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

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: A reinforced support bra having a pair of generally conically-shaped cups arranged for supporting a pair of breasts, each of the cups including an outer edge and a nipple tip portion. A back strap is attached to the cups and positioned for wearing around the torso, in the conventional fashion. Shoulder straps connected the top of the cups and the back strap and are adapted for placement over a wearer's shoulders. A non-stretchable reinforcing ring is attached to each of the cups and is placed generally concentric with the nipple tip portion between 40 percent and 95 percent of the distance from the outer edge of the cup and the nipple tip portion of said cup. Shoulder strap extensions may be provided and connected from the top of the cup to the ring to a shoulder strap, and slidingly disposed through a slide buckle so that lift can be tailored to the wearer's needs and preferences.

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: 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: A postoperative bilateral augmentation mammaplasty brassiere for use by women with augmented breasts is disclosed. The brassiere provides a support cup shaped to mimic a spherically shaped breast implant. The brassiere further provides an underwire within the construction of the brassiere, the underwire having a semicircular portion to mimic the round base of an augmented breast. A connector is provided between two support cups, each with an associated underwire, such that the distance between proximal ends of the underwires is established for the comfort of the wearer and the attractive appearance of the brassiere.

Abstract: A bust support device for utilizing a support member which is removable from a bust supporting garment. The bust support device includes a bust support device. The device is mountable in a bust supporting article of apparel. The bust supporting article of apparel has a pair of cups. Each of the cups has a bottom edge. Each of a pair of sleeves is fixedly coupled to one of the bottom edges of the cups. The sleeves each have a first end and a second end. Each of the first ends of the sleeves has an opening therein. Each of a pair of support members is removably insertable in one of the sleeves. Each of the support members is elongate and has a first and second end. Each of the support members is generally arcuate.

Abstract: The manufacturing and wearing benefits of a brassiere having an underwire embodied in each brassiere cup which has a small radius curvature so that it seats within a cooperating infra mammary fold, and provides uplifting support during wearing of the brassiere.

Abstract: A brassiere of the underwire type has a "U" shaped stitched sheath beneath each cup of an open "U" configuration and into which a "C" shaped underwire with inwardly bent ends is inserted so that, in spite of the fact that the respective underwire assumes a "U" configuration of the sheath, the springy ends of the underwire tend to produce a roundness illusion of the cup. The wire has a circular cross section with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 mm and is composed of polyamide so as to be flexible in all directions and has flanges at its ends through one of which the wire is stitched to retain it in the respective sheath.

Abstract: A pin-and-eye connection is used to apply decorative members or stays or underwires, especially the foundation garments, utilizing a member which is stitched to the garment and preferably a cover member which conceals that stitching. Where the base is used as a decorative member, it can be provided with a circumference of pearl like formations.

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

Abstract: An underwire for an underwire brassier has a metal wire bow provided at one end with a stitching flange and preferably formed at the other end with an elastomeric tip. A double-cup frame for the underwire brassiere has an inverted U-shaped bridge piece whose shanks receive the ends of plastic coated underwires. The shanks are connected unitarily by a bight which is flattened and can be grooved to increase flexibility. Upon twisting of the bight, the two underwires can be superposed, thereby increasing the flexibility of the frame and a brassiere in which the frame is incorporated.

Abstract: A brassiere (1) with two bust cups (6) and two side parts (2) connected to the latter has along the lower edges (5) of the cups (6) a respective pocket for replaceably accommodating a U-shaped support underwire. These pockets have at their ends situated in the front middle zone (3) of the brassiere (1) openings for the insertion or removal of the underwires. A retaining element (11) is provided between the cups (6) in the vicinity of these openings in the front middle zone (3) of the brassiere (1), with which retaining element (11) the ends of the underwires associated therewith and projecting from the pockets can be brought into a releasable operative connection.

Abstract: A brassiere of the underwire type has a "U" shaped stitched sheath beneath each cup of an open "U" configuration and into which a "C" shaped underwire with inwardly bent ends is inserted so that, in spite of the fact that the respective underwire assumes a "U" configuration of the sheath, the springy ends of the underwire tend to produce a roundness illusion of the cup. The wire has a circular cross section with a diameter of 1.5 to 2.5 mm and is composed of polyamide so as to be flexible in all directions and has flanges at its ends through one of which the wire is stitched to retain it in the respective sheath.

Abstract: A method of making a brassiere wire for a particular underwire brassiere cup utilizing a set of brassiere wires having rectilinear markings where excess of the wire can be cut away with rounding of the resulting end portions to form the brassiere wire.

Abstract: An improvement in underwire bra construction wherein the ends of the U-shaped underwire are secured to complementary fastening members affixed to the material of the bra cup and wherein such U-shaped underwire is free to swing up or down relative to said complementary fastening members.

Abstract: A brassiere wire has a body adapted to fit into a channel in a brassiere to extend beneath a breast cup of a brassiere, the brassiere wire having a semicircular body lying in a plane and of flattened cross section, and a rectilinear flexible portion on at least one end of the body, the rectilinear portion being deflectable resiliently out of the plane, the rectilinear portion having two spaced-apart grooves corresponding across the rectilinear portion substantially perpendicular thereto and in each face of such rectilinear portion, thereby reducing the thickness of the wire at the grooves of the rectilinear portion to increase flexibility thereof, the wire being composed of a plastic and having rounded tips.

Abstract: A garment having the combined appearance of a brassiere and a camisole is provided with a camisole top, the brassiere function of the garment being provided by non-stretchable shoulder straps that extend across the interior of the breast cups, and, which are securely connected with the brassiere frames, the shoulder straps extending on a diagonal of the breast cups, portions of the breast cups being reinforced to provide for the support of the weight of the breast.

Abstract: A brassiere construction has breast cups provided with a central diagonally extending panel that is stretchable in vertical directions, and which is non-stretchable in horizontal directions, thus to accommodate different volumes of breast tissue falling within a determined range of volumes.

Abstract: The present invention teaches a maternity and nursing bra incorporating a one-handed fastening method that inherently allows for a stronger cup support and variable adjustment of cup size. It is accomplished by affixing parts of a fastener to the inside of an inner cup (17) to an inner band (15). Also incorporated into the inside of the inner cup (17) is an optional use nursing pad pocket (18). The bra's variable strap width adjusting band (12) and the relocatable shoulder straps (10) enables the bra to be worn with a variety of outer garment styles.

Abstract: A camisole underwire bra garment (10) including a camisole unit (11) and an underwire bra unit (12) whose upper portions (11') and (12') share the same general contour and configuration, wherein the underwire bra unit (12) is only connected to the camisole unit (11) along their respective upper portions to produce a camisole garment (10) that provides lift and support for a woman's breasts.