This invention relates to an article of clothing. In particular it is concerned with an article of clothing adapted to provide access to a part of the body normally covered.

In mild and warm climates where ambient temperature is relatively high an article of clothing generally serves to prevent exposure to view of particular parts of the body rather than for providing for weather protection or heat retention. In such circumstances access by a wearer to parts of the body for washing or other hygienic purposes is not usually a significant problem.

In colder climates quite apart from limiting exposure to view an article of clothing needs to provide a degree of weather protection or heat retention. However given substantial coverage of the body by an article or articles of clothing it becomes a matter of practical convenience to provide means for accessing a particular part of the body for hygienic or toiletry purposes. While a garment can be removed for such purposes it is more convenient for a part of the garment to be provided means to enable an aperture to be provided for access to a local body region.

In particular for purposes of dispensing urine from a male body a garment in the form of trousers or shorts are conventionally provided with a frontal slot, commonly referred to as a "fly", closed by a zip, buttons or a closure means such as NELCRO (RTM). This enables access to be readily made to the single male organ involved.

US-Patent 4 578 828 (Smith) discloses women's trousers for use in the field or by women in the military to permit then to urinate or defecate or perform both at the same time without having to undress. For this purpose the trousers are provided with both a front opening and a crotch opening that extends from the base of the front fly to the back of the rear waistband. The crotch opening may be closed by a regular zip or an "invisible"zip fastener, or buttons or VELCRO, sewn along the crotch seam line of the trousers, and it is suggested that when fully closed the pulley of the crotch zip fastener should be concealed from view beneath the placket of the front fly. An internal 'padded fly' is provided to protect the crotch area of the wearer from the zip.

WO-93/13679 (Gregorio) discloses women's trousers having a crotch opening extending from the lower end of the front of the trouser to a region at the rear that is not as far as the rear waistband, the opening being closable by a zip or buttons etc.

Australian-Patent U-040086/93 (Pietralunga) discloses women's trousers having a crotch opening taking the form of a closed loop extending from just below the front fly to a region at the rear that is not as far as the rear waistband, the opening being closable by a zip or buttons or other forms of fastener.

An article of jeans, classics trousers, shorts, and casual bottoms with an unexposed crotch fly is generally more acceptable to the wearer (and to the observer) than one with fastening means in the crotch that is exposed.

Given that jeans, trousers etc. with crotch flies are not as yet generally worn it may be preferable to the wearer that the crotch fly not only be unexposed but also concealed sufficiently well, when the article is worn, so as to present to an observer the outward appearance or illusion that there is in fact no crotch fly present, or at least so that he/she cannot tell the difference between an article of jeans, classics trousers etc. of conventional jeans or classics trousers structure and design and an article of jeans, classics trousers etc. with an added crotch fly.

The present invention relates to articles of jeans, classics trousers, shorts, casual bottoms etc. with added crotch openings that are concealed in such a way that when the article is worn an observer cannot (easily) mark out the difference between jeans, classics trousers, shorts, casual bottoms etc. with the added crotch opening and those of conventional jeans and classics trousers etc. structure and design; the fastening means of the crotch opening of the present invention being readily accessible by the wearer for opening and closing.

Smith & Smith (US-4578828) discuss a long crotch fly (i.e. from the lower end of the front of the article and extending through the crotch as far as the rear waist) that can only be concealed by way of a 'concealed/invisible' zip (this is a reversed zip with a pulley back to front, standardly used in women's skirts and trousers and is invisible from the outside except for the pulley of the zip which lies exposed). They mention that the pulley can be hidden under the placket of the front fly. This raises two problems :-

(a) What happens to the pulley when there is no front fly and therefore no placket (i.e. ladies' classics trousers with a side zip are common)? - It clearly lies exposed.

(b) To conceal the pulley under the placket at least one side of the zip must deviate at its upper end so that the pulley can rest under the placket. Such 'deviation' of an end of the zip is quite novel in clothing and is not disclosed in any of the prior art. If there is no deviation of the zip teeth of the concealed/invisible zip then the pulley of the zip lies exposed on the surface of the garment.

Where there is no front fly and placket then the 'concealed/invisible' zip deviates at one end (either the front or back) under a lip of material and is thereby properly concealed under the lip when the trouser is worn (such a 'lip' is not visible to an observer and gives the outward appearance or illusion of a closed seam as in the front and rear seams of the article).

It is preferable that the zip pulley is unexposed when the crotch fly is closed so as to avoid problems of an exposed zip pulley being caught by everyday objects which may in turn lead to otherwise avoidable wear and tear in that region of the article, as well as for the reasons of concealment presented earlier.

The present invention discloses women's jeans, classics trousers etc. with a long crotch fly (i.e. extending from the lower end of the front of the trouser/jean/sportswear item through the crotch and as far as the rear waist) where the fastening means is fully concealed when the article is worn and die fastening means is closed - both with regular zips/buttons that are concealed under flaps/facings of material, and concealed/invisible zips where the pulley of the zip is also properly concealed.

Stradley (US-510595) and Pasquier (FR- 1090076) are the only persons known other than Smith & Smith (US-4578828) who disclose concealment means of a zip or button fastener of an opening in trousers that extends through the crotch.

Stradley (US-5010595) discusses concealment of a crotch opening in so far as there is a crotch fly extending all-the-way-around (from the front waist and through the crotch as far as the rear waist) whose fastening means may be covered by opposing folded edges of the sides of the garment that are provided with interior lining and that meet (to cover a regular zip). Stradley does not disclose whether or not the sides of her garment each have a line of top-stitching close to and parallel to the line of the folded edges - if not, then her folded edges will tend not to lie flat onto the sides of the garment when the article is worn; parallel top-stitching reinforces the 'concealment flaps' (i.e. the folded edges) with an inner boundary that sets them in place, thereby significantly improving their 'staying flat' properties when the article is worn. If Stradley intended her covering means to be top-stitched along the full length of the crotch fly, then her garment is less effective from the point of view of concealment of the presence of a crotch fly (conventional top-stitching being visible to an observer) than one with covering means that is not top-stitched yet that rests flat onto the sides of the garment through other reinforcement means that is concealed from me exterior view (e.g. novel means disclosed in the present invention).

Pasquier (FR- 1090076) discusses concealment in so far as there is a crotch fly extending all-the-way-around with a fastening means that may be covered by:

(i) a closure means (over the whole extent of the crotch fly) that is otherwise similar in its construction and design to a conventional placket of a front fly (the diagrams illustrate a placket that is top-stitched as in conventional plackets);

(ii) extended sides of the garment, on both sides, that meet to cover the fastening means when closed (the diagrams illustrate extended sides of the garment that are top-stitched close to and parallel to their meeting edges,

thereby assisting the edges to lie flat when the fly is closed and the garment is worn).

Smith & Smith, Stradley, and Pasquier all attempt to devise trousers, shorts etc. that have an opening that extends through the crotch and which are thereby useful for the excretion of bodily fluids without the need to partially disrobe, and yet that maintain an outer appearance identical to that of conventional trousers, shorts etc.

However none of them quite succeed in this attempt. Smith & Smith fail to devise an appropriate means of concealing the zipper pulley of a concealed-zip when closed; Stradley' s covering means of the fastener do not lie flat properly if non-top-stitched

(as implied), or if top-stitched they give a different outer appearance than conventional articles of that type that do not have a crotch fly. Similarly Pasquier' s double-channel coverings face the same problem as Stradley 's, and her single-channel covering gives the distinct outer appearance of an extended (top-stitched) front fly placket from the front waist through to the rear waist.

In what follows the term 'perineum' is used to describe a surface region of a female body extending from a region in front of the genital organs back through the crotch to the region of the anus.

