Cross-Reference to Related Applications

This application claims priority to United States Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 61/971,369, filed on March 27, 2014, the entire disclosure of which is hereby

incorporated by reference as though fully set forth herein.

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to garments for babies or other young children. In particular, embodiments of the present invention relate to garments that are stretchable, allowing a garment having certain dimensions to fit a broader range of sizes.

Background of the Invention

Various garments have standard market sizes such that a particular garment size is capable of being worn by any person with a body within that size range. Table 1 is an example of common size ranges for baby bodysuits:

Table 1

As shown in the above table, there are currently generally 7 different sizes of baby bodysuits, namely: NB (newborn), 3 Months, 6 Months, 9 Months, 12 Months, 18 Months and 24 Months. Baby bodysuits are also sometimes available in a size of Preemie.

Babies and small children grow at such rapid rates that garments are typically outgrown before they are worn out. For example, if a parent buys a garment for their child who is one year old, the child may only be able to wear that garment for a certain number of months before outgrowing it. In an effort to accommodate the bodies of growing children, manufacturers of children's clothing typically provide garments in a variety of sizes such as those set forth in Table 1 above.

It would be desirable to have new garments for babies and other children that better accommodate their growing bodies.

Summary

The terms "invention," "the invention," "this invention," and "the present invention" used in this patent are intended to refer broadly to all of the subject matter of this patent and the patent claims below. Statements containing these terms should be understood not to limit the subject matter described herein or to limit the meaning or scope of the patent claims below. Embodiments of the invention covered by this patent are defined by the claims below, not this summary. This summary is a high-level overview of various aspects of the invention and introduces some of the concepts that are further described in the Detailed Description section below. This summary is not intended to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used in isolation to determine the scope of the claimed subject matter. The subject matter should be understood by references to appropriate portions of the entire specification of this patent, any or all drawings and each claim.

Described herein are various embodiments of garments, and in some cases baby garments. In some embodiments, the baby garment can provide a garment for babies and other children that better accommodate their growing bodies.

In some embodiments, a baby garment comprises a front panel and a back panel. The back panel includes a first section and a second section where the first section comprises a first fabric and the second section comprises a second fabric. In some embodiments, the second fabric comprises at least about 3 percent spandex yarn.

In some embodiments, a baby garment comprises a first fabric and a growth fabric. The growth fabric can be constructed from at least two yarns. In some embodiments, a first yarn of the at least two yarns can be spandex and a second yarn of the at least two yarns can be cotton.

These illustrative aspects and embodiments are mentioned not to limit or define the invention, but to provide examples to aid understanding of the inventive concepts disclosed in this application. Other aspects, advantages, and features of the present invention will become apparent after review of the entire application.

Brief Description of Attachments

Figure 1 is a front view of a baby garment according to one embodiment of the present invention. Figure 2 is a rear view of a baby garment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a front view of a baby garment according to one embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Invention

Certain aspects and embodiments of the present invention relate to garments, and particularly baby garments. The illustrative examples are given to introduce the reader to the general subject matter discussed herein and not intended to limit the scope of the disclosed concepts. The following sections describe various additional embodiments and examples with reference to the drawings in which like numerals indicate certain elements of the invention and directional description are used to describe illustrative embodiments but, like the illustrative embodiments, should not be used to limit the present invention.

For the purposes of this specification, unless otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing dimensions and so forth used in the specification are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term "about." Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the following specification are approximations that can vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by the present invention. At the very least, and not as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to any claims that might be filed in applications claiming priority to this application, each numerical parameter should at least be construed in light of the number of reported significant digits and by applying ordinary rounding techniques. All ranges disclosed herein are to be understood to encompass any and all subranges subsumed therein. For example, a stated range of "1 to 10" should be considered to include any and all subranges between (and inclusive of) the minimum value of 1 and the maximum value of 10; that is, all subranges beginning with a minimum value of 1 or more, e.g. 1 to 6.1, and ending with a maximum value of 10 or less, e.g., 5.5 to 10. Additionally, any reference referred to as being "incorporated herein" is to be understood as being incorporated in its entirety.

It is further noted that, as used in this specification, the singular forms "a," "an," and "the" include plural referents unless expressly and unequivocally limited to one referent.

Further, when the phrase "up to" is used in connection with an amount of a

component, material, or composition in the claims, it is to be understood that the component, material, or composition is present in at least a detectable amount (e.g., its presence can be determined) and may be present up to and including the specified amount.

