Abstract: A lightweight brassiere is described that provides intended support to the user while increasing comfort by its structure and/or shape, and also by reduced weight. In particular a cup is made of a spacer fabric to provide the desired support at a minimum weight. Additional features include use of Ti-alloy materials in place of traditionally steel components, a narrower fabric channel for the underwire, and elimination of stitching by using sonic seal wherever possible.

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 present disclosure provides a safety bra support comprising an arc-shaped steel wire in which the special characteristic is that at least two ends of the underwire are enclosed with at least one set of thermally contractible cases made of polymeric materials. The external end of the thermally contractible case is a soft tube which protrudes outwardly beyond the end of the arc-shaped underwire, and such a soft tube is bendable and flexible, ensuring the tips of the underwire be placed at the end stitches of the sleeve. Because the above described structure is used, the present disclosure not only can effectively prevent injuries to users caused by the ends of the underwire poking through the sleeve of the bra support, but can also provide a seamless and natural fit, and the utmost comfort to wear.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to brassieres that offer extra support for large women. The brassieres include an inner bra band and an outer bra band.

Abstract: The claimed invention is directed to brassieres that offer extra support for large women. The brassieres include an inner bra band and an outer bra band.

Abstract: The absorbent pad for an underwire brassiere includes a sealed cover layer having opposed first and second surfaces and defining an open interior region therein. The first surface is porous, allowing for passage of perspiration into the open interior region. An absorbent layer is positioned within the open interior region of the sealed cover layer, and the absorbent layer is formed from a hydrophilic material. An adhesive layer is formed on the second surface of the sealed cover layer, so that the adhesive layer releasably adheres the absorbent pad to a lower edge of one cup of the underwire brassiere. The absorbent pad is dimensioned and configured to completely cover an underwire of the cup so that the absorbent pad absorbs perspiration of the wearer and provides protective padding over the underwire.

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

Abstract: 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: A brassiere cup having at least one textile component reinforced with a stiffener in the lower region of the cup. The stiffener having one end that is covered by a localized protective part. The protective part being a pad having a thin marginal part and a thicker central part surrounded by the thin marginal part.

Abstract: A foundation garment 10 is provided with breast cups 11A,11B. Each breast cup 11A,11B has a respective outer cup 111A,111B and sling 12A,12B located therewithin. The sling 12A,12B is configured to provide uplift to the breast independently from the respective outer cup 111A,111B, essentially in a cup-within-a-cup arrangement. The foundation garment can be used to improve cleavage enhancement by providing directional support to the breast along with the appearance of an increased breast size.

Abstract: The inventions relates to a garment that combines a foam cup, underwire bra combined with a tank top overlay made of a Lycra® blend or lace fabric for the tank top. The bra function is provided by underwires and specially formed foam cups for support and shaping of the breasts. The tank top portion of the garment is attached to one of the shoulder straps which are diagonally fixed to the tank top portion of the garment. The tank top portion of the invention is attached from each side as well as the bottom of the garment, in a unique “turn-under” sewing technique. A lace or combination Lycra® mix fabric attaches from the outside of the cups to the lace band at the back of the garment. This garment is used under low cut dresses and blouses, to cover cleavage and décolletage, which is an employment standard for many companies.

Abstract: A brassiere cup assembly defining two breast cups, a bridge between the two breast cups, and for each of the two breast cups a flange extending from at least part of a lower peripheral edge of the breast cup. The brassiere cup assembly comprises at least two plies of material which are laminated to each other and molded to define the shape of the two breast cups, and a non-metallic resiliently bendable under breast support strip laminated with and interposed between two of the at least two plies of material at or adjacent the lower peripheral edge of one or both of the two breast cups.

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: An underwire assembly for use in a brassiere including an elongate support member of three-dimensional elongate form. The supporting member extends in at least two planes for conforming to an inferior profile of the breast of a wearer.

Abstract: An uplift and coverage bra includes a pair of breast cups having at least one layer of a first predetermined material formed as such breast cups. A mechanism is connected to at least one of an outside edge generally adjacent to a lower portion of each of such breast cups and an inside edge generally adjacent to the lower portion of each of such breast cups, for at least partially encircling a user's torso. Such mechanism has an upper edge and a lower edge and at least a rear portion. A joining mechanism is connected to at least one of such mechanism for at least partially encircling such user's torso at a predetermined location thereon and the inside edges adjacent to the lower portion of such breast cups, for joining at least one of such breast cups and such mechanism for at least partially encircling such user's torso.

