(19)
(11) EP 2 082 654 A2

(12) EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION

(43) Date of publication:
29.07.2009 Bulletin 2009/31

(21) Application number: 09250184.0

(22) Date of filing: 23.01.2009
(51) International Patent Classification (IPC): 
A41B 11/14(2006.01)
 A41C 1/00(2006.01)
(84) Designated Contracting States:
AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO SE SI SK TR
Designated Extension States:
AL BA RS

(30) Priority: 24.01.2008 GB 0801306

(71) Applicant: Montfort Services Sdn. Bhd.
Kowloon, Hong Kong (HK)

(72) Inventors:
  • Sturman Richard
    Nottinghamshire NG17 9DB (GB)
  • Hales, John
    Nottingham NG5 1DH (GB)

(74) Representative: Baker, Colin John 
Potter Clarkson LLP Park View House 58 The Ropewalk
Nottingham NG1 5DD
Nottingham NG1 5DD (GB)

   


(54) Improvements in or relating to hosiery garments


(57) In the field of hosiery garments such as tights, pantyhose, or leggings, there is a need for an improved hosiery garment which has a more attractive appearance when not being worn.
A hosiery garment (10) comprises a main body (12) for surrounding the lower body of a wearer, a pair of leg portions (14) extending from the main body (12), and a support panel (24) secured to a body portion (26) of the main body (12). The support panel (24) holds the body portion (26) in a stretched configuration.
A method of finishing a hosiery garment (10) having a main body (12) for surrounding the lower body of a wearer and a pair of leg portions (14) extending from the main body comprises the steps of causing a body portion (26) of the main body (12) to adopt a stretched configuration, and securing a support panel (24) to the body portion (26) to hold the body portion (26) in the stretched configuration.




Description


[0001] This invention relates to a hosiery garment, and in particular to a hosiery garment having a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer, and a method of finishing such a garment.

[0002] A conventional hosiery garment such as a pair of tights, pantyhose, or leggings, includes a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer and a pair of leg portions extending from the main body. Each leg portion of a pair of tights or pantyhose terminates at closed foot portion which covers a wearer's foot. In contrast, leggings include leg portions that terminate at an open leg portion which surrounds a wearer's lower leg or ankle.

[0003] The main body and leg portions of such garments are knitted from one or more elastomeric threads so as to permit sufficient stretching of the garment to accommodate the body of a wearer while maintaining a tight and close fit to the wearer. As a result these garments have an unsymmetrical and wrinkled appearance when in a relaxed, i.e. un-worn, state, as shown in Figure 1. Such an appearance is unattractive and so, for example, must be hidden from view when packaging the garments for sale.

[0004] Therefore there is a need for an improved hosiery garment which has a more attractive appearance when not being worn.

[0005] According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a hosiery garment comprising a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer, a pair of leg portions extending from the main body; and a support panel secured to a body portion of the main body. The support panel preferably holds the body portion in a stretched configuration.

[0006] Holding a body portion in a stretched configuration provides the body portion with a symmetrical, unwrinkled appearance that is more attractive to potential purchasers of the hosiery garment. In addition, holding the body portion in a stretched configuration permits the clear display of any surface pattern knitted into the body portion, thereby further improving the appearance of the hosiery garment when not being worn.

[0007] Furthermore, the provision of a support panel reinforces the body portion and so permits additional decorative elements such as embroidery, cut outs, beads or sequens to be incorporated with the body portion.

[0008] Each of the foregoing helps to create a hosiery garment which has a more attractive overall presentation, particularly when not being worn, than conventional hosiery garments.

[0009] Preferably the support panel holds the body portion in a stretched configuration in which the body portion is stretched by between 10% and 30% in at least one dimension. Such stretching improves the appearance of the body portion by removing wrinkles and displaying any patterns knitted therein. This improvement is provided while leaving the body portion with sufficient remaining expansibility to accommodate the body of a wearer and fit closely and tightly thereto.

[0010] In a preferred embodiment of the invention the support panel is elastomeric. The provision of an elastomeric support panel allows the support panel to stretch in one or more dimensions to accommodate the body of a wearer, while imparting an increased compressive force on the wearer's body which can assist the wearer in displaying an attractive body shape.

[0011] In another preferred embodiment of the invention the support panel is or includes an elastomeric fabric. The inclusion of an elastomeric fabric is a convenient way of providing an elastomeric support panel.

[0012] Optionally the support panel is chemically bonded to the body portion. Such an arrangement helps to ensure that the support panel and the body portion remain secured to one another during use, i.e. wear and washing.

