Fabric laminate and garments incorporating same

Claim 2

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second stretch fabrics together along their opposed surfaces; each of first and second stretch fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation in a second direction orthogonal to its primary stretch direction; said adhesive web having differential elongation, characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subjected to distortion in different directions, with said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its direction than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web predeterminedly oriented in accordance with its differential elongation, between said first and second stretch fabrics, with said first and second stretch fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web such that the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the first direction of at least one of the said stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the differential elongation characteristics of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within the laminate.

Claim 3

The fabric laminate of claim 1, wherein said integrally formed adhesive web is an open net-like film of a heat sensitive adhesive.

Claim 4

The fabric laminate of claim 2 wherein said adhesive web is formed of a polyamide material.

Claim 5

The fabric laminate of claim 1, wherein at least one of said stretch fabrics is an elastomeric fabric which includes elastomeric yarn.

Claim 6

The fabric laminate of claim 4, wherein both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn.

Claim 7

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second stretch fabrics together along their opposed surfaces; said adhesive web having differential elongation, characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subjected to distortion in different directions; said adhesive web selectively orientated in accordance with its differential elongation, between said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the elongation characteristics of said adhesive web; both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn; each of said first and second elastomeric fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation, or give, in a second direction orthogonal to its primary elastomeric direction; said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; and the layers of said laminate formed with the primary elongation directions of said first and second elastomeric fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web positioned therebetween wherein the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the first direction of at least one of said elastomeric fabrics.

Claim 8

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second stretch fabrics together along their opposed surfaces; said adhesive web having differential elongation, characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subjected to distortion in different directions; said adhesive web selectively orientated in accordance with its differential elongation, between said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the elongation characteristics of said adhesive web; both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn; each of said first and second elastomeric fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation, or give, in a second direction orthogonal to its primary elastomeric direction; said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; and the layers of said laminate formed with the primary elongation directions of said first and second elastomeric fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web positioned therebetween wherein the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the first direction of at least one of said elastomeric fabrics.

Claim 9

The fabric laminate of claim 6, wherein, the primary elongation directions of said first and second elastomeric fabrics: are generally parallel.

Claim 10

A fabric laminate of claim 6, wherein said first elastomeric fabric is a main body panel of an undergarment; said second elastomeric fabric is a support panel, coextensive with only a portion of said first elastomeric fabric to provide additional support at a predetermined region of the undergarment; said first and second elastomeric fabrics positioned in the undergarment with their primary elongation being in the generally horizontal direction; said adhesive web securing said support panel to said first elastomeric fabric positioned within the undergarment with it primary elongation being in the generally vertical direction#.

Claim 11

The undergarment including the laminate of claim 8 wherein said adhesive is confined to between the opposed surfaces of the elastomeric fabrics without flowing into either fabric.

Claim 12

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 8, wherein said undergarment is a panty or girdle and said second elastomeric fabric is a stomach panel.

Claim 13

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 8, wherein said undergarment is a panty or girdle and second elastomeric fabric is a thigh control panel.

Claim 14

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 7, wherein said undergarment is a panty girdle, and second elastomeric fabric is a rear control panel.

Claim 15

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 7, wherein said undergarment is a panty girdle. said elastomeric fabric forming a plurality of control panels at the stomach, thigh or rear.

Claim 16

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 1, wherein said undergarment is a brassiere and one of said stretch fabrics includes a portion positioned at the bottom of the cups as an underbust support panel.

Claim 17

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 1, wherein said undergarment is a brassiere and one of said stretch fabrics is positioned along each of the brassiere side panels.

Claim 18

The fabric laminate of claim 6, wherein said adhesive web is an open net-like film of a heat sensitive adhesive.

Claim 19

An undergarment including the laminate of claim 8, wherein said adhesive web is an open net-like film of a heat sensitive adhesive.

Claim 20

The undergarment of claim 17, wherein said adhesive web is formed of a polyamide material.

Claim 21

A fabric laminate of claim 6 wherein said first elastomeric fabric is a main body panel of an undergarment; said second elastomeric fabric is a support panel coextensive with only a portion of said first elastomeric fabric to provide additional support at a predetermined region of the undergarment; said first elastomeric fabric positioned in the undergarment with its primary elongation being in the generally horizontal direction; the support panel of said second elastomeric fabric and adhesive web securing said support panel to said first elastomeric fabric both positioned in the undergarment with their primary elongation being in the generally vertical direction, whereby said support panel and adhesive web combinedly restrict the horizontal elongation of the undergarment at the predetermined region of their securement to the main body panel.

Claim 22

A panty comprising: a main body panel formed of a first elastomeric stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; a stomach support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned at the frontal portion of the body panel, with its primary elongation disposed in a preselected orientation; a heat sensitive web positioned between and securing said first and second elastomeric fabrics together; said adhesive web having differential elongation characterized by providing a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction, and said adhesive web predetermined oriented between said first and said second stretch fabrics with said first and second stretch fabrics orientated with respect to each other and said adhesive web such that said second direction of adhesive web differential elongation substantially corresponds to the first direction of at least one of said stretch fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the stomach panel is combinedly determined by characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers in conjunction with the differential elongation of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within said stomach panel.

