Title of Invention

CONNECTING MEMBER FOR END REGIONS OF LADIES UNDERWEAR

Abstract

This invention relates to a connecting member for end regions of ladies' underwear which are to be interconnected, more especially the end regions of the wings of bras, said member comprising an eye tape, which is provided with one or more eyes and is connectable to a hook tape (2), said hook tape having two regions (7,8) situated one above the other, one or more hooks (3) being secured to one region, and the edge areas of both regions extending parallel to said hooks being interconnected by means of a respective joint weld (10). The Joint welds (10) are disposed inside the hook tape (2), between the hook-free region (8) thereof and the hook-carrying region (7).

Full Text

Connecting element for end portions of garments to be joined together The invention relates to a connecting element for the end portions of straps in undergarments, for example the end portion of underbust bands of brassieres. Such connecting elements are usually sewn on to both ends of the underbust band and consist usually of an eyelet or loop tape and its corresponding eye hook tape. To manufacture the eyelet tape, the eyelets are first attached to a continuous base tape in a specified order. This is done by sewing several so called folding tapes in a partially overlapping arrangement along both longitudinal sides of the base tape with its sides folded in alongside. While the folding tapes are sewn onto the base tape, the eyelets are also attached to the folding tape and base tape along seams which are sewn parallel to the sides of the base tape. The base tape with the attached folding tapes is then cut vertically to its sides into individual eyelet sections. In known manufacturing processes, the cutting of the individual eyelet tapes from the continuous tape is performed using a thermo-welding process, e.g. the ultrasound welding process, which causes the cutting edge of the base tape and the folding tapes to be joined together. This process of cutting the eyelet tape from the continuous base tape and folding tapes is functionally efficient and, therefore, economical. However, it creates hard and very sharp joints. Since the base tape and the folding tapes are cut vertically to their sides into individual section, these joint edges form the side edge of the eyelet tape. With undergarments, which are worn on the skin such as brassieres, where the undorbust tapes and straps exert a certain pressure on the skin, thttre is a danger that the joint edges of the eyelet tapes, which are also worn on the skin, may cut into the skin . This leads to an uncomfortable wearing sensation that may also cause skin irritations. The same conditions apply to the hook tapes, which are usually also manufactured using a base tape. The latter is first formed into a kind of tube by -folding it alongside both sides whereby the folded in areas are slightly overlapping and are basically of equal width. The hooks are to be placed in the overlapping area by way of a seam parallel to the sides of the base tape, which joins together all layers of the base tape simultaneously. Again, the base tape with the attached hooks is cut vertically to its sides into individual hook taps sections. Before cutting the ., individual hook tape sections, the base tape is foled in the centre longitudinally approximately parallel to its sides, whereby the layer holding the hooks is positioned on a hook-free layer. If the process of separating the individual hook tapes from the continuous base tape is also performed using the thereto-welding process, this separating process causes the cutting edges, of the various layers of the base tape to be joined together. Since the cutting edges are again cut vertically to the sides of the base tape, these joint edges also form the front side of the edge of the hook tape. Here, again, the joint edges of the hook tapes, when worn directly on the skin cause an uncomfortable wearing sensation, which may lead to skin irritations. This invention aims at creating a connecting element for straps of undergarments, for example underbust bands of brassieres which, while using the thermo-welding process makes it possible to manufacture hook and eyelet tapes without sharp joint edges. The matching hook tape is processed in the following ways the cutoff welding seams are located within the hook tape between the hook-free area and the hook-bearing area. Such an arrangement of cutoff welding seams can be easily obtained if the cutoff welding seams are positioned between the hook-free section and the underlying hook-bearing section by turning the seam inside out. In this way, the cutoff welding seams are placed in the inside of the hook tape so that the edges that are exposed to the skin consist of the unwekled material of the hook tape. The manufacturing of a continuous hook tape can be done by using a continuous base tape with attached hooks. Before cutting a section of the base tape within its hook-free end, the base tape is folded parallel to its sides so that the nooks are covered by a hook-free portion. This section is then cut off by cutoff welding seams. The two layers are thus joined together along their cutting edges, thereby allowing the resulting hook tape to be turned inside-out so that the cutoff welding seams end up in the inside of the hook tape between the two layers. It is advantageous for the folding line to be within the hook-free area away from the side of the fastening seam. The matching eyelet tape is processed