Engineered Band

Embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the field of garments, and more specifically, embodiments described herein relate to manufactures, devices, systems and methods for improved apparel band systems.

Apparel may be configured to be worn snug to the wearer's body. This form fit can help keep the garment in place during movement or can provide anchor points for further support functions of the garment. However, such apparel may require a tight fit around regions of the wearer with a high degree of soft tissue.

Bands in apparel (such as underbands and waist bands) tend to roll up (or down) on soft tissue. This problem can be particularly exacerbated in regions of the wearer's body with a high degree of soft tissue or where the garment fits more tightly to the wearer's body. This roll up can be uncomfortable for the wearer, interfere with apparel placement, and break up the wearer's silhouette.

Improvement in the field of garments and band systems is desirable.

Embodiments described herein involve apparel band systems for improved comfort and fit, particularly for people with soft tissue deposits proximate the location of the band system. The band system may include a cushioning layer that extends substantially along the circumference of a garment. The band system may function within the apparel constructions as an element such as an underband, waistband, cuff, strap for affixing a bag to the body, or the like.

According to an aspect, there is provided a band system for a body covering garment for a wearer. The band system is designed to encircle a portion of a wearer's body. The band system includes an outer fabric layer, an inner fabric layer, and an engineered shaped cushioning layer. The engineered shaped cushioning layer is situated between the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer throughout a portion of the band system. The engineered shaped cushioning layer is shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue. The outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer are at least partially connected to form the band system.

In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layer is formed to mimic a band that has rolled up on the wearer's body.

In some embodiments, the band system includes one or more additional engineered shaped cushioning layers.

In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layer is proximal an edge of the garment and at least one of the one or more additional engineered shaped cushioning layers is disposed distal the edge.

In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layer is shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue based on a series of sizing intentions.

In some embodiments, the band system includes an opening and closing feature or a tensioning feature. The opening and closing feature or the tensioning feature is configured to control the circumference of the band system.

In some embodiments, the opening and closing feature or the tensioning feature includes one or more of a fastener, a hooks and loop system, a buckle, a zipper, a frog fastener, a button, a lace, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the band system includes an elastic component that allows the band system to be stretched over the body and situated in the appropriate location on the wearer's body.

In some embodiments, the band system is a bra underband. In some embodiments, the band system is further connected to one or more of a cup, a strap, and/or a wing.

In some embodiments, the band system is the waistband of a garment configured to cover a lower portion of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the garment is one or more of leggings, pants, trousers, a onesie, a bodysuit, and/or a waistband.

In some embodiments, the band system is the waistband of a garment configured to cover an upper portion of a wearer.

In some embodiments, the garment is one or more of a tank top, a shirt, a sweater, a hoodie, and a jacket.

In some embodiments, the band system includes a stabilizer.

In some embodiments, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer differ in at least one of moisture wicking, moisture absorption, thickness, texture, surface treatment, waterproofing, leak proofing, stretch, and stretch qualities such as stretch direction/stretch direction ratios.

In some embodiments, the band system includes one or more additional fabric layers.

In some embodiments, the band system includes an opening to access the engineered shaped cushioning layer.

Bands in apparel (such as underbands and waist bands) tend to roll up (or down) on soft tissue. Described herein are band systems that can provide a pre-rolled (engineered shaped cushioning layer) construction to fill in where the band would tend to roll up. The band system can alleviate the risk of the garment roll up which causing irritation and issues with garment placement.

Embodiments described herein involve apparel band systems for improved comfort and fit, particularly for people with soft tissue deposits proximate the location of the band system. The band system may include a cushioning layer that extends substantially along the circumference of a garment. The band system may function within the apparel constructions as an element such as an underband, waistband, cuff, strap for affixing a bag to the body, or the like. In some embodiments, the band is an underband within a bra for a plus size person.

As used herein, “soft tissue” comprises adipose (fat) tissue, connective tissue, and fibrous tissue. The band systems described herein may be particularly applicable to portions of the wearer's body where all or a portion of the soft tissue is squishy, and for example, yields or moves when light to moderate pressure is applied. Some embodiments are particularly applicable when portions of the soft tissue form folds and/or concave portions when the wearer's body is in one or more position and/or when light to moderate pressure is applied by the apparel when worn on the wearer's body in one or more position.

