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US5548519A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Custom apparel manufacturing apparatus and method

Assignee: Thirdlove Inc
•
Filing: 1994-08-12
•
Granted: 1996-08-20
•
Expires: 2014-08-12
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Abstract

Abstract The present invention is a system and method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel by using numerous try-on apparels of differing, pre-determined dimensions to make a finished product. A system is used to keep track of the number of try-on apparels and each of their dimensions. As a consumer tries on one of these try-on apparels, a device associated with the system is used to collect the consumer's responses about fit. If one try-on apparel does not fit, the system suggests a next one to try, according to pre-defined rules. When a particular try-on apparel's fit has been approved for purchase by the consumer, this is reported to a manufacturing system, where a piece of apparel corresponding to the dimensions of the approved try-on apparel is cut, stitched, treated, and shipped as a finished apparel.

Inventors

  • 👤 Sung K. Park
  • 👤 Bethe M. Palmer
  • 👤 Gerald S. Ruderman

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-11-07 21:09
CPC Classifications
A; A41; A41H; A41H3/00; A41H3/007; A41H1/00; A41H1/10

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 106
Claim 1
Independent Claim 109 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of a selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel; a system for storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of each of said try-on apparels and for entering fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; a device associated with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of said plurality of try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 2
Independent Claim 109 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of a selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel; a system for storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of each of said try-on apparels and for entering fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; a device associated with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of said plurality of try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of try-on apparel bears a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim 28 words
The apparatus of claim 2 further comprising a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels and bearing its code.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 3 wherein each of said plurality of patterns include parts suitable for assembling into said selected design and configuration, each part bearing a code corresponding to each of said plurality of patterns.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim 25 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said system includes rules for suggesting one of said plurality of try-on apparels to use to determine acceptable fit.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim 24 words
The apparatus of claim 4 wherein materials cut to correspond to said parts bear said code corresponding to one of said plurality of patterns.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected design and configuration comprises women's pants.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim 13 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein said selected design and configuration comprises footwear.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim 51 words
The apparatus of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of try-on apparels includes a measuring device attached to an edge of each of it, said measuring device having an adjustable hem length,whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length.
Claim 11
Independent Claim 131 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of a selected design and configuration, comprising: an electronic device for storing and accessing dimension information, said electronic device having a communications capability, and a capability for entering fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel, said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said electronic device for each of said try-on apparels; an indicator device associated with said electronic device for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 12
Independent Claim 131 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of a selected design and configuration, comprising: an electronic device for storing and accessing dimension information, said electronic device having a communications capability, and a capability for entering fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel, said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said electronic device for each of said try-on apparels; an indicator device associated with said electronic device for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein each of said plurality of try-on apparel bears a code corresponding to its dimensions.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 11 further comprising a plurality of patterns, each of said plurality of patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels, for manufacturing a selected design and configuration.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claim 12 wherein each of said plurality of patterns include parts suitable for assembly into a selected design and configuration, each part bearing a code corresponding to one of said plurality of patterns.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 13 wherein materials cut to correspond to said parts bear said code.
Claim 17
Independent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claims 10 wherein said electronic device includes logic responsive to the entered fit information for suggesting one of said plurality of try-on apparel of different dimensions to use to determine acceptable fit.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim 56 words
The apparatus of claim 10 wherein said each of said plurality of try-on apparel includes a measuring device attached to an edge of each of it having an adjustable hem length, whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length as part of said fit information.
Claim 19
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a computer system having expert system rules for storing and accessing dimension information, said computer system having a communications capability; a plurality of try-on apparels, each of said plurality of try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other of said plurality of try-on apparel, said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said computer system for each of said plurality of try-on apparel; an indicator device associated with said computer system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 20
Independent Claim 123 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a computer system having expert system rules for storing and accessing dimension information, said computer system having a communications capability; a plurality of try-on apparels, each of said plurality of try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other of said plurality of try-on apparel, said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said computer system for each of said plurality of try-on apparel; an indicator device associated with said computer system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein each of said plurality of try-on apparel bears a code corresponding to its dimensions.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim 33 words
