Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TITLE OF THE INVENTION
WAISTBAND ASSEMBLY.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to the clothing industry. More
specifically, the present invention is concerned with a waistband assembly.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Many pants include a stretchable waistband that can
accommodate naturally occurring changes in the circumference of the waist of
an intended user. For example, the following patents describe pants having
such a waistband. U.S. Patent No. 3,848,168 issued November 19, 1974, U.S.
Patent No. 4,970,728 issued November 20 1990 and U.S. Patent No. 5,483,
702 issued January 16, 1996 describe pants that have all tried to solve this
problem by coupling a substantially elastic band of material to the fabric
used to
manufacture the pants. However, in all these pants, the elastic is located on
an
inner surface of the waistband and is therefore exposed to the environment.
[0003] In dress pants, this typically does not cause problems as the
elastic is then substantially rigid and can be made substantially resistant to
wear. In addition, dress pants are typically washed at relatively gentle
settings
and the elastic is therefore typically not damaged during normal use and wash
of the pants.
[0004] In some types of pants, such as, for example, in jeans, it
would be desirable to have a waistband that is relatively stretchable so as to
allow the intended user to experience more comfort while wearing the pants.
However, the prior art methods for coupling an elastic material to a fabric to
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form a substantially elastic waistband are typically not usable to manufacture
jeans, as jeans are typically manufactured and then stonewashed to produce
the finished pants. The stonewashing process is relatively harsh on the jeans
material and the elastic of the prior art patents would be most likely
severely
damaged by a stonewashing process.
[0005] Against this background, there exists a need in the industry to
provide a novel waistband assembly. An object of the present invention is
therefore to provide an improved waistband assembly.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0006] In a broad aspect, the invention provides a waistband
assembly attachable to a garment. The waistband assembly includes an
elastic strip. The elastic strip defines a strip proximal section, a
substantially
opposed strip distal section and a strip intermediate section extending
therebetween. The strip proximal and distal sections define respectively
substantially opposed strip proximal and distal lateral edges. The waistband
assembly also includes a first band of fabric. The first band of fabric
defines a
backing section, a fold section extending from the backing section and a flap
section extending from the fold section. The first band of fabric is folded
over
the elastic strip about the fold section so that the flap section is
substantially
parallel to the backing section. The flap section is attached to the strip
distal
section with the strip distal section located between the flap section and the
backing section. A second band of fabric is also provided. The second band of
fabric is substantially parallel to the backing section and is attached to the
strip
proximal section with the strip proximal section located between the second
band of fabric and the backing section.
[0007] Advantageously, the proposed waistband assembly protects
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the elastic strip using the first and second bands of fabric. This protection
is
useful for minimizing wear onto the elastic strip during normal washing. In
addition, this protection is also useful in maintaining the structural
integrity of
the elastic strip during some manufacturing processes, such as the
stonewashing process used in the manufacture of jeans.
[0008] The proposed waistband assembly is relatively easily
deformable to accommodate waistline variations in intended users of the
waistband assembly. Furthermore, the waistband assembly is nevertheless
substantially rigid so as to maintain a garment including the waistband
assembly such as, for example, pants including the waistband assembly,
secured to the waist of the intended user.
[0009] In some embodiments of the invention, the first and second
bands of fabric are folded over themselves at their extremities so as to
protect
their lateral edges. In these embodiments, the waistband assembly is further
protected from wear and tear during normal washing, normal use of the
waistband assembly and the stonewashing process used in the manufacture of
jeans.
[0010] In some embodiments of the invention, the proposed
waistband assembly is relatively easily manufacturable at relatively low
costs.
In addition, the proposed waistband assembly is relatively easily attachable
to
existing garments.
[0011] In another broad aspect, the invention provides a garment
including a garment shell defining a waist section. The garment also includes
a
waistband assembly attached to the garment shell.
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[0012] Other objects, advantages and features of the present
invention will become more apparent upon reading of the following non-
restrictive description of preferred embodiments thereof, given by way of
example only with reference to the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0013] In the appended drawings:
[0014] Figure 1, in a perspective view, illustrates a waistband
assembly in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, the
waistband assembly being shown attached to a garment shell;
[0015] Figure 2, in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates an elastic
strip and two bands of fabric usable to manufacture the waistband assembly
shown in of Fig. 1;
[0016] Figure 3, in a side cross-sectional view, illustrates the elastic
strip and two bands of fabric shown in Fig. 2 folded and secured to each other
so as to form a waistband assembly securable to the garment shell shown in
Fig. 1; and
[0017] Figure 4, in a side cross-sectional view with portions
removed, illustrates the waistband assembly shown in Fig. 3 attached to the
garment shell shown in Fig. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Referring to Fig. 1, there is shown a garment 10 in the form of
a pair of pants. The garment 10 includes a garment shell 12 defining a waist
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section 14. The garment 10 also includes a waistband assembly 16 attached
to the garment shell 12.
