Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/0014—Brassieres made from one piece with one or several layers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/0028—Brassieres with size and configuration adjustment means
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/04—Brassieres for nursing mothers
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/08—Brassieres combined with other garments
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/10—Brassieres with stiffening or bust-forming inserts
• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A41—WEARING APPAREL
  • A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
  • A41C3/00—Brassieres
  • A41C3/0007—Brassieres with stay means

Definitions

• This invention relates to clothing, and in particular to brassieres and the like garments.
• bra shapes and styles are available on the market. These are single layered garments around the wings, bodice and under the cups. This single layer moves with the body and into positions the body adapts. So by lifting ones arms in the air the under cup seam will slide slightly upwards and sit out of position when the arms are lowered. Similarly, with sideways movement, reaching, stretching etc. the bra can slip to one side resulting in the dropping of a strap or the pinching of a wire etc. This is even more prevalent in active wear such as sports and swimwear where movement is constant and this can result in the chaffing of the skin due to the shift of fit on the body from the movement.
• a brassiere comprising a torso encircling bodice and a pair of breast cups attached to the bodice, each cup being attached at each side of the cup to the bodice, leaving an opening between a lower edge of the breast cup and the bodice, a front upper edge of the bodice having two cut-out portions for close fitting of the upper edge of the bodice under a wearer's breasts with a central tongue between the cut-out portions extending upwardly between the breasts, each cup being attached to the tongue and at an outer side of a cut-out portion, and an outwardly projecting breast support is mounted along an upper edge of each cut-out portion.
• the width of the breast support gradually increases between each side of the breast support and a central part of the breast support.
• each breast support gradually increases between each side of the breast support and a central part of the breast support.
• a pocket is provided along the upper edge of each cut-out portion, a reinforcing element being mounted within said pocket.
• said pocket has an opening at one end to facilitate removal of the reinforcing element, a wire retaining flap being mounted across said opening, said flap being retractable to provide access to the pocket.
• an extension wing is provided at an outer side of each breast cup, said extension wing extending rearwardly and being attached to the bodice at a rear portion of the bodice.
• shoulder straps are attached to a top of each breast cup and extending rearwardly therefrom and are attached to the rear portion of the bodice.
• Various materials can be used for the breast support, such as enhanced foam, or gel or air filled elements.
• each breast cup can is movable between a normal breast support position and a nursing position.
• the retaining means comprises a fastener for releasably securing a lower edge portion of the breast cup in a lowered breast support position on the bodice and in a raised nursing position secured at an upper end of the breast cup.
• the fastener is engagable within a pocket at a top of the breast cup.
• the fastener is a hook and pile fastener.
• Various other fasteners such as studs, clips, hooks, magnetic clips and the like may be used alternatively.
• a brassiere comprising a torso encircling bodice and a pair of breast cups attached to the bodice, each cup being attached at each side of the cup to the bodice, leaving an opening between a lower edge of the breast cup and the bodice, a front upper edge of the bodice having two cut-out portions for close fitting of the upper edge of the bodice under a wearer's breasts with a central tongue between the cut-out portions extending upwardly between the breasts, each cup being attached to the tongue and at an outer side of a cut-out portion, each breast cup being movable between a normal breast support position and a nursing position.
• the retaining means comprises a fastener for releasably securing a lower edge portion of the breast cup in a lowered breast support position on the bodice and in a raised nursing position secured at an upper end of the breast cup.
• the fastener is engagable within a pocket at a top of the breast cup when in the raised nursing position.
• each breast cup has an elasticated lower edge and an elasticated inner edge, and inner edges of the breast cups are releasabiy interconnected by a zip fastener.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere according to the invention
• Fig. 2 is a detail elevational view of a front part of a bodice forming portion of the brassiere;
• Fig. 3 is a detail partially cut-away view of a breast support portion of the brassiere
• Fig. 4 is a view similarly to Fig. 3 showing an alternative construction of breast support
• Fig. 5 is a side elevational view of the brassiere
• Fig. 6 is a perspective view of another brassiere according to the invention.
• Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail perspective view showing portion of the brassiere of Fig. 6;
