Cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, and method for making the same

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, such as a brassiere strap. The cushioning laminate insert of the invention includes: (1) a first outer fabric layer; (2) a central cushioning area of cured polyurethane elastomer cushioning material; and (3) a second outer fabric layer. One surface of the first and second outer fabric layers is laminated with a thermoplastic urethane (“TPU”) film. The laminated surface of the first outer fabric layer is covalently bonded to a first lateral surface of the central cushioning area, and the opposite lateral surface of the central cushioning area is self-adhered to the laminated surface of the second outer fabric layer in an open-sandwich configuration to thereby form the cushioning laminate insert. Garment shoulder straps including the cushioning laminate insert of the invention, as well as methods for making the cushioning laminate insert are also provided.

Description

FIELD OF INVENTION [0001] The present invention relates to cushioning laminate inserts for garment shoulder straps, such as brassiere straps. The present invention also relates to a method for making such inserts and to garment shoulder straps including such inserts. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0002] A well-known problem associated with garment shoulder straps is the discomfort caused by the strap on the shoulder of the wearer. Specifically, the brassiere strap may cause an indentation in, or irritation of, the skin of the shoulder. Numerous attempts have been made to relieve this discomfort. Some attempts have included the use of shoulder pads of cotton or foam rubber that are interposed between the strap and the wearer's shoulder, or releasably attached to the strap. Such pads have proven to be bulky and unsightly, as well as inconvenient since they have a tendency to become disengaged from, or shift position on the shoulder strap. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,638,513 to Woods pr...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a cushioning laminate insert for a garment shoulder strap, which alleviates the discomfort and depressions formed in a wearer's shoulder while wearing such a garment.

[0007] It is also an object of the invention that a garment shoulder strap including the cushioning laminate insert provides a smooth and attractive outer appearance, free of seams, wrinkles or bunching even after extended use, including repeated washings.

[0010] In another aspect of the invention, a garment shoulder strap including such a cushioning laminate insert is provided. More particularly, a garment shoulder strap of the invention includes a cushioning laminate insert according to the invention integrated along the length of the strap. The cushioning laminate insert may be positioned along the strap so as to rest the central cushioning area of the insert on top of a shoulder of a wearer to thereby provide cushioning to a wearer and relieve shoulder discomfort.

Problems solved by technology

A well-known problem associated with garment shoulder straps is the discomfort caused by the strap on the shoulder of the wearer.

Specifically, the brassiere strap may cause an indentation in, or irritation of, the skin of the shoulder.

Such pads have proven to be bulky and unsightly, as well as inconvenient since they have a tendency to become disengaged from, or shift position on the shoulder strap.

Although considerable effort has been devoted to solving these problems, the various prior art solutions have been less than successful for a number of reasons.

Reasons for this include the attractiveness of the garment itself, the provision of a smooth outer appearance for the wearer's clothes and, as mentioned above, the fact that separate pads can become lost or misplaced.

Further problems are presented by padded straps having sewn in layers of padding.

In such straps there is a tendency for the layers to wear and wash differently, causing the strap to bunch and the layers to separate over time.

Even if such wear and bunching does not lead to a loss of function of the strap, it does degrade the appearance sufficiently to make the garment in which it is included visually unattractive.

Another detriment to known pads and padded straps is the presence of seams, which present either an unattractive outer appearance or an irritant to the skin when turned inward.

Further, straps with hollow portions that enclose cushioning materials can be difficult to manufacture, and can split open, possibly allowing leakage of the cushioning material and loss of shape.

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