WO2014114992A1

WO2014114992A1 - Shaping trousers

Info

Publication number: WO2014114992A1
Application number: PCT/IB2013/052634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Marco Marchi
Original assignee: LIUJO SpA
Current assignee: LIUJO SpA
Priority date: 2013-01-23
Filing date: 2013-04-02
Publication date: 2014-07-31
Anticipated expiration: 2015-07-23
Also published as: EP2948009A1; EP2948009B1; RU2015135591A; ITFI20130007U1

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of clothing and in particular it concerns a model of trousers with shaping properties, i.e. with suitable for shaping the body of the person wearing them. In greater detail, the present invention concerns a model of trousers suitable for shaping the gluteal area of the wearer.

Description

SHAPING TROUSERS

DESCRIPTION

Field of the invention

Background of the invention

As it is known, the field of clothing is becoming increasingly aware of the need to offer clothing that, as well as being comfortable and aesthetically pleasing, are also able to enhance the appearance of the wearer, giving the body a more graceful and toned profile. These types of clothing are intended to satisfy the needs of those who wear them to appear in top of physical fitness and therefore particularly attractive.

A highly sought-after shaping area is that of the buttocks. This area is sometimes the cause of profound insecurity for the user who therefore seeks clothing capable of enhancing it, shaping it so as to contain it and make it appear more toned.

Some known solutions are represented by girdles, containing pants or elastic underwear. However, such garments, as well as being extremely tight and therefore uncomfortable, at least partially limit movement and are bulky to wear under trousers and skirts. Furthermore, such garments are not aesthetically pleasing and/or attractive.

There are also known pants that use stitching, placed at strategic points, to give a lifting and containing effect to the buttocks. However, such solutions are also not entirely satisfactory; such trousers are, for example, excessively tight and restrictive and therefore are uncomfortable to wear. Moreover, the presence of stitching is a clear indication that the pants are of the shaping kind and this can cause embarrassment to the wearer.

From what has been stated above, it is clear that there is a need to seek a valid alternative to what is currently known.

Summary of the invention

The object of the present invention is to provide a new type of trousers for everyday use that is able to achieve a surprisingly effective result in terms of comfort, individuality and looking good and that is at the same time able to shape the user's body, and in particular the buttock area, giving the user a harmonious and toned silhouette.

These and other objects are attained by a pair of shaping trousers according to the invention, the essential features of which are defined in the first of the appended claims. Further important features are defined in the dependent claims

Brief description of the drawings

The pair of shaping trousers according to the present invention will be apparent from the following description of embodiments thereof, given as a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows the trousers according to the invention, depicted from the inside or inside-out, and in particular the gluteal region of the aforementioned trousers; furthermore, shaping portions are visible, depicted in a schematised manner as strips placed laterally and beneath each buttock (even though for the sake of clarity they are only represented in the figure at the right buttock);

Figure 2 shows the trousers of figure 1 (again inside-out) without shaping portions so as to be able to highlight a dart that extends in the transversal direction (with reference to the direction of extension of the leg of the same trousers) and towards the centre of the buttocks from a side seam of the trousers;

Figure 3 shows the trousers of the previous figures in which only one of the shaping portions is shown, i.e. the one arranged at the side of the buttocks; and

Figure 4 shows a variant embodiment of the trousers according to the invention.

Detailed description of the invention

With reference to the above figures, a pair of trousers comprises two leg segments 1 a, 1 b (only partially shown in the figures) that extend and spread apart in the conventional manner from an upper trunk 2. At the connection portion between the leg segments and the trunk a so-called "crotch" 3 is defined that, when the trousers are worn, corresponds to the groin region of a wearer. An upper hem 4 is represented by a band portion wrapping in a loop to upwardly delimit the trunk and define the so-called "waist" of the trousers. Between the crotch and the hem, on the back of the trousers, one can distinguish a buttock portion G that, when the trousers are worn, corresponds to the gluteal region of the user. In particular, the buttock portion defines two sub-portions G1 and G2 corresponding each to a single buttock (again when the trousers are worn).

Belt loops (not shown) are fixed in correspondence of the hem 4, in the normal way by stitching, to allow the insertion of a belt, a strap or a sash (not shown) to support the trousers at the waist. Beneath the hem 4, on the back of the trousers, there is a first stitching 5 that extends transversally (with respect to the direction of longitudinal extension of the leg) with a slightly curved profile, having greater curvature at the centre of the buttock portion. Such stitching, as well as being stylistically peculiar of shaping trousers, has the effect of shaping the fabric to enhance the buttock portion.

