Abstract: Sport bras having one or more support grooves for lifting, separating, shaping a supporting a wearer's breasts and methods for fabricating these sport bra are described. The support grooves may be pressed into a layer of compressible material such that the support grooves extend from a central region along the wearer's sternum, curve underneath the breasts and extend upwardly towards the underarm region.

Abstract: A molded brassiere cup is disclosed in which an underwire is located between sheets of material which provide the outer and inner surfaces of the brassiere cup. During manufacture an insert of a cushioning substance, preferably a piece of foam, is located between the inner sheet of material and the underwire. The invention avoids prior art complex casing structures for underwires and is cheaper to manufacture.

Abstract: A bra or other garment pad for breast support has a top fabric layer, a top polyurethane foam layer adhered to the top fabric layer and a nipple concealing disk of shaved polyurethane foam adhered to or formed as part of the top foam layer. The disk is at a nipple covering location of an outer perimeter of the pad and is substantially circular, and is spaced inwardly on all sides from the outer perimeter of the pad. The disk has a graduated thickness at a minimum at the disk perimeter and increasing to a maximum at its center. A substantially 100% spandex fabric layer is adhered to the inner surface of the top foam layer and disk and a bottom polyurethane foam layer is adhered to an inner surface of the spandex layer with a fabric lining layer adhered to the bottom foam layer.

Abstract: A breast cup for a bra that has an outermost layer and an innermost layer and at least one intermediate panel that is captured between the innermost layer and the outermost layer. At least part of an edge of the intermediate panel is positioned at a location that is non-contiguous the perimeter of the cup. This defines within the cup perimeter at least two zones of different cross sectional composition that may offer a different hand feel of different parts of the cup.

Abstract: There are provided an adhesive brassiere and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein a molded brassiere cup is manufactured by a computer numerical control (CNC) mold including a barrier hole defining a V-shaped cross section to form a rim around the molded brassiere cup, the molded brassiere cup is finish-cut by a steel cutter on a press, and an adhesive is applied to an inner surface of a molded brassiere cup so that the adhesive brassiere is secured only by the adhesive strength of the adhesive, without any shoulder or back straps, whereby this strapless and backless brassiere has an esthetically excellent appearance and does not cause any skin irritation problems including itching/inflammation/scratching.

Abstract: An article made of elastic textile material comprising at least one zone intended to be shaped by thermal molding is provided. The at least one zone has at least over one part a support region in which the textile material is coated, prior to thermal molding, with a non-moldable material with shape-memory. The article is, in particular, a brassiere coated with silicone in the zone of the cups of the brassiere.

Abstract: A brassiere cup, and brassiere formed therewith, is provided for enhancing the shape of a wearer's breast. The brassiere cup comprises an outer fabric layer having a lower peripheral portion, and an inner liner fabric layer having a lower peripheral portion. A breast enhancement insert having upper and lower peripheral portions and inner and outer surfaces is attached along the lower peripheral portions of the outer fabric layer and the inner liner layer, the upper peripheral portion and the inner and outer surfaces of the insert being substantially unattached. The breast enhancement insert comprises a padding material encapsulated within a fabric cover.

Abstract: A silicone gel bra includes two silicone gel bra cups and a connector. The silicone gel bra cups are formed with a volume of silicone gel shaped in a mold. Each silicone gel bra cup has an inside surface. A portion of the inside surface or the entire inside surface is coated with a reusable adhesive layer. The silicone gel bra cups each have an extension portion. The extension portion is inserted through a loop of the connector, and then reversely folded to be adhered to the relative bra cup to constitute the silicone gel bra. The silicone gel bra cups have a plurality of air apertures to provide a ventilation function for the breast. The silicone gel material of the silicone gel bra cups can be mixed with a forming agent to form a silicone gel form material with air bubbles to constitute the silicone gel bra cups.

Abstract: A bra cup includes: an inner cup portion, comprising one or more inner foam layers; and an outer cup portion, attached to the inner cup portion, comprising one or more outer foam layers, the inner cup portion and the outer cup portion together forming the bra cup. The inner foam layers form first and second convex portions with respect to an inner surface of the inner cup portion. The first and second convex portions form, at an intersection therebetween, a channel on the inner surface extending from a lower portion of the cup towards an apex of the bra cup.

Abstract: A lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra is provided. The sports bra comprises an interior liner layer having two faces and an exterior shell layer having two faces and a printed obscuration pattern in between the interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer. The interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer with the printed obscuration pattern are assembled in a way that provides modesty and the printed pattern is not visible from the outside. An optional layer called the intermediate liner layer may be placed in between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer.

