Abstract: An upper-torso garment includes a first knit zone and a second knit zone. The first knit zone includes a knit structure with a single course of tuck binder stitches and having a first amount of flexural rigidity, and the second knit zone includes a knit structure with a plurality of tuck binder courses and having a second amount of flexural rigidity, which is different than the first amount of flexural rigidity.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a body portion configured to at least partially encircle a wearer of the brassiere. The body portion includes a torso band configured to at least partially encircle a wearer of the brassiere, and a pair of breast cups including a first breast cup and a second breast cup. The pair of breast cups are configured to support breasts of the wearer. The brassiere further includes an under-bust support adhered to the body portion adjacent to a lower periphery of the pair of breast cups.

Abstract: New body supporting and enhancing garment techniques are provided. In some embodiments, new types of strapless, backless bras and other garments are provided, along with new sizing systems for fitting them to women's bodies. For example, new types and positions of bra straps and bands are provided, in some embodiments. In other embodiments, new systems of internal and external attachment devices, for reversibly connecting adhesives, straps, clothing, and accessories to bras and other garments, are also provided.

Abstract: A brassiere (1) with at least one underwire designed to be disposed at least at the lower join zone between each breast and the trunk of a user, the brassiere (1) including two cups (2, 3) designed to cover the breasts at least in part and onto which the underwire is fastened, characterized in that it includes at least one basque (e.g., cradle), (4) disposed on brassiere (1), so as to there-with cover at least the underwiring, and designed to be interposed between at least the underwiring and the body of the user.

Abstract: A breast prosthesis comprises a resiliently-compliant silicone shell (1;11) which has an outer wall (2;12) configured to simulate the shape of a female breast. The wall (2;12) is fretted with an ornamental pattern of perforations (6;16) that vent the internal cavity (4;14) of the shell (1;11), and ribs (5;15) within the cavity (4;14) extend across it in resiliently supporting and retaining the breast-shape of the shell (1;11). The ribs (5;15) are interconnected with one another and are molded integrally with the outer wall (2;12). The shell (1:11) has a flat peripheral rim (3:13) to the cavity (4:14).

Abstract: A brassiere formed of an inner garment base, memory foam, a pair of under supports, and an outer fabric cover. The under support is rigid and has varying width and differing radii to accommodate the bottom portion shape of a natural breast or a breast implant, which is not a perfect semi-circle. The under support is positioned such that the foam encapsulates the under support keeping the proximal edge in proximity with bottom portion of the breast tissues or implant and the ribs. The under support has its largest width, thereby the largest contact surface with the implant or breast tissues, closest to the lateral end causing the breast tissues or implant to be supported upward and medially. The under support has openings or anchors extending thereform with openings to allow the foam to surround and go through the under support to secure it in place in the brassiere.

Abstract: This invention relates to a breast support garment for use in active environments, where the wearer of such garment is engaged in an activity that results in accelerating movements. In some preferred embodiments, these garments may be athletic or sports bras that redirect momentum related to a wearer's accelerating movements, for example, during exercise.

Abstract: An underwire for use in a brassiere, and the associated brassiere, the underwire including a generally arcuate base member having a first end, a central segment, and a second end, and a spiral boning member fixedly attached to the base member, where the spiral boning member has a greater flexibility than a flexibility of the base member.

Abstract: A velvet sheath for bra wire rings and a bra using the velvet sheath, the sheath comprises a main body holding a hollow part and formed by an upper fabric and a lower fabric, both sides of the hollow part of main body interweave and connect the upper fabric and the lower fabric to form velvet woven grid surfaces by velvet warp threads crossed up and down, respectively, and the sheath is sewn under the bra cup. The velvet sheath for bra wire rings according to the present invention will not appear rough surface and uneven elasticity caused by wire rings pulling the sheath after wire rings inserted into the curvedly sewn sheath or when users wear such bras later, and may ameliorate deformation, wrinkles and tightness of the sheath caused by the uneven tension formed by bending of wire rings and can cushion the compression induced by bending of wire rings without affecting the effect of the sheath on fixing the wire rings.

Abstract: The invention discloses a sheath for bra wire ring. It includes a hollow sheath body made of cloth, and there is a hollow part for holding the wire ring to be inserted in the hollow sheath body; it also comprises a core wire inserted in the hollow part, and the core wire slides relative to the hollow sheath body. Such design solves the problem of resistance when the wire rings are inserted into a flat bra wire ring sheath, resulting in that in the process of manufacturing bra, the phenomena of wrinkles and holes left on the surface of the sheath and the tightness of the sheath caused by inserting wire rings can be obviously improved, and making the product more beautiful and simultaneously enhancing the comfort of wearing the bra for females.

