GB2500645A - Garments comprising bands of cured silicone elastomer - Google Patents

Garments comprising bands of cured silicone elastomer Download PDF

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Publication number
GB2500645A
GB2500645A GB1205457.3A GB201205457A GB2500645A GB 2500645 A GB2500645 A GB 2500645A GB 201205457 A GB201205457 A GB 201205457A GB 2500645 A GB2500645 A GB 2500645A
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GB
United Kingdom
Prior art keywords
silicone elastomer
band
opening
body portion
ring portion
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
GB1205457.3A
Other versions
GB201205457D0 (en
Inventor
Stephen Cain
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd Virgin Islands
Original Assignee
Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd Virgin Islands
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd Virgin Islands filed Critical Stretchline Intellectual Properties Ltd Virgin Islands
Priority to GB1205457.3A priority Critical patent/GB2500645A/en
Publication of GB201205457D0 publication Critical patent/GB201205457D0/en
Publication of GB2500645A publication Critical patent/GB2500645A/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
    • A41B11/12—Means at the upper end to keep the stockings up
    • A41B11/123—Elastic or flexible bands attached at the upper end
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
    • A41B11/00—Hosiery; Panti-hose
    • A41B11/14—Panti-hose; Body-stockings
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A41—WEARING APPAREL
    • A41D—OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
    • A41D1/00—Garments
    • A41D1/04—Vests, jerseys, sweaters or the like

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Textile Engineering (AREA)
  • Socks And Pantyhose (AREA)

Abstract

A garment 10 comprises a body portion 12 formed from a stretchable fabric having at least one opening 14 to encircle part of a wearers body and a band of cured silicone elastomer 16 adhered to the body portion about the opening so as to extend away from the body portion about the opening. The garment may further comprise an adhesive section (20, figure 4) on an inner surface of the band for locating against a wearers skin, the adhesive section being formed from a cured silicone elastomer exhibiting softer and tackier characteristics than the band. The garment preferably comprises a stretchable ring portion 18 adhered to the same surface of the band as the body portion. The stretchable ring portion may be a decorative or functional trim element. The body portion may be in the form of a vest section, a panty section of a pair of tights or a leg section of a stocking. Also disclosed is a method of forming the garment of the invention.