Various embodiments of the present invention relate generally to garments that are adapted to fit a large range of body sizes. In other words, a garment of the present invention can accommodate a larger range of body sizes than a conventional garment having similar dimensions.

Some embodiments of the present invention are related to garments for babies and other children. In particular, some embodiments of the present invention are directed to baby bodysuits. The term "baby" as used herein is not intended to be limited to children of a particular age or having particular developmental skills (e.g., walking, talking, etc.), as children grow and develop at different rates. Baby bodysuits in accordance with some embodiments of the present invention can fit babies having a length of up to 34 inches and/or a weight of up to 30 pounds. Baby bodysuits are understood to be garments worn by infants and babies. Figures 1-3 illustrate one non-limiting embodiment of a baby bodysuit according to the present invention. Persons of ordinary skill in the art should also recognize that baby bodysuits of the present invention are not limited to the particular style of bodysuit shown in the Figures. For example, baby bodysuits of the present invention can also include bodysuits without sleeves, bodysuits with long sleeves or any other sleeve length, as well as other baby garments such as diaper shirts (with or without sleeves). As another example, the rib lines (wales) shown in the embodiments in the Figures are representative rib lines as persons of ordinary skill in the art should recognize the number, thickness, and other features are known, While certain embodiments of the present invention are indicated as being directed to a baby bodysuit, it should be understood that the present invention also encompasses and includes baby undershirts and baby diapershirts incorporating a similar construction as the bodysuits described herein.

In some embodiments, a baby garment comprises a front panel and a back panel. The back panel comprises a first section and a second section. The front panel and the back panel may be attached. The first section comprises a first fabric, and the second section comprises a second fabric. In some embodiments, the second fabric comprises at least about 3 percent spandex yarn. In some embodiments, the first section of the back panel can be referred to as an upper portion of the back panel and the second section can be referred to as a lower portion of the back panel. In some embodiments, the first section and the second section can be joined together by an overlock stitch. In some embodiments, the second fabric comprises between about 3 percent to about 10 percent spandex yarn. In some embodiments, the second fabric comprises up to 97 percent other yarn. In some embodiments, the second fabric comprises between 3 and 10 percent spandex with the balance of the fabric being other yarn. In some embodiments, the second fabric further comprises a second yarn, where the second yarn constitutes the balance or remaining portion of the second fabric. In some embodiments, the second fabric includes cotton yarn.

In some embodiments, the spandex yarn may have a linear mass density of at least about 15 denier. In some embodiments, the spandex yarn may have a linear mass density of up to about 30 denier.

The second fabric can be knitted in a 1 x 1 rib construction, a 2 x 2 rib construction, or a 3 x 3 rib construction, and can be incorporated into the garment with the wales in the second fabric oriented horizontally, in some embodiments. In some such embodiments, the second fabric is oriented horizontally such that the wales of the second fabric span from a first side of the back panel to a second side of the back panel. The second section of the back panel is positioned between about the waist area of the garment and a lower edge of the back panel.

In some embodiments, the second fabric can weigh at least 140 grams per square meter. The second fabric can weigh up to 220 grams per square meter in some embodiments.

The first fabric can be 100% cotton in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the baby garment can be a baby bodysuit. The baby garment can further comprise sleeves in some embodiments. In some embodiments, a lower edge of the back panel can be attached to a lower edge of the front panel to form leg openings in the baby garment. Snaps can be provided on the lower edge of the front panel and the lower edge of the back panel to facilitate attachment in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the back panel comprises a first attachment mechanism positioned on a lower edge of the back panel and the front panel comprises an complementary second attachment mechanism positioned on a lower edge of the front panel. In some embodiments, the first attachment mechanism and complementary second attachment mechanism can be snaps, buttons, or other attachment mechanisms.

In some embodiments, a baby garment comprises a first fabric and a growth fabric. The growth fabric can be constructed from at least two yarns. In some embodiments, a first yarn of the at least two yarns can be spandex and a second yarn of the at least two yarns can be cotton. In some embodiments, the growth fabric comprises between about 3 percent to about 10 percent spandex and up to about 97 percent cotton. In some embodiments, the growth fabric can be oriented horizontally in the garment such that the wales of the growth fabric span from a first side of the garment to a second side of the garment. In some embodiments, the growth fabric is positioned in a back panel of the garment between about the waist area of the garment and a lower edge of the back panel.

These and other embodiments will be described in more detail below.

