US008l85970B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Summers et al.
`
`(10) Patent N0.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`May 29, 2012
`
`(54) FAUX-SHIRT GIRDLE
`
`DE
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`G 85 13 103.2 U1
`8/1985
`
`(75)
`
`Inventors:
`
`Irene A. Summers, Saratoga Springs,
`U" (US); Victoria Ah You, Cedar Hills,
`Um (US)
`
`(73) Assignee, Maidenform Brands, Inc” Iselina NJ
`(US)
`
`( * ) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U'S'C’ 15403) by 1389 days’
`(21) App]. No‘: 11/478,247
`(22)
`Filed:
`Jun. 28, 2006
`(65)
`Pi'i0i' Publication Data
`usm
`Related US_ Application Data
`(60) Provisional application No. 60/694,623, filed on Jun.
`28 2005
`’
`'
`Int_ Cl_
`(2006.01)
`A41D 1/22
`(2006.01)
`A4IC 3/00
`(52) U.s. Cl.
`..................... .. 2/69; 2/105; 2/106; 450/155
`(58) Field of Classification Search ................ .. 2/69, 67,
`2/115, 113, 105, 106, 117, 243.1, 73; 450/155,
`450/3, 6, 7, ll, 17, 23, 95
`See application file for Complete Search history’
`_
`References Cited
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`(51)
`
`(56)
`
`357,068 A
`570,696 A
`933,739 A
`1,110,749 A
`1,121,005 A
`1,191,865 A
`1,249,446 A
`1,683,510 A
`1,774,613 A
`1,777,215 A
`
`2/1887 Dalby
`11/1896 Brown
`9/1909 Bodensiek
`9/1914 De Blieux
`12/1914 Farnsworth
`7/1916 Workman
`12/1917 Mell
`9/1928 Wiese
`9/1930 Pidgeon
`9/1930 McGill
`
`(Continued)
`
`(Continued)
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Suzarme S. Brown; Give Yourself a Squeeze: Outerwear corsets
`shape up as latest trend in fashion revivals; newspaper; Feb. 8, 2004;
`p. L-03; Section STL; Denver Post; Denver Colorado. Target Ad, Self
`
`Magazine, -11111. 2007, (3 Pages), _U~S~A~
`_
`’
`Get l\;IoIrJeSFX)m Your Cardio Time, Self Magazine, Jan. 2006, (3
`pages ,
`.
`.
`.
`you@self.com, Self Magazine, Dec. 2007, (2 pages), U.S.A.
`Ilgosggod while you shop. Lucky Magazine. Oct. 2006. (2 pages).
`Belly Bra, JC Penney Catalog, 2006, p. 165 (1 page), U.S.A.
`Bll B ,M .3,1992, 10
`.
`Spiariiix Ililde 8:“Sleek Canii 05i0iTg8:i. 30, 2007 (2 pages), available at
`
`211t8_Il1nt3)1:g£>:\I:1flw.herroom.com/SPANX-060A-Hide--Sleek-Full-Slip-
`WWDif1timate5a 2005 (2 Pages)
`Too Busy for the Gym?, Glamour.com, Oct. 24, 2007, (1 page),
`available at http://www.glamour.com/fashiomblogs/slaves-to-fash-
`ion/2007/10/too-bus.
`_
`gid(:e:SAgenda—Shapewear Repoit, InStyle Magazine, Sep. 2007,
`P g
`'
`
`(Contmued)
`Primary Examiner — Gloria Hale
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Workman Nydegger
`(57)
`ABSTRACT
`A faux-shirt girdle for use to shape and support the abdomen
`of a user while also serving to substantially cover a user’s
`midriff and lower back regions is discloses. The girdle com-
`prises a girdle portion and a shirt portion coupled to the
`bottom of the girdle portion. The girdle portion is configured
`to provide support to the user’ s abdomen region. The shirt
`portion is configured to cover the user’ s midriff, and to reduce
`migration ofthe lower portion ofthe girdle portion toward the
`user’s chest line. The shirt portion attached to the bottom of
`the girdle portion and an elastic or resilient band attached to
`the top of the girdle portion both work to reduce migration or
`bunchiiig of the girdle portion around the middle of the torso.
`The shirt portions can be made of any fabric and can be tucked
`into, or worn over, a user’s other external clothing layer.