Description

tM:;: INTELLECTUAL .*.. PROPERTY OFFICE Application No. tJB1205457.3 RTM Date:10 July 2012 The following terms are registered trademarks and should be read as such wherever they occur in this document: Momentive Intellectual Properly Office is an operaling name of Ihe Patent Office www.ipo.gov.uk
GARMENT
The invention relates to a garment and a method of manufacturing the garment.
According to an aspect of the invention there is provided a garment comprising a body portion formed from a stretchable fabric and having at least one opening to encircle pad of a wearer's body when the garment is worn, the garment further including a band of cured silicone elastomer adhered to the body portion about the opening so as to extend away from the body portion about the opening.
The provision of a band of cured silicone elastomer adhered to the body portion about the opening is particularly advantageous in the production of undergarments where it is often desirable to minimise bulk and hold in position on a wearer's body so as to reduce the visibility of the undergarments through outer layers of clothing.
This is because the band of cured silicone elastomer adhered to the body portion about the opening provides a means for finishing the edge of stretchable fabric about the opening and thereby eliminates the need for a hem, welt or trim element to prevent unravelling of the fabric edge. The modulus of elasticity of the of cured silicone elastomer ensures that the body portion retains its ability to stretch about the opening without breaking the seal between the band of cured silicone elastomer and the body portion, which might otherwise occur with the use of hot melt thermoplastic films such as Bemis (RTM) film.
Adhering the band of cured silicone elastomer about the opening such that the band extends away from the body portion about the opening also provides a means for securing the opening in place whilst being worn as a result of friction generated between the band and the wearer's skin when the garment is worn.
To further enhance the functionality of the band of cured silicone elastomer in terms of securing or holding the opening of the body portion in position on a wearers body when the garment is worn, an adhesive section may be provided on an inner surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to locate against a wearer's skin when the garment is worn. In such embodiments, the adhesive section may be formed from a cured silicone elastomer exhibiting softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
In embodiments of the invention, the garment may further include a stretchable ring portion adhered to the same surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer as the body portion so as to be connected to the body portion about the opening, in an edge to edge arrangement, via the band of cured silicone elastomer.
The use of the band of cured silicone elastomer to connect the stretchable ring portion to the body portion about the opening, in an edge to edge arrangement, avoids the need for any overlap between the stretchable ring portion and body portion that would otherwise be required in order to connect the stretchable ring portion to the body portion through the use of sewing or a hot melt thermoplastic adhesive, such as Bemis (RTM) film. It therefore provides a mechanism that reduces the bulk of the resultant joint between the stretchable ring portion and the body portion of the garment without restricting the stretch of the stretchable ring portion and whilst providing a means for finishing the edge of the stretchable ring portion.
In such embodiments the stretchable ring portion may be a decorative or functional trim element, including, for example, a knitted, woven or other textile element, depending on the nature of the garment. In embodiments where the garment is a hold-up stocking the stretchable ring portion may, for example, be a decorative lace trim. In embodiments where the garment is a vest top the stretchable ring portion may, for example, be a frilly neck trim for attachment about a neck opening. In embodiments where the garment is a pair of tights the stretchable ring portion may, for example, be an elasticated waistband.
It is envisaged that in embodiments of the invention, the band of cured silicone elastomer might be used to alter the aesthetic appearance of the garment and stretchable ring portion. In such embodiments the stretchable ring portion may, for example, be adhered to the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to be spaced, in an edge to edge arrangement, from the opening of the body portion. This spacing creates a section of the cured silicone elastomer extending between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion.
It is envisaged that the spacing between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion in such embodiments may be in the range of 10mm -60mm, and is preferably 30mm.
In other embodiments, the band of cured silicone elastomer may be adhered to the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to be arranged in edge to edge abutting contact with the body portion about the opening.
So as to secure or hold the stretchable ring portion in position on a wearer's body when the garment is worn, an adhesive section may be provided on an inner surface of the stretchable ring portion so as to locate against a wearer's skin when the garment is worn.
In such embodiments, the adhesive section may be formed from a cured silicone elastomer exhibiting softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
The band of cured silicone elastomer is preferably formed from MOMENTIVE's two-part silicone elastomer identified as RTV83OA and RTV83OB, combined with an adhesion promoter. In embodiments of the invention including one or more adhesive sections, the adhesive section may be formed from MOMENTIVE's two-part silicone elastomer identified as RTVB34A and RTVS34B.
The use of MOMENTIVE's RTV83OA and RTV83OB to form the band of cured silicone elastomer provides the mechanical strength that is required to seal and adhere to an unfinished edge of fabric. It will also exhibit a co-efficient of friction that is sufficient to restrict sliding movement of the band of cured silicone elastomer relative to a wearer's skin when the garment is worn so as to hold the opening of the body portion in position relative to the wearer's body.
The use of MOMENTIVE's RTV834A and RTV834B to form the adhesive section provides a softer and tackier silicone section on the band of cured silicone elastomer that will adhere to the skin of a wearer when the adhesive section is placed in contact therewith.
In embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that the garment may include a body portion in the form of a vest section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a neck opening to encircle a wearers neck when the garment is worn, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the vest section about the neck opening so as to extend away from the vest section about the neck opening.