in the following way: the eyelet tape is given a cover tape to be placed on its eyelet-free area and both layers are joined together by cutoff welding seams. The cutoff welding seams are located within the eyelet-free area of the eyelet tape in between of the latter and the cover tape. Such an arrangement of cutoff welding seams can be obtained if the cutoff welding seams are positioned between the eyelet-free section and the underlying eyelet-bearing section by turning the eyelet tape inside out. Placing a cover tape over the eyelet-free area of the eyelet tape, not only allows to turn the sharp pining edges created by the cutoff welding seam inside the eyelet tape, but also is a means of covering up the fastening seams of the eyelets which in turn increases the comfort of the eyelet tape. In order to position the cutoff welding seam that joins together the cover tape and the eyelet tape within the area of the base tape, it is best to use a cover tape that consists of an elastic material, preferably an elastic fabric. The manufacturing of a continuous eyelet tape using a base tape with attached eyelets which have been cut into individual sections through cutoff welding seams, can be achieved by placing a cover tape before cutting the eyelet tape into sections over the eyelet-bearing area of the eyelet-free ends of the base tape. Then, when cutting this section through cutoff welding seams, the base tape as well as the cover tape will be cut through while joining the base tape and the cover tape along their cutting edges. The resulting eyelet tape is then turned inside out in order to bring the cutoff welding seams between the eyelet-free area of the eyelet tape and the cover tape. This process makes it possible to keep up the production of continuous tapes by turning the cutoff weding seams inside the eylet tape so that those edges which can be exposed to the skin are formed by the outside of the cover tape which is not welded. The matching hook tape is processed in the following way according to this inventions the hook tape is given a cover tape to be placed on its hook—free areas and both layers are joined together with cutoff welding seams. The cutoff welding seams are located within the hook-free area of the hook tape inbetween of the latter and the cover tape. Such an arrangement of cutoff welding seams can be obtained if the cutoff welding seams are positioned between the cover tape and the underlying hook-bearing section by turning the hook tape inside out. Placing a cover tape over the hook-free area of the cover tape, not only allows to turn the sharp joining edges, created by the cutoff welding seam, inside the hook tape, but also is a means of covering up the fastening seams of the hooks which in turn increases the comfort of the hook tape. In order to position the separating welding seam that joins together the cover tape and the hook tape within the area of the base tape, it is best to use a cover tape that consists of an elastic material, preferably an elastic fabric. the manufacturing of a continuous hook tape using a base tape with attached hooks which have been cut into individual section through cutoff welding seams, can be achieved by placing a cover tape before cutting the hook tape into sections over the hook-bearing area of the hook-free ends of the base tape. Then, when cutting this section through cutoff welding seams, the base tape as well as the cover tape will be cut through while joining the base tape and the cover tape along their cutting edges. The resulting hook tape is then turned inside out in order to bring the cutoff welding seams between the hook-free area of the hook tape and the cover tape. This process makes it possible to keep up the production of continuous tapes by turning the separating welding seams inside the hook tape so that those edges which can be exposed to the skin are formed by the outside of the cover tape which is not welded. The following description of the applications of the invention show further details and benefits of the invention: It shows the following: Fig. 1: One application of a base tape with attached hooks as a continuous tape with a folded end; Fig. 2: A cross-section of a base tape before having been folded; Fig. 3: The hook tape after the cutoff welding process; Fig. 4: The hook tape after the process of having been turned inside out; Fig. 5: A cross-section B-B of fig. 1; Fig. 6: A base tape of an eyelet tape as continuous tape with a cover tape; Fig. 7; A cross-section A-A of fig. 6 with welded on cover tape; Fig.8: An eyelet tape after having been turned inside out. Fig.9: A second application of a hook tap, according to the invention with a welded on cover tap, on its front parts Fig.10 A cross - section A-B of Fig. 10; Fig 10a; another application of the hook tape consisting of 2 tapes in accordance with Fig. 10; Fig.11; A cross-section C-D of Fig.10 after the cutoff welding processl Fig.12} A cross-section C-D of Fig.10 after the cutoff welding process and the process of turning the tape inside out. Figure 1 shows a base tape (1) of a hook tape (2) with attached hooks (3) in prearranged intervals. These are attached to the base tape (1) through a fastening seen parallel to the longitudinal axis of the base tape (2), whereby its longitudinal axis is at a right angle to the longitudinal axis of the base tape (2). In the illustration application example, the lateral sides of the base tape (1) are folded in towards, one another and are overlapping by a certain measure. The upper side of