US 20110314590A1 (19) United States (12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2011/0314590 A1 PERRON et al. (43) Pub. Date: Dec. 29, 2011

(54) CALORIC BURN GARMENT Publication Classi?cation

(75) Inventors: Denise, PERRON, Westmount (51) Int. Cl. (CA); Martin C. NORMAND, A41D 1/06 (200601) TrOiSRiVieres (CA); Annie (52) U.S. Cl...... 2/227 BCRATSSON, Riviere-des-Prairies (57) ABSTRACT ( ) The invention relates to garments and . More (73) Assignee; M AYFAIR TECH INC" Montreal particularly, to a garment that may induce caloric burn While (CA) the Wearer goes about his or her day. An objective for the garment is to increase exercise of body muscles used in daily (21) App1_ NO; 13/168,358 living. In one embodiment, a garment and/or shaper is described With carefully positioned resistance bands that are (22) Filed: Jun_ 24, 2011 relatively more resistant (i.e., less stretchy or elastic) than the fabric used to construct the remainder of the garment. At least Related US Application Data tWo of these bands are positioned to extend from the thighs upwards toWards the and cross at the ischium. These (63) Continuation-in-part of application No. PCT/ bands have a direct effect on muscles that Would normally be CA2009/001898, ?led on Dec. 30, 2009. activated during regular activity and cause them to be further exercised, but in a gentle manner. The effect, Which may be (60) Provisional application NO_ 61/ 1 59,57 5, ?led on Mar, slightly perceptible, is felt While the Wearer goes about his or 12, 2009. her day.

6 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 1 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 1 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 2 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

8 Q 8 l FIG. 1A Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 3 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 4 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 3 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 5 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 4 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 6 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 5 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 7 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 8 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 7 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 9 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 8 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 10 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 9 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 11 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

400 — E WiTHOUT E1 SLIMMER [:l NOVEL

I 1.5 mph 2 5 mph //////////////.3.5 mph SPEED OF WALK FIG. 10

OXYGEN CONSUMPTION 100“ El WITHOUT A SUMMER O NOVEL UNDERGARMENT Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 12 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

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FIG. 12 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 13 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

FIG. 13 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 14 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

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FIG. 14 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 15 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

00000000000 00000000000

FIG. 15 Patent Application Publication Dec. 29, 2011 Sheet 16 0f 17 US 2011/0314590 A1