In other embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged the garment may be a pair of tights including a body portion in the form of a panty section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a waist opening to encircle a wearer's waist when the tights are worn, and further includes a pair of leg sections extending from the panty section, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the panty section about the waist opening so as to extend away from the panty section about the waist opening.
In yet further embodiments of the invention, it is envisaged that the garment may be a stocking including a body portion in the form of a leg section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a leg opening to encircle a wearer's thigh in the case of a thigh-high stocking or a wearer's calf in the case of a knee-high stocking when the stocking is worn, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the leg section about the leg opening so as to extend away from the leg opening.
According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of forming a garment including the steps of: (i) locating the opening of the body portion on a form so as to encircle the form; (U) rotating the form and extruding a band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer overlaps an edge of the body portion about the opening: and (Hi) applying heat to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer.
In order to create an adhesive section, the method may further include the step of rotating the form and extruding a layer of another uncured silicone elastomer over at least a portion of the band of uncured silicone elastomer before applying heat to cure both the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer and the band of uncured silicone elastomer so as to form an adhesive section on the band of cured silicone elastomer, the other uncured silicone elastomer being selected so that the adhesive section exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
In embodiments of the invention where a stretchable ring portion is to form part of the garment, the method may further include the step of locating a stretchable ring portion on the form so as to encircle the form adjacent the opening of the body portion before rotating the form and extruding the band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer overlaps an edge of the body portion about the opening and an edge of the stretchable ring portion. This ensures that, following the step of applying heat to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer, the stretchable ring portion is connected to the body portion of the garment, about its opening, via a band of cured silicone elastomer.
So as to ensure a joint following curing, between the band of cured silicone elastomer and the body portion and, where included, the stretchable ring portion, the band of uncured silicone elastomer may be extruded so as to overlap an edge of the body portion and, where included, an edge of the stretchable ring portion, by a distance in the range of 2mm -40mm, and preferably by a distance of 10mm.
In order to create a section of the cured silicone elastomer band extending between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion, the method may includes the step of locating the stretchable ring portion on the form so as to be spaced from the adjacent opening of the body portion prior to the step of extruding the band of uncured silicone elastomer.
In other embodiments however, so as to create minimal spacing between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion, the method may further include the step of locating the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion on the form so that an edge of one overlaps an edge of the other, and then removing the overlapping edges by means of a laser to define adjacent edges of the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion in abutting contact before rotating the form and extruding a band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer straddles the abutting edges of the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion.
In order to create an adhesive section on the stretchable ring portion, the method may further include the step of rotating the form and extruding a layer of another uncured silicone elastomer onto the stretchable ring portion and applying heat to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer so as to form an adhesive section on the stretchable ring portion, the other uncured silicone elastomer being selected so that the adhesive section exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
In such embodiments, heat may be applied to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer at the same time as heat is applied to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer so as to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer and the band of as uncured silicone elastomer simultaneously.
S
In other such embodiments, heat may be applied to the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer and the band of uncured silicone elastomer separately so as to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer and the band of uncured silicone elastomer separately.
The band of cured silicone is preferably formed from MOMENTIVE's two-part silicone elastomer known as RTV SSOA and RTV 83DB, combined with an adhesion promoter.
The or each adhesive section may be formed from MOMENTIVE's two-part silicone elastomer known as RTV 834A and RN 834B.
Preferred embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a stocking according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is a schematic representation of an inner surface of a stocking according to a second embodiment of the invention; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of a stocking according to a third embodiment of the invention; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of an inner surface of the stocking shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a stocking according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; Figure 6 illustrates a method of manufacturing the stocking shown in Figure 1; Figure 7 illustrates a method of manufacturing the stocking shown in Figures 3 and 4; Figures 8 and 9 illustrate methods of manufacturing the stocking shown in Figure 5.
so A stocking 10 according to an embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 1. The stocking 10 includes a body portion in the form of a leg section 12 formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a leg opening 14 to encircle a wearer's thigh when the stocking is worn.
It is envisaged that in other embodiments the stocking 10 may be a knee-high stocking as opposed to a thigh-high stocking, the leg opening 14 encircling a wearer's calf when the stocking is worn.
The stocking 10 includes a band of cured silicone elastomer 16 adhered to the leg section 12 about the opening l4so as to extend away from the leg section 12. The band of cured silicone elastomer 16 is adhered to an inner surface of the leg section 12 about s the leg opening 14, the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 overlapping the inner surface of the leg section 12, as illustrated by broken lines A. It is envisaged that in other embodiments the band of cured silicone elastomer 14 might be adhered to an outer surface of the leg section 12 about the leg opening 14.
