The present invention relates to a partial foam core brassiere.
Pads are effective in creating support of the breasts of a wearer of a brassiere (hereinafter “bra”).
Pads that are incorporated in bras can help support the breasts and also create uplift. A pad is normally made from a foam material and is incorporated between interior and exterior most layers of the bra. The pad is located normally covering the entire breast cup regions of a bra. However the incorporation of pads in a bra can be undesirable for certain reasons. A pad increases the thickness of the breast cup regions of a bra. At regions where a perimeter of the pad is defined, a sudden change in the thickness of the bra can be created. Such a sudden change in thickness, may be undesirable for visual reasons. A bra worn under an over garment, such as a dress or top, may to some wearers wish to be inconspicuous. Where a sudden change in thickness or a thick perimeter of the bra is defined, the bra may be more readily visible from the outside of the over garment. The bra or regions of the bra where such features are defined, may show through the dress or top and this may be visually undesirable.
It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a partial core pad incorporating brassiere that has improved external visual impact and/or that will at least provide the public with a useful choice.
Accordingly in a first aspect the present invention consists in a bra that includes two breast cups that each include an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer and wherein a neckline perimeter of each breast cup is defined at least by one of the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer, wherein at each breast cup, a core pad is captured between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer that includes a tapered perimeter region to define a thin perimeter region, said thin perimeter region located inward of the neckline perimeter.
Preferably the thin perimeter region is located proximate most the neckline perimeter of the breast cup yet is not contiguous the neckline perimeter.
Preferably the thin perimeter region of the core pad is the perimeter region of the core pad that is proximate most the neckline.
Preferably the inner fabric layer is laminated to the core pad.
Preferably the outer fabric layer is laminated to the core pad.
Preferably the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer are laminated with each other and are laminated to each other at at least some regions at where the core pad is not placed intermediate thereof.
Preferably the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer are laminated to each other at regions intermediate of the neckline perimeter of each breast cup and the thin perimeter region of the core pad.
Preferably the outer fabric layer includes at least one panel of a lace.
Preferably intermediate of at least the panel of lace and the core pad is a lining panel.
Preferably the lining panel covers the entire outwardly presented surface of the core pad.
Preferably the outer fabric layer at each breast cup includes a panel of lace and a panel of opaque fabric.
Preferably where the outer fabric layer includes lace, the inner fabric layer is a sheer fabric panel.
Preferably the outer fabric layer includes lace only at regions where the outer fabric layer does not overlay the core pad.
Preferably the core pad is of at least one ply of foam.
Preferably the ply of foam is a shaven ply of foam to define at least at the thin perimeter region, a reduced thickness of said core pad.
Preferably the extent of the core pad at where it is located at a breast cup is smaller than the breast cup.
Preferably the core pad consists of two plies of foam material laminated with each other and for each breast cup, capturing an underwire.
Preferably both plies of foam material are tapered to define the thin perimeter region.
Preferably one of the foam plies defines the thin perimeter region of the core pad, the other foam ply including a perimeter region that sits inward of the thin perimeter region.
Preferably the perimeter region that sits inward of the thin perimeter region is also a tapered perimeter region.
Preferably the core pad has perimeter regions other than at least part of the thin perimeter region that are contiguous the perimeter of the breast cups.
Preferably there are two core pads, one for each breast cup.
Preferably there is one core pad that extends across a bridge between the cups to extend at part of each breast cup.
Preferably the bra is a molded bra.
Preferably the bra is a seamless bra.
In a second aspect the present invention consists in a core panel for a bra that includes two breast cups that each include an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer and wherein a neckline perimeter of each breast cup is defined at least by one of the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer, wherein said core pad includes a tapered perimeter region to define a thin perimeter region, said thin perimeter region to be located inward of the neckline perimeter.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in a core panel for a bra comprising:
a first ply of foam material that includes an upper perimeter region to be located proximate more the neckline of at least one breast cup of a bra with which the core panel is to be incorporated,
a second ply of foam material laminated to the first ply of foam material
wherein the upper perimeter region of the first ply of foam material is tapered so that the upper perimeter region of the first ply is thinner than the body region of the first ply.
Preferably the second ply includes an upper perimeter region contiguous the upper perimeter region of the first ply.
Preferably the second ply includes an upper perimeter region that is at least partly located inwardly of the perimeter region of the first ply.
Preferably the upper perimeter region of the second ply is tapered so that the upper perimeter region of the second ply is thinner than the body region of the first ply.
Preferably the first and second plies capture at least one underwire structure.
Preferably the first and second plies define a shape to the core pad that in use will extend at each breast cup of a bra with which it is to be incorporated.
Preferably the core pad is molded to include a cup form.
Preferably the core pad is molded to include two cup forms.
