US20260007194A1

US20260007194A1 - Garment with obscuring region

Info

Publication number: US20260007194A1
Application number: US19/260,018
Authority: US
Inventors: Michelle Frances Carpenter; Laetitia Lecigne
Original assignee: Jockey International Inc
Current assignee: Jockey International Inc
Priority date: 2024-07-05
Filing date: 2025-07-03
Publication date: 2026-01-08
Also published as: WO2026011133A1

Abstract

A garment includes an obscuring region and a supporting region. The obscuring region includes an obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in at least a first direction. The obscuring region is configured to visually obscure at least a portion of an undergarment positioned between a wearer and the garment. The supporting region is positioned adjacent the obscuring region. The supporting region includes a supporting knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure. The supporting knit structure is configured to permit a second degree of stretch in at least the first direction. The second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch such that the supporting region is configured to support a tissue of a wearer.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of and priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 63/668,094, filed Jul. 5, 2024, which is incorporated by reference herein it its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure generally relates to garments, namely form-fitting garments covering at least a portion of a wearer's upper body, lower body, or some combination thereof.

BACKGROUND

In modern fashion, many people desire to wear form-fitting but non-compressive garments in a variety of circumstances, whether in a leisure setting, a semi-professional setting, or a professional setting. Many form-fitting garments fit snuggly against one or more portions of a wearer's body. In such instances, the form-fitting garment will generally conform to the shape of the wearer and any objects positioned on the wearer's body between the wearer and the form-fitting garment. An undergarment (e.g., underwear, panties, brief, boxers, a bra, or some other undergarment) may be positioned between the form-fitting garment and the wearer. In such circumstances, the form-fitting garment can fit snuggly over the undergarment, which can cause the undergarment to be at least partially visible from an outer surface of the form-fitting garment as a bump, bulge, highlight, shadow, unevenness, or other observable feature.
When an undergarment or other object is visible through the form-fitting garment, observers (e.g., bystanders) can discern information about style or construction of an undergarment or object on the wearer's body, which the wearer may not wish to share publicly. Further, the wearer might wish to avoid a visible bump, bulge, highlight, shadow, or unevenness on an outer surface of the garment for aesthetic reasons or otherwise. In such cases, the wearer may be forced to choose between wearing a particular type of undergarment (e.g., a thong) that might be uncomfortable but that is designed to be less visible underneath the form-fitting garment or avoid wearing underwear altogether. For many wearers, neither of these limited options is desirable, and wearers might instead desire to wear whichever undergarment is most comfortable for them, among other considerations. Accordingly, there exists a need for a form-fitting and non-compressive garment that obscures an undergarment or other object from view, which in turn allows the wearer to freely select an undergarment of their choosing, for example.

SUMMARY

One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a garment. The garment includes an obscuring region and a supporting region. The obscuring region includes an obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in at least a first direction. The obscuring region is configured to visually obscure at least a portion of an undergarment positioned between a wearer and the garment. The supporting region is positioned adjacent the obscuring region. The supporting region includes a supporting knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure. The supporting knit structure is configured to permit a second degree of stretch in at least the first direction. The second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch such that the supporting region is configured to support the tissue of a wearer.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is a lower body garment. The lower body garment includes an obscuring region, a supporting region, and a positioning region. The obscuring region includes an obscuring knit structure. The obscuring knit structure is configured to permit a first degree of stretch in a first direction and a second direction. The obscuring region is configured to obscure a garment positioned between the lower-body garment and a wearer. The supporting region includes a supporting knit structure configured to permit a second degree of stretch in the first direction and the second direction. The second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch. The supporting region is positioned at least partially adjacent to the obscuring region. The positioning region includes a positioning knit structure configured to permit a third degree of stretch in the first direction and permit a fourth degree of stretch in the second direction. The third degree of stretch is greater than the fourth degree of stretch. The second degree of stretch of the supporting region is greater than the fourth degree of stretch of the positioning region.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a lower body garment. The lower body garment includes a positioning region, an obscuring region, and a supporting region. The positioning region includes a positioning knit structure configured to restrict a first degree of stretch in a vertical direction. The obscuring region includes an obscuring knit structure having a textured outer surface to obscure an undergarment of a wearer positioned underneath the obscuring region. The obscuring region is positioned at least partially adjacent the positioning region. The supporting region includes a supporting knit structure configured to restrict a second degree of stretch in a plurality of directions to support a tissue of a wearer. The supporting region is positioned at least partially adjacent the obscuring region.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a rear view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a front view of a garment with an obscuring region, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 3 is a side view of a garment with an obscuring region, in accordance with the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 .