`
`29 Claims, 5 Drawing Sheets
`
`
`
`Target Coiporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 1
`
`

`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`7/1931
`11/1932 R°1n1’1nn‘
`10/1933 Hoffman
`1/ 1934 R551n‘nn
`10/1934 T013111
`3/ 1935 Cnnn1ngnnn‘
`5/1936 Mendel etal.
`9/ 1935 Mnnnn
`9/ 1935 Mnrnn
`4/1937 S°nW51g
`11/ 1937 R°11nnnn
`7/ 1938 R1511Y
`2/ 1940 K995
`7/ 1941 W511
`8/ 1941 M°n1511
`10/ 1941 405155
`2/ 1942 R1°nn‘nn
`2/1943 McDonald
`11/ 1943 Friedman
`12/1951 Cadous
`10/1953 Kahn
`2/1955 Goldstein
`3/1955 Dior
`3/1955 Dior
`3/1955 Prochaska
`6/1956 Kahn
`12/1957 Cassini
`12/1960 Spetalnik
`9/1961 Herman
`3/1962 Kaupp
`5/1962 Jeffrey
`10/1962 Horne
`12/1962 Herman
`6/1963 Herman ........................ .. 450/30
`11/1965 Kunel
`6/1968 Salisky
`1/1969 Landau
`1/1969 Erteszek
`7/1969 Cahill
`11/1969 Silvain
`1/1971 Rome,
`6/1971 Keller
`10/1972 Webberetal.
`4/1975 Lo Cascio
`4/1976 Lo Cascio
`4/1976 George
`11/1977 Rosenfeld
`5/1979 Darring
`...................... .. 2/106
`7/1986 Fiore etal.
`4/1990 Feigenbaum etal.
`12/1990 white
`1/1992 Kuehner
`3/1992 Turner
`........................ .. 450/155
`
`10/1995 Witczak .......................... .. 2/104
`10/1996 Dzelzkalns
`2/1997 051301110
`4/1997 Modglin
`3/ 1998 B‘nnng1°n51n1'
`5/1999 Ganz
`p
`6/1999 Hil ert et al.
`..................... .. 2/69
`12/1999 Erwin
`5/2000 Morrison, Jr.
`5/2000 Rosenberg
`6/2000 Wallerstein ..................... .. 2/115
`11/2000 Morris
`2/2001 Keh0e
`1/2002 Kim
`1/2002 K1111
`2/2002 Krm
`8/2002 Burkhart
`
`1,813,043
`158855049
`1,931,822
`13915329
`1,977,329
`250335455
`2,040,058
`250525784
`250525935
`250755748
`250975777
`131105552
`251905030
`131285535
`131295078
`131295894
`252745382
`2,310,103
`2335751
`2,579,547
`D170,694
`D174,038
`D174,114
`D174115
`D174,194
`D177982
`D181,626
`2,963,022
`D191,347
`3,026,875
`3,036,574
`3,060,446
`3,066,675
`3,093,138
`3,217,713
`D211,231
`3,421,513
`3,422,818
`3,454,013
`3,479,844
`3,556,106
`3,582,993
`3,699,590
`D234,649
`D239,475
`3,949,426
`4,059,117
`4,154,249
`4,601,069
`4,916,755
`4,975,553
`5,083,316
`5,094,648
`5,461,725
`5,566,392
`550055000
`5,620,412
`133915740
`5,902,170
`,
`,
`5 915 531
`6,000,993
`6,061,832
`6,062,946
`6,076,187
`6,146,240
`5,185,741
`D452,600
`134535058
`D453,255
`6,430,748
`
`450/31
`
`,
`
`,,,,,,,,,,, ,,
`
`4/2003 Querquant
`6,550,286 B2
`,
`.
`3588?.
