Brassiere

Abstract

There is provided a brassiere that has a pair of two-ply breast cups with one ply being an inner lining that completely encircles and supports the wearer's breast. Disposed between the breast cups is an anchor made of non-stretchable material to prevent the breast cups from curling under the breast of the wearer, causing the brassiere to remain flat against the body of the wearer. The brassiere has a pair of side panels each connected to a separate breast cup, and a pair of shoulder straps with each strap connected to a separate breast cup and side panel. A flexible binding extends from each shoulder strap and is located about the perimeter of its respective breast cup. Each breast cup is preferably in the shape of a teardrop or droplet, and has an inner support panel positioned in the breast cup to support the lower breast tissue.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention generally relates to brassiere that provides natural shaping for the breasts of the wearer. In particularly, the present invention relates to a brassiere that provides comfortable, balanced support for each breast of a wearer during all movements of the wearer. More particularly, the present invention relates to a brassiere having a desired breast cup shape, such as a teardrop or droplet, which shape provides support during all movements of the wearer. Also, the brassiere has an inner lining located in each breast cup that provides additional support, yet permits the brassiere to maintain its natural shaping and flexibility.

2. Description of the Prior Art

A brassiere attempts to combine comfort for the wearer and support for the breasts, which can be mutually exclusive features. To provide freedom of movement to the wearer, some brassieres include a high percentage of stretchable materials, such as elastic and spandex. However, brassieres formed primarily of stretchable fabric may not provide sufficient breast support.

To achieve a suitable level of support for the breast, brassieres use support underwires made of a rigid material, such as metal and/or plastic, and/or nonstretchable fabric, positioned in certain areas of each breast cup. However, a support underwire, especially when secured in place by nonstretchable material, can become an impediment to an active wearer. Moreover, a support underwire, especially during movement by an active wearer, may poke through the fabric of the brassiere. Furthermore, a brassiere made with nonstretchable fabric may cause discomfort to the wearer by digging into the flesh of the wearer.

Given the foregoing, there is a need for a brassiere that provides freedom of movement without discomfort, as well as support for the breasts, during all activities of the wearer.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a brassiere that has natural shaping, comfort and enhanced support.

It is another object of the present invention to provide such a brassiere, whether an underwire or a soft cup, that is comfortable and provides balanced breast cup support.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a brassiere that has freedom of movement without adversely effecting the brassiere's ability to support the wearer's breast.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide such a brassiere that maintains balanced support to prevent wire dig-in or poke-through.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide such a brassiere in which each breast cup has a desired shape, such as teardrop or droplet, that provides encircled support for each breast of the wearer during all movements of the wearer.

It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide such a brassiere that has a support panel located in each breast cup, which panel supports the breast tissue.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by a brassiere having a body that has a pair of two-ply breast cups made of a substantially stretchable fabric, and a support panel that acts as an anchor for the breast. The body of the brassiere also has a pair of side panels each connected to a separate breast cup and connected to a back of the brassiere. The brassiere also has a pair of shoulder straps, with each strap connected to a breast cup and a side panel. A binding extends from each shoulder strap and is located about or at the perimeter of the respective breast cup. The binding is cut on a bias to provide swing and pendulum flexibility. Preferably, the binding is made of a rigid material, but may also be made of a stretchable material.

One ply of each breast cup is an inner lining that completely or virtually completely encircles and supports the breast. The breast cups are preferably in the shape of a teardrop or droplet, but may be any shape that suitably covers the breast. A support panel is positioned between the two plies of the breast cups to provide additional support to the breast tissue. The support panel is preferably hemispherical in shape.

The body of the brassiere is made predominantly of a stretchable material. The inner lining and support panel are made of a substantially stretchable material. In a preferred embodiment, the inner lining and support panel stretch only in the body encircling or sideways or horizontal direction. The anchor, especially the portion thereof between the pair of breast cups, prevents the breast cups from curling under the breast of the wearer. Thus, the anchor causes the brassiere to remain flat against the body of the wearer.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of the brassiere according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the brassiere of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the brassiere of FIG. 1 taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to the drawings and, in particular, FIG. 1, there is provided a brassiere according to the present invention generally represented by reference numeral 10. Brassiere 10 has a body with a pair of breast cups 20, and an anchor 70 disposed between the pair of breast cups that can extend partially or entirely under the breast cups. As shown in FIG. 2, anchor 70 is attached to a chest band 50. Chest band 50 is positioned along the bottom margin of brassiere 10 and encircles the torso of the wearer. Brassiere 10 also has a pair of side panels 30. Each side panel 30 is peripherally connected to a respective breast cup 20.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, each side panel 30 encircles the remainder of the torso of the wearer, and the side panels are removably joined together by a closure system 40. It should be noted that the present invention may also be practiced on a brassiere utilizing a front closure system. Brassiere 10 preferably also has a pair of shoulder straps 60, each connected to a different breast cup 20 and side panel 30. As shown in FIG. 1, anchor 70 preferably extends at least a portion of the way under breast cups 20 to a line or seam 72 that is positioned approximately beyond the mid-vertical plane, as measured between the breast cups, of each breast cup. The anchor 70 functions to prevent breast cups 20 from curling under the breasts of the wearer. Thus, anchor 70 causes brassiere 10 to remain flat against the body of the wearer. To enhance the ability of anchor 70 to achieve this function, the anchor is preferably made of a combination of a non-stretchable or a stretchable material plus a non-stretchable material, such as, for example, a stabilized tricot or a knit marquisette.

