Fabric element suitable to receive underwire for garment

Abstract

There is provided a method of making a fabric element (30). The fabric element (30) comprises a tubular fabric (32) and a pair of attachment flaps (34). The tubular fabric is (32) for receiving an underwire. Each attachment flap (34) includes an attachment surface for attachment to a second fabric. The method comprises the steps of arranging the pair of attachment flaps (34) to project from the tubular fabric (32) in opposite directions so as to define opposingly projecting attachment flaps (34), and arranging the tubular fabric (32) to partially or fully overlap the attachment surfaces of the opposingly projecting attachment flaps (34).

1 . A method of making a fabric arrangement, the fabric arrangement comprising a fabric element attached to a second fabric, the fabric element comprising a tubular fabric and a pair of attachment flaps, the tubular fabric for receiving an underwire, each attachment flap including an attachment surface for attachment to a second fabric, the method comprising the steps of arranging the pair of attachment flaps to project from the tubular fabric in opposite directions so as to define opposingly projecting attachment flaps, arranging the tubular fabric to partially or fully overlap the attachment surfaces of the opposingly projecting attachment flaps and attaching the attachment surfaces of the attachment flaps to the second fabric. 
     
     
         2 . A method according to  claim 1  further including the steps of providing a support yarn and a first fusible yarn, and forming the yarns into a tubular fabric and having the first fusible yarn arranged so that, on subsequent melting and cooling of the first fusible yarn, the tubular fabric forms a barrier to penetration by an underwire. 
     
     
         3 . (canceled) 
     
     
         4 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric has a closed shape. 
     
     
         5 . (canceled) 
     
     
         6 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric has an open shape. 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps has a Ω-shape. 
     
     
         9 . A method according to  claim 1  further including the steps of initially providing an open or flat fabric, and subsequently folding the open or flat fabric into the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps by passing the open or flat fabric through a guide that is shaped to fold the open or flat fabric into the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps. 
     
     
         10 - 11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A method according to  claim 1  further including the step of:
 forming the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps by forming a plurality of overlaying fabric tapes, the plurality of overlaying fabric tapes including first, second and third fabric tapes, wherein the first and second fabric tapes are joined to form the tubular fabric, and the third tape is joined to one of the first and second fabric tapes to form the pair of attachment flaps; or 
 forming the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps by forming a plurality of overlaying fabric tapes, the plurality of overlaying fabric tapes including first and second fabric tapes, wherein the first and second tapes are joined to form the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps; or 
 initially forming the tubular fabric, and subsequently joining a single fabric piece or a plurality of fabric pieces to the tubular fabric to form the pair of attachment flaps. 
 
     
     
         13 - 20 . (canceled) 
     
     
         21 . A method according to  claim 1  further including the step of locating an underwire within a length of the tubular fabric. 
     
     
         22 - 24 . (canceled) 
     
     
         25 . A method according to  claim 1  wherein the second fabric is a fabric of a garment. 
     
     
         26 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A method of making a garment, the method of making a garment including the method of making a fabric arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second fabric is or forms part of the garment. 
     
     
         30 . A fabric arrangement comprising a fabric element attached to a second fabric, the fabric element comprising a tubular fabric and a pair of attachment flaps, the tubular fabric for receiving an underwire, each attachment flap including an attachment surface for attachment to a second fabric, wherein the pair of attachment flaps are arranged to project from the tubular fabric in opposite directions so as to define opposingly projecting attachment flaps, the tubular fabric is arranged to partially or fully overlap the attachment surfaces of the opposingly projecting attachment flaps, and the attachment surfaces of the attachment flaps are attached to the second fabric. 
     
     
         31 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the tubular fabric includes a support yarn and a first fusible yarn, wherein the first fusible yarn is arranged in the tubular fabric so that, on subsequent melting and cooling of the first fusible yarn, the tubular fabric forms a barrier to penetration by an underwire. 
     
     
         32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric has a closed shape or an open shape. 
     
     
         34 . (canceled) 
     
     
         35 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric has an open shape. 
     
     
         36 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the cross-section of the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps has a Ω-shape. 
     
     
         37 . (canceled) 
     
     
         38 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein:
 the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps are formed of a plurality of overlaying fabric tapes, the plurality of overlaying fabric tapes including first, second and third fabric tapes, wherein the first and second fabric tapes are joined to form the tubular fabric, and the third tape is joined to one of the first and second fabric tapes to form the pair of attachment flaps; or 
 the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps are formed of a plurality of overlaying fabric tapes, the plurality of overlaying fabric tapes including first and second fabric tapes, wherein the first and second fabric tapes are joined to form the tubular fabric and pair of attachment flaps. 
 
     
     
         39 . (canceled) 
     
     
         40 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the pair of attachment flaps are formed of a single fabric piece or a plurality of fabric pieces joined to the tubular fabric. 
     
     
         41 - 44 . (canceled) 
     
     
         45 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  including an underwire located within a length of the tubular fabric. 
     
     
         46 . (canceled) 
     
     
         47 . A fabric arrangement according to  claim 30  wherein the second fabric is a fabric of a garment. 
     
     
         48 - 50 . (canceled) 
     
     
         51 . A garment comprising a fabric arrangement according to  claim 30 , wherein the second fabric is or forms part of the garment. 
     
     
         52 - 55 . (canceled)