GB2477390A

GB2477390A - Foundation garments

Info

Publication number: GB2477390A
Application number: GB1100740A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Michael John Mone
Original assignee: MJM International Ltd
Current assignee: MJM International Ltd
Priority date: 2010-01-27
Filing date: 2011-01-17
Publication date: 2011-08-03
Also published as: GB201100740D0

Abstract

A foundation garment (10, figure 1) comprises breast cups (11A, 11B), each breast cup having an outer cup 111A, 111B and a rigid support 12A, 12B located therewithin, wherein said rigid support comprises a rigid material and is laminated to an inner surface of the outer cup, and wherein the rigid support covers a part of the inner surface of the outer cup. The rigid support preferably has a surface area smaller than the inner surface area of the outer cup. The rigid material is preferably a rigid woven fabric material, more preferably a rigid woven satin, and most preferably a 40 denier fabric or a rigid multifilament fabric. The rigid support may be attached continuously along the lower and side edge of the outer cup (18), at an additional point at an apex 20 of the outer cup, and at an anchor point 21 approximately 5 cm from the midsection of the garment. A top edge of the rigid support may be defined by a bias cut (figure 5). Padding (17A, figure 4) and an underwire (14) may be provided. The foundation garment may be a brassiere, corset or swimsuit.

Description

Improved Foundation Garment The present invention relates to the field of foundation garments, and in particular, to foundation garments such as brassieres, undergarments and swi mwear.

Herein the term foundation garment is intended to mean any garment providing breast support, e.g. undergarments such as brassieres (bras), including balcony type, plunge type, front fastening, midi bras, full-cup bras, underwired bras and bra slips; halterneck and multi-way bras, corsets including corselets and panty corselets; basques, bustiers, bodies, or the like and outergarments such as swimsuits, bikini bras, bodices or the like.

Foundation garments are commonly used by females to provide breast support and better shape of the bust region. They may also be used to accentuate certain features of a wearer's bust region. For example, females use cleavage enhancing undergarments or push-up bras to enhance the look of the cleavage.

Standard sizing systems are employed to help females chose an appropriate foundation garment for their requirement need. However, females come in different shapes and sizes. As a result, the fit and appearance of the same foundation garment on two females having the same brassiere measurement or bra size can vary substantially. Even two different foundation garments of the same bra size and similar design can produce a different shape and appearance on the user.

The present invention proposes a foundation garment which provides improved shape to a user than foundation garments known in the art.

According to the present invention, there is provided a foundation garment provided with breast cups, each breast cup having an outer cup and a rigid support located therewithin, wherein said rigid support comprises a rigid material and is laminated to an inner surface of the outer cup and wherein the rigid support covers a part of the inner surface of the outer cup.

The term rigid material is used to describe a material with little or no elasticity. Use of this type of material ensures that the outer cup provides adequate support without sagging under the weight of the breast.

Stretching across the front of the breast cup is a common occurrence in certain foundation garment designs known in the art. This stretching usually results in the appearance of unwanted bulges and in some cases overspill of the breast from the breast cup leading to an unflattering shape of the bust region being produced.

The provision of a laminated rigid support laminated to the inner surface of the outer cup, has the effect of stopping any stretch across the front of the breast cup as worn thus ensuring that a better shape of the bust region is achieved.

The rigid support is in direct contact with the inner surface of the outer cup (i.e. laminated directly thereto).

Optionally there may be a non-supportive cavity between the outer surface of the outer cup and the inner surface of the outer cup.

Alternatively there may be no non-supportive cavity between the outer surface of the outer cup and the inner surface of the outer cup.

Preferably the rigid support has a surface area smaller than the inner surface area of the outer cup.

Preferably the outer cup is moulded to the shape of a breast.

Preferably the rigid material is a rigid fabric material.

The use of a rigid fabric material promotes rigidity on certain areas of the breast cup whilst maintaining softness and flexibility.

Preferably the rigid fabric material is a woven fabric material.

The woven fabric material may comprise rigid woven satin.

In exemplary embodiments, the rigid fabric material comprises a 40 denier fabric or a rigid multifilament fabric.

Preferably the rigid support is attached to the breast cup along the lower inside edge of the outer cup and at an additional point at an apex of the outer cup. This attachment is such that the angle of the rigid support provides directional support for the breast directing the breasts inward due to the resulting angle of the rigid support whilst giving comfort to the user.

Preferably substantially the entire outer surface of the rigid support is in direct contact with the inner surface of the outer cup i.e. there is no cavity or non-supportive space between the cup and the rigid support. In cases where the outer cup does not itself provide support and uplift to the breast, the rigid support is laminated directly to the part of the garment that does provide support and/or uplift to the breast.

Optionally the rigid support is attached continuously along the lower and side edge of the outer cup from the bottom to an apex of the breast cup.

This has the benefit of stopping any stretch from the bottom to top of the breast cup promoting inward projection.

Preferably the rigid support is attached along a lower inside edge of the outer cup at an anchor point approximately 5cm from the midsection of the foundation garment.

