GB2625545A

GB2625545A - Improvements in or relating to garments

Info

Publication number: GB2625545A
Application number: GB2219213.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Ranaie Neda
Original assignee: Tootiya Ltd
Current assignee: Tootiya Ltd
Priority date: 2022-12-19
Filing date: 2022-12-19
Publication date: 2024-06-26
Also published as: GB202219213D0

Abstract

A garment suitable for wear by a person undergoing hormonal changes formed of a breathable and absorbent material, where the garment has a removable lower portion 18 such that the garment has a first length L1 and a second shortened length L2. Preferably the garment comprises removable absorbent padding 46, 48 which is removable 46. The garment might be in the form of a dress such that the removable portion takes it from a long dress to a minidress; or it might be in the form of a robe such that removing the removable portion takes it to a short jacket (figs 11, 13). The removable portion may be suitable for use as a towel once removed. The garment may have arm holes which are substantially larger than a wearer’s arms. The garment may be of use to a male or female person, especially a woman undergoing menopause.

Description

IMPROVEMENTS IN OR RELATING TO GARMENTS

The present invention relates to a garment suitable for a person who is undergoing hormonal changes, for example a woman who is undergoing the menopause.

When a person is undergoing hormonal changes, their bodies typically find it hard to regulate temperature. Accordingly, they are liable to overheat such that they experience what is generally called a "hot flush". Other automatic body functions will compensate for this overheating such as the sweat function, with the result that they are usually hotter and sweatier than the average person. Current clothing is not suitable for wear by people who are undergoing hormonal changes.

A way of ameliorating these problems has been sought.

According to the invention there is provided a garment suitable for wear by a person undergoing hormonal changes wherein the garment is formed from a breathable and absorbent material; and wherein the garment has a removable lower portion such that the garment has two lengths which are a first length and a second shortened length.

Advantages of the invention include that the garment addresses the overheating problem by providing a well-ventilated garment by virtue of the material from which it is made and the removable lower portion allows the wearer to manage the coverage which the garment provides.

In some embodiments, the garment may include absorbent padding on an internal surface of the garment. In some embodiments, the absorbent padding may be removable.

In some embodiments, the absorbent padding may be positioned on an internal surface of the garment such that it contacts the upper body of the wearer when worn.

In some embodiments, the garment may form an armhole which is a wider armhole such that its diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a wearer's arm, for example a multiple of 2-5 times wider, e.g. two times wider, three times wider, or four times wider.

In some embodiments, the garment may be in the form of a dress or a robe. In some embodiments, the garment may be suitable for wear by a male or female person.

In some embodiments, the garment may be suitable for wear by a female and may be in the form of a dress which comprises or consists of a bodice, a waistband, an upper skirt, and a removable lower skirt which forms the removable lower portion such that the second shortened length of the garment is in the form of a minidress.

In some embodiments, the garment may be suitable for wear by a male or a female and may be in the form of a robe such that the second shortened length of the garment is in the form of a jacket. In some embodiments, the robe may comprise a jacket and a removable lower portion. In some embodiments, the jacket may include sleeves which may each have a sleeve strap for securing each sleeve in a rolled position.

In some embodiments, the bodice may comprise or consist of a pair of shoulder straps which each form an armhole, a bodice body front which forms a bodice bust support, and a bodice body back.

In some embodiments, the garment may be a pull-on garment or may be a wrap-around garment having an opening. Examples of a wrap-around garment include a robe or a wrap-around dress.

In some embodiments, the bodice may additionally comprise or consist of a pair of sleeves. In some embodiments, the bodice may additionally comprise or consist of absorbent padding on an internal surface. In some embodiments, the garment may additionally comprise or consist of absorbent padding on an internal surface. In some embodiments, the absorbent padding may be removable. In some embodiments, the absorbent padding may be provided as part of the bodice body front and/or bodice body back. In some embodiments, the absorbent padding may be provided as part of the robe, particularly around the upper back and/or chest area.

In some embodiments, the removable portion may form a towel on removal. In some embodiments, the length of the garment when worn may be about calf length with the removable portion and/or about thigh length without the removable portion.

In some embodiments, the breathable and absorbent material may comprise bamboo, cotton, flax, hemp, synthetic, and/or silk fibres. In some embodiments, the breathable and absorbent material may be in the form of a noil, terry cloth, and/or a waffle (or honeycomb) weave material; particularly, in the form of a waffle weave or a noil material. Advantages of using a waffle weave or a noil material include that the garment is compact and may be provided with a pouch such that it may be packed in the pouch to make it easier to pack the garment in a bag or suitcase.

In some embodiments, the breathable and absorbent material may be in the form of a silk noil. Advantages of a silk noil include that the garment is lightweight, cooling, compact (and so suitable for packing in a pouch), naturally anti-microbial, and easy to dry.