Concealment of an all-the-way-around crotch opening is a different task from that of the concealment of a long crotch opening. The long crotch opening affects the appearance of the front of the trouser differently from one whose fastening means extends as far as the front waist. Similarly, concealment of a short (perineal) crotch opening is yet a another different task, the short opening affecting the appearance of the rear of the trouser differently from one whose fastening means extends as far as the rear waist.

Pietralunga (AU-40086/93) discusses a short crotch opening (one that extends along the perineum); and when a zip buttons are used the fastening means lie exposed

(i.e. unconcealed). Similarly Gregorio (WO-93/13679). However neither Pietralunga nor Gregorio attempts concealment or even covering of the exposed zip/button fastening means (despite the obvious advantages of such concealment).

Whether the crotch zip is short (extending along die length of the perineal region) or long (extending as far as the rear waist) the tension that is created between the legs when the legs are spread apart as for urination remains the same. However, in the open position of the shorter crotch zip there is achieved a natural drawing apart of the two sides of zip as the legs are spread that is both wider and more taut at the central point of the short crotch zip. In the open configuration of the longer zip the tension is dispersed along the whole length of the zip and is therefore proportionately less along any given point along its length.

With the greater tension generated along the open sides of the shorter zip the shorter zip is less prone to zip jamming, and the sliding of die zip pulley is rendered

smoother and easier to use as well as being quicker to open and close owing to the shorter length of the zip.

The limited extent of the shorter crotch fly means that the garment still feels like a pair of trousers even when the fly is open and enhances the acceptability of the garment to wearers. Psychologically it may seem distasteful for women to wear garments that are designed for defecation as well as urination. Further the full opening of the longer crotch zip may result in undesirable disarrangement of clothes at the rear end that would odierwise have remained tucked in, disarrangement which can be avoided with the shorter crotch zip.

The present invention discloses several different ingenious means of concealing a short crotch opening in jeans, classics trousers, shorts, casual bottoms etc. sufficientiy well in designs botii with and witiiout a front fly so as to give the outward appearance or illusion along both the front and rear views of the article as of a conventional garment of that type.

For example:

( 1) an article of conventional jeans finish provided witii a regular short crotch zip [along the perineal region] that is covered by a narrow flap that is double top-stitched and which continues in its extent as far as the rear waist and which is permanently attached to the sides of die garment along the line between the rear end of the crotch zip and me rear waist and whose outer (folded) edge is unattached to die corresponding panel of the garment along the length of the perineum, thereby leaving the perineal zip fully accessible yet concealed when die garment is worn and the zip is closed; such flap typically being wider tiian the 'ridge-seam' along the crotch and rear seam line of conventional jeans but nevertheless giving the outer appearance or illusion when it is worn of a conventional ridge-seam even along that part of its extent in the crotch where its outer edge is unattached to the panel of die jean and mat covers the regular zip;

(2) classics trousers, jeans, shorts and casual bottoms etc. with a concealed/invisible crotch zip of which at least one side deviates at one end so as to achieve a concealment of die pulley of the zip when closed and with die illusion of a closed seam along the deviating extent of the zip ;

(3) a number of different reinforced and non top-stitched flap concepts using a regular zip in classics trousers, short and casual bottoms etc. e.g. non top-stitched but reinforced with special tape/heat adhesive interfacing that ensures that the flap lies flat and gives the appearance of a normal seam when the zip is closed, and with the outer edge of the flap merging at its rear with the rear seam giving the appearance at the back of a continuous closed seam, and similarly at the front where there is no front fly, or

alternatively merging with the outer edge of the front placket as does a conventional crotch seam; also double-channel reinforced flaps; all of which ingeniously give the outer appearance of a single conventional seam along the crotch when the trouser is worn.

In what follows a crotch fly that is said to extend along die perineal region, or perineum, is a crotch fly that embodies a releasably retainable aperture means whose extent is typically of between 7 and 10 inches in length, of which between 3 and 4 inches lies to the frontal end of die 'apex' of die garment and between 4 and 6 inches lies to die rear; 1 inch = 2.54 cm.

The term 'apex' refers to the point along the perineal region within a conventional pair of trousers, shorts, slacks etc. where the four seams of the garment (i.e. me frontal, rear and inside seams) converge towards or meet. In what follows the term 'apex' is used to describe a region that is the equivalent in women's jeans, classics trousers, shorts, casual bottoms etc. that are provided with a crotch fly (i.e. the point of converging or meeting of the fastening means of the crotch fly, when closed, witii die two inside seams of the garment).

According to a first aspect of the invention, tiiere is provided an article of clothing having a crotch portion separating two leg portions or openings, and having in the crotch portion a crotch fly extending along die perineal region, the crotch fly being openable and closable by fastening means which in the closed position are concealed, and in which, preferably, the said fastening means are provided along a line in the crotch portion in such a manner as to give the appearance of a normal stitched seam in the closed position.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided an article of clothing which is as claimed in claim 2.

The fastening means preferably comprise an ordinary zip; an invisible zip; or buttons and corresponding button holes.

The fastening means may be concealed behind a flap of material provided with a stitching line or lines forming an extension of and/or simulating a seam stitching line or lines at the front and/or rear of the article of clothing.

In the case of a zip, it may be advantageous for the zip to extend along or parallel to the said line but to be arranged at one end at least to deviate away from the said line. In this instance a widened flap portion or portions may be provided for covering said at least one end and for concealing an enlarged end portion of the zip. Advantageously, in one embodiment, tiiere are two widened flap portions which create an open seam having edges arranged to follow the said line when the zip is closed.

Alternatively, the zip may extend along or parallel to the seam line and a widened flap portion having an edge deviating beyond die said line may be provided on at least one side and at one end at least of the zip for concealing an enlarged end portion of the zip.

Said one end at least of die zip may be arranged to deviate on only one side of die zip or on both sides.

The present invention discloses an article of women's jeans, classics trousers, shorts, casual bottoms etc. with a crotch fly and witii further concealment means of the said fly as follows :-

(i) witii a narrow facing of material permanentiy attached at one side to, or being a continuation of, one of the sides of die garment and, preferably, attached along its otiier side to the other of die sides of such garment by releasably retainable means

(e.g. buttons, poppers etc.); such facing typically being of a length and widtii and being so positioned so as to just and yet completely cover the zip pulley of the fastening means of the crotch fly when such facing lies flat onto the sides of such garment and die fastening means of the crotch fly is in its closed configuration;

(ii) with a narrow facing of material permanently attached on botii sides to, or being a continuation of, both of die sides of die garment respectively, the pulley of the crotch zip being drawn beneath such facing as such fastening means of the crotch fly is being closed;

(iii) where the facing is folded over at least one side to form a facing of double-diickness material over at least a part of the extent of such facing with a closed edge(s) provided along the foldover line(s);

(iv) with a separate faced-in material piece attached to d e underside or exterior side of the facing as provided and extending over at least a part of the extent of such facing;

(v) with one or more faced-in material pieces and/or folded-over faced-in pieces attached to underside and/or die exterior side of die facing as provided.

