Foundation garments – Breast or chest – e.g. – brassieres
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-24
2001-03-27
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3765)
Foundation garments
Breast or chest, e.g., brassieres
C450S017000, C450S088000, C450S086000, C002S078100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06206752
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND—FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates to clothing straps, specifically to substantially transparent, nonwoven, and non-shiny clothing straps that are virtually invisible to a casual observer, and a method for their use with apparel worn under loosely fitting sleeveless outer garments, undergarments worn with apparel having narrow shoulder straps or cutouts therein that would otherwise readily reveal the undergarment straps, and other apparel to give it a strapless illusion. The straps of the present invention could be permanently attached to a garment or made to be easily and readily detachable from it, and although not limited thereto, in the most preferred embodiment of the present invention the straps would be made from resilient and flexible, but substantially non-stretchable, polyurethane material. Optionally, even though the material used for the strap of the present invention would itself be resilient and resist folding, a short stretchable extension could be inserted between one end of the strap and the garment to which it is attached to resist strap twisting and further help the strap lay in an essentially flat position against the shoulder of the person wearing it during use. In permanently attached embodiments a strip of seam binding or other similarly biased material could also be stitched over the ends of the straps and the upper edge of the garment to which they are connected to reinforce the connection therebetween, improve the overall appearance of the apparel, and help secure and maintain the straps in their flat, non-twisted usable positions so that during use they remain virtually invisible. Applications may include, but are not limited to bras, brassieres, slips, bodysuits, camisoles, nightgowns, swim suits, bikini tops, halter tops, tank tops, and formal wear.
BACKGROUND—DESCRIPTION OF PRIOR ART
Fashion trends continually change. In women's clothing, hemlines, necklines, and sleeve lengths can vary dramatically from one year to the next. One currently popular item of apparel for women is a tightly fitting casual top for use with shorts, short skirts, and pants that extends approximately to the waist and has very narrow shoulder straps. Many wear such tops without an undergarment, however, some women are more comfortable wearing an undergarment or need one for support. When an undergarment such as a brassiere or camisole is worn under a top having very narrow shoulder straps, even though the straps of the undergarment may to a large extent remain hidden while the person wearing them is substantially inactive, the undergarment straps almost always are revealed with increased levels of user activity. If the color of the undergarment and the outer garment are similar, the straps of the undergarment may not be readily distinguishable from the shoulder straps of the top worn over it. However, when the colors of the two sets of straps are even slightly dissimilar, the straps of the undergarment become readily apparent. While exposure of undergarment straps is of no concern to many, others consider such exposure unsightly and in poor taste and would be uncomfortable if their own undergarment straps became exposed. For those considering the exposure of undergarment straps to be in poor taste or otherwise detracting from a desired fashion look desired, undergarments having the non-shiny, transparent, and substantially invisible straps of the present invention would allow those wanting to keep in step with the fashion trends to wear tops with very narrow shoulder straps and to do so with the desired effect.
Another helpful use of the virtually invisible straps of the present invention would be when multiple undergarments are worn under a sheer outer garment. By design the straps of brassieres, slips, and camisoles often extend across different parts of a shoulder, which can result in misalignment of straps when two or more undergarments are simultaneously worn. Under a sheer or semi-sheer outer garment, misaligned undergarment straps detract from what might otherwise be a positive fashion statement. In the alternative, if one or more of the simultaneously worn garments contained the non-shiny, transparent, and substantially invisible straps of the present invention, a single set of visible undergarment straps or the illusion of no undergarment straps at all would create a more eye-pleasing effect. The virtually invisible straps of the present invention would also be suitable for use with brassieres and other undergarments worn under clothing having cutout designs that otherwise would be in a position to expose one or more of the undergarment straps. Yet another advantageous use of the present invention would be with brassieres and other undergarments worn under loosely fitting sleeveless apparel that might otherwise allow undergarment straps to become visible when the person wearing them is active. Through use of the present invention, a person wanting to keep in step with current fashion trends that might otherwise have the undesired effect of exposing undergarment straps could do so without having to resort to the unnecessary expense of purchasing new undergarments to match the color or design of a new outer garment each time one is acquired. Further, if the material from which the present invention were made was polyurethane or a material having a texture similar to polyurethane, it would cling to the straps of other clothing and help such straps to stay in place longer under high or moderate user activity.
The prior art believed to be the most closely related to the present invention is the invention disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 3,860,046 to Goff(1975). The Goff invention comprises a diaphanous fabric for use in brassiere straps. It is woven, but soft and smooth. It also has nylon, polyester, or polypropylene threads woven with elastic warp threads and is contemplated for use with the fancy and delicate fabrics used to manufacture brassieres. Although the Goff disclosure repeatedly mentions a delicate appearance and translucent effect, it does not teach virtual invisibility, nor does the Goff disclosure teach straps contemplated for use with outer garments as well as undergarments. In contrast, the focus of the present invention is the virtual invisibility of straps used to make a more positive fashion statement when connected to either an outer garment or an undergarment. Also, the present invention is flexible and resilient so that it is comfortable during use, however, it does not have elastic properties that would allow it to stretch and become enlarged significantly beyond its natural length and width limits. In other words, it is contemplated for the present invention to have an ability to be readily bent or twisted without permanent injury and to quickly recover its shape when deforming pressures are removed, however, it does not resist deforming by easily expanding and contracting as would be expected in materials exhibiting elastic properties. The present invention incorporates no elastic threads and the material from which it is made is not woven. Instead, it is contemplated for the present invention to comprise a non-shiny, substantially non-stretchable, and virtually transparent extruded material, such as polyurethane. Since the strap of the present invention is non-woven, it would be less visible than the Goff invention to a casual observer when directly in view. Even though the materials used to make the strap of the present invention would not have elastic properties, and would contain sufficient thickness dimension and resiliency to resist longitudinal folding, the present invention could optionally comprise a short stretchable extension inserted between one end of each strap and the garment to which it is attached to further help the strap lay in an essentially flat position over a shoulder during use. The straps of the present invention could also be permanently attached to a garment or made to be easily detached from it. Neither detachability, nor outer garment use, is mentioned in the Goff disclosure. Further, in the embodim
Fagin Matthew Jeremy
Fagin Rosanna
Hale Gloria M.
Morse Dorothy S.
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