FIG. 4A is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4B is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4C is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5A is a detail view of an outer surface of the material of FIG. 4B, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5B is a detail view of an inner surface of the material of FIG. 4B, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5C is a detail view of an inner surface of the materials of FIG. 4A and FIG. 4B, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6A depicts a first leg region of a garment with an obscuring region shown in a flat configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6B depicts a second leg region of the garment of FIG. 6A shown in a flat configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 depicts the first leg region of the garment of FIG. 6A shown in a tubular configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8A is a front view of the garment of FIG. 1 shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8B is a side view of the garment of FIG. 1 shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8C is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 1 shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9A is a front view of another garment with an obscuring region shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9B is a side view of the garment of FIG. 9A shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 9C is a rear view of the garment of FIG. 9A shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10A is a partial rear view of a garment with an obscuring region shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 10B is a partial rear view of a garment with an obscuring region shown on a wearer, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11A is a rear view of a garment with an obscuring region shown in a flat configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 11B is a front view of the garment of FIG. 11A shown in a flat configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a side view of a garment with an obscuring region shown in a flat configuration, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13A is a front view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13B is a side view of the garment of FIG. 13A with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 13C is a rear view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14A is a front view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14B is a side view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 14C is a rear view of another garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 15 is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16A is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16B is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16C is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 16D is a detail view of a material, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17A is a partial front view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17B is a partial side view of the garment of FIG. 17A, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 17C is a partial rear view of the garment of FIG. 17A, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18A is a partial front view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18B is a partial side view of the garment of FIG. 18A, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 18C is a partial rear view of the garment of FIG. 18A, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a partial side view of the garment of FIG. 1 with a pocket, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 20 is a rear view of a garment with an obscuring region, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 21 is a front view of the garment of FIG. 20 , according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The disclosure generally relates to various garments having one or more obscuring regions which are visibly and technically distinct from other regions of the garment. Specifically, the garments of the present disclosure have at least one region (e.g., a section, portion, area, or part) of the entire garment that is configured to obscure an object positioned beneath the garment and a wearer of the garment. For example, the garments include the obscuring region to obscure (e.g., disguise, hide, conceal, mask, diminish,) the object, or a portion thereof, positioned between the garment and the wearer when the garment is worn by the user. The object positioned between the garment and the wearer can be an undergarment, such as panties, underwear, a bra, or some other undergarment. The object can be some other object, like a wearable medical device such as a continuous glucose meter, a heart rate monitor, or some other object, for example. The obscuring region of the garment can obscure the object beneath the garment from view so that an observer is not able to easily or readily visibly detect the presence of the object or discern a particular shape of the object. The obscuring region includes at least one dimension, such as a height, a width, an area, a shape, or a position of the obscuring region relative to a remainder of the garment so that the obscuring region covers a variety of objects having a variety of shapes and sizes that might be positioned between the garment and the wearer. In this way, the obscuring region is configured to obscure a variety of objects having a variety of shapes and sizes.
In one example, the garment can be a lower body garment, such as a pair of leggings or some other form-fitting and non-compressive lower body garment. The object positioned beneath the lower body garment can be an undergarment, such as a pair of underwear. The lower body garment includes the obscuring region positioned over an edge (e.g., an outer edge or some other edge) or other feature of the undergarment (e.g., an elastic band, a trim piece, or some other portion of the undergarment) so that the edge or other feature of the undergarment is visibly undetectable or not easily discernable. Beneficially, visibly obscuring the edge or other feature of the undergarment allows the wearer to select a particular undergarment to suit the wearer's preference without compromising a form-fitting aesthetic of the lower body garment. The obscuring region includes at least one dimension, such as a height, a width, an area, a shape, or a position of the obscuring region relative to a remainder of the lower body garment so that the obscuring region is configured to cover—and obscure—a variety of undergarments that might be selected by the wearer. For example, the obscuring region can be dimensioned to cover whichever style of undergarment is selected by the wearer by being strategically positioned on the lower portion of a buttock and hip region of the wearer's body. By visibly obscuring the edge or other feature of a variety of undergarments that may be selected by a wearer, the obscuring region of the lower body garment allows the user to comfortably and confidently wear any undergarment they desire, rather than limiting their choice according to the limitations of lower body garments having no obscuring region. In other examples, the garment is an upper body garment, such as a shirt, and the obscured object is an undergarment, such as a bra or a portion thereof. The upper body garment includes the obscuring region having at least one dimension so that the obscuring region covers at least a portion of the bra to obscure it from view. In yet other examples, the garment is some other type of garment, such as a hat, a sock, a sleeve, a belt, or some other garment. In still other examples, the garment is a combination of an upper body garment and a lower body garment (e.g., a dress, a jumper, or a romper, a leotard, bibs or overalls, or some other garment) that covers at least a portion of a wearer's upper body and at least a portion of the wearer's lower body, for example.
The obscuring region includes at least one region of the garment. For example, the obscuring region can be a single region of the garment or a group of multiple adjacent regions of the garment. The obscuring region of the garment includes a material (e.g., fabric) with a material characteristic (e.g., type, style, stitch, structure, pattern, or other material characteristic) that differs from a material characteristic of other regions of the garment. For example, the garment can be generally constructed from a knit material (e.g., a jersey knit material, a rib knit material, a piqué knit material, or some other knit material). The obscuring region has a first material characteristic that differs from a remainder of the garment. For example, the obscuring region can include a knit type or knit structure, such as an offset knit structure, while other regions of the garment can include a different knit type or knit structure, such as a jersey knit structure. The obscuring region may be joined to the other regions of the garment through different technical or mechanical processes. For example, the garment may be constructed as a seamless style (e.g., by way of a circular knitting machine) or in a cut-and-sew style (e.g., by way of a warp knitting machine, a flatbed knitting machine, or other knitting machine). In a seamless style, the obscuring region is an integral, seamlessly knitted part of the knit garment. In a cut-and-sew style, the garment is constructed from multiple discrete material panels that are sewn together to form the garment. In this style, the obscuring region is integrally knitted to or applied to adjacent regions of the garment by means of seaming, bonding, or flocking. In such examples, the obscuring region can be a different material (e.g., a bonded material or some other material) than a remainder of the garment. In both the seamless knitted and cut-and-sew knitted styles, the obscuring region includes a structure (e.g., a knit structure) that differs from other regions of the garment to selectively obscure the object positioned beneath the obscuring region of the garment.
It is important to understand that the garment having one or more obscuring regions described herein is different from a “compression” garment. There have been many recent developments relating to the health and performance benefits of athletic garments to exert a compressive force on the muscle tissue to affect blood flow and circulation. There are many athletic “compression” garments in the marketplace specially designed to alter the relative blood flow to the wearers underlying muscle and tissue. However, the garment envisioned in the innovations described herein is different from such athletic compression garments in that intentionally altering blood flow to particular tissue is functionally distinct from and outside the scope of the visually obscuring concepts described and focused upon herein. The garment also differs from other compressive-type garments commonly referred to as shapewear or foundation garments. Such garments are undergarments designed to modify and/or reshape areas of the wearer's body to achieve a physical appearance desired by the wearer. The effects generally sought by the wearer of these undergarments are to slim, shape, and/or sculpt specific areas of the body. The garment described herein differs from shapewear or foundation garments in that it is not an undergarment, and it does not intentionally slim, shape and/or sculpt areas of the wearer's body.
Referring to FIGS. 1-8C, among others, a garment 100 is shown. The garment 100 includes a rear side 105 as depicted in FIG. 1 , a front side 200 as depicted in FIG. 2 , and a side 300 as depicted in FIG. 3 . The garment 100 includes multiple regions. Specifically, the garment 100 includes an obscuring region 110 (e.g., a first region 110), a supporting region 115 (e.g., a second region 115), a positioning region 120 (e.g., a third region 120), a body region 125 (e.g., a fourth region 125), and waist region 130 (e.g., a fifth region 130). The garment 100 is a lower body garment 100 configured to cover a waist, hips, buttocks, and at least a portion of the legs of a wearer 800, shown in FIGS. 8A-8C and discussed below. The garment 100 is a form-fitting garment that configured to fit against the wearer rather than hanging loosely on the body of the wearer 800. For example, the garment 100 can include a material (e.g., polyester, cotton, or some other material) having an elastic portion (e.g., spandex or some other elastic portion) or component such that the garment 100 takes a form of the wearer 800. The garment 100 is a non-compressive form-fitting garment. For example, the garment 100 is configured to fit snuggly (rather than loosely) on the wearer 800, but without applying a compressive force that is characteristic of athletic or medical garments. In contrast with compressive garments that apply a compressive force to a portion of the wearer's body to affect blood flow (e.g., promote circulation) or affect physical performance or reduce fatigue after physical exertion, the garment 100 is configured to fit snuggly without intentionally affecting blood flow or physical performance of the wearer. Similarly, unlike shapewear or foundation garments, the garment 100 is configured to fit snuggly without intentionally slimming, shaping and/or sculpting to modify and/or reshape areas of the wearer's body. In this way, the garment 100 can be an athleisure garment, a casual garment, or a loungewear garment, among other non-compressive garments.
As depicted in FIGS. 1-8C, among others, the garment 100 is a pair of leggings (e.g., yoga pants) configured to be worn on a lower body of the wearer 800. It is understood that in other examples, some of which are discussed in detail below, the components of the garment 100 or the structural and functional characteristics of the garment 100 herein described can be applied to other garments, such as other lower body garments (e.g., shorts, bike shorts, capri pants, footed tights, or some other lower body garment), upper body garments (e.g., shirts, tops, sweaters, or other upper body garments), or other garments.
The obscuring region 110 of the garment 100 is a visually obscuring region or portion of the garment 100. The obscuring region 110 is a region, zone, part, or portion of the garment 100 that is configured to obscure (e.g., disguise, conceal, mask, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an object positioned underneath the obscuring region 110 of the garment. As noted above, the garment 100 is a form-fitting garment such that an object positioned between the garment 100 and the wearer will be positioned against an inner surface of the garment 100. The object can be an undergarment, such as a wearer's panties or other undergarment, for example. In other examples, the object can be some other object (e.g., a wearable medical device, a scar, or some other object).
The supporting region 115 is positioned adjacent the obscuring region 110. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-8C, the supporting region 115 is directly adjacent to and vertically (e.g., in a first or vertical direction 160) below the obscuring region 110 such that there are no intervening regions or regions between the obscuring region 110 and the supporting region 115. In other examples, the supporting region 115 is not directly adjacent the obscuring region 110 because some other region, seam, or portion is positioned between the obscuring region 110 and the supporting region 115. In various embodiments, the supporting region 115 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) below the obscuring region 110 (e.g., between the obscuring region 110 and a lower end or opening of the garment 100). The positioning region 120 is positioned adjacent the obscuring region 110. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-8C, the positioning region 120 is directly adjacent the obscuring region 110 such that there is no intervening region or regions between the obscuring region 110 and the positioning region 120. Likewise, the positioning region 120 is positioned directly adjacent the waist region 130. In other examples, the positioning region 120 is not directly adjacent the obscuring region 110 or the waist region 130 because some other region, seam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the positioning region 120 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) above the obscuring region 110 (e.g., between the obscuring region 110 and an upper end or opening of the garment 100).
As depicted in FIG. 1 , among others, the obscuring region 110 includes a boundary 180. The boundary 180 is a perimeter or outer edge of the obscuring region 110. The boundary 180 includes an obscuring-supporting boundary 185 (e.g., a first boundary portion 185) and an obscuring-positioning boundary 190 (e.g., a second boundary portion 190). The supporting region 115 of the garment 100 is positioned against the obscuring-supporting boundary 185 of the obscuring region 110. The positioning region 120 is positioned against the obscuring-positioning boundary 190 of the obscuring region 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, the obscuring region 110 includes the obscuring-supporting boundary 185 and the obscuring-positioning boundary 190 having a curvilinear or curved shape. For example, the obscuring-supporting boundary 185 and the obscuring-positioning boundary 190 can be compound curves having both concave and convex curved regions to substantially follow the curvature of a body of the wearer 800 (e.g., a wearer's buttocks 805, described further below). The obscuring-supporting boundary 185 and the obscuring-positioning boundary 190 can be compound curves when the garment 100 is worn by the wearer 800 or when the garment is unworn (e.g., not on the wearer 800).
FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 7 , depict the various regions of the garment 100 in greater detail. FIGS. 6A and 7 depict a first leg portion of the garment 100, with FIG. 6A depicting the first leg portion (e.g., a left leg portion) in a flat configuration and FIG. 7 depicting the first leg portion in a closed or tubular configuration. FIG. 6B depicts a second leg portion (e.g., a right leg portion). The first leg portion of FIGS. 6A and 7 is a mirror image of the second leg portion of FIG. 6B. The positioning region 120 of the garment 100 includes an extension 620. The extension 620 extends along the sides 300 of the garment 100 and to a greater degree than a remainder of the positioning region 120. As noted above, the positioning region 120 is generally positioned vertically above the obscuring region 110, which is itself generally positioned vertically above the supporting region 115. The extension 620 of the positioning region 120 extends vertically downward such that the extension 620 is at least partially horizontally adjacent to a portion of the obscuring region 110 and a portion of the supporting region 115. Specifically, as depicted in FIGS. 6A-7 , the extension 620 divides the obscuring region 110 into a forward portion 600 and a rearward portion 605. The forward portion 600 of the obscuring region 110 wraps around to the front side 200 of the garment 100 from the side 300. The rearward portion 605 of the obscuring region 110 wraps around to the rear side 105 of the garment 100 from the side 300. Likewise, the extension 620 divides the supporting region 115 into a forward portion 610 and a rearward portion 615. The forward portion 610 of the supporting region 115 wraps around to the front side 200 of the garment 100 from the side 300. The rearward portion 615 of the supporting region 115 wraps around to the rear side 105 of the garment 100 from the side 300.
The body region 125 is positioned adjacent the supporting region 115. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-8C, the body region 125 is directly adjacent the supporting region 115 on the rear side 105 of the garment 100 such that there is no intervening region or regions between the supporting region 115 and the body region 125. On the front side 200 of the garment 100, the body region 125 is positioned directly adjacent a portion of the supporting region 115 and a portion of the waist region 130. On the side 300 of the garment 100, the body region 125 is positioned adjacent a portion of the supporting region 115 and a portion of the positioning region 120. In other examples, the body region 125 is not directly adjacent the supporting region 115, the positioning region 120, or the waist region 130 because some other region, seam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the body region 125 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) below the adjacent regions on each respective side of the garment 100.
