Abstract: A three-dimensional support frame for the linkage section (also known as “heart”) of bra cups for low-heart underwear is disclosed. The support frame comprises a body having a U-shaped support frame. The body of the support frame is made of a wide flat wire; wire surfaces of two vertical portions of the body of the support frame being correspondingly twisted outwardly at an angle with respect to a vertical axis, forming an anticlockwise angle of 15°-85° with respect to a vertical plane, and the twists starts at a position of the maximum radius of semicircular lower portion of the U shape. The twisted wire surfaces of the two vertical portions are of an arc-shaped structure which is curved outwardly, an outwardly curved portion with a maximum curvature being offset in a distance of 5 mm-50 mm with respect to midpoint of a bottom portion of the U-shaped support frame.

Abstract: There is provided an underwire for a brassiere. In a first embodiment, the underwire is made of two or more different materials. In a second embodiment, one end of the underwire is tapered. A method of manufacturing the underwire and a mold for manufacturing the underwire are also provided.

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: 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 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: 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: X shaped brassiere support and unwired brassiere incorporating such support. The X shaped support has four forks joined at a joint point and is molded in a 3-dimensional configuration conforming to the shape of a brassiere's cups, providing the shaping and uplifting effects for brassieres.

Abstract: A cushioning underwire assembly has a compartment and a supporting assembly. The compartment has two opposite fabrics mounted attached together to form a compartmenting cavity. The supporting assembly is inserted in the fabrics of the compartmenting cavity and has a wire, two cushion sleeves and a resilient pad. The cushion sleeves are mounted on ends of the wire to prevent the wire from inadvertently penetrating through the compartment. The resilient pad covers one surface of the wire to make a wearer feel comfortable.

Abstract: An adjustable support brassiere comprises traditional bra elements—a bra band with closure; breast cups; and respective shoulder straps. Adjustability may comprise inner support cups having opposite ends being selectively attached on each breast cup, and a respective support strap being secured to each inner support cup, with a distal end of the support strap secured to an adjustment clip, which may releasably secure a portion of the shoulder strap. Adjustably securing different portions of the shoulder strap causes lifting and reconfiguring of the inner support cup to produce a desired amount of substantially vertical lifting to the woman's breast(s) in one embodiment, which is generally healthier for breast tissue than the typical inward displacement. Adjustments may be made by a woman throughout the day to alter her appearance as desired. Alternative embodiments permit lifting as well as inward/outward displacement, and may therefore serve as a minimizer.

Abstract: A brassiere cup underwire and method of manufacturing the underwire and cup therewith. The underwire comprises a plastic strip capable of providing desired “firmness” or “hardness” along its length and thereby providing desired degrees of support therealong. The plastic strip 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 sandwich. Preferably, the plastic strip 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: A mark-free fabric strap wire casing. The casing is provided with a cushion B which is composed of erect fine hairs C for relieving the stress generated by the bra wire on skin. With simple structure, the present invention which is used as the casing for the wire used in female underwear can be manufactured with high production efficiency and suitable for the production automation. Because the fabric strap itself is provided with a cushion composed of erect fine hairs, it has a softer feel when in contact with skin and relieves the pressure feel generated by the wire within the underwear on skin. It reduces the wire impression mark left under the breasts after wearing it. The wire can be embedded without causing much embossment, thereby enchaining visual appearance of the underwear article.

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 brassiere 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 buckle made from a non-metallic and non-magnetic polymer having a minimum flexural strength of 120 MPa wherein the buckle comprises a frame, a bar attached to the frame, and a prong pivotally attached to the bar, the frame has first and second terminal ends, the first terminal end has a first aperture that extends through the first terminal end, the first aperture extends in the plane of the frame and parallel to a back side of the frame, the second terminal end has a second aperture that extends through the second terminal end, the second aperture extends in the plane of the frame and parallel to a back side of the frame, the bar further comprises a main shaft with a first threaded end and a second drive end, the first threaded end is threaded only along portion of the length of the main shaft.

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 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: 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: Various embodiments of a garment having a pair of cup sections with a wire member partially encircling each cup region is described herein. In some embodiments, the garment can include a wire member that can be positioned along a partial section of the lower edge of each cup section. Various embodiments of the garment can provide support and containment for breasts of a wearer of the garment.