[0013] Preferably the support panel is adhered to the body portion. Adhering the support panel to the body portion is a convenient manner of chemically bonding the support panel and the body portion to one another.

[0014] In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the support panel is secured to a front portion of the main body. This arrangement results in a hosiery item with an improved front aspect which can be readily promoted in packaging designs.

[0015] The support panel may be secured to an inside surface of the main body. This allows any surface patterns knitted or otherwise incorporated in the body portion to remain visible when the hosiery garment is being worn.

[0016] Preferably the support panel includes decorative elements incorporated therewith. The inclusion of such elements helps further improve the appearance of the garment when worn and not worn.

[0017] Optionally the hosiery garment includes a plurality of support panels secured to respective body portions of the main body, each support panel holding the corresponding body portion in a stretched configuration. Such an arrangement provides respective areas of the main body with a more attractive, uniform and unwrinkled appearance when not being worn.

[0018] In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention, the hosiery item includes a first support panel secured to a front portion of the main body and a second support panel secured to a rear portion of the main body. The inclusion of such first and second support panels improves the appearance of the front and rear portions of the main body when not being worn.

[0019] According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a method of finishing a hosiery garment having a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer and a pair of leg portions extending from the main body, the method comprising the steps of:
  1. (a) causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration; and
  2. (b) securing a support panel to the body portion to hold the body portion in the stretched configuration.


[0020] The method of finishing a hosiery garment shares the advantages of the corresponding features of the hosiery garment

[0021] Optionally causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration includes stretching the body portion by between 10% and 30% in at least one dimension.

[0022] In a preferred embodiment of the method of the invention causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration includes inserting a former into the main body. Such a step allows the body portion to readily be stretched to a desired extent

[0023] Preferably the method of finishing a hosiery garment further includes providing the former with detent formations to retain a waist portion of the main body and each of the leg portions.

[0024] Such features allow the former to temporarily retain the body portion in the stretched configuration.

[0025] Securing a support panel to the body portion to hold the body portion in the stretched configuration may include securing an elastomeric support panel to the body portion.

[0026] In another preferred embodiment of the method of the invention securing a support panel to the body portion includes chemically bonding the support panel to the body portion.

[0027] Chemically bonding the support panel to the body portion may include adhering the support panel and the body portion to one another.

[0028] Preferably the method of finishing a hosiery garment includes securing the support panel to a front portion of the main body.

[0029] Optionally the method of finishing a hosiery garment includes securing the support panel to an inside surface of the main body.

[0030] A further preferred method of finishing a hosiery garment includes the step of turning the hosiery garment inside out before causing a body portion to adopt a stretched configuration. Such a step conveniently allows for the support panel to be secured to an, in-use, inside surface of the main body.

[0031] Preferably the method of finishing a hosiery garment includes incorporating decorative elements within the support panel.

[0032] The method of finishing a hosiery garment may include causing a plurality of body portions of the main body to adopt stretched configurations, and securing a support panel to each body portion to hold the respective body portion in the stretched configuration.

[0033] Optionally the method of finishing a hosiery garment includes securing a first support panel to a front portion of the main body and securing a second support panel to a rear portion of the main body.

[0034] There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a conventional hosiery garment;

Figure 2 shows a hosiery garment according to a first embodiment of the invention;

Figure 3(a) shows a pre-shaped former;

Figure 3(b) shows a hosiery garment in a first configuration having a pre-shaped former inserted into the main body thereof;

Figure 3(c) shows the hosiery garment shown in Figure 3(b) with a support panel secured thereto; and

Figure 4 shows a hosiery garment in a second configuration having a pre-shaped former inserted into the main body thereof.



[0035] A hosiery garment according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The hosiery garment 10 includes a main body 12, which when worn surrounds the lower body of the wearer, and a pair of leg portions 14 that extend from the main body 12.

[0036] In the embodiment shown the main body 12 includes first and second main body halves 16, 18 which are joined together by a front seam 20 and a rear seam (not shown). A gusset 21 lies between the first and second main body halves 16, 18 to complete the main body 12. Each main body half 16, 18 is integrally formed, i.e. knitted, with the corresponding leg portion 14. The boundary 22 between the main body half 16, 18 and the leg portion 14 is defined by a change in knitting construction, with the leg portion 14 having a more open, sheer construction.

[0037] The hosiery garment 10 also includes a support panel 24 which, in the embodiment shown is an elastomeric fabric. Suitable types of elastomeric fabric include fabrics made from polyamide (nylon) 66 and elastane, and in particular fabrics including 82% polyamide 66 and 18% elastane. Such fabrics have a mass of approximately 200g/m2, and are able to extend by between 179% and 219% in a warp (i.e. lengthwise) direction and between 130% and 158% in a weft (i.e. widthwise) direction.