`r2“‘;‘;‘;i1rir
`228333 E2
`1/2005 Strubleetal
`6,846,217 B1
`'
`7’074’204 B2 W006 Fujii
`7,083,494 132*
`8/2006 Sandroussietal
`7,160,262 B2
`1/2007 Wicks
`D,556,978 s
`12/2007 Thunstedt
`7395357 B1
`7/3008 Ledyard
`D,595,480 s
`7/2009 Giugliano
`D606,285 s
`12/2009 Schindler
`D616,627 s
`6/2010 Schindler
`D622,477 s
`8/2010 Schindler
`2006/0242,748 A1
`11/2006 Martz
`2007/0094765 A1
`5/2007 Summersetal
`2008/0078208 A1
`4/2008 Kronbach
`2008/0134409 A1
`6/2008 Karasina
`2008/0229474 A1
`9/2008 Fons et al
`2008/0244805 A1
`10/2008 Griffin
`
`,
`
`,
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`DE
`EM
`EM
`EM
`EM
`EM
`E1’
`EP
`E1’
`E1’
`GE
`G13
`GE
`GE
`GE
`11’
`JP
`JP
`JP
`11’
`JP
`11’
`11’
`11’
`W0
`W0
`
`20 2005 000 716 U1
`3855520-0105 A1
`454202-0027 Al
`454202-0121 A1
`533755-0027 A1
`730403-0023 A1
`0174179
`0774241
`1082951
`1125555
`115525 A
`212307 A
`1503 500 A
`133020587
`134004524
`2-82707 U
`2001-172806 A
`2002-138302 A
`2003-129303 A
`2005-281893
`2006-316359
`2007-145337
`2007-303002
`2008-155812
`9508217
`0175201
`
`3/2005
`1/2005
`2/2006
`2/2006
`1/2007
`10/2007
`3/1985
`5/1997
`3/2001
`8/2001
`5/1918
`3/1924
`11/1981
`7/2005
`10/2007
`5/1990
`6/2001
`5/2002
`5/2003
`10/2005
`11/2006
`5/2007
`11/2007
`7/2008
`3/1995
`10/2001
`
`t
`.1 b1
`.OTT11ERT1’0B161$‘:‘gg§)1‘;S
`b U d
`S
`assy 21X,
`I1 erwrre OISO HII1, C.
`,( pages), aVa1 21 ea
`11111’3//W51’~‘n5111V5~°1‘é/W51’/20071020033219/SnSSYbnX~5°nV
`uHd51W115—111m~PhP~
`_
`_
`Nancy Ganz The Belly Band Convertrble Bodybrrefer 3313, Her-
`Room, Nov. 25, 2007, (2 pages), available at http://Web.archiVe.org/
`web/20100908185713/http://www.herroom.corn/Nancy.
`Tu1nn1yTee, Redefyne, Oct, 2005,aVa_ilable athttp;//www,redefyne,
`comummyteehtml.
`Skinny Cami, sale on Apr. 22, 2006, available at http://wWw.skin-
`
`U.S.App1.No.61/021,212,filedJan. 15,2008.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`.
`V°gn55 B‘n1nng 80115 41”" 155 19505 (2 1358553505854"
`0
`Self Magazine, l3at11111g Su1ts, Jun. 2000, (2 pages), U.S.A.
`Self Magazrne, My best stress buster 1s .
`.
`.
`,Apr. 2002, p. 200 (2
`pages),U.S.A.
`Lucky Magazine, Tied to the Cause, Oct. 2003, (2 pages), U.S.A.
`Lucky Magazine, Style Spy, Jan. 2002, (2 pages), U.S.A.
`JC Penney Catalog, 2002-2003, p. 26 (1 page), U.S.A.
`WWD Intimates, Mar. 7, 2005 (2 pages), U.s.A.
`1. Flirtations Corset, Subtract line, 1995 (1 page).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 2
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29, 2012
`
`Sheet 1 of5
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`F/G. 2
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 3
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29, 2012
`
`Sheet 2 of5
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`FIG. 4
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 4
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29, 2012
`
`Sheet 3 of5
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`FIG. 6
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 5
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29, 2012
`
`Sheet 4 of 5
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`FIG. 8
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 6
`
`

`
`U.S. Patent
`
`May 29, 2012
`
`Sheet 5 of 5
`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 7
`
`

`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`2
`
`1
`FAUX-SHIRT GIRDLE
`
`CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED
`APPLICATIONS
`
`This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional
`Patent Application Ser. No. 60/694,623, filed on Jun. 28,
`2005, entitled FAUX-SHIRT GIRDLE, and incorporated
`herein in its entirety by this reference.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`1. The Field of the Invention
`
`The present invention relates to the field of clothing, more
`particularly to clothing for aesthetic a11d medical purposes.
`2. The Relevant Technology
`The fashion for clothing is an ever changing thing. What is
`popular one month may be out of style the next. One trend that
`is prevalent in today’s day and age is the idea of having
`increased bodily exposure. Shorts are getting shorter, and
`shirts are getting smaller and more revealing. In addition, the
`cut of pants is getting lower. Most retailers, in order to make
`sales, stay with the times and fashions. More clothing com-
`panies are making their shirts shorter and smaller, and are
`making their shorts and pants to have a lower cut, meaning the
`nonnal wearing position of the upper portion of the article is
`moving down the hip rather than above the hips. As such, it is
`difficult to find clothing that covers the thorax and/or midriff
`regions of the body.