[0019] Referring to Figs. 2, the waistband assembly 16 includes an
elastic strip 18, a first band of fabric 20 and a second band of fabric 22.
The
first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22 are attached to the elastic strip
18,
as seen in Figs. 3 and 4.
[0020] Referring to Fig. 3, more specifically, the elastic strip 18
defines a strip proximal section 24, a substantially opposed strip distal
section
26 and a strip intermediate section 28 extending therebetween. The strip
proximal and distal sections 24 and 26 define respectively substantially
opposed strip proximal and distal lateral edges 32 and 34.
[0021] The first band of fabric 20 defines a backing section 36, a fold
section 38 extending from the backing section 36 and a flap section 40
extending from the fold section 38. The first band of fabric 20 is folded over
the
elastic strip 18 about the fold section 38 so that the flap section 40 is
substantially parallel to the backing section 36. The flap section 40 is
attached
to the strip distal section 26 with the strip distal section 26 located
between the
flap section 40 and the backing section 36.
[0022] The second band of fabric 22 is substantially parallel to the
backing section 36 and is attached to the strip proximal section 24 with the
strip
proximal section 24 located between the second band of fabric 22 and the
backing section 36.
[0023] In this configuration, the strip proximal and distal lateral
edges 32 and 34 are therefore protected by the first and second bands of
fabric
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20 and 22 from damages that may be caused during use or manufacture of the
proposed waistband assembly 16. In some embodiments of the invention, the
first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22 are made out of denim and are
therefore relatively wear-resistant.
[0024] The proposed waistband assembly 16 is deformable due to
the presence of the elastic strip 18 but nevertheless remains relatively well
wear-resistant because the strip distal and proximal lateral edges 34 and 32
are protected respectively by the first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22.
Surprisingly, the proposed waistband assembly 16 provides a new and
unexpected structure that includes simultaneously these advantages in a single
product. Even if the first and second band of fabrics 20 and 22 extend over
the
length of the elastic strip 18, the proposed waistband assembly is
nevertheless,
in some embodiments of the invention, relatively easily deformed to
accommodate variations in the waistline of the intended user of the waistband
assembly 16.
[0025] Typically, as seen in Figs. 3 and 4, the elastic strip 18 is
attached to the first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22 in a manner such
that the elastic strip 18 is movable relatively to the backing section 36. In
other
words, the waistband assembly 16 may deform such that the elastic strip 18
moves substantially parallel to the backing section 36, which helps in
accommodating a relatively large range of variations in the waistline of the
intended user of the waistband assembly 16. However, in alternative
embodiments of the invention, the elastic strip 18 is attached to the backing
section 36.
[0026] Referring to Fig. 3, the first and second bands of fabric 20
and 22 define a gap 42 extending therebetween. The gap 42 defines a gap
width 44, better seen in Fig. 1. Returning to Fig. 3, the strip intermediate
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section 28 extends across the gap 42. As seen in Fig. 1, the waistband
assembly 16 defines a waistband assembly width 46. In some embodiments of
the invention, the gap width 44 is from about 25% to about 75% of the
waistband assembly width 46. It has been found that these relative values
between the gap width 44 and the waistband assembly width 46 give good
mechanical properties to the waistband assembly 16, leading to waistband
assemblies 16 that are deformable over a relatively large range of
deformations
while having a structural integrity sufficient for maintaining the waistband
assembly 16 to the waist of the intended user and preventing reversal of the
waistband assembly 16 when the garment 10 is worn.
[0027] As seen in Fig. 4, the backing section 36 is attached to the
waist section 14 at a location substantially opposed to the fold section 38.
Also, the second band of fabric 22 is attached to the waist section 14 at a
location substantially opposed to the elastic strip 18. The waist section 14
is
attached to the waistband assembly 16 by being sandwiched between the first
and second bands of fabric 20 and 22 at a location substantially opposed to
the
fold section 38.
[0028] The first band of fabric 20, the second band of fabric 22 and
the elastic strip 18 have, respectively, a first band elasticity modulus, a
second
band elasticity modulus and an elastic strip elasticity modulus. The elastic
strip
elasticity modulus is typically substantially smaller than the first and
second
band elasticity moduli. For example, in some embodiments of the invention,
the elastic strip 18 is from about 2 to about 10 times less rigid
longitudinally
than the first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22. This range of ratio
between the rigidity of the elastic strip 18 and the first and second bands of
fabric 20 and 22 has been found to provide waistband assemblies 16 that
deform relatively well in that they have a relatively large range of
deformation
while maintaining the waistband assembly 16 secured to the waist of the
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intended user over this relatively large range of deformation. However, it is
within the scope of the claimed invention to have a waistband assembly 16
including an elastic strip 18 and first and second bands of fabric 20 and 22
having any other suitable elasticity moduli.