• Fig. 8 is a side elevational view of another brassiere according to the invention.
• Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a further brassiere according to another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 10 is a front elevational view of another brassiere according to a another embodiment of the invention.
• Fig. 11 is an elevational view of another brassiere according to the invention.
• Fig. 12 is a detail elevational view showing portion of another brassiere according to the invention.
• Fig. 13 is an elevational view of another brassiere according to the invention.
• Fig. 14 is a view similar to Fig. 13 showing the brassiere in another position of use.
• Fig. 15 is an elevational view of the brassiere shown in Fig. 13.
• the brassiere 1 comprises a torso encircling bodice 2 and a pair of complementary breast cups 3, 4 mounted at a front of the bodice 2.
• a front upper edge of the bodice 2 has two curved cut-out portions 5, 6 for close fitting of the upper front edge of the bodice 2 under a wearer's breasts in use.
• a central tongue 7 between the cut-out portions 5, 6 extends upwardly between the breasts, in use.
• Each breast cup 3, 4 is attached to the bodice 2 adjacent an upper free end of the tongue 7 and at an outer side of each cut-out portion 5, 6 at an underarm portion of the bodice 2.
• each breast cup 3, 4 is mounted along an upper edge of each cut- out portion 5, 6.
• Should straps 10 are attached at a top of each breast cup 3, 4 and extend rearwardly therefrom and are attached to a rear portion 11 of the bodice 2.
• each breast support 9 gradually increases between each side of the breast support 9 and a central part of the breast support 9. Also, the depth D of each breast support 9 gradually increases between the side of the breast support 9 and a central part of the breast support 9.
• each breast support 9 provides for lifting a breast away from the rib cage in an upward and central movement, enhancing the shape of the breast but also respecting the natural contours of the body. This is achieved through the gradual increase in the size of both the depth and width of the breast support structure, as it arrives at a central point beneath the breast, as opposed to current push-up bras which effectively push the breasts from a circular to an oval shape through the addition of inserts. As the breast is effectively placed on the curved shelf formed by the support 9, the weight of the breast is relieved and redistributed throughout the structure of the brassiere 1.
• the bodice 2 fits against the torso of the wearer and firmly anchors the garment on the wearer while at the same time the breast cups 3, 4 can move relative to the fixed bodice 2 to accommodate movement of the wearer.
• the brassiere of the invention provides enhanced fit with enhanced comfort.
• the brassiere of the invention enhances a woman's own natural shape, whilst delivering the comfort of a non-wired brassiere, the protection from breast bounce and back strain of a sports brassiere and the added lift of a push-up brassiere.
• brassieres generally and also other related garments such as sportswear, nightwear, swimwear and foundation garments generally.
• FIG. 6 and 7 there is shown another brassiere according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 30. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
• a pocket 31 is provided along the upper edge of each cut-out portion 5, 6.
• a reinforcing wire 32 is demountably secured in the pocket 31.
• the pocket 31 has an opening 33 at an outer end thereof to facilitate removal of the reinforcing wire 32.
• a wire retaining flap 34 is mounted across said opening 33. This flap 34 is retractable, for example it may be of an elastic material, to provide access to the pocket 31.
• FIG. 8 there is shown another brassiere according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 40. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
• an extension wing 41 is provided at an outer side of each breast cup 3, 4. This extension wing 41 extends rearwardly and is attached to the bodice at the rear portion 11 of the bodice adjacent a rear fastener of the brassiere.
• a somewhat larger breast support 9 is provided at a front portion of the bodice 2.
• This support 9 may comprise any suitable material, for example, foam - simplex, filled, bonded, moulded, laminated, embossed etc.
• the breast cup 3 is shown pulled upwardly to show the construction of the bodice, however, the breast cup 3 would normally extended downwardly over the breast support 9 and bodice 2.
• FIG. 9 there is shown another brassiere according to a further embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 45. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals. In this case a larger breast support 9 is shown.
• the breast cups 3, 4 have been pulled up to show the inner structure of the brassiere 45, however, as previously stated, the breast cups 3, 4 normally extend down over the breast support 9 and bodice 2.
• a nursing brassiere indicated generally by the reference numeral 50. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
• the breast cups 3, 4 can be peeled back between a normal breast support position (left breast cup 4) and a raised folded nursing position (right breast cup 3).
• Fasteners in this case complementary hook and pile fastener elements 14, 15, 16 are releasably inter-engagable to retain the breast cups 3, 4 in either the breast support position or in the nursing position.
