US 6,779,367 B2 · Brassiere and a method of manufacturing two seamless circular knit double layer brassieres from a single blank

Abstract

The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a single knit tubular blank, and the resultant blank and products. The method provides two circular knit brassieres each having first and second layers, thereby minimizing the steps in the process of manufacturing.

Drawings

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Drawings

Claims29

Dependent claims

An integral circularly knit blank comprising:

an area having a torso encircling shape;
a first torso encircling portion, having an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer and said outer layer being connected by a first knitted-in anchoring chest band;
and
a second torso encircling portion, having an inner layer and an outer layer, said inner layer and said outer layer being connected by a second knitted-in anchoring chest band,
wherein said first and said second torso encircling portions are connected by a knitted-in connecting material, said connecting material being disposed opposite said knitted-in anchoring chest bands.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Description2,997 words

Summary745 words

#1. Field of the Invention

#The present invention relates to a method of manufacturing two brassieres from a single blank, and the resultant brassieres. More particularly, the present invention relates to a method of manufacturing a single seamless, circularly knit bra blank that has two individually integrated knitted seamless double layer brassieres in the same blank. The present method provides for minimization of the steps in the manufacturing process by completing some manufacturing steps during formation of the blank. Moreover, the present method provides for reduced manufacturing time by simultaneously knitting two double layer brassieres in one blank.

#The brassiere blank has a first portion or brassiere having both an inner and outer layer of fabric formed in a cylindrical shaped blank. The first portion is seamlessly joined to the top edge of a second portion or brassiere, also having inner and outer fabric layers formed in the same cylindrical shaped blank.

Brief description of the drawings4 figures

#The above and other objects, advantages and benefits of the present invention will be understood by reference to the detailed description provided below and the accompanying drawings.

#FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a blank according to one embodiment of the present invention;

#FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the front of the upper torso part of FIG. 1;

Detailed description2,153 words

#Referring to the drawings, and in particular to FIG. 1, there is provided a blank according to a first embodiment of the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 10. The blank 10 is formed in a cylindrical shape.

#The blank 10 is preferably formed on a circular weft knitting machine. Preferably, the circular knit machine has a computerized electronic needle and yarn feed selection system, such as circular knit machine Model No. SM8-8, or SM8-83 as manufactured by Santoni® of Brescia, Italy. The blank 10 is a generally cylindrical tube having four layers that, upon manufacture, will correspond to portions of two double layer brassieres.

#The blank 10 includes an first upper torso two-ply portion 12 and a second upper torso two-ply portion 14. The upper torso two-ply portion 12 and upper torso two-ply portion 14 are seamlessly joined by an area 24 of, inner or outer, single layer material.

Facts

Application

10/444,513Filed 22 May 2003 · us provisional application

Priority

22 May 2002

Published

US 2003/0230120 A118 Dec 2003

Granted

24 Aug 2004

Term ended

22 May 2023

Estimated · how

20 years from earliest known nonprovisional domestic filing plus recorded patent term adjustment. Maintenance-fee lapses, terminal disclaimers and statutory extensions have not been checked. The continuity chain may be incomplete; this is not an enforceability determination.

Classification5 codes

A41C 5/00
Machines, appliances, or methods for manufacturing corsets or brassieres
A41C 3/0014
Brassieres: made from one piece with one or several layers
D04B 1/246
Wearing apparel: upper torso garments, e.g. sweaters, shirts, leotards
A41C
Corsets

Timeline

22 May 2002Priority claimedParent application 60/382,874
22 May 2003Application filedUS 10/444,513
7 Aug 2003Assigned to Sara Lee Corporationassignment of assignor's interest
18 Dec 2003PublishedUS 2003/0230120 A1
24 Aug 2004GrantedUS 6,779,367 B2
21 Sep 2006Assigned to Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLCassignment of assignor's interest
10 Oct 2006Assigned to Citibank, N.A., AS the Collateral Agentpatent security agreement first lien
10 Oct 2006Assigned to Citibank, N.A., AS the Collateral Agentpatent security agreement (second lien)
10 Dec 2009Assigned to Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLCrelease of second lien security interest recorded at reel/frames 018367/0353, 018367/0312, and 018545/0521
15 Dec 2009Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A., AS Administrative Agent and Collateral Agentamended and restated patent security agreement
9 Jan 2018Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A., AS Collateral Agentsecurity interest
9 May 2022Assigned to Jpmorgan Chase Bank, N.A.fourth amended and restated patent security agreement
22 May 2023Term endedEstimated
15 Dec 2025Assigned to Maidenform LLC, Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLCrelease of patent security interest recorded at r/f 59910/0685
15 Dec 2025Assigned to Maidenform LLC, Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLCrelease of patent security interest recorded at r/f 45029/0132

Brassiere and a method of manufacturing two seamless circular knit double layer brassieres from a single blank

Life of this patent

Brassiere and a method of manufacturing two seamless circular knit double layer brassieres from a single blank

Life of this patent

Life of this patent

Abstract

Drawings

Drawings

Claims29

Description2,997 words

Drawings

Classification5 codes

Life of this patent

Description2,997 words