Stretch collar for adjustable fit and comfort

Abstract

This invention discloses a novel shirt collar in order to maximize elasticity of the collar while preserving the overall classic look of the shirt in order to accommodate a range of neck circumferences.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . An adjustable shirt collar, comprising:
 a collar;   a collar band, said collar band comprised of an innerband and an outerband, said innerband and outerband comprised of a first and a second component section; and   an elastic insert that connects the first and the second component section of both the innerband and outerband;   
     
     
         2 . The collar of  claim 1  where the elastic insert is comprised of a stretch woven fabric has an initial minimum stretch of 20% and a maximum stretch of 50%. 
     
     
         3 . The adjustable shirt collar of  claim 2  where the stretch woven fabric has at least 5% elastane. 
     
     
         4 . The adjustable shirt collar of  claim 2  where the stretch woven fabric has a residual growth of no more than 5%. 
     
     
         5 . The collar of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a body of a shirt; 
 a seam connecting the elastic insert to the body of the shirt; said seam sewn along the bottom of the collar band only along the first and second sections of the innerband and outerband. 
 
     
     
         6 . The collar of  claim 1  where the stretch woven fabric has at least 5% T400. 
     
     
         7 . The collar of  claim 1  where the innerband and outerband are comprised of a fabric cut on the bias. 
     
     
         8 . An adjustable shirt collar, comprising:
 an outer band comprised of at least two component pieces;   a stretch fusible lining, where the two of the component pieces are fused to the fusable lining and attached to an elastic that forms an inner collar band.   
     
     
         9 . The collar of  claim 8  further comprising:
 a shirt body comprised of a fabric where the two component pieces of the outerband are comprised of the fabric. 
 
     
     
         10 . The collar of  claim 8  where the innerband is comprised of two pieces of push elastic with high stretch and 95% recovery. 
     
     
         11 . The collar of  claim 10  where the two pieces of the innerband each measure 1.5 inches wide by 1.25 inches tall. 
     
     
         12 . The collar of  claim 1  where the elastic insert is further comprised of five seams, one seam between the insert and an upper collar, one seam between the insert and the first component of the innerband, one seam between the insert and the second component of the innerband, one seam between the insert and a first yoke and one seam between the insert and a second yoke. 
     
     
         13 . The collar of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a shirt body, where the elastic insert is further comprised of two seams, one seam between the insert and the first component of the innerband, one seam between the insert and the second component of the innerband; and 
 no seam between the insert and the collar and no seam between the insert and the shirt body. 
 
     
     
         14 . The collar of  claim 1  further comprising a thread forming at least one seam of the elastic insert, said thread having at least 50% elongation, and said seam being a stitch type between 18 and 20 stitches per inch. 
     
     
         15 . The collar of  claim 1  further comprising a thread forming at least one seam between at least one component of the collar band and a shirt body, said thread having at least 50% elongation, and said seam being a stitch type between 18 and 20 stitches per inch. 
     
     
         16 . The collar of  claim 12  where the first yoke and second yoke are comprised of a fabric cut on the bias of the fabric. 
     
     
         17 . The collar of  claim 16  where the first and second yoke pieces are 2 ply split yoke. 
     
     
         18 . An adjustable shirt collar to accommodate differing neck circumferences, comprising:
 an outer band comprised of at least two component pieces;   a stretch bonding laminate, where the two of the component pieces are fused to the bonding laminate and attached to an elastic that forms an inner collar band; where the two component pieces do not meet in order that the elastic of the inner collar band forms an elastic section of the collar band that operates to permit adjustment of the entire collar band.   
     
     
         19 . The collar of  claim 18  further comprising a thread forming at least one seam of the elastic section, said thread having at least 50% elongation, and said seam being a stitch type between 18 and 20 stitches per inch. 
     
     
         20 . The collar of  claim 18  further comprising a shirt body and a thread forming at least one seam between at least one component of the collar band and the shirt body, said thread having at least 50% elongation, and said seam being a stitch type between 18 and 20 stitches per inch. 
     
     
         21 . The collar of  claim 18  further comprising:
 a shirt body, where the elastic section is further comprised no seam between the elastic section and the shirt body. 
 
     
     
         22 . The collar of  claim 18  where bonding is used in place of sewing seams, and bonding laminate is used in place of fusible interlinings and collar and band are glued or otherwise adhered in order to not use sew taping.