The waist region 130 is a waist region of the garment, according to an exemplary example of FIGS. 1-8C. The waist region 130 is positioned at an upper end of the garment 100. The waist region 130 is positioned adjacent the positioning region 120 on the rear side 105 of the garment. The waist region 130 is positioned adjacent the body region 125 on at least a portion of the front side 200 of the garment 100. As depicted in FIGS. 1-3 and 6A-8C, the waist region 130 is directly adjacent the positioning region 120 and the body region 125 such that there are no intervening regions between the waist region 130 and the positioning region 120 or the body region 125. In other examples, the waist region 130 is not directly adjacent the positioning region 120 or the body region 125 because some other region, seam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the waist region 130 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) above the positioning region 120 and vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) above the body region 125. Specifically, the waist region 130 forms an upper end of the garment 100.
The obscuring region 110 includes an obscuring material 135 (e.g., a first material 135) having a first material structure. The obscuring material 135 may be comprised of cotton yarns, synthetic yarns, cellulosic yarns, spandex and/or a combination thereof. According to an exemplary embodiment, the obscuring material 135 is a first knit material 135 having a first knit structure. The first knit structure of the obscuring material 135 is an offset knit structure, as is depicted in FIGS. 4B and 5A-5C, among others. According to an exemplary embodiment, the offset knit structure of the first material is a 4×4 offset knit structure. In other examples, the obscuring material 135 can include a 2×2 offset knit structure, a 1-2-3-2-1 offset knit structure, or some other offset knit structure.
The obscuring material 135 includes an outer surface 500 and an inner surface 505. According to an exemplary embodiment, the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 135 include multiple impressions 405 and multiple protrusions 410 on the outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135. For example, the protrusions 410 and impressions 405 can include a generally rectangular form factor and can exist in an alternating or grid-like pattern along the outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135. The impressions 405 are recessed relative to the protrusions 410 such that outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135 includes a first texture (e.g., a textured surface). The textured outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135 is intentionally configured to diffuse incident light differently from the surrounding materials or surfaces. Specifically, light rays can be diffused by the textured outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135 to obscure (e.g., disguise, hide, mask, diminish, or conceal) an object positioned between the inner surface 505 of the first material and the wearer 800, for example. Because the textured outer surface 500 diffuses light, any highlights or shadows that might occur as a result of the presence of an edge, namely an outer edge, of an undergarment (e.g., an undergarment elastic band, or some other portion of the undergarment) can be reduced or substantially eliminated.
The obscuring material 135 includes a first degree of stretch (e.g., elasticity) and a first material density. Specifically, the obscuring material 135 can include the offset knit structure to provide the first degree of stretch and the first material density. The offset knit structure can provide a first degree of stretch in multiple directions. As depicted in FIG. 4B, among others, the obscuring material 135 includes the offset knit structure to provide the first degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160, in a second or horizontal direction 165, or in a third or angled direction 170. The third direction 170 is oriented at an angle 175 from the vertical direction in either a positive or negative direction. The obscuring material 135 includes the first degree of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. Accordingly, the obscuring material 135 includes a substantially similar amount (e.g., ±25%) of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. In some embodiments, the obscuring material 135 can include the first degree of stretch in substantially all directions or some subset of directions. The even stretch characteristics of the obscuring material 135 can allow the obscuring region 110 to lay evenly or substantially evenly over an object (e.g., an outer edge of an undergarment) when the garment 100 is worn.
The obscuring material 135 includes the offset knit structure to provide a first material density. As depicted in FIGS. 5A and 5B, among others, the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 135 creates a textured outer surface by virtue of the impressions 405 and the protrusions 410. The impressions 405 and protrusions 410 collectively create a material loft, body, or thickness. Characterized another way, the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 135 creates a first material density that is lesser than a material with a knit structure having the same yarn but without the same loft or body. The first density of the obscuring material 135 can be a function of the knit float strands 510, as depicted in FIG. 5B. The first material density can facilitate the obscuring of an object covered by the obscuring region 110.
In other embodiments, the obscuring material 135 can include a material structure other than an offset knit structure. For example, as discussed below with reference to FIGS. 15-18C, a bonded material can be used to create a textured outer surface 500 of the obscuring region 110 or to create a desired degree of stretch, density, modulus of elasticity or other material parameter in one or more directions. In various embodiments, the obscuring region 110 includes a material that can obscure the presence of an object covered by the obscuring region 110, whether optically or mechanically as discussed in detail below with reference to FIGS. 8A-8C.
The supporting region 115 includes a supporting material 140 (e.g., a second material 140) having a second material structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the supporting material 140 is a second knit material 140 having a second knit structure. The second knit structure of the supporting material 140 is a twill rib knit structure, as is depicted in FIG. 4C, among others. According to an exemplary embodiment, the twill rib knit structure is a 1×1 twill rib knit structure. For example, the twill rib knit structure of the supporting material 140 can include an alternating pattern of one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch. In other embodiments, the twill rib knit structure can be a 2×2 twill rib knit structure (e.g., 2 knit stitches followed by two purl stitches) or some other twill rib knit stitch. The twill rib knit includes one or more parallel ribs 415 (e.g., columns or rows) that are raised relative to one or more parallel valleys (e.g., channel, depression, notch, or trough) formed between two adjacent ribs 415 of the supporting material 140. The ribs 415 can be oriented to extend in the direction 170 or in some other direction at an angle relative to the vertical direction 160 or the horizontal direction 165. The twill rib knit structure of the supporting material 140 can include both a right-hand variant and a left hand variant. For example, a first or left leg portion shown in FIG. 6A includes the supporting material 140 having a right hand twill rib knit structure, while the second or right leg portion shown in FIG. 6B includes the supporting material 140 having a left hand twill rib knit structure.
The supporting material 140 includes a second degree of stretch and a second material density. Specifically, the twill rib knit structure of the supporting material 140 can provide a second degree of stretch in multiple directions. In other examples, the supporting material 140 includes a different knit structure to provide the second degree of stretch. As depicted in FIG. 4C, among others, the supporting material 140 includes the twill rib knit structure to provide the second degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160, in the horizontal direction 165, or in the direction 170. As noted above the twill rib knit structure can be a left-hand twill rib knit structure or a right-hand twill rib knit structure, where the ribs 415 are oriented in the direction 170 at the angle 175 from the vertical direction 160 or from some other direction. In some examples, the supporting material 140 includes the second degree of stretch in the direction 160, the direction 165, and the direction 170, among other directions. Accordingly, the supporting material 140 can include a substantially similar amount (e.g., ±25%) of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. In some examples, the supporting material 140 can include the second degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions. For example, the orientation or direction of the ribs 415 can affect the degree to which the supporting material 140 can stretch in the direction 170 (or whichever direction in which the ribs 415 are oriented) such that the supporting material 140 includes the second degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165, but not in the direction 170.
The second degree of stretch exhibited by the supporting material 140 can be a lesser degree of stretch than the first degree of stretch. Specifically, the obscuring material 135 of the obscuring region 110 can stretch to a greater extent given an applied force than the supporting material 140 of the supporting region 115. Because the second degree of stretch of the supporting material 140 is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 135, the supporting region 115 is more resistant to stretching and is thus more supportive. The second density of the supporting material 140 can be greater than, less than, or substantially similar to the first density of the obscuring material 135. As is discussed in detail below, the supporting region 115 having the supporting material 140 with the second degree of stretch is configured to support (e.g., lift, stabilize, or otherwise support) the tissue beneath an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment to counteract the displacement of the same tissue by the outer edge of the undergarment or by the engagement of the garment 100 with the outer edge of the undergarment.
The positioning region 120 includes a positioning material 145 (e.g., a third material 145) having a third material structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the positioning material 145 is a third knit material 145 having a third knit structure. The third knit structure of the positioning material 145 is a rib knit structure, as is depicted in FIGS. 4A and 5C, among others. According to an exemplary embodiment, the rib knit structure is a 1×1 rib knit structure. For example, the rib knit structure of the positioning material 145 can include an alternating pattern of one knit stitch followed by one purl stitch. In other embodiments, the rib knit structure can be a 2×2 rib knit structure (e.g., 2 knit stitches followed by two purl stitches) or some other rib knit stitch. The rib knit includes one or more parallel ribs 400 (e.g., columns, or rows) that are raised relative to one or more parallel valleys (e.g., channel, depression, notch, or trough) formed between two adjacent ribs 400 of the positioning material 145. The ribs 400 are oriented to extend in the vertical direction 160. In other embodiments, the ribs 400 can extend in some other direction at an angle relative to the vertical direction 160.
The positioning material 145 includes a third degree of stretch, a fourth degree of stretch, and a third material density. Specifically, the rib knit structure of the positioning material 145 can provide a third degree of stretch in multiple directions. In other examples, the positioning material 145 includes a different knit structure to provide the third degree of stretch and a fourth degree of stretch. As depicted in FIG. 4A, among others, the positioning material 145 includes the rib knit structure to provide the third degree of stretch in the horizontal direction 165. The positioning material 145 includes the rib knit structure to provide the fourth degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160. In some examples, the positioning material 145 includes the fourth degree of stretch in the direction 160 and the third degree of stretch in the direction 165 and the direction 170, among other directions.
The fourth degree of stretch exhibited by the positioning material 145 can be a lesser degree of stretch than the third degree of stretch also exhibited by the positioning material 145. Specifically, the positioning material 145 includes an uneven degree of stretch that varies with the direction of a stretching action or force. For example, the positioning material 145 can stretch according to the third degree of stretch given an applied force applied in the horizontal direction 165, but only stretch according to the fourth degree of stretch given the same applied force in the vertical direction 160. In this way, the positioning material 145 can resist stretch in the vertical direction 160, while more readily permitting stretch in the horizontal direction 165 or in some other non-vertical direction. The positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120 can be configured to position the garment 100, namely the obscuring region 110 and the supporting region 115 of the garment 100, on the body of the wearer 800 so that the obscuring region 110 is positioned over an undergarment edge region 830 and so that the supporting region 115 is positioned beneath the undergarment edge region 830. For example, Because the fourth degree of stretch of the positioning material 145 is less than the third degree of stretch of the positioning material 145, the positioning region 120 is more resistant to stretching in the vertical direction to ensure the obscuring region 110 and supporting region 115 positioned below the positioning region 120 are appropriately positioned to achieve an optimal obscuring effect. The positioning region 120 can resist vertical stretch (or at least allow only a limited extent of vertical stretch) so that the obscuring region 110 is positioned within the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800 rather than being placed too far beneath the undergarment edge region 830.
The third density of the positioning material 145 can be greater than, less than, or substantially similar to the first density of the obscuring material 135 or the second density of the supporting material 140. The third degree of stretch of the positioning material 145 can be less than, greater than, or similar to the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 135. The third degree of stretch of the positioning material 145 can be greater than the second degree of stretch of the supporting material 140. The fourth degree of stretch of the positioning material 145 can be less than, greater than, or similar to the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 135. The fourth degree of stretch of the positioning material 145 can be greater than, less than, or similar to the second degree of stretch of the supporting material 140.
As is discussed in detail below, the supporting region 115 having the supporting material 140 with the second degree of stretch is configured to support (e.g., lift, stabilize, or otherwise support) the tissue beneath an outer edge of an undergarment to counteract the displacement of the same tissue by the outer edge of the undergarment or by the engagement of the garment 100 with the outer edge of the undergarment. Accordingly, the material 140 can include a substantially similar amount (e.g., ±25%) of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. In some examples, the supporting material 140 can include the second degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions. For example, the orientation or direction of the ribs 415 can affect the degree to which the supporting material 140 can stretch in the direction 170 (or whichever direction in which the ribs 415 are oriented) such that the supporting material 140 includes the second degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165, but not in the direction 170.
The body region 125 includes a body material 150 (e.g., a fourth material 150). The waist region 130 includes a waist material 155 (e.g., a fifth material 155). The body material 150 of the body region 125 includes a fifth degree of stretch and a fourth density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the body material 150 includes a jersey knit structure. In other examples, the body material 150 includes a different material structure, such as a twill knit structure or some other structure. The waist material 155 of the waist region 130 includes at least a sixth degree of stretch and a fifth density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the waist material 155 includes a 2×2 rib knit structure. In other examples, the waist material 155 includes a different material structure, such as a twill knit structure or some other structure.
In various examples, the obscuring material 135 of the obscuring region 110, the supporting material 140 of the supporting region 115, the positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120, the body material 150 of the body region 125, the waist material 155 of the waist region 130, and any other material regions of the garment 100 are integrally formed to create the garment 100. Specifically, each of the regions can be regions of an integral knit structure where the same yarn or material is used throughout each of the regions and where only the knit structure varies from region-to-region. In other examples, each of the regions can be regions of an integral knit structure where the same yarn or material is used throughout each of the regions and where the knit structure and some other material parameter varies from region-to-region. For example, the material parameter can be an amount of elastane or other elastic material embedded in a particular region to bolster a degree of stretch. Each of the obscuring material 135 of the obscuring region 110, the supporting material 140 of the supporting region 115, the positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120, the body material 150 of the body region 125, the waist material 155 of the waist region 130, and any other material regions of the garment 100 can include other material parameters (e.g., parameters other than degree of stretch or density) that can be varied to optimize an obscuring effect. For example, one or more regions can include an amount of tension, stitch count, or some other material parameter.
As shown in FIGS. 8A-8C, among others, the garment 100 worn by the wearer 800. The wearer 800 has a buttocks 805 which includes a lower buttock area 810 and an upper buttock area 815. The lower buttock area 810 is positioned proximate a leg of the wearer. For example, the lower buttock area 810 is an area of the body of the wearer 800 where the buttocks 805 transitions into the leg of the wearer 800. The lower buttock area 810 can include lower buttock tissue that includes, depending on the wearer, some amount of subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle tissue. The subcutaneous fat tissue can be displaced (e.g., moved, formed, shaped, or otherwise displaced) when subject to some force, such as a compressive force applied by an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment against the lower buttock tissue. Accordingly, a shape or profile of the lower buttock area 810 of the wearer 800 can be altered if a force is applied by an undergarment (e.g., an outer edge of an undergarment) or by a form-fitting garment positioned over the undergarment that pushes the outer edge of the undergarment against the lower buttock area 810. Similarly, the upper buttock area 815 can include upper buttock tissue that includes, depending on the wearer, some amount of subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle tissue. The subcutaneous fat tissue can be displaced (e.g., moved, formed, shaped, or otherwise displaced) when subject to some force, such as a compressive force applied by an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment against the upper buttock tissue. Accordingly, a shape or profile of the upper buttock area 815 of the wearer 800 can be altered if a force is applied by an undergarment (e.g., an outer edge of an undergarment) or by a form-fitting garment positioned over the undergarment that pushes the outer edge of the undergarment against the upper buttock area 815.