The apparatus of claim 18 further comprising a plurality of patterns, each of said plurality of patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels, for manufacturing a selected design and configuration.
Claim 23
Independent Claim 36 words
The apparatus of claims 18 wherein each of said plurality of patterns include parts suitable for assembly into a selected design and configuration, each part bearing a code corresponding to one of said plurality of patterns.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 20 wherein materials cut to correspond to said parts bear said code.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim 41 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said expert system rules are derived from empirical analysis of actual use of prototypes of said plurality of try-on apparels, together with measurements to determine the number of try-on apparels to make and their dimensions.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said expert system rules limit incremental changes in dimensions of said plurality of try-on apparels to those detectable by prospective buyers.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said expert system rules limit the number of try-on apparels to recommend to a prospective buyer according to pre-determined constraints.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim 35 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said expert system rules disable dimensional choice options during processing as those dimensional choice options no longer apply to those of said plurality of try-on apparel likely to fit.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim 11 words
The apparatus of claim 17 wherein said indicator device is interactive.
Claim 30
Independent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said indicator device comprises a display screen coupled to a keyboard.
Claim 31
Independent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said indicator device comprises a touchscreen display.
Claim 32
Independent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said indicator device comprises a voice activated system.
Claim 33
Independent Claim 21 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said indicator device is controlled by an easy to use interface.
Claim 34
Independent Claim 19 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said communications capability comprises a connection to a network.
Claim 35
Independent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said communications capability comprises facsimile transmission.
Claim 36
Independent Claim 20 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein said fit information further includes order processing and shipping information.
Claim 37
Independent Claim 57 words
The apparatus of either of claims 10 or 17 wherein each of said plurality of try-on apparel includes a measuring device attached to an edge of it having an adjustable hem length, whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length as part of said fit information.
Claim 38
Independent Claim 140 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; a plurality of patterns for manufacturing the apparel of selected design and configuration, each of said plurality of patterns having a code and pre-determined dimensions corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparel; a system for storing and accessing information about said codes and pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels and said patterns, said system associated with a device for collecting final approved fit dimensions; a manufacturing system for cutting, tracking, stitching, treating and shipping finished apparel of selected design and configuration constructed from coded patterns and parts according to said approved fit dimensions.
Claim 39
Independent Claim 140 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; a plurality of patterns for manufacturing the apparel of selected design and configuration, each of said plurality of patterns having a code and pre-determined dimensions corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparel; a system for storing and accessing information about said codes and pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels and said patterns, said system associated with a device for collecting final approved fit dimensions; a manufacturing system for cutting, tracking, stitching, treating and shipping finished apparel of selected design and configuration constructed from coded patterns and parts according to said approved fit dimensions.
Claim 40
Dependent Claim 18 words
The apparatus of claim 35 further comprising a marker imposed upon each of said plurality of try-on apparel.
Claim 41
Dependent Claim 11 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said marker comprises a label.
Claim 42
Dependent Claim 12 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said marker comprises a washable substance.
Claim 43
Dependent Claim 17 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said code further comprises the numeric dimensions of said try-on apparel.
Claim 44
Dependent Claim 14 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said code further comprises a bar code image.
Claim 45
Dependent Claim 16 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said patterns are laid out to maximize use of materials.
Claim 46
Dependent Claim 26 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said manufacturing system is responsive to volume and arrival time of orders in such a way as to optimize inventories.
Claim 47
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 35 wherein said manufacturing system is responsive to volume and arrival time of orders in such a way as to optimize delivery time.
Claim 48
Independent Claim 150 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; a system for storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels; a measuring device attached to an edge of each of said try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length, whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length; a device associated with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer, together with desired hem length selected by said buyer and reporting said hem length and said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 49
Independent Claim 150 words
An apparatus for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; a system for storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels; a measuring device attached to an edge of each of said try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length, whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length; a device associated with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer, together with desired hem length selected by said buyer and reporting said hem length and said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 50
Dependent Claim 27 words
The apparatus of claim 44 further comprising a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels and hem lengths.
Claim 51
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said measuring device is a tape made of a flexible material having increment markings on it.
Claim 52
Dependent Claim 22 words
The apparatus of claim 44 wherein said markings include all permissible dimensions of hem length for said part in said try-on apparel.
Claim 53
Independent Claim 125 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of each of said try-on apparels in a system capable of receiving fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; associating a device with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of said try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 54