Abstract: A bra having one or more flexible elastomeric support strips is provided herein. The support strips are affixed to an outer-facing surface of the bra or breast cups such that they provide support to at least the under portions of a wearer's breasts.

Abstract: A strap adjustable brassiere has straps that are slidably engaged with a band rail extending along the wing band and/or a cup rail extending along the cup. The wing band rail extends in an incline from a side position toward the center back position and this enables the straps to be slid from one position to another along the band rail without changing the length of the straps. Likewise, the cup rail extends at an incline from a side location toward the center front location to allow the strap to slide along the cup rail without changing the length of the strap. The rail may be a bulbous extension from the wing band and the strap slider may have a cavity that extends around the rail to provide a slidable engagement.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a garment having a cup portion with two cups, a body portion integrated with the cup portion, and a band are disposed on the garment such that is extends beneath the cup portions. The band is either on the body portion or adjacent the body portion. The garment also has support structures with a configuration, each following proximately a contour of the lower part of its respective cup, wherein a portion of the support structure is formed on and fixed to the band and a portion of the support structure extends on the body of the garment and is attached thereto. As such the support structure configuration is approximately arcuate. The garment also has additional control regions. The control is provided by fabric or materials that have less stretch than the body fabric from which the body of the garment is made.

Abstract: Garments with radiation-reducing pockets and harnessing are described. A shirt can include a pocket made of a radiation-reducing material to place an electronic device such as a smartphone within. This can reduce the amount of radiation absorbed by a user's body. A harness system of the shirt can also distribute the weight of the smartphone to improve the comfort of the user.

Abstract: A breast support structure of a garment includes one or more substantially rigid support members. Each substantially rigid support member includes a profile portion having a first end, a second end and a generally curved body that extends between the first end and the second end. The generally curved body includes a top curved surface and a bottom curved surface. Each substantially rigid support member includes a cantilevered portion connected to the top curved surface of the profile portion that projects outward from the profile portion, and one or more structural elements extending across at least a part of the cantilevered portion and at least a part of the profile portion.

Abstract: A nursing bra includes a front portion including a first cup and a second cup; a back portion, wherein the front and back portions are connected at the sides of the bra. The nursing bra further includes a first shoulder strap extending from the back portion to the first cup and a second shoulder strap extending from the back portion to the second cup, wherein the straps are permanently connected to the front portion through connection parts and the straps are releaseably connected to the cups through cup release elements. The front portion includes a first flexible tube and a second flexible tube each including filler in the form of a liquid or a semi-liquid, wherein the first tube extends along at least part of the underside edge of the first cup and the second tube extends along at least part of the underside edge of the second cup.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers, as well as chest underwiring and cup reinforcements. The torso underwiring comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions. Each reinforcement is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions extending from a side region arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion of the underwiring.

Abstract: A bustier garment may have first and second support structures that are housed within a housing. The first and second support structures may be positioned within the housing such that each of the respective support structures correspond to a position between a center and a bottom of a wearer's first and second respective breasts when the bustier garment is worn by a wearer. In one embodiment, the bustier garment may include first and second support structures that are positioned and oriented within a housing such that the respective first and second support structures are substantially perpendicular to a vertical midline of the garment and/or substantially parallel to a lower edge of the garment.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are encased underwire assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies for attachment to an article of clothing. An encased underwire assembly may comprise an underwire having an inner radius, an outer radius, a first end and a second end, and a fabric enclosure having a first fastened side adjacent the inner radius, a first sealed end adjacent the first end, and a second sealed end adjacent the second end of the underwire. In a method of manufacturing such assembly, a fabric enclosure may be created by bringing together opposite side edges of a fabric layer and fastening the opposite side edges to one another, inserting an underwire into a first open end of the fabric enclosure until a first end and a second end of the underwire are housed within the fabric enclosure, and sealing the first open end and a second open end of the fabric enclosure.

Abstract: A bra includes a pair of bra cups, each bra cup in the pair having an inner edge and an outer edge, the inner edges configured to be coupled to one another. The bra includes a pair of bra wings, each bra wing in the pair having a first end and a second end, each first end being coupled to an outer edge of each bra cup, respectively, and the second ends configured to be coupled to one another. At least one of the pair of bra cups and the pair of bra wings comprises a layer of fabric having intrinsically sticky fibers. The layer of fabric having intrinsically sticky fibers comprises an inner layer of the pair of bra cups and/or the pair of bra wings and contacts a wearer's skin while the bra is being worn, causing the bra to cling to the wearer's skin.