Abstract: The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable of providing additional comfort, support, and/or flexibility to the user. For example, the garment can be in the form of a brassiere having bra cups defined at least partially by a bra rim. Each of the bra cups includes an outer stretchable layer and an inner layer, and a bra wing supports the bra cups on a user. A stretchable component is located on each of the bra cups adjacent to at least a portion of the bra rims and attached to the inner layer. The stretchable component is made from a stretchable fabric and has a stretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outer layer. The inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchable component are structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand to accommodate differently shaped and/or sized body portion(s) across different shape and/or size groups.

Abstract: The present invention relates to brassiere. More particularly, the present invention relates to a brassiere with a special wire casing and the method of making the wire casing. Wire casing is a tube, covers the wire as the strengthener, prevents the brassiere from deforming and protects the wearer and enhance the contour of the wearer's body.

Abstract: A supporting wire (10) for a breast covering garment (20), comprising: a first section (8); and a second section (9) pivotally connected to the first section (8) at a distal end (11) of the first and second sections (8, 9) such that the wire (10) is movable between an expanded position and a collapsed position by pivoting the first section (8) relative to the second section (9); wherein the first and second sections (8, 9) each have a cut-out portion (14) located at the distal end (11); a first tab (16) projecting in a perpendicular direction from the first section (8) to be received in the cut-out portion (14) of the second section (9); and a second tab (16) projecting in a perpendicular direction from the second section (9) to be received in the cut-out portion (14) of the first section (8).

Abstract: An open front undergarment having a form that allows the back of the garment to be closed and the front of the garment to be completely open and free from clasps, fabric or fasteners in the front between the cups. The open front undergarment includes a brassiere having an underwire and an overwire to form a frame, a rear band, a pair of cups extending from opposite ends of the rear band a cover material and a slip-resistant band. The underwire runs through the lower perimeter of a lower portion of the brassiere and the overwire runs through the upper perimeter. The underwire and overwire can be formed of a metal or a metal coated with plastic. The frame can also be formed of a single ductile member. The brassiere also includes a flexure region at the rear band to allow for flexure of the back and torso of the wearer.

Abstract: An adjustable bra system uses pockets 13 on the back side of balcony cups 12 to store demi cup material 11 to convert a demi cup bra to a balcony cup bra. Various bridges connect bra cups together; the bridges include a quick release clasp system 719 allowing the bra cups to quickly spring off the user. Other bridges include the use of offset or staggered 617 receiving snaps allowing for shape adjustment in the bridge area. Bra cups may also have multiple wire channels to accept adjustable wire. The bra cups may also have multiple openings to accept adjustable wire of various lengths.

Abstract: A brassiere wire molded in one-piece from a plastic material and including a U-shaped body with first and second arms connected by a central body region. The first and second arms include respective terminal ends of the U-shaped body and lie in a common plane with the central body region. The resiliency and rigidity characteristics of the plastic material permit the U-shaped body to distort out of the common plane and cause the central region to torsionally twist about its longitudinal axis when the terminal ends of the arms are flexed toward one another in opposed directions within the common plane. One arm includes a longitudinally extending flexure region spaced in-board from the terminal end of that arm and maintaining axial rigidity along the length of the U-shaped body while enabling an end of that arm to more readily flex in a direction perpendicular to the common plane.

Abstract: An insert configured to modify an appearance of a breast comprises a flexible bladder comprising a gelatinous elastomer and a flowable material disposed within the flexible bladder. A bra may comprise at least one insert and a shell configured to cover the breast and the at least one insert. An underwire comprises an elongated body comprising an elastomeric material having a Shore A durometer hardness of about 1 or greater. A shell may be connected to the underwire and configured to cover a breast. A method of forming a bra comprises forming an underwire and securing the underwire to a shell. Another method of forming a bra comprises forming a flexible bladder comprising a gelatinous elastomer, disposing a flowable material within the flexible bladder to form an insert, and securing the insert to a shell.