In order to make the trousers easier to put on, at least one closable opening is provided (not shown), generally on the front of the trousers, which extends for a certain length from a free edge 4a of the hem 4 up to just above the crotch 3 in a direction substantially perpendicular to the same hem. The opening allows the trunk 2 to be opened out, thus making the trousers easier to put on. Through appropriate fastening means, not shown in the figures, the opening can be closed back up again once the garment has been put on; usually, such means consist of buttons, zips, lacing, etc. Moreover, at least one button is commonly arranged on the upper hem 4 at the opening to contribute to closing the trousers.

Equally common is the presence of back pockets 6 (shown transparently in the figures, through a dashed outline) positioned on the back of the trousers at the gluteal region of the user. In the preferred embodiment (according to a solution that is very common in the field), the back pockets are pennant shaped, i.e. they have a substantially rectangular main body 6a that ends on the bottom with a triangular tail 6b defined by two inclined and converging sides 60b.

There can also be front pockets (not shown) arranged on the front of the trousers just beneath the upper hem 4.

A side seam 7 of the trousers runs along the leg 1 a, 1 b and is conventionally used to shape the piece of cloth that makes the leg of the trousers into a tube. According to one aspect of the invention, a dart 8 projects from such a side seam 7, in the transversal or crosswise direction (again, reference is made to the direction of longitudinal extension of the tubular leg segment) and towards the centre of the buttock area. This dart 8 consists in a triangular fold, with base arranged on the side seam 7 and vertex towards the central, inner part of the buttock portion, that attains the result of making the trousers tighter around the buttocks, giving the buttocks a more rounded appearance.

As can be clearly seen in figure 2, the dart extends almost to the centre of the lower buttock portion, substantially equally spaced between the first stitching 5 and the crotch 3 or in any case at an intermediate region between the hem 4 and the crotch 3. On the outer side of the trousers, the dart is only partially visible, being partially hidden by the pocket 6.

Furthermore, according to the main aspect of the invention, in the buttock portion G and in particular in each sub-portion G1 , G2 defined by each single buttock, respective band-like shaping parts 9a and 9b extend in a substantially linear fashion delimiting the buttock portion G substantially at a lateral outer region and at a bottom region, and attaining a containment effect by squeezing the buttocks sideways and lifting them from below.

In greater detail, the shaping parts are made by integrating into the fabric of the trousers, at its inner face, a layer 10 of reinforcing sheet material, such as in particular a polyurethane film. The layer of reinforcing material, locally thickens and limits the stretchability of the base fabric of the trousers, obtaining the containing and shaping effect of the buttocks mentioned above. The polyurethane film is of a type known as such in the field, and normally used for obtaining polyurethane laminates (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Polyurethane_laminate) or localized decorations or reinforcements (e.g. so-called sewing tapes such as the article "5550 DREAM" of the company Framis Italia S.p.A., see http://w¾'v'w,framisjt/'nasirature/ENG).

As to the geometrical arrangement, more precisely an outer side shaping part 9a extends at the side of the buttocks, in the longitudinal direction or in any case substantially parallel to the side seam. The side shaping part 9a, as can be seen in figure 3, is arranged substantially in a position at the side of the pocket and thus the buttocks, i.e. beside a straight side 60a of the pocket itself. It also extends substantially from just beneath the hem 4, across the first stitching, up to just above the crotch 3. An end 90a of the side shaping part that is located closer to the crotch can be tapered at about 45° to follow the inclination of the side 60b of the pocket.

The second shaping part 9b or lower shaping part projects from such an end 90a; this part has the task of containing the buttocks from below, lifting them. The lower shaping part 9b thus extends from slightly above the crotch 3 up to the start of the leg portion, just beneath the buttocks.

The shaping part 9b can be positioned along the pocket and therefore parallel to and beside the inclined side 60b thereof (according to figures 1 to 3), or alternatively, in the variant 9b' shown in figure 4, substantially horizontally (i.e. practically parallel to the free edge 4a of the hem 4).

The integration between the layer of polymeric material and the fabric is preferably carried out by thermal-adhesive glueing, although other connection techniques can be made use of. The film of polyurethane has a thickness comprised between 0.10 and 0.15 mm and preferably of 0.13 mm, with a specific weight comprised between 140 and 190 g/mm².

In figures 1 to 3, the layer of polyurethane 10 is shaped like a regular band with width preferably comprised between 10 and 20 mm. As an alternative, in figure 4 it is shown how a film of polyurethane 10' is shaped with indentations, i.e. it has a bandlike segment 100' from which square teeth 101 ' extend towards the centre of the buttocks, that is towards the hem 4. Also in this case, the overall width of the film of polyurethane (i.e. including the band segment and the teeth) can be comprised between 10 and 20mm.

The layer of polyurethane, once integrated into the fabric of the trousers, in spite of locally restricting the stretchability and thickening the fabric, does not substantially alter the softness and foldability, and thus the comfort for the wearer, whose movements are not limited in any way. An effect of reinforcement and protection is also obtained.

