GB2359007A

GB2359007A - Foundation garment

Info

Publication number: GB2359007A
Application number: GB0022660A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michelle Georgina Mone; Michael John Mone
Original assignee: MJM International Ltd
Current assignee: MJM International Ltd
Priority date: 2000-02-12
Filing date: 2000-09-15
Publication date: 2001-08-15
Also published as: GB2344273A8; GB0022660D0; GB2344273A; GB0003126D0

Abstract

A foundation garment such as a brassiere (5,5'), or article of swim wear has at least one cup provided with a bag (75A,75A') at least partially filled with a silicone fluid (125A,125A'), comprising, in one embodiment, dimethylpolysiloxane. The bag has a tail portion (100A,100A'), for sewing into the garment. The cup may have a seamless front.

Description

2359007 1 FOUNDATION GARMENT BACKGROUND OF INVENTION is This invention

relates to foundation garments and in particular, though not exclusively, to figure or cleavage enhancing brassieres.

Herein the term foundation garment is intended to mean any garment providing breast support, eg. undergarments such as brassieres (bras), including balcony type, plunge type, front fastening, midi bras, long bras, underwired bras and bra slips; corsets including corselets and pantee corselets; bodices, or the like or outergarments such as swimwear including swimsuits such as one-piece swimsuits, bikini bras, bodices or the like.

Cleavage enhancement and chest enhancement bras are known. However, known bras suffer from a number of problems, for example: weight; comfort; reliability of manufacture.

one specific problem in the prior art relates to provision of a liquid/gel filled bag retained within a cup of the bra by means of a tab or tail extending from the bag, the tail being retained within under/side stitching of the cup. It has been found that in manufacture that machinists have often punctured the bag when attempting to stitch the tail to the cup, resulting in a reduction in production yield.

It is an object of at least one aspect of the present 2 invention to obviate or at least mitigate at least one of the aforementioned problems in the prior art.

Further objects of one or more embodiments of the present invention include providing enhancement bra:

151 a cleavage/chest of lighter weight than the prior art; having a liquid/gel filling having a viscosity which is substantially unaffected over a normal atmosphere temperature range; having a liquid/gel filling which feels substantially like real breast tissue and which tends to "find its place", in use; having a liquid/gel filling of relatively low toxicity; having a liquid/gel filling of relatively high flash point.

SUMARY OF INVENTION

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation garment at least one cup of the garment being at least partially filled with a silicone fluid.

Preferably, the silicone fluid is provided within a bag within the cup.

Preferably, each cup of the garment is provided with a bag at least partially filled with a silicone fluid.

Preferably, the viscosity of the silicone fluid is greater than water, and/or the weight per unit volume of 3 the silicone fluid is less than water.

Preferably, the silicone fluid has a viscosity in the range 250 to 450 MM2/S' more preferably 300 to 400 MM2 IS and more preferably around 350 MM2/S.

The silicone fluid may have around 95m1 of liquid (water) to 77.5 grams of silicone.

Preferably, the silicone fluid is a straight silicone fluid.

Preferably, the silicone is a dimethyl silicone fluid.

Preferably, the silicone fluid is at least substantially dimethylpolysiloxane.

Such a silicone fluid (or oil) is available from ShinEstu Chemical Co Ltd of Japan under their product name KF- 96-35Ocs.

Shin-Etsu silicone oil KF-96 35Ocs is a group of Dimethyl silicone oil. KF-96 35Ocs are clear water-write liquids. They are colourless, transparent and odourless as well as being non-toxic, and provide insignificant changes in viscosity, eg. with varying temperature, high order of thermal oxidative stability, high resistance to shear breakdown, high compressibility, repellency, high order of chemical inertness, and non-stick characteristics Typical properties of KF-96 35Ocs Viscosity at 25'c MM2/S Specific gravity at 25'c Volatile content 1500c 24 hours P01;) VTC excellent water and physiological are as follows: 350 + 30 0.970 + 0.010 0.5 max 0.60 + 0.07 4 Refractive Index 250c Pour point "C Flash point 'C Specific heat 250C (cal/g.'C) Thermal conductivity 250C W/m.0C Surface tension 250C mN/m Coefficient of expansion 25-1500C 1.404 + 0.003 -50 max 315 min 0.35 0.16 21.1 0.00095 (cc/cc/OC) Volume resist iVitY2 TQ.m 1 min where VTC = Vescosity Temperature coefficient which is an index of the change in viscosity due to temperature, and can be calculated as follows:

Kinematic viscosity at 98.9-C(210OF) V. T. C Kinematic viscosity at 37.8OC(100'F) The lower the value of the V.T.C, the smaller the change in viscosity.