The band of cured silicone elastomer 16 adhered to the leg section 12 about the leg opening 14 provides a means for finishing the edge of stretchable fabric used to form the leg section 12, about the leg opening 14, and thereby eliminates the need for a hem, welt or trim element to prevent unravelling of the fabric edge.
The modulus of elasticity of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 ensures that the leg section 12 retains its ability to stretch about the leg opening 14 without breaking the seal between the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the leg section 12, which might otherwise occur with the use of hot melt thermoplastic films such as Bemis (RTM) film.
Adhering the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 about the leg opening 14 such that the band 16 extends away from the leg section 12 about the leg opening 14 also provides a means for securing the leg opening 14 in place whilst being worn as a result of friction generated between the band 16 and the wearers skin when the stocking 10 is worn.
In a second embodiment, shown in Figure 2, the hold-up ability of the stocking 10 is further enhanced by the provision of an adhesive section 20 on an inner surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16. Figure 2 illustrates the inner surface of the stocking 10, the opening 14 of the leg section 12 being shown by broken lines B. The adhesive section 20 is formed from a cured silicone elastomer that exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer 16. The adhesive section 20 is located on an inner surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 to locate against a wearers skin when the stocking 10 is worn. The softer and tackier characteristics of the cured silicone elastomer cause the adhesive section 20 to adhere to the wearer's skin when the stocking 10 is worn.
The provision of the adhesive section 20 allows the use of a silicone elastomer that is capable of forming a strong mechanical bond with the stretchable fabric of the leg section 12 for the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and which will as a consequence exhibit harder and less tacky characteristics. It thereby enables the hold-up functionality of the s stocking 10 to be improved whilst ensuring that the bond between the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the leg section 12 is not compromised.
In order to achieve the required bond between the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the leg section 12, the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 in each of the io embodiments shown in Figures 1 and 2 may be formed from a combination of MOMENTIVE's RTV83OA and RTV83OB and an adhesive promoter.
The adhesive section 20 shown in Figure 2 may be formed from a combination of MOMENTIVE's RTV834A and RTV834B.
In a third embodiment of the invention, shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stocking 10 further includes a stretchable ring portion 18 adhered to the leg section 12 of the stocking 12 about the leg opening 14 via the band of cured silicone elastomer 16.
The stretchable ring portion 18 may be a decorative or functional trim element, such as a knitted, woven or other textile element. The stretchable ring portion 18 may, for example, be provided in the form of a decorative lace element for attachment to the leg opening 14 of the leg section 12 of the stocking 10.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 of the stocking 10 are both adhered to the same, outer surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 in an edge to edge arrangement. It will be appreciated that this arrangement allows the stretchable ring portion 18 to be connected to the leg section 12 of the stocking 10 without any overlap between the ring portion 18 and the leg section 12. It thus avoids the creation of a ridge that would otherwise be created by overlapping the two elements and secured in position with the use of stitches or a hot-melt thermoplastic film.
The band of cured silicone elastomer 16 is adhered to inner surfaces of both the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 of the stocking shown in Figure 3 so as to overlap edges of both the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12, as illustrated by broken lines A. In the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4, the stretchable ring portion 18 is adhered to the band of cured silicone elastomer l6so as to be spaced from the leg opening 14 of the leg section 12. This leads to the creation of a section of cured silicone elastomer s identified by broken lines C, extending between the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12.
The spacing between the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 may be in the range of 10mm -60mm, and is preferably 30mm.
The stretchable ring portion 18 further includes an adhesive section 20 in the form of a cured silicone elastomer that exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer 16, as shown in Figure 4.
The adhesive section 20 is located on the inner surface of the stretchable ring portion 18 to locate against a wearer's skin when the stocking is worn. The softer and tackier characteristics of the cured silicone elastomer cause the adhesive section 20 to adhere to the wearers skin when the stocking is worn. Referring to Figure 4, it can be seen that the adhesive section 20 is located adjacent free edge 19 of the inner surface of the stretchable ring portion 18. This allows the adhesive section to adhere the free edge 19 of the stretchable ring portion 18 to a wearer's skin when the stocking 10 is worn and thereby resist rolling over of the stretchable ring portion 18 whilst the stocking 10 is worn.
It is envisaged that in other embodiments of the invention, the stocking 10 shown in Figures 3 and 4 may further include an adhesive section 20 provided on an inner surface of the band of cured silicone 16 to further enhance the hold-up abilities and comfort of the stocking 10.
As in the embodiment described with reference to Figure 2, the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 may be formed from a combination of MOMENTIVE's RTV63OA and RTV83OB and an adhesive promoter in order to achieve the required bond between the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the leg section 12 and between the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the stretchable ring portion 18.
The adhesive section 20 may be formed from a combination of MOMENTIVE's RTV834A and RTV834B.
In other embodiments of the invention, such as that shown in Figure 5, the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 of the stocking 12 may be arranged in edge to edge abutting contact about the leg opening 14.
In the embodiment the depth of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16, connecting the stretchable ring portion 18 to the leg section 12 of the stocking 10 is less than is shown in Figures 1 to 4. This is because a narrower band of the cured silicone elastomer 16 is required to overlap the edges of the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12, as illustrated by the broken lines A. As in the stockings 10 shown in Figures ito 4, the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 incorporated in the stocking 10 shown in Figure 5 will exhibit a coefficient of friction, which will secure the leg opening 14 in place whilst being worn as a result of friction generated between the band 16 and the wearer's skin when the stocking 10 is worn.
