One-Piece Shirt Collar Structure and Methods of Use

Abstract

The present invention provides a one-piece shirt collar structure and method of use for keeping a shirt collar firm and in place, and to ensure that the shirt collar lies flat and correctly on the front of a shirt. The shirt collar structure is firm, yet flexible and breathable to allow ventilation through the shirt collar. The shirt collar structure is comprised of a four-sided, substantially flat structure comprised of a flexible material having an interior therein, wherein the structure has a first and second end and a first and second side; the first side being convexly-shaped and the second side being concavely-shaped, and wherein the interior at the first and second ends contains a rigid material therein and the remainder of the interior contains a mesh material therein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A one-piece shirt collar structure, comprising a four-sided, substantially flat structure comprised of a flexible material defining an interior therein, said substantially flat structure having a first end, a second end, a first side and a second side; said first side being convexly-shaped and said second side being concavely-shaped; said interior at the first and second ends containing a rigid material therein; and remainder of said interior containing a mesh material therein. 
     
     
         2 . The one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 1 , wherein the rigid material is comprised of a rigid plastic. 
     
     
         3 . The one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 2 , wherein the rigid plastic is a high density polyethylene film. 
     
     
         4 . The one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 2 , wherein the thickness of the rigid material ranges from about 0.02 inches to about 0.04 inches. 
     
     
         5 . The one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 1 , wherein the mesh material is comprised of a flexible plastic. 
     
     
         6 . The shirt collar structure of  claim 5 , wherein the flexible plastic is a polybutylene terephthalate or a polypropylene. 
     
     
         7 . The one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 1 , wherein the flexible material is comprised of a ribbon binding. 
     
     
         8 . A method of maintaining the shape of ends of a shirt collar, said method comprising:
 interior one end of a shirt collar to allow access to interior of the shirt collar;   placing the first end of the one-piece shirt collar structure of  claim 1  in the interior of the one end of the shirt collar and moving the first end of the shirt collar structure through the interior of the shirt collar until the first end of the one-piece shirt collar structure reaches the other end of the shirt collar; and   closing the one end of the shirt collar.   
     
     
         9 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the shirt collar structure is secured within the interior of the shirt collar with a hook and loop fastener. 
     
     
         10 . A method of  claim 8 , wherein the shirt collar structure is secured within the interior of the shirt collar by sewing the shirt collar structure.