CROSS REFERENCE TO REUATED APPUICATION

[0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/683,687, filed on June 12, 2018, entitled“Waistband Construction,” which is hereby incorporated by reference.

TECHNICAU FIEUD

[0002] The present invention, according to some embodiments, relates to waistband constructions for use in articles of clothing.

BACKGROUND

[0003] A conventional waistband has a fixed length and is used to hold an article of clothing to a wearer or affix a belt. Some waistbands are elastic, which allows the article of clothing to be worn if a weight of the wearer change. However, when conventional elastic waistbands are stretched or shrunk, the waistbands do not lay flat on the wearer. This stretching and shrinking causes the waistband to either show ribbing of the elastic material or causes the waistband to bunch.

[0004] The information disclosed in this Background section is only for enhancement of understanding of the general background of the invention and should not be taken as an acknowledgment or any form of suggestion that this information forms the prior art already known to a person skilled in the art.

SUMMARY

[0005] Given the above background, what is needed in the art are waistbands for casual and formal use that will lay flat.

[0006] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a waistband for an article of clothing. In some embodiments, the waistband includes an exterior waistband portion formed from a fabric layer that is continuous with a base fabric panel of the article of clothing, and a pleat defining a bottom edge of the waistband, the pleat being formed from one or more folds in the fabric layer between the exterior waistband portion and the base fabric panel. In some embodiments, an elastic layer is positioned on an interior side of the exterior waistband portion and attached to the exterior waistband portion. In further embodiments, an interlining layer is disposed at least partially between the exterior waistband portion and the elastic layer.

[0007] In some embodiments, the one or more folds includes a first fold and a second fold, the first fold being positioned between the elastic layer and the interlining layer, and the second fold forming the bottom edge of the waistband. In some embodiments, the elastic layer is secured to the bottom edge of the waistband by a line of stitching, and a bottom portion of the elastic layer extends beyond the line of stitching. In some embodiments, a top section of the exterior waistband portion is folded over the interlining layer, forming a third fold that defines a top edge of the waistband.

[0008] In some embodiments, the waistband further includes one or more darts, each of the one or more darts extending through the exterior waistband portion and at least a portion of the base fabric panel. In some embodiments, each of the one or more darts includes an upper segment through the exterior waistband portion and a lower segment positioned in the base fabric panel. In some such embodiments, the upper segment and the lower segments are substantially aligned, for example, to provide the appearance of a continuous or straight dart seam.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0009] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings embodiments which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention can be embodied in different forms and thus should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein.

[0010] FIG. 1 shows a fabric pattern for forming an article of clothing with a waistband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0011] FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of a waistband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

[0012] FIG. 3 shows an article of clothing with a waistband, turned inside out, in accordance with an embodiment of the present;

[0013] FIG. 4 is a photograph of a portion of an example article of clothing with a waistband in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; [0014] FIG. 5 is a photograph showing a detail of an interior portion of the waistband of the example article of clothing shown in FIG. 4; and

[0015] FIG. 6 is a photograph showing a detail of an exterior portion of the waistband of the example article of clothing shown in FIG. 4.

[0016] In the figures, reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present invention throughout the several figures of the drawing.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0017] The present subject matter will now be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying Figures, in which representative embodiments are shown. The present subject matter can, however, be embodied in different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein. Rather, these embodiments are provided to describe and enable one of skill in the art. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety.

[0018] It will also be understood that, although the terms first, second, etc. may be used herein to describe various elements, these elements should not be limited by these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish one element from another. For example, a first stitching could be termed a second stitching, and, similarly, a second stitching could be termed a first stitching, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. The first stitching and the second stitching are both stitching’ s, but they are not the same stitching.

[0019] The terminology used in the present disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used in the description of the invention and the appended claims, the singular forms“a,”“an,” and“the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will also be understood that the term“and/or” as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items. It will be further understood that the terms“comprises” and/or“comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof.

[0020] In some embodiments, the present invention provides a waistband construction for use in articles of clothing. The articles of clothing may be configured to be worn from the waist or hips of a person and cover at least a portion of the person’s lower body, for example, trousers, pants, tights, leggings, shorts, skirts, shorts, breeches, underpants, and the like. In some embodiments, waistbands according to the present invention may include a significant degree of elasticity (stretch) to improve the fit of the article of clothing and/or improve the comfort of the wearer. Moreover, in certain embodiments, a waistband of the present invention may be integrally formed, at least partially, from the base fabric of the article of clothing rather than as a separate component. In some embodiments of the present invention, providing a waistband that is grown on rather than sewn on can increase and/or maximize the amount of stretch in the waistband.