In one embodiment the foundation garment may be a brassiere.

Preferably, the cups of the brasseire are seamless. That is, have no seam on a front thereof.

The bra may be of any known type eg. a balcony or BALCONETTE (Trade Mark) type or a plunge type.

Alternatively, the brassiere may be adapted for use as a bikini brassiere.

The brassiere may be of any conventional size, eq. UK size 32A to 38D.

Preferably, the/each bag is retained within the respective cup by retaining means.

The retaining means may comprise a tail extending from the bag and stitching provided around at least a portion of the cup, the tail being engaged by the stitching.

The/each bag may be filled with the fluid to around 25 to 50%, and preferably around 331/3%, of a maximum internal volume of the bag.

Preferably, the/each bag contains only the fluid, and does not, for example, contain air or gas.

According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation garment at least one cup of the garment being provided with a bag at least partially filled with fluid, the bag being retained in association with the cup by means of a portion extending from the bag and held (captured) within stitching extending at least partly around the cup, a portion of an inner per iphery of the bag adjacent the stitching being provided substantially parallel to the stitching.

Preferably, the portion of the inner periphery of the bag is provided at a side of the bag.

The/each bag may be formed from a polyurethane sheet film material.

The/each bag may comprise two matching pieces of film joined at their respective edges, eg by heat welding, so as to form a fluid tight bag.

The/each bag may be filled with fluid to around 25 to 50%, and preferably around 331/3% of the volume of the bag.

is 6 The bag may be substantially transparent.

According to a third aspect of the present invention there is provided a bag for use in a foundation garment according to the second aspect.

According to a fourth aspect of the present invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a foundation garment according to the second aspect, the method including the steps of:

(a) placing the bag adjacent materials intended to form the cup; (b) forming a stitching through at least some of the materials and the extending portion of the bag substantially parallel to the portion of the inner periphery of the bag.

According to a fifth aspect of the present invention there is provided a foundation garment having two cups each cup being provided with a bag at least partly filled with fluid, each cup having a seamless front.

According to a sixth aspect of the present invention there is provided an article of female swimwear including first and second cups for breast support, at least one cup being provided with a bag at least partially filled with fluid.

The article of female swimwear may be a bikini bra. For each of the thirds, fourth and fifth aspects, the fluid may preferably be a silicone fluid, but may be oil/water/glycerol/glycerene/baby oil or the like.

7 BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which are:

Figure 1 an extended outside view of a brassiere according to a first embodiment of the present invention laid out upon a surface; Figure 2 an extended inside view of the brassiere of Figure 1 laid out upon a surface; Figure 3 a front view of the brassiere of Figure 1 placed upon a mannequin; Figure 4 a perspective view from the front to the right and above of the brassiere of Figure 1 placed upon the mannequin; Figure 5 a perspective view from the front to the left and above of the brassiere of Figure 1 placed upon the mannequin; Figure 6 a rear view of the brassiere of. Figure 1 placed upon the mannequin; Figure 7 a schematic sectional side view of a construction of a cup of the brassiere of Figure 1; Figure 8 a schematic front view showing a partial construction of a left cup of the brassiere of Figure 1, the right cup being a mirror image; Figure 9 a schematic sectional side view of the left cup of Figure 8 taken along line A-A.

Figure 10 an extended outside view of a brassiere according to a second embodiment of the present invention 8 laid out upon a surface; Figure 11 an extended inside view of the brassiere of Figure 10 laid out upon a surface; Figure 12 a front view of the brassiere of Figure 10 placed upon a mannequin; Figure 13 a rear view of the brassiere of Figure 10 placed upon the mannequin.

is DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

Referring initially to Figures 1 to 6 there is shown a first embodiment of a foundation garment according to the present invention in the form of a brassiere (bra) generally designated 5. The bra 5 according to this embodiment is a seamless balcony type bra 11. The bra 5 includes first and second cups 10A, 10B joined by a front central bridge 15. The bridge 15 extends from.a cradle 20 (or balcony) upon which the cups 10A, 10B are provided. Connected at first and second ends of the cradle 20 are first and second wings 25A, 25B which are connected to the cradle 20 by stitching 30A, 30B. The cups 10A, 10B are also connected to the cradle 20 by stitching 35A, 35B as will hereinafter be described in greater detail. An end 40A of the first wing 30A is provided with a plurality of eyes 45 which may in use by engaged with a plurality of hooks 50 provided at an end 40B of a second wing 25B. it will be appreciated that the various parts of the bra 5 may be made from materials commonly used in the art, and in particular that the wings 25A and 25B may be made from an is 9 elasticated material.

Shoulder straps 55A, 55B extend from an upper portion of each cup 10A, 10B and connect the cup 10A, 10B to a portion of the respective wing 25A, 25B towards the end 40A, 40B. In this embodiment each strap 55A, 55B comprises a front strap comprising a fixed (restricted) strap 60A, 60B which cannot be adjusted, and a rear strap 65A, 65B which may be adjusted and which may be made from an elasticated material. The rear strap 65A, 65B may include adjustment means 70A, 70B as known in the art.

Referring now to Figs. 7 to 9 the construction of each cup 10A, 10B will be explained in greater detail. Each cup 10A, 10B is provided with a bag 75A, 75B which is at least partially filled with a silicone fluid. In this f irst embodiment the silicone fluid is at least substantially dimethylpolysiloxane, available from Shin-Etsu Chemical Co Ltd of Japan under their product name KF-96-35Ocs. This silicone fluid or oil has a viscosity of 35 OMM2/S 30. However, it will be appreciated that although this particular material provides particularly beneficial effects, and an advantageous viscosity, other materials may be selected having viscosities appropriate to the function.

It will also be noted from Figure 1 that the cups 10A, 10B of the brassiere 5 are seamless. That is to say that there is no seam provided on the front thereof. It is further noted that the bra 5 is of a balcony type. However, it will be appreciated that in a modification, the bra 5 may be of a plunge type. Alternatively, in a further r, is modification the bra 5 may be adapted for use as a bikini brassiere by selection of appropriate materials.

Referring to Figure 7, each cup 10A, IOB includes an outer layer 80 of a mircofibrous material and an inner layer 85, for example, of cotton jersey. Between the inner and outer layers 80, 85 is provided the bag 75A, 75B. Between the bag 75A, 75B and the outer layer 80 there is provided a pre-moulded foam cup 90, while between the inner layer 85 and the bag 75A, 75B there is provided an intermediate layer 95 comprising a fibre filled material. As can be seen from Figure 7, the stitching 35A, 35B around the cup IOA, 10B connects the inner and outer layers 85,80 together and also with the bag 75A, 75B since a tail 100A, 100B of the bag is captured by the stitching 35A, 35B.

Referring to Figures 8 and 9, one can see the construction of the bag 75A, the bag 75B being a mirror image thereof. The dotted line on Figure 8 represents the stitching 35A around a base of the cup 10A. As can be seen from Figure 8 the bag 75A, is retained in association with the cup 10A by means of the tail 10A extending from the bag 75A being held by the stitching 35A, extending at least partly around the cup 10A, a portion 105A of an inner periphery 110A of the bag 10A adjacent the stitching 35A being provided substantially parallel to the stitching.

The bag 75A is formed from a polyurofane sheet film material. The bag 75A comprises two matching pieces of film 76A, 77A joined at the respective edges, for example, by heat welding so as to form a fluid type bag. The edges is 11 so formed provide an outer periphery 115A. The tab 100A in this embodiment is integrally formed with the remainder of the bag 75A and comprises an excess tail extending from the bag 75A. The bag 75A therefore includes a fluid compartment 120A for reception and retention of a silicone fluid 125A.

As explained above the bra 5 may comprise an undergarment or may beneficially comprise a bikini bra. In the latter case suitable materials would be selected for use in aqueous conditions, as is known in the art.

Referring now to Figures 10 to 13 there is shown a second embodiment of a foundation garment according to the present invention in the form of a brassiere (a bra) generally designated 51. The bra 5 1 according to this embodiment is a seamless plunge bra. The bra 51 is similar in construction to the bras of the first embodiment, like parts being identified by like numerals but suffixed 'Is,,. In particular each cup 10A, 10B includes a bag (not shown) similar to the bags 75A of the first embodiment, partially filled with a silicone gel fluid.

