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`EX. 1021 - Page 1
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 1
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`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1021 - Page 2
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 2
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`

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`Target Corporation
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`EX. 1021 - Page 3
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 3
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`

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`US 7,814,575 B2
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`5
`either directly or indirectly through intervening structures, as
`well as both movable or rigid attachments or relationships,
`unless expressly described otherwise.
`Although the invention has been described in terms of
`exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
`appended claims should be construed broadly, to include
`othcr variants and cmbodimcnts of thc invcntion, which may
`be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the
`scope and range of equivalents of the invention.
`
`What is claimed is:
`
`1. A garment, comprising:
`a garment upper portion having a belly panel that is expan-
`sible to cover and [it over a growing abdomen during
`different stages of pregnancy;
`a garment lower portion having a first torso encircling
`circumference that recedes downward to make way for
`expansion ofthe belly panel; and
`the garment upper portion having a second torso encircling
`circumference defining an upper edge of the belly panel
`that encircles a wearer’s torso just beneath the wearer’s
`breast area configured to hold the garment up and in
`place about the torso in a position of a location of maxi-
`111u111 girth of tlie abdomen thereby substantially cover-
`ing the wearer’s entire pregnant abdomen during all
`stages of pregnancy.
`2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second torso encir-
`cling circumference is adjustable in girth i11 co11for111a11ce
`with different body types.
`3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a seamless tubular structure that fits com-
`fortably while being worn, and the belly panel comprises an
`expansible portion of the tubular structure.
`4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a seamless tubular clastic fabric to stretch
`elastically.
`5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises an elastic fabric that is contractible elasti-
`cally to cover an abdomen during different stages of postpar-
`tum body changes.
`6. The garment of claim 1, wherein tl1e garment lower
`portion has a partial waistband extending from side seams of
`tlie garment lower portion and extending across a back side of
`the garment lower portion where the partial wai stband widens
`above a wearer’s pelvis.
`7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a series of
`belly cradling stitches or knitted tension in tl1e belly panel,
`wherein the knitted tension or stitches extend along multiple
`paths arranged i11 a11 elliptical pattern that curves, so as to
`cradle a curved growing abdomen during various stages of
`pregnancy.
`8. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a series of
`stitches or knitted tension in the backside of the garrnent
`upper portion to provide spinal and back support against the
`wearer of tlie garment.
`9. The garment of claim 8, whcrcin thc scrics of stitchcs or
`knitted tension in the backside of the garment upper portion
`extends along a pattern of multiple stitch paths.
`10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion is foldable toward the garment lower portion to com-
`prise a folded band on the garment lower portion.
`11. The garment of claim 1, wl1erei11 tl1e garment lower
`portion has a partial waistband extending from side seams of
`tlie gannent lower portion wl1erei11 tl1e partial waistband
`tapers toward the side seams and widens above a wearer’s
`pelvis across a back side of the garment lower portion.
`
`10
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`35
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`6
`12. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`knitted tension in the backside of the garment upper por-
`tion providing spinal column and back support for a
`wearer of the garment.
`13. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`a series of sewn supporting stitches in the backside of the
`gamient upper portion providing spinal column and
`back support for a wearer of the garment.
`14. The garment of claim 1, comprising:
`a series of sewn supporting stitches in the backside of the
`garment upper portion providing spinal column and
`back support for a wearer of the garment, wherein the
`stitches are arranged along multiple stitch paths grouped
`in a hyperbolic pattern, a curved pattern or a truncated,
`v—shaped pattern along an axis extending substantially
`vertically along a spinal supporting section ofthe fabric.
`15. The garment ofclaim 1, wherein an edge margin of the
`garment upper portion is folded over and knitted to an inside
`of the fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`16. The garment of claim 1, wherein an edge margin of tlie
`garment upper portion is folded over and sewn or knitted to an
`inside of tlie fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`17. The garment of claim 1, wherein the second torso
`encircling circumference comprises stretchable fabric to
`adjust the girth in conformance with different body types.
`18. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion is a tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure is
`shaped and formed as a hypcrboloid cylinder to fit a body typc
`having a tapered torso.
`19. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion is a tubular structure, wherein the tubular structure is
`shaped and formed as a straight sided cylinder to fit a body
`type having a corresponding shaped torso.
`20. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a double layer tubular structure, and mi
`inner layer of stretchable fabric between two layers of the
`double-layer tubular structure.
