Patent Publication Number: US-8990965-B2

Title: Garment with slip-resistant liner

Description:
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. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a garment having a first embodiment of a liner according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-section view of the garment showing liner and non-slip portion of  FIG. 1  taken along line  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  illustrates a cross-section view of garment and liner of  FIG. 1 , showing an alternative non-slip portion taken along line  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  illustrates a perspective view of a garment having a liner according to a second embodiment the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  illustrates a front view of the second embodiment of a garment according to the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a cross section view of the garment of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  6 - 6  of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  illustrates a view of an alternative liner configuration of the garment of  FIG. 4 ; 
         FIG. 8  illustrates a second cross-section view of the garment of  FIG. 5 , showing further details of the inside of the garment of  FIG. 5 , taken along line  8 - 8 ; 
         FIG. 9  illustrates a third embodiment of the garment according to the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 10  illustrates a cross-section view of the garment of  FIG. 9 , taken along line  10 - 10  of  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Referring to  FIG. 1 , a liner according to a first embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally referenced by reference numeral  2 . Liner  2  is disposed beneath an outer garment  1  such as, for example, a loose fitting garment that is sized to fit at or over the hips of the wearer. Liner  2  is a tubular member that has an upper opening  4  and a lower opening  5 . It will be understood that liner  2  is in contact with abdomen of wearer and is disposed inside outer garment  1 . While garment  1  is 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 liner  2  is described as being tubular, such liner may be knit on a warp or circular knitting machine. Alternatively, liner  2  may 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 opening  4  and lower opening  5  to form a tubular member. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , liner  2  has three regions. Liner  2  has an underbust region  6  that is attached to garment  1  beneath a breast-receiving area  3 . At an opposite end of liner  2  from underbust region  6  is a hip region  7  that has a non-slip material  8  affixed thereto. Hip region  7  is disposed at a lower third of liner  2 . Non-slip material  8  is 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 region  6  and hip region  7  is a waist region  21 . 
     Underbust region  6 , hip region  7  and waist region  21  each is preferably a third of the length of liner  2  and coincides with a particular region of the body of the wearer. Underbust region  6  surrounds the area of the body near the ribcage of the wearer. Waist region  21  coincides with the most narrow portion of the body at the waist of the wearer. Hip region  7  coincides with the lower abdomen of the wearer beneath the navel and above the pubic region of the wearer. Hip region  7  also surrounds the widest portion of the body at the hips of the wearer. 
     Liner  2  is 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 liner  2  from control fabric ensures that each region of liner  2  will exert a high modulus against the surface of the wearer&#39;s body on which it rests. In particular, liner  2  will exert a high modulus against the abdomen, between the navel and the pubic region at the hip region  7  of liner  2 . Non-slip material  8  will prevent hip region  7  from moving either laterally or vertically on the abdomen of the wearer during active movement. By being located in the lower third of liner  2 , hip region  7  is anchored against the desired location of the abdomen, namely between the navel and the pubic area. 
     Hip region  7  has multiple configurations. Hip region  7  is preferably covered by a solid band of non-slip material  8 . Further, Hip region  7 , preferably has rows of non-slip material  8  that alternate with uncovered fabric of hip region  7 . Rows of non-slip material  8  and the uncovered fabric provide an irregular surface or a texture to hip region  7  to encourage adhesion to the abdomen. Referring to  FIG. 3 , hip region  7  alternatively has an elasticized band  23  near lower opening  5  that has non-slip material  8  affixed thereto to prevent movement of hip region  7  against abdomen of wearer. 
     Referring to  FIG. 4 , a liner according a second embodiment of the present invention is shown and generally represented by reference numeral  20 . Liner  20  is a tubular member and has an upper opening  9  that would be positioned beneath the bosom of a wearer. Upper opening  9  has an edge  12 . Liner  20  has a lower opening  14  with an edge  19 . Liner  20  has a longitudinal axis  16 . Three cross-sectional areas, namely area  11 , area  13 , and area  17 , for example, are perpendicular to longitudinal axis  16 . Areas  11 ,  13 , and  17  each has a different circumference and cross-sectional area due to curvature of lateral sides  18 . Lateral sides  18  are concave between upper opening  9  and lower opening  14 . Areas  11 ,  13 , and  17  correspond 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 liner  20  covering the hips is wider than other portions. These wider portions are preferably in the lower third of liner  20  or proximate edge  19  to accommodate the hips of the wearer and to provide firm control in the lower abdomen between the navel and the pubic area. While liner  2  is 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 opening  9  and lower opening  14 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , garment  10  is shown as a loose fitting garment, such as for example, a swimming tank top. Garment  10  is sized to fit at least over the hips of the wearer and to be loose fitting. Garment  10  has an outer fabric  15  and liner  20  disposed inside of outer fabric. It will be understood that liner  20  in contact with abdomen of wearer and is disposed inside outer fabric  15 . While garment  10  is 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 to  FIG. 6 , liner  20  is preferably connected to an underbust seam  18  beneath a breast-receiving portion  30  of garment  10 . Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7 , liner  20  is connected directly to breast-receiving portion  30  of garment  10 . Breast-receiving portion  30  can include cups of any application and are not part of the inventive concept of the present disclosure. Liner  20  has three distinct regions that each preferably comprises a third of the length of liner  20 . Liner  20  remains taut against the body, and particularly, the abdomen of the wearer during wear and particularly during active movement. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 and 8 , liner  20  completely surrounds the abdomen of the wearer. Liner  20  has lateral sides  42  on opposite sides of garment  10  beneath the armholes that have a contoured shape. Liner  20  has three distinct regions. Underbust region  45  is a tapered region immediately beneath underbust seam  18  (or breast receiving portion  30  of  FIG. 7 ). Waist region  50  is a generally cylindrically shaped region immediately beneath underbust region  45 . Hip region  60  is located immediately beneath waist region  50  and lies against the lower abdomen of the wearer beneath the navel and above the pubic area. 