Each side panel 30 is preferably made from one piece of a stretchable material, such as an elastomeric, stretch knitted material or fabric. The function of side panel 30 is to provide one-way stretch across the body, that is along the torso. Side panel 30 preferably is substantially inelastic in the direction perpendicular to the direction along or encircling the torso. In an alternative embodiment, side panel 30 may have more than one component so that the side panel may include a side panel portion and a back panel portion.

Closure system 40 can be any conventional fastener or closure, such as, for example, a hook-and-eye closure.

Shoulder strap 60 is made of two parts, an upper strap 62 and a lower strap 66. Upper strap 62 and lower strap 66 are connected by a fastener 64. In a preferred embodiment, the fastener is an O-ring. Fastener 64 is preferably made of plastic. In an alternative embodiment, upper strap 62 and lower strap 66 may be stretched together. Lower strap 66 is connected to side panel 30. Lower strap 66 has an adjustable fastener 68 that allows the wearer to adjust the tension of the shoulder straps and, thereby, the degree of support provided by each breast cup 20. Lower strap 66 is preferably made of a stretchable material or elastic.

Upper strap 62 is made of a non-stretchable material, such as, for example, a tricot fabric, a stretchable material, such as, for example, an elastomeric, stretch knitted fabric, or elastic. At a top edge of breast cup 20, upper strap 62 bifurcates into two separate directions to form a continuous binding 128 that is about or at the periphery of, and thus encircles, breast cup 20. Binding 128 assists in supporting the breast of the wearer and has a similar effect to a brassiere provided with an underwire. In addition, binding 128 serves to provide continuity between each breast cup 20 and its corresponding shoulder strap 60. The fabric material used to make upper strap 62 and binding 128 is cut on the bias of the fabric for flexibility. In an alternative embodiment, binding 128 may be provided with an arcuate fabric tube along the lower perimeter of each breast cup 20 for housing an underwire.

Each breast cup 20 is preferably in the shape of a teardrop or droplet. However, the breast cup 20 may be any shape or configuration that basically covers the breast of the wearer during all movements, and thus shifting of breast in the breast-cup, of the wearer. The droplet shape of breast cup 20 mimics the natural shape of the breast. In particular, this shape is fuller at the bottom, and thus the bottom of one's breast, and narrower at the top.

As shown in FIG. 3, each breast cup 20 has an outer layer 122, an inner layer or lining 126, and a support panel 124. Outer layer 122 and inner lining 126 are peripherally connected by binding 128 to form a two-ply breast cup. Support panel 124 is positioned between outer layer 122 and inner lining 126 and extends upward therebetween to an extent to be positioned approximately under the breast of the wearer. Preferably, support panel 124 extends upward to such a height that it is positioned halfway or lower across breast cup 20.

Outer layer 122 is made of a stretchable material, such as an elastomeric, stretch knitted material or fabric. Inner lining 126 is made of a substantially stretchable material or fabric, such as an elastomeric, stretch knitted material. In a preferred embodiment, both outer layer 122 and inner lining 126 exhibit limited stretch in the vertical direction and are substantially, preferably completely, stretchable in a body encircling, sideways or horizontal direction.

Support panel 124 is made of any material or fabric that provides support, such as an elastomeric, stretch knitted material. Preferably, support panel 124 is made of the same material as inner lining 126. In a preferred embodiment, support panel 124 exhibits limited stretch in the vertical direction and is substantially stretchable, preferably completely stretchable, in the horizontal direction. Support panel 124 preferably has an anatomically desired shape that enhances support, natural shaping and comfort on the body. More preferably, support panel 124 has a hemispherical shape.

The combination of inner lining 126, support panel 124, and binding 128 creates a support system in which the breast of the wearer is cradled and encircled in breast cup 20. In addition, this combination of features form a preferential way of distributing the stress on the fabric of breast cup 20 caused by the weight of the wearer's breast.

Thus, brassiere 10 has a pair of breast cups 20 that provide natural shaping. The brassiere 10 also provides complete support for the wearer's breasts during all movements of the wearer, as well as flexibility. Support panel 124 located in each breast cup provides additional support, yet permits retention of the natural shaping and flexibility of brassiere 10.