`21. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a fabric, and the fabric is doubled back on
`itself downward to form a double-layer tubular structure that
`extends downward for at least a portion of the garment upper
`portion, and the layers of the double-layer tubular structure
`arc scwn together with a tubular pcrimctcr drop stitch.
`22. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion comprises a fabric doubled back on itself downward
`to form a double-layer tubular structure that extends down-
`ward for at least a portion of the garment upper portion, the
`layer of tlie double-layer tubular structure are sewn together
`with a tubular perimeter drop stitch, and an edge margin ofthe
`garment upper portion is knitted to a11 inside of tlie fabric to
`provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`23. The garment of claim 3, wherein the seamless tubular
`structure comprises a fabric doubled back on itself downward
`to form a double-layer tubular structure that extends down-
`ward for at least a portion of the garment upper portion, the
`laycrs of thc doublc-laycr tubular structure arc scwn together
`with a tubularperimeter drop stitch, and an edge margin ofthe
`garment uppcr portion is folded ovcr and scwn or knittcd to an
`inside of the fabric to provide a perimeter hem stitch.
`24. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment upper
`portion is foldable toward the garment lower portion to pro-
`vide a folded band on the garment lower portion to be worn as
`a garment bottom having no top.
`25. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment lower
`portion comprises one of a pair of trousers and a skirt.
`*
`*
`*
`*
`*
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`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1021 - Page 4
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 4
`
`

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`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1021 - Page 5
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 5
`
`

`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1021 - Page 6
`
`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 6
`
`
`

`
`1
`BELLY COVERING GARMENT
`
`FIEI,D OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to a garment worn during
`different stages of pregnancy and different stages of postpar-
`tum body changes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Garments intended to cover a wearer’s body below the
`abdomen or belly during various stages of pregnancy have
`been manufactured as knits or woven fabrics. Some of the
`knits or woven fabric garments are constructed with an elastic
`belt or waist band which caused discomfort when tightened
`about the body. Sor11e of the garments l1ave stretchable fabric
`panels sewn into place with sewn seams. Such garments cause
`discomfort due to the presence of the sew11 seams, urged by
`elastic stretching of the panels pressing against the torso.
`Moreover, women have complained that such garments are
`difficult to keep in place, as they gradually slip downward
`while they are being worn.
`Denim jeans or trousers have been recycled by removing
`the waistband at the front ofthejeans and replacing the same
`with an elastic band that cradles a growing abdomen. Alter-
`natively, denim jeans or trousers are manufactured without a
`wai stband at the front so that a separate band can be attached
`at the front.
`
`Accordingly, a need exists for a garment that covers and fits
`a growing abdomen during different stages of pregnancy.
`Such a garment is required to stay up, and desirably would fit
`comfortably while being worn. Moreover, such a garment
`would stay up when worr1 over different body types.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`A purpose of the invention is to provide a garr11er1t that
`adapts to cover and fit a growing abdomen during pregnancy,
`wherein the garment stays up wl1en won1.
`A garment comprises a garment upper portion and a gar-
`ment lower portion. The garment upper portion has a belly
`panel that is expansible to cover and fit over a growing abdo-
`men during different stages of pregnancy. The garment lower
`portion has a first torso encircling circumference that recedes
`downward to make way for expansion of the belly panel. The
`garment upper portion has a second torso encircling circum-
`ference to hold the garment up and ir1 place over the torso.
`An embodiment of the gannent is adjustable to encircle
`different body types. Another embodiment of the invention
`provides a garment that fits comfortably while being worn.
`An embodiment of the garment comprises an adjustable
`torso encircling circumference that is adjustable in girth to
`encircle different body types.
`An embodiment of the upper portion of the garment com-
`prises a seamless tubular elastic fabric to stretch elastically
`and fit different body types.
`An embodiment of the abdomen covering area comprises
`an elastic fabric.
`
`An embodiment of the abdomen covering area comprises
`an elastic fabric that is contractible elastically to cover an
`abdomen during different stages of post partum body
`changes.
`According to a11 embodiment of the invention, a11 expa11-
`sible tubular upper portion of the garment is seamless to fit
`comfortably while being worn.
`
`US 7,814,575 B2
`
`2
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front View ofa garment according to the present
`invention.
`FIG. 1A is a View similar to FIG. 1, and discloses a body
`panel covering a growing abdomen.
`FIG. 2 is a view of a backside portion of the gan11e11t
`disclosed by FIG. 1.
