# US 11,297,889 B2 · Waistband construction and methods for producing same

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- Number: US 11,297,889 B2
- Document ID: US11297889B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 16/355,538
- Filed: 2019-03-15
- Published: 2019-10-03
- Granted: 2022-04-12
- Earliest claimed: 2018-03-27
- Assignees: The Gap, Inc.
- Applicants: The Gap, Inc.
- Inventors: Jeannette Peters; Helena Monteiro
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US11297889B2

## CPC

- A41F 9/02: Expansible or adjustable belts or girdles {; Adjustable fasteners comprising a track and a slide member (A41F1/008, A41F9/002 take precedence)}
- A41D 1/06: Trousers
- A41D 1/14: Skirts
- A41D 27/00: Details of garments or of their making (buttons, pins, buckles, slide fasteners or the like A44B)
- A41F 9/00: Belts, girdles, or waistbands for trousers or skirts
- A41B 9/14: Waistbands forming part of the undergarments; Closures therefor
- A41D 31/185: {using layered materials}
- A41D 2300/22: Elastic inserts
- A41F: GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A41B: SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS

## Abstract

A waistband of an article of clothing including an inner fabric layer, and an outer fabric layer integrally formed or coupled with the inner fabric layer. The waistband also includes a mesh layer disposed between the inner and outer fabric layers. The waistband further includes one or more adhesive layers disposed between the mesh layer and the inner fabric layer, and configured to couple the mesh layer with the inner fabric layer and to enhance elastic strength of the waistband.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A waistband of an article of clothing, comprising:
an inner fabric layer;
an outer fabric layer integrally formed or coupled with the inner fabric layer;
a mesh layer disposed between the inner and outer fabric layers; and
a first adhesive layer and a second adhesive layer disposed longitudinally between the mesh layer and the inner fabric layer, the first adhesive layer and the second adhesive layer collectively configured to couple the mesh layer with the inner fabric layer and to enhance elastic strength of the waistband,
wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed at an upper region of the waistband, and the second adhesive layer is disposed at the upper region and a middle region of the waistband such that:
(i) the upper region of the waistband comprises the inner fabric layer, the first adhesive layer, the second adhesive layer, the mesh layer and the outer fabric layer, thereby overlaying a first portion of the first adhesive layer and a second portion of the second adhesive layer;
(ii) the middle region of the waistband comprises the inner fabric layer, the second adhesive layer, the mesh layer and the outer fabric layer;
(iii) a lower region of the waistband comprises the inner fabric layer, the mesh layer and the outer fabric layer;
(iv) the upper region of the waistband has an elastic modulus greater than that of the middle region of the waistband; and
(v) the middle region of the waistband has an elastic modulus greater than that of the lower region of the waistband;
wherein the inner fabric layer comprises a first fabric and a first portion of a second fabric; and
the outer fabric layer comprises a second portion of the second fabric, wherein
the first fabric comprises a first portion having a first edge,
the first portion of the second fabric is folded with respect to the second portion of the second fabric, and
the first portion of the second fabric comprises a second edge, wherein the first edge of the first portion of the first fabric and the second edge of the first portion of the second fabric are joined with each other and form a stitch-free seam.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein the first adhesive layer is disposed between the inner fabric layer and the second adhesive layer, or is disposed between the second adhesive layer and the mesh layer.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein when worn, the inner fabric layer faces toward a wearer's body and the outer fabric layer faces away from the wearer's body.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second adhesive layers is overlaid over the stitch-free seam to reinforce the stitch-free seam.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein the stitch-free seam is an ultrasonic bonded line seam.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein the first fabric and the second fabric are made of a same material or of different materials.

### Claim 7 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein at least one of the first and second fabrics comprises a synthetic fabric.

### Claim 8 (depends on 1)

The waistband of claim 1, wherein the first fabric and the second fabric are independently selected from the group consisting of polyester, spandex, rayon, nylon, and acrylic.