Abstract: A method of grading a series of brassieres of like styling for women having the same body dimension except for breast sizes is provided. Each brassiere includes a pair of breast receiving cups for supporting the breasts of a woman, and body encircling components associated with the pair of breast receiving cups and sized to fit around the body of each woman. The method includes the steps of measuring the diaphragm dimension and body chest dimension of a woman having average sized breasts for the series of brassieres, determining by formula the breast size of the woman having average sized breasts based upon the measurements of the diaphragm and body chest dimensions, and reducing the size of the breast receiving cups while maintaining substantially the same the length of the body encircling components to accommodate a desired breast size of a second woman having less than the determined average breast size.

Abstract: A moldable fabric of improved hand warp knitted on a 28 gauge tricot warp knitting machine using spun polyester stable yarn.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multidirectional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: A method for packaging and shaping sanitary napkins (10) in a container (44) is described. The method comprises advancing a succession of pre-moistened, embossed sanitary napkins (10) along a predetermined path (30), deflecting the ends of the napkins (10) by means of deflector guides (32) to impart a non-planar shape to the napkins (10), introducing the napkins (10) into a container (44) which provides packaging therefor, and reducing the moisture content in the napkins (10). After the moisture content is sufficiently reduced, e.g., as by evaporation during commercial storage or shipment, the napkins (10) retain their non-planar, curved shape after removal from the container (44) for individual use.

Abstract: A brassiere having cups supported on their bottom by a non-distensible frame panel connected to the bottom of the cup and supported on the inner and outer top sides by a multi-directional stretchable frame connected to the cup by a narrow transition panel. The frame is cut to provide maximum stretch along the outer edge of the cup, and maximum stretch traverse to the inner edge of the cup. The transition panel has an open pattern and is hingable about an axis parallel to the edge of the cup.

Abstract: A fabric woven on a needle loom including a cover thread on the woven edge covering the exterior edge of the woven edge warp thread by a serpentine pattern interlocked with the weft loops and a binder thread knitted at the other edge covering the exterior edge of the knitted edge warp thread. Picot loops formed at both edges of the warp extend diagonally therefrom. A plurality of picot loops at the knitted edge include a non-picot weft loop substantially at the center of the plurality to secure the knitted binder thread to the warp edge.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multi-directional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: There are disclosed brassieres designed to provide better fit for smaller (e.g. less than average) busted women and a method of grading such brassieres. The cups of the brassieres for smaller busted woman include longer upper and lower perimeter sections than heretofore employed and shorter body encircling members.There is also disclosed a method of grading these brassieres from a fitted prototype brassiere of average bust capacity. It includes the steps of reducing the depth of the breast receiving components without decreasing the length of the arc along the lower sections thereof; and maintaining substantially the same length of the body encircling means.

Abstract: A cup is molded from two layers of stretchable materials by molding first the crown portion, inverting the materials and then molding the remainder of the cup. The resulting cup has a non-stretchable crown portion, a substantially non-stretchable longitudinal cup portion and a unitary multidirectional stretchable periphery portion. A pair of these cups are used to form a unique brassiere wherein the base layer forms a unitary cup, support frame and torso-encompassing portion.

Abstract: A brassiere having cups supported on their bottom by a non-distensible frame panel connected to the bottom of the cup and supported on the inner and outer top sides by a unitary, multi-directional stretchable frame panel connected to the cup by a narrow transition panel. The unitary frame panel is cut to provide maximum stretch along the outer edge of the cup, and maximum stretch traverse to the inner edge of the cup. The transition panels are an open pattern hingable about an axis parallel to the edge of the cup.

Abstract: A process for the preparation of substantially water-insoluble, particulate sodium carboxymethyl cellulose, suitable for use as an absorbent in tampons and other catamenial devices, or the like. The process involves treating solid, water-soluble sodium carboxymethyl cellulose having a degree of substitution of at least 0.4 with hydrogen chloride gas and heating the carboxymethyl cellulose, either after the hydrogen chloride treatment or concurrently therewith, to produce a cross-linked, insoluble, partially acid form carboxymethyl cellulose suitable for absorbent applications.