Depending on the type of undergarment worn by the user, the outer edge of the undergarment can be positioned within the lower buttock area 810, within the upper buttock area 815, or within both the lower buttock area 810 and the upper buttock area 815. Accordingly, there exists an undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800 within which the outer edge of an undergarment typically resides. For example, the undergarment edge region 830 is a region of the buttocks 805 within which the outer edge of an undergarment is likely to reside even when the type of undergarment is varied. For example, the outer edge of an undergarment resides within undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800 regardless of what type or style of undergarment is worn, whether the undergarment be is of a bikini, thong, brief, high-cut, hipster, cheeky, or other style of undergarment. The precise dimension (e.g., size, position, etc.) of the undergarment edge region 830 can be determined empirically depending on a wearer's body size and type, as is discussed in greater detail below with respect to FIGS. 9A-9C, among others.
The wearer 800 further includes a waist area 820, at least one hip area 825, an ankle area 835, a chest area 840, a back area 845, and a shoulder area 850. In the example embodiment depicted in discussed in FIGS. 1-8C, the obscuring region 110 is positioned at least partially over the buttocks 805 of the wearer. Specifically, the obscuring region 110 is positioned to at least partially cover the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800, which can itself be positioned at least partially over the lower buttock area 810 and the upper buttock area 815 of the wearer 800. The obscuring region 110 can further cover a portion of hip area 825 of the wearer 800 by wrapping around the from the rear side 105 of the garment 100 to the front side 200. The supporting region 115 is positioned vertically beneath the obscuring region 110 such that it is disposed between the obscuring region 110 and the ankle area 835 of the wearer 800. Specifically, the supporting region 115 is positioned proximate the lower buttock area 810 of the wearer 800. The supporting region 115 can further cover a portion of hip area 825 of the wearer 800 by wrapping around the from the rear side 105 of the garment 100 to the front side 200.
The positioning region 120 is positioned vertically above the obscuring region 110. Specifically, the positioning region 120 is positioned to at least partially cover the upper buttock area 815 of the wearer 800. The positioning region 120 is positioned between the obscuring region 110 and the waist region 130. The positioning region 120 includes the extension 620 as shown in FIGS. 6A-7 . The extension 620 extends downward along the side 300 of the garment 100 and within the hip area 825. Specifically, the extension 620 extends downward toward the ankle area 835 of the wearer 800. By extending downward, the extension 620 divides the obscuring region 110 into the forward portion 600 and the rearward portion 605 of the obscuring region 110. Similarly, by extending downward, the extension 620 divides the supporting region 115 into the forward portion 610 and the rearward portion 615 of the supporting region 115. The body region 125 is positioned vertically below the supporting region 115 and extends down toward the ankle area 835 of the wearer 800. On the rear side 105 of the garment 100, the body region 125 extends from the lower buttock area 810 to the ankle area 835 of the wearer 800. On the front side 200, at least a portion of the body region 125 extends from the waist area 820 to the ankle area 835 of the wearer 800. The waist region 130 is positioned at, above, or proximate to the waist area 820 of the wearer 800. For example, the waist region 130 can wrap at least partially around the waist area 820 of the wearer 800.
As noted above, the first region 110 is an obscuring region 110 of the garment 100. The obscuring region 110 is configured to visually obscure an object, such as an undergarment or other object, that is positioned beneath the obscuring region 110 when the garment 100 is worn. For example, when a wearer (e.g., the wearer 800, as depicted in FIGS. 8A-8C) and discussed below) is wearing the garment 100, the obscuring region 110 is positioned over an edge (e.g., an outer edge) or other portion of an undergarment and acts to obscure the undergarment. Accordingly, the obscuring region 110 at least partially covers the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800. In this way, the obscuring region 110 is positioned at least partially on the lower buttock area 810 of the wearer 800, the upper buttock area 815 of the wearer 800, or a combination thereof.
Form fitting garments generally have a tendency to take the shape of both the wearer and any object positioned between the form-fitting garment and the wearer. Accordingly, if an undergarment is worn by the wearer, a form-fitting garment may have a tendency to at least partially take the shape of the undergarment, which can cause the undergarment to be visible as an indentation, bulge, protrusion, bump, or other surface irregularity on an outer surface of the form-fitting garment. For example, an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment may be visible through the garment because the garment is form-fitted against the outer edge of the undergarment on the wearer's body. This can cause the outer edge of the undergarment to be visible as a bulge of the form-fitting garment, for example. In some circumstances, the outer edge or other portion of the undergarment can apply force to the wearer's tissue to displace a tissue of the wearer. Specifically, the outer edge of the undergarment can squeeze the wearer's body, where the squeezing can cause the displacement the wearer's tissue, including an indentation in the wearer's tissue directly beneath the outer edge and an outward bulge on either side of the outer edge. The combination of the bulges and indentation can create a surface irregularity in the wearer's tissue. The form-fitting garment can take the shape of the surface irregularity when worn by the user. In this way, the surface irregularity can be visible from an outer surface of the form-fitting garment. Furthermore, the outer edge of the undergarment can be emphasized by creating highlights and shadows that are visible from an outer surface of the form-fitting garment. The highlights and shadows can be created as incident light contacts the indented or raised regions on the wearer's body caused by the outer edge of the undergarment or displaced tissue. The highlights and shadows can optically emphasize the presence of the outer edge of the undergarment and displaced tissue.
Unlike other form-fitting garments, the garment 100 includes the obscuring region 110 to obscure an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment and any tissue displaced by the edge of the undergarment. Because the obscuring region 110 can be positioned to substantially overlap with an undergarment edge region 830 of a wearer's body, the obscuring region 110 is positioned to cover the edge of the undergarment. Further, the obscuring region 110 can be positioned to cover a portion of the tissue of the wearer 800 that is displaced by the undergarment or by the form-fitting garment 100 interacting with the undergarment. Accordingly, the obscuring region 110 is positioned to visually obscure the edge of the undergarment and tissue displaced around the edge of the undergarment. By obscuring the edge of the undergarment and tissue displaced proximate the edge of the undergarment, the obscuring region 110 can obscure (e.g., disguise, conceal, mask, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the edge of the undergarment and displaced tissue from view. For example, the obscuring region 110 can include the obscuring material 135 having a textured surface, such as the textured outer surface 500 of the obscuring material 135, that can diffuse light within the obscuring region 110. By diffusing the light within the obscuring region 110, the obscuring region 110 can reduce the incidence of the aforementioned highlights and shadows that can be created by the edge of the undergarment and displaced tissues. Accordingly, the diffused light within the obscuring region 110 can reduce the visibility of the edge of the undergarment and associated displaced tissue to optically obscure the edge of the undergarment and displaced tissue from view.
The obscuring region 110 can also reduce the incidence of any surface irregularity created by the edge of the undergarment or the interaction of the garment 100 with the edge of the undergarment (e.g., creation of an indentation or surrounding displaced tissue). For example, the obscuring region 110 can act to smooth out (e.g., even out, make uniform) the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800. By smoothing out the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800, the obscuring region 110 physically (e.g., mechanically) obscures the undergarment edge or associated displaced tissue from view.
In some examples, the garment 100 includes the obscuring region 110, the supporting region 115, and the positioning region 120 to collectively obscure the edge (e.g., the outer edge) of the undergarment and associated displaced tissues. For example, the obscuring region 110 can optically and physically obscure the outer edge of the undergarment and displaced tissue as discussed above. The supporting region 115 can include the supporting material 140 to provide a toning effect to the lower buttock area 810 or underneath the lower buttock area 810 to lift tissue displaced by the edge of the undergarment or by the interaction of the garment 100 with the edge of the undergarment. For example, the supporting region 115 can apply a force to counteract or reduce the displacement of tissue vertically below (e.g., underneath) the edge of the undergarment. By counteracting the displacement of tissue underneath the edge of the undergarment, the supporting region 115 can bolster the efficacy of the obscuring region 110 in obscuring the edge of the undergarment and displaced tissue. The positioning region 120 can include the positioning material 145 to reduce a degree of vertical stretch, where reducing the degree of vertical stretch at least partially prevents the obscuring region 110 from moving relative to the undergarment edge region 830 of the user. The positioning region 120 can further prevent the supporting region 115 from moving relative to the lower buttock area 810. In this way, the positioning region 120 serves to ensure the obscuring region 110 and the supporting region 115 remain in an appropriate position relative to the wearer 800 so that the first obscuring region 110 and the supporting region 115 can optimally obscure the presence of the undergarment positioned between the garment 100 and the wearer.
Each of the supporting region 115 and the positioning region 120 can act as a transition region between the obscuring region 110 and other regions of the garment 100, such as the body region 125 or the waist region 130. As discussed above, the body region 125 is a main body of the garment 100 and includes a body material 150 that is a base material of the garment 100, such as a jersey knit material. In contrast to the first region 110, the supporting region 115, and the positioning region 120 that respectively include the obscuring material 135 with a first knit structure, the supporting material 140 with a second knit structure, or the positioning material 145 with the third knit structure, the body material 150 includes a fourth knit structure that is not specifically configured to visibly obscure—or aid in the visible obscuring of—an edge (e.g., an outer edge) of an undergarment. For example, the body material 150 can include a jersey knit structure or some other knit structure to provide comfort, breathability, durability, or some other material property or characteristic other than visible obscuring characteristics.
As depicted in FIGS. 8A-10B, among others, the garment 100 can be adapted to fit wearers of varying size. As shown in FIGS. 9A-10A, among others, the garment 100 can be suited for a wearer 900 having a different frame, size, or body type than the wearer 800. Much like the wearer 800, the wearer 900 has a buttocks 905. The buttocks 905 includes a lower buttock area 910 and an upper buttock area 915. The lower buttock area 910 is positioned proximate a leg of the wearer 900. For example, the lower buttock area 910 is an area of the body of the wearer 900 where the buttocks 905 transitions into the leg of the wearer 900. The lower buttock area 910 can include lower buttock tissue that includes, depending on the wearer, some amount of subcutaneous fat tissue and muscle tissue, which can differ for the wearer 900 versus the wearer 800. The upper buttock area 915 and the lower buttock area 910 of the buttocks 905 can define an undergarment edge region 930 of the wearer 900. As noted above, the precise dimension (e.g., size, position, etc.) of the undergarment edge region 930 can be determined empirically depending on the body size and type of the wearer 900, which may differ than the undergarment edge region 830 of the wearer 800. The wearer 900 further includes a waist area 920, at least one hip area 925, an ankle area 935, a chest area 940, a back area 945, and a shoulder area 950.
FIGS. 10A and 10B depict the garment 100 as worn by the wearer 900 and the wearer 800 to demonstrate the differences in each of the obscuring region 110, the supporting region 115, and the positioning region 120, among others, for each respective wearer 900, 800. As shown in FIG. 10A, the supporting region 115 of the garment 100 can have an increased size and an altered shape or profile for the wearer 900 to provide additional support underneath the lower buttock area 910 to counteract the displacement of tissue. The positioning region 120 of the garment 100 suited for the wearer 900 shown in FIG. 10A might also be enlarged and extend upwards from the obscuring region 110 by a greater extent as compared to the garment 100 suited for the wearer 800 shown in FIG. 10B. Further, the area of the obscuring region 110 of the garment 100 suited for the wearer 900 shown in FIG. 10A might be larger than the obscuring region 110 of the garment suited for the wearer 800 as shown in FIG. 10B, among other differences.
FIGS. 11A-18C depict alternative embodiments. FIGS. 11A-11B depict a garment 1100 with an obscuring region. The garment 1100 includes a rear side 1105 and a front side 1110. The garment 1100 includes an obscuring region 1115 (e.g., a first region 1115), a first positioning region 1120 (e.g., a first adjacent positioning region 1120, a lower adjacent positioning region 1120, a second region 1120), a second positioning region 1125 (e.g., a second adjacent positioning region 1125, an upper adjacent positioning region 1125, a third region 1125), a third positioning region 1130 (e.g., an upper non-adjacent position region 1130, a non-adjacent positioning region 1130, a fourth region 1130), a body region 1135 (e.g., a fifth region 1135), and a waist region 1140 (e.g., a sixth region 1140), among other regions or portions of the garment 1100. The first region 1115 is a visually obscuring region of the garment 1100. The obscuring region 1115 includes an obscuring material 1145 (e.g., a first material 1145). The obscuring material 1145 includes a first material structure. For example, the obscuring material 1145 of the obscuring region 1115 can include a first knit structure configured to obscure an object (e.g., an outer edge of an undergarment) positioned between the garment 1100 and a wearer. Like the obscuring region 110 of the garment 100, the obscuring region 1115 of the garment 1100 can include an offset knit material, a jersey knit structure with tuck stitches, or some other material structure that has a textured appearance. The material structure of the obscuring material 1145 can include a first degree of stretch, a first density, and a first texture, among other material characteristics. The obscuring material 1145 can be configured to stretch in a substantially even manner in multiple directions. In other embodiments, the obscuring material 1145 can be configured to stretch according to the first degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions, for example.
The first positioning region 1120 includes a first positioning material 1150 (e.g., a second material 1150) having a second material structure and the second positioning region 1125 includes a second positioning material 1155 (e.g., a third material 1155) having a third material structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first positioning material 1150 of the first positioning region 1120 is substantially identical to the second positioning material 1155 of the second positioning region 1125. In other examples, the first positioning material 1150 is different than the second positioning material 1155. The first positioning material 1150 and the second positioning material 1155 can include a rib knit structure, such as the rib knit structure of the positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120 discussed above with reference to the garment 100, a 1×1 rib knit structure, or some other material structure. The first positioning material 1150 and the second positioning material 1155 include a second degree of stretch, a second density, and a second texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, texture, or some other material characteristic of the obscuring material 1145. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1145, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160), so that the first positioning region 1120 and the second positioning region 1125 can maintain an appropriate position of the obscuring region 1115 relative to an undergarment edge region of a wearer, for example. The first positioning region 1120 can support tissue of the wearer proximate to an undergarment edge region of the wearer. For example, the first positioning region 1120 of the garment 1100 can support (e.g., slightly lift) tissue that is displaced by an interaction between an outer edge of an undergarment and the garment 1100 to at least partially counteract the effect of the displacement. The first positioning region 1120 and the second positioning region 1125 can at least partially surround the obscuring region 1115. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 11A-11B, the first positioning region 1120 is positioned below the obscuring region 1115 and the second positioning region 1125 is positioned above the obscuring region 1115. The second density can be greater or less than the first density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the second texture is similar to the first texture.
The third positioning region 1130 includes a third positioning material 1160 (e.g., a fourth material 1160) having a fourth material structure. For example, the third positioning material 1160 can include a rib knit structure, such as a 5×5 rib knit structure or some other material structure. The third positioning material 1160 includes a third degree of stretch, a third density, and a third texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1145, the first positioning material 1150, or the second positioning material 1155. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third degree of stretch can be less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1145, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160), so that the third positioning region 1130 can maintain an appropriate position of the obscuring region 1115 relative to an undergarment edge region of a wearer, for example. The third density can be greater or less than the first density or the second density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the third texture is similar to the first texture or the second texture.
The body region 1135 includes a body material 1165 (e.g., a fifth material 1165) having a fifth material structure. For example, the body material 1165 can include a twill knit structure, such as the twill rib knit structure of the supporting material 140 of the supporting region 115 discussed above with reference to the garment 100, or some other material structure. The twill rib knit material structure can be a left-hand twill rib knit or a right-hand twill rib knit. For example, the garment 1100 can include a first leg portion with left-hand twill rib knit structure and a second leg portion with right-hand twill rib knit structure. The body material 1165 includes a fourth degree of stretch, a fourth density, and a fourth texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1145, the first positioning material 1150, the second positioning material 1155, or the third positioning material 1160. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1145. The fourth density can be greater or less than the first density, the second density, and the third density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the fourth texture is similar to the first texture, the second texture, or the third texture.