Abstract: A tubular fabric receives an underwire garment such as a bra. The tubular fabric is formed by arranging a fusible yarn and melting the yarn to form a barrier. Preferably, the fabric does not include an elastomeric yarn or contains a minor amount and is treated to impart stretch to the fabric in the length direction.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides an improved safety bra support comprising an arc-shaped steel wire in which the special characteristic is that at least the two ends of the underwire are enclosed with at least one set of thermal contractible cases made of polymeric materials. The thermal contractible case's external end is a soft tube which protrudes out of the end of the arc-shaped underwire, and such a soft tube is bendable and flexible, ensuring the tip of the underwire be placed at the end stitches of the sleeve. Because the above described structure is used, the present disclosure not only can effectively prevent injuries to users caused by the ends of the underwire poking through the sleeve of the bra support, but can also provide a seamless and natural fit, and the utmost comfort to wear.

Abstract: A strapless brassiere having winged -support structures to maximize surface area of the bra to which an extended-wear adhesive is applied over substantially all of the undersurface of the bra.

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

Abstract: A method and system for garment manufacture fixes a curable polymer in either a continuous bead or in a non-continuous or segmented bead onto a cut fabric piece. The cut fabric piece, the continuous bead and the non-continuous, segmented bead have a wide array of configurations. If the cut fabric piece has a contoured edge region, a silicone bead proximate that edge has a conforming configuration. In the method, the cut fabric piece is placed in a coordinate space. The location of the cut fabric piece is sensed and that information is used to control the movement of a curable polymer dispenser. The dispenser applies a curable polymer from the curable polymer dispenser onto the cut fabric piece in the desired configuration after which the polymer is cured. If the fabric is cotton, the curable polymer is drawn into the cotton fibers prior to cure.

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.

Abstract: A lifting and shaping system for a bra or other garment uses lift platforms shaped to fit into the cups of the bra and formed from thin material. The lift platforms are attached to the garment toward the center of the garment. Connectors having one end attached to the lift platform and the other end attached to a slide on the shoulder strap adjust the lift of the lift platform when the slide is moved. Flexible shaping members distribute the lift of the lift platforms and maintain the natural shape of the breasts as they are lifted. Smoothing shields ease the movement of the lift platforms and connectors within the cloth confines of the breast cups. The flexible shaping members may also perform some of the functions of a smoothing shield.

Abstract: An undercup insert member (10) for a breast support arrangement, for example a brassiere is disclosed. The undercup insert member (10) comprises an elongate curved main portion (12) shaped to conform generally to the shape of the breast to be supported. The undercup insert member (10) is formed of a plastics material.

Abstract: A brassiere is provided with a front piece containing two breast cups, with two side pieces, which can be connected together with a back closure, and with two shoulder straps which extend from the upper side edge of the breast cups to the back area of the side pieces. The breast cups are stiffened, especially in their lower and/or side areas. It is provided in accordance with the invention that for stiffening the breast cups in their side area at least one rod-shaped supporting element is arranged, which extends, for example, from the lower side edge of the breast cup at an angle upward to a point on the upper edge of the breast cup adjacent to an attachment of the shoulder strap.

Abstract: A bra includes first and second cups for contacting and supporting the breasts of a wearer of the bra, each cup having an inner side, located at a position between the breasts, and an outer side, located at an outer portion of each breast; and at least one bra wing extending from the outer side of each of the first and second cups. The at least one bra wing includes a spacer material having a modulus in at least one direction at 20% stretch and 10 lbs. load of between 1.8 and 3.0 lbs. of force.

Abstract: A bra includes first and second cups for contacting and supporting the breasts of a wearer of the bra, each cup having an inner side, located at a position between the breasts, and an outer side, located at an outer portion of each breast; and at least one bra wing extending from the outer side of each of the first and second cups. The at least one bra wing includes a spacer material having a modulus in at least one direction at 20% stretch and 10 lbs. load of between 1.27 and 2.13 lbs. of force.