Ideally the anchor point is no further than 5cm from the midsection of the foundation garment.

Preferably the rigid support comprises a top edge having one end attached adjacent an apex of the outer cup and another end of the top edge attached at a lower edge of the outer cup.

In exemplary embodiments, the top edge of the rigid support is defined by a bias cut. This allows the rigid support to yield very slightly under the weight of a breast while still providing adequate support. This yielding is characteristic of such rigid woven material and is neither stretchy or elastic.

Preferably the outer cup extends beyond the rigid support.

Optionally the foundation garment comprises an outer cup with padding therewithin.

The outer cup may comprise a padding which is integrally formed with the outer cup or a removable padding.

The padding may be formed of a foam, gel or a fluid or air-filled bag.

Optionally the outer cups are seam free, that is, have no seam on an outer surface thereof.

Optionally the foundation garment comprises an underwire at a base of the breast cup.

Optionally the foundation garment is provided with strap means. The strap means may comprise two shoulder straps which are provided in a conventional manner or one strap which circumvents the neck in a halter style.

Optionally the strap means comprises two straps which are adjustable with respect to the foundation garment such that they can be adapted in a multi-way manner.

In one embodiment the foundation garment is an undergarment. In another embodiment the foundation garment is an outer garment, for example a swimming costume or a bikini brassiere.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the words "comprise" and "contain" and variations of the words, for example "comprising" and "comprises", means "including but not limited to", and is not intended to (and does not) exclude other components, integers or steps.

Throughout the description and claims of this specification, the singular encompasses the plural unless the context otherwise requires. In particular, where the indefinite article is used, the specification is to be understood as contemplating plurality as well as singularity, unless the context requires otherwise.

There now follows a description of a preferred embodiment(s) of the invention, by way of non-limiting example, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 shows a perspective front view of the foundation garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a perspective back view of the foundation garment of Figure 1 showing the inside of the breast cups; Figure 3 is a sectional view of the foundation garment of Figure 2 as seen along the lines 3-3 wherein no padding is present; Figure 4 is a sectional view of the foundation garment of Figure 2 as seen along the lines 3-3 showing an alternate embodiment wherein the padding is integral within the outer breast cup, and Figure 5 is a schematic view showing the cut of the fabric employed for the rigid support.

While the invention is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the invention to the particular form disclosed, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Further, although the invention will be described in terms of specific embodiments, it will be understood that various elements of the specific embodiments of the invention will be applicable to all embodiments disclosed herein.

In the drawings, similar features are denoted by the same reference signs throughout.

Referring to Figure 1, there is shown a foundation garment generally depicted at 10. The garment comprises a pair of laterally positioned breast cups, hA and IIB. The garment further comprises a back strap 15, and shoulder straps 16 as are conventional. The outer appearance is therefore that of a standard brassiere.

Referring now to Figure 2, it can be seen that each of the cups hA and IIB shown in Figure 1 is made up of an outer cup lilA and IIIB and a rigid support 12A and 12B. Each rigid support 12A, 12B is laminated to an inner surface of one of the respective outer cups lilA, IIIB. The rigid supports 12A, 12B have a surface area which is smaller than an inner surface area of the outer cups lilA, IIIB such that they are only cover part of the inner surface area of the outer cups lilA and IIIB as shown in Figure 2. The rigid supports 12A, 12B are hidden from view by a cover layer of fabric material which overlays the inner surface of the cups hA, I1B. The cover layer of fabric material has been omitted from Figure 2 for ease of reference.

In the depicted embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the two breast cups hA, IIB are joined at the midsection of the foundation garment by a central front bar 13 which serves to separate the breasts. However, it will be appreciated that the breast cups hA, IIB can be integrally joined together or linked at the midsection of the foundation garment by alternative means such as zippers, ties or fasteners.

In the preferred embodiments seen in Figures 3 and 4, an underwire 14 is provided at the base of each of the breast cups hA, IIB. Each rigid support 12A, 12B is attached to the respective outer cup lilA, IIIB along the lower edge of the outer cup lilA, IIIB and at an additional point 20 at the apex of the cup in the proximity of the point of attachment of the strap means 16.

Each rigid support 12A, 12B is attached to the respective outer cup lilA, 11 B along its lower edge to an anchor point 21 at a distance d from the midsection of the foundation garment. In preferred embodiments of the invention the anchor point 21 is no further than 5cm from the midsection of the foundation garment.

In the depicted embodiments the means of attachment of the rigid support 12A, 12B to the outer cup lilA, IIIB is stitching 18, as best seen in Figure 1, which is provided continuously along the edges of the outer cup lilA, IIIB from the anchor point 21 on the bottom edge to the apex.

However, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for attachment to be provided continuously along this length. In the depicted and preferred embodiment the attachment means is double stitching which confers an additional level of security to the garment although single stitching or alternative means of attachment may be used.

