Patent Publication Number: US-2012030863-A1

Title: Garment button cover

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates generally to the field of garment fasteners and in particular to buttons and means for reducing friction caused by buttons worn against the skin. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Most infant and toddler clothing wear and in some case adult wear, have buttons allowing the clothing to be adjusted. In the case of children&#39;s wear, the buttons allow adjustment during the rapid growth months/years of children going through this physical development stages. It has been found that these buttons can create ah irritating and at times painful annoyance for the individual wearing the clothing, especially when the button rubs against the individuals bare or lightly covered skin. What is needed is a device to cover the buttons to alleviate painful rubbing against the wearer&#39;s skin. In addition, this covering can serve as a decoration for the amusement of the child. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     In an embodiment of the invention, there is provided a button cover. The button cover is a flexible container having a top surface, side walls, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface has an opening having a surface area adapted to fit over the button when the button cover is flexed or stretched and the opening surface area is smaller than the facing surface area of the button when the cover is not flexed or stretched so as to retain the cover on the button. 
     In a further embodiment, the button cover has an elastic portion, wherein the elastic portion is adapted to allow the opening in the cover to be reversibly enlarged. 
     In a further embodiment, a majority portion of the button cover is made of an elastic material. 
     In a further embodiment, the button cover includes a decorative appliqué on its top surface. 
     In a further embodiment, the top surface of the button cover is decorated directly. 
     In a further embodiment, the button cover is reversible, having first and second exposed sides, wherein the first and second sides have different visual features from each other. 
     In a further embodiment, there is provided an apparatus for washing button covers. The apparatus is a washable, closeable container for holding the button covers during washing, the container having a plurality of openings, wherein said openings are smaller than the button covers and large enough to allow washing fluids to circulate and drain out of said container. 
     In a further embodiment, there is provided an article of clothing having buttons having button covers as described herein. 
    
    
     
       DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is an illustration of an article of clothing having inside buttons; 
         FIG. 2  is an illustration of an exemplary garment button cover; 
         FIG. 3  is an illustration of exemplary button cover having an elastic portion; 
         FIG. 4  is an illustration of exemplary button cover decorative appliqués. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  shows a pair of pants having two adjustment features fastened with internal buttons  10 ,  20 . While the adjustment features provide convenience and extend the useful life of a growing child&#39;s garments, internal buttons such as these can create irritation when worn against the skin. 
       FIG. 2   a  shows a top view and  2   b  a bottom/side view of an exemplary button cover. The cover  30  has a opening  31  with a surface area large enough to fit over a button when the device is flexed, but small enough to stay on the button once the device is in place. Generally this means that the surface area of the opening is smaller in the cover&#39;s unstretched condition than the facing surface area of the button to which it is to be applied. Preferably, the cover is made from a soft, thin and durable material such as velvet, fleece, nylon, Lycra™, cotton, and the like. Fabrics having elasticity can be desirable where a tighter fit is required and where a variety of button sizes are to be accommodated. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the cover can be of a relatively inelastic material and include a small portion  32  of an elastic material such as Spandex™, sufficient to allow the opening  31  to be enlarged. 
     In a further embodiment, the fabric of the cover is decorated either with a single color or a design applied directly to or woven into the fabric. In a further embodiment, the cover is reversible with each side of the cover having a different color or design. 
     Generally, buttons are disc-shaped. Button covers for most buttons would have a circular appearance when viewed as installed on the button. The side walls of the button cover can be flat, giving the cover a cylindrical shape, or rounded, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     In an alternative embodiment, the button cover serves as an attachment means for a decorative emblem. In this embodiment, shown in  FIG. 4 , the covers are intended to be worn over external buttons and provide an opportunity for wearers to customize their clothing with colored or decorated button covers. In this embodiment, the button cover includes a creative, expressive and playful cover which is attached to a soft, thin and durable material which is slightly larger than a button itself and is mended together by a small piece of spandex or alternate elastic material allowing the cover to be expanded over the button. The cover can be any design such as a butterfly, dragonfly, race car, flower, shapes or any color combination such as tye-dye design, American flag, gender related combinations and the like. 
     In a further embodiment, there is included with the button covers, a washing device comprising a small netted sack for holding the button covers in a standard washing machine. The sack has openings sufficiently large for washing fluids to circulate, but small enough to retain the button covers. 
     In a further embodiment, the button covers are supplied with or added onto stuffed animals with sewn on buttons to allow children to customize their stuffed animals with decorative items. 
     In a further embodiment, the button covers are supplied with or added onto pillow cases having buttons. In a further embodiment, the button covers are supplied with or added onto curtains having buttons. 
     I will be understood that the embodiments discussed in this application and depicted in the figures are for illustrative purposes only. Those having skill in the fabric and clothing arts will understand that modifications and alterations can be made hereto within the spirit of the invention.