`FIG. 3 is view of a front portion of another embodiment of
`a garment.
`FIG. 4 is View of a backside portion ofanother embodiment
`of a garment.
`FIG. 5 is a View of a backside portion of yet another
`embodiment of a garment.
`FIG. 6 is front view of a portion of another embodiment of
`a garment.
`FIG. 7 is front view ofa portion ofyet another embodiment
`of a garment.
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`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
`
`FIG. 1 discloses a garment 100 for encircling a lower torso
`portion of a wearer of the garment 100. The garment 100
`comprises a garment upper portion 102 and a garment lower
`portion 104. A lower end perimeter 106 of the garment upper
`portion 102 is attached to a corresponding upper end perim-
`eter 108 oftlie garment lower portion 104. The garment lower
`portion 104 comprises, for example, a pair of trousers, such
`as, de11i111jea11s. Alternatively, the gan11e11t lower portion 104
`comprises a skirt depicted in FIG. 1 in phantom outline.
`With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, each leg of the pair of
`trousers is constructed with sewn seams. Outer side seams
`110, 112 extend continuously from top to bottom of the
`trousers, or garment lower portion 104. Further, each leg is
`constructed with inner side seams 114, 116 joining a front
`center seam 118 of the trousers and a back side, curved center
`seam 200, FIG. 2, of the trousers. For example, the front
`center seam 106 defines a sewn “Zipper less” fly front. The
`back side of the trousers, FIG. 2, is sewn with a back side
`perimeter seam 202 extending horizontally across the back
`side of the trousers from the outer side seams 110, 112 to the
`back side center sea111 200. If pockets are desired, the legs of
`the trousers are constructed, for example, with a front pockets
`120, 122 and back pockets 204, 206.
`FIG. 2 discloses an embodiment ofthe trousers, or garment
`lower portion 104, having a partial waistband 208 j oining and
`extending from the side seams 110, 112 of the trousers and
`extending across a back side of the trousers or gannent lower
`portion 104. The waistband 208 is sewn onto the perimeter
`seam 202 on the back side. The waistband 208 tapers toward
`the side seams 110, 112 and widens across the back side, and
`has a center seam 210 to shape the waistband 208 with a
`curvature above a wearer’s pelvis, and for torso coverage
`especially when sitting or bending.
`In FIG. 1, the garment upper portion 102 has a belly panel
`124 to provide an abdomen covering area. The belly panel
`124 is expansible, for example, when made of a stretchable
`fabric, to cover and fit over a growing abdomen during dif-
`ferent stages ofpregnancy, FIG. 1 A. The belly panel 124 has
`a bottom portion 128 that projects downward with a parabolic
`shape, especially when covering a growing abdomen, FIG.
`1A. The perimeter 108 of the garment lower portion 104
`provides a first
`torso encircling circumference 126 that
`recedes downward with a parabolic shape adjacent to and
`below the bottom portion 128 of the belly panel 124 to make
`way for expansion of the belly panel 124 when covering a
`growing abdomen during various stages of pregnancy. The
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`Target Corporation
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`EX. 1021 - Page 7
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 7
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`

`
`US 7,814,575 B2
`
`3
`parabolic shape includes a shallow curvature, or, alternatively
`includes a more pronounced curvature. The belly panel 124
`extends at least partially under the abdomen of the garment
`wearer to meet and join the bottom portion 128 of the belly
`panel 124 witli the parabolic receding circumference 126 of
`the garment lower portion 104.
`According to a11 e111bodi111e11t of the invention, at least the
`belly panel 124 comprises a stretchable fabric that is woven or
`knitted with elastic, stretchable strands. The stretchable fab-
`ric is expansible by stretcl1ir1g elastically to cover and fit over
`the growing abdomen, FIG. 1A. Further, the stretchable fab-
`ric is contractible elastically to cover a shrinking abdomen
`during different stages of post partum body changes. The
`belly panel 124 also has foreseeable alternative functions, for
`example, to cover an abdomen during different stages oftorso
`weight gains and losses, or to fit over respective torsos of
`different body types.