In further embodiments of the invention it is envisaged that the stocking 10 shown in Figure 5 may be modified to further include an adhesive section located on the inner surface of the band of cured silicone 16 and/or on an inner surface of the stretchable ring portion 18 in a similar manner to that described above with reference to Figures 2 and 4 so as to further improve the hold-up ability of the stocking 10.
A method of forming the stocking 10 shown in Figure 1 will now be described with reference to Figure 6.
The method of forming the stocking 10 involves turning the leg section 12 inside out and locating the leg opening 14 on a form 22 so as to encircle the form 22. The form 22 is then rotated and a band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 is extruded onto the form 22 so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 overlaps an edge of the leg section 12 about the leg opening 14.
Following formation of the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16, heat is applied to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16. The stocking 10 may then be removed from the form 22 and turned the right way so that the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 extends from an inner surface of the leg section 12 about the leg opening 14.
In order to form the stocking 10 shown in Figure 2, including an adhesive section 20 located on an inner surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer 16, a second band of uncured silicone elastomer (not shown) may be extruded onto the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 prior to curing. Heat may then be applied to cure both layers of uncured silicone elastomer so as to form the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and the adhesive section 20 shown in Figure 2.
It is envisaged that in other embodiments, the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 may be cured first, before applying a second band of uncured silicone elastomer. The second band of uncured silicone elastomer (not shown) may then be applied onto the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 before being cured separately through the ic application of heat.
In order to form the stocking 10 shown in Figure 3, including a stretchable ring portion 18 spaced from the leg opening 14 of the leg section 12, the method further includes the step of locating the stretchable ring portion 16 on the form 22, so as to encircle the form 22, before extruding the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16, as shown in Figure 7.
The stretchable ring portion 18 is turned inside out and arranged on the form 22, adjacent the leg opening 14 of the leg section, in a spaced edge to edge arrangement.
The band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 is then extruded onto the form 22 so as to overlap edges of both the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12.
At the same time as extruding the band of uncured silicone elastomer, or as a second step thereafter, a second band of uncured silicone elastomer 20 is extruded onto the stretchable ring portion 18, as the form 22 is rotated, so as to lie adjacent a free edge 19 of the stretchable ring portion 18.
Heat is then applied to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 and connect the stretchable ring portion 18 to the leg section 12 via the band of cured silicone elastomer 16 and also to cure the second band of uncured silicone elastomer 20 to as to form an adhesive section 20 on the stretchable ring portion 18.
It is envisaged that in other embodiments the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 may be cured by the application of heat prior to the step of extruding the second band of uncured silicone elastomer 20 onto the stretchable ring portion 18.
In order to form the stocking 10 shown in Figure 6, where the stretchable ring portion 18 is connected to the leg section 12 in edge to edge abutting contact, the stretchable ring portion 18 is again turned inside out and arranged on the form 22. Instead however of being spaced on the form 22 from the adjacent leg opening 14 of the leg section 12, the stretchable ring portion 18 is located in abutting edge to edge contact with the adjacent leg section 12 about the leg opening, as shown in Figure 8.
The band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 may then be extruded onto the form so as to overlap the joint between the stretchable ring portion 16 and the leg section 12, before applying heat to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16.
In another embodiment the abutting contact between the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 may be improved so as to minimise any gap between the two elements. This may be achieved by locating the stretchable ring portion 16 on the form 22so as to overlap an edge of the leg section 12, as shown in Figure 9.
The overlapping edges 24 of the stretchable ring portion 18 and the leg section 12 may then be removed by laser cutting to create a clean abutment between the two elements prior to the extrusion of the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16.
In each of the methods described with reference to Figures 6 to 9, the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 is preferably applied to overlap an edge of the leg section 12 and, where applicable, an edge of the stretchable ring portion 16, by a distance in the range of 2mm -40mm, and most preferably by a distance of 10mm.
It will be appreciated that each of the methods described with reference to Figures 6 to 9 may further include the step of laser cutting the leg section 12 to remove any welt created about the leg opening 14 during production of the leg section 12. The application of the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 and subsequent curing thereof acts to seal the otherwise unfinished edge and prevent unravelling of the leg section 12.
Similarly the edge of the stretchable ring portion 18 that is located adjacent against the leg section 12 when the stretchable ring portion 18 is located on the form 22 may be removed by laser culling before the application of the band of uncu red silicone elastomer 16 and subsequent curing thereof Again the band of uncured silicone elastomer 16 acts to seal the otherwise unfinished edge and prevent unravelling of the stretchable ring portion 18.
A similar step may be included in embodiments where an adhesive section 20 is formed adjacent a free edge 19 of the stretchable ring portion 18. In such embodiments, the cured silicone elastomer forming the adhesive section 20 will act to seal the otherwise unfinished edge and prevent unravelling of the stretchable ring portion 18.
Whilst the invention has been described with specific reference to stockings, it will be appreciated that the invention encompasses any garment formed from a stretchable fabric and including an opening that encircles part of a wearer's body when the garment is worn.