• a first fastener element 14 is mounted at a lower inner edge portion of each breast cup 3, 4.
• a second fastener element 15 is mounted at a lower edge of the bodice 2 at a central front portion of the bodice 2 for securing the breast cup 3, 4 in the normal support position.
• a third fastener element 16 is mounted within a pocket 26 at a top of the breast cup 3, 4 for retaining the breast cup 3, 4 in an upwardly folded stored position exposing the breast of the user for nursing.
• Each breast cup 3, 4 has an elasticated inner edge 17 and an elasticated lower edge 18.
• inner edges 17 of the breast cups 3, 4 are releasably interconnected by a zip fastener 20.
• the brassiere 50 is normally worn with the breast cups 3, 4 in the support position.
• the zip 20 is drawn upwardly allowing the mother to then open either breast cup 3, 4 for nursing.
• the mother releases the fastener 14, 15 at a lower edge of the selected breast cup 3, 4 and peels back the breast cup 3, 4 folding it upwardly and inserting the fastener 14 into the pocket 26 at a top of the breast cup 3, 4 to engage the complementary fastener element 16 within the pocket 26 and secure the breast cup 3, 4 in a neatly folded position.
• the material of the breast cup 3, 4 is tucked well away from the baby's face while nursing.
• the invention advantageously provides optimum comfort for the mother at all times. She does not have pieces of fabric hanging beneath her clothing or digging into her.
• FIG. 11 there is shown another nursing brassiere according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 60.
• each breast cup 3, 4 is of two-part construction having an elasticated top part 61 and a complementary elasticated lower part 62.
• This construction is particularly useful as a night feeding brassiere as the top part 61 can be raised and/or the lower part 62 can be pulled down to expose the breast for feeding.
• FIG. 12 there is shown another nursing brassiere according to a further embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 65. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
• the top part 61 has a cut-away portion 66 which together with the breast support 9 defines an opening 67 exposing the breast for feeding.
• the lower part 62 of the breast cup 4 covers the upper part 61 during normal use, but can be pulled down to expose the opening 67 for feeding when required.
• FIG. 13 and 14 there is shown another nursing brassiere according to another embodiment of the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 70. Parts similar to those described previously are assigned the same reference numerals.
• the brassiere 70 has a torso encircling bodice 72.
• An upper edge of a front portion of the bodice 72 has a pair of cut-out portions 74, 75 for close fitting of the front portion of the bodice 72 under a wearers breasts in use with a central tongue 76 between the cut-out portions 74, 75 extending upwardly between the breasts as shown in Fig. 2.
• a pair of breast cups 78, 79 are mounted on the bodice 72.
• Each breast cup 78, 79 is attached at an upper free end 80 of the tongue 76 and at an outer side 81 , 82 of a cut-out portion 74, 75 at an underarm portion of the bodice 72.
• each breast cup 78, 79 can be peeled back between a normal breast support position as shown in Fig. 15 and a raised folded nursing position, as shown in Fig. 14.
• Fasteners in this case complementary hook and pile fastener elements 84, 85, 86 are releasably inter-engagable to retain the breast cups 78, 79 in either the breast support position (Fig. 15) or in the nursing position (Fig. 14).
• a first fastener element 8 is mounted at a lower inner edge portion of each breast cup 78, 79.
• a second fastener element 85 is mounted at a lower edge of the bodice 72 at a central front portion of the bodice 72 for securing the breast cup 78, 79 in the normal support position shown in Fig. 15.
• a third fastener element 86 is mounted within a pocket 96 at a top of the breast cup 78, 79 for retaining the breast cup 78, 79 in an upwardly folded stored position exposing the breast of the user for nursing.
• Each breast cup 78, 79 has an elasticated inner edge 87 and an elasticated lower edge 88.
• the brassiere 1 When the breast cups 78, 79 are on the lowered breast supporting position inner edges 87 of the breast cups 78, 79 are releasably interconnected by a zip fastener 90.
• the brassiere 1 In use, the brassiere 1 is normally worn with the breast cups 78, 79 in the support position as shown in Fig. 15.
• the zip 90 is drawn upwardly allowing the mother to then open either breast cup 78, 79 for nursing.
• the mother releases the fastener 84, 85 at a lower edge of the selected breast cup 8, 9 and peels back the breast cup 78, 79 folding it upwardly and inserting the fastener 84 into the pocket 96 at a top of the breast cup 78, 79 to engage the complimentary fastener element 86 within the pocket 96 and secure the breast cup 78, 79 in a neatly folded position.
• the material of the breast cup 78, 79 is tucked well away from the baby's face while nursing.
• the mother has finished nursing the baby she simply pulls lightly to release the fastener 84, 86 securing the breast cup 78, 79 in the pocket 96.
• the zip 90 is then pulled downwardly pulling the breast cup 78, 79 into place and re-engaging the fastener 84, 85 at a bottom of the bodice 72. It will be appreciated that the zip 90 closes easily as the alternate breast cup 78, 79 has remained taut and so eliminates the need to use a second hand to fold the fabric down when zipping. Further due to the bodice 72 construction and fitting on the wearer there is no need to re-position the breast following nursing.