`In FIGS. 1 and 2, thc garmcnt uppcr portion has a top
`tubular perimeter hem 130 made by folding over a top edge
`margin of the stretchable fabric, and either tubular knitting or
`scwing thc foldcd fabric to thc inside surface ofthc fabric, and
`to create a top perimeter knitted hem stitch 132 as disclosed in
`FIG. 1. The perimeter of the garment upper portion 102 has a
`torso encircling circumference 134 to hold the garment 100
`up and in place over the torso. Advantageously, the entire
`garment 100 is held up and in place. An embodiment of the
`garment upper portion 102 comprises stretchable fabric to
`adjust the girth of the second torso encircling circumference
`134 in conformance with different body types. According to
`an embodiment of the invention, the torso encircling circum-
`ference 134 extends along the upper end of the belly panel
`124. In FIG. 1A, the belly panel 124 extends at least some-
`what above the maximum girth of the abdomen, even during
`a later stage of pregnancy, such that the belly panel 124
`positions the torso encircling circumference 134 at
`least
`somewhat above the location of maximum girth to resist
`slipping down over the abdomen.
`An embodiment of the garment upper portion 102 com-
`prises a tubular structure to encircle a torso of a wearer of the
`garment 100. The tubular structure comprises a stretchable
`fabric woven or knitted with elastic, stretchable strands. The
`belly panel 124 comprises a portion of tlie stretchable fabric.
`The tubular structure is adaptable to cover and fit different
`body types by being elastically expansible and contractible.
`Different body types have different muscle 111ass distributions
`and spinal columns of different curvatures, which make the
`tubular structure conform to the different body types by
`expanding and contracting ir1 different locations and amounts
`when worn by the different body types. The tubular structure
`is elastically expansible to widen the tubular girth at selected
`locations and amounts where needed to fit a body type, and is
`elastically contractible to narrow the tubular girth at selected
`locations and amounts where needed to fit the body type.
`In FIGS. 1 and 2, the tubular stnlcture is shaped and formed
`as a one-sheet hyperboloid cylinder to fit a body type having
`a tapered torso that tapers approximately from shoulder to
`waist. The perimeter profile of the one-sheet hyperboloid
`cylinder has hyperbolic shaped sides. Alternatively, the tubu-
`lar structure is shaped and formed as a straight-sided cylinder,
`for example, as disclosed in FIG. 6. The perimeter profile of
`the straight sided cylinder has substantially straight sides.
`Preferably, tl1e stretchable fabric is wover1 or knitted to
`form a continuous, seamless tubular structure, such that the
`garment 100 is comfortable to wcar duc to thc absence of
`sear11s that would tend to press against tl1e torso.
`FIG. 3 discloses an alternative embodiment in which the
`garment upper portion 102 is provided with belly cradling
`support in the form of a series of sewn stitches or knitted
`tension at 300, 302, 304, 306, 308, 310, 312, and 314 in the
`belly panel 124. The knitted tension or stitches extend along
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`multiple stitch paths grouped in an elliptical pattern that
`curves so as to cradle a curved growing abdomen, FIG. 1A,
`during various stages of pregnancy.
`FIG. 4 discloses an alternative embodiment in which the
`backside of the garment upper portion 102 is provided with
`spinal column and back support for a wearer of the garment,
`in the form of a series of sewn supporting stitches or knitted
`tension at 400, 402, 404, 406, 408, 410, 412, 414, 416, 418 in
`the fabric, wherein the supporting knitted tension or stitches
`stiffen the fabric at the backside ofthe garment upper portion
`102 to provide spinal and back support of the wearer of the
`garment 100. For example, the series of supporting stitches
`are arranged along multiple stitch paths grouped in a hyper-
`bolic pattern or other curved pattern along an axis extending
`substantially vertically along a spinal supporting section of
`the fabric. FIG. 5 discloses an alternative pattern of support-
`ing stitches 500, 502, 504, 506, 508, 510, 512, 514 in the
`fabric, wherein the supporting stitches are arranged along
`multiple stitch paths. For example, the stitch paths are shown
`as being grouped in a truncated, v-shaped pattern.
