Apparatus and method for securing engagement between fastening components of pre-fastened garments

DETAILED DESCRIPTION In general, a method for securing engagement between fastening components of a pre-fastened garment upon initial assembly thereof generally comprises arranging the fastening components in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and then engaging the fastening components with each other to define an engagement seam.
The garment is then mechanically handled to generate a shear stress at the engagement seam to promote increased engagement between the fastening components while stretching at least one of the fastening components or at least maintaining the fastening components in a generally relaxed condition.
In another embodiment, a method for making a pre-fastened garment generally comprises arranging front and back side panels of the garment relative to each other such that respective fastening components of the front and back side panels are in at least partially opposed relationship with each other.
The fastening components are then engaged with each other to define an engagement seam.
The garment is then mechanically handled to generate a shear stress at the engagement seam to promote increased engagement between the fastening components while stretching at least one of the fastening components or at least maintaining the fastening components in a generally relaxed condition.
In yet another embodiment, the method generally comprises arranging the fastening components in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and engaging the fastening components with each other to define an engagement seam.
The garment is mechanically handled to generate a shear stress at the engagement seam to promote increased engagement between the fastening components other than by contracting one or both of the fastening components at the engagement seam.
Apparatus for making a pre-fastened garment having a pair of fastening components adapted for fastening engagement with each other during the initial making of the garment by the apparatus generally comprises a seaming section adapted to arrange the fastening components in at least partially opposed relationship with each other and being further adapted to engage the fastening components together to define an engagement seam