[0038] The support panel 24 is secured to a body portion 26 by an adhesive and holds the body portion 26 is a stretched configuration in which a surface pattern 28 knitted into the body portion 26 is clearly displayed, as shown in Figure 2. The support panel 24 has a more dosed construction than the body portion 26 and so resists contraction of the body portion 26.

[0039] Preferred types of adhesive include copolyamides, polyamides and polyester-based adhesives, although other adhesives may also be used.

[0040] In the stretched configuration the body portion 26 is stretched between 10% and 30% in both warp and weft directions.

[0041] The support panel 24 is adhered to an inside surface 30 of a front portion 32 of the main body 12 and straddles evenly the front seam 20.

[0042] The support panel 24 in the embodiment shown includes a scalloped decorative edge 34 which is visible through the main body 12.

[0043] The support panel 24 may include further decorative elements (not shown) such as a logo, embroidery, or cut-outs incorporated therewith so as to be visible through the main body 12.

[0044] The support panel 24 may also act as a support to allow still further decorative embellishments (not shown) such as beads and sequins or the like, trim elements, or a print, to be applied to an outside surface 36 of the hosiery garment 10.

[0045] A hosiery garment (not shown) according to a second embodiment of the invention includes a first support panel adhered to the front portion of the main body and a second support panel adhered to a rear portion of the main body. The rear portion of the main body straddles the rear seam between first and second main body halves of the main body. Each of the first and second support panels holds the corresponding front and rear portions in a stretched configuration.

[0046] Other embodiments of the invention may include support panels secured to other body portions of the main body.

[0047] A method of finishing a hosiery garment 10 having a main body 12 and a pair of leg portions 14 extending from the main body 12, according to an embodiment of the invention, is shown schematically in Figures 3(a) to 3(c).

[0048] The method includes causing a body portion 26 of the main body 12 to adopt a stretched configuration in which the body portion 26 is stretched by between 10% and 30% in both weft and warp directions.

[0049] In the embodiment of the method shown this stretching is achieved by inserting a pre-shaped former 38 in the main body 12. The hosiery garment 10 is first turned inside out before inserting the former 38.

[0050] The former 38 is provided with a pair of first detent formations 40 to retain a waist portion 42 of the main body 12, and a pair of second detent formations 44 to retain the leg portions 14.

[0051] In other embodiments of the method of the invention the former 38 may be adjusted and enlarged following insertion into the main body 12.

[0052] The method of finishing a hosiery garment 10 also includes securing a support panel 24 to the body portion 26 to hold the body portion 26 in the stretched configuration. In the embodiment of the invention shown in Figure 3(c) such a step includes adhering an elastomeric support panel 24 to the body portion 26.

[0053] The support panel 24 may, for example, be stamped or ultrasonically cut from a piece of elastomeric fabric.

[0054] Preferably an adhesive is applied to the support panel 24. This may be done by screen printing or spraying. The adhesive may also be applied as a pin dot coating, an extrusion, or a film.

[0055] In addition, the former 28 preferably remains inserted into the main body 12 until the adhesive has cured. This helps to reduce the likelihood of the body portion 26 deforming following removal of the former 28.

[0056] The method further includes the steps of adhering the support panel 24 to the inside surface 30 of a front portion 32 of the main body 12.

[0057] The method may further include incorporating decorative elements (not shown) such as a logo, embroidery, or cut-outs within the support panel such that they are visible through the main body 12.

[0058] The method may also include applying further decorative embellishments (not shown) such as beads and sequins or the like, trim elements, or a print, to the outside surface 36 of the hosiery garment 10. Inserting the former 38 into the main body 12 following turning of the hosiery garment 10 the right way out, as shown in Figure 4, facilitates the application of such decorative embellishments.

[0059] A method of finishing a hosiery garment 10 according to another embodiment of the invention (not shown) includes causing a plurality of body portions 26 of the main body 12 to adopt stretched configurations, and securing a support panel 24 to each body portion 26 to hold the respective body portion 26 in the stretched configuration.

[0060] In particular such a method may include securing a first support panel 24 to a front portion 32 of the main body 12 and securing a second support panel (not shown) to a rear portion of the main body 12.

[0061] Further arrangements and methods will now be described in the following aspects:
  1. 1. A hosiery garment comprising:

    a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer;

    a pair of leg portions extending from the main body; and

    a support panel secured to a body portion of the main body, the support panel holding the body portion in a stretched configuration.

