Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02320398 2000-09-22
METHOD FOR INCREASING THE CIRCUMFERENTIAL
SIZE OF FABRIC COLLARS
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of Invention
This invention relates to a method for increasing the circumferential size
of fabric collars.
Description of the Prior Art
The circumferential size of fabric collars often shrink after four to five
washes. Once the circumferential size of the collar shrinks the shirt, which
is otherwise
wearable, must be discarded. This invention allows individuals to return their
collar to
its original circumferential size eliminating the need to purchase replacement
shirts.
The traditional way to prevent such shrinkage was to cut collars oversize,
e.g. a collar sold as a 16'/Z is cut to 16 $/.. However, this extra fabric
leads to puckering
of the material.
Other methods used to combat such shrinkage include snaps and other
extension devices inserted inside the collar. However, these have proven to be
impractical and unsightly.
Accordingly, there is a need for a method to increase circumferential size
of fabric collars.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is the principal object of this invention to increase the circumferential
size of fabric collars.
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A further object of the invention is to increase the circumferential size of
a fabric collar that will retain a neat and refined appearance.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a process to increase
the circumferential size of a fabric collar, which can be repeated
indefinitely over the life
of the garment and on any size collar.
The invention provides a method for increasing the circumferential size
of a fabric collar, comprising the following steps in the order named:
(a) opening a band of the collar along an internal seam;
(b) notching a seam allowance so that the band of the collar may be
stretched without tearing;
(c) steaming the collar until the collar becomes malleable so that it
may be stretched;
(d) pulling the opposed ends of the collar in opposite directions so
that the collar stretches and the circumferential size is increased;
(e) optionally pressing the collar using a heated press machine so
that the collar becomes further malleable so that it may be
stretched and subsequently pulling the opposed ends of the collar
in opposite directions so that the collar is further stretched and
the circumferential size is further increased;
(f) cooling and drying the collar so that the collar retains the
increased size.
Further features of the invention will be described or will become
apparent in the course of the following detailed description.
CA 02320398 2000-09-22
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
The method preferably includes six principal steps. In accordance with
the first step, a shirt having an integral collar with an internal interfacing
portion and an
external turned down portion, the internal interfacing portion and external
turned-down
portion being horizontally split by hand preferably using a razor blade, to
form opposed
end portions and define a longitudinal separation of uniform radial width over
a given
area, the longitudinal separation extending through the internal facing and
external
turned-down portions.
Step 2 is then performed in which the seam allowance of the internal
interfacing portion and the seam allowance of the external turned down portion
are
vertically notched, by hand, preferably using conventional scissors,
preferably in one
inch intervals. The notching is done along the entire length of the seam
allowance.
The notching in one-inch intervals prevents future shrinkage, gives the collar
ease and
lengthens the material.
In step 3, the longitudinal separation is steamed preferably utilizing a
conventional industrial steam iron with a boiler well know in the art with a
temperature
range of 150°F to 650°F but preferably of 350°F to
450°F and using steam pressure
preferably of 200 kPa.
Step 4 is undertaken in which, the opposed end portions, defining the
longitudinal separation of uniform radial width, are expanded spatially,
preferably by
hand and pulling in opposite directions until the desired collar size is
obtained.
Step 5 is optional and includes pressing the longitudinal separation of the
collar utilizing an industrial press machine known in the art, such as the
NewYorkerT""
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with a preferable temperature range of 150°F to 250°F. The
opposed end portions,
defining the longitudinal separation are subsequently expanded spatially by
hand in
opposite directions.
In step 6 the longitudinal separation is vacuumed preferably for 5 to 25
minutes using an industrial press machine such as the NewYorkerT"" , set at
the
vacuuming mode, to withdraw any moisture that was deposited in the
longitudinal
separation. The vacuuming allows the longitudinal separation to maintain its
newly
increased size.
Finally, the internal interfacing and external turned-down portions are
sewn together using an industrial sewing machine known in the art.
In one variation of the invention a fabric collar notched in one-inch
intervals is steamed preferably utilizing a conventional steam iron with a
boiler well
known in the art with a temperature range of 150°F to 650°F and
using steam pressure
preferably of 200 kPa.
The next step is undertaken in which the opposed end portions defining
the collar are expanded spatially, preferably by hand and pulling in opposite
directions
until the desired collar size is obtained.
Subsequently, the collar is optionally pressed utilizing an industrial press
machine known in the art, such as the New YorkerTM with a preferable
temperature
range of 150°F to 250°F. The opposed end portions defining the
collar are subsequently
expanded spatially by hand in opposite directions.
Finally, the collar is vacuumed preferably for 5 to 25 minutes using an
industrial press machine known in the art such as the New YorkerTM, set at the
CA 02320398 2000-09-22
vacuuming mode, to withdraw any moisture that was deposited on the collar. The
vacuuming allows the collar to maintain its newly increased size.
Changes and modifications to the above-described embodiments will be
obvious to those knowledgeable in the field, and such obvious variations are
within the
scope of the invention as described and claimed, whether or not expressly
described.