Finally, it will be appreciated that the embodiment of the present invention hereinbefore described is.given by way of example only, and is not meant to limit the scope thereof in any way. For example, it will be appreciated that although the disclosed embodiment is intended primarily for cleavage and/or chest enhancement for fashion purposes, suitable modification (eg. increase in the bag(s) volume and/or amount of liquid/gel filling) can make the 12 bra suitable for medical purposes, eg. as a prosthetic where one or both breasts have been removed.

13

Claims

A foundation garment at least one cup of the garmen being at least partially filled with.a silicone fluid.

A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the silicone fluid is provided within a bag within the cup.

3 A foundation garment as claimed in claim 2, wherein each cup of the garment is provided with a bag at least partially filled with a silicone fluid.

4. A foundation garment as claimed in any of claims 1 to 3, wherein the viscosity of the silicone fluid is greater than water, and/or the weight per unit volume of the silicone fluid is less than water.

A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the silicone fluid has a viscosity in the range 250 to 450 MM2/S.

6. A foundation garment as claimed in claim 5, wherein the silicone fluid has a viscosity in the range 300 to 400 mm'/S.

7. A foundation garment as claimed in claim 6, wherein the silicone has a viscosity around 350 MM2/S.

14 8. A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the silicone fluid has around 95m1 of liquid (water) to 77.5 grams of silicone.

A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the silicone fluid is a straight silicone fluid.

10. A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the silicone is a dimethyl silicone fluid.

is A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the silicone fluid is at least substantially dimethylpolysiloxane.

12. A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the foundation garment is a brassiere.

13. A foundation garment as claimed in claim 12, wherein the cups of the brassiere are seamless.

A foundation garment as claimed in either of claims 12 or 13, wherein the bra is selected from any known type such as a balcony or BALCONETTE (Trade Mark) type or a plunge type.

is 15. A foundation garment as claimed in any of claims 12 to 14, wherein the brassiere is adapted for use as a bikini brassiere.

16. A foundation garment as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the/each bag is retained within the respective cup by retaining means.

17. A foundation garment as claimed in claim 16, wherein the retaining means comprise a tail extending from the bag and stitching provided around at least a portion of the cup, the tail being engaged by the stitching.

18.

A foundation garment at least one cup of the garment being provided with a bag at least partially filled with fluid, the bag being retained in association with the cup by means of a portion extending from the bag and held (captured) within stitching extending at least partly around the cup, a portion of an inner periphery of the bag adjacent the stitching being provided substantially parallel to the stitching.

A foundation garment as claimed in claim 18, wherein the portion of the inner periphery of the bag is provided at a side of the bag.

16 20. A foundation garment as claimed in either of claims 18 or 19, wherein the/each bag is formed from a polyurethane sheet film material.

21.A foundation garment as claimed in any of claims 18 to 20, wherein the/each bag comprises two matching pieces of film joined at their respective edges, eg by heat welding, so as to form a fluid tight bag.

22. A foundation garment as claimed in any of claims 18 to 21, wherein the/each bag is filled with fluid to around 25 to 50' 23. A foundation garment as claimed in claim 22, wherein the/each bag is filled to around 331/3% of the volume of the bag.

24. A foundation garment as claimed in any of claims 18 to 23, wherein the bag is substantially transparent.

A bag for use in a foundation garment according to any of claims 18 to 24.

A method of manufacturing a foundation garment according to the second aspect, the method including the steps of: (a) placing the bag adjacent materials intended to form the cup; 17 (b) forming a stitching through at least some of the materials and the extending portion of the bag substantially parallel to the portion of the inner periphery of the bag.

27. A foundation garment having two cups each cup being provided with a bag at least partly' filled with fluid, each cup having a seamless front.

28.

An article of female swimwear including first and second cups for breast support, at least one cup being provided with a bag at least partially filled with fluid.

is 29. An article as claimed in claim 28, wherein the article of female swimwear is a bikini bra.

30.

an article as claimed in either of claims 28 or 29, wherein the fluid is a silicone fluid or oil/water/glycerol/glycerine/baby oil or the like.

31. A foundation garment as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 to 9 or Figures 10 to 17.