`
`BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a
`girdle comprising a girdle portion, elastic attached to the top
`ofthe girdle portion, and a lower faux shirt portion attached to
`the bottom of the girdle portion. The girdle portion serves to
`provide shape and support to the abdomen region of the user.
`The elastic and lower faux shirt portion act together to reduce
`the tendency for the girdle to migrate toward the upper part of
`the abdomen or lower part of the torso, which reduces the
`girdle’ s effectiveness.
`Another advantageous feature of the invention is its utility
`in giving the illusion that the user of the girdle is wearing a
`shirt underneath the user’s exterior clothing. The lower faux
`shirt portion is configured to be worn over a portion of the
`user’ s clothing, such as the upper portions of a pair ofpants or
`shorts, such that the shirt portion is exposed. Thus, the lower
`faux shirt portion serves to substantially cover the user’s
`midriff. The present invention has the effect of providing the
`user with shaping, support, modesty, and a fashionable accent
`to the user’s wardrobe.
`
`The preset invention affords a user an added benefit of
`having a bottom portion that gives the illusion that a shirt is
`being worn under the user’s other clothing. The lower faux
`shirt portion can be either tucked into, worn under, or worn
`over the top of the user’s other clothing, and provides func-
`tional support to the girdle by inhibiting the tendency of the
`bottom portion of the girdle to ride up towards the upper part
`ofthe abdomen or lower part ofthe torso. In one embodiment,
`the girdle gives coverage from just below the chest-line down
`to the hip and has the ability to give the illusion of a shirt.
`In an alternative embodiment, the girdle may be incorpo-
`rated into various designs of shirts so as to provide the added
`benefits of support and modesty, while maintaining a certain
`level of style. For example, in one embodiment, the girdle
`may include shoulder straps, such as those more commonly
`know as spaghetti straps, stitched to the upper part of the
`
`girdle portion. In an alternative embodiment, the girdle may
`be incorporated into a tank-top design or a cap sleeve design.
`In this embodiment, the upper portion oftlie girdle includes a
`cloth portion stitched to the upper portion ofthe girdle portion
`and has the appearance of a tar1k-top or a cap sleeve shirt. In
`yet an alternative embodiment, the girdle is incorporated into
`a tee shirt or even a buttoned shirt. The girdle may be worn
`without other clothing if desired, or may be utilized in con-
`nection with other shirts or other articles of clothing. The
`girdle may be worn under a shirt or over a shirt, and may be
`tucked into pants or worn over pants. The girdle may be worn
`by both males and females. It may be sized and configured to
`meet the size constraints and desired support of any particular
`individual, whether it is a child or an overweight adult.
`These and other objects and features of the present inven-
`tion will become more fully apparent from the following
`description and appended claims, or may be learned by the
`practice of the invention as set forth hereinafter.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`To further clarify the above and other advantages and fea-
`tures ofthe present invention, a more particular description of
`the invention will be rendered by reference to specific
`embodiments thereof which are illustrated in the appended
`drawings. It is appreciated that these drawings depict only
`typical embodiments of the invention and are therefore not to
`be considered limiting of its scope. The invention will be
`described and explained with additional specificity and detail
`through the use of the accompanying drawings in which:
`FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary embodiment of a faux-shirt
`girdle;
`FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a faux-shirt
`
`35
`
`girdle having shoulder straps;
`FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a faux-shirt
`
`girdle having a cap sleeve upper portion;
`FIG. 4 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a faux-shirt
`
`girdle having a tee shirt upper portion;
`FIG. 5 illustrates yet an additional alternative embodiment
`of a faux-shirt girdle;
`FIG. 6 illustrates yet an alternative embodiment of a faux-
`shirt girdle having a camisole upper portion;
`FIG. 7 illustrates the faux-shirt girdle being worn by an
`individual;
`FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative embodiment of a girdle
`portion; and
`FIG. 9 illustrates yet another alternative embodiment of a
`girdle portion.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY
`EMBODIMENTS
`
`An exemplary embodiment of the invention relates to a
`girdle comprising a girdle portion, a resilient material, such as
`elastic attached to the top of the girdle portion, and a lower
`faux shirt portion attached to the bottom of the girdle portion.