Abstract: A method is provided for molding a breast-receiving cup for a garment, comprising laminating a support fabric to a lofted material to form a lofted assembly, positioning the lofted assembly in a molding apparatus having a first mold with a projecting element and a second mold having a recessed element, and closing together the first mold and the second mold while maintaining a uniform preset gap between the projecting element and the recessed element to form a molded lofted assembly in the shape of a breast-receiving cup.

Abstract: A method for the manufacture of spatial objects of a fleece or felt, wherein the fibers are deposited on a mold that is preferably air-permeable. The fibers may be attracted to the mold by a vacuum applied to the underside of said mold. Preferably, the mold has several spatial structures that define the shape of the fiber web that is being formed and that correspond at least approximately to the desired final shape. By subsequent compacting of the thusly obtained fiber web, a spatially three-dimensional felt object is obtained. In this method, subsequent deforming steps are unnecessary or reduced to a minimum, so that the material to be produced does not experience any substantial distortion.

Abstract: A method for forming a brassiere cup includes the steps of: forming an inner cup member and an outer cup member of the brassiere cup, respectively; spraying or coating the predetermined joining surfaces of the inner and outer cup members with a glue; heating a film and, while the film is softened, attaching it to the glue-sprayed or glue-coated surfaces of the inner and outer cup members by vacuum suction; and assembling and sealing the inner and outer cup members and filling a filler in between the inner and outer cup members. The filler in the brassiere cup thus formed can comply with the breast shape of each user to achieve optimal shaping and supporting effects.

Abstract: A body-shaping garment and fabric is provided. The garment includes an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is placed in an angular orientation relative to the outer fabric layer. Further, the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer have sufficiently isotropic hysteresis.

Abstract: Methods of molding a non-woven fabric are provided. The methods include selecting a non-woven fabric having a web of fibers having a uniform fiber orientation in all directions, compressing the non-woven fabric between a top mold and a bottom mold, and maintaining the non-woven fabric between the top and bottom molds for a predetermined dwell time to define a molded depth and a molded diameter in the non-woven fabric.

Abstract: According to the improved systems and methods described herein, a patient may be immobilized so that one or both breasts are returned to a known position. Additionally, the improved systems and methods reduce respiratory movement of the breasts. Thus, the immobilization devices and techniques described herein provide accurate and reproducible breast positioning while simultaneously reducing respiratory motion.

Abstract: A bra cup that supports and augments different areas of the breast. The bra cup includes different sections having different combinations of multilayer fabric and foam materials to create a round, smooth, silhouette underneath the clothing of the wearer without sacrificing the comfort of the wearer or the accuracy of the fit. The bra cup includes two or more discrete sections that are attached together and then covered on an outward facing surface with a continuous foam and fabric layer that provides a smooth outer surface. The first section includes a stabilizer material that creates a sling-like mechanism that causes the first section to cradle the breasts of a wearer, while pushing the breasts simultaneously upwards towards the neckline and inwards towards the other breast. The second section includes an area of increased thickness in a location corresponding to the superior lateral quadrant of the breast.

Abstract: An ergonomically constructed dynamic bra includes smart combo cups designed with multilayered materials, a modern neckline silhouette, supporting armhole and a cut-out tear drop area to achieve a soft and quiet bust point. A sling is built into the cup for breast support, to construct different ergonomic, bra designs, including i) a semi-demi ergonomic bra design with or without straps, with a plunging neckline and including at the sides telescope boning, support frame and back strap ending in a soft-seal and cushioned back fastener, ii)—a full coverage ergonomic bra designed as the semi-demi ergonomic bra including a pair of pressure releasing cushioned front straps, and iii) a cross-over strap bra design including pressure releasing cushioned front straps designed to cross-over in -the back and fastened to the opposite side of a back frame. The ergonomic bra is constructed to facilitate interaction between the breasts and the body.

Abstract: A bra comprising two bra cups is defined. Each bra cup preferably comprises an outermost fabric layer and an innermost fabric layer and at least one intermediate layer intermediate of the outermost fabric layer and the innermost layer. The outermost fabric layer at at least part of at least one of the neckline edge region and underarm edge region of each cup is folded over the intermediate layer and secured at the inner side of the breast cup, preferably joined to the innermost layer through ultrasonic welding. The folded-over portion of the outermost layer is contiguous with and does not overlap the innermost layer. The intermediate layer extends beyond the innermost layer at the neckline edge region and the underarm edge region so that a reduction in thickness is defined at the neckline edge region and the underarm edge region. A method of making the same is also provided.