(vi) with material facing that is attached to or is a continuation of either of the sides of die garment along the length of the fastening means of the crotch fly so as to cover such fastening means when closed. When die garment is worn and die fastening means is closed, die facing typically rests flat onto the sides of die garment and at its outer edge creates an open apparent seam line that gives the outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam that continues from the line of the closed front seam and is followed by die line of the closed rear seam;

(vii) witii the material facing as provided being folded over forming a folded edge, witii die facing now of double-tiiickness over at least a part of its extent owing to the double layer of (folded) material of which it is formed along such extent;

(viii) with a separate faced-in material piece attached on die underside of die facing/folded-over facing as provided and extending over at least a part of the extent of such facing;

(ix) with one or more faced-in material pieces and/or folded-over faced-in pieces attached to underside of die facing/folded-over facing as provided, each of which faced-in piece(s) extending over at least a part of the extent of the facing/folded-over facing as provided;

(x) with an inverted zipper provided as the fastening means and witii material facing that is typically of width so as to just and yet completely cover the apparent seam created by die means of die inverted zipper when in the closed configuration;

(xi) where the complementary part of the fastening means of die crotch fly that is attached to the panel of the garment that embodies the facing as provided deviates at its upper frontal and/or rear end(s) from its alignment parallel to the contour of the apparent seam-line that is created when such facing lies flat onto the sides of the garment so as to create a triangular ip'(s) that accommodates an exaggerated concealment of such upper and/or rear end(s) of such fastening means when in die closed configuration; (movement of the pulley of d e zip may be provided eitiier from front to rear or from the rear to the front of die article;)

(xii) with material facings that extend from (or are a continuation of) both sides of die garment along the length of the fastening means of the crotch fly such mat when die garment is worn and the fastening means is in its closed configuration, the facings typically rest flat onto d e sides of d e garment and their outer edges meet or overlap to create an open [apparent] seam line that gives die outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam that continues from the line of the closed front seam and is followed by the line of the closed rear seam;

(xiii) where either or both of the complementary parts of the fastening means of the crotch fly deviate at their upper frontal and/or rear end(s) from tiieir alignment parallel to the contour of the apparent seam-line mat is created when such facing(s) lie flat onto the sides of the garment so as to create a triangular 'lip(s)' that each accommodate an exaggerated concealment of such upper and/or rear end(s) of such fastening means when in the closed configuration;

(xiv) where either or both of the complementary parts of die fastening means of the crotch fly deviate at tiieir upper frontal and or rear end(s) from tiieir alignment parallel to the contour of what would have been die conventional seam-line of such

garment in the absence of such crotch fly so as to create a triangular 'lip(s)' that each accommodate an exaggerated concealment of such upper and/or rear end(s) of such fastening means when in the closed configuration;

(xv) with material facing(s) that extend as far as the rear waistband of such garment;

(xvi) with a stitching line or lines on the material facing(s) so as to give such facing(s) the appearance of a 'ridge-seam' as is conventional along die central seam-line of trousers, shorts, slacks etc. of a typical jean-cut or jean-finish; (such a stitching line or lines facilitates such a garment to retain the outward characteristics of a standard garment of jean-cut and as if without a crotch fly when such a garment is worn, there being a confusion in appearance between the material facing of such a garment, as such facing lies flat onto the sides of die trouser when worn, with the (sewn down) 'ridge-seam' of garments of jean-cut or jean-finish.)

(xvii) where the outer edge of die single material facing as provided is along an extent of the upper and/or rear end(s) of the crotch fly permanently attached to die corresponding panel of such garment, forming a closed as opposed to open seam-line covering such upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly;

(xviii) where the two material facings as provided are permanendy attached along an extent of the upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly along die line of the meeting (or crossing or along an extent of the overlapping part) of their outer edges, forming a closed as opposed to open seam-line covering such upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly. Typically (but not exclusively) the closed seam-line is provided at die top-most end of die crotch fly continuing from the closed front seam and/or die rear-most end of die crotch fly that is followed by die closed rear seam;

(xix) with at least one of the complementary parts of the fastening means attached to the interior of die sides of die garment along the length of the perineum such that when such garment is worn and such fastening means are in die closed configuration the exterior sides of the garment typically meet or overlap to cover the fastening means of the crotch fly and create an open [apparent] seam line along the length of the perineum that gives the outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam mat continues from the line of the closed front seam and is followed by die line of die closed rear seam;

(xx) with either or both of die sides of die garment folded over along the length of the perineum to form at least one folded edge along die length of die perineum; at least one side of die fastening means is attached on die underside of the fold, such tiiat when die fastening means is in the closed configuration at least one of the complementary parts of the fastening means lie on the interior of the garment and die edges of the sides of die garment typically meet or overlap to cover the fastening means of die crotch fly and create an open apparent seam line along the lengtii of die

perineum that gives the outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam mat continues from the line of die closed front seam and is followed by die line of the closed rear seam;

(xxi) with material facing(s) that are attached to at least one of die sides of die garment along the length of the perineum; at least one side of die fastening means is attached to die exterior of the respective facing along the length of the perineum. The facings are attached in such a way tiiat when die fastening means is in the closed configuration a closed and folded edge forms along the line of attachment of die respective facing and the facing folds over to the underside/interior of die garment such that die sides of die garment meet or overlap at the folded edges so as to cover the fastening means of the crotch fly and create an open (apparent) seam line along the length of the perineum that gives die outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam tiiat continues from the line of die closed front seam and is followed by die line of the closed rear seam;

(xxii) with one or more separate faced-in material pieces and/or folded-over faced-in pieces attached to die underside of eitiier or each of the fold(s) or side(s) of die garment as provided and along die length of the crotch fly and die fastening means attached on die underside of die faced-in piece;

(xxiii) where either or both complementary parts of the fastening means of the crotch fly deviate from tiieir alignment, parallel to the contour of the line of meeting or crossing of die two sides/closed edges of die garment when the crotch fly is in its closed configuration, at their upper frontal and/or rear end(s) so as to create triangular

'Ιip(s)' that accommodate an exaggerated concealment of such upper and or rear end(s) of such fastening means when in the closed configuration;

(xxiv) with such a stitching line or lines on one or both of die sides of die garment that meet or overlap along the lengtii of die perineum affording to exterior of such garment along such length of stitching die appearance of a 'ridge-seam' as is conventional along the central seam-line of trousers, shorts, slacks etc. of a typical jean-cut or jean-finish;

(xxv) where the exterior sides of the garment (or closed edges) form an open seam along die length of the crotch fly except at the upper and/or rear end(s) of such crotch fly where the sides of die garment (or closed edges) are permanently attached along the line of their meeting or crossing so as to form a closed seam covering such upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly;

(xxvi) having a crotch fly extending along die perineal region and along die contour of what is otherwise the central seam-line of die garment and attached to die exterior or edge periphery of the sides of die garment except at die upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly at the front of die garment where the fastening means of the crotch fly deviate from the conventional seam-line so as to create triangular 'lips' for

concealment of the upper and/or rear deviating end(s) of d e fastening means of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration, with a rear seam provided between the rear end of die crotch fly and a rear waistband of die garment, such upper and/or rear deviating end(s) of die sides of die fastening means attached on the underside/interior of the sides of die garment;

(xxvii) with extra material facings that are a continuation of the each of die sides of die garment at the upper and/or rear deviating end(s) of die crotch fly, and onto which facings the upper and/or rear end(s) of die fastening means of the crotch fly deviate and are attached. When such fastening means are in the closed configuration the facings at the upper and/or rear deviating end(s) of die crotch fly fold over to the underside/interior of die sides of die garment and tiiere is provided folded edges that meet (or overlap) so as to cover die fastening means of die crotch fly and create an open [apparent] seam line along the extent of the upper and/or rear deviating end(s) tiiat gives die outer appearance or illusion of a conventional closed seam mat continues from the line of die closed front seam and/or is followed by the line of the closed rear seam respectively;

(xxviii) extra material facings that are attached to each of die sides of die garment at the upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly, and die upper and/or rear end(s) of the fastening means of die crotch fly deviating and being attached to such facings. When such fastening means are in the closed configuration the separate material pieces that are attached to die sides of die garment at the upper and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly fold over to the underside/interior of die sides of die garment and tiiere is provided folded edges that meet (or overlap);

(xxix) with one or more separate faced-in pieces and/or folded-over faced-in pieces attached to underside of eitiier or both of die sides or folded-over sides or facings or folded-over facings as provided and along die length of die deviating end(s), witii die fastening means attached along such extent of die deviating end(s) to die underside of such separate facing;