In some embodiments, the breathable and absorbent material may be in the form of a noil which is constructed using a jersey knit. Advantages of using a jersey knit include that its surface area is increased.

In some embodiments, the breathable and absorbent material may be in the form of bamboo terry fabric. Typically, a terry fabric is formed with loops to increase the water absorbency properties of the fabric. The advantages of a bamboo terry fabric include that it is highly water absorbent (up to 60% more water absorbent than cotton terry fabric), that a bamboo terry fabric is more compact than a cotton terry fabric as the terry loops are smaller, and that bamboo has anti-bacterial, anti-fungal, and thermoregulatory properties.

In some embodiments, the removable lower portion may be attached by a zip, hook and loop material, and/or buttons. In some embodiments, the robe may have a front opening which may be fastened by a button. Advantages of using a button to fasten the robe include that unlike a belt, it does not get in the way of other activities and does not loosen or become undone of its own accord.

The invention will now be illustrated with reference to the following Figures of the accompanying drawings which are not intended to limit the scope of the claimed invention: FIGURE 1 shows a schematic isometric front view of a garment according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 2 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 3 shows a schematic isometric front view of a shortened garment according to a first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 4 shows a schematic isometric view of a towel formed from a garment according to the first or second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 5 shows a schematic isometric front external view of a second embodiment of a bodice for use in the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 6 shows a schematic isometric rear external view of the second embodiment of the bodice for use in the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 7 shows a schematic front internal plan view of the second embodiment of the bodice for use in the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURES shows a schematic rear internal plan view of the second embodiment of the bodice for use in the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 9 shows a schematic front internal plan view of the third embodiment of the bodice for use in the garment according to the first embodiment of the invention where the bodice is without its padding; FIGURE 10 shows a schematic front plan view of padding for use with the third embodiment of the bodice; FIGURE 11 shows a schematic isometric front view of a garment according to a second embodiment of the invention; FIGURE 12 shows a schematic isometric rear view of the garment according to the second embodiment of the invention; and FIGURE 13 shows a schematic isometric front view of a shortened garment according to a second embodiment of the invention.

A first embodiment of a garment is indicated generally at 10 on Figures land 2. Garment 10 is in the form of a dress and is suitable for wear by a female. Garment 10 consists of a bodice 14, a waistband 34, an upper skirt 16, and a removable lower skirt 18. Garment 10 is a pull-on garment, having no front opening. Garment 10 has a first length L1 indicated on Figure 1.

The removable lower skirt 18 is secured to the upper skirt 16 by an upper skirt fastening 20 which may be in the form of a zip, hook and loop material, and/or buttons. Lower skirt 18 has a lower skirt fastening 40 for forming the skirt. On removal of the lower skirt 18, a shortened garment is formed which is indicated generally at 12 on Figure 3 and a towel is formed which is indicated generally at 42 on Figure 4.

The waistband 34 is arranged between the upper skirt 16 and the bodice 14. Waistband 34 includes a waistband cord 36 with tassels 38 at each end for securing the garment 10,12 around the wearer's waist.

The garments 10,12 are formed from a breathable and absorbent material which comprises bamboo, cotton, flax, hemp, silk, and/or a synthetic material, depending upon the season in which the garment 10,12 is to be worn. The breathable and absorbent material may also include elastane for elasticity.

Bodice 14 consists of a pair of shoulder straps, a pair of sleeves 24 which each form an armhole 26, a bodice body front 28 which forms a bodice bust support 32, and a bodice body back 30. In an alternative embodiment, the armhole 26 may be a wide armhole having a diameter which is substantially greater than the diameter of a wearer's arm, e.g. a multiple of two, three, four greater.

A shortened garment is indicated generally at 12 on Figure 3. Shortened garment 12 is in the form of a mini dress and is suitable for wear by a female. Shortened garment 12 consists of a bodice 14 and an upper skirt 16. The bodice 14 is as defined above. Shortened garment 12 has a second length L2 indicated on Figure 3 where second length L2 is shorter than first length L1. In an alternative embodiment, the shortened garment 12 may include a bodice 114,214 according to the second or third embodiment.

A towel is indicated generally at 42 on Figure 4. Towel 42 is formed from the removable lower skirt 18. Towel 42 has a rectangular shape and has an upper skirt fastening 20 along its longer edge for attachment to upper skirt 16. Towel 42 has a lower skirt fastening 40 on its shorter edge for forming lower skirt 18.

A second embodiment of a bodice is indicated generally at 114 on Figures 5 to 9. Bodice 14 consists of a pair of shoulder straps 22 which form armholes 26, a bodice body front 28 which forms a bodice bust support 32, a bodice body back 30, removable bodice front padding 44, and bodice back padding 48.