[0029] In some embodiments of the invention, the first and second
bands of fabric 20 and 22 are cut on a bias. For example, the first and second
bands of fabric may be cut at a bias angle of from about 30 degrees to about
60 degrees. In other words, in this example, the warp or woof of the first and
second bands of fabric are angled at from about 30 to about 60 degrees
relatively to the longitudinal direction.
[0030] Referring to Fig. 4, there is shown that the flap section 40 is
folded over itself substantially adjacent the elastic strip 18 so as to define
a flap
section first portion 47 extending from the fold section 38 and a flap section
second portion 48 extending from the flap section first portion 47. The flap
section 40 is attached to the strip distal section 26 with the flap section
second
portion 48 located between the strip distal section 26 and the flap section
first
portion 47.
[0031] In addition, the first band of fabric 20 is folded over itself
substantially opposed to the fold section 38. In other words, the backing
section
36 defines a waistband outer surface 50 and the flap section 40, the strip
intermediate section 28 and the second band of fabric 22 together define a
waistband inner surface 52. The flap section 40 defines a first band first
lateral
edge 54 and the backing section 36 defines a first band second lateral edge
56.
The first band of fabric 20 is folded over itself in a manner such that the
first
band first lateral edge 54 is located between the waistband inner and outer
surfaces 50 and 52. Similarly, the first band of fabric is folded over itself
in a
manner such that the first band second lateral edge 56 is located also between
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the waistband inner and outer surfaces 50 and 52. Therefore, the first band of
fabric 20 is folded over itself in a manner such that the first band first and
second lateral edges 54 and 56 are protected from wear that may occur during
manufacture or normal use of the garment 10. Indeed, in garments, the edge
of fabric is typically a portion that is relatively easily damaged. The design
of
the proposed waistband assembly 16 minimizes such damages and therefore
contributes to the manufacture of a relatively wear-resistant garment 10.
[0032] Furthermore, in some embodiments of the invention, the first
band of fabric 20 is folded over itself in a manner such that the first band
first
lateral edge 54 is substantially adjacent to the strip distal edge 34. In this
configuration, the strip distal edge 34 and the first band first lateral edge
54 are
together less sensitive to forces that may wear out these edges 34 and 54 as
they are adjacent to each other, and therefore reinforce the structure of the
waistband assembly 16 substantially adjacent these edges 34 and 54.
[0033] The second band of fabric 22 is folded over itself so as to
define a second band main section 58 and a second band folded section 60
extending therefrom. The second band of fabric 22 is attached to the strip
proximal section 24 with the second band folded section 60 located between
the strip proximal section 24 and the second band main section 58. In
addition,
the second band of fabric 22 is folded over itself substantially opposed to
the
elastic strip 18.
[0034] In other words, the second band of fabric 22 defines a
second band first lateral edge 62 and an opposed second band second lateral
edge 64. The second band first lateral edge 62 is located substantially
adjacent the elastic strip 18. The second banc of fabric is folded over itself
in a
manner such that the second band first lateral edge 62 is located between the
waistband inner and outer surfaces 50 and 52, with all the advantages
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mentioned hereinabove relatively to a substantially similar configuration of
the
first band of fabric 20. In addition, the second band of fabric is folded over
itself
in a manner such that the second band second lateral edge 64 is also located
between the waistband inner and outer surfaces 50 and 52.
[0035] In some embodiments of the invention, the second band of
fabric 22 is folded over itself in a manner such that the second band first
lateral
edge 62 is substantially adjacent the strip proximal edge 32.
[0036] In some embodiments of the invention, the backing section
36 is attached to the flap section 40 at a location intermediate the fold
section
38 and the elastic strip 18. This configuration helps in reinforcing the
waistband assembly 16 so that the waistband assembly 16 does not fold over
itself or reverses itself when worn by the intended user.
[0037] All the pieces of fabric mentioned hereinabove may be
attached to each other in any suitable manner. Typically, as seen in the
dravvings, this is performed by attaching these pieces of fabric using stitch
lines
that include stitches 66. However, in alternative embodiments of the
invention,
the pieces of fabric are attached to each other using any other suitable
method
such as, for example, using glue.
[0038] Although the present invention has been described
hereinabove by way of preferred embodiments thereof, it can be modified,
without departing from the spirit and nature of the subject invention as
defined
in the appended claims.