(xxx) with a front seam extending from die front waistband of die garment to die upper end of die crotch fly and a rear seam extending from the rear end of the crotch fly to the rear waistband of die garment, eitiier or both of which is/are unconventional (and new) in that it/they embodies a more accentuated and outward curvature than is standard, witii extra material provided to tiiat side of die garment at embodies die exaggerated convex (curved) frontal and/or rear seam, and witii further extra material provided also to the same side of die garment towards die region of the upper frontal and or rear end of the crotch fly, creating a wider (and longer) 'lip' providing a more exaggerated concealment of the upper and/or rear deviating end(s) of die fastening means of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration;

(xxxi) with either or both deviating upper frontal and/or rear ends of die fastening means of the crotch fly deviating from their alignment parallel to the line of

meeting or crossing of die two sides/closed edges of die garment when the crotch fly is in its closed configuration yet not deviating as such from the contour of the otherwise conventional seam-line of such garment in the absence of the crotch fly. The exaggerated outward curvature(s) of the frontal and/or rear seam(s) as provided creates a sufficiently exaggerated 'lip(s)' such tiiat the fastening means of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration falls on the underside of die lip(s) at its upper frontal and/or rear ends without such fastening means deviating as such (when closed) in its patii from the contour of what would otiierwise in die absence of the crotch fly have been the conventional central seam-line of such garment;

(xxxii) with a closed seam (as opposed to open seam-line) along an extent of the upper frontal and/or rear end(s) of d e crotch fly (via a permanent attachment of the two sides/closed edges of die garment along such extent) that covers such extent of die upper frontal and/or rear end(s) of die crotch fly. Preferably the closed seam is provided at die top-most end of die crotch fly continuing from the closed front seam and/or at die rear-most end of die crotch fly continuing from die closed rear seam;

(xxxiii) with a placket depending from die said waistband and covering the front seam/front fastening means (such fastening means comprising zipper means or buttons or other fastening means that are known) of the garment, such placket otherwise being as of conventional plackets tiiat are found in trousers, shorts, slacks etc. that are provided witii a front fly. The placket as provided extends towards the crotch fly but is spaced from the crotch fly, the sides of die garment being held together at the junction between the placket and d e crotch fly;

(xxxiv) with a front placket that is non-conventional (and new): die lower end of such placket covers an upper part of die fastening means of the crotch fly (or a 'lip' or facing or upper part of any facing covering an upper part of the fastening means of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration as provided in such claims as above) when such crotch fly is in the closed configuration and such placket lies flat onto the sides of such garment; (stitching bar-tac reinforcement as is standard in front fly plackets at the point where the base of die placket meets the outside edge of such placket is displaced);

(xxxv) witii a front placket which when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers also any apparent seam-line tiiat is created along the meeting or overlapping edges along die upper end of such crotch fly where one or both of the complementary sides of the fastener means deviate creating a lip(s) on either or both sides of such garment at the upper deviating end(s) of such crotch fly;

(xxxvi) with a placket whose outer edge (when lying flat onto me sides of die garment) at its lower end extends precisely along die same contour as of the closed edge (or apparent seam-line) of the same side of die garment along the extent of an upper end of such crotch fly where one or both of the complementary sides of the

fastener means deviate creating a lip(s) on either or both sides of such garment at the upper deviating end(s) of such crotch fly;

(xxxvii) as in the above embodiment where that side of the garment is, along the extent of the closed edge or apparent seam-line that is provided, permanently attached to the underside of such placket as provided;

(xxxviii) where that side of such garment that falls under the outer edge of such placket (as it lies flat onto d e sides of such garment) is, along an extent parallel to the length of the front seam/front fastening means, permanently attached to die underside of such placket;

(xxxix) witii a placket that extends along the full extent of the crotch fly and whose outer edge covers the fastening means of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration (or any such apparent seam-line as is created by die provision of a fastener of concealed-zip means) when die placket lies flat onto die sides of such garment. Typically the placket becomes noticeably narrower in its widtii along the extent of the crotch fly that lies below its upper deviating end;

(xl) witii a placket that extends along the full extent of the crotch fly and whose outer edge covers the fastening means of the lower non-deviatmg end of die crotch fly when in the closed configuration (or any such apparent seam-line as is created by die provision of a fastener of concealed-zipper means) when the placket lies flat onto the sides of such garment. Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its widtii along die extent of die crotch fly that lies below its upper deviating end;

(xli) witii a placket that extends along die full extent of the crotch fly and whose outer edge at its lower end runs adjacent to and yet does not cover the line of the fastening means of die lower non-deviating end of the crotch fly when in the closed configuration (or any such apparent seam-line as is created by the provision of a fastener of concealed-zipper means) when such placket lies flat onto the sides of such garment. Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its width along die extent of the crotch fly that lies below its upper deviating end;

(xlii) with a placket tiiat extends along the full extent of the crotch fly and whose outer edge at its lower end does not cover the line of the fastening means of the lower non-deviating end of die crotch fly (or any such apparent seam-line as is created by the provision of a fastener of concealed-zipper means) yet covers the actual line of or the apparent seam line that is created by die upper deviating end of die crotch fly when in the closed configuration when such placket lies flat onto the sides of such garment. Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its widtii along die extent of die crotch fly that lies below its upper deviating end;

(xliii) where the placket as provided extends beyond die region of the rear end of the crotch fly, and as far as a region towards die rear waistband of such garment along the contour (or thereabouts) of what is otherwise the rear seam of such garment;

(xliv) with a placket which when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers die front seam front fastening means of such garment, and of which (placket) the line of its outer edge at its base end is followed in a continuous patii by die line of the outer edge of such apparent seam-line as is created as die covering means of the fastening means of the crotch fly lies flat onto the sides of die garment and die crotch fly is in the closed configuration;

(xlv) with a placket which when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers the front seam/front fastening means of the garment and an upper part of the frontal end of such apparent seam-line as is created as die covering means of the fastening means of the crotch fly lies flat onto the sides of such garment and such crotch fly is in the closed configuration, and of which [placket] the line of its outer edge at its base end merges in a continuous path with such apparent seam-line as is present along the remaining extent of the crotch fly (when closed) tiiat is uncovered by such placket and tiiat extends beyond die base of such placket;

(xlvi) witii covering means of the crotch fly that is along the upper end of one side of die apparent seam-line as provided when such fastening means of the crotch fly is closed (i.e. tiiat side of die covering means of the crotch fly that extends from he same panel of the garment as does die placket as provided) permanently attached to die corresponding region of the underside of die placket as provided;

(xlvii) with covering means of the crotch fly that is along die contour of the top end of one side of die apparent seam-line as provided when such fastening means of die crotch fly is closed (i.e. tiiat side of die covering means of the crotch fly that extends from the same panel of the garment as does die placket as provided) permanently attached to die corresponding extent of die adjacent base end of such placket;

(xlviii) with a placket that when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers the front seam/front fastening means of the garment and die full length of such apparent seam-line as is created as die covering means of die fastening means of die crotch fly lies flat onto the sides of such garment and such crotch fly is in the closed configuration. Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its width along the extent of the crotch fly;

(xlix) with a placket that when lying flat onto die sides of die garment covers the front seam/front fastening means of die garment, and extending along the full length of such crotch fly the line of its outer edge along die extent of die crotch fly falls precisely along the same line as such apparent seam-line of the crotch fly

(when closed). Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its width along die extent of the crotch fly;

(1) with a placket tiiat when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers the front seam of such garment, and extending along the full length of such crotch fly the line of its outer edge along the extent of the crotch fly falls parallel to but does not cover or meet such apparent seam-line of die crotch fly (when closed). Typically such placket becomes noticeably narrower in its widtii along the extent of the crotch fly;

(li) where that side of die garment that falls under the outer edge of die placket is permanently attached to die underside of die placket along its upper end that covers the front seam;

(lii) where that side of die garment (or material facing thereabouts) is along the full length of the crotch fly permanently attached to die underside of such placket;

