slip. Generally, for non-ornamental tensioning weights, the higher the density, the better, such as 7 g/cm 3  and above. However, for tensioning weights that are provided to also be ornamental, it is recognized that conventional ornamental material is typically not so dense, so that lower density weights may be used. Those skilled in the art will readily appreciate the variety of weights that may be used for either or both of weights  108 A-B. 
     Each weight  108 A-B is preferably, but not necessarily, secured to skirt portion  104  along a corresponding respective side (relative to the wearer and as distinguished from the front or back of the skirt portion relative to the wearer). In the example shown, seams  116 A-B are located on the sides of skirt portion  104 , and weights  108 A-B are incorporated into the seams, for example, as described below in more detail. Locating each weight  108 A-B along a corresponding seam  116 A-B makes the weights generally less conspicuous. Placing weights  108 A-B on the sides of skirt portion  104  may be especially beneficial when fewer, denser weights are provided in a concentrated manner because when the weights are on the sides of slip  100  they beneficially will swing less and/or not hit the legs of the wearer, for example, when walking or using stairs, as would be more likely to happen if the weights were located on the front and back of skirt portion  104  (again, “front” and “back” are taken relative to the wearer). 
     That said, in alternative embodiments, it may be desirable to provide the predetermined amount of added weight more uniformly around the circumference of skirt portion  104 . For example, non-ornamental or ornamental individual weights (not shown) may be secured to skirt portion  104  at a regular pitch, for example, 3 inches, or, alternatively, a relatively long single continuous weight, for example, one of the multi-element weights mentioned above, may be secured to the skirt portion around its entire periphery. It is noted that while weights  108 A-B are shown as being fastened to skirt portion  104  near its lower end  128 , each weight may be located higher up on the skirt portion, if desired. In addition, while only a single weight  108 A-B is shown on each seam  116 A-B, alternative embodiments may include two or more weights per seam, as illustrated in  FIG. 2 . 
     Still referring to  FIGS. 1  A-B, each weight  108 A-B may be secured to skirt portion  104  in any manner suitable for the type of weight used. In the present embodiment, wherein each weight  108 A-B is a fabric-sleeved tape, the weights are sewn into skirt portion  104  by creating virtually hidden pockets  134 A-B in conjunction with the overlock side-seam stitching  138  in the manner shown in  FIG. 1B . To create pockets  134 A-B (only pocket  134 A is shown in  FIG. 1B ), each panel  112 A-B is provided with a little extra fabric (e.g., about 0.25 inch) at the location of each pocket for use in forming the pockets. For example, if a 3″ long 4/32″ diameter piece of weighted tape is used for weights  108 A-B, the additional amount of material at each pocket  134 A-B may be on the order of 3.5 inches long and 0.25 inches wide. Overlock stitching  138  is run along the outside edges of the two panels  112 A-B and an additional single-needle stitching  142  is used to form and close each pocket  134 A-B. Single-needle stitching  142  is extended beyond the upper end of the corresponding pockets  134 A-B by a suitable distance, for example about 2.5 inches (about 6.4 cm), to join with overlock stitching  138  so that seams  116 A-B appear straight when slip  100  ( FIG. 1A ) is folded outside-out after sewing. 
     The sewing instructions for installing weights  108 A-B into skirt portion  104  for the example shown are as follows. Place panels  112 A-B outside-face to outside-face in registration with one another and sew overlock stitching  138  on the two side-ends of the panels, leaving about 0.5 inch of an overlock tail  138 A. Place each weight  108 A-B along the corresponding respective seam  116 A-B starting 0.5 inch from hem and sew single-needle stitching  142  straight along that weight from lower end  128  of skirt portion  104  to about 2 inches to about 2.5 inches above the upper end of that weight. Fold back each overlock tail  138 A inside the respective seam  116 A-B and provide a horizontal backtack (not shown), for example, about 0.25 inch to about 0.38 inch long, on the front of each side adjacent lower end  128  to secure the corresponding weight  108 A-B in the respective pocket  134 A-B and to tack the overlock tail. 
     In alternative embodiments, other sewing or needling techniques, or other fastening techniques, for example, bonding, riveting, etc., may be used. In addition, it is noted that weights  108 A-B may be inserted into pockets or other structures (not shown) provided to skirt portion  104 . Also, once each weight  108 A-B is secured to skirt portion  104 , if desired it may be covered with a functional and/or ornamental fabric or other panel or structure. It is also noted that while weights  108 A-B are shown as being present on the inside of skirt portion  104 , in other embodiments each weight may be provided on the outer side of the skirt portion. Again, it is presently contemplated that in some embodiments it may be desired to provide weighted half-slip  100  with ornamentation, for example, lacing, tassels, additional fabric strips/panels, etc. Consequently, weights  108 A-B or other weights provided may be incorporated into such ornamentation. 
     Generally, the amount of weight that weights  108 A-B add to the non-weight components of weighted half-slip  100  may be determined by balancing a number of factors, including: 1) providing enough weight to acceptably inhibit the riding-up phenomenon; 2) not providing so much weight that the desired drape/hang of skirt portion  104  is unacceptably impacted; and 3) not providing so much weight that the weights swing excessively during walking or other movement of the wearer. In many, but not all cases, the amount of weight added by weights  108 A-B is based on tensioning a portion of skirt portion  104  below the waistline of the wearer. However, in other embodiments, for example, full-slip  200  of  FIG. 2 , it may be desirable to tension the portion of the garment above the waistline as well. That said, even in full-slip  200 , it may be desirable to tension only the portion below the waistline, especially if the slip is relatively form fitting. Generally speaking, a presently preferred amount of weight added by the concentrated weights is about 2% to about 10% of the garment without the weights. More preferably, the amount of weight added is about 3% to about 8% of the un-weighted garment. More specifically, for half-slip  100 , the preferred weight of weights  108 A-B is between about 7% and 10%. The following Table lists some examples of weight percentages used in various slips currently available from Her Look Enterprises, mentioned above. The slips in each of these examples are made from a single layer of a nylon-spandex blend fabric and have unfinished upper and lower ends. 
     