In a further aspect the present invention consists in a molded brassiere including,
a core pad of at least an inner layer of molded foam material preferably laminated with an outer layer of molded foam material, said core pad defining two breast cup regions and an intermediate bridge region extending there between and wherein at least one layer of flexible material having non-stretch properties is provided adjacent one of or intermediate of and laminated with said inner and outer layer of molded foam material at said bridge region, said flexible material having non-stretch properties oriented so that across the bridge region parallel to the cup to cup direction said core pad is non-stretchable, and
an inner and outer layer, each of at least a fabric material, is disposed on opposed sides of and each laminated with said core pad on a respective interior and exterior side of said core pad to preferably encase said core pad, at least one of the inner and outer layer at least partially defining a neckline perimeter,
wherein the core pad includes a tapered perimeter region defining a thin perimeter region located inward of the neckline perimeter.
Preferably said flexible material having non stretch properties is a woven fabric material with bidirectional non-stretch properties and is oriented such that the non stretch orientation extends across said bridge region parallel to the cup to cup direction of said core pad.
Preferably said layer of flexible material having non stretch properties is captured intermediate of said inner and outer layer of molded foam material.
Preferably said inner and outer layers of foam are coextensive with each other and both define the perimeter of the said core pad.
Preferably said inner and outer layers of foam are staggered such that the outer layer may extend to define the neckline perimeter and the inner layer may sit inward of the neckline perimeter at at least part of the neckline perimeter.
Preferably said core pad perimeter terminates short of said neckline perimeter.
Preferably said core pad is of a shape defining only the breast cups and said bridge, but not shoulder straps and chest strap(s).
Preferably said chest straps extend outwardly from each side of said core pad provided region of said molded brassiere.
Preferably two underwire structures are provided intermediate of said inner layer and said outer layer of foam, one each adjacent the breast cup regions.
Preferably said inner layer and said outer layer of foam are laminated directly to each other save for said flexible material having non-stretch properties and said two underwire structures.
Preferably said underwire structure comprises a rigid elongate member and a flexible material casing about at least part of said rigid elongate member.
Preferably said casing is a fabric material.
Preferably said casing is adhered to one or each of the facing surfaces of said inner and outer layers of foam by an adhesive material.
Preferably said casing is a tubular sock within which said rigid elongate member is located, the sock having closed distal ends.
Preferably said outer fabric layer may be lace.
Preferably said inner fabric layer may be a sheer fabric.
Preferably at least side of core pad proximate the lace layer has an intermediate backing material.
Preferably there is an intermediate backing material between interior and exterior sides of said core pad and respective said inner and outer fabric layers.
Preferably the outer fabric layer may consist of at least two plies of material.
Preferably the two plies of material may be butt joined or lap joined.
This invention may also be said broadly to consist in the parts, elements and features referred to or indicated in the specification of the application, individually or collectively, and any or all combinations of any two or more of said parts, elements or features, and where specific integers are mentioned herein which have known equivalents in the art to which this invention relates, such known equivalents are deemed to be incorporated herein as if individually set forth.
Where reference herein is made to interior and exterior or similar terminology in relation to component parts or items of the bra or part of the bra, it is meant to be understood to be in relation to the body of the wearer of the bra. For example the “interior” or “inner side” or “inner region” is a relative term to denote that an item is more proximate the face side of the bra that is more proximate to the body of the wearer than items of the bra that are more distal the body of the wearer. “Inner” does not mean “inner most” unless specified. This similarly applies to terms such as “outer” or “exterior”.
Where there is reference to the word “layer” it is to be understood that it may have its common definition and, but not limited to that the layer could consist of one panel or may have regions that are defined by two or more panels that are joined and that may each be of a different characteristic (e.g. color, thickness, material, orientation, size).
Where there is reference to the word “layer” it is to be understood that it may have its common definition and, but not limited to that the layer may be of one ply or of more plies of the same or dissimilar characteristics (e.g. color, thickness, material, orientation, size) that are engaged to each other such as by lamination or other in an at least partial overlapping configuration.
By seamless is meant the bra is visibly substantially seamless, in that the edges of the bra are finished in a seamless way, for example by ultrasonic welding, or by folding the edge of an outer layer over and affixing it to an inner layer by a non-stitching means, or by some other means that is substantially without seams. Seams may however be found inside the bra structure where it is not externally visible, or in visibly less conspicuous externally at places such as the region where the shoulder strap is attached to a bra cup region, or the region where hook or eye tape is connected to the chest bands.
As used herein the term “and/or” means “and” or “or”, or both.
As used herein “(s)” following a noun means the plural and/or singular forms of the noun.
The term “comprising” as used in this specification means “consisting at least in part of”. When interpreting statements in this specification which include that term, the features, prefaced by that term in each statement, all need to be present but other features can also be present. Related terms such as “comprise” and “comprised” are to be interpreted in the same manner.
A preferred form of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
a illustrates a variation to the formation of the present invention wherein each breast cup may be separately defined and incorporate the features and optional features herein described wherein each component can then be fastened together at the bridge region,
b illustrates the incorporation of the components defining the breast cup or breast cup region and other components capable of being engaged or fastened therewith to define a bra,
a is a sectional view through section BB of
b is an exploded view of
With reference to
Such over the shoulder straps may however be optional as it is envisaged that the bra may also be of a strapless version. Indeed whilst reference is herein made to a bra, it is envisaged that the assembly of panels component parts and items to define such, may alternatively be incorporated into other garments such as, for example, evening dresses or bathing suits or similar.
