Abstract: A stiffening structure for use in a woman's brassiere to replace bones or wires, which features a main support member and a flange appended thereto. The flange includes either bifurcations or notches at desired locations to render flexibility to the structure, with the support member itself providing rigidity in order to accomplish the supporting function of the stiffening structure. In the preferred embodiment, the stiffening structure material is rigid and yet subject to easy perforation by a sewing needle in order to sew the structure in place in the undergarment so that it remains motionless in the brassiere. It is also possible to have a series of pre-cut sewing holes in the flange to ease the sewing operation. As a further alternative, the flange could be bonded directly to the material. As a still further alternative, the main support member is tapered three dimensionally--thicker at the center and thinner at the periphery and ends for increased flexibility.

Abstract: An improved separable fastener composed of two opposed, mating elongated strips with a series of flexible interengaging tongues offset from and in parallel alignment with one of the axes of the strips, and partially overlapping openings in the strips. By placing the strips in opposed abutment and then applying a compressive force, the ends of the opposing mating tongues partially displace each other and then snap into engagement with each tongue being received in the corresponding opening of the opposed strip.