Claims (25)

  1. CLAIMS1. A garment comprising a body portion formed from a stretchable fabric and having at least one opening to encircle part of a wearer's body when the garment is s worn, the garment further including a band of cured silicone elastomer adhered to the body portion about the opening so as to extend away from the body portion about the opening.
  2. 2. A garment according to Claim 1 further including an adhesive section on an io inner surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to locate against a wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the adhesive section being formed from a cured silicone elastomer exhibiting softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
  3. 3. A garment according to Claim 1 or Claim 2 further including a stretchable ring portion adhered to the same surface of the band of cured silicone elastomer as the body portion so as to be connected to the body portion about the opening, in an edge to edge arrangement, via the band of cured silicone elastomer.
  4. 4. A garment according to Claim 3 wherein the stretchable ring portion is a decorative or functional trim element.
  5. 5. A garment according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the stretchable ring portion is adhered to the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to be spaced from the opening of the body portion.
  6. 6. A garment according to Claim 5 wherein the spacing between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion is in the range of 10mm -60mm.
  7. 7. A garment according to Claim 6 wherein the spacing between the opening of the body portion and the stretchable ring portion is 30mm.
  8. 8. A garment according to Claim 3 or Claim 4 wherein the stretchable ring portion is adhered to the band of cured silicone elastomer so as to be arranged in edge to edge abutting contact with the body portion about the opening.
  9. 9. A garment according to any one of Claims 3 to 8 further including an adhesive section on an inner surface of the stretchable ring portion so as to locate against a wearer's skin when the garment is worn, the adhesive section being formed from a cured silicone elastomer exhibiting softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
  10. 10. A garment according to Claim 2 or Claim 9 wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is formed from RTV 830A, RTV 830B and an adhesion promoter and the adhesive section is formed from RTV 834A and RTV 834B.
  11. ii. A garment according to any one of the preceding claims including a body portion in the form of a vest section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a neck opening to encircle a wearer's neck when the garment is worn, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the vest section about the neck opening so as to extend away from the vest section about the neck opening.
  12. 12. A pair of tights according to any one of Claims ito 10 including a body portion in the form of a panty section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a waist opening to encircle a wearer's waist when the tights are worn, and further including a pair of leg sections extending from the panty section, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the panty section about the waist opening so as to extend away from the panty section about the waist opening.
  13. 13. A stocking according to any one of Claims Ito 10 including a body portion in the form of a leg section formed from a stretchable fabric that includes a leg opening to encircle a wearer's thigh or calf when the stocking is worn, wherein the band of cured silicone elastomer is adhered to the leg section about the leg opening so as to extend away from the leg section about the leg opening.
  14. 14. A method of forming a garment according to any one of the preceding claims including the steps of: (I) locating the opening of the body portion on a form so as to encircle the form; (H) rotating the form and extruding a band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer overlaps an edge of the body portion about the opening; and (iii) applying heat to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer.
  15. 15. A method according to Claim 14 further including the step of extruding a layer of another uncured silicone elastomer over at least a portion of the band of uncured silicone elastomer before applying heat to cure both the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer and the band of uncured silicone elastomer so as to form an adhesive section on the band of uncured silicone elastomer, the other uncured silicone elastomer being selected so that the adhesive section exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
  16. 16. A method according to Claim 14 or Claim 15 further including the step of locating a stretchable ring portion on the form so as to encircle the form adjacent the opening of the body portion before rotating the form and extruding the band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer overlaps an edge of the body portion about the opening and an edge of the stretchable ring portion.
  17. 17. A method according to any one of Claims 14 to 16 wherein the band of uncured silicone elastomer is extruded onto the form so as to overlap an edge of the body portion and/or an edge of the stretchable ring portion by a distance in the range of 2mm -40mm.
  18. 18. A method according to Claim 17 wherein the band of uncured silicone elastomer is extruded onto the form so as to overlap an edge of the body portion and/or an edge of the stretchable ring portion by a distance of 10mm.
  19. 19. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 18 wherein the stretchable ring portion is located on the form so as to be spaced from the adjacent opening of the body portion.
  20. 20. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 18 further including the step of locating the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion on the form so that an edge of one overlaps an edge of the other and removing the overlapping edges by means of a laser to define adjacent edges of the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion in abutting contact before rotating the form and extruding a band of uncured silicone elastomer onto the form so that the band of uncured silicone elastomer straddles the abutting edges of the stretchable ring portion and the opening of the body portion.
  21. 21. A method according to any one of Claims 15 to 20 further including the step of rotating the form and extruding a layer of another uncured silicone elastomer onto the stretchable ring portion and applying heat to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer so as to form an adhesive section on the stretchable ring portion, the other uncured silicone elastomer being selected so that the adhesive section exhibits softer and tackier characteristics than the band of cured silicone elastomer.
  22. 22. A method according to Claim 21 wherein heat is applied to cure the layer of the other uncured silicone elastomer at the same time as heat is applied to cure the band of uncured silicone elastomer,
  23. 23. A method according to Claim 15 or 21 wherein the band of uncured silicone includes RTV 830A, RN 8306 and an adhesion promoter, and the layer of the other uncured silicone adhesive includes RN 834A and RTV 834B.
  24. 24. A garment generally as herein described with reference to and or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
  25. 25. A method of forming a garment generally as herein described with reference to and or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
GB1205457.3A 2012-03-28 2012-03-28 Garments comprising bands of cured silicone elastomer Withdrawn GB2500645A (en)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1205457.3A GB2500645A (en) 2012-03-28 2012-03-28 Garments comprising bands of cured silicone elastomer