`The girdle portion serves to provide shape and support to the
`abdomen region of the user. The elastic and lower faux shirt
`portion act together to reduce the tendency for the girdle to
`migrate toward the upper part ofthe abdomen or lower part of
`the torso, which reduces the girdle’s effectiveness.
`Another advantageous feature of the invention is its utility
`in giving the illusion that the user of the girdle is wearing a
`shirt underneath the user’s exterior clothing. The lower faux
`shirt portion is configured to be worn over a portion of the
`user’ s clothing, such as the upper portions of a pair ofpants or
`shorts, such that the shirt portion is exposed. Thus, the lower
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 8
`
`

`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`3
`faux shirt portion serves to substantially cover the user’s
`midriff. The present invention has the effect of providing the
`user with shaping, support, modesty, and a fashionable accent
`to the user’s wardrobe.
`
`The preset invention affords a user an added benefit of
`having a bottom portion that gives the illusion that a shirt is
`being worn under the user’s other clothing. The lower faux
`shirt portion can be either tucked into, worn under, or worn
`over the top of the user’s other clothing, and provides func-
`tional support to the girdle by inhibiting the tendency of the
`bottom portion of the girdle to ride up towards the upper part
`ofthe abdomen or lower part ofthe torso. In one embodiment,
`the girdle gives coverage from just below the chest-line down
`to the hip and has the ability to give the illusion of a shirt.
`In an alternative embodiment, the girdle may be incorpo-
`rated into various designs of shirts so as to provide the added
`benefits of support and modesty, while maintaining a certain
`level of style. For example, in one embodiment, the girdle
`may include shoulder straps, such as those more commonly
`know as spaghetti straps, stitched to the upper part of the
`girdle portion. In an alternative embodiment, the girdle may
`be incorporated into a tar1k-top design or a cap sleeve design.
`In this embodiment, the upper portion ofthe girdle includes a
`cloth portion stitched to the upper portion ofthe girdle portion
`and has the appearance of a tar1k-top or a cap sleeve shirt. In
`yet an alternative embodiment, the girdle is incorporated into
`a tee shirt or even a buttoned shirt. The girdle may be worn
`without other clothing if desired, or may be utilized in con-
`nection with other shirts or other articles of clothing. The
`girdle may be worn Lmder a shirt or over a shirt, and may be
`tucked into pants or worn over pants. The girdle may be worn
`by both males and females. It may be sized and configured to
`meet the size constraints and desired support of any particular
`individual, whether it is a child or an overweight adult.
`FIG. 1 illustrates a faux-shirt girdle, or girdle 2 having
`improved versatility and functionality. Girdle 2 is configured
`to provide support to the abdomen region of a user, while
`reducing migration of the girdle upon the user’ s body. Girdle
`2 if further configured to at least be partially exposed so as to
`provide additional body coverage for the user around the
`user’s stomach or midriff and lower back. The girdle of the
`present invention is particularly advantageous in light of
`modern fashion trends, which trends are to have lower cut
`jeans and shorts, as well as shorter shirts. Thus, girdle 2 is
`configured to provide shape and support to a user while mini-
`mizing girdle migrations, as well as provide increased body
`coverage.
`In this embodiment, girdle 2 comprises a girdle portion 4
`and a lower faux shirt portion 6 coupled to girdle portion 4,
`such as by stitching or with a seam. Girdle portion 4 is
`configured to provide support and shape to a user’s body.
`Girdle portion 4 can be utilized to provide support and shape
`to the abdomen region of a user. In one embodiment, girdle
`portion 4 includes a resilient band 8 coupled to the upper
`portion of girdle portion 4. Band 8 can comprise a separate
`piece of material stitched to girdle portion 4 or can comprise
`a bunched up resilient portion of girdle portion 4. Resilient
`band or elastic member 8 is configured to reduce migration of
`the upper portion of girdle portion 4. Elastic member 8 has
`sufficient resilience to mold to the body’s abdomen, just
`below the chest, yet sufficiently maintain the position of the
`upper portion of girdle portion 4 when sufficiently sized to a
`user’s body.
`In one embodiment, girdle portion 4 can be made of a
`girdle material and can have a uniform, tapered, or silhouette
`contour that provides support and shapes the abdominal
`region of a user. The girdle portion 4 can also have a non-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`4
`
`unifom1 pattern of increased support in certain regions of the
`girdle 2, such as in the back, front, or sides, by using different
`or reinforced girdle material in specified locations. The girdle
`portion 4 can be made ofeither one piece of girdle material or
`a front and a back section being joined at the two sides of the
`girdle 2.