  2. 2. A hosiery garment according to Aspect 1 wherein the support panel holds the body portion in a stretched configuration in which the body portion is stretched by between 10% and 30% in at least one dimension.
  3. 3. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect wherein the support panel is elastomeric.
  4. 4. A hosiery garment according to Aspect 3 wherein the support panel is or includes an elastomeric fabric.
  5. 5. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect wherein the support panel is chemically bonded to the body portion.
  6. 6. A hosiery garment according to Aspect 5 wherein the support panel is adhered to the body portion.
  7. 7. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect wherein the support panel is secured to a front portion of the main body.
  8. 8. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect wherein the support panel is secured to an inside surface of the main body.
  9. 9. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect wherein the support panel includes decorative elements incorporated therewith.
  10. 10. A hosiery garment according to any preceding aspect including a plurality of support panels secured to respective body portions of the main body, each support panel holding the corresponding body portion in a stretched configuration.
  11. 11. A hosiery garment according to Aspect 10 including a first support panel secured to a front portion of the main body and a second support panel secured to a rear portion of the main body.
  12. 12. A method of finishing a hosiery garment having a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer and a pair of leg portions extending from the main body, the method comprising the steps of:
    1. (a) causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration; and
    2. (b) securing a support panel to the body portion to hold the body portion in the stretched configuration.
  13. 13. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 12 wherein causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration includes stretching the body portion by between 10% and 30% in at least one dimension.
  14. 14. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 12 or Aspect 13 wherein causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration includes inserting a former into the main body.
  15. 15. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 14 further including providing the former with detent formations to retain a waist portion of the main body and each of the leg portions.
  16. 16. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 15 wherein securing a support panel to the body portion to hold the body portion in the stretched configuration includes securing an elastomeric support panel to the body portion.
  17. 17. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 16 wherein securing a support panel to the body portion includes chemically bonding the support panel to the body portion.
  18. 18. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 17 wherein chemically bonding the support panel to the body portion includes adhering the support panel and the body portion to one another.
  19. 19. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 18 including securing the support panel to a front portion of the main body.
  20. 20. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 19 including securing the support panel to an inside surface of the main body.
  21. 21. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 20 further including the step of turning the hosiery garment inside out before causing a body portion to adopt a stretched configuration.
  22. 22. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 21 including incorporating decorative elements within the support panel.
  23. 23. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Aspects 12 to 22 including causing a plurality of body portions of the main body to adopt stretched configurations, and securing a support panel to each body portion to hold the respective body portion in the stretched configuration.
  24. 24. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Aspect 23 including securing a first support panel to a front portion of the main body and securing a second support panel to a rear portion of the main body.



Claims

1. A hosiery garment comprising:

a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer;

a pair of leg portions extending from the main body; and

a support panel secured to a body portion of the main body, the support panel holding the body portion in a stretched configuration.


 
2. A hosiery garment according to Claim 1 wherein the support panel holds the body portion in a stretched configuration in which the body portion is stretched by between 10% and 30% in at least one dimension.
 
3. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim wherein the support panel is elastomeric.
 
4. A hosiery garment according to Claim 3 wherein the support panel is or includes an elastomeric fabric.
 
5. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim wherein the support panel is chemically bonded to the body portion.
 
6. A hosiery garment according to Claim 5 wherein the support panel is adhered to the body portion.
 
7. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim wherein the support panel is secured to a front portion of the main body.
 
8. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim wherein the support panel is secured to an inside surface of the main body.
 
9. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim wherein the support panel includes decorative elements incorporated therewith.
 
10. A hosiery garment according to any preceding claim including a plurality of support panels secured to respective body portions of the main body, each support panel holding the corresponding body portion in a stretched configuration.
 
11. A hosiery garment according to Claim 10 including a first support panel secured to a front portion of the main body and a second support panel secured to a rear portion of the main body.
 
12. A method of finishing a hosiery garment having a main body for surrounding the lower body of a wearer and a pair of leg portions extending from the main body, the method comprising the steps of:

(a) causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration; and

(b) securing a support panel to the body portion to hold the body portion in the stretched configuration.


 
13. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Claim 12 wherein causing a body portion of the main body to adopt a stretched configuration includes inserting a former into the main body.
 
14. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Claim 13 further including providing the former with detent formations to retain a waist portion of the main body and each of the leg portions.
 
15. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to any of Claims 12 to 14 including securing the support panel to an inside surface of the main body.
 
16. A method of finishing a hosiery garment according to Claim 15 further including the step of turning the hosiery garment inside out before causing a body portion to adopt a stretched configuration.
 




Drawing