`FIG. 6 discloses the garment upper portion 102 comprising
`a fabric woven or knitted to form a tubular structure, wherein
`the fabric of the tubular structure is doubled back on itself
`downward from the top circumference 134 thereof to form a
`double-layer tubular structure 600 that extends downward at
`least for a portion of the garment upper portion 102. The
`layers of the double—layer tubular structure 600 are sewn
`together with a tubular perimeter drop stitch 602. The layers
`are further sewn with a top, tubular perimeter hem stitch 132
`as described in FIG. 1. In an alternative embodiment dis-
`closed by FIG. 6, the fabric is doubled back over an inner
`tubular layer of stretchable fabric 604, shown in phantom
`outline by and between the stitches 132, 602, that is flatly
`layered and sewn in between the two tubular layers of the
`double layer fabric . The three tubular layers are sewn together
`with the top, tubular perimeter drop stitch 602 and the top,
`tubular perimeter hem stitch 132 as described in FIG. 1. The
`inner layer 604 of stretchable fabric provides the belly panel
`124 with the capability for resilient expansion. In another
`embodiment, tl1e double layer fabric comprises a stretch fab-
`ric woven or knitted with elastically stretchable and contract-
`ible yarns, providing the belly panel with the capability for
`resilient expansion.
`FIG. 7 discloses that the garment 100 of FIG. 6 is convert-
`ible to comprise a bottom garment without a top, the gan11e11t
`upper portion 102 is foldable toward the garment lower por-
`tion 104 to provide a folded band 700 on the garment lower
`portion 104, which is to be worr1 solely as a garment bottom
`104 having the folded band 700, and having no top. Each of
`the other embodiments of the garment 100 is similarly con-
`vertible by adding tl1e stretchable fabric 604 to tl1e upper
`garment portion 102 of the other embodiment of the garment
`100, and folding the garment upper portion 102 toward the
`garment lower portion 104 to provide a folded band 700 on
`the garment lower portion 104 ofthe other embodiment ofthe
`garment 100.
`is
`This description of the exemplary embodiments
`intended to be read in connection with the accompanying
`drawings, which are to be considered part of the entire written
`description. In the description, relative terms such as “lower,”
`“upper,” “horizontal,” “vertical,”, “above,” “below,” “up,”
`“down,” “top” and “bottom” as well as derivatives thereof
`(e.g., “horizontally,” “downwardly,” “upwardly,” etc.) should
`be construed to refer to the orientation as then described or as
`shown in the drawing under discussion. These relative tenns
`are for convenience of description and do not require that the
`apparatus be constructed or operated in a particular orienta-
`tion. Terms concerning attachrnents, coupling and the like,
`such as “connected” and “interconnected,” refer to a relation-
`ship wherein structures are secured or attached to one another
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1021 - Page 8
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`Target Corporation
`EX. 1021 - Page 8
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`

`
`US0078l4575B2
`
`(12) Umted States Patent
`Hendrickson et al.
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 7,814,575 B2
`Oct. 19, 2010
`
`(54) BELLY COVERING GARMENT
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors; Lisa A, Hendrickson, Mount Laurel, NJ
`(US); James H. Gardner, III, Ambler,
`pA (US); Richa1.dAdc1man,
`Greensboro, NC (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Destination Maternity Corporation,
`Wilmington, DE (US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, tl1e term of this
`patent is extended Or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 647 days.
`
`(21) App]. N0; 11/756,242
`
`4,506,390 A *
`5,946,730 A
`6,311,333 B1 *
`2004/0210937 A1
`2006/0010571 A1
`
`3/1985 Stern ........................... .. 2/221
`9/1999 Blair
`11/2001 Batra .......................... .. 2/237
`10/2004 Cilflley
`1/2006 Oakley
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`1 in the OVen’s InVisiBellyTM Jeans, Trade Literature, Feb. 26, 2008,
`http://wwVV. 1 intheoven .com/index.php‘?p:product&id:88&par-
`ent:26&is_print_Version:true.
`International Search Report andWritten Opinion datedAug. 18, 2008
`in PCT/US2008/061739.
`Cody, Diablo, Juno, DVD, Fox Searchlight Pictures screenplay, Feb.
`2, 2008, Newmarket Press, Newmarket Publishing and Communica-
`tions company, New York, NY.
`
`(22)
`
`(65)
`
`Filed:
`
`May 31, 2007
`
`* Cited by examiner
`
`Prim" Publicatiml Data
`Us 2008/0295225 A1
`Dec. 4, 2008
`
`Primary Examiner—G1oria Hale
`(74) Azzurnex Agem. or Firm—DLA Piper LLP (US)
`
`(51)
`
`Int CL
`(2006.01)
`A4lD 13/00
`(200601)
`A41D 9/00
`US. Cl.
`. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..
`(58) Field of Classification Search ..................... .. 2/69,
`2/228, 227, 238, 236, 237, 21 1, 212, 214;
`450/155, 96 100
`See application file for complete search history.
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`Us. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`3,045,678 A ""
`7/1962 Geimer