Contoured buttocks enhancing and tummy slimming hosiery and foundation garment

Abstract

The invention discloses a contoured, buttocks enhancing hosiery foundation garment having permanent inner structures of a buttocks enhancing system comprising an open-cell foam pad or silicone gel casing in its rear panel portion fabricated and housed in two-ply fabric portions of stretchable yarn, with a tummy slimming function which eliminates the need for additional shaping devices or girdle type foundation garment. The buttocks enhancing contoured and tapered system is laminated in the two-ply fabric of which the panty portion of the garment is fabricated. The tapered edges of the buttocks enhancing system allows for a seamless and transition to the single-ply leg portions. The contoured buttocks enhancing and tummy smoothing foundation garment allows for great flexibility and comfort regardless of the movements of the wearer due to the structure of the panty portion with the marquise diamond shaped two-way stretchable and oversized gusset system.

Claims

1. A lower-body foundation garment comprising: a contoured to fit the female, buttocks enhancing panty portion, configured to lift and enhance a buttocks region of a wearer by providing an interior concave contour and an exterior convex contour foam pad laminated with spandex fabric, with a marquise diamond shape gusset, and which is connected to two leg portions fabricated from two seamless tubular single-ply of the same Spandex fabric with the leg portions terminating at a point above or below the garment wearer's knees.

2. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the two-ply panty portion of the garment has a contoured to fit the female buttocks enhancing panel sandwiched within a posterior portion of the garment panty portion, with a convex contoured side and a concave inside, feathered edge which transition smoothly with the spandex fabric that comprises the fabric of the garment.

3. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the two-ply panty portion comprises a first panty half that is woven to a first unit of the legs portions and, similarly, a second panty half that is woven and connected to a second unit of the legs portion with both panty halves being joined to each other along a front seam and a back structured seam of the garment.

4. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 3, wherein the foundation undergarment elongated panty portion is folded over the contoured buttocks enhancing portion of the garment at a midpoint where the single ply fabric meets a heavier weaved portion of the foundation garment to laminate a rear panel, thereto with the panty portion folded over fabric joined at a lower end of the panty portion.

5. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 4, wherein the folded over single ply fabric results in two-plies of fabric to comprise inner and outer plies of the panty portion of the foundation garment with a transition back to a single ply fabric at a top edge of the leg portions.

6. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric used in the foundation garment construction is a stretch yarn of between 50 and 70 denier, and the tummy control function of the foundation garment is achieved with a doubling over of a single ply material to form a two-ply material for providing greater tummy slimming and control effect.

7. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the fabric used is formed of yarns of between 50 and 70 denier.

8. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the foundation garment finished bottom of its leg portions are configured to terminate at a point on the garment wearer's legs above the knees.

9. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the foundation garment finished bottom of its leg portions are configured to terminate at a location on its wearer's legs below the knees.

10. The lower-body undergarment of claim 1, wherein the foundation garment finished bottom of its leg portions are configured to terminate at a point at the end of the garment wearer's anatomical legs to include a sewn closure seam to cover the garment wearer's toes.

11. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the leg portions are comprised of a single ply woven elastic and stretchable fabric.

12. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the panty portion is partly comprised of two-ply fabric with each ply woven of elastic and stretchable fabric seamlessly extended from the single-ply fabric comprising the leg portions.

13. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic and stretchable spandex yarn is more or less greater than a 60 denier.

14. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic and stretchable spandex yarn is more or less about a 70 denier.

15. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the entire garment is made of a elastic and stretchable yarn.

16. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the two-ply fabric which comprises the diamond shape gusset is of a different elastic, two-way stretch and breathable material, when compared to the stretchable fabric comprising the structural fabrication of the foundation garment.

17. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the stretch yarn is nylon, polyester spandex fabric.

18. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the panty portion of the foundation garment includes an upper end waist opening, which is identified with a waistband configured to surround the waist of the wearer of the foundation garment.

19. The lower-body foundation garment of claim 1, wherein the elastic and two-way stretchable fabric of which the leg portions are comprised, are of the same fabric and dimension of yarn as that of the panty portion, and simply doubled in the garment portion identified as the panty portion to form two fabric layers for lamination of the contoured buttocks enhancing convex and concave rear panel of the panty portion, and to provide improved tummy control in an abdominal area of the wearer of the foundation garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

(1) The descriptions that follow are of the preferred embodiments of the instant invention which will be better understood when reviewed in conjunction with the associated figures and drawings.

