Patent application title: GARMENTS HAVING INSIDE PRINTING VIEWABLE WHEN A PORTION OF THE GARMENT IS FLIPPED
Inventors:
Richard Kane (Tampa, FL, US)
IPC8 Class: AA41B100FI
USPC Class:
2115
Class name: Body garments shirts men's outer garments
Publication date: 2011-05-05
Patent application number: 20110099684
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Patent application title: GARMENTS HAVING INSIDE PRINTING VIEWABLE WHEN A PORTION OF THE GARMENT IS FLIPPED
Inventors:
RICHARD KANE
Agents:
Assignees:
Origin: ,
IPC8 Class: AA41B100FI
USPC Class:
Publication date: 05/05/2011
Patent application number: 20110099684
Abstract:
A garment configured to be worn by a wearer that has a hidden message
exposed by flipping a portion of the garment. The garment can include an
outwardly facing surface configured to be visible when the garment is
worn in a first state on a body of the wearer. The first state can
represent a standard manner for the wearer to wear the garment in public.
The garment can include at least one hidden surface comprising a hidden
message. The hidden message can be one that is not visible when the
garment is worn in the first state. The hidden message can be visible
when the garment is worn is a second state. The second state can
represent a state where at least a portion of the garment is being
flipped.Claims:
1. A garment configured to be worn by a wearer that has a hidden message
exposed by flipping a portion of the garment, said garment comprising: an
outwardly facing surface configured to be visible when the garment is
worn in a first state on a body of the wearer, wherein said first state
is a standard manner for the wearer to wear said garment in public; and
at least one hidden surface comprising a hidden message, wherein the
hidden message is not visible when the garment is worn in the first
state, wherein the hidden message is visible when the garment is worn is
a second state, wherein the second state represents a state where at
least a portion of the garment is being flipped.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a t-shirt, wherein the hidden message is written on the reverse side of the front of the t-shirt, and wherein the second state is a state where the front of the t-shirt is flipped upwards away from a body of the wearer.
3. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a skirt, wherein the hidden message is written on the reverse side of the skirt, and wherein the second state is a state where either the front or the back of the skirt is being flipped upwards away from a body of the wearer.
4. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is a hat, wherein the hidden message is written on the reverse side of the hat and is in the shape of a mask, wherein the second state is a state where the brim of the hat is flipped down over a front of the face of the wearer, which reveals the mask, which is positioned over a topmost portion of the wearer's face when in the second state.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the hidden message is an image of a body part, wherein the image of the body is approximately on top of the body part it portrays, when the garment is in the second state.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the first surface comprises a visible message, which is viewable when the garment is worn in the first state.
7. The garment of claim 6, wherein the visible message comprises text, and wherein the hidden message comprises text, wherein the hidden message is semantically related to the visible message and is designed to be read after the text of the visible message is read.
8. The garment of claim 6, wherein the visible message comprises a text in a form of a question, and wherein the hidden message comprises an answer to the question.
9. The garment of claim 6, wherein a meaning of the visible message changes once the hidden message is revealed.
10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is an article of clothing for a pet, wherein the pet is the wearer of the garment.
11. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment is an article of clothing for a doll, wherein the doll is the wearer of the garment.
12. A shirt comprising: a hidden message printed up-side down on the reverse side of the front of the shirt, wherein said hidden message is revealed when a wearer of the shirt lifts the front of the shirt upwards away from a body of the wearer.
13. The shirt of claim 12, further comprising: a front-side message presented on the front of the shirt, which is visible when the shirt is worn normally on the body of the wearer, wherein the hidden message is semantically related to the front-side message.
14. The shirt of claim 13, wherein the front-side message asks a question, and wherein the hidden message answers the question.
15. The shirt of claim 13, wherein the front side message comprises a front graphic image, wherein the hidden message comprises an inside graphic image, wherein the inside graphic image obscures part of the front graphic image when the shirt is lifted away from the body of the wearer so as to form a new cohesive composite image formed from a portion of the front graphic image and the inside graphic image.
16. The shirt of claim 13, wherein the front side message is obscure and lacks meaning, which is clarified when the hidden message is revealed.