Independent Claim 125 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of each of said try-on apparels in a system capable of receiving fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; associating a device with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of said try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 55
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 48 further comprising the step of making a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels and bearing its code.
Claim 56
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the step of accessing and storing includes incorporating rules for suggesting try-on apparels to use to determine acceptable fit.
Claim 57
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the step of making a plurality of patterns includes the step of breaking each pattern into parts, each part bearing a code corresponding to said pattern.
Claim 58
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 51 comprising a further step of marking materials cut to correspond to said parts with said pattern's code.
Claim 59
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the step of making said try-on apparels further comprises the step of choosing women's pants as said selected design and configuration.
Claim 60
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the step of making said try-on apparels further comprises the step of choosing footwear as said selected design and configuration.
Claim 61
Dependent Claim 57 words
The method of claim 48 wherein the step of making a plurality of try-on apparels includes the step of attaching a measuring device to an edge of each of said plurality of try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length,whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length.
Claim 62
Independent Claim 150 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: storing and accessing dimension and code information in an electronic device, said electronic device having a communications capability, and a capability for receiving fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions, said code and said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said electronic device for each of said try-on apparels; associating an indicator device with said electronic device for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 63
Independent Claim 150 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: storing and accessing dimension and code information in an electronic device, said electronic device having a communications capability, and a capability for receiving fit information from a prospective buyer regarding those try-on apparels actually tried on by such buyer; making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions, said code and said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said electronic device for each of said try-on apparels; associating an indicator device with said electronic device for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 64
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 56 further comprising the step of making a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels.
Claim 65
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 57 wherein the step of making a plurality of said patterns further includes the step of making parts, each part bearing a code corresponding to said pattern.
Claim 66
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 58 comprising the step of cutting materials to correspond to said parts includes the step of marking such materials with said pattern's code.
Claim 67
Dependent Claim 57 words
The method of claim 56 wherein the step of making a plurality of try-on apparels includes the step of attaching a measuring device to an edge of each of said plurality of try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length,whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length.
Claim 68
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: deriving expert system rules for storing and accessing dimension information in a computer system, said computer system having a communications capability; making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions, said code and said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said computer system for each of said try-on apparels; associating an indicator device with said computer system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 69
Independent Claim 129 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: deriving expert system rules for storing and accessing dimension information in a computer system, said computer system having a communications capability; making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions, said code and said pre-determined dimensions being stored in said computer system for each of said try-on apparels; associating an indicator device with said computer system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer and reporting said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 70
Dependent Claim 28 words
The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of making a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels.
Claim 71
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 62 wherein the step of making a plurality of said patterns further includes the step of making parts, each part bearing a code corresponding to said pattern.
Claim 72
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of claim 63 wherein the step of cutting materials to correspond to said parts includes the step of marking such materials with said pattern's code.
Claim 73
Dependent Claim 48 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step deriving expert system rules further comprises deriving said expert system rules by empirically analyzing actual use of prototypes of said plurality of try-on apparel, and analyzing measurements made, to determine the number of try-on apparels to make and their dimensions.
Claim 74
Dependent Claim 32 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step of deriving expert system rules further comprises including rules limiting incremental changes in dimensions of said try-on apparels to those detectable by target consumers.
Claim 75
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 61 wherein the step of deriving expert system rules further comprises including rules limiting the number of try-on apparels to recommend to a prospective buyer according to pre-determined constraints.
Claim 76
Dependent Claim 37 words
The method of claim 61 the step of deriving expert system rules further comprising including rules disabling dimensional choice options during processing as those dimensional choice options no longer apply to the try-on apparels likely to fit.
Claim 77
Dependent Claim 19 words
The method of claim 61 further comprising the step of associating an interactive indicator device with said computer system.
Claim 78
Dependent Claim 23 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of associating said indicator device includes the step of making it interactive.
Claim 79
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of associating said indicator device further includes coupling a display screen to a keyboard.
Claim 80
Dependent Claim 24 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of associating said indicator device further coupling a touchscreen display with said system.
Claim 81
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of associating said indicator device further includes coupling a voice activated system to said system.
Claim 82
Dependent Claim 29 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of associating said indicator device further includes the step of controlling it by an easy to use interface.
Claim 83