• This invention offers the wearer a choice of support to suit their needs, and outerwear. To give the wearer an improved fit and comfort in all activities. To offer an enhanced silhouette and breast lift without contorting the breast. To offer a freedom of movement without discomfort, chaffing, poking wires, slipping straps etc. To offer different support options in comfortable sportswear; to offer Internal support options that can be incorporated into all bra and swimwear functions and styles, to offer specific solutions to maternity and nursing bras such as a choice of front openings and a nursing sports option.
• a cutaway bodice all around and under the breasts which when attached to any version of outer brassiere works to anchor the outer bra constantly in place under the breast much in the way of a bridge structure. This allows outer bra movement without the resulting shifting of the under cup portion of the bra in an upward or sideways movement. Breasts, therefore, are always supported by an uncompromised fit.
• the cutaway bodice can form the under layer of any bra structure. This has a variety of adaptations of shape, form and style. Each of these forms can in turn be moulded, laminated, filled, bonded, embossed etc. as needs or styles require.
• the adaptations include different cuts and depths of the breast supports which respond to breast size, larger and smaller cup; bra function, sports, swimwear, surgical, maternity, fashion etc.; and the preferred level of support by the wearer.
• Each of the adaptations are attached to the cutaway under breast portion of the bodice in the under layer of a garment. These can be stitched, moulded, bonded, laminated or attached by any other means.
• the uniqueness of this bra Invention lies in its two separate layers. The inner layer, or Inner support system for support, improved fit and comfort and the outer layer for coverage, style and function. It is the combination of these two layers which allows each layer to perform its function to its optimum.
• the straps and baseband are connected to the outer layer which is therefore subject to body movement
• the under breast construction is connected or hinged at the two outer wing and /or wing and cup seams and at the top centre front wing (optional) which anchors the inner layer structure to the body and the outer layer, whilst allowing the two structures to act independently on the body.
• the inner layer is not sewn down or connected to an outer garment at the base, it is not subject to being pulled or dragged out of place by the movement of the torso or arms of the wearer. Further, as the inner layer is not covered by a fabric cup t is able to sit closer to the breast for a better fit and enhanced support.
• the inner layer fits more directly and precisely under the breast and maintains its position as it is not being pulled or dragged out of place by the movement or function of the outer layer, this is particularly prevalent in long line, shapewear, bodies etc. where the movement of the wearer throughout the day can result in the undercup section being dragged to sit on the ribcage.
• the invention helps support breast tissue and alleviates breast bounce.
• a protruding support from the cut away cup expands the potential of the function from improved fit and comfort to include improved support, enhanced shape, breast weight management, breast tissue support, post operative comfort, protection, compression and support, of breasts; breast placement, sensitivity protection and breathable support in maternity and nursing; breathable breast prosthesis positioning and support allowing security and free movement in Mastectomy bras; breathable and free moving outer with structured non flattening inner bodice, breast support in sports.
• the inner layer can be wired, removable wired or wire-free but should remain a fully intact form encircling the two breasts and being connected by a centre tongue.
• the wire can be removed from the inner protrusions through the inclusion of a n elasticated or stitched flap preferably made of stretch fabric or a stabiliser running along the outer cup seam and the upper wing under the arm hole across the top of the wire casing. It is preferable that the wire casing is cut at an angle at the top for ease of removal and that the flap is reinforced, it is also possible to include elasticated stitching and/ or a spring action at the top of the wire casing for ease of release.
• a front opening fastener may be substituted at the centre front tongue as long as once on the body the fastener maintains the two halves of the inner support system intact.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Textile Engineering (AREA)
• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Corsets Or Brassieres (AREA)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Publications (1)

Family

ID=44627102

Family Applications (1)

Country Status (3)

Families Citing this family (30)

Family Cites Families (16)

• 2011
  • 2011-04-29 EP EP11725654A patent/EP2563174A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2011-04-29 WO PCT/EP2011/056884 patent/WO2011135092A2/en active Application Filing
• 2012
  • 2012-10-29 US US13/662,903 patent/US20130122780A1/en not_active Abandoned

Non-Patent Citations (1)

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