the base tape in Fig. 2 may be folded inwards to create a neat edge and lies above the opposite longer side (6) . The fastening seam (4) serves at the same time as way to fix the folds of the base tape (1), which look like a tube-shaped structure with overlapping hems. A lining may be placed inside the base tape (1). The shorter side (5) forms, therefore, a hook—bearing area (7) whereas the longer side (6) forms a hook-free area (8) . The areas (7) and (8) may be of equal or different sizes. In Fig. 1, the front end of the base tape (1) along a predetermined length is to be folded along a fold line formed preferably by the fastening seam, so that the hook-free area (8) lies over the hook-bearing area (7). The hooks (3) are, therefore, covered by the hook-free area (8) within the fold. With areas (7) and (8) positioned as illustrated above, successive sections of certain lengths are separated from the base tape (1) by means of a thermo-welding process, e.g. ultrasound. The length of the sections determining the length (or width, in other words) of the hook tape (2) to be manufactured according to the portion it will be used in when being worn as part of for example a brassiere. The cutoff welding tools used for this application are designed in such a way that they create a cutoff welding seam (10) in the first section as well as the subsequent second section. The resulting cutting edges (9) of the hook-bearing area (7) are thus welded together with the cutting edges (11) of the hook-free area (8). This creates a hardened and very sharp connecting edge (12) which are located on the outer edge of the respective area. During this process, the hooks (3) remain covered by the hook- free area (8) (Fig.3 and 5). The process that comas next is turning the tape inside out. Through the process the respective section is turned in such a way that allows on the one hand for the hooks (3) of the hook- free area (8) to be uncovered and on the other hand for the connecting edge (12) (cutoff welding edge 10) to be turned inside the finished hook tape (2). Both boundary edges (13,14) of the hook tape (2) that come in contact with the skin when worn are thus formed by the material of the base tape (1) (Fig.4). The hook tape (2) thus manufactured, may be sewn in the usual way to the strap of a garment, e.g. underbust band of a brassiere. Hereby, the upper and lower areas of the hook tape (2) that are sewn to the strap are formed by the boundary edges (13,14). Fig. 6 shows the base tape (21) an eyelet tape (22) with attached eyelets (23) in prearranged intervals. As can be seen in Fig. 6 , several folding tapes (24) which are positioned along the longitudinal axis of the base tape have been sewn with fastening seams (25) to the base tape. These fastening seams (29) are sewn parallel to the longitudinal axis of the ba*e tape (23). The fastening seams (25) serve it the same time as a way to fasten the eyelet (23) to the base tape (21) the longitudinal axis of which is basically at a right angle to the base tape (21). This base tape has therefore, an eyelet-bearing area (26) on one of its side and a a eyelet-free area (27) on its other side. The base tape (21) is preferable manufactured using a soft material. It may be formed by a flat tape, the lateral sides of which, not in the illustration, are folded in towards one another and are overlapping by a certain measure. The base tape (21) forms, therefore, a tube-like structure with overlapping hems. A lining may be placed inside the base tape (1). The folding edges (28,29) of the base tape (21 ) are both, therefore, front sides of the eyelet tape (22) (referring to the usage as eyelet tape (22) for brassieres). As can be seen in Fig. 6, a cover tape (30) is placed ovtr the eyelet tape area (26) of the base tape (21) which covers the eyelets (23). With the base tape (21) and cover tape (30) positioned as illustrated above, successive sections of certain lengths are separated from the base tape (21) by Means of a thermo-welding process. The length of the sections determines the length (or width, in otherwords) of the eyelet tape (22) to be manufactured according to the position it will be used in when being worn as part of ( for example) a brassiere. Here, too, the separating welding tools used for this application is designed in such a way that it creates a cutoff welding seam (31* 32) in the first section as well as the subsequent second section. The resulting cutting edges (34) of the eyelet tape (22) are thus welded together with the cutting edges (35) of the cover tape (30). This creates a hardened and also very sharp connecting edge (36) which is located on the outer edge of the respective area. During this process, the eyelets(23) remain covered by the welded on cover tape (30). The process that comes next is turning the tape inside out. Through this process the respective section is turned in such a way that allows the cover tape (30) to reach from the eyelet-bearing area (26) to the eyelet- free area (27) hereby leaving the eyelets (23) uncovered. This permits at the same time, for the connecting edges (36) (cutoff welding edge 31. 32) to be turned inside the finished eyelet tape (22). Both boundary edges (37. 