In the variant having the band with indentations, the shaping of the buttocks can maintain a more natural roundness. The horizontal arrangement of the lower shaping part can in turn allow the band/film of polyurethane to cling better to the buttocks.

Obviously, the configuration with indentations of the layer of polyurethane could also be used in the case in which the lower shaping part 9b is positioned in an angled manner, perimetrically to the lower pocket 6. Moreover, the layer of polyurethane can have surface prints, be coloured, embroidered, dyed etc..

The trousers according to the invention are therefore effective in terms of the shaping effect of the body of the wearer, providing a harmonious and toned silhouette, without however being too tight or restrictive. The shaping effect is increased by the simultaneous presence of the side dart and of the shaping portions.

The shaping parts, being arranged on the inside, are not visible from the outside, and therefore the shaping effect is present despite the trousers looking entirely normal, and even extremely pleasant. Furthermore, the fact that the dart is partially hidden by the pocket contributes to concealing the shaping function of the trousers.

Other types of synthetic or natural materials other than polyurethane can also be used, provided that they are suitable for providing similar localised thickening and reinforcing results, such as silicon-based materials or even textile materials.

The fabric used for the trousers can be whatever, although jeans fabric is the preferred one. The trousers according to the invention can be of any type - sports, elegant, short or long leg, low or high waist, without any limitation. Furthermore, the pocket can have different shapes than the depicted ones, and also include special machine work or decorations, like for example further dart-like stitchings.

The present invention is not generally limited to the above described and depicted embodiments, but comprises any variations thereof within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims

1 . A pair of trousers made of a fabric, comprising two tubular leg segments (1 a, 1 b) that extend in a longitudinal direction from an upper trunk (2), the connection area between said leg segments and said trunk defining a crotch (3) of the trousers, wherein between said crotch and a hem (4) of said trousers a buttock portion (G) adapted to correspond to the gluteal region of the user, said trousers being characterized in that said buttock portion (G) comprises shaping parts (9a, 9b), made by integration of a layer of reinforcing material (10) in the inside face of the fabric, said shaping parts extending at a lateral outer region and at a bottom region of said buttock portion (G), whereby the buttocks of a wearer are contained sideways and lifted from below when said trousers are worn.

2. The pair of trousers according to claim 1 , wherein said fabric of said trousers has a certain stretchability, said layer of reinforcing material locally limiting such stretchability by thickening said fabric.

3. The pair of trousers according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said buttock portion (G) comprises two buttock sub-portions (G1 , G2), said shaping parts comprising for each buttock sub-portion a side shaping part (9a) that extends longitudinally at the outer side of the buttock sub-portion (G1 , G2).

4. The pair of trousers according to claim 3, wherein said side shaping part (9a) extends substantially from below said hem (4) up to above the level said crotch (3).

5. The pair of trousers according to claim 4, wherein said side shaping part (9a) extends along a straight peripheral side of a pocket (6) of said buttock portion (G).

6. The pair of trousers according to claim 4 or 5, wherein said shaping parts further comprise for each buttock sub-portion a lower shaping part (9b) that extends crosswise from a lower end (9a) of said side shaping part (9) towards the crotch (3) .

7. The pair of trousers according to claim 6, wherein said lower shaping part (9b) extends in an inclined manner along a peripheral downwards slanting side (60b) of a pocket (6) of said buttock portion (G).

8. The pair of trousers according to claim 6, wherein said lower shaping part (9b) extends substantially parallel to a free edge (4a) of said hem (4).

9. The pair of trousers according to claim 8, wherein said lower shaping part comprises a band-like segment (10') from which square teeth (10") extend towards said hem.

10. The pair of trousers according to any of the claims from 3 to 9, wherein said shaping part or parts are bands have a width comprised between 10 and 20 mm.

1 1 . The pair of trousers according to any of the previous claims, comprising a dart (8) consisting in a triangular fold pointing crosswise towards the central, inner part of the buttock portion (G).

12. The pair of trousers according to claim 1 1 , wherein said dart (8) is formed at an intermediate region between the hem (4) and the crotch (3).

13. The pair of trousers according to any of the previous claims, wherein said layer of reinforcing material comprises a film of polyurethane.

14. The pair of trousers according to claim 13, wherein said film of polyurethane has a thickness comprised between 0.10 and 0.15 mm.

15. The pair of trousers according to claim 14, wherein said film of polyurethane has a thickness of 0.13 mm.

16. The pair of trousers according to any of the claims from 13 to 15, wherein said film is applied via a thermal-adhesive glueing.

17. The pair of trousers according to any of the previous claims, wherein said fabric of said trousers is jeans.