Abstract: There is provided an improved brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups; a connector securing together an inner edge of each of the breast cups; a back wing or pair of back wings for securing the brassiere to the torso of a wearer; and an underwire disposed about a lower periphery of each breast cup. A cushioning structure for the underwire comprises an inner sleeve for receiving the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major surfaces and opposed elongate edges; a cushioning material covering at least one of the major surfaces; and a panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges; wherein the first and second elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric each fold over an opposed elongate edge of the inner sleeve to substantially cover the cushioning material. A cushioning structure and a method of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: An inlay for reinforcing a bra cup is a pliably resilient plastics material part having the basic shape of a crescent with inner and outer edges that are curved and that have a spacing that increases continuously between a minimum value at one end and a maximum value at an opposite end. A rigidity of the inlay decreases from the outer edge to the inner edge. The inlay is manufactured flat such that a central face running between wide delimiting faces lies in a plane. The inlay is made of a material that is plastically deformable under the action of temperature for form-fitting or material-to-material connection to the textile material layers of the cups.

Abstract: A decorative element for the human body in the form of a breast clasp which can be worn on the person. One breast clasp can be worn in the crease beneath a female breast and is held in place by means of a clamping and adhesive effect. The breast clasp is designed as a curved element and performs a shaping or supporting function, or both, for the female breast.

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 brassiere having flexibility, durability, and improved comfort for the wearer is provided. The side panel of the brassiere comprises a folded fabric and two elastic bands. The folded fabric has two opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge. Each of the two elastic bands is positioned in the interior of the folded fabric along a respective longitudinal edge, which also includes notches for orienting the bands. The folded fabric is sewn together at each of the top and bottom edges such that the two elastic bands are held in place. One of the longitudinal edges may be formed by sewing the folded fabric together to form a seam using a pull-out stitch. Each of the two elastic bands may include either of a woven elastic band or a knitted elastic band. The present invention further relates to a brassiere in which the side panels can flex independently of each other in conformance to the wearer's movements.

Abstract: A contouring support bra made from soft stretchable cotton knit and light, and power-net support fabrics particularly suited for pregnant and nursing women for comfortably providing an alluring, lifted tear drop breast shape analogous to that provided by properly-fitted traditional underwire bra structures.

Abstract: An improved brassiere is disclosed. The brassiere comprises two bra cups, chest bands, an upper side wing and a down side wing, each of the bra cups including an internal layer, an external layer and an elastic layer located between the internal layer and the external layer. An arc-shaped wire steel is embedded in the elastic layer of each of the bra cups. The wire steel will not apply a pressure onto the wearer's breast directly because of the buffering of the elastic layer, thus the blood circulation in the breast will not be impaired. The risk of suffering from breast-related diseases is thus reduced. Preferably, the chest bands of the brassiere are consisted only of the internal layer and the external layer without the elastic layer, leading to a longer service life of the brassiere.

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 brassiere is shown and described. The brassiere has a first helical region and a second helical region joined at the front and the back of the brassiere, each of the first and the second helical regions including an inner cup and an outer cup. The surface area of each inner cup is substantially smaller than the surface area of its respective outer cup. At least one of the inner cups may include a breast-shape conformer to conform in appearance to a breast. A reinforcing element attached along the lower portions of each of the inner cups and the outer cups define an adjustable inner cup volume independent of the inner cup base diameter. In use, the inner cup is held against a wearer when the brassiere is in an adjusted position regardless of a movement of its respective outer cup to maintain breast coverage by its respective inner cup.

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: The present invention relates to brassiere. More particularly, the present invention relates to a brassiere with a special wire casing and the method of making the wire casing. Wire casing is a tube, covers the wire as the strengthener, prevents the brassiere from deforming and protects the wearer and enhance the contour of the wearer's body.

Abstract: A brassiere component is disclosed. In one embodiment, the component comprises a three-dimensional brassiere cup support loop comprising a semi-circular arc-shaped structure, wherein blank of the support loop is structured as a wide flat wire; a lower portion of a plane of the wide flat wire inclines inwardly to form an inclined plane of the wide flat wire with an upper edge facing outwards and a lower edge facing inwards, which inclined plane of the wide flat wire forms an inclined angle of 15°-85° with respect to a horizontal plane.

Abstract: A Multiple Active Swimwear set is a outfit created for confidence and comfort in a swimsuit. Typically swimsuits feel like undergarments you wear with nothing on top. This particular line is a mockery of an everyday outfit women would typically wear on a summer day. Transformed into an outfit made for swim and water activities. Wearing “regular” clothing atop a swimsuit for cover is a shout of being unconfident in your swim attire. This swim line gives the same “feeling” of wearing a typical full underwire bra, a tank shirt and a short or skirt bottom as women do daily. With that confidence gives women an opportunity to participate in water activity without feeling completely exposed or like they are in their “lingerie” in public. It can be worn as an outfit into public areas without additional cover up and into water activities as well.