Abstract: The invention includes a molded breast cup comprising an outer panel which includes an outer fabric layer and an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn against a wearer's skin. A middle layer is disposed between the outer panel and the inner panel. The middle layer comprises fill being sufficiently thick such that the outer panel corresponds to a breast cup size which is more than one breast cup size and preferably two breast cup sizes above the breast cup size which corresponds to the inner panel.

Abstract: A seamless athletic bra includes different regions with different levels of support. The bra is formed from layers of material adhered together. Altering the types of materials comprising the layers in a region changes the level of support in that region as compared with other regions of the bra. A first region having the lowest level of support is found in a back panel and in the molded cups. A second region having a medium level of support is found in the front portion of the strap. A third region having a high level of support is found in a framework that follows the contours of the molded cups and in a back portion of the strap.

Abstract: An apparatus for concealing a bodily protrusion such as a human nipple comprising a foam pad for placing against the protrusion and a rubber pad for placing against a garment interior like the inside of a brassiere cup wherein the foam pad and the rubber pad are attached together.

Abstract: A garment pad kit for coupling a garment pad (20A, 20B, 120A, or 120B) to a garment (11 or 102) is provided. The garment pad kit includes a garment pad (20A, 20B, 120A, or 120B) having a body portion (23 and 123) having an adhering surface (19, 21, 119, and 121) disposed on the body portion. The garment pad kit further includes an adhesive (33, 34, 133, or 134) for coupling the adhering surface to a garment (11 or 102).

Abstract: A stiffened brassiere having two layers of fabric between which a stiffening element is inserted. The two layers of fabric are joined together by adhesive bonding and are then shaped to form the cups and the side bands of the brassiere.

Abstract: The breast cup in accordance with the present invention comprises a cover and a support. The cover is double-layered material, substantially ovoid in shape and comprises an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer presses against a wearer's skin and has a smooth surface corresponding to a bottom contour of a wearer's breast. The outer layer is mounted on the inner layer, is opposite to the wearer's skin and has a periphery and a longitudinal cavity. The periphery corresponds to a bottom contour of the wearer's breast. The longitudinal cavity is aligned with the periphery of the outer layer and forms a longitudinal curve. The support is mounted in the longitudinal cavity and protrudes from the outer layer to provide support and shape to the breast.

Abstract: A lightweight, substantially unpadded, comfortable, push-in, wire-free bra has, when worn by a female wearer, a front including a pair of cups. Each cup defines upper inner and outer portions, lower inner and outer portions, a top, and a bottom, and is configured and dimensioned to hold substantially one breast of a female wearer. Each cup includes a sling portion that is designed to provide lateral support to the respective breast. In this manner, the sling portions bias the cup upper outer portions inwardly to provide push-in cleavage on the wearer's breasts. Straps are secured to the front for releasably supporting it on a female wearer with the breasts of the female wearer substantially within the cups.

Abstract: There are provided an adhesive brassiere manufactured by using a barrier hole, and a method of manufacturing the same, wherein a brassiere cup mold is manufactured by a computer numerical control (CNC) mold including a barrier hole, the brassiere cup mold is finish-cut by a steel cutter on a press, and an adhesive is applied to an inner surface of a brassiere cup mold so that the adhesive brassiere is secured only by the adhesive strength of the adhesive, without any shoulder or back straps, whereby this strapless and backless brassiere has an esthetically excellent appearance and does not cause any skin irritation problems including itching/inflammation/scratching.

Abstract: A brassiere cup and pad structure is revealed. The brassiere cup and pad structure consists of two outer linings made from polypropylene and an inner padding made from the same material-polypropylene. By the polypropylene with low melting point, the dye degradation on the outer lining caused by high temperature during foaming processes can be avoided. Thus the amount of defective products in which the outer lining have spots resulted from degraded dyes is reduced. Moreover, the shortcoming of general inner padding made from foam that is easy to turn yellow over time is improved effectively.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a take-up member having an inner and an outer take-up segment. The take-up segments follow the outer curvature of the upper portion of the brassier cup. The lower ends of the take-up segments are attached at or near the ends of the lower edge of the cup, which extends side to side, below the breast. The lower edge of the cup can comprise an uplifting wire, a support strip, a bent support strip or a simple seam.

Abstract: A breast cup comprising an inner shell and an outer shell. The inner shell may have a concave shape selected from a number of available cup sizes. The outer shell may have a convex shape selected from a number of available breast cup sizes.