At the ends of each of the chest bands may be fasteners 107 and 108 that are mutually cooperative to allow for the bra to be fastened about the chest of a wearer.
The bra may be seamless and made from materials at least some of which are molded or moldable and that are engaged to each other preferably at least in part by lamination.
As can be seen with reference to
The breast cup region 102 preferably defines two breast cups 109 and 110 that are adjacent to each other and between which may extend an intermediate bridge region 111. At least some of the material components defining the breast cups 109 and 110 are continuous over the entire breast cup region 102, including across the bridge region 111. Alternatively some or all of the material components may only be present at at least part of the breast cups 109 and 110.
In the preferred form, at least one of the material components of the breast cup region 102 is continuous over the breast cup region 102 and preferably also over the bridge region. However in alternative forms each of the breast cups 109 and 110 may be separately predefined as for example shown in
The bra includes a neckline perimeter 121 and 122 at each of the breast cups 109 and 110. The neckline perimeter may be continuous or may be discretely defined for each breast cup. The neckline perimeter generally extends from an upper region of each breast cup preferably at where the shoulder straps are engaged to the breast cup, to or towards the bridge region 111. The neckline perimeter as shown in the bra in
Additional components, layers or plies of material may be provided with the materials defining the breast cup region and/or the bra, to those herein defined.
Variations to the bra shown in
With reference to
In the most preferred form at least that perimeter of each of the core pads that sits inward of the breast cup is tapered whereas any remaining perimeter of the core pad need not be tapered. Such non tapered perimeter regions need not be tapered because they are located at parts of the bra where other parts such as the underwire are located.
During manufacture of the core pad, a constant thickness sheet of a foam material may be taken and shaved to the appropriate form for defining the tapered perimeter region(s).
Most preferably the core pad 1 and 2 are of a size so that its side and lower perimeters are substantially contiguous the corresponding breast cup perimeter regions whereas the upper perimeter region of the core pads sit inward of the neckline perimeter of each of the breast cups.
In one form of the present invention the bra is defined by an exterior most panel 4 and an interior most panel 7 of a flexible material such as a fabric material capturing therebetween a core pad at each of the breast cups. As shown in
In the example shown in
Preferably the exterior most panel 4 and interior most panel 7 and the core pads are laid up and by the use of adhesive bonded or tacked together in a layflat condition after which a subsequent mold forming of the three dimensional shape or shapes occurs. Additional materials may be incorporated with the interior and exterior most panels and core pads prior to or subsequent such molding steps. Such may include underwires, a non-stretch fabric bridge panel and/or others.
With reference to
A variation to the preferred form as shown by way of example with reference to
With reference to
In the most preferred form, no foam core pad extends to be positioned at the neckline perimeter or perimeter regions of the bra. The foam core perimeter terminates short of the neckline perimeter.
This reduces thickness thereby helping reduce or eliminate deterability of the neckline perimeter and core pads, at least to the touch and/or visually when the bra is worn.
Having preferably only two overlying plies of material, defined by the exterior most panel 4 and interior most panel 7, at the upper region such as region 16 (that region positioned between the core pad and the neckline perimeter of each of the breast cup), can also help with breathability and ventilation of the skin of the wearer at these regions.
With reference to
With reference to
Most preferably the join 23 is contiguous at least part of the upper perimeter 6 of the core pad 1. Alternatively and with reference to
A variation where the core panel consists of a single ply of foam material, the core panel 1 is lined by opposed plies 26 and 27. Preferably the foam panel is captured between the plies. The plies hide the foam from being visible through the lace material.
Preferably both sides of the foam panels 10 and 11 are laminated with plies 26 and/or 27 although in one form the interior side of the foam panel need not be lined by the ply 26.
The interior most panel 7 may be of a fabric material or of a sheer fabric material. It may also be of two or more plies bonded together but is preferably of one piece and preferably coextensive with the exterior most panel. At least at some of the regions other than where the core pad is provided, the sheer material will be visible through the lace material from external of the bra. For example, through the apertures of the lace material 21, the sheer material 7 will be visible. At regions where the sheer material may extend over the foam panels, apertures through the lace material allow for the ply 27 of the core panel to be seen therethrough.
The or some of the fabric material used may be of a material known by model number CMF-7440MU of Friendly Foundate Ltd. This fabric is made of 80% Tactel and 20% lycra. The fabric layer 9 may have a make-up of approximately 80% Tactel 40d/34f and 20% lycra 40d and of a weight of, for example, 190 g/m2.
The foam used is preferably a polyurethane foam of a precursor density of, for example, 30-40d.
Adhesive used may be of a kind such as RM-30 of Ultra Energy Adhesive Trading Co., Ltd.
The bridge fabric may be 7118 of Goldspring Co. Ltd. It is preferably a piece of gauze which is 100% nylon.
One or all the molding processes occur preferably at an upper mold temperature of 180° C. to 200° C. and the lower mold is preferably of 180° C. to 200° C. The dwell time holding the mold portions together is for example 120 seconds.