Shape Holding Garments that Prevent Rolling and Methods of Making Same

Abstract

A set of garment stays comprise a thin, plastic inner piece capable of repeated bending, shaping and shape retention which is encased in a thin and soft fabric layer. The composite may be coated with thin layer of silicon. The stays are secured within a garment, specifically, preferably, at the elastic waistband to prevent rolling of the waistband and to maintain the shape and position of the garment while being worn. Preferably, the inner piece is made of polyolefine and the outer casing is a soft, fabric similar to that used in underwire bra supports. Garments made with the inventive stays include control underwear and camisoles. A method of making garments with elastic segments which tend to resist rolling is disclosed, too.

1 . A set of stays for a garment each comprising a plastic, shape bendable and shape retaining piece, a thin fabric covering for said piece and a silicone-like covering extending over said fabric covering. 
     
     
         2 . A set of stays for a garment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said pieces are made from polyolefine. 
     
     
         3 . A set of stays for a garment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein each of said pieces have a length, width and relative thickness with said length greater than said width and said width greater than said thickness. 
     
     
         4 . A set of stays for a garment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said shape retaining pieces are about 4 to 6 mm in thickness. 
     
     
         5 . A set of stays as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said thin fabric coverings are tubular in shape and slightly larger in dimension to that of said pieces prior to being cut. 
     
     
         6 . A set of stays as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fabric coverings are made of soft fabric material. 
     
     
         7 . A set of stays as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said fabric covering is tubular to encase said pieces on their sides and sewn across said pieces to completely encapsulate said piece. 
     
     
         8 . A garment as claimed in  claim 1  wherein said set of stays comprise 2, 3, 4 or 6 stays. 
     
     
         9 . A garment as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said set of stays are located on the inside in an up and down orientation to the belt-like or around the waist extension of an elastic waistband of said garment. 
     
     
         10 . A garment as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said stays are about the same length as the height of said elastic waistband. 
     
     
         11 . A garment as claimed in  claim 9  wherein said garment is a pair control underwear. 
     
     
         12 . A garment as claimed in  claim 8  wherein said garment is a camisole. 
     
     
         13 . A stay for use in reducing the roll of an elastic segment of a garment comprising:
 a) a plastic, moldable inner piece and   b) a soft fabric covering for encasing said piece.   
     
     
         14 . A stay as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said stay is provided with a thin layer of silicone. 
     
     
         15 . A stay as claimed in  claim 13  wherein said plastic, moldable inner piece is polyolefine. 
     
     
         16 . A method of making a garment with an anti-roll characteristic at an elastic segment thereof comprising:
 a) providing a garment with a stay comprised of a plastic, moldable inner element; said inner element being encased in a soft, fabric layer; and   b) securing said stay to the inside of the elastic segment of said garment.   
     
     
         17 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  further comprising providing said soft, fabric layer with a thin layer of silicone. 
     
     
         18 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said inner element is made of polyolefine. 
     
     
         19 . A method as claimed in  claim 16  wherein said garment is control underwear.