Resin for use in setting a crease in a garment, a method and apparatus for applying the same and a garment including the resin

Abstract

A resin for use in setting a crease in a garment, a method and apparatus for applying the resin and a garment including the resin. The resin typically includes a silicone and a catalyst for commencing curing of the resin when the resin is exposed to moisture in ambient environmental conditions once applied onto a base of the crease line of the garment as a ribbon or line of resin. The resin is tin free and in one embodiment has characteristics of being non-slump initially and then changing to a flowable or self-levelling characteristic once applied to the crease line so as to absorb into and bond with fibres of a fabric from which the garment is formed before fully hardening.

1 . A resin for application as a ribbon or line along at least part of a crease line of a garment to assist in extending the period of time of retention of the crease line in the garment, said resin comprising:
 a catalyst to assist in curing of the resin, said catalyst including at least one material selected from the group consisting of platinum, peroxide, Organic amine, titanium, zirconium, tertiary amine, organosilane, iron, copper and a non-metal;   the resin having a first, substantially fluid, form for a sufficient period of time to allow the resin to be applied along the crease line and attach to fibres of fabric adjacent to the crease line and, once applied, the resin cures taking a second form in which the resin has hardened and bonded to the crease line.   
     
     
         2 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin includes a curing system including an acetate. 
     
     
         3 . The resin according to  claim 2 , wherein the acetate is a crosslinking acetate. 
     
     
         4 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of amorphous silicate hydrate, methylsilanetriyl-triacetate, diacetoxydi-tert-butoxysilane, hexanoic acid, dodecamethyl cyclohexasiloxane, acetic acid bismuth tris(2-ethylhexanoate) and octamethylcyclotetrasiloxane. 
     
     
         5 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin includes at least one material selected from the group consisting of triacetoxyethylsilane, octamethyl-cyclotetrasiloxane, Polybutylene terephthalate (PBT) and substances including dodecamethylcyclohexasilosane, and decamethylcyclopentasiloxane, also sometimes referred to as vRVB substances. 
     
     
         6 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein curing of the resin occurs as a result of exposure of the resin to ambient environment and, in particular, moisture in the ambient environment in which the resin is applied to the garment. 
     
     
         7 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin cures as a result of selective mixing of curing system components contained within the resin. 
     
     
         8 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the curing of the resin occurs as a result of the exposure of the resin to heat at a temperature greater than that of ambient environment and/or Ultra Violet light. 
     
     
         9 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin includes silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The resin according to  claim 9 , wherein the silicone is a vulcanised silicone rubber. 
     
     
         11 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin, once cured, resists damage at ongoing exposure to ambient environment conditions up to 180 degrees Celsius. 
     
     
         12 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin is substantially colourless. 
     
     
         13 . The resin according to  claim 1 , wherein the resin has characteristics of a substantially non-slump to flowable resin. 
     
     
         14 . A method of applying a resin material to a crease line of a garment so as to assist in prolonging retention of the crease line, said method comprising the steps of:
 providing a resin material having a catalyst including at least one material selected from the group consisting of platinum, peroxide, Organic amine, titanium, zirconium, tertiary amine, organosilane, iron, copper and a non-metal,   supplying the resin material in a fluid form to a dispensing means having an exit aperture for controlled movement of the resin material in fluid form therethrough,   guiding a relative movement of an exit aperture along the crease line formed in the garment so that resin material in fluid form is applied from the exit aperture along a base of a substantially V-shaped crease line as a ribbon or line, and   allowing the resin material to cure and harden and bond to a fabric which the garment is formed along the crease line.   
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein a curing system included in the resin material is a crosslinking acetate. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 14 , wherein when the resin material is applied from the exit aperture, the resin material is in a substantially non-slumping form and once leaving the exit aperture, the resin material changes to a more flowable form to allow the resin material to absorb into and bond with fibres of a fabric adjacent to the crease line and with which the resin material contacts. 
     
     
         17 . A garment, said garment comprising:
 at least one crease line formed therein,   a resin material comprising a catalyst being applied along the at least one crease line to harden and bond to a fabric of the garment along at least part of the at least one crease line so as to aid in retention of the at least one crease line formed in the garment, and   the catalyst including at least one material selected from the group consisting of platinum, peroxide, Organic amine, titanium, zirconium, tertiary amine, organosilane, iron, copper and a non-metal.   
     
     
         18 . The garment according to  claim 17 , wherein the at least one crease line is V-shaped in cross section, and the resin material is applied along a base of at least part of the at least one crease line and on a body facing surface of the garment when the garment is worn by a user such that the resin material lies between the garment fabric and the user of the garment. 
     
     
         19 . The garment according to  claim 17 , further includes a plurality of crease lines along which the resin is applied. 
     
     
         20 . Apparatus for use in application of a resin material along a crease line of a garment, said apparatus comprising:
 means for moving the resin material comprising a catalyst including at least one material selected from the group consisting of platinum, peroxide, Organic amine, titanium, zirconium, tertiary amine, organosilane, iron, copper and a non-metal in a fluid condition from a reservoir of the resin material to and through an exit aperture connected with the reservoir, and   means for causing relative movement of the exit aperture and garment to apply the resin material as a ribbon or line along a base of at least part of the crease line in a fluid condition to then cure and harden and bond to the garment fabric.   
     
     
         21 . The apparatus according to  claim 20 , wherein the reservoir and exit aperture and at least part of the means for moving the resin material are provided as integral parts of a cartridge that includes, or is attached to, guide means to guide movement of the cartridge along the crease line as the resin material is applied along the crease line. 
     
     
         22 . The apparatus according to  claim 21 , wherein further guide means are provided in the form of a support surface in which one or more grooves are formed to receive and retain therealong the crease line of the garment along which the resin material is applied.