Abstract: A hook and eye fastener is provided in which either, or both of, the hook fastener fabric tape or the eye fastener fabric tape is made of a stretchable material. Preferably, the fabric tape can stretch primarily in a horizontal direction. The fabric tape may be single or multi-ply. In an alternative embodiment, the eye fastener fabric tape is a one piece, open knit construction. This open knit construction provides a number of eyes for a variety of adjustment possibilities with the corresponding hooks.

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.

Abstract: There is provided a shoulder strap pad having a pad assembly and a fabric cover. The fabric cover is connected to the pad assembly along each side or axial edge by a binder to form an opening or channel therebetween. The shoulder strap of the brassiere is positioned in the channel formed by the fabric cover and the pad assembly. The shoulder strap pad is movably positionable anywhere along the shoulder strap of the brassiere, thereby maximizing the comfort level provided to the wearer. The fabric cover has a first end positioned toward the front of the wearer and a second end positioned toward the back of the wearer. The first or front end is cut along a diagonal on one end to provide a larger opening for receipt of a brassiere shoulder strap. This diagonal first end also facilitates easier movement of the shoulder strap pad along the brassiere shoulder strap.

Abstract: The invention concerns lingerie articles comprising at least a moulded region to create a retaining and supporting volume of at least a curved part of the human body, made from a tubular knitted fabric (1) formed with a first extensible and thermoformable material, provided with a ribbing (2) which forms one of the edges of said article elastically enclosing the body, the final shape of the article being produced by cuts performed in the tubular knitted fabric from the free end opposite the ribbing.

Abstract: A hook and eye fastener is provided in which either, or both of, the hook fastener fabric tape or the eye fastener fabric tape is made of a stretchable material. Preferably, the fabric tape can stretch primarily in a horizontal direction. The fabric tape may be single or multi-ply. In an alternative embodiment, the eye fastener fabric tape is a one piece, open knit construction. This open knit construction provides a number of eyes for a variety of adjustment possibilities with the corresponding hooks.

Abstract: A shoulder strap pad assembly is provided that includes: a top cover, a bottom cover, and a cushion filler. The bottom cover is laminated to the top cover to form an enclosure in which the cushion filler is secured. The top cover has a top fabric layer, a first adhesive web layer positioned below the top fabric layer and a first base layer positioned below the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric layer. The bottom cover has a second base layer, a second adhesive web layer positioned above the second base layer. The cushion filler has a cushion layer, a third adhesive web layer positioned above the cushion layer, a fourth adhesive web layer positioned below the cushion layer, and a third base layer positioned below the fourth adhesive web layer. In a preferred embodiment, the pad assembly is attached to a piece of fabric to form a channel in which a brassiere shoulder strap is positioned.

Abstract: There is provided a brassiere that includes a body having a pair of breast cups, a pair of stretchable panels each adjacent a separate breast cup and connected to a back of the brassiere, and a pair of stretchable sheaths secured along a lower portion of the breast cup and floating along the panel of the brassiere. Each panel is made of a stretchable material. The brassiere further includes a pair of underwires each positionable in one sheath. Preferably, the underwire is anatomically shaped so that the curve of the underwire is greater on the inner portion compared to the outer portion.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A framework is disclosed for the rigidification of a part of a garment, which may typically be the curved underwire support of a brassiere. The framework is formed of a molded plastic, which may be thermoplastic or thermosetting and includes short rigidified fibers embedded therein. The fibers are oriented along curvatures which are parallel to the curvature of the framework. The fibers which can be glass, carbon or aromatic polyamides, are preferably a polyamide in which one aromatic group is substituted for an aliphatic group in an aliphatic chain, or a combination of these materials.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A fabric laminate (10) comprises first and second stretch fabrics (11 and 12) having an intermediate adhesive securement layer (13) between them. The adhesive securement layer (13) is in the form of a regularly repeated pattern which comprises an array of aligned adhesive elements (14) arranged in successive generally horizontally and vertically extending rows. The array of adhesive elements (14) is capable of offering resistance to elongation as the laminate (10) is subjected to distortion, with the pattern having a differential elongation characterized as offering different magnitudes of resistance to elongation when the fabric laminate (10) is subjected to distortion in selected different directions.

Abstract: A cushion strap assembly and method of making same is provided which cushion strap assembly is adapted to be used in a brassiere shoulder strap. The assembly includes a top fabric layer, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric layer, and a base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the top fabric layer. The assembly also includes a cushion filler that is a first cushion layer, a third adhesive web layer positioned on a side of the first cushion layer, a second cushion layer positioned on the third adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the first cushion layer. A second adhesive web layer can be part of the cushion filler or separate. In either event, it is positioned on the first cushion layer on the side opposite the third adhesive web layer.

Abstract: A cushion strap assembly and method of making same is provided which cushion strap assembly is adapted to be used in a brassiere shoulder strap. The assembly includes a top fabric layer, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric layer, and a base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the top fabric layer. The assembly also includes a cushion filler that is a first cushion layer, a third adhesive web layer positioned on a side of the first cushion layer, a second cushion layer positioned on the third adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the first cushion layer. A second adhesive web layer can be part of the cushion filler or separate. In either event, it is positioned on the first cushion layer on the side opposite the third adhesive web layer.

Abstract: A fabric laminate is disclosed which is formed of stretch fabrics laminated together by an integrally formed adhesive web having differential stretch characteristics. One or both of the stretch fabrics may include elastomeric yarn. The adhesive web is placed within the laminate with its primary elongation direction being in a predetermined direction, in conjunction with the orientation of the primary elongation directions of the fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is combinedly determined by the fabrics and the web as well as the predetermined orientation of their primary elongation directions. The laminate may be used for forming the control panel of women's undergarments, such as the stomach, thigh or rear control support of a panty, or the undercup or side support of a brassiere. The adhesive web which unites the two fabrics forming the laminate is a open net-like film of heat sensitive adhesive which may be formed of a polyamide material.

Abstract: A protective hard cup brassiere having two hard plate cups which are not the same, which overlap in the area of the sternum and which are held outwardly from the thorax and breasts as shown and described.