Modifying Garments to Provide an Adjustable Length Feature

Abstract

Described are methods, devices, and systems for modifying a garment to provide a capability for reversible length adjustment. The methods utilize, and the devices include, multiple reversible fasteners, each dimensioned to allow for a distribution thereof about the perimeter of a garment including gaps between adjacent fasteners. Each of the fasteners includes two fastener components adapted for secure, yet reversible fastening. The fastener is attached to an internal surface of the garment using an adhesive compound. At least one of the two fastener components includes a visual identifier to distinguish, pre-attachment, between the two fastener components when mated. One of the first and second fastener components is attached along an edge of the garment and the other component is attached a distance above, such that the garment length is adjustable by fastening and unfastening of the fastener components.

1 . A method for modifying a garment to provide for its reversible length adjustment, comprising:
 providing a plurality of fastener pairs, each fastener pair including first and second fastener components;   fixedly attaching one of the first and second fastener components of each of the plurality of fastener pairs along a lower interior surface of a garment having an unadjusted length;   fixedly attaching the other one of the first and second fastener components of each of the plurality of fastener pairs along a higher interior surface of the garment; and   folding the lower interior surface of the garment inward upon itself to fasten together each fastener pair along the higher interior surface of the garment, thereby altering the garment to an adjusted length.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising the step of unfastening each of the plurality of fastener pairs to return the garment to its unadjusted length. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , further comprising the step of refastening each of the plurality of fastener pairs altering the garment to the adjusted length. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein each of the plurality of fastener pairs comprises a hook-and-loop fastener. 
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein fixedly attaching one of the first and second fastener components comprises using an adhesive compound. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 5 , further comprising heat treating the adhesive compound. 
   
   
       7 . An apparatus for modifying a garment to provide a reversible length adjustment comprising:
 a plurality of non-angular fastener pairs, each including first and second fastener components having a respective fastening surface and a respective garment-attachment surface;   an adhesive compound disposed along a substantial portion of the garment-attachment surface of each of the first and second fastener components for fixedly attaching the plurality of fastener pairs to an interior surface of the garment; and   a distinctive marking provided on at least one of the fastener components of each of the fastener pairs to distinguish between the fastener components, the plurality of fastener pairs attached to the interior surface of the garment providing a reversible length adjustment by the fastening and unfastening of the attached fastener pairs.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the non-angular fastener pairs are non-observable from an exterior surface of the garment, when attached thereto. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the fastening surface of each of the first fastener components include a plurality of hooks. 
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the distinctive marking comprises a symbol. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 10 , wherein the perimeter of the fastening surface of the non-angular fastener pairs is oval. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second fastener components is flexible. 
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second fastener components is elongated. 
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein a longer dimension of each of the elongated fastener components is between about 1.25 and 1.75 inches. 
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive compound comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive. 
   
   
       16 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein each of the first and second fastener components further comprises a respective removable backing, the adhesive compound disposed between one of first and second fastener component and the respective removable backing, the removable backing being removed prior to attachment of the respective fastener component to the garment. 
   
   
       17 . The apparatus of  claim 16 , wherein the distinctive marking is applied to the removable backing. 
   
   
       18 . The apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the adhesive compound comprises a thermally activated adhesive. 
   
   
       19 . An apparatus for modifying a garment to provide for its reversible length adjustment, comprising:
 means for fastening together each of a plurality of fastener pairs, each fastener pair including first and second fastener components;   means for fixedly attaching one of the first and second fastener components of each of the plurality of fastener pairs along a lower interior surface of a garment having an unadjusted length;   means for folding the lower interior surface of the garment inward upon itself, each of the plurality of fastener pairs positioned along a higher interior surface of the garment, the folding altering the garment to an adjusted length; and   means for fixedly attaching another one of the first and second fastener components along the higher interior surface of the garment.