(liii) with the iip' as provided (as d e covering means of an upper deviating end of one of the sides of die fastening means of the crotch fly when such crotch fly is closed) being d e continuation of a placket that is provided that when lying flat onto the sides of such garment covers the front seam/front fastening means; (the lip and placket as provided comprise one and die same 'placket');

(liv) with the covering means of the fastening means of the crotch fly (when closed) as provided at one of die sides of such garment being the continuation of a placket tiiat is provided at die same side of such garment tiiat when lying flat onto die sides of die garment covers the front seam; (the covering means and placket as provided comprise one and die same 'placket');

(lv) where at side of die garment mat falls under d e outer edge of a placket [as it lies flat onto the sides of such garment] is, along an extent parallel to the length of die front seam/front fastening means, permanently attached to die underside of such placket;

(lvi) an article witii releasably retainable fastening means (e.g. zipper means, buttons, VELCRO etc.) depending from die said waistband and along die contour (or thereabouts) of what is otiierwise the front seam of such garment, the base end of such fastening means (when closed) being:

(a) spaced vertically at a distance from the upper end of die fastening means of the crotch fly (when closed);

(b) spaced horizontally at a distance from the upper end of die fastening means of the crotch fly (when closed);

(c) running alongside and adjacent to the upper end of the fastening means of the crotch fly (when closed);

(d) running directly above (or on top of) the upper end of die fastening means ofdie crotch fly (when closed);

(e) running directly below the upper end of die fastening means of the crotch fly (when closed);

(lvii) an article as in any of the preceding aspects that is provided witii a

'placket' that is provided also witii top-stitching along that side of the garment to which such placket is applied tiiat runs vertically and parallel to die outer edge of such placket until it then runs in a curved line tending horizontally towards such outer edge at the base of the line of such top-stitching, and such top-stitching provides a notional inner boundary to such placket as provided;

(lviii) where the top-stitching as provided also comprises a line of stitching that attaches die underside material or foldover [or a part of such underside material or foldover] of the placket to the corresponding side of such garment;

(lix) where the top-stitching as provided also comprises a line of stitching that attaches the underside material or foldover (or a part of such underside material or foldover) of the placket to the corresponding side of such garment, except at the base of the line of such top-stitching where such placket is not permanently attached to die corresponding side(s) of such garment;

(lx) with fastening means of the crotch fly provided tiiat extend as far as the region of the rear waistband of such garment;

(lxi) with respect to front plackets that extend over or along a part of die crotch fly but do not extend over or along the full length of die crotch fly :-

in which any standard permanent means of attachment of die two sides of die garment at the base of the placket as provided is removed and displaced to a region vertically above this and further towards die top end of die fastening means of the crotch fly;

with one or more releasably retainable means of attachment (e.g. poppers) at the base of such placket;

with one or more releasably retainable means of attachment (e.g. poppers) provided in a region vertically above the previous point of permanent attachment at the base of such placket and further towards the top end of die fastening means of the crotch fly;

(lxii) with respect to front plackets tiiat extend over or along (or beyond) die full length of the crotch fly :-

with permanent means of attachment of the outer edge of die placket to die corresponding panel of such garment applied at a region towards die top end of die fastening means of die crotch fly;

with releasably retainable means of attachment (e.g. poppers) of the outer edge of die placket to die corresponding panel of such garment applied at a region towards die top end of die fastening means of the crotch fly;

with one or more releasably retainable means of attachment (e.g. poppers) of the outer edge of die placket to die corresponding panel of such garment applied intermittentiy along the remaining lower extent of the placket;

(lxiii) bar-tacs or other means of reinforcement at the rear end of the fastening means of the crotch fly that reinforces the strength of the stitching in that region;

(Ixiv) with bar-tacs or other means of reinforcement provided at die rear end of die fastening means of the crotch fly that prevent avoidable wear and tear of the material in that region of the garment;

(lxv) with inner facing(s) attached to die interior of either or both of the sides of such garment along the line of die edges or closed edges (or seam-line) as provided and extending from die region of the front waistband and to a region not beyond die apex of such garment;

(lxvi) with inner facing(s) attached to die interior of either or both of the sides of such garment along the line of the edges or closed edges (or seam-line) as provided and extending from a region towards the upper end of die crotch fly and to a region not beyond die apex of such garment;

(lxvii) with inner facings extending beyond die region of the apex of such garment that are sufficiently narrow beyond this apex region so as not to impede die clean efflux of bodily fluids from me open crotch access opening;

(Ixviii) with inner facings extending beyond die region of the apex of such garment that are sufficiently narrow beyond tiiis apex region so as avoid risk of the undesirable catching of the inner facing(s) between the zipper teeth and die zipper pull of the crotch fly when the zipper means of the crotch fly is in regular use;

(Ixix) with fastening means of the crotch fly that comprises zipper or inverted zipper means, provided witii closing means of such fastening means that is achieved by a movement of the zipper pull in the direction from the rear to the frontal end of

such fastening means; or in a direction from the frontal end to the rear of such fastening means;

(lxx) with fastening means of the crotch fly and fastening means of the front fly mat comprise one single zip or inverted zip means;

(lxxi) with two sets of zipper-pulls along the single set of zipper teeth as provided;

(lxxii) with a means of discontinuity (e.g. a metal or plastic 'stop') provided along the single set of zipper teeth with the zipper-pulls that are attached to die zipper teeth being separated in their movement by such means of discontinuity as provided. Typically such means of discontinuity is applied at a region towards die upper frontal end of the perineum as defined;

(lxxiii) as in any preceding embodiment that is provided witii a placket, with such a 'placket' that is unconventional (and new) in that the placket is a single facing of material;

(lxxiv) provided witii such a 'placket' that is unconventional (and new) in that the placket is a single facing of material that is folded over at its outer edge providing a 'placket' constructed of double-tiiickness facing over at least a part of its extent.

Various embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings; in which:

Figure 1 is a view from the outside of an embodiment of die upper part of a pair of lady's jeans with the side seams not fastened and with die jeans laid flat;

Figures 2 and 3 are views of die front upper part of another form of jeans cut trousers showing the outer and inner faces respectively;

Figure 4 is a see-through view of the front upper part of a further form of trousers showing the outer face and also die inner face;

Figures 5 and 6 are views of die front upper part of lady's classic trousers with a concealed zip showing the outer and inner faces respectively, that of Figure 5 showing the crotch zip open and die placket partly drawn back, and tiiat of Figure 6 showing both zips closed;

Figures 7-10 are views of the front upper part of a further form of lady's trousers.

Figures 1 1-12 are views of the front upper part of jeans cut trousers incorporating a concealed zip.

Figure 13 is a view of the front upper part of a further form of lady's classics trousers in which there is a crotch fly with no front fly.

Figures 14-16 are views of the front upper part of further forms of lady's classics trousers with a front fly and a crotch fly.

Figures 17a and 17b are views of the front upper part of a further form of lady's classics trousers in which there is a crotch fly with no front fly.

In Figure 1 there is shown the upper part of a pair of trousers of a jeans cut comprising left and right front leg panels 10, 12, and left and right rear leg panels

14, 16 that meet at inside leg seams 18,20 and a waistband 22. The trousers are formed with a front fly 24 and a crotch fly 26. The front fly 24 may typically have a length of about 18-20cm (7-8") and the crotch fly 26 typically has an extent of about

18-26cm (7-10") and has an extent and position corresponding to die female perineum, die two fly openings being located one following the other as shown. Behind the crotch fly 26 there is a rear seam portion 28 which extends to die rear part of the waistband 22. The length of the crotch fly 26 has been adopted so tiiat opening is limited to die perineal area e.g. for urination. When the wearer is in a position with her legs spread as for urination, the lateral tension is concentrated in the region of the garment between the legs which is where the crotch zip is located, so tiiat tension tends to open die fly 26 in a natural way when it is unzipped, which helps to avoid unintended soiling of die trousers.