(2) The drawings are included for purposes of delineating key embodiments of the present invention and do not in any manner and form place limitations to what is claimed.

(3) FIG. 1 is a perspective view, which depicts a pair of specifically woven elongated single-ply fabric tubes used to fabricate the legs and corresponding halves of the two-ply panty portion of a hosiery type undergarment, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(4) FIG. 2 is a perspective view depicting the fabric tubes shown in FIG. 1 slit longitudinally to a measured length for formation of the two-ply panty portion of the hosiery type undergarment in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(5) FIG. 3 is a frontal perspective view, showing the two elongated slit fabric tubes sewn together to form the panty and housing component of the hosiery undergarment, as a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(6) FIG. 4 is a posterior perspective view, showing the two sewn together elongated tubes and placement of the buttocks enhancing open-cell or silicone gel formed pad in the posterior section of the hosiery type undergarment, as a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(7) FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the fabric fold of the joined elongated tubes at the waistband portion which forms the two-ply panty portion of the foundation garment and housing of the integrated buttocks enhancing formed pad, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention.

(8) FIG. 6 is a perspective schematic illustration, showing a rear view of the hosiery undergarment when worn, with an integrated shape enhancing formed pad in place within the folded two-ply panty portion, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

(9) FIG. 7 is a perspective schematic illustration of frontal view of the undergarment invention with the folded two-ply panty portion depicting the specifically woven tummy control panel as a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(10) FIG. 8 is a detailed flat schematic illustration of the buttocks enhancing open-cell or silicone gel formed pad in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the instant invention.

(11) FIG. 9 is a detailed flat view of the special utility designed oversized diamond shaped two-way stretchable two-ply gusset panel in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

(12) FIG. 10 is a perspective view, generally from the front, showing the hosiery type undergarment on a phantom model with the key components of the preferred embodiments of the invention.

(13) FIG. 11 is an illustrative view, essentially from a frontal schematic perspective, showing the hosiery undergarment on a phantom model, in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention; and

(14) FIG. 12 is a schematic view of the invention on a phantom model, basically shown from a rear perspective view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

(15) The present invention will now be described and discussed in a more comprehensive manner with references to the accompanying schematic and descriptive drawings, as the preferred embodiments of the present invention are illustrated. FIGS. 1 through 12 and the narrative that follows details the exemplary embodiments and the construction of the present invention employing a consistent numbering pattern which references specific and similar elements throughout the schematic illustrations.

(16) It must be understood that, in addition to the specific illustrations herein, the preferred embodiments may be incorporated in many different forms, and with various elastically woven yarn and fabrics, including Spandex, LYCRA and other blends of polyester and nylon. As such, the invention presented here should not be construed as limited to the schematic illustrations set forth herein. Fundamentally, these embodiments are provided in order that this disclosure will be comprehensive and thorough with full conveyance of the scope of the invention to people skilled in the art and trade of foundation garments and general clothing manufacturing.

(17) The hosiery and foundation garment, identified as 10 of the present invention, in the schematic illustrations, and the materials and process for construction of the foundation garment and hosiery in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention are schematically illustrated on drawing sheets 1 through 5. FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate a preferred method for fabricating shape enhancing hosiery and hosiery type foundation undergarments in accordance with the instant invention.

(18) The foundation garment or hosiery 10, generally formed of elastically woven yarn and fabrics, including Spandex, LYCRA or other suitable fabrics, is continuously woven in a cylindrical, elongated single-ply manner, and ranging from a sheer to a denser and varied stretchable, compressible weave, particularly at the upper end of the specifically elongated portions of 14a and 14b as depicted in FIG. 1; and forms the right leg portion 10h and the left leg portion 10i; and when longitudinally slit in a measured manner along a slit line 17. Of significance, the strategic weaving of the density, compressibility and stretch recovery of 14a and 14b, and consequently 11 and 10 in areas where the upper thighs, abdomen, and hips of the wearer are encased, allows for sufficient shaping and contouring of a wide range of body types when the significant embodiment of the instant invention, a contoured open-cell foam or silicone gel formed pad 11d is integrated within the folded rear panel 10a of the panty portion 11 of the undergarment 10. Essentially, FIGS. 1 through 12 illustrate a preferred method for fabricating a hosiery undergarment in accordance with the instant invention.