Bodice front padding 44 has an inverted T-shape such that it fits between and below the bust support 32. Bodice front padding 44 is secured to the bodice 214 by fixings 46 such that it is removable. Bodice back padding 48 is integral to the bodice body back 30 which is arranged below the shoulder straps 22. In an alternative embodiment, the bodice back padding 48 may be fixed to the bodice body back 30 by fixings such that the bodice back padding 48 is removable. The padding 44,48 may be formed from absorbent material, such as the breathable and absorbent material used to form the garments 10,12. The removable front padding is indicated generally at 44 on Figure 10. Front padding 44 is removable to allow it to be washed.

A second embodiment of the garment according to the invention is indicated generally at 110 on Figures 11 and 12. Garment 110 is in the form of a robe and is suitable for wear by a male or female. Garment 110 has a front opening 52. Garment 110 consists of a jacket 50 and a removable lower skirt 18. When being worn, jacket 50 has a mid-thigh length. When being worn, garment 110 has a mid-calf length. Garment 110 has a first length L3 indicated on Figure 11.

The removable lower skirt 18 is secured to the jacket 50 by a skirt fastening 20 which may be in the form of a zip, hook and loop material, and/or buttons. On removal of the lower skirt 18, a shortened garment is formed and a towel is formed as shown in Figure 4 and as described above.

A shortened garment according to the second embodiment is indicated generally at 112 on Figure 13.

Shortened garment 112 is in the form of a jacket 50 and is suitable for wear by a male or female.

Shortened garment 112 has a second length L4 indicated on Figure 13 where second length L4 is shorter than the first length L3 of garment 110.

The garments 110,112 are formed from a breathable, absorbent material which comprises bamboo, cotton, flax, hemp, silk, and/or a synthetic material, depending upon the season in which the garment 110,112 is to be worn. The breathable and absorbent material may also include elastane for elasticity.

Jacket 50 forms a collar 52, a pair of long sleeves 124, a jacket front 28, and a jacket back 30. A button is provided to secure the jacket 50 in a closed position (not shown). Long sleeves 124 have a length which is about wrist length. Sleeves 124 may be rolled up and secured by sleeve strap 54 to form a rolled sleeve 224. In an alternative embodiment, the jacket 50 may include absorbent padding in the jacket front 28, particularly around the area of the chest, and/or the jacket back 30, particularly around the area of the upper back. In an alternative embodiment, the absorbent padding may be attached to the jacket front 28 or jacket back 30, optionally by fixings such that it is removable. The absorbent padding may be formed from the absorbent and breathable material.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A garment suitable for wear by a person undergoing hormonal changes wherein the garment is formed from a breathable and absorbent material; and wherein the garment has a removable lower portion such that the garment has two lengths which are a first length and a second shortened length.
2. A garment as defined in Claim 1 which includes absorbent padding on an internal surface of the garment.
3. A garment as defined in Claim 2 wherein the absorbent padding is removable.
4. A garment as defined in Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the absorbent padding is positioned on an internal surface of the garment such that it contacts the upper body of the wearer when worn.
5. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which forms an armhole which is a wider armhole such that its diameter is substantially greater than the diameter of a wearer's arm.
6. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is in the form of a dress or a robe.
7. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims which is suitable for wear by a male or female person.
8. A garment as defined in Claim 7 which is suitable for wear by a female and which is in the form of a dress which comprises or consists of a bodice, a waistband, an upper skirt, and a removable lower skirt which forms the removable lower portion such that the second shortened length of the garment is in the form of a minidress.
9. A garment as defined in Claim 8 wherein the bodice comprises or consists of a pair of shoulder straps which each form an armhole, a bodice body front which forms a bodice bust support, and a bodice body back.
10. A garment as defined in Claim 9 wherein the bodice additionally comprises or consists of a pair of sleeves.
11. A garment as defined in Claim 9 or Claim 10 wherein the bodice additionally comprises or consists of absorbent padding on an internal surface.
12. A garment as defined in Claim 11 wherein the absorbent padding is removable.
13. A garment as defined in Claim 12 wherein the absorbent padding is provided as part of the bodice body front and/or bodice body back.
14. A garment as defined in any one of Claims 1 to 6 which is suitable for wear by a male or a female and is in the form of a robe such that the second shortened length of the garment is in the form of a jacket.
15. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the removable portion forms a towel on removal.
16. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the breathable and absorbent material comprises bamboo, cotton, flax, hemp, and/or silk fibres.
17. A garment as defined in Claim 16 wherein the breathable and absorbent material is in the form of a noil, terry cloth, and/or a waffle weave material.
18. A garment as defined in any one of the preceding Claims wherein the removable lower portion is attached by a zip, hook and loop material, and/or buttons.