Abstract: A brassiere formed of an inner garment base, memory foam, a pair of under supports, and an outer fabric cover. The under support is preferably formed from a piece of plastic material having rigidity from the distal edge to the proximal edge, flexibility and varying width from a medial end to a lateral end, and differing radii to accommodate the bottom portion shape of a breast implant, which is not a perfect semi-circle. The under support is set on a coronal plane to cradle, support, and hold the implant. The set positioning of the under support is such that the foam will encapsulate the under support keeping the proximal edge in proximity with bottom portion of the implant and the ribs. The under support has its largest width, thereby the largest contact surface with the implant, closest to the lateral end causing the implant to be supported upward and medially.

Abstract: The invention relates to a backless and optionally strapless brassiere comprising two textile layers (7, 8), as well as chest underwiring (20) and cup reinforcements (30). The torso underwiring (20) comprises a substantially horizontal main bottom portion (21) which is coupled, at the sides of the torso, to two substantially horizontal top side portions (22). Each reinforcement (30) is a thin plate of rigid material including extensions (33-36) extending from a side region (31) arranged substantially outside each cup and engaging with the top side portion (22) of the underwiring.

Abstract: A brassiere for women who have undergone a single or double mastectomy with breast reconstruction and a profile-correcting insert that is either sewn directly into the brassiere or can be worn separately with other conventional brassiere and garments. The brassiere provides a natural, conical-shaped breast profile. The brassiere further provides elastic gathering at the upper-side region or around the bottom-half of the support cup, side-seam in close proximity to the cups, the option of elimination of any underwire within the support cup, and a wider elastic band underneath the cup(s) along the front of the wearer's rib-cage. Additionally, the profile-correcting insert can be affixed to other conventional brassieres or garments and the brassiere can be incorporated into other garments.

Abstract: There is provided a cushioned casing for an underwire of a brassiere. The cushioned casing comprises a cushioning material and a structure for enclosing an underwire and the cushioning material. The structure comprises a body having a channel for receiving an underwire and a wing member integral with and extending from the body. The cushioning material is positioned on the outside of the body, and the wing member is folded around the cushioning member to capture the cushioning material between the body and the wing member. There is also provided a cushioned casing for an underwire of a brassiere comprising a cushioning material and a structure for enclosing an underwire and the cushioning material. The structure comprises an inner sleeve and an outer fabric layer. The inner sleeve comprises a longitudinal body having a channel for receiving an underwire.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a breast form includes forming an underwire subassembly by placing a housing strip disposed on a support wire, positioning the underwire subassembly on a bag filled with a liquid silicone composition, and permanently affixing the underwire subassembly to the bag.

Abstract: A brassiere pad (100) is disclosed which includes an outer layer (102) and an inner layer (104) fixedly engaged with each other. The outer layer and the inner layer are separate from each other at or along at least one peripheral portion.

Abstract: The invention relates to a bra part which includes a first garment portion having a female fastening member, and a second garment portion having a male fastening member. The female fastening member and the male fastening member are releasably engageable with each other to connect the first garment portion and the second garment portion, so that when the female fastening member and the male fastening member are engaged with each other, the female fastening member and the male fastening member are substantially fully encased within the part.

Abstract: An embodiment of the present invention is directed to a garment 1 having a cup part 12 for covering a bust, including a shape support part 20 for supporting a shape of the bust, the shape support part provided in at least a lower part of the cup part 12. The shape support part 20 is formed in a plate-like shape having a surface curved with respect to the bust, a curvature of the curved surface of the shape support part 20 is greater than a curvature of the cup part 12 with the shape support part being not disposed therein, and the shape support part 20 has elasticity.

Abstract: A garment configured to be worn by a wearer having two breasts may include a set of two support structures and a housing. The support structures may be positioned within the housing such that each support structure corresponds to a position between a center and a bottom of one of the wearer's breasts when the garment is worn by the wearer. Each support structure may be configured to reposition a portion of a volume of the wearer's respective breast and support a portion of a weight of the wearer's respective breast when worn by the wearer. Optionally, the garment may include a set of flexible structures positioned within the housing such that each flexible structure is coincident with one of the support structures of the set of two support structures. The housing may wrap around the wearer's chest, thereby enabling the wearer to wear the garment.

Abstract: A support member for a lower edge region of a bra cup is disclosed that has an elongate portion that is curved. The curvature varies in three dimensions as it extends between medial and lateral ends of the support member, and the curvature may reduce towards the lateral end. A bra cup comprising the support member is also disclosed that has a lower edge that follows the curvature of the support member. The bra cup can be formed by embedding the support member between two padded portions and fusing the support member in place.