`Girdle portion 4 may comprise any material typically uti-
`lized in connection with elastic girdles, such as nylon, cotton,
`or a combination of other types of fabrics. The type of mate-
`rial may be chosen from a number of fabrics or fabric com-
`binations in order to achieve a desired elasticity, as one skilled
`in the art would appreciate. Girdle portion 4 is made of any
`elastic material that tends to shape, support, or control the
`user’s body. The material utilized in connection with the
`girdle portion 4 may provide varying levels of support and/or
`shaping. For example, materials may be chosen having char-
`acteristics of greater or lesser elasticity or by using multiple
`layers (most common being double and triple paneling) of a
`material with a high level of elasticity. The most common
`composition of the girdling material is interwoven nylon or
`lycra spandex.
`Girdle portion 4 is provided to facilitate the support and
`shaping of a users abdomen. Girdle portion 4 should be sized
`and configured so as to not be excessively uncomfortable to a
`user while wearing girdle 2. Girdle portion 4 is adapted to be
`substantially covered by a user’s clothing. However, girdle
`portion 4 can be adapted to be exposed, such that observers
`could observe the girdle portion 4.
`Shirt portion 6 is coupled to the bottom portion of girdle
`portion 4. Shirt portion 6 is configured to allow the user to
`wear girdle portion 4 under another article ofclothing, such as
`a shirt as illustrated in FIG. 6, and project an illusion that the
`user is wearing a shirt underneath the outer layer of clothing.
`Shirt portion 6 is further configured to extend down substan-
`tially beyond the cut line ofthe user’s pants, shorts, or skirt, as
`the case may be. This facilitates the covering of the user’s
`midriff so that the user’ s stomach and lower back are substan-
`
`tially covered. Further, shirt portion 6 is configured to reduce
`migration of the girdle portion 4 toward a user’s chest.
`In one embodiment, shirt portion 6 extends downward
`from the hip area approximately two to seven inches below
`the hips. Optimally, shirt portion 6 extends downward fro1n
`the hip area ofthe user approximately one to two inches below
`the user’s hips. However, in order to ensure shirt portion 6
`substantially covers the midriff and lower back portions of a
`user, shirt portion 6 should extend at least an inch below the
`cut line of the user’s pants so as to be positioned over the
`pants. In this way, shirt portion 6 will resist movement due to
`its being stretched over the user’s pants, which in turn facili-
`tates the reduction in migration of the lower portion of girdle
`portion 4 towards the user’s chest line.
`Shirt portion 6 may be either tucked in or may be worn over
`the user’s other exterior layers of clothing. Shirt portion 6
`may comprise a cotton-based fabric. The material of shirt
`portion 6 should have sufiicient resiliency so as to enable the
`shirt portion 6 to reduce migration of the girdle portion 4
`toward a user’s chest. As will be understood by one having
`ordinary skill in the art, various sizes and designs of shirt
`portions can be utilized without departing from the scope and
`spirit of the invention. The girdle 2 should be sized appropri-
`ately for the user in order for the girdle portion 4 and shirt
`portion 6 to have any effect on the user. Shirt portion 6 can be
`any color and can be made of any suitable clothing fabric
`sufficient to serve the purposes described herein. Shirt portion
`6 can comprise a solid piece of material, or can comprise a
`lace type material.
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 9
`
`

`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`5
`In one embodiment, girdle 2 further comprises a hem 10
`along the bottom of faux shirt portion 6. Hem 10 may be used
`to make the bottom portion further resemble a shirt bottom.
`Hem 10 may also facilitate the reduction of migration of the
`girdle portion 4 toward a user’s chest line.
`FIG. 2 illustrates an alternative embodiment of girdle 2a. In
`this embodiment, girdle 211 comprises two support straps 12
`coupled to girdle portion 4 adjacent resilient band 8. In one
`embodiment, support straps 12 are of sufficient length so as to
`be positioned over a user’s shoulders. Shoulder straps 12 can
`be configured to be exposed or not exposed, depending on the
`user’s preference. Shoulder straps 12 are commonly know as
`spaghetti straps. Shoulder straps 12 can be made of any suit-
`able material, such as a cotton fiber or synthetic material.