Embodiments of the present invention are assembled from at least two fabrics wherein at least one of the fabrics is a growth fabric constructed so as to stretch to accommodate larger body sizes (e.g., to stretch to continue to fit a baby as he or she grows). The other fabric, in some embodiments, is a conventional, main body fabric known to those of skill in the art. As set forth below, the growth fabric is incorporated into a lower portion of a back panel of the bodysuit beginning near the approximate waist of the bodysuit and extending into a bottom portion that wraps between the baby's legs and connects to a lower portion of the front panel of the bodysuit. The growth fabric and main body fabric will be discussed in more detail below.

Referring now to the embodiment shown in the Figures, the baby bodysuit 5 is a single garment made of a knit material that comprises a neck opening 10, a pair of sleeves 15, and a bottom portion 20. The bottom portion 20 can, for example, cover, or at least partially cover, a diaper being worn by the baby. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the bottom portion 20 wraps between the baby's legs (not shown) and closes with snaps 25 on the front portion of the bodysuit 5. Figure 3 shows a baby bodysuit 5 where the bottom portion is not attached and the internal portion 75 (the inside of the fabric closest to the baby) of the bottom portion is shown. The snaps 25 and 25' are complementary attachment mechanisms, for example a snap mechanism having a male and female end. While snaps are shown in the embodiment of Figures 1-3, other techniques known to those of skill in the art for securing a bottom portion to a front of a baby garment (or otherwise connecting an article of clothing) can also be used. All portions of the garment except the snaps and labels are composed of knit fabrics in some embodiments. In some embodiments, some portions of the garment may not be composed of knit fabrics. For example, in some embodiments, a front panel and/or an upper portion of the back panel of the garment might include a woven fabric.

When the bottom portion 20 is attached to the front portion of the bodysuit 5, two leg openings 30 are formed. In the embodiment shown, bindings 35 are provided around the neck opening 10 and the leg openings 30. The bindings 35 can be formed using techniques known to those of skill in the art. Similar bindings can optionally be provided around the sleeves 15. Also, as noted above, baby bodysuits of the present invention can be provided without sleeves in some embodiments (e.g., similar to a tank undershirt), with long sleeves, or with other sleeve lengths.

The bodysuit 5 comprises a front panel 40 and a back panel 45 (with the back panel 45 having an upper portion 55 and a lower portion 60). In some embodiments, the front panel 40 can be applied with rib lines (wales) along the length of the garment between the neck opening 10/shoulder portions and a lower edge 50 of the front panel 40. The sleeves 15 can likewise have rib lines (wales) that extend from the seams with the front panel 40 to the arm openings. In some embodiments, the fabric used to form the sleeves 15 can be the same style of fabric as used to form the front panel 40. In other embodiments, the sleeves 15 can be constructed from a different style or type of fabric from the front panel 40. For example, the fabric used to form the sleeves can be made using a different knitting technique than the front panel.

The back panel 45 of the bodysuit 5 comprises an upper portion 55 and a lower portion 60. The upper portion 55 and the lower portion 60 are formed from different fabrics that are knit and cut separately. Like the front panel 40, the upper portion 55 of the back panel 45 can be applied with rib lines (wales) along the length of the garment from the neck opening 10/shoulder portions to the top of the lower portion 60. In some embodiments, the upper portion 55 of the back panel 45 can be constructed from the same style of fabric as used to form the front panel 40. In other embodiments, the upper portion 55 of the back panel 45 can be constructed from a different style of fabric as the front panel 40. The lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 can be constructed from a growth fabric as described in more detail below.

In constructing the bodysuit 5, the fabric cut to the form the upper portion 55 and the fabric cut to form the lower portion 60 can be joined together with an overlock stitch to form the back panel 45. Other stitches (e.g., a flatlock stitch) could also be used to join the upper portion 55 and the lower portion 60. The front panel 40, back panel 45, and sleeves 15 are then sewn together using techniques known to those of skill in the art. For example, in the embodiment shown, side seams 65 and 65' are used to sew the sides of the front panel 40 to the sides of the back panel 45. The lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 that is constructed from the growth fabric is applied horizontally with the rib lines (wales) going from a first side seam 65 to a second side seam 65'.