As used herein the terms “sideways,” “vertical,” and “horizontal” are defined in reference to the orientation of brassiere 10 as it would be positioned on a wearer's body and, thus, shown in FIG. 1. Thus, side panels 30 extend substantially in a body encircling, sideways or horizontal direction, while shoulder straps 60 extend substantially vertically.

As used herein the terms “stretchable material” and “substantially stretchable material” refer to an elastomeric, stretch knitted material. The term “non-stretchable material” refers to a rigid material, such as a stabilized tricot or knit marquisette.

The present invention having been thus described with particular reference to the preferred forms thereof, it will be obvious that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A brassiere comprising: a pair of breast cups, each of said pair of breast cups having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a support panel, said support panel being positioned between said outer and inner layers and extending upward from a bottom margin of each of said pair of breast cups; a pair of side panels for encircling a torso of a wearer, each of said side panels being peripherally connected to a different one of said pair of breast cups; a pair of shoulder straps, each of said pair of shoulder straps being connected to a different one of said pair of breast cups and side panels, each of said pair of shoulder straps having an upper portion and a lower portion, each upper portion of each of said pair of shoulder straps bifurcates into two separate directions at a top edge of the respective one of said pair of breast cups to form a continuous binding that encircles and supports the respective one of said pair of breast cups.

2. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said inner layer, said support panel and said binding cooperatively function to form a system that encircles a breast of a wearer.

3. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of breast cups is in the shape of a teardrop or droplet.

4. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said outer layer and said inner layer are peripherally connected by said binding to form a two-ply breast cup.

5. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said inner layer is made of a substantially stretchable material.

6. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said inner layer is made of an elastomeric, stretch knitted material.

7. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said inner layer is an inner lining.

8. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said outer layer and said inner layer each have a one way stretch across said breast of said wearer.

9. The brassiere of claim 8, wherein said outer layer and said inner layer are each substantially inelastic in a direction perpendicular to said one way stretch.

10. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups has a hemispherical shape.

11. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups is made of a substantially stretchable material.

12. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups is made of an elastomeric, stretch knitted material.

13. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups has a one way stretch across each of said pair of breast cups.

14. The brassiere of claim 13, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups is substantially inelastic in a direction perpendicular to said one way stretch.

15. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups extends upward from said bottom margin of each of said pair of breast cups such that it is positioned at least halfway across said breast cup.

16. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said support panel of each of said pair of breast cups is not of a same height as said outer layer and said inner layer.

17. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of side panels are preferably made from one piece of a stretchable material.

18. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of side panels is made of an elastomeric, stretch knitted material.

19. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said pair of side panels has a one-way stretch encircling the torso of the wearer.

20. The brassiere of claim 19, wherein each of said pair of side panels are substantially inelastic in a direction perpendicular to said one way stretch.

21. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said side panels include a side panel portion and a back panel portion.

22. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said lower portion and said upper portion are a lower strap and an upper strap, respectively.

23. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said lower portions is made of a stretchable material.

24. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said lower portions is made of elastic.

25. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein each of said upper portions is made of a non-stretchable material.

26. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said binding provides a continuity between each of said pair of breast cups and each of said pair of shoulder straps.

27. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said binding has an arcuate fabric tube along a lower perimeter of each of said pair of breast cups.

28. The brassiere of claim 27, wherein said arcuate fabric tube houses an underwire.

29. The brassiere of claim 1, further comprising an anchor disposed between said pair of breast cups and extends underneath said pair of breast cups.

30. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said anchor preferably extends at least partially under each of said pair of breast cups.

31. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said anchor is made of a non-stretchable material.

32. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said anchor functions to prevent said pair of breast cups from curling.

33. The brassiere of claim 1, wherein said anchor causes said brassiere to remain flat against the torso of the wearer.

34. The brassiere of claim 1, further comprising a chest band connected to said anchor and positioned along a bottom margin of the brassiere and encircling the torso of the wearer.

35. A breast support system that mimics the natural shape of a breast of a wearer comprising: a pair of breast cups each of said breast cups having an outer layer, an inner layer, and a support panel, said support panel being positioned between said outer and inner layers and extending upward from a bottom margin of each of said pair of breast cups, said breast cups having a droplet shape; a pair of side panels for encircling a torso of a wearer, each of said side panels being peripherally connected to a different one of said pair of said breast cups; a pair of shoulder straps, each of said shoulder straps being connected to a different one of said pair of breast cups and side panels, each of said shoulder straps having an upper portion and a lower portion, each upper portion of each of said pair of shoulder straps bifurcates into two separate directions at a top edge of its respective one of said pair of breast cups to form a continuous binding that encircles and supports said one of said pair of breast cups, said inner layer, and wherein said support panel and said binding cooperatively function to encircle a breast of a wearer.