(19) As shown in FIG. 1 the fabrication process begins with a pair of single-ply fabric tubes 14a and 14b which are formed through the continuous weaving of elastically woven yarn in a circular seamless manner to create the specifically elongated tubes with greater compression at specific points along the upper end of each specifically elongated tube which is described herein. Further, in accordance with preferred embodiments of invention 10, the legs 10i and 10h, which again are seamless and woven with a heavier weave at specific points along the upper end of each specifically elongated tube to form the panty portion 11 as detailed throughout, may extend downward to a length above the knees, below the knees, or extend to enclose the toes of the wearer within multiple versions of the present invention 10.

(20) As depicted in FIG. 2 the specifically elongated upper portion of the tubes are slit along line 17 to a length generally twice that of a slit in conventional hosiery, with each strategically woven single-ply fabric tube 14a and 14b, now each having a front edge 17a and a rear edge 17b. The two tubes 14a and 14b are then joined together at the front edges 17a and at the rear edges 17b to form the front sewing seam 18 and the rear sewing seam 19, and thereby forming an elongated single tube in the upper unified regions of 10a and 10b which ultimately forms the panty portion 11 of the undergarment 10.

(21) Depicted in FIGS. 3 and 4 are the anterior and posterior elongated top portions of 10a and 10b with the varied compressible weaved fabric of the centrally joined slit tubes 14a and 14b which forms a central component of the invention, namely the panty portion 11, to house the contoured shaped enhancing formed pad 11d. This utility is achieved when the anterior and posterior elongated top portions of 10a and 10b are circumferentially folded inward, as indicated by the arrows, at the waist portion fold line 10k and forms the waistband 10c and is specifically detailed in a close-up view in FIG. 5. As detailed, when 10a is folded at 10k, the two-ply or double layered panty housing portion 11 is formed to posteriorly encase the contoured shape enhancing formed pad 11d; when 10b is folded, again at 10k, the two-ply or double layered anterior stretchable and compressible weaved tummy control panel of panty portion 11 is formed, with the fabrication process being further detailed in FIGS. 7 through 12.

(22) Depicted in FIG. 6 is a preferred embodiment of the invention, the strategically designed contoured, convex and concave shaped, buttocks enhancing open-cell or silicone gel formed pad 11d, which is shown in a flat view, prior to integration into the posterior of the folded 10a, namely the rear of 11. The contoured buttocks enhancing formed pad 11d, positioned with the concave side facing inward and the convex side facing outward is affixed, woven and otherwise laminated within the posterior section of 11 and shown in a cut-away or peek-through view in FIG. 7. This utility created, as previously described, includes the strategic sandwiching of 11d within the posterior of 11 following the folding of the joined elongated tubes 10h and 10i at 10k, to form the two-ply panty portion 11, and importantly the rear panel 10a, the posterior of the panty portion 11 of invention 10. Similarly, FIG. 8 provides a direct frontal view of the invention 10, with a prominent display of the two-ply or double layered tummy slimming control panel of the abdominal area which is formed when the front panel 10b is folded at 10k.

(23) Of significance and shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, is the inverted V opening 00. This utility strategically provides for incorporation of the marquise diamond shape oversize two-ply gusset when the 10a and 10b are folded circumferentially to form 11. The inverted V opening of the formed shaped buttocks enhancing pad 11d is fully affixed, aligned and integrated within the folded posterior of 11 by cutting away a specific measured portion of the crotch area of 11 along the inverted V 00 of 11d for placement of the specially oversized marquise diamond shape two-ply gusset panel 11c, as illustrated in FIG. 9. Specifically, FIG. 9 provides a schematic illustration of the specially designed diamond shape oversized two-ply gusset panel 11c which is comprised of highly multi-directional stretchable and stretch recoverable material.