Described herein is a band system that includes a cushioning layer that extends substantially along the circumference of the garment. The cushion can be encapsulated by fabric to create a soft and rounded hem that can sit on the wearer's body. Some embodiments of the band system can be configured for the underband of a bra and sit in the middle crease on the torso of the wearer allowing for secure anchoring on the wearer's body while maintaining the garment's stability, function, and increased comfort for the wearer.

Advantages of the band system described herein can include increased comfort, more accurate band placement, smoother silhouette, reduction in hot spots, better apparel placement/staying in place during athletic and everyday on-the-move activity. The band may be “pre-rolled” to fill the location on the body where it would naturally tend to roll and thus may not unintentionally roll as is the case in other band designs.

is a cross-sectional side view of a band system, according to some embodiments.

The band systemmay be configured to encircle a portion of a wearer's body. For example, the band systemmay be configured to encircle the torso (e.g., a waistband, bra underband, etc.) or other region (e.g., a wristband, cuff, etc.). The band systemmay include an outer fabric layer, an inner fabric layer, and an engineered shaped cushioning layer (i.e., the cushioning layer or the rolled layer). The cushioning layermay form a band that generally encircles the garment (and thus the wearer when worn) and may have a cross-section shape (e.g., a teardrop as illustrated in). The cushioning layercan be situated between the outer fabric layerand inner fabric layerthroughout a portion of the band system. The cushioning layercan be shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue.

The outer fabric layerand inner fabric layerare at least partially connected to form the band system. In the figure, the outer fabric layerextends along the underside of the cushioning layerinto the inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layeris further layered with the second fabric layer. The inner fabric layeris bonded to the second fabric layerat bonding. The bondingmay be a bonding film or other adhesive or connective mechanism (e.g., seam). The second fabric layeris bonded to the outer fabric layerat bonding. The bondingmay be a dot matrix glue, a bonding film, spray glue, or other adhesive or other connective mechanism (e.g., seam). The outer fabric layerand the second fabric layermay split above the cushioning layer, allowing the outer fabric layerto extend along the outside of the cushioning layer, and the second fabric layerto extend along behind the cushioning layerand bond to inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layerand the inner fabricmay, in part, define the channel through which the cushioning layerextends.

In some embodiments, outer fabric layerand inner fabric layerare partially connected along their edges or by overlapping the outer fabric layerand inner fabric layer, or a combination thereof. In some embodiments, the cushioning layeris disposed within a channel formed by a portion of the inner fabric layer, by a portion of the outer fabric layer, or by a combination of portions of the inner fabric layerand outer fabric layer. In some embodiments, further layers (e.g., second fabric layer) may also in part define the channel. In some embodiments, the inner fabric layerand outer fabric layerare fully or partially connected and the connection is formed by one or more of a seam, adhesive, or bonding method.

In some embodiments, the cushioning layermay be wider toward the end at a band edge (e.g., towards the hem) and narrower at the other end. Such embodiments may provide for better fit/smoothness, and not create hot spots or skin irritation. In some embodiments, the cushioning layermay have different cross-sectional shapes (as best seen inbelow).

The cushioning layercan be designed to work in the context of an overall garment design, structure, and/or configuration. The cushioning layercan have an engineered shaped specifically based on the anticipated soft tissue volume/behaviour so that the band systemrolls into the body rather than up (or down). The shape of the cushioning layermay be different for different size intentions within the same overall apparel constructions based on observed variability of soft tissue placement/behaviour/movement at different size intentions. The band systemmay contain the cushioning layerwith specific placement of cushioning to fit within soft tissues and configured to align with the wearer's soft tissue to create a smooth “rolled up” on the body position. The cushioning layercan completely or partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue.

In some embodiments the cushioning layermay vary around the length/circumference of band system or portions thereof depending on the position/anticipated soft tissue on the body portion. Variability of the cushioning latercan be in the depth, length, shape, material characteristics, and/or locations of rolled portions of the engineered shaped cushioning layer. In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layermay be more or less consistent around the length/circumference of the band.