Figure 16

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Figure 17

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Figure 18

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CALORIC BURN GARMENT advantageous if such a garment also induced muscle toning. The present application seeks to meet these and other related PRIORITY INFORMATION AND RELATED needs. APPLICATIONS SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of [0007] It is an obj ect of the present application to obviate or International Application No. PCT/CA2009/001898 ?led mitigate the disadvantages of traditional shapers While Dec. 30, 2009, entitled Caloric Burn Undergarment, Which including some of the more desirable elements of high-end claims priority to and the bene?t of US. Provisional Patent training . Application No. 61/159,575, ?led Mar. 12, 2009, both of Which are hereby incorporated by reference. [0008] In one aspect, the present invention provides a novel garment, including outerWear and undergarments With care fully positioned resistant bands that are relatively more resis FIELD OF THE INVENTION tant (i.e., less stretchy or elastic) than the fabric that is used to construct the remainder of the garment. These resistant bands [0002] The present application relates generally to the ?eld have a direct effect on muscles that Would normally be acti of garments, including outerwear and undergarments that vated during regular activity and cause them to be exercised to cause movement resistance and induce muscle toning and a further degree, but in a gentle manner. The effect, Which in caloric burn While the Wearer is engage in his or her daily many cases is slightly perceptible, is felt While the Wearer activities. More speci?cally, the present application relates to goes about his or her daily routine. This results in increasing a novel undergarment or shaper that induces caloric burn the external load and inducing muscle toning and caloric When the subject Wearing it engages in his or her daily activi burn. ties. [0009] In a further aspect, the present application provides a novel undergarment and/ or shaper With carefully positioned BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION non-stretch (or isometric) bands, or the equivalent thereof, that are relatively more resistant (i.e., less stretchy or elastic) [0003] Undergarments of all kinds abound in the market than the fabric that is used to construct the remainder of the place. In addition to their primary function of covering the undergarment. These bands have a direct effect on muscles Wearer’s body, a number of undergarments have the added that Would normally be activated during regular activity and features of being able to shape and/or provide support. More cause them to be exercised to a further degree, but in a gentle recent garments, such as those manufactured by Wacoal, are manner. The effect, Which in many cases is slightly percep designed to enhance sports performance. Wacoal also has a tible, is felt While the Wearer goes about his or her daily CW-X Series® of garments that is based on “variable com routine. pression technology”. These garments are stated to facilitate [0010] There is also described herein a caloric burn gar circulation and venous return, thereby minimizing lactic acid ment comprising a pant portion covering the loWer abdomen, buildup and muscle soreness during and after activity. crotch and buttocks, and leg portions covering at least the [0004] Undergarments and bottom Wear that include design upper thighs. One or more resistance bands are positioned so elements that shape the body include girdles or underWear as to increase resistance for hip ?exors and simultaneously With girdle-like elements. These undergarments function by affecting the Work of the posterior muscle chain; one or more eitherbinding or compressing speci?c areas of the body, often resistance bands is attached to the distal part of the thigh With resistant elastic elements that are strategically posi section of the leg portion; and one or more resistance bands is tioned in selected areas, such as the loWer abdomen, to ?atten slanted backWards on the posterior side of the garment, one or enhance the pro?le of the body, or underneath the buttocks by the interior, forming an interior band, and the other from to lift and shape this section of the body. Inconveniently, the exterior of the leg portions of the garment, forming the underWear of this type can be uncomfortable for the Wearer, exterior band, and extending toWards the Waistline. One or as the binding or compressing elements can literally make more of the resistance bands intersect at the ischium, the individuals feel squeezed in. Consequently, individuals Wear external band is attached on an iliac crest and the internal ing such garments Will often minimize the duration of contact band is attached to the external part of an ipsilateral iliac crest. against their bodies. Moreover, fabrics used to manufacture [0011] Further, there is described herein a shaper garment, garments of this type are often synthetic or synthetic blends comprising at least tWo resistance bands positioned to that do not alloW the skin to breathe, and this adds to the increase resistance in the pelvic girdle and/or loWer limbs and discomfort. inducing muscle toning or caloric burn When Worn during [0005] At the other end of the spectrum are higher end daily activities; the resistance bands being more resistant than garments made of state of the art Woven fabrics that are very the remainder of the shaper garment. In this shaper garment, comfortable for the individual Wearing them. Such garments the at least tWo resistance bands extend from leg portions of are favored by athletes, and include features designed to the garment and slant backWards on a posterior side of the minimize the stress of exercise in areas of the body such as the garment, one of the at least tWo resistance bands extends from loWer extremities. an exterior side of one of the leg portions of the garment and [0006] It Would be advantageous if an undergarment could extends upWards toWards the Waistline, and the other of the at be designed to include the shaping features of the more tra least tWo resistance bands extends from an exterior side of the ditional shaping garments While including the novel fabrics, other leg portion of the garment and extends upWards toWards comfort and support of high-end training clothing. It Would the Waistline, Wherein tWo of the at least tWo resistance bands be even more advantageous if such a garment Were designed cross at or near the ischium. for everyday use and Would solicit the muscles of the pelvic [0012] Additionally, a shaper garment is described com girdle to exercise, resulting in caloric burn. It Would be more prising at least four resistance bands positioned to increase US 2011/0314590 A1 Dec. 29, 2011