38) of the eyelet tape (22) that come in contact with the skin when worn, consist thus of the cover tape (30). The eyelet tape (22) thus manufactured, may be sewn in the usual way to the strap of a garment, e.g. underbust band of a brassiere. Hereby, the upper and lower areas of the eyelet tape 22 that are sewn to the strap are formed by the boundary edges (37,38). We have so far based ourselves on the assumption that the separation of individual sections of the hook tape (2) as well as the eyelet tape (22) is performed at two places through one cutoff welding seam, respectively. This can be performed by a relatively simple cutoff welding tool. This has the added advantage of not creating any wastage. However, the framework of this invention also permits the use of a mold cutoff welding tool for the separation of the various sections from the hook tape (2) and/or eyelet tape (22). These tools would make it possible to weld both separating welding seams simultaneously in the respective sections. The hook tape (52) manufactured as described above. can be sewn in the usual way to the strap of garments, e.g. underbust bands of brassieres. The upper and lower areas of the hook tape (52) that is sewn to the strap of the brassiere are formed by the boundary edges (59. 60). As aforementioned, we start from the fact that the separation of the individual sections from the hook tape (52) creates a cutoff welding seam in two sections, respectively. This can be done with a relatively simple cutoff welding tool and has the added advantage that there is no wastage of base tape (51). However, the framework of this invention also permits the use of mold cutoff welding tool for the separation of the various sections of the hook tape (52). This enables the user to perform both separating welding seams of the respective section, simultaneously. The mold cutoff welding tool used to separate the sections from the base tape (51) of the hook tape (52) would then only require to be equipped with 2 straight sonotrodes to be placed at the distance equivalent to the length of the individual sections. Once again, it is possible to use a U-shaped sonotrode for the separation of sections from base tape (51) of the hook tape (52), which enables to perform both separating welding seams (64, 65) at the same time as the cross welding seam (69) located between them. In this way, the two parallel arms of the U-shaped sonotrode make it possible to perform both cutoff welding seams (64) and (65), and the crossbar located within the area of one of the two folding edges (59, 60) that links both arms enables to simultaneously perform the cross welding seam (69) which can be a normal welding seam (i.e. not a separating welding seam). This, however, also creates a hardened connecting edge in the area of the folding edge (59), which may at first be seen as disadvantageous. But since the process of turning the hook tape (52) inside out makes it possible to turn this connecting edge between its hook-free area(62) and the cover tape advantage being that this allows to simultaneously harden the respective folding edge. If the cross welding seam (69) is intended to be placed in the end portion of the hook tape (52) which will not be connected to the strap, then this way of hardening the respective folding edge will improve the appearance of the hook tape (52). WE CLAIM: 1. Connecting member for end regions of ladies underwear which are to be intrconnected, more especially the end regions of the wings of bras,said member comprising an eye tape« which is provided with one or more eyes and is connectable to a hook tape (2), said hook tape having two regions (7,8) situated one above the other, one or more hooks (3) being secured to one region, and the edge areas of both regions extending parallel to said hooks being interconnected by means of a respective joint weld (10), characterized ir that the joint welds (10) are disposed inside the hook tape (2), between the hook-free region (8) thereof and the hook-carrying region (7). 2. Connecting member as claimed n claim l, wherein the joint welds (10) are formed when the hook-free region (8) is situated on the hook-carrying region (7), and said welds are brought between the two regions (7,8) by inverting the hook tape (2). 3. Method of producing a hook tape as claimed in claim 1 or 2* wherein to form maid tape, appropriate portions of a base tape (2), provided with hooks (3), are separated by joint welding, wherein prior to the separation of a portion* the base tape (2), in the region of its free end, is folded about a fold line, extending substantially parallel to its longitudinal axis, in such a manner that the hook-free region (8) thereof lies on the hooks (3), then the portion is separated by the joint welds (10), the regions (7,8) situated above each other being interconnected along their cut edges (9,11), and then the hook tape (2) thus formed is inverted in such a manner that the Joint wekds (9,11) go inside the hook tape (2) between the two regions (7,8). 4. Method of producing a hook tape as claimed in claim i or 2* wherein the fold line extends at a lateral spacing from the securing seam (4). 5. Connecting member for and regions of ladies underwear which are to be interconnected , more especially the end regions of the wings of bras, said member comprising a hook tape, which is provided with one or more hooks and is connectable to an eye tape (22), the eyes (23) of which are secured to a base tape by means of one or more securing seams, the edge areas extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the eyes having a respective joint weld (31,32) which, in the multi-layered configuration of the eye tape, simultaneously interconnects the individual layers thereof, wherein the eye tape (22) has a covering tape (30) disposed on the eye-free region (27), said covering tape being connected to said eye-free region by means of the joint welds (31,32), the joint welds (31,32) being disposed inside the eye tape (22) between the eye-free region (27) thereof and the covering tape (30). 