The waist region 1140 includes a waist material 1170 (e.g., a sixth material 1170) having a sixth material structure. For example, the waist material 1170 can include a knit structure, such as a rib knit structure, a jersey knit structure, or some other material structure. The waist material 1170 includes a fifth degree of stretch, a fifth density, and a fifth texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1145, the first positioning material 1150, the second positioning material 1155, the third positioning material 1160, or the body material 1165. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fifth degree of stretch can be less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1145, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160), so that the waist region 1140 retains the garment 1100 on the wearer's waist, for example. The fifth density can be greater or less than the first density, the second density, the third density, or the fourth density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fifth texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the fifth texture is similar to the first texture, the second texture, the third texture, or the fourth texture.
Each of the regions of the garment can be integrally formed with one or more of the other regions of the garment 1100. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the obscuring region 1115, the first positioning region 1120, the second positioning region 1125, the third positioning region 1130, the fourth positioning region 1135 can be integral members of the garment 1100 that are manufactured in a single operation (e.g., a circular knitting operation) such that each of the regions are inseparable from the others, while the waist region 1140 can be a separate panel or portion that is joined (e.g., sewn onto) the other portions of the garment 1100. For example, one or more of obscuring region 1115, the first positioning region 1120, the second positioning region 1125, the third positioning region 1130, the body region 1135, and the waist region 1140 can include a knit structure that varies from the knit structure of one or more other regions while the regions remain integrally formed. Like the garment 100, the garment 1100 can include the obscuring region 1115 to visually obscure (e.g., mask, conceal, disguise, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of the edge of an undergarment between the garment 1100 and the wearer in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to the garment 100.
FIG. 12 depicts a garment 1200 with a visually obscuring region. The garment 1200 includes a rear side 1205, a front side 1210, and a side 1215. The garment 1200 includes an obscuring region 1220 (e.g., a first region 1220), a supporting region 1225 (e.g., a second region 1225), a positioning region 1230 (e.g., a third region 1230), a distal supporting region 1235 (e.g., a fourth region 1235), a body region 1240 (e.g., a fifth region 1240), and a waist region 1245 (e.g., a sixth region 1245), among other regions or portions of the garment 1200. The obscuring region 1220 is a visually obscuring region of the garment 1200. The obscuring region 1220 includes an obscuring material 1250 (e.g., a first material 1250). The obscuring material 1250 includes a first material structure. For example, the obscuring material 1250 of the obscuring region 1220 can include a first knit structure configured to obscure an object (e.g., an edge of an undergarment) positioned between the garment 1200 and a wearer. The obscuring region 1220 of the garment 1200 can include a first jersey knit structure with tuck stitches, or some other material structure that has a textured appearance. The first jersey knit structure with tuck stitch can create horizontal rows via tuck stitching, for example. The material structure of the obscuring material 1250 can include a first degree of stretch, a first density, and a first texture, among other material characteristics. The obscuring material 1250 can be configured to stretch in a substantially even manner in multiple directions. In other embodiments, the obscuring material 1250 can be configured to stretch according to the first degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions, for example.
The supporting region 1225 includes a first supporting material 1255 (e.g., a second material 1255) having a second material structure. The first supporting material 1255 can include a second jersey knit structure with tuck stitches, or some other material structure that has a textured appearance. The second jersey knit structure with tuck stitch can create horizontal rows via tuck stitching, for example. The first supporting material 1255 includes a second degree of stretch, a second density, and a second texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, texture, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1250. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1250, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160), so that the supporting region 1225 can provide support (e.g., lift) in an area underneath the obscuring region 1220 to counteract any displacement of tissue associated with the interaction of the garment 1200 with an edge of an undergarment, for example. The second density can be greater or less than the first density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the second texture is similar to the first texture.
The positioning region 1230 includes a positioning material 1260 (e.g., a third material 1260) having a third material structure. The positioning material 1260 can include a third jersey knit structure with tuck stitches, or some other material structure that has a textured appearance. The third jersey knit structure with tuck stitch can create horizontal rows via tuck stitching, for example. The positioning material 1260 includes a third degree of stretch, a third density, and a third texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1250 or the first supporting material 1255. According to an exemplary embodiment, the third degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1250 so that the positioning region 1230 can maintain an appropriate position of the obscuring region 1220 relative to an undergarment edge region of a wearer, for example. The third degree of stretch can be greater than the second degree of stretch, similar to the second degree of stretch, or less than the second degree of stretch. The third density can be greater or less than the first density or the second density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the first density, the second density, and the third density are different from each other. The third texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the third texture is similar to the first texture or the second texture.
The distal supporting region 1235 includes a second supporting material 1265 (e.g., a fourth material 1265) having a fourth material structure. For example, the second supporting material 1265 can include a knit structure, such as a rib knit structure, a jersey knit structure, or some other structure. The second supporting material 1265 includes a fourth degree of stretch, a fourth density, and a fourth texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, among other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1250, the first supporting material 1255, or the positioning material 1260. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth degree of stretch is can be less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1250, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160). The fourth density can be greater or less than the first density, the second density, or the third density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fourth texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the third texture is similar to the first texture, the second texture, or the third texture.
The body region 1240 includes a body material 1270 (e.g., a fifth material 1270) having a fifth material structure. For example, the body material 1270 can include a two-course jersey knit structure with one-course float on a backside of the body material 1270 and two wales. In other examples, the body material 1270 can include some other material structure. The body material 1270 includes a fifth degree of stretch, a fifth density, and a fifth texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1250, the first supporting material 1255, the positioning material 1260, or the second supporting material 1265. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fifth degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1250. The fifth density can be greater or less than the first density, the second density, the third density, or the fourth density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the fifth texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the fifth texture is similar to the first texture, the second texture, the third texture, or the fourth texture.
The waist region 1245 includes a waist material 1275 (e.g., a sixth material 1275) having a sixth material structure. For example, the sixth material 1275 can include a rib knit structure, such as a transition knit structure, a rib knit structure, a jersey knit structure, or some other material structure. The waist material 1170 includes a sixth degree of stretch, a sixth density, and a sixth texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1250, the first supporting material 1255, the positioning material 1260, the second supporting material 1265, or the body material 1270. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sixth degree of stretch can be less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1250 so that the waist region 1245 retains the garment 1200 on the wearer's waist, for example. The sixth density can be greater or less than the first density, the second density, the third density, the fourth density, or the fifth density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the sixth texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the sixth texture is similar to the first texture, the second texture, the third texture, the fourth texture, or the fifth texture.
Each of the regions of the garment can be integrally formed with one or more of the other regions of the garment 1200. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the obscuring region 1220, the supporting region 1225, the positioning region 1230, the distal supporting region 1235, and the body region 1240 can be integral members of the garment 1200 that are manufactured in a single operation (e.g., a circular knitting operation) such that each of the regions are inseparable from the others, while the waist region 1245 can be a separate panel or portion that is joined with (e.g., sewn onto) the other portions of the garment 1200. For example, one or more of obscuring region 1220, the supporting region 1225, the positioning region 1230, the distal supporting region 1235, the body region 1240, and the waist region 1245 can include a knit structure that varies from the knit structure of one or more other regions while the regions remain integrally formed. Like the garment 100, the garment 1200 can include the obscuring region 1220 to obscure (e.g., mask, conceal, disguise, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an edge of an undergarment between the garment 1200 and the wearer in a manner like that discussed above with reference to the garment 100.
FIGS. 13A-13C depict a garment 1300 with a visually obscuring region. The garment 1300 includes a rear side 1305, a front side 1310, and a side 1315. The garment 1300 includes an obscuring region 1320 (e.g., a first region 1320), a supporting region 1325 (e.g., a second region 1325), a positioning region 1330 (e.g., a third region 1330), a body region 1335 (e.g., a fourth region 1335), and a waist region 1340 (e.g., a fifth region 1340), among other regions or portions of the garment 1300. The first region 1320 is a visually obscuring region. The obscuring region 1320 includes an obscuring material 1345 (e.g., a first material 1345). The obscuring material 1345 includes a first material structure. For example, the obscuring material 1345 of the obscuring region 1320 can include a first knit structure configured to obscure an object (e.g., an edge of an undergarment) positioned between the garment 1300 and a wearer. Specifically, the first material structure of the obscuring material 1345 can be an offset knit structure like the offset knit structure of the material 135 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. The offset knit structure of the obscuring material 1345 can be a 4×4 offset knit structure, a 2×2 offset knit structure, a 1-2-3-2-1 offset knit structure, or some other offset knit structure. The material structure of the obscuring material 1345 can include a first degree of stretch, a first density, and a first texture, among other material characteristics. The obscuring material 1345 can be configured to stretch in a substantially even manner in multiple directions. In other embodiments, the obscuring material 1345 can be configured to stretch according to the first degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions, for example. Like the obscuring material 135 of the garment 100, the obscuring material 1345 of the garment 1300 can include a density, texture, and degree of stretch to obscure an edge of an undergarment, among other objects. In some examples, the obscuring region 1320 can be positioned beneath a buttock of the wearer and thus slightly beyond an undergarment edge region of the wearer. In this example, the positioning region 1330 can cover the undergarment edge region.
The supporting region 1325 of the garment 1300 includes a supporting material 1350 (e.g., a second material 1350). The supporting material 1350 includes a second material structure. The second material structure is a twill rib knit material structure, similar to the twill rib knit material structure of the supporting material 140 of the garment 100. Depending on the position of the supporting region 1325, the second material structure can be a left-hand twill rib knit, a right-hand twill rib knit, or a twill rib knit with some other orientation. The supporting material 1350 includes a second degree of stretch, a second density, a second texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degree of stretch, density, or texture of the obscuring material 1345. Like the supporting region 115 discussed above, the supporting region 1325 can support (e.g., slightly lift) tissue of the wearer beneath an undergarment edge region to aid in obscuring an edge of an undergarment. The supporting region 1325 of the garment 1300 can be comparatively smaller than the supporting region 115 of the garment 100, for example.
The positioning region 1330 of the garment 1300 includes a positioning material 1355 (e.g., a third material 1355). The positioning material 1355 includes a third material structure. The third material structure can be a rib knit material structure. For example, the third material structure of the positioning material 1355 can be like the material structure of the positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120 of the garment 100 discussed above. In other examples, the third material structure of the positioning material 1355 can be different than the third material structure of the positioning material 145. The positioning material 1355 includes a third degree of stretch, a third density, a third texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1345 or the supporting material 1350. Like the positioning region 120 discussed above, the positioning region 1330 can have a limited degree of stretch in a vertical direction so as to position the obscuring region 1320 of the garment 1300 in a desirable position relative to an undergarment edge region of a wearer. For example, the positioning region 1330 of the garment 1300 can position the obscuring region 1320 over the undergarment edge region of the wearer or below the undergarment edge region. The positioning region 1330 of the garment 1300 can be comparatively larger than the positioning region 120 of the garment 100, for example.
The body region 1335 includes a body material 1360 (e.g., a fourth material 1360) having a fourth material structure. The body material 1360—and thus the fourth material structure—can be like the body material 150 of the body region 125 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. Accordingly, the fourth material structure of the body material 1360 can have a jersey knit material structure with a fourth degree of stretch, a fourth density, and a fourth texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, among other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1345, the supporting material 1350, or the positioning material 1355. The waist region 1340 includes a waist material 1365 (e.g., a fifth material 1365) having a fifth material structure. The fifth material 1365—and thus the fifth material structure—can be like the waist material 155 of the waist region 130 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. Accordingly, the fifth material structure of the fifth material 1365 can have a rib knit material with a fifth degree of stretch, a fifth density, and a fifth texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1345, the supporting material 1350, the positioning material 1355, or the body material 1360.
Each of the regions of the garment can be integrally formed with one or more of the other regions of the garment 1300. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the obscuring region 1320, the supporting region 1325, the positioning region 1330, and the body region 1335, can be integral members of the garment 1300 that are manufactured in a single operation (e.g., a circular knitting operation) such that each of the regions are inseparable from the others, while the waist region 1340 can be a separate panel or portion that is joined with (e.g., sewn onto) the other portions of the garment 1300. For example, one or more of the obscuring region 1320, the supporting region 1325, the positioning region 1330, the body region 1335, and the waist region 1340 can include a knit structure that varies from the knit structure of one or more other regions while the regions remain integrally formed. Like the garment 100, the garment 1300 can include the obscuring region 1320 to obscure (e.g., mask, conceal, disguise, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an edge of an undergarment between the garment 1300 and the wearer in a manner like that discussed above with reference to the garment 100.
FIGS. 14A-14C depict a garment 1400 with a visually obscuring region. The garment 1400 includes a rear side 1405, a front side 1410, and a side 1415. The garment 1400 includes an obscuring region 1420 (e.g., a first region 1420), a supporting region 1425 (e.g., a second region 1425), a positioning region 1430 (e.g., a third region 1430), a body region 1435 (e.g., a fourth region 1435), and a waist region 1440 (e.g., a fifth region 1440), and at least one transition region 1470, among other regions or portions of the garment 1400. The obscuring region 1420 is a visually obscuring region. The obscuring region 1420 includes an obscuring material 1445 (e.g., a first material 1445). The obscuring material 1445 includes a first material structure. For example, the obscuring material 1445 of the obscuring region 1420 can include a first knit structure configured to obscure an object (e.g., an edge of an undergarment) positioned between the garment 1400 and a wearer. Specifically, the first material structure of the obscuring material 1445 can be an offset knit structure like the offset knit structure of the material 135 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. The offset knit structure of the obscuring material 1445 can be a 4×4 offset knit structure, a 2×2 offset knit structure, a 1-2-3-2-1 offset knit structure, or some other offset knit structure. The material structure of the obscuring material 1445 can include a first degree of stretch, a first density, and a first texture, among other material characteristics. The obscuring material 1445 can be configured to stretch in a substantially even manner in multiple directions. In other embodiments, the obscuring material 1445 can be configured to stretch according to the first degree of stretch in some directions, but not in all directions, for example. Like the obscuring material 135 of the garment 100, the obscuring material 1445 of the garment 1400 can include a density, texture, and degree of stretch to obscure an edge of an undergarment, among other objects. In some examples, the obscuring region 1420 can be positioned beneath a buttock of the wearer and thus slightly beyond an undergarment edge region of the wearer. In this example, the positioning region 1430 can cover the undergarment edge region.