(24) To further detail the preferred embodiments of the invention shown in FIGS. 7 and 8, referring back to Drawing Sheet 2, identifies 11h as the upper edge of the elongated front and rear panels, and subsequently when folded at 10k creates the lower inner edge of the two-ply panty portion 11. This segment, 11h, of the panty portion 11, is blended and seamlessly integrated at the bottom edge of 11 to the single layer sheer or opaque hosiery undergarment following full integration of 11d and 11c for integral completion of 11 of the invention 10, with a transition back to the single-ply leg portions 10h and 10i at the lower edge 11h of the panty portion 11.

(25) FIG. 10 is a schematic illustration of the more densely weaved front panel 10b which creates the tummy control utility of 11. Also schematically illustrated in FIG. 10 is a predominant frontal perspective view of the marquise diamond shape gusset panel 11c, when fully integrated in the shape enhancing undergarment 10.

(26) To emphasize the novelty of the invention, the oversize separately formed diamond shape two-ply multi-directional stretchable gusset panel 11c when sewn into the buttocks enhancing panty portion 11 and affixed to the inverted V opening of the open-cell or silicone gel pad at the posterior of the panty portion and at the anterior opening of the panty portion above the two tubes of the leg portions to accept placement of the marquise diamond shape expandable gusset panel system presents the centrally preferred embodiment of the invention 10.

(27) FIGS. 11 and 12 are perspective views of the rear and the front of the foundation garment, or hosiery, when worn in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the present invention 10, depicting the panty portion 11 including a illustrative representation of the placement of the specially formed diamond shape two-ply, highly elastic, multi-directional stretchable gusset panel 11e woven or other wise affixed at the inverted V opening of the formed pad 11d and extending to the frontal crotch area 11c, in accordance with the preferred embodiments of the invention 10. Specifically, FIG. 12 shows the back portion of 11e, and FIG. 11 shows the frontal perspective view of the gusset 11c and the front panel 10b. Of note, foundation garment, undergarment, hosiery, garment and hosiery undergarment are used interchangeably throughout the delineation and description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention.

(28) It is further emphasized at this juncture that, in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the invention, the single ply fabric tubes 14a and 14b, which are seamless, as aforementioned, are continuously woven to a length that is about twice the length in the upper region of the fabric tubes as compared to a similar measured segment of a conventional pantyhose or hosiery undergarment tube, with a 2-inch heavier knitted portion 10c as depicted in all relevant schematic illustrations. Of note, the fold line 10k is also along the 10c plane, as shown in FIG. 1. To further delineate, this fold line 10k is located at a point that would be the upper end point of the fabric tubes in prior art, that is, the typical conventional pantyhose type garment panty portion top edge. This heavier woven portion, comprising of spandex yarn or similar materials will ultimately accept a midpoint at fold line 10k to ultimately transform the specifically elongated fabric tubes into the panty portion 11 of the invention 10. The waistband 10c is folded in conjunction with the process in which 11d is integrated by weaving or lamination into 11 to complete in the fabrication of the undergarment 10. That is, the waistband portion 10c is finally secured in the undergarment 10 when the fabric fold sandwiches and laminates the tapered contoured buttocks enhancing open-cell foam or silicone gel casing 11d within its two-ply fabric transition 12 to form the panty portion 11 of the undergarment 10. The lower end of the inner folded fabric, after the integration process, which is identified as f3 in FIG. 10, lie against the inner surface of the outer ply, identified as f4 at this point in the panty portion 11 as it does throughout the front panel 10b and is woven to the outer ply f4 at the crotch and bottom edge of the enhancing and control areas, and at the lower edge of the panty portion 11, which is identified as 11h in the schematic illustrations. As such, the inner side of the panty portion housing the contoured buttocks enhancing concave (inner side) and convex (outer side) open-cell or silicone gel pad is identified as f3 and the outer fabric of the laminated area is identified as f4 within the framework of the other referenced points of the invention 10.