Abstract: There is provided a breast cup for a brassiere comprising an outer layer and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The breast cup also comprises first and second opposing pieces of fabric positioned between the inner and outer layers, wherein the first and second opposing pieces of fabric are preferably affixed to the inner and outer layers respectively. At least a portion of the first opposing piece of fabric is movable relative to at least a portion of the second opposing piece of fabric. A method of manufacturing the breast cup is also provided.

Abstract: A breast support device designed to provide the wearer with a high degree of control and support of breast tissue while minimizing the pain and discomfort associated with conventional breast control garments, that can be worn on its own or integrated into garments where breast support is desirable. The breast support device achieves these objectives through the innovative combination of various non-stretch and stretch fabrics, as well as through the use on one or more darts of varying length sewn into the non-stretch fabric.

Abstract: A support component for attachment to a lower edge of a bra, having a generally U-shaped molded body defined in an x-direction, a y-direction perpendicular to the x-direction, and a z-direction perpendicular to both the x-direction and the y-direction, the body being bisected in part by an x-y plane, a lower curved portion of the body extending generally in the x-direction within the x-y plane, a first upper side portion of the body extending from a first end of the lower curved portion in both the y-direction and the z-direction and fully crossing to a first side of the x-y plane, and a second upper side portion of the body extending from a second, opposite end of the lower curved portion in both the y-direction and the z-direction and fully crossing to a second, opposite side of the x-y plane.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are encased underwire assemblies and methods of manufacturing such assemblies for attachment to an article of clothing. An encased underwire assembly may comprise an underwire having an inner radius, an outer radius, a first end and a second end, and a fabric enclosure having a first fastened side adjacent the inner radius, a first sealed end adjacent the first end, and a second sealed end adjacent the second end of the underwire. In a method of manufacturing such assembly, a fabric enclosure may be created by bringing together opposite side edges of a fabric layer and fastening the opposite side edges to one another, inserting an underwire into a first open end of the fabric enclosure until a first end and a second end of the underwire are housed within the fabric enclosure, and sealing the first open end and a second open end of the fabric enclosure.

Abstract: A bra comprising of a standard bra of two cups, an under bust support and fastening, each of which can be any style, with a full attached lining(s) on all of the inside of the bra body, with the lining(s) made of natural materials, to cover the synthetic material bra components that might be used in the bra.

Abstract: A support structure for placement in a lower periphery of a breast cup for a brassiere, the support structure including a support component shaped to follow the curve of at least the underside of a wearer's breast, the support component including a first region formed by a first polymer material and a second region formed by a second polymer material, wherein the first polymer material is harder than the second polymer.

Abstract: A jewelry item includes an elongated, arcuate strand received within a passageway formed in the lower periphery of a brassiere cup. Any one of a plurality of interchangeable ornaments is attachable to the upper end of the strand. For example, the upper end may be inserted into a receptacle depending from a select ornament, such as a gemstone or another decorative design element. When the brassiere is worn, the ornament is suspended near one or both breasts. An alternate embodiment includes a pair of arcuate strands joined at or near their upper ends, each of which fits within a designated passageway formed around each of the brassiere cups to further anchor the ornament in a desired position.

Abstract: A brassiere includes a first wing and a second wing, a closure including a first closure portion on a first end of the first wing, and a second closure portion on a first end of the second wing; a pair of cups including a first cup connected to the second end of the first wing, and a second cup connected to the second end of the second wing; each cup including an inner contour shaped with an inner apex matching a breast to receive the breast in a natural bust point position, and an outer contour having a size larger than the inner contour and shaped with an outer apex spaced medially from the inner apex, and filling material between the inner contour and the outer contour; a gore connected between the first cup and the second cup; and a pair of straps including a first strap connected to the first cup and the first wing, and a second strap connected to the second cup and the second wing.

Abstract: An improved encasement for underwires for use in brassieres that allow for more efficient sewing, better durability, and improved wearer comfort is disclosed.

Abstract: A support structure for a bra includes a two-ply structural support layer having an m-shaped ply of compression fabric, forming left and right openings along a bottom aspect of the m-shaped ply, and a w-shaped ply of compression fabric, forming left and right openings along a top aspect of the w-shaped ply. The m- and w-shaped plies are joined together such that the left and right openings of each ply overlap to form left and right pockets for accommodating at least a portion of a wearer's left and right breasts. The support structure encapsulates and separates the breasts. When joined with straps of a sports bra or top, the two-ply structural support layer provides sling-type support of the breasts. Compressive fabric of the bra or top compresses the breasts to a wearer's chest; thus, a bra or top incorporating the support structure provides three-way support via encapsulation, suspension and compression.