The supporting region 1425 includes a supporting material 1450 (e.g., a second material 1450) having a second material structure. The positioning region 1430 includes a positioning material 1455 (e.g., a third material 1455) having a third material structure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the supporting material 1450 of the supporting region 1425 is substantially identical to the positioning material 1455 of the positioning region 1430. In other examples, the supporting material 1450 is different than the positioning material 1455. The supporting material 1450 and the positioning material 1455 can include a rib knit structure, such as the rib knit structure of the positioning material 145 of the positioning region 120 discussed above with reference to the garment 100, a 1×1 rib knit structure, or some other material structure. The supporting material 1450 and the positioning material 1455 include a second degree of stretch, a second density, and a second texture. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1445. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch of the obscuring material 1445, particularly in a vertical direction (e.g., the direction 160), so that the supporting region 1425 and the positioning region 1430 can maintain an appropriate position of the obscuring region 1420 relative to an undergarment edge region of a wearer, for example. The supporting region 1425 can support tissue of the wearer proximate to an undergarment edge region of the wearer. For example, the supporting region 1425 of the garment 1400 can support (e.g., slightly lift) tissue that is displaced by an interaction between an outer edge of an undergarment and the garment 1400 to at least partially counteract the effect of the displacement. The supporting region 1425 and the positioning region 1430 can at least partially surround the obscuring region 1420. For example, as depicted in FIGS. 14A-14C, the supporting region 1425 is positioned below the obscuring region 1420 with a transition region 1470 positioned therebetween. The positioning region 1430 is positioned above the obscuring region 1420 with a transition region 1470 positioned therebetween. The second density can be greater or less than the first density. According to an exemplary embodiment, the second texture can be different than the first texture, namely less textured (e.g., smoother, more uniform). In other embodiments, the second texture is similar to the first texture.
The body region 1435 includes a body material 1460 (e.g., a fourth material 1460) having a fourth material structure. The body material 1460—and thus the fourth material structure—can be like the body material 150 of the body region 125 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. Accordingly, the fourth material structure of the body material 1460 can have a jersey knit material structure with a fourth degree of stretch, a fourth density, and a fourth texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, among other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1445, the supporting material 1450, or the positioning material 1455. The waist region 1440 includes a waist material 1465 (e.g., a fifth material 1465) having a fifth material structure. The waist material 1465—and thus the fifth material structure—can be like the waist material 155 of the waist region 130 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. Accordingly, the fifth material structure of the waist material 1465 can have a rib knit material with a fifth degree of stretch, a fifth density, and a fifth texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degrees of stretch, density, textures, or some other material characteristics of the obscuring material 1445, the supporting material 1450, the positioning material 1455, or the body material 1460.
The garment 1400 includes one or more transition regions 1470. The transition regions 1470 are disposed between one or more regions of the garment 1400. As depicted in FIGS. 14A-14B, the transition regions 1470 are positioned between the obscuring region 1420 and supporting region 1425, between the obscuring region 1420 and the positioning region 1430, and between the supporting region 1425 and the body region 1435. The transition regions 1470 can each have a transition region material 1475 with a transition region material structure. Each transition region 1470 can have a transition region material that is the same as or different than the transition region material of other transition regions 1470. Each transition region 1470 is a relatively narrow (e.g., thin, slender) region that extends between otherwise adjacent regions. According to an exemplary embodiment, the transition region material 1475 can include a twill rib knit transition region material structure. The twill rib knit material structure can be like the twill rib knit material structure of the supporting material 140 of the garment 100. Depending on the position of the transition region 1470, the second material structure can be a left hand twill rib knit, a right hand twill rib knit, or a twill rib knit with some other orientation. The transition region material 1475 includes a sixth degree of stretch, a sixth density, a sixth texture, among other material characteristics. Each of these material characteristics can be similar to or different than the degree of stretch, density, texture, or some other material characteristic of the obscuring material 1345, the supporting material 1450, the positioning material 1455, the body material 1460, or the waist material 1465.
Each of the regions of the garment can be integrally formed with one or more of the other regions of the garment 1400. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the obscuring region 1420, the supporting region 1425, the positioning region 1430, the body region 1435, and the transition regions 1470 can be integral members of the garment 1400 that are manufactured in a single operation (e.g., a circular knitting operation) such that each of the regions are inseparable from the others, while the waist region 1440 can be a separate panel or portion that is joined with (e.g., sewn onto) the other portions of the garment 1400. For example, one or more of obscuring region 1420, the supporting region 1425, the positioning region 1430, the body region 1435, and the waist region 1440 can include a knit structure that varies from the knit structure of one or more other regions while the regions remain integrally formed. Like the garment 100, the garment 1400 can include the obscuring region 1420 to obscure (e.g., mask, conceal, disguise, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an edge of an undergarment between the garment 1400 and the wearer in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to the garment 100.
Referring now to FIGS. 15-18C, among others, alternative garments with obscuring regions are shown. FIG. 15 depicts a material 1500. The material 1500 is a bonded material having multiple layers that are bonded together to form the material 1500. The material 1500 includes an outer layer 1505, a patterned or middle layer 1510, and an inner layer 1520. The outer layer 1505 forms an outer surface of a garment constructed of the material 1500, while the inner layer 1520 forms an inner surface of the same garment. The middle layer 1510 is sandwiched between the outer layer 1505 and the inner layer 1520. Each of the outer layer 1505, the inner layer 1520, and the middle layer 1510 are coupled together. For example, the inner layer 1520 can be coupled with the middle layer 1510 via an adhesive, stitching or sewing joinery, or some other coupling means. Likewise, the middle layer 1510 can be coupled with the outer layer 1505 via an adhesive, stitching or sewing joinery, or some other coupling means. Accordingly, the outer layer 1505, the middle layer 1510, and the inner layer 1520 are bonded together to form a sheet or ply of the material 1500. The sheet or ply of the material 1500 can be used to construct a garment. For example, the material 1500 can be cut into one or more segments or panels that are then joined with another segment panel to form a garment. The one or more other segments or panels can be the same material 1500 or a different material.
The material 1500 includes the middle layer 1510 having one or more openings 1515. As depicted in FIG. 15 , among others, the one or more openings 1515 are formed through the middle layer 1510, but not through the outer layer 1505 or the inner layer 1520. The opening 1515 can be an opening shape (e.g., profile, form factor, geometry). As shown in FIG. 15 , among others, the opening 1515 can have a triradiate shape having three rays, prongs, or extending portions, for example. In other embodiments, however, the opening 1515 can have any other shape, such as a circular shape, a rectangular shape, a diamond shape, or some other shape. The opening 1515 further includes an opening size that can be varied. For example, the opening 1515 can be smaller or larger than as shown in FIG. 15 . Further, the middle layer 1510 can include openings in a greater or lesser frequency (e.g., more or fewer openings per unit area).
The material 1500 can have material characteristics that depend on the opening 1515. For example, by varying the shape of the opening 1515, the size of the opening 1515, or the frequency of the opening 1515, the properties of the material 1500 can be altered. By including fewer openings 1515, smaller openings 1515, or openings having different or varying geometry, a degree of stretch (e.g., elasticity) of the material 1500 can be decreased and a density of the material 1500 can be increased. In the same example, a texture of the material 1500 can be reduced or muted so that the material 1500 has a more even or uniform surface, for example. In another example the material 1500 includes more openings 1515, larger openings 1515, or openings having different geometry, a degree of stretch (e.g., elasticity) of the material 1500 can increased and a density of the material 1500 can be decreased. Further, a texture of the material 1500 can be increased or more pronounced. The opening 1515 can be modified to create a directional variation in the degree of stretch. For example, the degree of stretch of the material 1500 can be consistent in whichever directions in which the opening 1515 is symmetrical. For example, the opening 1515 can include a shape that is symmetrical about a horizontal axis and a vertical axis such that the material 1500 has a substantially (e.g., ±25%) degree of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. In embodiments where the shape of the opening 1515 is circular, the material 1500 can have a degree of stretch that is substantially (e.g., ±25%) even in all directions. In yet other examples, the opening 1515 can include an irregular or asymmetrical shape to achieve a degree of stretch that varies based on the direction of stretch, which can limit the degree of stretch of the material 1500 in a first direction as compared to the degree of stretch of the material 1500 in a second direction.
FIGS. 16A-16D depict variations of the material 1500 where the opening 1515 is varied. FIG. 16A depicts a first material 1600 having a first opening 1605. FIG. 16B depicts a second material 1610 having a second opening 1615. The first opening 1605 is smaller than the second opening 1615. Accordingly, relative to the first material 1600, the second material 1610 has a comparatively smaller degree of stretch, a comparatively higher density, and a comparatively more pronounced texture, among other differences in material properties. FIG. 16C depicts a third material 1620 having a third opening 1625. The second opening 1615 is smaller than the third opening 1625. Accordingly, relative to the second material 1610, the third material 1620 has a comparatively smaller degree of stretch, a comparatively higher density, and a comparatively more pronounced texture, among other differences in material properties. FIG. 16D depicts a fourth material 1630 having a fourth opening 1635. The third opening 1625 is smaller than the fourth opening 1635. Accordingly, relative to the third material 1620, the fourth material 1630 has a comparatively smaller degree of stretch, a comparatively higher density, and a comparatively more pronounced texture, among other differences in material properties.
As depicted in FIGS. 17A-17C, among others, a garment 1700 is shown. Unlike the garment 100 discussed above, the garment 1700 is constructed from one or more panels or segments of a bonded material similar to the example materials 1500, 1600, 1610, 1620, and 1630. The garment 1700 includes a rear side 1705, a front side 1710, and a side 1715. The garment 1700 includes an obscuring region 1720 (e.g., a first region 1720) having an obscuring material 1750 (e.g., a first material 1750), a first supporting region 1725 (e.g., a second region 1725, an adjacent supporting region 1725) having a first supporting material 1755 (e.g., a second material 1755), a second supporting region 1730 (e.g., a third region 1730, a distal supporting region 1730, a non-adjacent supporting region 1730) having a second supporting material 1760 (e.g., a third material 1760), a positioning region 1735 (e.g., a fourth region 1735) having a positioning material 1765 (e.g., a fourth material 1765), a body region 1740 (e.g., a fifth region 1740) having a body material 1770 (e.g., a fifth material 1770), and a waist region 1745 (e.g., a sixth region 1745) having a waist material 1775 (e.g., sixth material 1775). Each of the obscuring material 1750, the first supporting material 1755, the second supporting material 1760, the positioning material 1765, the body material 1770, and the waist material 1775 includes multiple opening that can be of varying size, shape, and frequency in order to create a desired material characteristic of each respective material. For example, each of the obscuring material 1750, the first supporting material 1755, the second supporting material 1760, the positioning material 1765, the body material 1770, and the waist material 1775 includes a material density, a degree of stretch, a texture, among other material properties, that vary according to the size, shape, and frequency of the openings.
The obscuring region 1720 can be a visually obscuring region of the garment 1700. The garment 1700 includes the obscuring region 1720 positioned along a center buttock area of a wearer, where the obscuring region 1720 includes the obscuring material 1750 that is the most dense and most restrictive (i.e., providing the smallest degree of stretch) of the materials of each respective region. For example, the obscuring material 1750 includes openings that are, relative to openings of other materials in the garment 1700, smaller in size such that the obscuring material 1750 is the most dense and has the smallest degree of stretch. The obscuring region 1720 is configured to obscure an edge of an undergarment positioned between the garment 1700 and a wearer. For example, the obscuring region 1720 can be restrictive to reduce the incidence any bulge or other surface irregularity that may appear on the outer surface of the garment 1700 from the presence of the edge of the undergarment beneath the garment 1700. Relatedly, because the obscuring material 1750 includes openings, the obscuring material 1750 that can include a texture (e.g., variation in density or surface height) that can further obscure (e.g., mask, disguise, conceal, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) an edge of an undergarment.
Relative to the obscuring material 1750 of the obscuring region 1720, the first supporting material 1755 of the first supporting region 1725, the second supporting material 1760 of the second supporting region 1730, the positioning material 1765 of the positioning region 1735, the body material 1770 of the body region 1740, and the waist material 1775 of the waist region 1745 can be less dense because each material can include openings that are larger or in greater frequency than the openings of the obscuring material 1750. The first supporting material 1755 of the first supporting region 1725 and the second supporting material 1760 of the second supporting region 1730 can be the same material or different materials. The first supporting region 1725 and the second supporting region 1730 can support (e.g., slightly lift) tissue of the wearer that is beneath an outer edge of an undergarment so as to counteract the tissue displacement and create a more even, uniform surface along the wearer's buttocks. The positioning material 1765 of the positioning region 1735 can be the same as or different than the first supporting material 1755 of the first supporting region 1725 and the second supporting material 1760 of the second supporting region 1730. The positioning region 1735 can support the wearer's buttocks while maintaining a desirable position of the obscuring region 1720 relative to an undergarment edge region of the wearer. The body material 1770 of the body region 1740 and the waist material 1775 of the waist region 1745 can be the same as or different than the first supporting material 1755 of the first supporting region 1725, the second supporting material 1760 of the second supporting region 1730, and the positioning material 1765 of the positioning region 1735. The waist region 1745 can be a waist region of the garment 1700. The body region 1740 can be a leg region of the garment 1700. The body material 1770 of the garment 1700 can be a jersey knit material or some other material not having a patterned layer (e.g., the middle layer 1510), according to some embodiments.
As depicted in FIGS. 18A-18C, among others, a garment 1800 is shown. Unlike the garment 100 discussed above, the garment 1800 is constructed from one or more panels or segments of a bonded material similar to the example materials 1500, 1600, 1610, 1620, and 1630. The garment 1800 includes a rear side 1805, a front side 1810, and a side 1815. The garment 1800 includes an obscuring region 1820 (e.g., a first region 1820) having an obscuring material 1850 (e.g., a first material 1850), a first supporting region 1825 (e.g., a second region 1825, an adjacent supporting region 1825) having a first supporting material 1855 (e.g., a second material 1855), a second supporting region 1830 (e.g., a third region 1830, a distal supporting region 1830, a non-adjacent supporting region 1830) having a second supporting material 1860 (e.g., a third material 1860), a positioning region 1835 (e.g., a fourth region 1835) having a positioning material 1865 (e.g., a fourth material 1865), a body region 1840 (e.g., a fifth region 1840) having a body material 1870 (e.g., a fifth material 1870), and a waist region 1845 (e.g., a sixth region 1845) having a waist material 1875 (e.g., a sixth material 1875). Each of the obscuring material 1850, the first supporting material 1855, the second supporting material 1860, the positioning material 1865, the body material 1870, and the waist material 1875 includes multiple openings that can be of varying size, configuration, shape, and frequency in order to create a desired material characteristic of each respective material. For example, each of the obscuring material 1850, the first supporting material 1855, the second supporting material 1860, the positioning material 1865, the body material 1870, and the waist material 1875 includes a material density, a degree of stretch, a texture, among other material properties, that vary according to the size, configuration, shape, and frequency of the openings.
The first region 1820 can be a visually obscuring region of the garment 1800. The garment 1800 includes the obscuring region 1820 positioned along a center buttock area of a wearer, where the obscuring region 1820 includes the obscuring material 1850 that is the least dense and least restrictive (i.e., providing the degree of stretch) of the materials of other regions of the garment 1800. For example, the obscuring material 1850 includes openings that are, relative to openings of other materials in the garment 1800, larger in size or in greater frequency such that the obscuring material 1850 is less dense and has a greater degree of stretch than other regions, excluding the body region 1840 and the waist region 1845 that form a leg portion and a waist portion of the garment 1800, respectively. The obscuring region 1820 is configured to obscure (e.g., mask, disguise, conceal, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) an edge of an undergarment positioned between the garment 1800 and a wearer. For example, the obscuring region 1820 can include a degree of stretch, density, and texture that effectively reduce the incidence any bulge or other surface irregularity that may appear on the outer surface of the garment 1800 from the presence of the edge of the undergarment beneath the garment 1800.