[0021] In some embodiments, a waistband construction according to the present invention includes a plurality of layers. In some embodiments, a waistband construction includes an outer fabric layer that forms an exterior portion of the waistband, and an elastic layer that forms an interior portion of the waistband. In some embodiments, a further interlining layer may be included between at least a portion of the first fabric layer and the elastic layer, for example, to provide additional structure or thickness to the waistband. In some embodiments, the outer fabric layer is integral or continuous with the base fabric of the article of clothing (“grown on”) rather than a being separate piece of fabric. As used herein, the base fabric refers to the fabric from which remaining portions of the article of clothing is made. For example, in some embodiments, a portion along an edge of a clothing pattern cut from the base fabric may be used to form the outer fabric layer of the waistband. The base fabric and the outer fabric layer may be made from natural and/or synthetic fibers, for example, a cotton, wool, flax, polyester, etc. or blends thereof, and may have any suitable textile weave used in the art (e.g, twill weave, plain weave, satin weave). In some embodiments, the base fabric and the outer fabric layer are made entirely or primarily of natural fibers (e.g. , cotton, wool, flax, etc) rather than synthetic fibers.

[0022] In certain embodiments, as will be explained further herein, one or more folds or pleats may be formed between the portion of the base fabric that forms the outer fabric layer of the waistband and the remainder of the base fabric. The one or more folds or pleats may be set in place by a stitch line according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, including the one or more folds or pleats provides a visual separation between the waistband and the remainder of the base fabric and, in some embodiments, may provide the appearance of a typical sewn-on waistband.

[0023] As discussed herein, in some embodiments an elastic layer is provided on an interior portion of the waistband. The elastic layer may be, for example, a layer of stretch tape or ribbon. The elastic layer, in some embodiments, may be made from a natural or synthetic elastic material such as, for example, polyester, nylon, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, latex, etc., or blends thereof. In an example embodiment, the elastic layer includes a stretch grosgrain tape. In some embodiments, the elastic layer is attached to an inner side of the outer fabric layer. In some embodiments, the outer fabric layer covers only a first side of the elastic layer such that the second side of the elastic layer remains exposed and forms the inner facing portion of the finished waistband (the portion intended to face the wearer’s body during use).

[0024] Referring now to the drawings in detail, wherein like reference numerals indicate like elements throughout, there are illustrated in FIGS. 1-6, waistbands and articles of clothing having waistbands in accordance with exemplary embodiments of the present invention. It should be appreciated that, for simplicity and clarity, the illustrations may depict only a portion of the total waistband and/or article of clothing. Furthermore, unless specified otherwise, the illustrations are not necessarily shown to scale.

[0025] FIG. 1 illustrates a portion of a clothing pattern 100 for producing an article of clothing (e.g., trousers, shorts, etc.) according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Clothing pattern 100 may be cut from a base fabric and, in some embodiments, may include one or more separate base fabric panels l02a-l02d that are attached (e.g., sewn, adhered, welded, etc.) together at seams 104a- 104c to form clothing pattern 100. As mentioned, the base fabric may include, for example, fabrics made from natural or synthetic fibers and may have any suitable weave. Clothing pattern 100 may include a waistband portion 106 that will form the outer fabric layer of the waistband for the article of clothing. Waistband portion 106, in some embodiments, is integral with base fabric panels l02a-l02d. In some embodiments, waistband portion 106 extends along an edge (e.g., a top edge) of clothing pattern 100. In some embodiments, waistband portion 106 extends generally perpendicular to seams 104a- 104c and may have, for example, a width of about 3 cm to about 5 cm.

[0026] As will be discussed further herein, in some embodiments, one or more folds 108 may be made in clothing pattern 100 to form a border between waistband portion 106 and the remaining portions of base fabric panels l02a-l02d. Furthermore, according to some embodiments, clothing pattern 100 may include one or more (e.g., 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or more) dart cuts 110, the edges of which can be stitched to form dart in the finished waistband of the article of clothing. In some embodiments, dart cuts 110 are wedge-shaped cuts that may extend at least through the width of waistband portion 106. In some embodiments, dart cuts 110 extend through the entire width of waistband portion 106 and at least partially into the remaining portions of the base fabric panels l02a-l02d, as illustrated. In some embodiments, the top ends of the dart cuts 110 above the one or more folds 108 (e.g., the portion of dart cuts 110 in waistband portion 106) may be offset or angled with respect to the bottom ends of the dart cuts 110 below the one or more folds 108 (e.g., the portion of dart cuts 110 that extend into the base fabric panels l02a- l02d). The offset or angle in dart cut 110 is provided in some embodiment such that, in the finished article of clothing wherein the dart cut 110 has been stitched to form the finished dart, the portion of the dart in waistband portion 106 is substantially aligned with the portion of the dart in the base fabric panel (e.g., the dart appears as a substantially continuous seam extending through the waistband portion 106 and into the base fabric panel). This may, for example, improve the visual appearance of the finished article of clothing. Otherwise, in some