Abstract: A reversible bra that includes two breast cups. Each breast cup includes a first side outermost layer and a second side outermost layer. Between the two outermost layers there is captured an underwire assembly that extends along or adjacent at least part of the lower peripheral region of the breast cup. The breast cup includes an elongate zone of reduced thickness that extends along or adjacent at least part of the underwire assembly.

Abstract: A bra cup support structure for supporting and uplifting users' breast with comfort. The bra cup support structure comprises an exterior layer, a holder, and an interior layer, wherein the exterior and interior layers are made of fabric and foam. The holder is made of a polymeric material, metal slice or flat metal wire, and firmly sandwiched between the exterior layer and interior layer, and a length of the holder is shorter than a length of both layers. Consequently, the bra cup support structure has, as a cross-sectional shape taken perpendicular to its lengthwise direction, an inverted-L shape with an upper portion and a lower portion, the lower portion extending downward from an edge of the upper portion. The holder is disposed within the lower portion.

Abstract: An armature for a brassiere for a woman have a chest area. A breast projecting from the breast area and a transition area transitioning between the chest area and proximal, intermediate, and distal portions of the breast. The transition area defines a continuous contour. The armature includes an underwire having a distal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the distal portion of the breast, a proximal portion configured to be positioned adjacent the proximal portion of the breast, and an intermediate portion configured to be positioned adjacent the intermediate portion of the breast. The underwire has an unsprung state configured to match the contour of the transition area.

Abstract: Garments having one or more laser-cured polymeric regions, methods of making, and laser-cured polymers are provided. The polymeric regions can have cure levels that differ from one another. Further, the polymeric regions can have a variable cure level within the individual region.

Abstract: An apparatus for applying to the cups of a bra, or to the overall bra, a casing for housing therein a cup supporting element, comprises at least two bobbins, one supporting a resilient element or casing, and the other supporting an adhesive having a protective silicone processed paper, a first hot-applying device for binding the casing to the adhesive material, and a programmable tensioning device, applying to the adhesive processed casing an adjustable pulling force.

Abstract: A brassiere has a pair of cups each provided with a respective underwire assembly each having inner and outer U-shaped hard underwire portions extending substantially parallel to each other below a respective cup of the brassiere, joined together at ends, and separated by an arcuate slot between the ends. The underwire formed by the two portions is upwardly arcuately concave so as to conform to the contour of a breast in the cup, and is also horizontally arcuately concave so as to conform to the contour of the chest of a wearer of the brassiere. The underwire is embedded in a soft plastic body having an apron along a concave side of the body lying at an angle to the hard underwire portions so that the body and the underwire form a pocket receiving a breast of the wearer in the cup.

Abstract: A bra formed of a length of tubular knit material flattened into a double ply fabric having rounded top and bottom edges with ends secured to breast pockets to form a torso encircling main body portion. A pair of lengths of tubular knit material flattened into double ply fabrics have ends secured to the main body portion to form shoulder straps having rounded side edges.

Abstract: A brassiere cup has inner and outer geometrically similar cup parts fitting in each other and having confronting inner faces and outer faces directed away from each other. The inner faces are formed with aligned and confronting grooves holding a pair of hard plastic wires imbedded in a flexible plastic body completely surrounding and bonded to the wires and formed with a flexible lip. The lip extends from the grooves between the inner faces. Bonds between the inner faces and the flexible plastic body unitarily secure the cup parts together and to the flexible plastic body in which the wires are imbedded.

Abstract: A molded brassiere comprising or including, a breast cup region defined at least by (i) an interior panel that includes a foam ply (herein after “interior foam ply”) and (ii) an exterior panel that includes a foam ply (herein after “exterior foam ply”), said interior and exterior panels being laminated with each other defining a breast cup region that includes two breast cups and an intermediate bridge region extending there between, wherein the interior and exterior panels are laminated with each other save at least at a region where, for each breast cup, a pocket is defined between the interior and exterior panels, the pocket being located extending from the lower perimeter region of the breast cup towards the neckline of the breast cup, the interior panel at said pocket having lower curvature than said exterior panel so that said pocket provides an air gap between said interior and exterior panels.