     Underbust region  45  lies against the ribcage of the wearer and extends in a direction towards the waist. Underbust region  45  is tapered at an angle to slim the portion of the abdomen of the wearer beneath the ribcage and above the navel. Modulus of liner  20  permits underbust region  45  to lie firmly against the ribcage and to contour the abdomen towards the waist. 
     Waist region  50  has substantially parallel, as intended to be parallel, opposing sides to form a tubular or cylindrical region. Waist region  50  is immediately beneath underbust region  45 . Modulus of liner  20  permits waist region  50  to slim the waist in the region of the abdomen near the navel. The tubular shape of waist region  50  does not constrict wearer in such a manner that would cause discomfort or an unflattering appearance. Accordingly, waist region  50  provides comfort and firm control at the narrowest portion of the body to provide an hourglass figure to the wearer. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 6 through 8 , hip region  60  is located immediately beneath waist region  50  and lies against the lower abdomen of the wearer above the pubic region. Hip region  60  has sides  65  that are flaired and has an angle  62  relative to a vertical line  51  coincident with waist region  50 . Sides  65  lie at an angle of from 30° to 40° relative to vertical line  51  of waist region  50 . Sides  65  flair to contour the anatomical shape, particularly the hips, of a woman&#39;s body. If liner  20  is 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 sides  65  permit hip region  60 , the widest portion of liner  20 , to fully encircle the torso and to provide consistent modulus over the entire surface of the liner. 
     Referring to  FIG. 8 , hip region  60  has an inner surface  70  in contact with the body of the wearer and a lower edge  80 . Inner surface  70  has a non-slip portion  75  that extends to lower edge  80 . Non-slip portion  75  has non-slip material  76  thereon. Non-slip material  76  is preferably silicone that has a degree of tack or adhesion to grip the skin of the abdomen of the wearer. Alternatively, non-slip material  76  would also adhere to the fabric in a separate bottom portion of the swimsuit or garment. Non-slip material  76  covers a width of 0.75 inches to 3 inches over non-slip portion. Such width of non-slip material  76  ensures sufficient tack to prevent hip region  60  from changing position on abdomen of the wearer. Further, non-slip portion  75  is located in the lower third of liner  20  at an opposite end from underbust region  45 . By being located in the lower third of liner  20 , the non-slip portion  75  will be anchored against the desired location of the abdomen, namely between the navel and the pubic area. 
     Non-slip material  76  ensures that entire liner  20  and, in particular, hip region  60  will not roll over itself due to the modulus of material  40 . Although, silicone is the preferred material of non-slip portion  75 , 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 portion  75  can have multiple configurations. Edge  80  of non-slip portion  75  is preferably covered by a solid band  74  of non-slip material  76 . Solid band  74  will anchor non-slip portion  75  to the skin between the navel and the pubic region of the wearer and prevent movement. Further, non-slip portion  75  preferably has rows of non-slip material  76  that alternate with uncovered fabric of non-slip portion. Rows of non-slip material  76  and the uncovered fabric provide an irregular surface or a texture to non-slip portion  75  to encourage adhesion to the abdomen. For example, non-slip portion  75  can have a decorative, waved or patterned texture that provides areas that are covered with non-slip material  76  and those that are not. Preferably 25% of non-slip portion  75  is covered with non-slip material. 
     Three regions, namely, underbust region  45 , waist region  55  and hip region  60  function to provide not only control to torso, but also an aesthetically pleasing hourglass appearance due to modulus of liner  20 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 9  a third embodiment of the garment is shown and is generally referenced using reference numeral  100 . Garment  100  is shown as a loose fitting garment, such as for example, a swimming tank top. Garment  100  is sized to fit at least over the hips of the wearer and to be loose fitting. Garment  100  has a liner  110 . 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , liner  110  has an upper edge  115  and a lower edge  125 . Upper edge  115  is preferably secured to an underbust seam  120 . Liner  110  is made from the same control fabric described above with respect to the first embodiment. 
     Referring to  FIG. 10 , lower edge  125  is secured to a non-slip region  150 . Non-slip region  150  has a width of 0.375 inches to 1.5 inches measured in a direction from lower edge  125  towards upper edge  115 . Non-slip region  150  includes an elasticized band  155 . A non-slip material  160  is affixed to elasticized band  155 . Elasticized band  155  is attached to garment  110 . Elasticized band  155  has a stretch of 90% to 150%. The modulus ensures that liner  110  together with elasticized band  155  with non-slip material remains taut against abdomen of wearer. 
     Non-slip region  150  is specifically located on liner  110  to 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 liner  110  and by having a width of from 0.375 to 1.5 inches. The width non-slip region  150  maintains a taut fit of liner  110  around the hips and against the abdomen of women of a range of heights. By lying in this region of the abdomen, the modulus of liner  110  the modulus of elasticized band  155  in non-slip region  150  will provide control and support. Additionally, non-slip material  160  affixed to elasticized band  155  will prevent non-slip region  150  from 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.