As is most clearly depicted in Figures 3 and 4, each of the rigid supports 12A, 12B is positioned between the outer cup lilA, IIIB and the underwire 14. The positioning of each of the rigid supports 12A, 12B between the outer cup lilA, IIIB and the underwire 14 provides a higher level of security to hold the rigid support 12A, 12B in position although it is not essential to the working of the invention.

The rigid supports 12A, 12B are formed of a material with a low level of elasticity, typically termed a "rigid material" in the field of clothing manufacture, which in the depicted embodiment is a rigid woven satin. In this embodiment, the fabric has been cut on the bias, as shown in Figure 5. Bias cut fabric is utilised as, although the material has little or no natural elasticity, this cut allows the fabric to yield slightly under the weight of the breast, thus increasing the level of comfort to the wearer. The slight give on the bias promotes comfort as it graduates from rigid to stretch across the rest of the breast cup.

The top edge 112 of the rigid support 12 is folded over itself in the embodiment seen in Figure 4 to give a smooth edge both to provide improved comfort and appearance. The top edge 112 may be stitched to the inner surface of the outer cup 111.

Figure 3 is a sectional view of a cup of the embodiment of Figure 2 showing the top edge 112 of the rigid support 12 laminated on the outer cup 111 which is formed of an outer fabric layer 111' and an inner fabric layer Ill". In the embodiment of Figure 4, the outer cup Ill includes a padding insert 17A to help maintain the shape and appearance of the outer cup Ill.

The cover layer 22 of fabric material is shown in Figures 3 and 4. As can be seen, it overlays the rigid support 12 and will be the inner most layer of the breast cup hA, IIB.

An alternative embodiment (not shown) could have the rigid support 12 as a double fabric layer that is folded over at the top edge 112.

In the preferred embodiment of Figure 4, the padding insert 17A is a foam, which is integrally moulded with the outer cup 111, between outer fabric layer 111' and inner fabric layer 111". Optionally, any other known padding material such as gel, fluid or air filled pouches can be used to form the padding insert. It is not essential that the padding insert is integral with the outer breast cups. The padding insert can be provided as a removable pouch which can be inserted in the space 17 between the outer fabric layer 111' and inner fabric layer 111" of the outer cups lilA, IIIB.

In the preferred and depicted embodiment in Figure 2, the angle of the upper edges 112A, 112B of the rigid supports 12A, 12B, with respect to horizontal, i.e. curved inward towards the centre, serves to provide directional support to the breast whilst giving comfort to the user. In alternative embodiments, however, the rigid supports 12A, 12B could be angled to provide a different type of support.

It will be evident that various modifications and improvements could be made to the above-described garment within the scope of the invention.

Further modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.

Claims

Claims 1. A foundation garment comprising breast cups, each breast cup having an outer cup and a rigid support located therewithin, wherein said rigid support comprises a rigid material and is laminated to an inner surface of the outer cup and wherein the rigid support covers a part of the inner surface of the outer cup.
2. A foundation garment according to Claim I wherein the rigid support has a surface area smaller than the inner surface area of the outer cup.
3. A foundation garment according to any one of Claim 1 or Claim 2 wherein the outer cup is moulded to the shape of a breast.
4. A foundation garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid material is a rigid fabric material.
5. A foundation garment according to Claim 4 wherein the rigid fabric material is a woven fabric material.
6. A foundation garment according to Claim 5 wherein the woven fabric material comprises rigid woven satin.
7. A foundation garment according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 wherein the rigid fabric material comprises a 40 denier fabric.
8. A foundation garment according to Claim 4 or Claim 5 where in the rigid fabric material comprises a rigid multifilament fabric.
9. A foundation garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid support is attached to the breast cup along the lower inside edge of the outer cup and at an additional point at an apex of the outer cup.
10. A foundation garment according to any one of Claims 1 to 8 wherein the rigid support is attached continuously along the lower and side edge of the outer cup from the bottom to an apex of the breast cup.
11. A foundation garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid support is attached along a lower inside edge of the outer cup at an anchor point approximately 5cm from the midsection of the foundation garment.
12. A foundation garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the rigid support comprises a top edge having one end attached adjacent an apex of the outer cup and another end of the top edge attached at a lower edge of the outer cup.
13. A foundation garment according to Claim 12, when dependent on claim 5 or any claim dependent directly or indirectly upon claim 5, wherein the top edge is defined by a bias cut.
14. A foundation garment according to any one of the preceding claims wherein the outer cup extends beyond the rigid support.
15. A foundation garment according to any of the preceding claims wherein the foundation garment comprises an outer cup with padding therewith in.
16. A foundation garment according to Claim 15 wherein the padding is integrally formed with the outer cup.
17. A foundation garment according to Claim 15 wherein the padding is removable.
18. A foundation garment according to anyone of Claims 15 to 17 wherein the padding is formed of a foam, gel or a fluid or air-filled bag.
19. A foundation garment according to anyone of the preceding claims wherein the foundation garment comprises an underwire at a base of the breast cup.
20. A foundation garment as hereinbefore described with reference to and/or illustrated in the accompanying drawings.