Abstract: An encased wire for a garment includes a wire with first and second ends and a casing surrounding the wire. The casing includes a first fabric ribbon woven from a polyamide that resists penetration by at least one of the ends of the wire. The casing has a first edge, a second edge, and a first, stitched seam disposed adjacent to the first edge to close the casing, thereby containing the wire. The casing may be a single layer construction or a multi-layer construction. Selected regions of the casing resist penetration by the wire. Other selected regions provide increased comfort to the wearer. A sewing machine and a method of manufacture of the casing also are provided.

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: 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 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: 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 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: 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: The present invention relates to a tubular fabric for receiving an underwire in a garment such as a bra. The tubular fabric is formed by arranging a fusible yarn, such as Grillon™, 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 and is treated to impart stretch to the fabric in the length direction.

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 brassiere for providing breast enhancement. The brassiere includes a pair of spaced apart breast cups, with each of the cups including a support member that follows the curvature of at least the lower portion of the breast, an insert comprised of a front and rear panel forming at least one pocket and secured to the support member, and a band, disposed within the pocket, and secured to the edge of the cup and an end of the support member. The tension applied to the band causes a pulling effect on at least the front panel of the insert and the pulling effect of at least the front panel causes the respective breast to be inwardly drawn towards the connection region when the brassiere is secured to the user's chest.

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 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: The present invention provides an active-wear garment which comfortably provides support to the chest and back areas of the physically-active wearer, while wicking away moisture from the skin of the wearer. The active-wear garment of the present invention provides support such that the breasts of the wearer are comfortably supported and effectively immobilized when worn during physical activity of the wearer.

Abstract: A first brassiere underwire stay (110) is integrally incorporated into a brassiere (16) which comprises a brassiere left cup (16L) and a brassiere right cup (16R). The first brassiere underwire stay (110) is composed of a first left U-shaped wire (112L) integrally incorporated into an underside of the brassiere left cup (16L). The first left U-shaped wire (112L) comprises a first left distal kidney shaped end piece (114LA) which is securely attached at a left distal end of the first left U-shaped wire (112L). A first left center kidney shaped end piece (114LC) is securely attached at a right distal end of the first left U-shaped wire (112L). A first right U-shaped wire (112R) is integrally incorporated into an underside of the brassiere right cup (16R). The first right U-shaped wire (112R) is composed of a first right distal kidney shaped end piece (114RA) securely attached at a right distal end of the first right U-shaped wire (112R).

Abstract: In an underwire brassiere, a generally inelastic and dimensionally stable two-bar warp knitted fabric is provided as a covering for the underwire. One set of warp yarns is knitted in a pattern of coursewise spaced stitches with extended underlaps and another set of warp yarns is knitted in a chain stitch pattern, collectively providing warpwise and coursewise stability and elongation resistance to the fabric. The run-in ratio of the two sets of warp yarns imparts a controlled coursewise inclination to the chain stitches enabling a predetermined degree of walewise elongation for better conformation of the fabric to the underwire in fabrication of the brassiere.

Abstract: A flexible support element for fitting within a sleeve formed under and around the lower periphery of a bra cup, the invention replaces conventional bra underwires which lose shape during wear or washing, poke through sleeve material at the ends of the sleeve and cause user discomfort. The support element of the invention takes the form of an arcuate length of polymeric or similar material having a circular cross-sectional shape and which can be formed manually into a supporting shape to fit within the undercup sleeve. The present support element provides comfort to a user and does not poke through the ends of the undercup sleeve.

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: An undergarment affording bust support and an unobstructed view of the wearer's back including a panty portion, a bra portion and joining straps. The panty portion has a front panel, a rear panel, and fasteners for joining the front and rear panels together at the crotch. The bra portion has a pair of cups, a connector joining the cups at the front, and, for each cup, a shoulder strap for supporting the cup on a respective shoulder of the wearer. On each side, the joining straps are a first strap joining the rear panel and a respective one of the cups and a second strap joining the front panel and a respective one of the shoulder straps. The first and second joining straps cross and are secured together adjacent a respective one side of the wearer, preferably at about waist level.