embodiments without the offset or angle, the one or more folds 108 may cause the portion of the dart in waistband portion 106 to appear misaligned with the portion of the dart extending into the base fabric panel. In some embodiments, the darts on the waistband portion 106 may be obscured, for example, by adding a belt loop over the darts.

[0027] FIG. 2 illustrates a cross-sectional view of a waistband 200 according to an

embodiment of the present invention, that may be produced, for example, from clothing pattern 100 shown in FIG. 1. Relative to the page, the left side of the illustration represents an exterior side of waistband 200 that is intended to face away from the wearer and may be visible during use, and the right side of the illustration represents an interior side of waistband 200 that is intended to face the wearer and may be generally hidden from view during use. In some embodiments, waistband portion 106 of pattern 110 is configured to form an outer portion of waistband 200 (outer waistband), and an elastic layer 118 is configured to form an inner portion of waistband 200 (inner waistband). As discussed, elastic layer 118 may be, for example, a layer of stretch tape or ribbon that can be sized to extend along the length of waistband portion 106. Elastic layer 118, in some embodiments, may be made from a natural or synthetic elastic material such as, for example, polyester, nylon, polyurethane, silicone, rubber, latex, etc., or blends thereof. In an example embodiment, elastic layer 118 includes a stretch grosgrain tape.

According to some embodiments, a further interlining layer 112 may be affixed to an inner side of waistband portion 106 between waistband portion 106 and elastic layer 118. In some such embodiments, interlining layer 112 may be included to provide additional structure and/or support to waistband 200. Interlining layer 112, in some embodiments, is or includes a stretch fusion layer that may be fused or otherwise adhered to the inner side of waistband portion 106.

[0028] As further illustrated in FIG. 2, in some embodiments the one or more folds 108 includes at least a first fold l08a and a second fold l08b that together form a pleat as shown between waistband portion 106 and the remaining base fabric panel 102. In some embodiments, first fold l08a is positioned between elastic layer 118 and waistband portion 106. In some embodiments, first fold l08a is positioned between elastic layer 118 and interlining layer 112. The folds l08a and l08b may extend for the entire length of waistband 200 in some

embodiments. In some embodiments, second fold l08b forms a bottom edge of waistband 200 that may be visible from the exterior side of the waistband. In further embodiments, a top edge of waistband 200 may be formed by a third fold 114 wherein a top section l06a of waistband portion 106 is folded over towards the interior side. In some embodiments, a top edge of interlining layer 112 may be received within third fold 114 and a lower edge of interlining 112 may be received within the second fold l08b.

[0029] In some embodiments, the overlapping fabric layers created by first fold l08a may optionally be sewn together by a first line of stitches 116 that may extend along the length of waistband 200. This may be accomplished, for example, before elastic layer 118 is attached to waistband portion 106. First line of stitches 116 may include, for example, single-needle stitches, lock stitches, chain stitches, etc. In some embodiments, first line of stitches 116 may be positioned between first fold l08a and second fold l08b and will not be visible from the exterior side of waistband 200.

[0030] In some embodiments, a second line of stitches 120 may be used to secure elastic layer 118 to waistband portion 106. In some embodiments, a top section 118a of elastic lay er 118 is attached to the top section l06a of waistband portion 106 by second line of stitches 120. Second line of stitches 120 may include, for example, single-needle stitches, lock stitches, chain stitches, etc. In some embodiments, second line of stitches 120 is positioned below third fold 114 and will not be visible from the exterior side of waistband 200.