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein communications capability further comprises the step of connecting it to a network.
Claim 84
Dependent Claim 21 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein communications capability further comprises the step of including capabilities for facsimile transmission.
Claim 85
Dependent Claim 27 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of identifying said fit information further includes the step of including order processing and shipping information.
Claim 86
Dependent Claim 68 words
The method of either claim 56 or 61 wherein the step of making a plurality of said try-on apparels includes the step of attaching a measuring device to an edge of each of said plurality of try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length, whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length as part of said fit information.
Claim 87
Independent Claim 148 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; making a plurality of patterns, each pattern having a code and pre-determined dimensions corresponding to one of said try-on apparels; marking each part of materials cut from each pattern with the code corresponding to said pattern using a marker; storing and accessing information about said codes and pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels and said patterns in a system, said system associated with a device for collecting final approved fit dimensions; manufacturing finished apparel of selected design and configuration by cutting, tracking, stitching, treating and shipping apparels constructed from coded patterns and parts according to said approved fit dimensions.
Claim 88
Independent Claim 148 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; making a plurality of patterns, each pattern having a code and pre-determined dimensions corresponding to one of said try-on apparels; marking each part of materials cut from each pattern with the code corresponding to said pattern using a marker; storing and accessing information about said codes and pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels and said patterns in a system, said system associated with a device for collecting final approved fit dimensions; manufacturing finished apparel of selected design and configuration by cutting, tracking, stitching, treating and shipping apparels constructed from coded patterns and parts according to said approved fit dimensions.
Claim 89
Dependent Claim 16 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of marking includes using labels as said markers.
Claim 90
Dependent Claim 17 words
The method of claim 79 the step of marking includes using a washable substance as said marker.
Claim 91
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of marking includes a step for marking each of said plurality of try-on apparel.
Claim 92
Dependent Claim 25 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of marking includes the step of using as said code the numeric dimensions of said try-on apparel.
Claim 93
Dependent Claim 22 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of marking includes the step of using as said code a bar code image.
Claim 94
Dependent Claim 26 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of making a plurality of patterns further includes the step of laying them out optimizing use of materials.
Claim 95
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of manufacturing finished apparel further includes the step of responding to volume and arrival time of orders in such a way as to optimize inventories.
Claim 96
Dependent Claim 34 words
The method of claim 79 wherein the step of manufacturing finished apparel further includes the step of responding to volume and arrival time of orders in such a way as to optimize delivery time.
Claim 97
Independent Claim 152 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels in a system; attaching a measuring device to an edge of each of said plurality of try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length,whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length; associating a device with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer, together with desired hem length selected by said buyer and reporting said hem length and said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 98
Independent Claim 152 words
A method for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions; storing and accessing said pre-determined dimensions of said try-on apparels in a system; attaching a measuring device to an edge of each of said plurality of try-on apparel having an adjustable hem length,whereby said edge can be turned up and measured by said measuring device for capturing a desired hem length; associating a device with said system for collecting the relative fit information of each of the predetermined dimensions of those try-on apparels actually tried on by a prospective buyer, together with desired hem length selected by said buyer and reporting said hem length and said fit information for identifying final approved pre-determined dimensions for manufacturing.
Claim 99
Dependent Claim 31 words
The method of claim 88 further comprising the step of making a plurality of patterns, each of said patterns corresponding to one of said plurality of try-on apparels and hem lengths.
Claim 100
Independent Claim 32 words
The method of 88 wherein the step of attaching a measuring device further includes the step of fashioning it as a tape made of a flexible material having increment markings on it.
Claim 101
Independent Claim 32 words
The method of 88 wherein the step of attaching a measuring device further includes the step of fashioning it as a tape made of a flexible material having increment markings on it.
Claim 102
Dependent Claim 30 words
The method of claim 90 wherein the step of marking said tape includes the step of indicating all permissible dimensions of hem length for said part in said try-on apparel.
Claim 103
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of collecting dimension information for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: determining population sample size and dimensions to measure; gathering measurements of individuals in population sample size in said dimensions; observing objective differences of said dimensions detectable by individuals; generating rule sets based on said measurements.
Claim 104
Independent Claim 56 words
A method of collecting dimension information for custom tailoring and manufacturing apparel of selected design and configuration, comprising the steps of: determining population sample size and dimensions to measure; gathering measurements of individuals in population sample size in said dimensions; observing objective differences of said dimensions detectable by individuals; generating rule sets based on said measurements.
Claim 105
Dependent Claim 47 words
The method of claim 92 further comprising the steps of: making a plurality of try-on apparels, each try-on apparel having pre-determined dimensions based on said measurements and differing from the dimensions of each other try-on apparel and each try-on apparel bearing a code indicating its pre-determined dimensions.
Claim 106
Dependent Claim 33 words
The method of claim 93 further comprising the step of forming a plurality of patterns, each pattern having a code and pre-determined dimensions corresponding to one of said plurality of try on apparel.

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3.5 Years (Year 4) 1999-08-20 2000-02-19 2000-08-20 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 2003-08-20 2004-02-19 2004-08-20 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2007-08-20 2008-02-19 2008-08-20 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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