       
         
               
               
               
             
               
               
               
               
             
           
               
                 TABLE 
               
             
             
               
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 SIZE 
               
             
          
           
               
                 STYLE 
                 COLOR 
                 S/M 
                 M/L 
               
               
                   
               
               
                 Half-slip (finished) 
                 black 
                 2.7 oz. 
                 3.0 oz. 
               
               
                 Half-slip (w/o weights) 
                 black 
                 2.5 oz. 
                 2.8 oz. 
               
               
                 Weight alone 
                   
                 0.2 oz. (3 in. of  
                 0.23 oz. (3.5 in. of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 style B tape) 
                 style B tape) 
               
               
                 % weight of unweighted slip 
                   
                 8% 
                 8% 
               
               
                 Full-slip (finished) 
                 black 
                 4.1 oz. 
                 4.7 oz. 
               
               
                 Full-slip (w/o weights) 
                 black 
                 3.9 oz. 
                 4.4 oz. 
               
               
                 Weight alone 
                   
                 0.2 oz. (3 in. of  
                 0.23 oz. (3.5 in. of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 style B tape) 
                 style B tape) 
               
               
                 % weight of unweighted slip 
                   
                 5% 
                 5% 
               
               
                 Mini-cami slip (finished) 
                 black 
                 3.2 oz. 
                 3.6 oz. 
               
               
                 Mini cami slip (w/o weights) 
                 black 
                 3.1 oz. 
                 3.4 oz. 
               
               
                 Weight alone 
                   
                 0.12 oz. (2 in. of  
                 0.16 oz. (2.5 in. of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 style B tape) 
                 style B tape) 
               
               
                 % weight of unweighted slip 
                   
                 4.2%   
                 4.7%   
               
               
                 Mini-tank slip (finished) 
                 black 
                 3.2 oz. 
                 3.6 oz. 
               
               
                 Mini-tank slip (w/o weights) 
                 black 
                 3.1 oz. 
                 3.4 oz. 
               