(29) As aforementioned, in addition to being comprised of two fabric plies, the panty portion 11 of the foundation garment 10, when viewed from the wearer's perspective, are joined together along a front seam 18 and a rear structured seam 19 to supplement flexibility and secure the encased contoured buttocks enhancing panel system at its posterior. Further, the panty half 11a is a continuous extension of the right leg portion 10h and the left panty half 11b is a continuous extension of the left leg portion 10i, which results in an undergarment comprising of a two-ply panty portion and single ply legs portions. Of note, as a result of the novel elongated measured length of the segment of the fabric tubes that transition the single ply legs portions to the two-ply panty portion at the fold point 10k, the slit in the fabric tubes 14a and 14b are approximately twice the length of the equivalent slit in the fabric tubes of prior art or conventional pantyhose garments, with this transition to a two-ply fabric portion yielding improved control of the abdominal area without any yarn modification and without compromising the buttocks enhancing rear panel system.

(30) In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the folded over lower edge of the inner ply f3, of the two-ply panty portion can remain free-floating, with only an attachment to the inverted V opening of the buttocks enhancing panel (see FIG. 8) and the diamond shape gusset panel 11c.

(31) In still another preferred embodiment of the invention, the single-ply fabric tubes may be manufactured in such a manner that they transition into a two-ply fabric at the point along the tube where the leg portions will transition to the panty portion of the finished product, to allow for the insertion of the buttocks enhancing panel through the space between the two plies of the not yet joined waist portion of the garment components, which in then followed by lamination of the panel within the inner and outer plies of the panty portion and securing of the waistband portion with a flat stitch, followed by completion of the other embodiments of the invention 10.

(32) As a preferred embodiment of the invention, the hosiery undergarment is made predominantly of Spandex yarn of between 50 and 70 denier or with nylon and other stretchable synthetic fabrics. The marquise diamond shape highly elastic and stretchable gusset system 11c can be comprised of cotton and synthetic fabric with improved breathability as depicted in FIG. 9. As previously described, the preferred fabric used for gusset fabrication is a two-ply fabric, f2, that stretches equally in all directions and is highly elastic, which means it consistently returns to its relaxed state, insuring total comfort and flexibility for the wearer. In this preferred embodiment of the panty portion 11 the folded over single ply fabric provides for slimming and improved control of the abdominal region of the wearer as it transitions to the two-ply garment portion at the waistband portion 10c and terminates at the lower end of the panty portion without causing any discomfort to the wearer. The transition to a two-ply fabric in the panty portion of the undergarment as compared to the single ply fabric that comprises the leg portions results in a greater control ratio in the tummy and abdominal area without restricting the comfort of the wearer and without compromising the buttocks enhancing function that is the novelty of the central embodiment of the undergarment 10 and is further enhanced with the application of the front panel 10b. This utility design also allows for yarn consistency throughout the fabrication of the invention with only the gusset system 11c being fabricated with an alternate elastic yarn.

(33) Therefore, the hosiery undergarment in accordance with the present invention, directly addresses the need for a hosiery type foundation garment with a fully integrated multipurpose buttocks enhancing, tummy shaping and tummy smoothing system that is comfortable to wear and virtually invisible when worn under outer garments of any styling. This favorable comparison to all prior art is achieved with a feathered edge contoured buttocks enhancing rear panel 10a with a concave inner section and a convex outer or posterior side that lifts the wearer's derriere and comfortably, as it is anchored with a highly elastic and two-way stretchable diamond shape gusset 11c, which is designed to maintain the contoured buttocks enhancing look regardless of the position and movement of the wearer. And, coupled with a two-ply tummy control panel 10b for a comfortable slimming of the wearer's abdominal region, two enhancing functions are achieved with one foundation garment. As such, the garment 10 can be worn as the only foundation garment required under any choice outer garment.

(34) As a result of the detailed analysis and illustrative description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention, others skilled in the art representative of the instant invention will think of ways to develop and market hosiery garments and tights with alternative embodiments. Such attempts are expected and could be presented in the form of a pantyhose or other hosiery undergarment with internal hip pockets to accept buttocks enhancing devices or a tummy control panel formed from excessive cross stitching, or the use of heavy resistant fabric, which are not the preferred construction method of the present invention. Therefore, it must be understood that the instant invention is not in anyway to be limited to specific embodiments disclosed herein, but other embodiments and modifications for achieving the central intent are to be integral and within the present invention. Changes in construction method, component placement and arrangement, and fabric combinations can be achieved without significant departure from the scope and spirit of the present invention.