Abstract: A breast support garment is configured with adjustable straps, cups, and/or other components in order to facilitate modification of the appearance of the bust. Modifying the length of certain straps causes the cups to move upwards/downwards and/or inwards/outwards with respect to the center of the breast support garment. Shoulder straps or other portions of the breast support garment may pass through guide loops and/or couple to the breast cups or garment shell to permit adjustment. The location of each breast cup may be independently adjusted.

Abstract: A pad for a brassiere having a foam layer; a liner layer and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer is provided. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere. A brassiere having a pair of breast-receiving cups is provided. Each of the pair of breast-receiving cups has a pad having a foam layer, a liner layer, and a shaped cover positioned between the foam layer and the liner layer. The shaped cover is positioned between the foam layer and the said liner layer to provide enhanced coverage to the brassiere.

Abstract: A brassiere is provided with a front piece incorporating two breast cups and with two side pieces extending around the upper body of an individual wearing the brassiere, the first ends of which are fastened to the front piece at the sides and the second ends of which can be connected together in the back area of the individual. According to the invention, each of the side pieces includes two layers of a textile material, namely an outer layer facing away from the body and an inner layer facing the body, which are fastened together with an adhesive layer at the upper and lower edges of the respective side piece.

Abstract: A brassiere is provided having a front piece incorporating two breast cups and with two side pieces extending around the upper body of an individual wearing the brassiere, which side pieces can be connected to one another in a back closure and with two shoulder straps that extend from the upper edge of the breast cups to the back area of the side pieces. The base material of the brassiere is reinforced on at least part of its edge by applying facing bands or the like. In accordance with the invention it is provided that to form an edge reinforcement, in each case a facing band is fixed with a longitudinal edge to the corresponding edge of the blank made of the base material of the brassiere by linear ultrasonic welding and also is fixed at least partially in a two-dimensional manner with the base material by means of an adhesive layer.

Abstract: A lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra is provided. The sports bra comprises an interior liner layer having two faces and an exterior shell layer having two faces and a printed obscuration pattern in between the interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer. The interior liner layer and the exterior shell layer with the printed obscuration pattern are assembled in a way that provides modesty and the printed pattern is not visible from the outside. An optional layer called the intermediate liner layer may be placed in between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer.

Abstract: There is provided a breast cup comprising an outer panel including an outer fabric layer, an inner panel including an inner fabric layer to be worn against a wearer's skin, the inner panel including an upper and a lower region, wherein the upper region is closest to and the lower region is furthest from a neckline of a user when the breast cup is worn by the user, and wherein the inner panel includes disposed on at least a portion of the lower region, a discontinuous layer of an elastomeric material to provide a region of high friction when worn against a user's skin. A method of making the same is also provided.

Abstract: A brassiere is provided with a front piece forming the breast cups and with two side pieces extending around the upper body of an individual wearing the brassiere and which can be connected in the back area of the wearer. Shoulder straps extend from the breast cups to the back parts of the side pieces. At least part of the edges of the brassiere are folded over to form the marginal edge and fixed in this position by an adhesive layer is arranged between the folded-over edge part and the textile layer of the brassiere that faces it.

Abstract: A bra that is adapted to be a face mask has first and second bra cups, each of which includes an air filter and which are removably coupled to each other with a first attachment means. A formable member is coupled to the air filter of each bra cup. One end of a first body strap is coupled to the first bra cup and one end of a second body strap is coupled to the second bra cup. A second attachment means removably couples the second ends of the first and second body straps together. When the bra is to be used as a face mask, the first and second body straps are separated and the second attachment means is used to couple the first body strap to the first bra cup via the first attachment means as the first bra cup is separated from the second bra cup.

Abstract: A multifunction brassiere cup is described that includes multiple layers partially overlapping one another. A first layer, second layer, and third layer each have unattached edges. The unattached edges of the first and second layers cross to define a nook, which nook is covered by the overlapping third layer. The multifunction brassiere cup is configured to selectively receive the funnel of a breast pump behind the third layer of the cup and within the nook such that the funnel is supported against a nipple by the unattached edges of the first, second, and third layers.

Abstract: A brassiere cup, and a brassiere incorporating the brassiere cups, are provided. The brassiere cup includes an outer fabric layer, an inner fabric layer, and a first, inner layer of foam material positioned between the outer and inner fabric layers. The cup has a lower periphery, and an embossed breast support is positioned at the lower periphery inside of the cup.

Abstract: A fold-down convertible nursing bra with front and back reconfigurable straps is described. The cups of the bra are secured with a clip at the top of the shoulder strap that can be unclipped with one hand and folded down to nurse, then clipped back into the original position. A strip of fabric inside the cup remains attached to both the cup and the shoulder strap while the cup is folded down so that the bra remains secure and the clip can be easily accessed in order to reattach the cup. The bra also has back reconfigurable shoulder straps attached with a clip that can be removed and reattached in different positions such that the bra may be worn, for example, in a halter or racerback configuration.

Abstract: This discrete, easily accessible, and selectively introduced and selectively removed pocket holds, e.g., keys, cash, credit cards, metro cards, cosmetics, valuables, or other accessories. The pocket is worn in the interior of a brassiere cup or bathing suit top to provide convenience and safety and is shaped and contoured appropriately to the interior of such garment. The pocket can be used with any brassiere and is held in place with a plurality of attaching members, including but not limited to magnets. The pocket is alternately and easily removed from an article of clothing, even in public, and worn as a sachet around the wrist.

Abstract: A woman's garment for covering the breasts of a woman, such as a bra, that includes two cup shaped portions for covering and supporting the breasts and a lateral strap that extends outwardly from one of the cup shaped portions. The lateral strap encircles the back of the woman and has a closure device located at its distal end. Another closure device is located proximate to the outside edge of the other cup shaped portion and is readily detachable and attachable with the closure device on the lateral strap. Due to the length of the lateral strap, the closure device of the lateral strap and the closure device proximate to the cup shaped portion form a connection that is automatically positioned proximate to and underneath the arm pit of the wearer such that the connection is not visible through an outer garment and thus creates a seamless appearance.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a support pad for an undergarment. The support pad may be formed by placing a layer of support material between an outer layer and an inner layer. Both the outer layer and the inner layer may include a foam portion and a cover lining portion. In one embodiment, an area of the foam in either the outer layer or the inner layer, or both, may have a reduced thickness formed by shaving or compressing. The support pad according to the present invention incorporates support material into the support pad so there is no need for the attachment of elastic to the outside of the pad. As such, the support pad is sleeker and lighter than previous support pads, and does not result in unsightly seams which may be visible through clothing worn over a garment having the pad.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a garment, in particular an undergarment, comprising a brassiere means, wherein the garment at least partly consists of latent heat storage material for temperature regulation and/or includes at least one latent heat accumulator for temperature regulation.

Abstract: An article made of elastic textile material comprising at least one zone intended to be shaped by thermal molding is provided. The at least one zone has at least over one part a support region in which the textile material is coated, prior to thermal molding, with a non-moldable material with shape-memory. The article is, in particular, a brassiere coated with silicone in the zone of the cups of the brassiere.

Abstract: A breast support garment is configured with adjustable straps, cups, and/or other components in order to facilitate modification of the appearance of the bust. Modifying the length of certain straps causes the cups to move upwards/downwards and/or inwards/outwards with respect to the center of the breast support garment. Shoulder straps or other portions of the breast support garment may pass through guide loops and/or couple to the breast cups or garment shell to permit adjustment. The location of each breast cup may be independently adjusted.

Abstract: A molded brassiere cup is disclosed in which an underwire is located between sheets of material which provide the outer and inner surfaces of the brassiere cup. During manufacture an insert of a cushioning substance, preferably a piece of foam, is located between the inner sheet of material and the underwire. The invention avoids prior art complex casing structures for underwires and is cheaper to manufacture.

Abstract: Methods of molding a non-woven fabric are provided. The methods include selecting a non-woven fabric having a web of randomly disbursed fibers, compressing the non-woven fabric between a top mold and a bottom mold, and maintaining the non-woven fabric between the top and bottom molds for a predetermined dwell time to define a molded depth and a molded diameter in the non-woven fabric. In some embodiments, the method includes exposing the non-woven fabric to mechanical agitation. In other embodiments, the method includes selecting the top and bottom molds to have a depth that is larger than the molded depth by about 30 to about 50 percent and a diameter that us larger than the molded diameter by less than about 10 percent.

Abstract: Feminine undergarments, particularly brassieres and other body shaping garments that are fabricated using a multi-layered fabric laminate that is formed by gluing multiple fabric layers together, preferably to permit body shaping garments to be substantially fabricated from a single main piece of material or blank cut from the multi-layered fabric laminate and which has finished edges which do not require separate binding or narrow edge finishing, together with a method of making such garments, both on an individual, batch basis, as well as an automated process for making the fabric laminate and multiple garments on a continuous basis, are disclosed. Multi-layer composite fabric laminate materials wherein different portions of at least one fabric layer thereof are made of different fabrics, and a method for making them, are also disclosed.