Abstract: The utility model relates to the field of women's underwear. The technical problem to be solved by the utility model is to overcome the shortcomings of the prior art and provide a three-dimensional bra underwire which is matched with the cup shape, has good supporting effects and is comfortable to use. The three-dimensional bra underwire comprises the middle part and two ends of the underwire, wherein the underwire is a inclined-type underwire with a certain inclination angle, at least one end of the underwire is a flat section, while the other parts are inclined section, and the inclined section is connected with the flat section by a transition section. In the utility model, the traditional flat underwire is changed into a three-dimensional underwire with a certain torsional stress so as to ensure that the underwire is matched with the cup shape well and has good supporting effects, bringing the shaping functions of the underwire into full play as well.

Abstract: A system for adjusting the fit of a bra includes a bra having cups, a bridge therebetween, and an underwire channel sewn beneath each cup. The underwire residing in each channel is bendable along at least one axis, can be lengthened, and is capable of retaining its adjusted shape after being adjusted.

Abstract: There is provided an underwire for a brassiere including: a plurality of linkage elements; each linkage element connected to at least one adjacent linkage element via a joint; at least one joint allowing for movement of the connected linkage element with respect to its adjacent linkage element; wherein movement of at least one connected linkage element with respect to its adjacent linkage element allows the underwire to more closely assume the curvature of a wearer's figure. A brassiere incorporating the improved underwire is also provided.

Abstract: A brassiere cup support and method of manufacturing the support and cup therewith. The support comprises a plastic support in the shape of one or more of an underwire, an uplifting panel, a reinforcing pad, a sternum region, or an extended fish bone like pattern capable of providing desired “firmness” or “hardness” along its length and thereby providing desired degrees of support therealong. The plastic support comprises at least one layer of polymer and at least one layer of a second material, wherein the at least one layer of polymer and the at least one layer of the second material are in the form of a sandwich. Preferably, the plastic support comprises at least two layers of polymer and at least one layer of the second material, with an adhesive applied therebetween to secure the layers to one another.

Abstract: The present disclosure is of a support component channel for a bra and methods for producing the support component channel and attaching it to a bra. The support component channel comprises a gel tube, an underwire tunnel casing, and a cover fabric. The gel tube provides cushion between the support component and the wearer's chest, thereby providing comfort despite the geometry and materials of the support component. The gel tube, underwire tunnel casing, and cover fabric can be sewn to one another simultaneously to being attached to the bra, prior to being attached to the bra, or can be attached to the bra in stages, according to different methods of production. The methods allow for both sides of the support component channel to be sewn to the bra simultaneously.

Abstract: Brassiere cups, each comprising an inner layer attached to an outer layer. The inner layer comprises an inner foam material that is substantially laminated to an inner fabric lining. The outer layer comprises an outer foam material that is substantially laminated to an outer fabric lining. Each brassiere cup further includes an underwire assembly having an arcuate wire coupled to a plurality of gel pads. The underwire assembly is housed between the inner foam material and the outer foam material at or adjacent to a lower peripheral area of each brassiere cup. Preferably, each of the gel pads is coupled to respective ends of the arcuate portion.

Abstract: There is provided an underwire for a brassiere or a breast cup. In particular, the underwire comprises at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position. An underwire assembly, a method of manufacturing a brassiere and a mold for manufacturing the underwire are also provided.

Abstract: An improved encasement for underwires for use in brassieres that allow for more efficient sewing, better durability, and improved wearer comfort is disclosed.

Abstract: A garment for supporting a wearer's breasts has a band for encircling a wearer's torso and a pair of cups for receiving at least a major part of a wearer's breast, and a pair of shoulder straps, each shoulder strap extending from a corresponding cup to a back portion of the garment. The garment has a pair of panel portions, each panel portion extending between the band and a corresponding cup of the pair of cups. Each panel portion has a folding portion that is foldable relative to the pair of cups so that the folding portions lie between a wearer's breasts and a wearer's torso, in use. The band, the shoulder straps and the panel portions are arranged such that the weight of a wearer's breasts are supported by both the shoulder straps and the band.

Abstract: A support device and method of installation is disclosed to help prevent the protrusion of a relatively rigid support structure end portion from garments such as bras, corsets, swimsuits, and other articles of clothing. The support device includes a base, a surrounding sidewall extending from the base with the surrounding sidewall terminating in an opening. The base and surrounding sidewall define an interior being operational to loosely receive the end portion of the support structure associated with the garment such as a bra underwire. The support device also includes a flange extending from the surrounding sidewall which is positioned to be oppositely disposed of the interior, wherein the flange is adapted to attach to the garment.