Claim 23

A panty comprising: a main body panel formed of a first elastomeric stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; a stomach support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned at the frontal portion of the body panel, with its primary elongation disposed in a preselected orientation; a heat sensitive web positioned between and securing said first and second elastomeric fabrics together; said adhesive web having differential elongation characterized by providing a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction, and said adhesive web predetermined oriented between said first and said second stretch fabrics with said first and second stretch fabrics orientated with respect to each other and said adhesive web such that said second direction of adhesive web differential elongation substantially corresponds to the first direction of at least one of said stretch fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the stomach panel is combinedly determined by characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers in conjunction with the differential elongation of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within said stomach panel.

Claim 24

A panty comprising: a main body panel formed of a first elastomeric fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; a stomach support panel formed of a second elastomeric fabric, positioned at the frontal portion of the main body panel, with its primary elongation disposed in a preselected orientation; heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second elastomeric fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web selectively oriented between said first and said second elastomeric fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the stomach panel is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the elastomeric fabric layers and said adhesive web; and the first elongation direction of said adhesive web is oriented in a generally vertical direction, orthogonal to the primary elongation direction of said main body panel.

Claim 25

A panty comprising: a main body panel formed of a first elastomeric fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; a stomach support panel formed of a second elastomeric fabric, positioned at the frontal portion of the main body panel, with its primary elongation disposed in a preselected orientation; heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second elastomeric fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web selectively oriented between said first and said second elastomeric fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the stomach panel is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the elastomeric fabric layers and said adhesive web; and the first elongation direction of said adhesive web is oriented in a generally vertical direction, orthogonal to the primary elongation direction of said main body panel.

Claim 26

The panty of claim 20, wherein said adhesive is confined to between the opposed surfaces of the elastomeric fabrics without flowing into the fabric.

Claim 27

The panty of claim 19, wherein said adhesive web is formed of a polyamide material.

Claim 28

A brassiere comprising: a pair of cups, side support panels and a closure; each of said cups formed a first stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a first preselected direction, an undercup support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned along the lower region of the cup and oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a second preselected orientation; a heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film having differential elongation characterized by a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web positioned between said first and second fabrics with its second direction substantially corresponding to the primary elongation direction of at least one of said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the desired resistance to elongation provided by said undercup support panel is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers in conjunction with the differential elongation of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within said undercup support panel.

Claim 29

A brassiere comprising: a pair of cups, side support panels and a closure; each of said cups formed a first stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a first preselected direction, an undercup support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned along the lower region of the cup and oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a second preselected orientation; a heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film having differential elongation characterized by a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web positioned between said first and second fabrics with its second direction substantially corresponding to the primary elongation direction of at least one of said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the desired resistance to elongation provided by said undercup support panel is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers in conjunction with the differential elongation of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within said undercup support panel.

Claim 30

The brassiere of claim 24 wherein both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn.

Claim 31

The brassiere of claim 25 wherein said first elastomeric fabric is oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction.

Claim 32

A brassiere comprising: a pair of cups, side support panels and a closure; each of said cups formed of a first stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a first preselected direction; an undercup support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned along the lower region of the cup and oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a second preselected orientation; a heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film, which when subjected to distortion having a higher degree of elongation in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web predeterminedly oriented between said first and said second fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the undercup support is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers and adhesive web; both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn; said first elastomeric fabric is oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; and the first elongation direction of said adhesive web is oriented in a generally vertical direction, orthogonal to the primary elongation direction of said first fabric.

Claim 33

A brassiere comprising: a pair of cups, side support panels and a closure; each of said cups formed of a first stretch fabric oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a first preselected direction; an undercup support panel formed of a second stretch fabric, positioned along the lower region of the cup and oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a second preselected orientation; a heat sensitive adhesive web securing said first and second fabrics together; said adhesive web formed of a net like film, which when subjected to distortion having a higher degree of elongation in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web predeterminedly oriented between said first and said second fabrics such that the desired resistance to elongation at the undercup support is combinedly determined by the characteristics and orientation of the stretch fabric layers and adhesive web; both said first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn; said first elastomeric fabric is oriented with its primary elongation disposed in a generally horizontal direction; and the first elongation direction of said adhesive web is oriented in a generally vertical direction, orthogonal to the primary elongation direction of said first fabric.

Claim 34

A garment including a body fabric panel, a support fabric panel and and adhesive securement between said body and support fabric panels; said support fabric panel being of lesser area than said body fabric panel, to provide additional support to a predetermined region of said body fabric panel; said body panel characterized as having primary elongation in a first direction and lesser elongation in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive securement provided by a heat sensitive adhesive web substantially confined to between said body and support panels; said adhesive web characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subjected to distortion in its different directions and having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web selectively orientated in accordance with its differential elongation, between said body and support fabric panels, with its second direction substantially corresponding to the first direction of said body fabric panel such that the desired degree of additional support is determined by the characteristics and orientation of said adhesive web within said predetermined region in conjunction with the characteristic of said body fabric and support fabric panel.