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB1205457.3A GB2500645A (en) 2012-03-28 2012-03-28 Garments comprising bands of cured silicone elastomer

Publications (2)

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GB201205457D0 GB201205457D0 (en) 2012-05-09
GB2500645A true GB2500645A (en) 2013-10-02

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Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6485302A (en) * 1987-09-21 1989-03-30 Descente Ltd Swimming suit
US20030110551A1 (en) * 2001-12-18 2003-06-19 Rodica Lazarian Undergarment
FR2904194A1 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-02-01 Cheynet & Fils Sa Textile clothing article e.g. stocking, maintaining device for e.g. women, has ring that comes in contact and in support on body of physical person by resilience during time of threading of article on part of body of physical person
GB2454756A (en) * 2007-11-19 2009-05-20 Thesis Technology Products And Waterproof cover for a medical dressing
US20110131707A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-09 Carsten Sauer Protective device particularly for use for exterior prostheses
FR2955746A1 (en) * 2010-02-02 2011-08-05 Dbapparel Operations TEXTILE ARTICLE COATED SOLDER, IN PARTICULAR FOR LOWER JARRETIERE, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS6485302A (en) * 1987-09-21 1989-03-30 Descente Ltd Swimming suit
US20030110551A1 (en) * 2001-12-18 2003-06-19 Rodica Lazarian Undergarment
FR2904194A1 (en) * 2006-07-28 2008-02-01 Cheynet & Fils Sa Textile clothing article e.g. stocking, maintaining device for e.g. women, has ring that comes in contact and in support on body of physical person by resilience during time of threading of article on part of body of physical person
GB2454756A (en) * 2007-11-19 2009-05-20 Thesis Technology Products And Waterproof cover for a medical dressing
US20110131707A1 (en) * 2009-12-08 2011-06-09 Carsten Sauer Protective device particularly for use for exterior prostheses
FR2955746A1 (en) * 2010-02-02 2011-08-05 Dbapparel Operations TEXTILE ARTICLE COATED SOLDER, IN PARTICULAR FOR LOWER JARRETIERE, AND METHOD OF MAKING SAME

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Publication number Publication date
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