17. The shirt of claim 12, wherein said shirt is pet shirt designed to be worn by a pet.
18. The shirt of claim 12, wherein the shirt is a shirt of a doll.
19. A clothing ensemble comprising: a plurality of different garment items designed to be worn on a human body together, wherein at least two of the different garment items comprise: an outwardly facing surface configured to be visible when the garment item is worn in a first state on the human body, wherein said first state is a standard manner for wearing the garment item; and at least one hidden surface comprising a hidden message, wherein the hidden message is not visible when the garment item is worn in the first state, wherein the hidden message is visible when the garment is worn is a second state, wherein the second state represents a state where at least a portion of the garment is being flipped outwardly away from the human body; wherein hidden messages of the at least two different garment items are related to each other and reveal a cohesive expression when exposed in conjunction with each other.
20. The clothing ensemble of claim 19, wherein at least one of the two different garment items is a shirt, wherein the hidden message for the shirt is printed upside down on the reverse side of the front of the shirt.
Description:
[0001] This application claims the benefit of Provisional Application Ser.
No. 61/258,318 entitled "SHIRTS HAVING INSIDE PRINTING VIEWABLE WHEN A
FRONT SHIRT TAIL IS FLIPPED", filed Nov. 5, 2009, which is herein
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The field of the disclosure relates to the field of clothing, and more specifically, to garments having inside printing viewable when a portion of the garment is flipped.
[0003] Garment items such as t-shirts are often selected by individuals as casual wear, a fact that is often times taken advantage of by corporations, universities, community and activist groups, and the like. Shirts promoting events, brands, personal or political views, and the like are common place. Thus, t-shirts are often used for humor and to express a point of view. This is furthermore underscored by the widespread popularity of online retail Web sites and storefronts that specialize in t-shirts with unique messages and designs.
[0004] One drawback of existing message garments is that they are designed to display either a single message that appears in the form of written material or graphics appearing on the chest area or on the back of a shirt (sometimes both), or require additional materials to selectively cover/uncover a secondary message or icon. These additional materials could impede casual wear of the garment item and pose potential safety hazards.
[0005] Other message shirts require a set of two garments to complete the message; for example: shirts stating "Copy" and "Paste" to be worn by twins only work in conjunction with one another to convey the humorous message. Yet other message shirts do not allow a wearer to discreetly or privately convey a message to an audience. Instead, in these message shirts the secondary message can only be revealed in a rather public nature with no discreet possibility. For example, indicia are printed in the area of the shirt underarms and can be revealed by the wearer when he or she raises his or her arms. This also does not preclude accidental exposure of the "hidden" message.
SUMMARY
[0006] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a message garment can include a message A that is positioned on the outside facing surface of the garment item, and a related, but distinct, message B that can be concealed and optionally revealed at the wearer's discretion due to its position on the inside wearer-facing surface of the garment.
[0007] While the first message is affixed to the shirt in a right side up orientation to facilitate easy viewing, the second message is affixed to the inside front shirt-tail of the T-shirt in an upside-down orientation. This upside down position will ensure a right side up position once the garment is flipped to reveal message B to viewers.
[0008] The first message can contain information, a statement, message, graphic or a question, while the second message can complete the information, statement, message, graphic or answer to the question and, more specifically, have some relationship to the information of the first message. It should be noted, however that the first message may have a completed statement, message, graphic or question that would not necessarily require or demand a second message (a completing part of the information, statement, message, graphic or answer to the question set forth in the first message). Thus, it is only determined by the wearer's discretion with whom to share the hidden secondary message that completes part of the information, statement, message, graphic or answer to the question set forth in the first section.
[0009] Therefore, the message garment can be worn in a casual environment without any attachments or additional materials fastened to the garment thus providing an attractive appearance to the garment and allowing the wearer to convey more than one message, that historically has been limited to the chest area of the garment, or the back of the garment, both of which are visible at all times on the garment.