The growth fabric that is used to form the lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 is constructed in a manner that permits the lower portion 60 to stretch and accommodate a large range of baby sizes in a particular garment. The growth fabric is constructed from at least two types of yarn with at least one of the yarns being spandex (also referred to as elastane). In other embodiments, other elastomeric fibers can be used. In some embodiments, the at least one other yarn used to form the growth fabric is cotton. The yarn used to form the growth fabric, in some embodiments, can be a polyester yarn. In some embodiments, the at least one other yarn used to form the growth fabric can be at least one of cotton, polyester yarn, acrylic, bamboo, or other yarns known to those of skill in the art. In some embodiments, the growth fabric comprises only one other type of yarn. That yarn, in some such embodiments, can be a cotton yarn.

Unless otherwise specified, the percentages included herein refer to the percentage by weight of each constituent fiber. In some embodiments, the growth fabric comprises at least about three (3) percent spandex. The growth fabric, in some embodiments, comprises up to about ten (10) percent spandex. The growth fabric comprises between about three (3) and about ten (10) percent spandex in some embodiments. The growth fabric, in some embodiments, comprises about five (5) percent spandex. In some embodiments, the balance of the growth fabric can comprise cotton yarn. For example, in embodiments where the growth fabric comprises between about three (3) and about ten (10) percent spandex, the growth fabric can likewise comprise between about 90 and about 97 percent cotton yarn. In some embodiments, the balance of the growth fabric can comprise at least one of cotton, polyester yarn, acrylic, bamboo, or other yarns known to those of skill in the art.

The spandex yarn used in some embodiments can have a linear mass density of at least about 15 denier. In some embodiments, the spandex yarn can have a linear mass density of up to about 30 denier. The spandex yarn can have a liner mass density of between about 15 and about 30 denier in some embodiments. The spandex yarn, in some

embodiments, has a linear mass density of about 20 denier.

In embodiments where the growth fabric further comprises cotton yarn, the cotton yarn can have a count between NE 20/1 and NE 40/1. The cotton yarn can have a count of at least NE 20/1 in some embodiments. In some embodiments, the cotton yarn can be a be a NE 40/1 cotton yarn. The weight of the growth fabric used to form the lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 can depend on a number of factors including, for example, the desired durability of the garment, the desired weight of the garment's fabric, the desired flexibility of the garment, the desired stretch of the garment, cost, and other factors. In some embodiments, the growth fabric can weigh about 140 grams per square meter or more. The growth fabric, in some embodiments, can weigh up to about 220 grams per square meter. In some embodiments, the growth fabric weighs between about 140 grams per square meter and about 220 grams per square meter. The growth fabric weighs about 150 grams per square meter in some embodiments.

Based on the particular parameters of the growth panel selected (e.g., linear mass density of spandex, weight and type of other yarn used, relative amount of spandex, desired weight of fabric, number of ribs (wales), etc.), persons of ordinary skill in the art can knit the growth fabric using a tubular knitting machine. For example, a growth fabric for use in embodiments of the present invention can be constructed using spandex in every other feed of a spandex attachment on a tubular knitting machine (or every feed of a spandex

attachment on a tubular knitting machine in other embodiments), and the fabric can be knitted as a 1 x 1 rib construction, a 2 x 2 rib construction, or a 3 x 3 rib construction. In some embodiments, the growth fabric is knitted as a 2 x 2 rib construction.

With regard to the fabric used to construct the remaining portions of the baby bodysuit 5 (e.g., the front panel 40, the sleeves 15, the upper portion 55 of the back panel 45), many fabrics known to those of skill in the art for use in baby bodysuits can be used. For example, in one embodiment, the fabric used to construct the other portions of the bodysuit can be knitted from 100% cotton yarn having a yarn count of NE 36/1. In such an exemplary embodiment, the fabric can be knitted as a 1 x 1 rib construction and have a weight of 145 grams per square meter with the wales running vertically to provide horizontal stretch to the garment. Other fiber contents and fabric constructions known to those of skill in the art can also be used. For example, fabric used to construct the other portions of the bodysuit can comprises at least one of cotton, polyester yarn, acrylic, bamboo, or other yarns and fabric materials known to those of skill in the art.

A lower edge 70 of the lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 can be provided with a mechanism to connect the lower edge 70 to a lower edge 50 of the front panel 40. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3, a plurality snaps 25' are provided with corresponding portions of the snaps 25 on the lower edge 70 of the back panel 45 and on the lower edge 50 of the front panel 40. Other attachment mechanisms known to those of skill in the art can alternatively be used.