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: A tubular fabric receives an underwire in a garment such as a bra. The tubular fabric is formed by arranging a fusible yarn, such as Grilon®, and melting said yarn to form a barrier, which exhibits excellent resistance to penetration by underwires. Preferably the fabric does not include an elastomeric yarn or contains a minor amount and is treated to impart stretch to the fabric in the length direction.

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 sue has bras, corsets, swimsuits, and other articles of clothing. The support device includes abase, a surrounding sidewall extending from the base with the surrounding sidewall terminating in an opening. The base and 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 sidewall which is positioned to be oppositely disposed of the interior, wherein the flange is adapted to attach to the garment.

Abstract: There is provided an underwire assembly for use in a brassiere comprising an elongate support member of three-dimensional elongate form. The supporting member extends in at least two planes for conforming to an inferior profile of the breast of a wearer.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a wireless support system for a brassiere. The wireless support system comprises at least one centerfront support and two sideback supports which are composed of a material such as a polyester film. The two sideback supports may be attached to the centerfront support via a stabilizing ribbon or stitches. The brassiere of the present invention has the advantage of providing comfortable support that is form fitting.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a seamless brassiere. The brassiere has an outer shield with pattern, two breast cups, two back band, an inner lining corresponding to the outer shield, two elastic non-woven inner pads, two steel wires, a fastener, and two shoulder straps. The steel wire is sewn to a bottom edge of the lining pad. With glue smeared onto the outer shield, lining pads, and inner lining, the brassiere can be assembled with fastener set and shoulder straps by heat pressing in the mold, thereby forming the brassiere that is seamless, tight, and ventilative.

Abstract: A bra support cup is made using two layers of foam. The outer layer has grooves along its inner surface. These are used to hold plastic ribs. The inner layer is bonded to the inner surface of the outer layer to hold the plastic ribs in place.

Abstract: A U-shaped hard underwire is rolled into a soft plastic body which forms a pocket for the breast when it is incorporated into a brassiere cup. The hard underwire has two arcuate portions separated by an arcuate slot so that one portion can swing relative to the plane of the underwire.

Abstract: A cushioned underwire is cooperative with any of a variety of different brassieres having different width and size. The cushioned underwire is adjustable and positioned in a multi-layered casing, which is connected along a perimeter portion of the brassiere. The casing is connected to one or more layers of material used to form a breast cup portion of the brassiere. At least a portion of the casing is overlapped by a cushion and/or protective barrier. This cushion barrier provides both comfort and feminine allure.

Abstract: A bra is provided that facilitates a woman's breathing. The bra comprises a lower portion with an inverted V shape that skirts the woman's diaphragm. This lower portion is bordered by an elastic band. This bra is especially suitable as a sports bra.

Abstract: There is disclosed a brassiere wire with a plastic protective cap at an end portion of the wire. A liquid primer is coated between the wire and the protective cap, wherein the protective cap is fixed on the wire by high frequency bonding through the liquid primer. Preferably, the wire and protective cap are cooled after high frequency bonding. The brassiere wire is free of a notch or a hole.

Abstract: A cup structure for bras includes an inner layer, a middle layer and an outer layer, wherein the middle layer is sandwiched between the inner layer and the outer layer. The inner layer and the outer layer are connected with each other by heat-pressing or gluing so as to form non-seam cups.

Abstract: An underwire for brassieres which is split in the width and the split extends substantially the full length of the underwire to the rounded ends. The split defines two segments, one of which can swing out of the plane of the other to thereby strengthen the underwire while providing a measure of flexibility.

Abstract: An underwire including an arcuate member for use with supporting garments, such as brassieres, has one or more zones of increased lateral flexibility along the longitudinal axis of the arcuate member in order to provide greater comfort to the individual wearer, without substantially affecting the arcuate rigidity that provides support. The increased flexibility is provided to the zones of increased flexibility by reducing the cross-sectional area of one or more end portions by tapering one or more sides, by sequentially and progressively stamping increasing numbers of incremental portions of the end portion in a stamping apparatus, to taper one or two opposed surfaces of the arcuate member. Alternatively a single step stamping method can be utilized to provide the flexible end portion.

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.