[0010] The statements, messages, graphics or indicia that are placed in both display areas may be used to promote, advertise or highlight content of a commercial, educational, political or personal nature, in a novel and unique way that is both "interactive" and highly memorable. This "conceal and reveal" form of messaging will have a more visual impact than only having a message on the front chest-side of the t-shirt, which is always visible. The sudden and unexpected appearance of a message as the wearer reveals message B by lifting the front shirt-tail of their shirt and folding it upon itself will prompt most observers to read what the wearer is intending to convey.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a message garment in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0012] FIG. 2 shows t-shirt embodiment for a message garment in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein.
[0013] FIG. 3 is a depiction of a message garment having a hidden graphical message in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0014] FIG. 4 is a set of depictions of potential examples for additional garment embodiments with components that allow inside printing to be viewable when a portion of the garment is flipped in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0015] In accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure, a message bearing garment (e.g., message garment) can include a printed message on the inside portion, which can be flipped by a user to reveal the message. In one embodiment, the message can be hidden until or unless the garment is flipped. In one embodiment, the inside message of the garment can be a continuation of a non-hidden message presented on the outside of the garment. The hidden message can be graphical, text, or a combination of both. Text (or a graphic) of a hidden message can be printed upside down, so that it is right-side up when flipped, which enables it to be read easily. In one embodiment, the hidden message can be strategically placed to correspond to a body part hidden by the worn garment, when flipped in a particular manner. Thus, the hidden message can be proximate to, or can overlay, the corresponding body part when flipped.
[0016] For example, a Mardi Gras t-shirt with a front printing of "show me your tits" can have a hidden message including a graphic of breasts, which when the shirt is flipped the graphic is displayed in approximately the position of the wear's chest. Thus, the actual breasts of the wearer remain hidden when the t-shirt is flipped, but the breast graphic is shown in an approximately anatomically correct position when the t-shirt is flipped.
[0017] The present disclosure is described with reference to the attached figures, wherein similar reference numerals are used throughout the figures to designate similar or equivalent elements. The figures are not drawn to scale and they are provided merely to illustrate the instant disclosure. Several aspects of the disclosure are described below with reference to example applications for illustration. It should be understood that numerous specific details, relationships, and methods are set forth to provide a full understanding of the disclosure. One having ordinary skill in the relevant art, however, will readily recognize that the disclosure can be practiced without one or more specific details or with other methods. In other instances, well-known structures or operations are not shown in detail to avoid obscuring the disclosure. The present disclosure is not limited by the illustrated ordering of acts or events, as some acts can occur in different orders and/or concurrently with other acts or events. Furthermore, not illustrated acts or events are required to implement a methodology in accordance with the present disclosure.
[0018] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a message garment 110 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. In its simplest form, the message garment 110 can be a single wearable item (e.g., garment item 112) having a single message (Message B 116), which is hidden until and unless a portion of the garment 110 is flipped to reveal the message 116. Thus, a user of the garment 110 decides whether to reveal the hidden message 116 to bystanders.
[0019] The message garment 110 is not limited to a single item, and in one embodiment can include more than one distinct garment items 112. Multiple garment items 112 can represent a set of "separates" that are able to be worn together to create an ensemble. Garment items 112 can include accessories as well as clothing items. When a set of multiple garment items 112 are designed to be worn together, the messages 114 and 116 of the overall message garment 110 can be placed on different ones of the garment items 112 in suitable places to permit the messages 114, 116 to be read by others.
[0020] The messages 114, 116 and be placed on the garment items 112 using a variety of techniques. For example, the messages 114, 116 can use a screen printing technique (e.g., use of a woven mesh to support an ink-blocking stencil, screen printing techniques include flat-bed, cylinder, rotary, and other such techniques), can use an embroidery technique, can use a dying technique, can use a textile printing technique, heat processing or transfer techniques (e.g., iron-on image creation), dye sublimation techniques, and the like. A combination of different techniques can be used for the same message garment 110.
[0021] The messages 114, 116 can be textual or graphical in nature. Further, the different messages 114, 116 can be discrete messages or can be a series or sequence of texts and images that are able to be read together in a particular order. For example, a sentence, phase or paragraph can include Message A plus Message B, where Message A is the non-hidden message and Message B is the hidden message.