The front fly 24 has a zip fastener 30 concealed by a placket 32. The crotch fly 26 has a second zip fastener 34 which opens by moving its pulley towards die rear seam 28 and closes by die reverse movement. The zip fastener 34 when closed is concealed behind die flap 36 which is attached to die marginal edges of panels 14 and 10. This flap 36 and die top stitching 41 has substantially die same appearance as the raised rear seam 28 and die top stitching 27 along the length of the rear seam when the flap is covering the closed crotch zip. The flap 36 and its top-stitching 41 will be hereafter referred to as a "ridge-seam", and is typically formed of double-folded material. Alternatively the flap 36 may be attached to die marginal edges of panels 12 and 16 so as to give a similar outward appearance when covering the closed crotch zip.

To improve the effectiveness of the concealment of the pulley of die crotch zip when it is closed, the following measures can be taken:

(i) Flap 36 can be designed as slightly wider towards tiiat end of die crotch fly where the zip rests when the crotch fly is in the closed position.

(ii) One side of die zip teetii of the crotch zip deviate slightly further towards die inside edge of die flap 36 (tiian the remaining extent of the zip is) so as to lead die pulley of the zip further towards die inside edge of flap 36 when die zip is in the closed position.

(iii) Where the pulley of the crotch zip rests when the zip is in the closed position, in tiiat particular region flap 36 can be permanently attached to die opposing panel of the trouser so as to create a permanently closed raised seam over an upper part of the pulley of the zip. It is important however that the closed seam does not cover the pulley completely and there is an open seam over at least a partial extent of the pulley (when the zip is closed) so tiiat die pulley can be readily accessed by die wearer of die garment.

Alternatively there need be no front fly 24 witii other means e.g. side zips, elasticated waist etc. for removal of the garment.

Typically the flap 36 (bounded on one side by die line of its inner line of top-stitching and on the other side by its outer folded edge) is of a similar widtii to die raised rear seam 28, the raised rear seam typically being a continuation of the flap 36 except that it is permanently attached to die sides of die jean along botii its parallel edges. The raised rear seam provided here is preferably of a similar widtii and outer appearance to the conventional raised rear seam of a standard pair of jeans.

Alternatively flap 36 may be formed of material that is folded at an edge along which is attached (or 'faced in') a separate material piece that is also folded along an edge, such edges of die opposing material pieces being attached togetiier and forming a flap of double thickness (or quadruple thickness along the extent of the line of the folded edges). The attachment of such a separate 'faced in' material piece not only provides an outer edge to flap 36 that is sharper than tiiat formed by a flap of single folded material, but the separate 'faced in' material piece also helps d e flap 36 align better to the curved contour of the fastening means or seam line in the crotch region.

In Figure 2 there is shown part of a pair of trousers like that in Figure 1 with the teetii 34a of one side of die zip fastener 34 coinciding witii the edge of panels

12, 16 and witii d e teeth 34b at die otiier side located at one side of the flap 36. Witii tiύs arrangement the zip fastener and its pulley are concealed by die flap 36, when die zip is closed as in Figure 3, which has die appearance of a ridge seam, so that there is little difference in appearance between the present garment and jeans of conventional construction. This similar appearance is enhanced by die continuous path of die top-stitching which begins in the upper placket (69) and continues over the flap 36 in closed position (41) and which further continues along the top-stitching 27 of die raised rear seam. Edge 60a follows in a continuous path from edge 37a, and are the edges of panels 12 and 16 respectively. Similarly edges 60b and 37b follow in a continuous path, are the edges of panels 10 and of die flap 36 attached to panel 14

respectively. An analogous arrangement of edges can be envisaged when the flap 36 is attached to die panels 12 and 16. When die crotch fly is closed as in Figure 3 the edges 60b and 37b typically overlap edges 60a and 37a as depicted. The internal construction of the garment is apparent from Figure 3 where the pulley 40 of the second zip fastener 34 is shown at the forward end of its travel. Bar-tac arrangements

(or alternative forms of reinforcement such as lock- stitching, or reinforcement tape, or a combination of these) are indicated by A,B,C,D,E, and G,F and can be used in addition to the top stitching 69,66 and 41 respectively to reinforce the stitching in that area. Different combinations of A,B,C,D,E can be employed, as can eitiier or both of G,F. A can be horizontal or vertical. Box 45 refers to what is defined as die "apex" region.

Figure 4 diagrammatically shows a see-through view of trousers generally similar to those of Figures 1, 3 and 4 except tiiat continuous zip-teeth are sewn along the sides of die front fly 24 and die crotch fly 26 with a region of discontinuity in the form of stitching or a metal or plastic stop or other, 50, separating the first and second zip fasteners 30,34. Alternatively there may be no form of discontinuity 50 with the use of continuous zip-teeth, and tiiis configuration may employ a single zip pulley or two zip pulleys, one following on from die otiier.

Alternatively two separate sets of zip-teeth 30 and 34 are provided whereby the upper end of d e crotch zip runs directly beneath the path of the lower end of die front zip, or vice-versa, or that the respective ends of die two zips run alongside each otiier for a short distance.

Figures 5 & 6 are views of a further form of the trousers in which there is used a concealed zip fastener i.e. a zip fastener whose tapes and teetii are on the concealed face of the fabric they are to join so that they are invisible from the exterior. A problem which arises in the use of a concealed zip is how to hide die zip pulley which has to be accessible but nevertheless needs to be concealed. From the outside of die garment there appears to be a line defined by a rolled seam that extends along die crotch fly opening 26 when in the closed position and die upper end of this line is then hidden behind die triangular flap 64. The front fly zip 30 is parallel to but slightly offset from the edge of panel 12, 60a, which is also a seam line. Crotch zip-teeth 34b deviate from their natural path adjacent to edge 37b at tiieir upper end 62 which meets die lower end of the front fly zip 30. This deviation of the zip-teeth 34b is for an improved concealment of die zip pulley under a triangular flap 64 (in the closed position of the crotch zip) which is thereby created by the deviation. In Figure 6 edges 37a and 37b coincide at tiieir lower ends forming the rolled seam. Where deviation of 34b occurs at 62, the edge 37b overlaps 37a providing room for concealment of the zip pulley. At the rear of the crotch zip where the rear seam begins there is provided a reinforcement tape (or 'stay' tape) that is attached to botii side panels of the garment on the interior of the garment along the line where they meet adjacent to the rear seam; this tape cannot be seen from the exterior and is an

alternative to bar-tac stitching reinforcing the strength of the stitching along the rear seam in that region.

In Figures 7 & 8 there is shown part of a pair of lady's classics trousers like those in Figures 5 & 6 except now there is an accentuated "lip" in die cut of the garment in terms of the edge line 60b/37b embodying a greater curvature than previously, which may be achieved by the provision of extra material in that area, with which to conceal the crotch zip pulley 40 when the crotch zip 34 is in the closed position as in Figure 8.

In Figures 5 & 6 the "tip" that is defined by die extent of die edge lines 60b/37b is cut as in standard women's trousers. In Figures 7 & 8 the triangular flap 64 that is formed is both wider and longer and is achieved by die accentuated curvature of the lip as well as by a deviation of the zip-teeth 34b. This accentuated curvature and provision of extra material implies that edge 37b typically meets die zip-teeth 34b at a region just below the point 39 in the apex area 45.

In Figures 7 & 8 the extra "lip" configuration has been illustrated in conjunction with a deviation of zip-teeth 34b. Alternatively this lip may be constructed witiiout die provision of zip deviation and still allow for sufficient concealment of the zip pulley 40 while retaining easy accessibility to the zip pulley 40 for the wearer of the garment.