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: 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 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: There is provided an improved brassiere comprising a pair of breast cups; a connector securing together an inner edge of each of the breast cups; a back wing or pair of back wings for securing the brassiere to the torso of a wearer; and an underwire disposed about a lower periphery of each breast cup. A cushioning structure for the underwire comprises an inner sleeve for receiving the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major surfaces and opposed elongate edges; a cushioning material covering at least one of the major surfaces; and a panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges; wherein the first and second elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric each fold over an opposed elongate edge of the inner sleeve to substantially cover the cushioning material. A cushioning structure and a method of making the same are also provided.

Abstract: A protective device for an end portion of an underwire for a garment including a cushion tip having a proximal portion and a distal portion. The proximal portion has “an internal cavity extending over a portion of the length of the proximal portion and is dimensioned to receive the end of an underwire of similar cross-section. The distal end of the cushion tip extends from the proximal portion a distance beyond the cavity length and includes at least one portion of relatively reduced bending strength formed by reducing the cross-sectional area by way of a groove or grooves, or the like. The at least one groove provides a flexible region between the proximal and distal portions. The portion of relatively reduced bending strength can be provided by other known means such as molding the protective device with different materials of relatively different strengths.

Abstract: A garment including an inner layer of material adapted to be disposed adjacent to a wearer's skin. The inner layer preferably forms a body suit with legs formed of elastic, body-shaping material that includes a bodice portion and torso/legs portion. The garment also includes at least one exterior layer that may be fashioned as a skirt, a dress, a long-legged pants, a jumpsuit, or similar attire.

Abstract: A brassiere cup underwire includes a flexible plastics strip of varied crosswise dimension along its length so that the degree of support offered by the underwire varies throughout its length.

Abstract: An intimate apparel apparatus includes a brassiere frame with a chest band for securing the brassiere frame to the wearer, and a first arcuate recess in the brassiere frame for receiving a first detachable brassiere cup. A first arcuate channel is located along the edge of first arcuate recess. A first detachable brassiere cup has a first arcuate latch at a perimeter thereof. The first arcuate latch and the first arcuate channel are slidably engageable with one another, and have substantially identical cross sections, such that the substantially identical cross sections resist transverse separation from each other when slidably engaged. An intimate apparel set includes at least one brassiere garment as described above, and additionally further pair or pairs of detachable brassiere cups, interchangeable with those already described.

Abstract: A brassiere has two cups of fabric connected to each other and two side bands, which extend from the cups and are suitable for connecting to each other. Reinforcing portion has at least one layer of chemical material suitable for being applied along at least an edge portion of the cups and for forming an integral part of the fabric. The material has a polyurethane mix or a silicone mix. The layer is applied at least along a side portion of the edge of each cup which faces towards the respective band and extends with no break in continuity at least as far as the point of connection to a shoulder strap, wrapping around the respective cup at the side. Moreover, the layer is applied at least along a lower portion of the edge of each cup, wrapping around the respective cup at the bottom and at the side.

Abstract: In a bra having a pair of cups each with a central area and a lower perimeter area, the improvement of an asymmetric underwire arrangement including one shorter curved underwire extending in the lower perimeter area of one cup, and one longer curved underwire extending in the lower perimeter area of the other cup, the underwires each having inner ends that are adjacent each other at a central location where the pair of cups meet, and outer ends that are spaced away from each other, the inner end of the longer underwire extending further into the central location than that of the shorter underwire for enhancing cleavage for a woman wearing the bra.

Abstract: A convertible nursing bra, in an exemplary embodiment, having bra support cups releasable from straps to provide access and further including underlying support panels connected to the encircling strap or under wire support and remaining connected to the straps to provide continued support during nursing. Released portions of the cups are temporarily retained by auxiliary attachment devices on the encircling strap to reduce interference during nursing. The releasable cup-to-strap and/or cup-to-encircling strap connecting devices are easily managed for access, stowing and re-covering.

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.

Abstract: A breast-supporting garment (10) having a pair of centrally joined breast cups (12, 13), each cup having a generally U-shaped underwire (23, 24) extending along a bottom edge and upwardly along inner and outer side edges thereof, each underwire having a substantially straight central section (31, 32), the straight sections being held in abutment to provide enhanced support of the breasts.