Upper garment having a pre-tensioned band and method for making the same

Abstract

This invention generally relates to an upper garment. More specifically, the present invention relates to an upper garment having a pre-tensioned waistband.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method, comprising:
 a) applying and maintaining a strain to an elastomeric band, the elastomeric band having opposing distal ends and opposing upper and lower edges;   b) attaching the lower edge of the elastomeric band to an edge of an upper garment while substantially maintaining the strain on the elastomeric band;   c) attaching the distal ends to at least one of each other or the upper garment; and   d) removing the strain applied to the elastomeric band to form a pre-tensioned elastomeric band and a pre-tensioned upper garment edge.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the edge of the upper garment is at least one of a waist edge, a cuff edge; and a collar edge. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , one or both of steps b) and c) comprises attaching by at least one of stitching, welding, bonding, or combinations thereof. 
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the pre-tensioned upper garment edge is substantially smooth and substantially free of gatherings and passages. 
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower edges of the pre-tensioned elastomeric band have differing tensions. 
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the upper garment has opposing inner and outer surfaces and wherein the pre-tensioned elastomeric band is positioned adjacent to the inner surface. 
     
     
         7 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein at least some portion of the top edge of the pre-tensioned elastomeric band is attached to the upper garment. 
     
     
         8 . The method of  claim 7 , wherein the top edge of the pre-tensioned elastomeric band is attached to the upper garment substantially about one or more locations where a seam of the upper garment intersects the pre-tensioned-elastomeric band. 
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the pre-tensioned elastomeric band is sufficiently pre-tensioned to substantially form a seal between a wearer of the upper garment and the pre-tensioned band when the pre-tensioned elastomeric band is positioned between the wearer and the upper garment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the seal substantially impedes air flow between the pre-tensioned band and the wearer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the upper garment is one of a jacket or a jersey. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is applied mechanically by a machine, apparatus or device. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strain is applied manually. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the elastomeric band comprises one of a woven, non-woven, non-woven, extruded and/or cast elastomeric material. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the strain applied elongates the elastomeric material at least about 1.25 times its per-strain length. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising, after step a) but before step b):
 e) positioning the elastomeric band on an interior surface of the upper garment.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 e) positioning the elastomeric band on an interior surface of the upper garment, wherein the positioning is preformed substantially simultaneously with applying the strain.   
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , wherein the strain is applied to the elastomeric band substantially during at least some, if not most or all, of the positioning of the elastomeric band on the upper garmet. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the stain applied to the elastomeric band in step a) and maintained in step b) is sufficient to elongate the elastomeric band from about 1.01 to about 2.0 times its pre-strained length. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein removing the applied strain from elastomeric band, the upper edge tilts away from the upper garment by tilt angle from about 5 to about 45 degrees.