In Figures 7 & 8 is depicted a change in the structure of the placket 32 ("upper placket") of the front fly 24 as is standard in trousers and shorts. Concealment of zip pulley 40 in the region above the line of the lower horizontal end of top-stitching 66 implies that the attachment of panel 10 (or of the interior facing of placket 32 which is attached to panel 10 by top-stitching 66) to panel 12 at the point Z is removed. This attachment at Z constitutes top-stitching 66 typically being sewn additionally onto panel 12 and may also constitute further forms of reinforcement such as lock-stitches, side-stitches or bar-tacs, and defines the extent of the upper placket 32. This removal of attachment at Z may also occur as in Figure 6 where the zip pulley 40 rests at a point below he line of the lower horizontal end of top-stitching 66 in order to allow for space to access the pulley 40. Attachment at Z now being removed tiiere is an attachment of panel 10 (or of the interior facing of placket 32 which is attached to panel 10 by top-stitching 66) to panel 12 at some point above Z and close to edge 60b to prevent rolling back of edge 60b when the garment is being worn. This attachment may for example occur at point Y and will constitute either top-stitching in that region, or some other means of reinforcement (e.g. bar-tacs, lock-stitches, side-stitches etc.) or a combination of these.

In Figure 9 there is shown part of a pair of trousers as in Figures 7,8 except now with the interior facings 72,74 being illustrated. Top-stitching 69 is also illustrated which is the stitching along edge 60b/37b. Figure 10 is a reverse view of the same garment from the interior illustrating interior facings 72,74. The upper part

of edge 60b can just be seen, when the front zip 30 is open, from this reverse view of the interior. Owing to the nature of the function(s) of die crotch zip a continuation of interior facings 72,74 past the region indicated by points 31 impedes die unobstructed access botii to and from me perineal area of the female and is tiierefore undesirable for most of the length of the crotch zip. Preferably facings 72,74 should have an extension tiiat is not beyond d e region indicated by points 31. Alternatively the interior facings may become narrower in their widtii past the region of points 31 and extend along a further length of the crotch zip 34 such that tiiey are sufficiently narrow so as to be unobtrusive to the uses of the crotch zip when open.

In Figures 11 & 12 there is shown the upper part of a pair of trousers of a jeans cut, comprising a standard front fly and a deviating crotch zip as in Figures 5,6 except now zip-teeth 34b are separated from me edge 37b even along its lower end by a narrow facing of material 43 or by a foldover 43 of material along the edge 37b of panels 10 and 14. This facing or foldover 43 gives a ridge seam effect of die jean when accompanied by top-stitching 41 on the exterior and provides a further concealment, as in a narrow version of flap 36, of the concealed zip as well as adding a greater extent of material for zip pulley concealment in the region of the "lip". When both the upper fly and die crotch fly are in a closed position the top-stitching 69 follows in a continuous path from top-stitching 41 to give the jeans cut effect on the exterior of the garment, as shown in Figure 12. Typically the widtii of the facing or foldover 43 is not greater than 1cm (3/8").

Alternatively in the above tiiere is provided an extra lip as depicted in Figures 7 & 8 for improved zip pulley concealment, witii analogous changes as before yet maintaining facing or foldover 43 of a similar widtii as before. Further the extra lip may be constructed without the provision of the deviating zip-teeth 34b with analogous changes maintaining the facing or foldover 43.

In Figure 13 there is shown a pair of lady's classics trousers with a crotch fly along the perineal region and in which tiiere is no longer a front fly but typically some alternative means of opening the upper part of the garment for removal and putting on, e.g. an elasicated waistband or a fly depending from die waistband at one of die sides of the garment.

In Figure 13 there is shown a concealed-zip fastener whose zip teeth deviate on each side at their front ends, (along the edge of extended panel fabric provided on each side towards die front deviating ends), from tiieir natural paths along edges 37a, 37b, in die direction of die edges of respective extended panel fabric provided in panels 10, 12, thereby creating triangular flaps 64a and 64b witii which to conceal the pulley of the zip when closed. The extended panel fabric on each side folds over along the edges 65a and 65b such tiiat when the zip is closed: (i) edges 37a and 37b meet along die non-deviating extent of the crotch fly and form an apparent seam line that is closed ; and (ii) foldover edges 65a and 65b meet to give an apparent seam line 84 that is an open seam but appears to be a closed seam when the trouser is worn and

tiiat continues in line from the (closed) front seam 80 and is followed by the (closed) apparent seam line 37a/37b.

Alternatively, additional or replacement faced-in material may be attached on or along either or both of the sides or edges 65a and 65b tiiat folds to die underside(s) of triangular concealment flaps 64a and 64b respectively; each of the deviating ends

62a and 62b of die zip would tiien be attached to the underside of each of the faced-in material pieces.

Alternatively edges 65a and 65b may be formed so as to overlap when the zip is closed.

Alternatively the open seam 84 that is formed when die zip is closed and edges 65a and 65b meet (or overlap) may be partially sealed (i.e. closed) by stitching together of the folded edges 65a and 65b and this may enhance the way in which die open seam appears as a closed seam when die zip is closed and die garment is worn. Typically the open seam 84 is partially sealed along its top end at point 82; tiiis may be achieved by lengthening the extent of the (closed) front seam 80 and tiiereby lowering die end of die front seam at 82.

The extended panel fabric of the garment beyond the stitching line of the central front seam folds to die interior of the garment; it is onto each of tiiese extended panels on the interior that each of the deviating ends of die zip are attached respectively. Alternatively there may be separate material pieces that are faced-in to each of the extended panels of the trouser as they fold over beyond die stitching line of the central front seam to the interior of the garment.

These extended panels are typically narrower on the interior where there is a lesser degree of deviation of each side of die zip. There is a also a short line of stitching provided that attaches together die two extended panels on the interior side of die garment along a region close to the top end of die zip on the interior and (typically) to the interior edges of the extended panels so as to ensure that the head of die pulley of the zip is easily retrievable by die wearer, such stitching providing a stop to the extent that the head of die pulley rolls back when the zip is closed.

It may be noted tiiat where the zip deviates on both sides a lesser angle of deviation of each of the sides of die zip is required to effectively conceal the pulley of die zip (when it is closed) than the angular deviation that is required when only one side of die zip deviates. Further, where the stitching of front seam 80 extends further along, providing a partial closure of die otiierwise fully 'open' apparent seam line that is created when the zip is closed, tiiere is also required a lesser angle (and depdi) of die deviation of the zip to ensure that the pulley is effectively concealed when die zip is closed and the trouser is worn; the partial closure in this sense of die otiierwise 'open' seam along the deviating extent of die zip also generates a more effective

illusion or concealment of the 'open' seam as an apparent closed seam when the zip is closed and die trouser is worn.

A rough guide to die range of angles of deviation of the sides of die zip away from their path along or parallel to the line of the crotch is as follows [this is relevant to designs where there is a crotch fly with no front fly or where the front fly is set at a distance from die crotch fly]: where only one side deviates and tiiere is a fully open seam along the extent of the deviating end, deviating one side of die zip from between 30° (min.) and 90° (max.) can achieve a full concealment of the pulley when the zip is closed; where there is a partially closed seam over the upper end of die pulley when the zip is closed, deviation of between 15° and 90° will suffice. Where both sides deviate and tiiere is a fully open seam, there may be deviation of between 15° and 45° on each side; where both sides deviate and there is a partially closed seam, deviation of between 7° and 45° will suffice. It must be noted tiiat this guide is an approximate: the precise angles depend also on die nature and weight of the fabric, the width of die zip and die size of the pulley of the zip and die head of die pulley, and whetiier the head of die pulley 'locks in' to the pulley and zip when it is pressed.

Figure 14 shows a pair of ladies' classics trousers provided witii a front fly 24 and a crotch fly 26. A regular zip 34 is depicted, of which one side of die zip teeth

34b and die corresponding zip tape 35b are attached to the underside of a

'concealment' flap 44 which covers the zip 34 when the crotch fly is closed and die flap 44 lies flat onto the sides 12 and 16 of die garment.