`Shoulder straps 12 can be utilized to reduce migration of the
`girdle portion 4 toward the user’s hips. Shoulder straps are
`one example of a second shirt portion.
`FIG. 3 illustrates an alternative embodiment of girdle 2b. In
`this embodiment, girdle 2b comprises a tank-top portion or
`cap-sleeve portion 14 coupled to girdle portion 4 or resilient
`band 8. Use of tank-top or cap-sleeve portion 14 results in a
`shirt-like appearance at both the top and the bottom of the
`torso while simultaneously retaining the benefits of girdle
`portion 4. Portion 14 can be made of any suitable material,
`such as a cotton material or blend, and/or a synthetic material
`and’or blend. Portion 14 can be utilized to reduce migration of
`the girdle portion 4 toward the user’s hips. Portion 14 is one
`example of a second shirt portion.
`FIG. 4 illustrates a11 alternative embodiment ofgirdle 2c. In
`this embodiment, girdle 2c comprises a tee-shirt portion 16
`coupled to girdle portion 4 or resilient band 8. Use oftee-shirt
`portion 1 6 results in a shirt-like appearance at both the top and
`the bottom of the torso while simultaneously retaining the
`benefits of girdle portion 4. Tee-shirt portion 16 can be made
`of any suitable material, such as a cotton material or blend,
`and’or a synthetic material and/or blend. In one embodiment,
`the fabric used for both the tee-shirt portion 16 and the shirt
`portion 6 is the same so that the undergarment simultaneously
`presents a shirt-like appearance at both the top and bottom of
`the torso. Tee-shirt portion 16 can be utilized to reduce migra-
`tion of the girdle portion 4 toward the user’s hips. Tee-shirt
`portion 16 is another example of a second shirt portion.
`FIG. 5 illustrates an alternative embodiment of girdle 2d. In
`this embodiment, girdle 2d comprises a button-down shirt
`portion 18 coupled to girdle portion 4 or resilient band 8. Use
`of button-down shirt portion 18 results in a shirt-like appear-
`ance at both the top and the bottom ofthe torso while simul-
`taneously retaining the benefits of girdle portion 4. Button-
`down shirt portion 18 can be made of any suitable material,
`such as a cotton material or blend, and/or a synthetic material
`and’or blend. In one embodiment, the fabric used for both the
`button-down shirt portion 18 and the shirt portion 6 is the
`same so that the undergarment simultaneously presents a
`shirt-like appearance at both the top and bottom of the torso.
`Button-down shirt portion 18 can be utilized to reduce migra-
`tion of the girdle portion 4 toward the user’s hips. In this
`embodiment, button portions 20a and 20b are utilized so as to
`give the girdle 2d a button-down, collar-style shirt. FIG. 5 also
`shows that shirt portion 6 can be attached to girdle portion 4
`at a location above the lower terminus of girdle portion 4 so
`that the girdle portion 4 can extend past the beginning loca-
`tion of shirt portion 6. Portion 18 is another example of a
`second shirt portion.
`FIG. 6 illustrates an alternative embodiment of girdle 2. In
`this embodiment, girdle 2e comprises a camisole shirt portion
`22 coupled to girdle portion 4 adjacent resilient band 8. In one
`embodiment, camisole shirt portion 22 comprises two shoul-
`
`5
`
`10
`
`15
`
`20
`
`25
`
`30
`
`35
`
`40
`
`45
`
`50
`
`55
`
`60
`
`65
`
`6
`der straps 12a of sufiicient length so as to be positioned over
`a user’s shoulders. Shoulder straps 1211 can be configured to
`be exposed or not exposed, depending on the user’s prefer-
`ence. Shoulder straps 1211 are similar to those illustrated in
`FIG. 2. Camisole shirt portion 22 can be made of any suitable
`material, such as a cotton fiber or synthetic material. Carni-
`sole shirt portion 22 can be utilized to reduce migration ofthe
`girdle portion 4 toward the user’ s hips. Camisole shirt portion
`22 is yet another example of a second shirt portion.
`While the tee-shirt portion 16 in FIG. 4 is illustrated with
`short sleeves, and the button-down shirt portion 18 in FIG. 5
`is illustrated with long sleeves, any sleeve style can be used
`with any shirt style. Further, a basic tee shirt version of the
`invention may use a type girdle fabric for girdle portion 4 and
`white cotton lycra fabric for shirt portion 6. Other embodi-
`ments result from modifications to the design of the shirt
`portion and modification to girdle portion. The faux shirt
`portion 6 can also be extended upward to the top of the girdle
`portion 4, over the girdle portion 4, whereby the faux shirt
`portion conceals the entire girdle portion 4, thus providing an
`additional layer in the girdle portion 4 region, and giving the
`appearance of a normal shirt, camisole or tank-top.
