Article Of Apparel With Stretch-Resistant Matrix

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to a multi-layered design for an article of apparel such as swimwear. In particular, at least one layer may include a stretch resistant matrix made of a thermoplastic polymer, a silicone or other similar material to provide additional support and modesty to certain areas of the apparel, such as the bust area. Further, a method of manufacturing the article of apparel is also disclosed. According to aspects described herein, the layers may be integrated using techniques to increase the overall integrity of the apparel.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of apparel for supporting a bust area of a wearer, the article of apparel comprising a first bust area piece that includes:
 a first layer and a second layer formed from textile elements, a perimeter region of the first layer being secured to a perimeter region of the second layer; and   a recovery layer formed from a polymer film, the recovery layer being located between and secured to at least one of the first layer and the second layer, and the recovery layer defining a plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery layer is secured to the second layer. 
     
     
         3 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the recovery layer is bonded to the second layer. 
     
     
         4 . The article of  claim 1 , the first bust area piece being substantially triangular-shaped and defining a bottom edge, a first vertical edge, and a second vertical edge, wherein:
 the bottom edge and the first vertical edge define a first corner;   the bottom edge and the second vertical edge define a second corner; and   the first vertical edge and the second vertical edge define a top corner opposite the bottom edge; and
 wherein the recovery layer includes a first set of polymer film lines extending from the first corner to the second vertical edge, a second set of polymer film lines extending from the second corner to the first vertical edge, the first set of polymer film lines crossing the second set of polymer film lines. 
   
     
     
         5 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein the first set of polymer film lines comprises five lines and the second set of polymer film lines comprises five lines. 
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 4 , wherein the plurality of apertures are formed by the crossing of the first set of polymer film lines and the second set of polymer film lines. 
     
     
         7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article of apparel comprises a second bust area piece joined with the first bust area piece with a strap. 
     
     
         8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are marquise-shaped apertures. 
     
     
         9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are diamond-shaped apertures. 
     
     
         10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are circular-shaped apertures. 
     
     
         11 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of apertures are triangular-shaped apertures. 
     
     
         12 . The article of  claim 1 , further comprising a padding layer located between the first layer and the second layer. 
     
     
         13 . An article of apparel comprising:
 a first layer panel and a second layer panel formed from textile elements; and   a recovery layer panel located between the first layer panel and the second layer panel, the recovery layer panel being bonded to at least one of the first layer panel and the second layer panel, and the recovery layer panel including a thin polymer film that defines a plurality of apertures.   
     
     
         14 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the recovery layer panel is comprised of a plurality of polymer film strips that cross each other and define the plurality of apertures. 
     
     
         15 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the recovery layer panel is bonded on a first side of the second layer panel. 
     
     
         16 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein the recovery layer covers substantially all of the first side of the second layer panel. 
     
     
         17 . The article of  claim 13 , wherein the article of apparel is sized to support a bust area of a wearer. 
     
     
         18 . The article of  claim 15 , wherein a periphery of the first layer panel and a periphery of the second layer panel are joined together. 
     
     
         19 . A method for manufacturing an article of apparel for supporting the bust area of a wearer, the method comprising:
 providing a first textile panel, wherein a first side of the first textile panel includes a polymer material applied adjacent to edges of the first side of the first textile panel, and wherein the polymer material is configured to be activated by heat;   providing a second textile panel, the second textile panel having a thin polymer layer formed on a first side of the second textile panel, wherein the polymer layer defines a plurality of apertures;   orienting the first side of the first textile panel towards the first side of the second textile panel;   folding the edges of the first textile panel over the edges of the second textile panel; and   applying heat to the polymer material along the edges of the first textile panel to activate the polymer material.   
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , wherein the step of providing the second textile panel further comprises:
 applying strips of a thin polymer material on the first side of the second textile panel; and   applying heat to the thin polymer material to induce bonding of the thin polymer material to the second textile panel.