               
                 Weight alone 
                   
                 0.13 oz. (2 in. of  
                 0.16 oz. (2.5 in. of 
               
               
                   
                   
                 style B tape) 
                 style B tape) 
               
               
                 % weight of unweighted slip 
                   
                 4.2%   
                 4.7%   
               
               
                   
               
             
          
         
       
     
     Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the foregoing ranges and exemplary percentages may need to be varied depending upon, for example, the particular material, style, fit and construction of the garment at issue. In addition, the particular percentage used with the range will generally vary with the type of slip, for example, half-slip, full-slip and maxi-slip. This is so because in the cases of full- and maxi-slips, the total weight of the unweighted garment often includes fabric and other components, such as shoulder straps, shoulder-strap hardware, etc., that do not affect the drape of the garment for which the tensioning is being provided. In any event, the amount of weight added via the additional weights, here weights  108 A-B, is selected to provide a predetermined amount of tension to slip  100 . 
     By “predetermined” it is meant herein and in the appended claims that the weight was selected based on consideration of countering the riding-up phenomenon by inducing tension into the garment (e.g., slip  100 ). Thus, “predetermined weight” does not include weight that is added without consideration of this purpose, such as weight that is added by providing piping, tassel, lace, etc. solely for another purpose, such as finishing edges and ornamentation. In this connection, it is noted that weights  108 A-B are non-ornamental weights, i.e., they are not provided to the slip to provide any sort of ornamentation. On the contrary, weights  108 A-B are provided solely for the functional reason of tensioning slip  100 . However, in other embodiments, it is envisioned that high-density weights could be made to be attractive and could actually serve a dual purpose of being both functional and ornamental. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a weighted full-slip  200  made in accordance with the present disclosure. Similar to weighted half-slip of  FIGS. 1A-B , weighted full-slip  200  of  FIG. 2  includes a skirt portion  204  and a plurality of tensioning weights  208 A-D secured to the skirt portion. Also similar to weighted half-slip  100  of  FIGS. 1A-B , weights  208 A-D may be secured to weighted full-slip  200  at the corresponding respective side seams  212 A-B of skirt portion  204 . Those skilled in the art will appreciate that all of the discussion of placement, selection, attachment, configuration, etc. of weights  108 A-B of  FIGS. 1A-B  applies equally to weights  208 A-D of  FIG. 2  so that it is not necessary to repeat that discussion. 
     That said, several points are noted for clarity. In addition to skirt portion  204 , full-slip  200  of  FIG. 2  also includes a torso portion  216  that is connected to the skirt portion and extends generally above the hip/waist region of a wearer (not shown). In this example, full-slip  200  is fairly form fitting, but not necessarily so tight that skirt portion  204  is supported by the wearer separately from torso portion  216 , which is largely supported by a pair of shoulder straps  220 A-B. Consequently, in this example skirt portion  204  is in not-insignificant measure also supported by shoulder straps  220 A-B. When it is desired to tension both torso portion  216  and skirt portion  204 , it can be beneficial to split the weights between at least two vertical levels of full-slip  200  (relative to a wearer standing erect) as shown in  FIG. 2  so that the tension is induced into the slip in stages from the bottom up. When the weights, here weights  208 A-D, are split in this manner, a situation in which all of the weight of the weights is concentrated at the bottom end  224  of skirt portion  204  is avoided. This minimizes the amount of unwanted swinging of the weights at bottom end  224  of skirt portion  204  where the effect would be most pronounced, since the amount of added tensioning weight at the bottom end of the skirt portion is reduced. It is noted that an upper level of weights, here weights  208 A,  208 C, are generally located proximate upper end  228  of skirt portion  204 . In this example, since skirt portion  204  is not self-supporting via a tight fit with the wearer, weights  208 A,  208 C are located proximate upper end  228  of the skirt portion, and the balance of the tensioning weight, i.e., weights  208 B,  208 D, is located proximate lower end  224  of the skirt portion. Of course, full-slip  200  may be single or multi-panel in a manner similar to half-slip  100  of  FIG. 1A  and, therefore, may have similar alternative embodiments. 
     It is noted that depending on the type of weights used, the tightness of the fit of a particular slip and the style of slip at issue it may not be desirable to have an upper level of weights, or at least a level of weights at a location where the weights would interfere with the comfort of the wearer. For example, if full-slip  200  were form-fitting, the upper level of weights  208 A,  208 C may not be desirable because they would be felt by the wearer. Multiple levels of concentrated weights could readily be used in a maxi-length slip (not shown), which has a long drape-length. 
     Exemplary embodiments have been disclosed above and illustrated in the accompanying drawings. It will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes, omissions and additions may be made to that which is specifically disclosed herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.