[0022] In one embodiment, the images of the messages 114, 116 can be an image puzzle, such as a "fold-in" where an initial image is changed, when the garment 110 is folded. This is similar to the "fold-in" section of some magazines (e.g., MAD MAGAZINE FOLD-IN) that have hidden messages, which are only revealed when the pages are folded in a designated manner. The message on the garment 110 can be a fold-in, where Message A (114) is to be partially combined with Message B (116) to reveal a new combined message.
[0023] Message 114 can represent a non-hidden message shown on an outside facing surface of the garment item 112, when worn. Message 116 can represent the hidden message only displayed when the garment item 112 is folded. In one embodiment, message 116 can be printed on the inside surface of the garment 112, which is intended to be worn directly against the skin of a wearer. A zero or more messages 114 can be visible and placed on an outside facing surface of the garment item 112. One or more messages 116 can be non-visible and placed on a garment item 112.
[0024] As used herein, a message garment 110 can be designed to be worn by an individual (e.g., human), pet, or doll (the "wearer"). The message garment 110 may be any form of clothing, such as a t-shirt, sweater, polo shirt, button down shirt, pants, skirts, socks, gloves, hats, etc. in the appropriate size and shape for the indicated wearer. Materials suitable for the garment 110 and garment items 112 can be cotton, nylon, polyester, wool, viscose, denim, leather, elastane, silk, and the like, as well as various fiber blends.
[0025] The message garment 110 as expressed herein can be easily comprehended through example. It should be understood that the examples and specific embodiments (200, 250, 300, 410, 420, 430) presented herein are to be construed in a non-limiting manner. That is, the various embodiments (200, 250, 300, 410, 420, 430) shown in the figures are representative of various species of the genius of the message garment 110, where other species of the genius are contemplated.
[0026] FIG. 2 shows t-shirt embodiment 200 and 250 for a message garment 110 in accordance with the inventive arrangements disclosed herein. More specifically, T-shirt embodiment 250 depicts a T-shirt 252 (corresponds to message garment 110) with components that allow inside printing 256 (corresponds to message 116 from FIG. 1) that relates to an outside facing message 254 (corresponds to message 114 from FIG. 1). That is, in state 260 the T-shirt 252 is being worn normally, in which case message 256 is hidden. In state 270 the T-shirt 252 is flipped, which reveals message 256. Thus, a "surprise" or hidden overall message can be revealed for the T-shirt 252.
[0027] As shown by embodiment 250, the T-shirt 252 can initially present "Guess What" using message 254, and can continue with "I'm Pregnant" using message 256, when flipped. In one arrangement, embodiment 250 could be used as part of a campaign for selling a series of related t-shirts 252. For example, the same "guess what" message 254 can appear on a number of different t-shirts 252, where different hidden messages 256 exist, such as "I graduated", "I have a six-pack", "I'm dumping you", "I think you're cute", "My eyes are up here", etc. Although shown for a t-shirt 252, this type of campaign can apply to any type of garment item 112.
[0028] T-shirt embodiment 200 is included to provide an example of one embodiment of the disclosure in which the hidden message 226, and/or 246 can be positioned in various positions of the garment item. For example, t-shirt 212 can have an initial message 214 when worn in a default state 210, where hidden messages are non-visible. A hidden message 236 can be revealed, when sleeves of the t-shirt 212 are flipped, as shown in state 230. An additional message 226 can be revealed when the bottom of the t-shirt 212 is flipped, as shown by state 220. The hidden messages 226, 236 can be the same or different messages.
[0029] Embodiment 200 also shows a possible "slogan" situation, where a visible message 214 is largely nonsensical when in state 210, yet which has a revealed meaning when the t-shirt 212 is in state 220 and/or 230. As shown, message 214 can include ("As easy as 3:45"), which is recognized as a completion time, when hidden message 226 about a marathon is revealed.