resistance in the pelvic girdle and/ or thighs and inducing [0025] FIG. 9 is an alternative anterior view of the under caloric burn when worn during daily activities; the resistance garment of FIG. 6; bands being more resistant than the remainder of the shaper [0026] FIGS. 10 and 11 are energy expansion graphs show garment; wherein the at least four resistance bands extend ing the e?iciency of the novel garment of the application in from a distal part of the thighs; two or more of the at least four inducing caloric burn; resistance bands slant backwards on the posterior side of the [0027] FIGS. 12 to 15 show the “resistance effect” that is garment, at least one by the interior and at least another by the created by the carefully positioned non-stretch bands, or exterior of the thigh portions of the garment and extending equivalent thereof, that are found in the garment of the present towards a waistline, wherein at least two of the resistance application; bands intersect at the ischium, and wherein the exterior band [0028] FIG. 16 shows a comparison of the resistance angle extends across the iliac crest and the interior band extends curve of a garment of the present invention with resistant across the external part of the ipsilateral iliac crest. bands and a garment without resistant bands; [0013] Through the use of the non-stretch bands, the gar [0029] FIG. 17 shows a comparison of resistance tests for ment has the effect of increasing external load. This results in different siZes of garments of the present invention with resis an increase in muscle work and a concomitant increase in tant bands as compared to a garment without resistant bands; energy expenditure, or overall caloric loss. It also results in [0030] FIG. 18 shows an illustration of the rectus femoris muscle toning. electromyographic activity during hip ?exion with and with [0014] An objective for the underwear is to increase exer out resistant band garments of the present invention; and cise of body muscles used in daily living. This is achieved by [0031] FIG. 19 shows the percentage of increase in the causing certain muscles to work against the more restrictive rectus femoris during hip ?exion for each subject wearing nature of the underwear, i.e., against carefully positioned garments with resistant bands in accordance with the present resistance or “non-stretch” bands, as will be described more invention. particularly below. [0015] Advantageously, and contrary to what is known in DETAILED DESCRIPTION the art, the novel garment of the present application results in De?nitions the burning of more calories for the same amount of work as wearing a conventional pair of underwear. The closest known [0032] Unless speci?cally de?ned, all terms used herein prior art consists of high-end training garments used to have the meanings or de?nitions that would be ordinarily enhance athletic performance through energy saving com understood or used by those of skill in the art to which the pression bands along the targeted muscle groups. An example present application pertains. of this closest art is Wacoals CW-X series, designed to [0033] As used herein, the terms “undergarment”, “under enhance training performance while decreasing energy wear” and all other similar terms are used synonymously and expenditure. interchangeably to describe a garment or clothing that is worn [0016] Scienti?cally, muscle toning is measured by EMG. under outer clothing, usually close to the skin. For greater Caloric burn is measured by oxygen consumption, through certainty, the terms are used to designate garments or clothing VO2 max measurements. Comparable prior art, such as not only worn close to the skin, but on the lower part of the Wacoal, claim overall lower VO2 max consumptions for the body (i.e., the buttocks, hips and thighs). wearer during exercise. Signi?cantly, the garment of the [0034] The term “shaper” is used to describe clothing that present application results in the opposite effect: There is a provides improves the appearance of the wearer by providing higher O2 consumption under similar circumstances of use. a slimming effect. These garments include outer and under [0017] Other aspects and features of the present application garments. will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon [0035] Throughout the speci?cation, for of reference, review of the following description of speci?c embodiments embodiments described as “undergarment”, “underwear” or thereof, along with the accompanying ?gures. other similar terms also apply to outer garments. [0036] As used herein, the expression “non-stretch” used to BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES describe the resistance bands (or equivalent thereof) that are an integral part of the garment, means that the fabric that [0018] Embodiments of the garment of the present appli constitute these bands (or equivalent thereof) are relatively cation will now be described, by way of example only, with more resistant (i.e., less stretchy or elastic) than the fabric that reference to the attached Figures wherein: is used to construct the remainder of the undergarment. [0019] FIGS. 1 and 111 show a commercial embodiment of [0037] As used herein, the expression “muscle toning” an undergarment of the present application; means that there is an increase of muscle activity (EMG) that [0020] FIGS. 2 to 4 reveal the concept upon which the is a bene?t and advantage of the garment of the present caloric burn aspect of an undergarment of the present appli invention. cation is based; [0038] As used herein, the expression “caloric burn” means [0021] FIG. 5 is a diagrammatic posterior view of one that there is an expansion of energy (i.e., calories) that is a embodiment of an undergarment of the present application; bene?t and advantage of the garment of the present applica [0022] FIG. 6 is a posterior view of a prototype embodi tion. ment of an undergarment of the present application, as worn [0039] Generally, a novel garment is described herein. This on a mannequin; garment has the added feature of inducing caloric burn when [0023] FIG. 7 is a close-up posterior view of the undergar it is worn (i.e., while the wearer is involved in his or her daily ment of FIG. 6; routine). It also induces muscle toning. [0024] FIG. 8 is an anterior view of the undergarment of the [0040] A caloric burn garment is described herein, which undergarment of FIG. 6; comprises a pant portion covering the lower abdomen, crotch