[0031] In some embodiments, a third line of stitches 122 may be used to secure elastic layer 118 to waistband portion 106. In some embodiments, a bottom section 118b of elastic layer 118 is attached to waistband portion 106 by third line of stitches 122. In some embodiments, third line of stitches 122 secures bottom section 118b of elastic layer 118 to base fabric panel 102. Third line of stitches 122 may include, for example, single-needle stitches, lock stitches, chain stitches, etc. In some embodiments, third line of stitches 122 is positioned at or below second fold l08b and may be visible from the exterior side of waistband 200. In certain embodiments, a portion of bottom section 118b may extend below third line of stitches 122 that forms a waistband curtain on the interior side of waistband 200. In some such embodiments, a space 124 may be present between at least a portion of bottom section 118b of elastic layer 118 and base fabric panel 102 that may be used to receive additional elements of the article of clothing. For example, in some embodiments, pocket bags may be positioned into space 124, as shown in FIG. 3, to provide a clean finish for the pocket bags. [0032] FIG. 3 shows a partial view of an example article of clothing (e.g., trousers 300) having waistband 200 according to an embodiment of the present invention and wherein base fabric panel 102 forms the legs of trousers 300. For ease of clarity, trousers 300 is shown inside out such that the interior of trousers 300 is turned to be on the outside. Trousers 300 may include, for example, at least two pocket bags 302a, 302b according to some embodiments. In some embodiments, at least one of the pocket bags 302a, 302b can include a label 304 that contains information, for example, washing/care instructions, brand logos, etc. In some embodiments, the at least two pocket bags 302a, 302b may be sewn onto base fabric panels 102. As discussed, in some embodiments, a top edge of pocket bags 302a, 302b may be sandwiched between bottom section 118b of elastic layer 118 and base fabric panel 102 below third line of stitches 122. In some embodiments, trousers 300 may further include a placket 306 that may extend through waistband 200. Placket 306 may include, for example, a zipper, butons, or other fasteners.

[0033] FIGS. 4-6 are photographs showing portions of an example article of clothing (e.g., trousers 400) constructed in accordance with an embodiment the present invention. Trousers 400 includes a waistband 200 having a waistband portion 106 forming an exterior side of waistband 200 that is contiguous with base fabric panels 102 that form remaining portions of trousers 400 (e.g., the trouser legs). In some embodiments, one or more folds 108 are made in the fabric to create a pleat between waistband portion 106 and base fabric panels 102. The pleat created by the one or more folds 108, for example, visually distinguishes waistband 200 from the base fabric panels 102 such that waistband 200 may have a traditional“sewn on” appearance.

[0034] Waistband 200 of trousers 400 further includes an elastic layer 118 that forms an interior side of waistband 200. Elastic layer 118 may be an elastic stretch tape, for example. Elastic layer 118 is atached to waistband portion 106 by lines of stitches 120, 122. As shown in FIG. 5, that provides an enlarged view of an interior portion of trousers 400, a botom section 118b of elastic layer 118 may extend below line of stitches 122 such that a top portion of pocket bags 402a, 402b may be inserted between botom section 118b and base fabric panels 102 to provide, for example, a cleaner finish.

[0035] FIG. 6 shows an enlarged view of an exterior portion of trousers 400. As shown in this embodiment, trousers 400 may include one or more darts 404. Each of the darts 404 extends through waistband portion 106 and into base fabric panel 102. As explained with regards to FIG. 1, darts 404 may be formed, for example, from dart cutouts 110 in fabric patern 100. In some embodiments, as shown in FIG. 6, an upper segment 404a of dart 404 on waistband portion 106 may be substantially aligned with a lower segment 404b of dart 404 on base fabric panel 102 such that upper segment 404a appears to be a continuous seam with lower segment 404b despite being interrupted by the one or more folds 108. As further shown, in some embodiments trousers 400 may include one or more belt loops 406 that are positioned on the exterior side of waistband 200 and extend across the width of waistband portion 106. In some such embodiments, a belt loop 406 may be positioned adjacent to or over dart 404 to at least partially conceal dart 404 on waistband portion 106. As further shown, waistband portion 106 in some embodiments may have a generally flat or even appearance rather than a scrunched or ribbed appearance of certain other stretchable waistbands. Thus, the waistbands according to embodiments of the present invention may be suitable for use in apparel intended, for example, for casual or office environments (e.g., work trousers, slacks, etc.). Moreover, while the waistbands shown in the illustrated embodiments have been discussed in relation to trousers and pants, it should be appreciated that waistbands according to embodiments of the present invention may be used in other articles of clothing, for example, skirts, shorts, shorts, etc.

[0036] It should also be understood that various changes, substitutions, and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. It should also be apparent that individual elements identified herein as belonging to a particular embodiment may be included in other embodiments of the invention. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, and composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure herein, processes, machines, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods, or steps that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention.