STRETCHABLE GARMENT WITH BREAST SUPPORTING STRUCTURES
A garment for support of a wearer's bust (e.g. a brassiere, bralette, a tank top, or other garment) may include one or more of an elastic under-band, an internal bust support structure, and an external bust support platform for providing additional bust support.
There are a variety of different types bras and bra-like garments (e.g. bralettes, tank tops with built-in bras, etc.) available on the market. However, many traditional bras include underwires or bulky support structures in order to provide sufficient support. These support structures may be uncomfortable for wearers, or may not be suitable to wear at certain times (e.g. at night). The problems associated with underwires and other bulky support structures of typical bras or bra-like products are more pronounced for pregnant or nursing women, whose breasts are often swollen and sore. Furthermore, traditional bras and bra-like products are sized using a band and bust measurement, and the fit of the bra or bra-like product is not flexible, making their wear problematic during periods when breast size may fluctuate, such as pregnancy or when nursing.
Seamless bras have been developed to address some of these problems. The material structure of a typical seamless bra is formed from a single tube, constructed of stretchable material that is folded in half, with the two resulting layers then stitched together along a top edge. Alternatively, seamless bras may be formed by folding the material to form an under-band and then finished to form a single layer garment. They do not have seams where multiple parts of the material structure of the bra have been stitched together. Different pieces, such as straps or a back closure, may then be added to the material structure. Additionally, seamless bras typically have molded breast cups and extra knitting for support and in order to contain the bust. Many seamless bras are also wireless. It is because of the way they are constructed, with a lack of seams and underwires and with stretchable material that they tend to me more comfortable for the wearer. However, the seamless bras currently available tend to be suited for women with smaller busts. Women with larger busts require a more supportive bra or bra-like product than those with a smaller bust, and while seamless bras or bra-like products may be worn by women with larger busts, in many instances sufficient support may be lacking.
It is also particularly common for a woman to desire to wear a seamless bra during the first months of pregnancy and during the postpartum period, at which times the breasts may be swollen and sore. As the weight of a lactating breast can be 35% heavier than the weight of a non-lactating breast of the same size, bra products providing adequate support are often desired. Lack of proper support of the breast may even cause damage to the breast tissue in some circumstances.
Providing a bra or bra-like product with sufficient support for larger busted, pregnant, or nursing women is a challenge which often leads to a tradeoff between comfort and support. There exists a need in the art for a bra or bra-like product with the comfort of a seamless bra that also provides the level support and stretch needed for women with a larger bust and/or during periods of time when the bust is larger, heavier, and/or fluctuating in size.
SUMMARYThe invention addresses these and other problems associated with the prior art by providing in one aspect an embodiment of a garment that includes a single piece of stretchable material folded along a mirror line forming a material support structure, where the mirror line forms a lower edge of the material support structure. In this embodiment, the material support structure further defines two layers of material, including an interior layer of material in contact with a wearer when in use and an exterior material layer, laterally-separated cup portions for support of the wearer, and at least one side wing portion. Additionally, this embodiment includes an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed within the material support structure and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions and the at least one side wing portion, an external support platform for each breast constructed overlaying the interior layer of the material support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions, and an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material located within the material support structure and extending laterally along the lower edge of the garment.
In some embodiments, a garment consistent with the invention may further include at least one shoulder strap coupling at least one laterally-separated cup portion to a back portion of the material support structure. In some embodiments the back portion may further include a closure. In some embodiments the shoulder straps additionally include at least one laterally-separated cup portion that is removably attached proximate the shoulder strap to allow for nursing or pumping. Some embodiments include an internal bust support constructed from a stabilizing material. In some embodiments the laterally-separated cup portions further comprise molded cups. In some embodiments the external support platform for each breast is constructed from a double layered piece of stretchable material. In some embodiments the external support platform for each breast includes concave top edge. In some embodiments the external support platform for each breast is attached to the material support structure proximate a center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions, proximate the side wing portion, and along a lower edge of the laterally-separated cup portion. Some embodiments also include an internal bust support that is constructed from at least one piece of material.
In some embodiments the internal bust support includes at least one of: a center internal bust support piece positioned along a vertical center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; a side wing internal bust support piece positioned along an outer line of the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; and an under-bust internal support piece positioned following a lower outline of the laterally-separate cup positions.
Consistent with another aspect of the invention an embodiment of a garment may include a material support structure that includes opposing interior and exterior material layers and defining laterally-separated cup portions for supporting a wearer's bust when in use. This embodiment also includes an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed between the interior and exterior material layers and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the bust support structure, and an external material support platform overlaying the interior material layer of the breast support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the breast support structure. Some embodiments also may include an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material and extending along a lower edge of the garment.
These and other advantages and features, which characterize the invention, are set forth in the claims annexed hereto and forming a further part thereof. However, for a better understanding of the invention, and of the advantages and objectives attained through its use, reference should be made to the drawings, as well as the accompanying descriptive matter, in which there are described exemplary embodiments of the invention.
Turning now to the drawings, wherein like numbers denote like parts throughout the several views,
The bra of
As is standard in the industry of seamless bras, the main material structure of bra 100 may be constructed primarily from a single piece of material that forms the cups, the side wings and back portions of the garment, and in some embodiments, the material may be knitted in a variety of patterns to provide different properties in different areas of the garment. For example,
The bra 100 is constructed with an interior layer 202 that comes into contract with the wearer while in use, and an exterior layer 102 that faces outwardly while in use. In some embodiments the layers may be constructed from separate, independent pieces of material that are stitched together. In other embodiments, as illustrated in
A garment consistent with the invention may also include additional support structures and components to provide additional bust support, e.g., at least one of and any combination of the following features: an under-band, an internal bust support structure, and an external platform. As will become more apparent below, an under-band may extend laterally across a wearer's torso to allow a garment consistent with the invention to remain flush with the chest, increasing support of the bust. An internal bust support structure may be a support structure interposed between the interior 202 and exterior 102 layers of material at least along the undersides of the cup portions to provide additional support for the bust. An external platform may be a support structure attached to or otherwise overlaying a portion of the interior layer 202 to provide additional support for the breasts. Various embodiments of these features are described in further detail herein, however, the described embodiments are not intended to be limiting and one of skill in the art may recognize various additional embodiments of these features.
In other embodiments the internal bust support 402 may be constructed of multiple pieces (see
A garment consistent with the invention, such as the bra 100, may be constructed by first knitting a main material support structure on a circular knitting machine. In some embodiments the circular knitting machine may knit a single piece of material to comprise both the interior layer 202 and the exterior layer 102. In other embodiments the circular knitting machine may knit a plurality of pieces of material that may be sewn together to form the interior 202 and exterior 102 layers. In some embodiments, the circular knitting machine may be a Santoni circular knitting machine, although the invention is not so limited. In some embodiments, a pleat is formed within the structure during the knitting process. The pleat may be formed such that the outer edge of the pleat is the lower edge of the garment being constructed, thus forming an open channel.
After a material structure is knit, excess material may be removed yielding a rough cut of a garment. The material structure may then be molded based on given specifications of mold depth, time, and heat conditions. In some embodiments, molding will be based on the necessary size of the finished product. The excess material may then be removed along the top of the laterally-separated cup portions 204, 206 and side wing portions 205, 207. In some embodiments, the under-band 304 may be inserted through a channel created by the pleat. The bottom of the under-band 304 may be stitched to the body to hold the under-band in place. In some embodiments this stitch is a zig-zag stitch, although the invention is not so limited.
While the body of a garment consistent with the invention is still open, the internal bust support is laid in place. In some embodiments the internal bust support may be a single piece of material. In other embodiments, the internal bust support may contain multiple, separate, pieces. In some embodiments the internal bust support may be laid in place with a single needle stitch. In other embodiments, the internal bust support may be laid in place by being laminated, stitched, glued, heat sealed or by other means known in the art. In other embodiments the internal bust support may be pinned into place. The interior 202 and exterior 102 layers of the garment are then folded over and stitched together along the cut line of the top of the laterally-separated cup portions 204, 206 and side wing portions 205, 207. In some embodiments a baste stitch may be used to stitch the interior 202 and exterior 102 layers together. In other embodiments, an overlock stitch may be used to stitch the interior 202 and exterior 102 layers together. The edges of the external support platforms, and, if present the side slings, are then stitched together. In some embodiments this may be performed using an overlay stitch, although the invention is not so limited. The external support platforms are then stitched to the garment along the lower portion of the laterally-separated cups and the side wing portions. The side slings, if present, are then stitched to each side wing portion and across the lower portion of the laterally-separated cup portions. In some embodiments the stitching along the lower portion of the cups does not extend the entire length of each cup, rather it extends to approximately the middle of each cup portion. In some embodiments a zig-zag stitch is used to attach the external support platform and the side sling. Finally, if present, straps and a closure (e.g. hook and eye) are then attached.
Other modifications may be made consistent with the invention. Therefore, the invention lies in the claims hereinafter appended.
Claims
1. A garment comprising:
- a single piece of stretchable material folded along a mirror line forming a material support structure, wherein said mirror line forms a lower edge of the material support structure,
- the material support structure further comprising: two layers of material, including an interior layer of material in contact with a wearer when in use and an exterior material layer; laterally-separated cup portions for support of the wearer; at least one side wing portion;
- an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed within the material support structure and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions and the at least one side wing portion;
- an external support platform for each breast constructed overlaying the interior layer of the material support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions;
- an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material located within the material support structure and extending laterally along the lower edge of the garment.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the garment further comprises at least one shoulder strap coupling at least one laterally-separated cup portion to a back portion of the material support structure.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the back portion of the material support structure further comprises a closure.
4. The shoulder strap of claim 2, wherein at least one laterally-separated cup portion is removably attached proximate the shoulder strap to allow for nursing or pumping.
5. The garment of claim 1, wherein the internal bust support is constructed from a stabilizing material.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the laterally-separated cup portions further comprise molded cups;
7. The garment of claim 1, wherein the external support platform for each breast is constructed from a double layered piece of stretchable material.
8. The garment of claim 1, wherein external support platform for each breast includes a concave top edge.
9. The garment of claim 1, wherein the external support platform for each breast is attached to the material support structure proximate a center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions, proximate the side wing portion, and along a lower edge of the laterally-separated cup portion.
10. The garment of claim 1, wherein the internal bust support is constructed from at least one piece of material.
11. The garment of claim 10, wherein the internal bust support comprises at least one of:
- a center internal bust support piece positioned along a vertical center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion;
- a side wing internal bust support piece positioned along an outer line of the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; and
- an under-bust internal support piece positioned following a lower outline of the laterally-separate cup positions.
12. A garment comprising:
- a material support structure including opposing interior and exterior material layers and defining laterally-separated cup portions for supporting a wearer's bust when in use;
- an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed between the interior and exterior material layers and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the bust support structure; and
- an external material support platform overlaying the interior material layer of the breast support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the breast support structure.
13. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment further comprises an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material and extending along a lower edge of the garment.
14. The garment of claim 12, wherein the garment further comprises at least one shoulder strap coupling at least one laterally-separated cup portion and a back portion.
15. The shoulder strap of claim 14, wherein at least one laterally-separated cup portion is removably attached proximate the shoulder strap to allow for nursing or pumping.
16. The garment of claim 12, wherein the laterally-separated cup portions further comprise molded cups.
17. The garment of claim 12, wherein the back portion of the bust support structure further comprises a closure.
18. The garment of claim 12, wherein the internal bust support is constructed from a stabilizing material.
19. The garment of claim 12, wherein the material support platform is attached to the material support structure proximate a center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions, proximate a side wing portion, and along a lower edge of the laterally-separated cup portion.
20. The garment of claim 12, wherein the internal bust support is constructed from at least one piece of material.
21. The garment of claim 20, wherein the internal bust support comprises at least one of:
- a center internal bust support piece positioned along a vertical center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion;
- a side wing internal bust support piece positioned along an outer line of the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; and
- an under-bust internal support piece positioned following a lower outline of the laterally-separated cup positions.
Type: Application
Filed: Sep 14, 2016
Publication Date: Mar 15, 2018
Inventors: Tracey Montford (Castle Hill), Katie Brooker (Brogue)
Application Number: 15/265,389