As indicated above, and illustrated in Figures 1-3, the growth fabric is applied in a horizontal fashion or orientation in the bodysuit 5 (i.e., with the ribs (wales) of the growth fabric extending from a first side seam 65 of the bodysuit to a second side seam 65'). This construction advantageously generates vertical growth or stretching in the vertical (height or length) direction, allowing a baby to wear the bodysuit much longer as the baby's vertical length increases through the range of the bodysuit's size. The bodysuit's length

accommodates a shorter baby at the beginning of the life cycle of the bodysuit and stretches to a longer length as the infant or baby grows. Likewise, the horizontal stretch of the front panel 40 and the upper portion 55 of the back panel 45 can provide the necessary stretch to accommodate the increase in width of the baby for this larger than usual size coverage.

Table 2 is a chart of sizes of baby bodysuits according to some embodiments of the present invention with corresponding baby size ranges:

Table 2

A comparison of Table 2 to Table 1 illustrates an advantage of some embodiments of the present invention. Table 1 (above) is a customary size chart showing how at least six different babysuit sizes (NB through 24M) have typically been provided to accommodate baby sizes of 21-34 inches long and 5-30 pounds. As shown in Table 2, the same range of baby body sizes can be accommodated using only three bodysuit sizes according to some embodiments of bodysuits of the present invention. The smallest bodysuit size, for example, can replace typical garment sizes of NB through 3M. The medium bodysuit size can, for example, replace typical garment sizes of 3M through 12M, and the large bodysuit size can replace typical garment sizes of 12M through 24M. Thus, some embodiments of bodysuits of the present invention make it feasible to depart from standard bodysuit sizes (namely NB (newborn), 3 months, 6 months, 9 months, 12 months, 18 months and 24 months), and to replace them with the following three sizes as shown in Table 2: (1) NB thru 3 months, (2) 3 months thru 12 months, and (3) 12 months thru 24 months due to incorporation of the growth fabric in the bodysuits. Example

One non-limiting example of the present invention can be constructed as follows. Reference numbers refer to the embodiment shown in Figures 1-3. The fabric used to form the front panel 40, sleeves 15, and upper portion 55 of the back panel 45 can be knitted from 100% cotton yarns having a count of NE 36/1. The fabric can be a 1 x 1 rib construction with a weight of 145 grams per square meter. The fabric can be cut into the necessary shapes to form the component parts of the bodysuit.

The lower portion 60 of the back panel 45 is formed from a growth fabric. The growth fabric can be knitted and can comprise 95% cotton and 5% spandex. The cotton yarns can have a count of NE 40/1, and the spandex yarns can be 20 denier. The fabric can be a 2 x 2 rib construction with a weight of 150 grams per square meter. Such a growth fabric can be knit using spandex in every other feed of a spandex attachment on a tubular knitting machine. The fabric can be cut into the necessary shape to form the lower portion 60 of the back panel 45.

The lower portion 60 is joined to the upper portion 55 to form the back panel 45 by sewing with an overlock seam. The lower portion 60 and upper portion 45 are connected such that the ribs (wales) in the lower portion 60 are oriented horizontally (i.e., across the width of the bodysuit), and the ribs (wales) in the upper portion 55 are oriented vertically (i.e., along the length of the bodysuit). The front panel 40, back panel 45, and sleeves 15 are then sewn together using techniques known to those of skill in the art. Bindings 35 are provided at the neck opening 10 and the leg openings 30 using techniques known to those of skill in the art. Snaps 25 are attached to the lower edge 50 of the front panel 40 and the lower edge 70 of the back panel 45 using techniques known to those of skill in the art.

Desirable characteristics that can be exhibited in some embodiments of the present invention include, without limitation, the provision of garments, such as baby bodysuits, that accommodate a wider range of baby body sizes; the provision of garments such as baby bodysuits, that children can wear for longer periods of time before a larger size garment is needed; the provision of garments, such as baby bodysuits, that reduce the number of items a retailer needs to carry to provide a full range of sizes of that garment for babies; the provision of garments, such as baby bodysuits, that reduce the space required to display all sizes of the garments in a store display; the provision of garments, such as baby bodysuits that simplify the replenishment process for a distributor, manufacturer and/or retailer by reducing the number of items that may need to be reordered; the provision of garments, such as baby bodysuits, that simplify the production process for a manufacturer by reducing the number of patterns and sizes required to produce a full size range for the garment; and others.

Various embodiments of the invention have been described in fulfillment of the various objects of the invention. It should be recognized that these embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. Numerous modifications and

adaptations thereof will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.