The cushioning layercan be shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue based on a series of sizing intentions and patterns related to such sizing intentions/physical sizing, scans, physique and/or body composition analysis or the like related to the potential wearer and/or potential wearer in combination with an apparel construction applying light to moderate pressure to the wearer's body to determine probabilities of one or more concave portions and the dimensions, locations, and characteristics of such concave portions and or folds.

In some embodiments, the cushioning layermay comprise shape memory polymer (SMP) foam. In some embodiments, the cushioning layermay comprise a different filling or cushioning material. Other potential materials include a non-woven structure, a fibre fill, a fabric layer, an air bag, a glue layer (particularly gummier/flexible glue that may be more comfortable), all viable types of foam, and combinations thereof. Material characteristics of the cushioning material may include compression, density, and other properties that may affect the preferred shape of the cushioning layer. For example, it may be preferable to provide a greater depth of cushioning portion when the cushioning material has a greater propensity to compress and a lesser depth when the cushioning material has a lesser propensity to compress. Combinations of density and compression characteristics in different portions of the cushioning layerare also possible.

The band systemmay have a closure or opening feature or a feature otherwise used to adjust the tension of the band system. Such features may include one or more of a hook and loop system, a buckle, a zipper, a frog fastener, a button, a lace, etc. and/or may have an elastic element that may allow the band systemto be stretched over the body and situated in the appropriate location on the wearer's body, or combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the band systemmay include a partially closed top and/or bottom. For example, the wearer may be able to access the cushioning layerwithin the garment.

According to an aspect, there is provided a band systemfor a body covering garmentfor a wearer. The band systemis designed to encircle a portion of a wearer's body. The band systemincludes an outer fabric layer, an inner fabric layer, and an engineered shaped cushioning layer. The engineered shaped cushioning layeris situated between the outer fabric layerand inner fabric layerthroughout a portion of the band system. The engineered shaped cushioning layeris shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue. The outer fabric layerand inner fabric layerare at least partially connected to form the band system. In some embodiments, the outer fabric layermay be continuous with the inner fabric layer(e.g., see below the cushioning layerof). In some embodiments, the outer fabric layermay be connected indirectly to the inner fabric layer(e.g., through bonding, second fabric layer, and bondingas shown above the cushioning layerof).

In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layeris formed to mimic a band that has rolled up on the wearer's body.

In some embodiments, the engineered shaped cushioning layeris shaped to fit within and partially fill a concave portion defined by the wearer's soft tissue based on a series of sizing intentions.

In some embodiments, the band systemincludes an opening and closing feature or a tensioning feature. The opening and closing feature or the tensioning feature is configured to control the circumference of the band system.

In some embodiments, the opening and closing feature or the tensioning feature includes one or more of a fastener, a hooks and loop system, a buckle, a zipper, a frog fastener, a button, a lace, and combinations thereof.

In some embodiments, the band systemincludes an elastic component that allows the band systemto be stretched over the body and situated in the appropriate location on the wearer's body.

In some embodiments, the inner fabric layerand the outer fabric layerdiffer in at least one of moisture wicking, moisture absorption, thickness, texture, surface treatment, waterproofing, leak proofing, stretch, and stretch qualities such as stretch direction/stretch direction ratios.

In some embodiments, the band systemincludes one or more additional fabric layers.

In some embodiments, the band systemincludes an opening to access the engineered shaped cushioning layer.

is a cross-sectional side view of a garmentworn by a wearerwithout the band system described herein.

The garmentencircles a portion of the wearer. At its tightest point, the garmentdigs into the soft tissue of the wearer. This applies tensionto the hem of the garmentwhich may cause the hem to roll up into the point. This can cause the garmentto fit uncomfortably or interfere with the positioning of the garment. The tightest point may result from tension in the garment and/or the natural creases in the wearer's soft tissue.

is a cross-sectional side view of a garmentworn by a wearerwith the band system, according to some embodiments.