[0030] In one embodiment, presentation of the hidden message 226, 236 can require an active user action, so that the revealed state(s) 220 and/or 230 of the t-shirt 212 represent a temporary or transient state, which is typically hidden. That is, the hidden message 226, 236 in such an embodiment is meant to be displayed only in an "unstable" state of wearing the garment 110, which requires an active action on behalf of a wearer to reveal the message. This is to be opposed to a more permanent configuration (such as messages visible when sleeves are "rolled up", which can be considered a more permanent arrangement for a garment item 112), as use of rolled up sleeves can be a stable choice for wearing a garment. Use of foldable, yet stable arrangements for hidden messages 236 is contemplated in one embodiment of the disclosure.
[0031] FIG. 3 is a depiction of a message garment 110 having a hidden graphical message 326 in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure. More specifically, the hidden graphical message 326 of t-shirt 312 is meant to correspond to a body part of the wearer, when in a flipped or revealed state 320.
[0032] The first message 314 (non-hidden message) of the t-shirt 312 may have a completed statement, message, graphic or question that would not necessarily require or demand a second message 326 (a completing part of the information, statement, message, graphic or answer to the question set forth in the first section). The initial message 314 can take the form of text/text, text/graphic, graphic/text, or graphic/graphic.
[0033] For example, message 314 can state "I showed my shirt at Mardi Gras 2008", which is expressed by state 310. It should be appreciated that message 314 does not need a secondary message 326 to complete the meaning This is one way a "surprise" t-shirt 312 can be implemented. In this example, message 326 that is a graphic representation of breasts, can be shown in state 320. This message plays on a conventional Mardi Gras line/event, which makes the hidden message 326 cohesive with the initial message 314, meaning that message 326 completes or is related to message 314, even though message 314 appears to be a complete rendition of the message available via the t-shirt 312, when worn in state 310.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a set of depictions of potential examples for additional garment embodiments with components that allow inside printing (hidden Message B) to be viewable when a portion of the garment is flipped (away from the wearer's body) in accordance with an embodiment of the disclosure.
[0035] Garment embodiments 410, 420, 430 all have a combination of an immediately viewable message 414, 424, 434 and an obscured and selectively revealed message 416, 426, 436. The garment item 412, 422, 432 differs in each instance and is utilized in order to illustrate further possible embodiments in accordance with the disclosure.
[0036] More specifically, in one embodiment 410, the message garment 110 can be a pair of socks 412. The socks 412 can take the shape of short socks, long socks, compression socks, sports socks, etc. Materials can be traditional sock materials such as cotton, nylon, polyester, wool, and the like, or any combination of the aforementioned materials. Message 414 and message 416 can be affixed to the sock 412 via silk screening, ink printing, embroidery, stitching, iron on patches, and the like. In this instance, an athletic sock 412 donned by, for example, cheerleaders can carry the team logo as the ever present visible message 414. Upon scoring a goal or winning the game, the cheerleaders may fold down their socks to reveal message 416, in this case the text "Score". This concept may be applied to, for example, memorable sporting events such as world championships, NFL, NBA seasons, and the like. The winning team logo may be utilized as a visible message, along with the final score of the game, a slogan such as the team slogan, sponsorship logos, etc. as the hidden message, which is only revealed upon folding the garment.
[0037] In another embodiment, garment item 112 may be in the form of a skirt 422. The skirt 422 can be a humorous item with the visible message 424 displaying the word "Nice" along the hem of the skirt. Folding up the hem of the skirt (essentially making it shorter) can in this embodiment reveal otherwise hidden message 426, the word "Naughty." As such the messages 424 and 426 present a play on the American holiday season and can even be utilized in a costume.
[0038] In yet another embodiment, the garment item can be a hat/ski mask 432 with visible message 434 "Disguise." Upon the wearer flipping down the hat rim, message 436 appears, which is a graphic of a carnival mask, Zorro mask, or other such mask. In one embodiment, the hat 430 can include eyeholes to make the hat/ski mask disguise effective. These "eyeholes" position can be coordinated with the position of message 434 so as to not impede the effect of hidden message 434.
[0039] The description shown above presents details for various embodiments of the present invention and is not intended to limit the scope of the invention. Any equivalent variations or modifications without departing from the spirit disclosed by the present invention should be included in the appended claims.
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