T-Shirt Garment Having an Integrated Zipper

Abstract

The present invention relates to a t-shirt garment or other apparel item having an integrated zipper positioned on one of the front or the rear portions. The t-shirt is configured to be easily worn by pulling it over the head of a user without stretching the collar and without rubbing the t-shirt against the face or head of the user. The integrated zipper has a length that extends vertically from the collar to a portion of the front or rear portion, and can be unzipped by pulling the zipper down to the end position. In an unzipped position, the collar and a part of the torso portion are extended, thereby allowing a user to easily pull the t-shirt over his or her head. A protective flap hides the zipper when in the zipped condition.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An article of clothing comprising:
 a front portion covering a torso of an individual and a rear portion covering a back portion of the torso;   a pair of openings to accommodate a pair of arms of the individual;   a collar;   a waist portion disposed opposite the collar;   a straight and elongated zipper portion forming a closure provided in the rear portion that vertically extends a length of the rear portion from the collar; and   a zipper having a zipper pull that is repositionable along the closure to create an opening in the article of clothing.   
     
     
         2 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a flap covering the zipper. 
     
     
         3 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the flap is made from a hypoallergenic material. 
     
     
         4 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 2 , wherein the hypoallergenic material is a select one of a silk, a bamboo, a Tencel, a microfiber synthetic and a cotton. 
     
     
         5 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the closure is a select one of a plurality of inter-engaging teeth or a rib and channel closure. 
     
     
         6 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 5 , wherein the zipper is made from a hypoallergenic material. 
     
     
         7 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 6 , wherein the hypoallergenic material is made from a select one of a gold, a sterling silver, a copper, a titanium and a stainless steel. 
     
     
         8 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the article of closing has a thread count ranging from between 40 threads per inch up to 400 threads per inch. 
     
     
         9 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the length is a select one of a one third, a one half, a two thirds, a half and a three quarters of the length of the rear portion. 
     
     
         10 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 1 , wherein the zipper is provided with a number of stops disposed along the closure. 
     
     
         11 . The article of clothing as recited in  claim 8 , wherein the thread count is between 40 and 50 threads per inch. 
     
     
         12 . An undergarment comprising:
 a front portion;   a rear portion;   a collar portion;   a pair of arm openings;   a waist portion positioned at an opposite end of the undergarment from the collar portion;   a closure provided in at least one of the front or rear portions, wherein the closure extends a length from the collar portion;   a pull connected to an end of the closure for opening and closing the closure; and   a flap positioned adjacent the closure, wherein each of the flap and the closure are comprised of a hypoallergenic material.   
     
     
         13 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 12 , wherein the closure is a zipper and is provided in the rear portion of the undergarment. 
     
     
         14 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 12 , wherein the flap is comprised of a silk, a bamboo, a Tencel, a microfiber synthetic or a cotton. 
     
     
         15 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 13 , wherein the closure is comprised of a gold, a sterling silver, a copper, a titanium or a stainless steel. 
     
     
         16 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 12 , wherein the flap is a rubber tubing positioned over the closure. 
     
     
         17 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 12  further comprising a thread count of between 40 and 400 threads per inch. 
     
     
         18 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 17 , wherein the thread count is between 40 and 60 threads per inch and the undergarment is comprised of a first ply and a second ply. 
     
     
         19 . The undergarment as provided in  claim 12 , wherein an opening created by the closure is equal to an opening area of the waist portion. 
     
     
         20 . A t-shirt comprising:
 a zipper having a flap and a pull;   a collar;   a front portion;   a rear portion;   a waist portion; and   a pair of arm openings;   wherein the zipper has a length running from the collar and is located on a select one of the front and rear portions;   wherein the zipper creates an enlarged opening in the collar portion and at least one of the front and rear portions; and   further wherein the zipper and the flap are comprised of a hypoallergenic material and the t-shirt has a thread count ranging from 40-60 threads per inch.