6. Connecting member as claimed in claim 5, wherein the joint welds (31,32) art formed when the covering tape (3D) lies on the eye-carrying region (26), and the joint welds (31,32) are brought between the eye-free region (27) of the eye tape (22) and the covering tape (30) by inverting said eye tape. 7. Connecting member as claimed in claim 5, wherein covering tape (30) is formed from a resilient material, preferably a resilient fabric. 8. Connecting member as claimed in claim 5, wherein weld (33) is provided in the region of at least one of the bent-over edges (28,29) of the eye tape (22). 9. Method of producing an eye tape as claimed in claims 4 or 5, wherein, to form said tape, appropriate portions of a base tape (21), provided with eyes (23) , are separated by joint welding, wherein prior tc the separation of a portion in the region of its free end of the base tape (21), a covering tape (30) is laid on the eye-carrying region (26) of said tape, then the portions both of the base tape (21) and of the covering tape (30) are separated by the joint welds (31,32), the base tape (21) and the covering tape (30) being interconnected along their cut edges (34,35), and then the eye tape (22) thus formed is inverted in such a manner that the joint welds (31,32) go between the eye- free region (27) of the eye tape (22) and the covering tape (30). 10. Connecting member for end regions of ladies' underwear which are to be interconnected, more especially the end regions of the wings of bras, said member comprising an eye tape, which is provided with one or more eyes and is connectable to a hook tape (52) provided with one or more hooks (53), the hooks (53) of which tape are secured to a base tape (51) by means of one or more securing seams (54), the edge areas extending parallel to the longitudinal direction of the hooks (53) having a respective joint weld (64,65) which in the multi-layered configuration of the hook tape (92), simultaneously interconnects the individual layers thereof, wherein the hook tape (52) has a covering tape (63) disposed on its hook-free region (62), said covering tape being connected to said hook-free region by Means of the Joint welds (64,69), the joint welds (64,69) being disposed inside the hook tape (52) between the hook-free region (62) thereof and the covering tape (63). 11. Connecting member as claimed in claim 10, wherein the joint welds (64,69) are formed when the covering tape (63) lies on the hook-carrying region (61), and said welds are brought between the hook-free regions (62) and the hook tape (92) and the covering tape (63) by inverting said hook tape. 12. Connecting member as claimed in claim 10, wherein the covering tape (63) is formed from a resilient material, preferably a resilient fabric. 13. Connecting member as claimed in claim 10, wherein a weld (69) is provided in the region of at least one of the bent- over edges (99,60) of the hook tape (92). 14. Method of producing a hook tape as delated in claim 10, wherein, to form said tape, appropriate portions of a base tape (51 provided with hooks OS), are separated by joint welding, wharain prior to tha separation of a portion in the region of its free end of the base tape (51), a covering tape (63) is laid on the hook-carrying region (61) of said tape, then the portions both of the base tape (51) and of the covering tape (63) are separated by the joint welds (64,65), the base tape (51) and the covering tape (63) are interconnected along their cut edges (62,67), and then the hook tape (32) thus forated is inverted in such a manner that the joint welds (64,65) go between the hook-free region (61) of the hook tape (52) and the covering tape (63). This invention relates to a connecting member for end regions of ladies' underwear which are to be interconnected, more especially the end regions of the wings of bras, said member comprising an eye tape, which is provided with one or more eyes and is connectable to a hook tape (2), said hook tape having two regions (7,8) situated one above the other, one or more hooks (3) being secured to one region, and the edge areas of both regions extending parallel to said hooks being interconnected by means of a respective joint weld (10). The Joint welds (10) are disposed inside the hook tape (2), between the hook-free region (8) thereof and the hook-carrying region (7).

Documents:

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-abstract.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-claims.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-correspondence.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-description (complete).pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-drawings.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-examination report.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-form 1.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-form 18.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-form 2.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-form 26.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-form 5.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-others.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-priority document.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-reply to examination report.pdf

in-pct-2002-797-kol-granted-specification.pdf