Claim 35

A garment including a body fabric panel, a support fabric panel and and adhesive securement between said body and support fabric panels; said support fabric panel being of lesser area than said body fabric panel, to provide additional support to a predetermined region of said body fabric panel; said body panel characterized as having primary elongation in a first direction and lesser elongation in a second direction orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive securement provided by a heat sensitive adhesive web substantially confined to between said body and support panels; said adhesive web characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subjected to distortion in its different directions and having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web selectively orientated in accordance with its differential elongation, between said body and support fabric panels, with its second direction substantially corresponding to the first direction of said body fabric panel such that the desired degree of additional support is determined by the characteristics and orientation of said adhesive web within said predetermined region in conjunction with the characteristic of said body fabric and support fabric panel.

Claim 36

The garment of claim 28 wherein said body and support fabric panels are stretch fabrics.

Claim 37

The garment of claim 28 wherein at least one of said body and support panels are formed of an elastomeric fabric.

Claim 38

The garment of claim 30 wherein both said body and support panels are formed of an elastomeric fabric.

Claim 39

The garment of claim 28, wherein said adhesive web is an open net-like film formed of a polyamide material.

Claim 40

The garment of claim 28, wherein said garment is a panty, and said support fabric panel is a stomach support panel confined to the frontal portion of the panty.

Claim 41

A garment of claim 25, wherein said garment is a brassiere, including a pair of cups, and said support fabric panel comprises an underbust support panel along the bottom portion of each of said cups.

Claim 44

The method of claim 35, wherein the adhesive in the bonded laminate is substantially confined to between the opposed surfaces of the first and second stretch fabrics.

Claim 45

The method of claim 35, wherein the adhesive web is an open net-like film of a heat sensitive adhesive.

Claim 46

The method of claim 37 wherein the adhesive web is formed of a polyamide material.

Claim 47

The method of claim 35, wherein at least one of the first and second stretch fabrics is an elastomeric fabric which includes elastomeric yarn.

Claim 48

The method of claim 39 wherein both of the first and second stretch fabrics are elastomeric fabrics which include elastomeric yarn.

Claim 49

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second stretch fabrics together along with their opposed surfaces; said adhesive web having differential elongation characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance when subjected to distortion in different directions; said adhesive web selectively oriented in accordance with its differential elongation between said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the elongation characteristics of said adhesive web; each of said first and second stretch fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation, or give, in a second direction orthogonal to its primary elongation direction; said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; at least one of said first and second stretch fabrics is an elastomeric fabric which include elastomeric yarn; and the layers of said laminate formed with the primary elongation directions of said first and second fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web positioned therebetween wherein the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the second direction of at least one of said fabrics.

Claim 50

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second stretch fabrics together along with their opposed surfaces; said adhesive web having differential elongation characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance when subjected to distortion in different directions; said adhesive web selectively oriented in accordance with its differential elongation between said first and second stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the elongation characteristics of said adhesive web; each of said first and second stretch fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation, or give, in a second direction orthogonal to its primary elongation direction; said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; at least one of said first and second stretch fabrics is an elastomeric fabric which include elastomeric yarn; and the layers of said laminate formed with the primary elongation directions of said first and second fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web positioned therebetween wherein the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the second direction of at least one of said fabrics.

Claim 51

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second fabrics together along their opposed surfaces; each of first and second stretch fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation in a second direction orthogonal to its primary stretch direction; said adhesive web having differential elongation, characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subject to distortion in different directions, with said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web predeterminedly oriented in accordance with its differential elongation, between said first and second stretch fabrics, with said first and second stretch fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web such that the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the second direction of at least one of the said stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the differential elongation characteristics of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within the laminate.

Claim 52

A fabric laminate comprising at least a first stretch fabric, a second stretch fabric and an adhesive web; said adhesive web positioned between opposed surfaces of said first and second stretch fabrics for adhesively securing said first and second fabrics together along their opposed surfaces; each of first and second stretch fabrics characterized as having primary elongation in one direction and lesser elongation in a second direction orthogonal to its primary stretch direction; said adhesive web having differential elongation, characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when subject to distortion in different directions, with said adhesive web having a higher degree of elongation when subjected to distortion in a first of its directions than in a second direction, orthogonal to said first direction; said adhesive web predeterminedly oriented in accordance with its differential elongation, between said first and second stretch fabrics, with said first and second stretch fabrics disposed with respect to each other and said adhesive web such that the second direction of said adhesive web is predeterminedly oriented with respect to the second direction of at least one of the said stretch fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is determined by the elongation characteristics of said first and second stretch fabrics in conjunction with the differential elongation characteristics of said adhesive web as determined by its predetermined orientation within the laminate.