Flap 44 is formed by extending panels 10 and 14 along the length of such flap and by folding over the extended panel fabric to create folded edge 37b/60b that rests against panels 12 and 16 to cover the crotch zip 34 and the edge 37a/60a when the zip 34 is closed. When zip 34 is closed and flap 44 lies flat onto die sides of die trouser, the line of meeting of edge 37b/60b witii die sides of die trouser gives the appearance of a closed seam along the crotch.

In the absence of top-stitching applied to die inside edge of flap 44 along a line indicated as commencing from point X, such top-stitching providing an inner boundary to die flap and tiiereby assisting the flap's tendency to lie flat onto die sides of the garment when it is worn, it may be necessary to apply a heat adhesive interfacing (such as, for example, the heat adhesive interfacing commonly known as 'wonderweb') along the inside 90 of folded edge 37b/60b so as to (i) make it sharper and more crisp; and (ii) to enhance the 'staying flat' properties of the folded edge when the zip is closed (this is a novel use of such heat adhesive interfacing) owing to the added strength of the interfacing-enhanced fold. The absence of visible top-stitching along the exterior side (not shown in Fig. 15) of flap 44 is preferable (than a visibly top-stitched flap) in this classics-type design of trouser as then the presence of flap 44 is better concealed when the zip 34 is closed and die trouser is worn.

The front fly placket 32 is conventionally constructed of panel fabric having top-stitching 65 that is faced in on its underside by a separate piece of fabric that may or may not be the same material as the panel fabric. Flap 44, being extended panel fabric that is folded over, is separate from placket 32 of die front fly, although edge 60b/37b appears to follow in a continuous line from edge 31 of die front fly placket giving the outward appearance of edge 60b/37b as a conventional closed seam line in the crotch when the zip 34 is closed and die trouser is worn. Alternatively, there may be no front fly and no placket 32.

Alternatively, flap 44 may be constructed as a continuation of placket 32, both plackets having separate facings or both being extended and folded over.

Alternatively again, there may be provided a garment as above but with a flap (as in flap 44) along each side of the zip of the crotch fly, both flaps meeting or overlapping to cover the zip 34 when the fly is closed. In the case of there being two flaps, each flap may be of a lesser width tiian where there is only one flap.

Alternatively, flap 44 may be constructed as a continuation of placket 32, the front fly placket being faced in with a separate material piece while the crotch fly placket 44 is simply extended and folded over (or vice- versa). (One advantage of a placket in the crotch region constructed witii a separate faced in material piece is that the faced in piece helps die placket along the crotch align to the curved contour of the crotch line. Also, a faced in material piece gives the placket a sharper outside edge in die absence of any heat adhesive interfacing applied.)

Figures 15 and 16 show die same pair of ladies'classics trousers with a front fly and a crotch fly, and a front fly placket 32 that is faced in with fabric 88 and tiiat extends over the full length of the crotch fly.

Figures 15 and 16 are both front veiws of the trouser with both flies open, with bar-tac stitching at H removed and with the placket fully rolled back in Figure 16. The faced in fabric 48/88 is attached along stitch-line 49/89 to the underside 46/86 of die extended panel fabric that is folded over along edge 37b/60b. With bar-tac stitching at H in place, when the crotch fly is closed edge 37b overlaps edge 37a and gives the appearance or illusion of a conventional closed crotch seam line when the trouser is worn.

Figures 17a and 17b show a pair of ladies' classics trousers with no front fly and a crotch fly with a concealed zip of which both sides are attached to die edges of die panels along the full length of die zip. When the crotch fly is closed as in Figure

18b the button 92 is connected with button hole flap 94 to cover the otherwise exposed pulley 40 of the crotch zip, the crotch zip 34 giving the appearance of a conventional closed seam. No zip deviation may be necessary in this instance.

In the described embodiments, the zip of the crotch fly opens from front to rear. Alternatively, the zip can be provided the other way round to open towards the front.

Likewise, in the embodiments having a deviating zip, the deviating end of die zip may lie towards die rear end of die zip witii the pulley of the zip moving in the reverse direction and resting at the rear end when the zip is closed.

Garments embodying die present invention will preferably have a crotch fly that is limited in its extension to the perineal area as opposed to extending as far as the rear waist.

Bar-tacs G,F as in Figure 3 are necessary for reinforcing the stitching at the disjunction at the rear end of the crotch zip 34 and die rear seam 28. This bar-tac (either G or F could be used or a combination of both) can be replaced by alternative forms of reinforcement e.g. lock stitching, side-stitching, reinforcement ('stay') tape or other. Each of these reinforcement means can be used in conjunction with another and especially so in the case of bar-tacs or lock-stitches used in conjunction with reinforcement tape. This reinforcement is required to prevent the stitching becoming undone as well as to prevent avoidable wear and tear at this critical region of the garment with continual use. Without this bar-tac configuration the garment is rendered impractical for regular use especially in view of the increased tension tiiat is generated in tiiis region when the legs of the female are spread as for urination or other. Otherwise with time the garment would fall apart, as it were.

With garments that require a change in the structure of the upper placket 32 to enable concealment of zip pulley 40 certain bar-tac arrangements (or other reinforcing means) are necessary to ensure that when the garment is worn the edge 60b does not easily roll back exposing the interior workings in that area. Such arrangements require top-stitching or a bar-tac or other reinforcement that attaches the panel 10 (or the interior facing of placket 32) to the panel 12 at a point in the region above point Z as in Figure 8 and close to die edge 60b so as to retain easy access to the zip pulley 40 and yet so as not to obstruct access to a minimum workable region of the front fly. A combination of the reinforcement attachment means can also be used. If top-stitching is used in this region as a means for preventing the rolling back of edge 60b tiien bar-tacs etc. may be used eitiier as a further means of attachment of the panels or as a means of reinforcing the strength of the top-stitching itself. These arrangements do not necessarily require either the deviating zip or extra lip configurations. It is feasible that the upper zip 30 or button configuration 38 or other extends down a shorter distance than die extent indicated in Figure 8 e.g. as far as the region Y; typically this extent will be a minimum of 15cm (6").

The flap 36 as in Figure 1 which has the appearance of a ridge seam is designed to conceal either or both of the crotch zip 34 and die zip pulley 40. Preferably this flap must be broad enough in widtii to cover the extent of the zip 34 and widtii of pulley 40 when the pulley is lying vertically in line with die zip 34 when it is in the

closed position, and yet narrow enough so as to prevent avoidable rolling of the flap itself when the garment is being worn. Preferably this flap will be of a widtii between 3mm (1/8") and 10mm (3/8"). A flap that is too narrow may also face the problem of lying flat upon the panel material of the garment when worn. Flaps that are wider tiian 10mm may incur the risk of zip jamming resulting from the zip pulley 40 catching onto edges of die flap, and may also impede the clean efflux of bodily fluids from the perineal area.

Flap 36 is typically of a similar width to die raised rear seam of the jean. This is especially important when the crotch fly (and hence the flap) extends further than 4

V ₂ inches to the rear of the 'apex' of the jean in which case a [noticeably] wider flap would show up at die lower end of die rear of the jean when it is worn, thereby revealing the presence of a wider 'ridge' along the rear of the crotch to a keen observer and thereby (undesirably) suggesting the presence of a covered opening in the crotch (or at least a badly designed jean.)

There may be advantages in the use of a single set of zip-teeth with some means separating the front zip and the crotch zip as depicted in Figure 5: these include a stronger structure of the garment at the critical region of disjunction of die two zips owing to die continuous nature of the zip-teeth; the single set of zip-teeth is generally easier to mount onto the fabric of the garment than two separate sets of zip-teeth; the single set of zip-teeth is generally aesthetically more pleasing upon inspection of the interior workings of the garment in that region.