Support-providing coating method and apparatus

Abstract

A method and system for creating a clothing enhanced to more readily retain a particular shape, for example in order to create a more flattering look for the wearer. In an exemplary embodiment, an article of clothing may be treated with heat applied transfers which may stiffen the clothing in particular areas in order to provide support, contouring, and lift; eligible clothing may include, for example, jeans, which may be enhanced in order to provide a more pronounced and flattering rear portion for the user. Such a method and system may be combined with other methods and systems, for example a method and system for creating a clothing with enhanced durability using a heat transfer, in order to achieve a resulting article that may have desirable properties, such as breathability, flexibility, stiffness, or durability, in addition to its ability to retain a particular shape more readily.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for providing increased support and durability to an article, comprising:
 at least one barrier component for providing enhanced durability to the article; and   at least removable transfer component attached to the barrier component such that the device is configured to bond to at least one area of the article.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one barrier component is configured to bond to a surface of the article. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier component is configured to integrate into a surface of the article. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the barrier component includes an adhesive ink layer. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the article is an article of clothing. 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the article of clothing is a pair of pants. 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 5 , wherein the article of clothing is a shirt. 
     
     
         8 . A method for creating an article with enhanced support and durability, comprising the steps of:
 providing one or more support devices; and   applying the one or more support devices to the article in one or more predetermined areas to enhance support and durability of the area.   
     
     
         9 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more support devices is provided as a coating. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the one or more support devices is provided as a heat transfer. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the article is a pair of pants and further wherein the one or more predetermined areas include a hip portion, a rear seat portion, a knee portion, or a cuff portion of the pants. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 8 , wherein the article is a shirt and further wherein the one or more predetermined areas include an elbow portion, collar portion, or upper shoulder portion of the shirt. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising forming a protective barrier on a surface of the article. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising infusing the one or more support devices into a fabric of the article. 
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 8 , further comprising removing a backing component to expose a barrier component. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 15 , further comprising positioning the barrier component adjacent to the predetermined area. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising applying heat and pressure to the barrier component. 
     
     
         18 . An article having increased support and durability, including:
 a substrate;   one or more support devices applied to one or more surfaces of the substrate.   
     
     
         19 . The article of  claim 18 , wherein the article is an article of clothing and the one or more support devices are applied to one or more areas of the clothing that incur high amounts of wear. 
     
     
         20 . The article of  claim 19 , wherein the article of clothing is a pair of pants, and the one or more areas include a knee of the pant, a thigh of the pant, a rear seat portion of the pant, or a cuff of the pant.