Relative to the obscuring material 1850 of the obscuring region 1820, the first supporting material 1855 of the first supporting region 1825, the second supporting material 1860 of the second supporting region 1830, and the positioning material 1865 of the positioning region 1835, can be more dense because each material can include openings that are smaller in size or in lesser frequency than the openings of the obscuring material 1850. The first supporting material 1855 of the first supporting region 1825 and the second supporting material 1860 of the second supporting region 1830 can be the same material or different materials. The first supporting region 1825 and the second supporting region 1830 can support (e.g., slightly lift) tissue of the wearer that is beneath an edge of an undergarment so as to counteract the tissue displacement and create a more even, uniform surface along the wearer's buttocks. The positioning material 1865 of the positioning region 1835 can be the same as or different than the first supporting material 1855 of the first supporting region 1825 and the second supporting material 1860 of the second supporting region 1830. The positioning region 1835 can support the wearer's buttocks while maintaining a desirable position of the obscuring region 1820 relative to an undergarment edge region of the wearer. The body material 1870 of the body region 1840 and the waist material 1875 of the waist region 1845 can be the same as or different than the first supporting material 1855 of the first supporting region 1825, the second supporting material 1860 of the second supporting region 1830, and the positioning material 1865 of the positioning region 1835. The waist region 1845 can be a waist region of the garment 1800. The body region 1840 can be a leg region of the garment 1800. The body material 1870 of the garment 1800 can be a jersey knit material or some other material not having a patterned layer (e.g., the middle layer 1510), according to some embodiments.
As depicted in FIG. 19 , the garment 1300 can include a pocket 1900. The pocket 1900 can include an open side 1905 (e.g., a top opening 1905, opening 1905) and one or more closed sides 1910. For example, the pocket 1900 can be a separate panel or segment of material that is stitched, sewn, or otherwise coupled with the garment 1300 Specifically, the pocket 1900 can be sewn on to the garment 1300, where the stitched sides of the pocket 1900 form the closed sides 1910 and the open side 1905 is characterized by an absence of a stitch. The pocket 1900 can be positioned variously on the garment 1300. As depicted in FIG. 19 , the pocket 1900 can be positioned on the side 1315 of the garment 1300, but the pocket 1900 can be positioned elsewhere on the garment 1300. The pocket 1900 can include a material that is similar to or different than the materials of the garment 1300. For example, the pocket 1900 can include material that is similar to the positioning material 1335 of the positioning region 1330, as depicted in FIG. 19 . Regardless of the position of the pocket 1900 on the garment 1300, the pocket 1900 can be configured so as to not adversely affect the obscuring of an object (e.g., an edge of an undergarment) positioned between the garment 100 and the wearer.
In the example shown in FIG. 19 , the pocket 1900 can be positioned on the garment 1300, although it is understood that the pocket 1900 or some other pocket could be applied to another of the garments disclosed herein. In addition, it is understood that the position of the pocket 1900 on the garment 1300 (or another garment, such as the garment 100) could change. It is further understood that a garment can include multiple pockets 1900, such as at least one pocket 1900 on each side (e.g., side 1315) of the garment. As shown in FIG. 19 , the pocket 1900 is positioned within the positioning region 1330. Specifically, the pocket 1900 extends up to a boundary between the positioning region 1330 and the adjacent obscuring region 1320 and supporting region 1325, but not into the obscuring region 1320 or into the supporting region 1325. In this way, the pocket 1900 can be fully contained within one region of the garment. In other examples, the pocket 1900 can span more than one region of the garment or extend beyond the boundary of one region and into another region. In various examples, the pocket 1900 can include a pocket material 1915 that corresponds to a material of the region or regions within which the pocket 1900 is positioned. In the example shown in FIG. 19 , for example, the pocket 1900 includes the pocket material 1915 that is substantially similar or identical to the positioning material 1355.
As depicted in FIGS. 20-21 , among others, a garment 2000 with at least one obscuring region is shown. The garment 2000 includes a rear side 2005 and a front side 2100. Much like the garment 100 and other garments discussed above, the garment 2000 can include one or more regions that are, individually or collectively, configured to visually obscure an object that may be positioned between the garment 2000 and the body of a wearer. The garment 2000 can be an upper body garment, such as a shirt, blouse, sweatshirt, sweater, or other upper body garment, for example.
The garment 2000 includes an obscuring region 2010 (e.g., a first region 2010). The obscuring region 2010 is a visually obscuring region of the garment 2000. The obscuring region 2010 is a region, zone, part, or portion of the garment 2000 that is configured to obscure (e.g., disguise, conceal, mask, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an object positioned underneath the obscuring region 2010 of the garment 2000. The garment 2000 can be, at least in part, a form-fitting garment such that an object positioned between the garment 2000 and the wearer will be positioned against an inner surface of the garment 2000. The object can be an undergarment, such as a bra, or some other object (e.g., a medical device, a scar, or some other object). The obscuring region 2010 includes a obscuring material 2035. According to an exemplary embodiment, the obscuring material 2035 is a first knit material 2035 having a first knit structure. The first knit structure of the obscuring material 2035 is an offset knit structure like the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 135 discussed above with reference to the garment 100. According to an exemplary embodiment, the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 2035 is a 4×4 offset knit structure. In other examples, the obscuring material 2035 can include a 2×2 offset knit structure, a 1-2-3-2-1 offset knit structure, or some other offset knit structure. The obscuring material 2035 includes a first degree of stretch, a first density, and a first texture.
The obscuring region 2010 is positioned on the garment 2000 to obscure the presence of a bra or other object beneath the garment 2000. For example, the obscuring region 2010 covers a rear portion of a bra on the rear side 2005 of garment 2000, including one or more straps of the bra, a clasp of the bra, among other portions of the bra. The obscuring region 2010 wraps around the garment 2000 from the rear side 2005 to the front side 2100 and covers at least a portion of the bra on the front side 2100 of the garment 2000. The size and shape of the obscuring region 2010 can be dependent on the object to be obscured. For example, the size and shape of the obscuring region 2010 can be determined empirically based on variety of undergarments (e.g., bras) typically worn by prospective wearers so that the obscuring region 2010 covers a multitude of undergarments. By covering a multitude of undergarments, the garment 2000 provides the wearer some measure of choice in deciding which undergarment to wear because the obscuring region 2010 will obscure (e.g., disguise, conceal, hide, mask, diminish, or otherwise obscure) whichever undergarment the wearer selects.
The obscuring material 2035 includes a first degree of stretch (e.g., elasticity), a first density, and a first texture (e.g., a textured surface). Like the material 135 discussed above, a textured outer surface of the obscuring material 2035 is configured to diffuse incident light. Specifically, light rays can be diffused by the textured outer surface of the obscuring material 2035 to visually obscure (e.g., disguise, hide, mask, diminish, or conceal) an object positioned between the garment 2000 and a wearer 800, for example. Because the textured outer surface diffuses light, any highlights or shadows that might occur as a result of the presence of an edge of an undergarment can be reduced or substantially eliminated. The obscuring material 2035 includes the first degree of stretch in the vertical direction 160, in a second or horizontal direction 165, or in the third direction 170. The obscuring material 2035 includes the first degree of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. Accordingly, the obscuring material 2035 includes a substantially similar amount (e.g., ±25%) of stretch in both the vertical direction 160 and the horizontal direction 165. In some embodiments, the obscuring material 2035 can include the first degree of stretch in substantially all directions or some subset of directions. The even stretch characteristics of the obscuring material 2035 can allow the obscuring region 2010 to lay evenly or substantially evenly over an object (e.g., an edge of an undergarment) when the garment 2000 is worn. The offset knit structure of the obscuring material 2035 creates the above-mentioned textured outer surface that in turn creates a material loft, body, or thickness. Characterized another way, the offset knit structure of the obscuring material 2035 creates a first material density that is lesser than a material with a knit structure having the same yarn but without the same loft or body. The first material density can be configured to facilitate the obscuring of an object covered by the obscuring region 2010.
The garment 2000 includes a supporting region 2015 (e.g., a second region 2015) including a supporting material 2040 (e.g., a second material 2040) with a second material structure. The supporting region 2015 can be positioned directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 such that there are no intervening regions. In other examples, the supporting region 2015 is not directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 because some other region, scam, or portion is positioned between the obscuring region 2010 and the supporting region 2015. In various embodiments, the supporting region 2015 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) below the obscuring region 2010 (e.g., between the obscuring region 2010 and a lower end or opening of the garment 2000) on the rear side 2005 of the garment 2000. Likewise, the supporting region 2015 is positioned directly adjacent a first body region 2025 (e.g., a fourth region 2025). The second material structure of the supporting material 2040 can be a rib knit material structure or a twill rib knit material structure. For example, the material structure can be a twill rib knit structure that provides second degree of stretch in multiple directions, where the second degree of stretch is less than (e.g., more restrictive than) the first degree of stretch of the obscuring region 2010. Depending on the placement of the supporting region 2015, the material structure can be a left-hand twill rib knit material, a right-hand twill rib knit material, or some other twill rib knit material having one or more ribs (e.g., rows, columns) that are oriented at some non-vertical or non-horizontal angle. Like the supporting material 140 discussed above with reference to the garment 100, the supporting material 2040 can provide support (e.g., slightly lift) to apply a force to any displaced tissue that may result from an interaction between the undergarment, the wearer, and the garment 2000. The supporting material 2040 includes a second density and a second texture that can be similar to or different than density or texture of other regions.
The garment 2000 includes a positioning region 2020 (e.g., a third region 2020) having a positioning material 2045 (e.g., a third material 2045) with a third material structure. The positioning region 2020 can be positioned directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 such that there is no intervening region or regions between the obscuring region 2010 and the positioning region 2020. Likewise, the positioning region 2020 is positioned directly adjacent the first body region 2025. In other examples, the positioning region 2020 is not directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 or the first body region 2025 because some other region, scam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the positioning region 2020 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) below a portion of the obscuring region 2010 (e.g., between the obscuring region 2010 and a lower end or opening of the garment 2000) on both the rear side 2005 and the front side 2100 of the garment 2000. The third material structure of the positioning material 2045 can be a rib knit structure, a twill rib knit structure, or some other material structure. For example, the material structure can be a twill rib knit structure that provides third degree of stretch in multiple directions, where the third degree of stretch is less than (e.g., more restrictive than) the first degree of stretch of the obscuring region 2010. Depending on the placement of the positioning region 2020 or a portion of the positioning region 2020, the material structure can be a left-hand twill rib knit material, a right-hand twill rib knit material, or some other twill rib knit material having one or more ribs (e.g., rows, columns) that are oriented at some non-vertical or non-horizontal angle. Like the positioning material 145 discussed above with reference to the garment 100, the positioning material 2045 can limit stretch in certain directions to maintain a desirable position of the obscuring region 2010 relative to an undergarment of the wearer. The positioning material 2045 includes a third density and a third texture that can be similar to or different than density or texture of other regions.
The garment 2000 includes a first body region 2025 (e.g., a fourth region 2025) having a first body material 2050 (e.g., a fourth material 2050) with a fourth material structure. The first body region 2025 can be positioned directly adjacent the supporting region 2015 and the positioning region 2020 such that there is no intervening region or regions between the first body region 2025 and the supporting region 2015 and positioning region 2020. In other examples, the first body region 2025 is not directly adjacent the supporting region 2015 or the positioning region 2020 because some other region, scam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the first body region 2025 is positioned vertically (e.g., in along the first or vertical direction 160) below a portion of the supporting region 2015 (e.g., between the supporting region 2015 and a lower end or opening of the garment 2000) on the rear side 2005 of the garment 2000. In various embodiments, the first body region 2025 is positioned vertically below and in medially relative to at least a portion of the positioning region 2020 (e.g., between the supporting region 2015 and a lower end or opening of the garment 2000) on both the rear side 2005 and the front side 2100 of the garment 2000. The fourth material structure of the first body material 2050 can be a jersey knit material structure or some other material structure. The first body material 2050 includes a fourth density and a fourth texture that can be similar to or different than density or texture of other regions.
The garment 2000 includes a second body region 2030 (e.g., a fifth region 2030) having a second body material 2055 (e.g., a fifth material 2055) with a fifth material structure. The second body region 2030 can be positioned directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 and the first body region 2025 such that there is no intervening region or regions between the second body region 2030 and the obscuring region 2010 and first body region 2025. In other examples, the second body region 2030 is not directly adjacent the obscuring region 2010 or the first body region 2025 because some other region, scam, or portion is positioned therebetween. In various embodiments, the second body region 2030 is positioned vertically above the obscuring region 2010 on the rear side 2005 of the garment 2000. The second body region 2030 is also positioned vertically above at least a portion of the obscuring region 2010 and the first body region 2025 on the rear side 2005 of the garment 2000. The second body region 2030 can be continuous with the first body region 2025. For example, the second body material 2055 of the second body region 2030 can include substantially the same material structure as the first body material 2050 of the first body region 2025. Accordingly, the fifth material structure of the second body material 2055 can be a jersey knit structure or some other material structure, for example. The second body material 2055 includes a fifth density and a fifth texture that can be similar to or different than density or texture of other regions.
Each of the regions of the garment 2000 can be integrally formed with one or more of the other regions of the garment 2000. According to an exemplary embodiment, each of the obscuring region 2010, the supporting region 2015, the positioning region 2020, the first body region 2025, and the second body region 2030, can be integral members of the garment 2000 that are manufactured in a single operation (e.g., a circular knitting operation) such that each of the regions are inseparable from the others. For example, one or more of obscuring region 2010, the supporting region 2015, the positioning region 2020, the first body region 2025, and the second body region 2030 can include a knit structure that varies from the knit structure of one or more other regions while the regions remain integrally formed. Like the garment 100, the garment 2000 can include the obscuring region 2010 to visually obscure (e.g., mask, conceal, disguise, hide, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an undergarment or other object positioned between the garment 2000 and the wearer in a manner similar to that discussed above with reference to the garment 100.
It is understood that similar principles discussed herein in relation to the garment 100, which is depicted as a pair of leggings, or the garment 2000, which is depicted as a shirt, can be equally applied to other garments. For example, the garment can be a skirt, tank top, sock, crop top, dress, jacket, or some other garment that includes at least one obscuring portion to obscure (e.g., disguise, hide, conceal, mask, diminish, or otherwise obscure) the presence of an object positioned between the garment and the wearer. The principles discussed herein are applicable to form-fitting and non-compressive garments generally and are not to be misconstrued as applying only to the specific embodiments discussed above.
As utilized herein with respect to numerical ranges, the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms generally mean+/−10% of the disclosed values, unless specified otherwise. As utilized herein with respect to structural features (e.g., to describe shape, size, orientation, direction, relative position, etc.), the terms “approximately,” “about,” “substantially,” and similar terms are meant to cover minor variations in structure that may result from, for example, the manufacturing or assembly process and are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
It should be noted that the term “exemplary” and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
The term “coupled” and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If “coupled” or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of “coupled” provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., “directly coupled” means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of “coupled” provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., “top,” “bottom,” “above,” “below”) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the figures. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the garment and the components thereof as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A garment, comprising:

an obscuring region including an obscuring knit structure, the obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in at least a first direction, the obscuring region configured to visually obscure at least a portion of an undergarment positioned between a wearer and the garment; and

a supporting region positioned adjacent the obscuring region, the supporting region including a supporting knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure, the supporting knit structure configured to permit a second degree of stretch in at least the first direction, wherein the second degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch such that the supporting region is configured to support a tissue of a wearer.

2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the supporting region is adjacent a first boundary of the obscuring region, the garment comprising:

a positioning region positioned adjacent a second boundary of the obscuring region, the positioning region including a positioning knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure, the positioning knit structure configured to permit a third degree of stretch in at least the first direction, wherein the third degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch such that the positioning region is configured to maintain a position of the obscuring region relative to an undergarment of a wearer.

3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the supporting region is adjacent a first boundary of the obscuring region, the garment comprising:

a positioning region positioned adjacent a second boundary of the obscuring region, the positioning region including a positioning knit structure that is different than the obscuring knit structure and different than the supporting knit structure, the positioning knit structure configured to permit a third degree of stretch in at least the first direction, wherein the third degree of stretch is less than the first degree of stretch and less than the second degree of stretch such that the positioning region is configured to maintain a position of the obscuring region and the supporting region relative to an undergarment of a wearer.

4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the obscuring knit structure is an offset knit structure, the offset knit structure configured to diffuse light to obscure an undergarment.

5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the obscuring region includes a first dimension and a first position, the first dimension and the first position configured to at least partially position an undergarment between the obscuring region and a wearer regardless of a type of an undergarment.

6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a lower body garment, wherein the obscuring region is configured to obscure at least an edge of a lower body undergarment.

7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is an upper body garment, wherein the obscuring region is configured to obscure at least an outer edge, outline, strap, or a clasp of an upper body undergarment.

8. A lower-body garment, comprising:

an obscuring region including an obscuring knit structure, the obscuring knit structure configured to permit a first degree of stretch in a first direction and a second direction, the obscuring region configured to obscure a garment positioned between the lower-body garment and a wearer;

a supporting region including a supporting knit structure, the supporting knit structure configured to permit a second degree of stretch in the first direction and the second direction, the second degree of stretch less than the first degree of stretch, the supporting region positioned at least partially adjacent to the obscuring region; and

a positioning region including a positioning knit structure, the positioning knit structure configured to permit a third degree of stretch in the first direction and permit a fourth degree of stretch in the second direction, the third degree of stretch greater than the fourth degree of stretch;

wherein the second degree of stretch of the supporting region is greater than the fourth degree of stretch of the positioning region.

9. The lower-body garment of claim 8, wherein the obscuring region, the supporting region, and the positioning region are portions of a continuous knit material.

10. The lower-body garment of claim 8, wherein the obscuring knit structure is an offset knit structure, the offset knit structure configured to diffuse light to obscure a garment positioned between the lower-body garment and a wearer.

11. The lower-body garment of claim 8, wherein the obscuring region includes a first dimension and a first position, the first dimension and the first position configured to at least partially position an undergarment between the obscuring region and a wearer regardless of a type of an undergarment.

12. A lower-body garment, comprising:

a positioning region including a positioning knit structure, the positioning knit structure configured to restrict a first degree of stretch in a vertical direction;

an obscuring region including an obscuring knit structure, the obscuring knit structure having a textured outer surface to obscure an undergarment of a wearer positioned underneath the obscuring region, the obscuring region positioned at least partially adjacent the positioning region; and

a supporting region including a supporting knit structure, the supporting knit structure configured to restrict a second degree of stretch in a plurality of directions to support a tissue of a wearer, the supporting region positioned at least partially adjacent the obscuring region.

13. The lower-body garment of claim 12, wherein the obscuring region, the supporting region, and the positioning region are portions of a continuous knit material.

14. The lower-body garment of claim 12, wherein the obscuring knit structure is an offset knit structure, the offset knit structure configured to diffuse light to obscure a garment positioned between the lower-body garment and a wearer.

15. The lower-body garment of claim 12, wherein the obscuring region includes a first dimension and a first position, the first dimension and the first position configured to at least partially position an undergarment between the obscuring region and a wearer regardless of a type of an undergarment.