`FIG. 7 illustrates an individual wearing girdle 2. As shown
`in FIG. 7, girdle 2 is worn under the user’ s button-up shirt and
`the shirt portion 6 is exposed. The lower portion of the user’ s
`shirt is unbuttoned so as to illustrate the girdle portion 4 as
`being concealed by the user’s shirt, while allowing the shirt
`portion 6 to be exposed. In this manner, the shirt portion 6
`extends beyond the user’s hips and cut line ofthe user’s pants.
`This allows for the girdle 2 to support and shape a user’s
`abdomen, while providing coverage of a user’s midriff and
`lower back.
`
`FIG. 8 is an alternative embodiment of girdle 2. In the
`illustrated embodiment, girdle 2fcomprises a girdle portion 4
`coupled to a shirt portion 6. In this embodiment, girdle por-
`tion comprises a first girdle subportion 411 coupled to a second
`girdle subportion 4b. Girdle subportions may be comprises of
`different materials or similar materials. In one embodiment,
`the material of first girdle subportion 4a is different than the
`material of second girdle subportion 4b. In an altemative
`embodiment, the materials are the same. The elasticity of the
`girdle subportions can be relatively the same, or they can be
`substantially different. As will be appreciated by one of ordi-
`nary skill in the art, a variety oftypes, configurations and sizes
`of materials can be utilized without departing from the spirit
`and scope of the invention. For example, a user may prefer to
`have more support in the upper abdomen than the lower
`abdomen. In this case, the user may prefer a first girdle sub-
`portion 411 having less elasticity than that of the second girdle
`subportion 4b. Furthermore, the relative sizes of the girdle
`subportions may be changed in order to accommodate a
`user’s preference.
`FIG. 9 illustrates a partial cut-away view of a girdle 2g
`having a first girdle subportion 4c layered over a second girdle
`subportion 4d. In the illustrated embodiment, a portion of first
`girdle subportion 4c is cut-away so as to expose second girdle
`subportion 4d and illustrate the manner in which girdle sub-
`portions are layered. When girdle subportions are layered in
`this manner, a greater degree of support may be extended to a
`user due to the layers of the girdle material. Unique configu-
`rations of layers may be utilized which will accommodate a
`user’s preferences, as will be appreciated by one of ordinary
`skill in the art.
`
`Some of the advantages present in this invention include
`the following: the ability to add a style and color accent to an
`outfit or ensemble through use ofthe girdle; comfort knowing
`one’s modesty is assured when bending over, as a result ofthe
`
`Target Corporation
`
`EX. 1037 - Page 10
`
`

`
`US 8,185,970 B2
`
`7
`extended length of the faux shirt portion that can either be
`tucked in or pulled over the user’s other clothes; the faux shirt
`bottom also ensures that the bottom of the girdle will remain
`down and will not roll up; similarly, the elastic or resilient
`band ensures that the girdle will remain under your chest and
`will not roll down; the present invention gives po st-pregnancy
`mothers support, helps them return to their pre-pregnancy
`form, and helps them to fit into their pre-pregnancy clothes
`again; the girdle slims the user’ s body in the girdle region; the
`invention aids recovery in post-surgical patents who have
`undergone a tumrny-tuck procedure or other torso operations;
`the girdle provides support for the abdominal and back
`muscles, generally, and for pregnant women, specifically; the
`invention is also nursing-mother friendly because it can be
`worn immediately below the chest line; and the invention
`helps to provide a user with a more modest and slender
`appearance.
`Common materials for use in girdle portion 4 comprise
`70/30, 80/20, and 90/10 nylon/Lycra spandex. A common
`embodiment ofthe material used for shirt portion 6 comprises
`90/ 10 cotton/Lycra.
`There is also a minimal-support torso shirt that has the
`same dimensions as the girdle and faux shirt, but which is
`made of a single cotton-lycra fabric. The torso shirt begins
`below a user’s chest and extends downward to the lower
`
`abdominal area, or five to seven inches below the hips. Mate-
`rials used for the faux shirt portion can be any material that
`can be secured reliably to the girdle material. A benefit of
`cotton