Including Elastic Portions With Variable Modulus Of Elasticity Patents (Class 450/75)
  • Patent number: 11684092
    Abstract: Pullover bras for high support activities are provided. A bra includes a band that wraps around the torso. The band includes first and second cup regions as well as a gore adjoining the cup regions. An underband runs below the gore and the cup regions. Straps adjoin a respective cup region and a respective portion of the band. A neckline runs above the cup regions and between a first portion of each strap. The gore and underarm portions of the band are formed from a first pattern of fabric. The back of the bra, the straps, and the neckline is formed from a second pattern of fabric. The underband is formed from a third pattern of fabric.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: The Gap, Inc.
    Inventors: Brett Roddis, Melissa Lawrence, John Kelly
  • Patent number: 10507062
    Abstract: A medical fastening device for noninvasively fastening a medical marking device comprising two or more marking elements to a body part of a patient is provided. The fastening device has a support body which extends over a surface in two directions of extent aligned at an angle to each other and is adaptable in its shape to the contour of the body part, to which the marking device is fixed or fixable. The support body is elastically stretchable in the surface of its extent and comprises a first stretch area and at least one second stretch area, the stretchability of which in at least one direction in the surface of the extent of the support body is less than that of the first stretch area. A medical referencing device and a medical instrumentation comprising such a fastening device are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2019
    Assignee: Aesculap AG
    Inventors: Stefan Gassner, Steffi Altmann, Markus Mueller
  • Patent number: 9717284
    Abstract: A brassiere comprising a wing having a top edge and a bottom edge, at least one strap and at least one cup for receiving a breast, the cup having an around cup edge section, an underarm edge section, a neckline edge section and an apex, the around cup section of the cup having a wire, wherein the brassiere further comprises a control panel generally extending from the apex of the cup into the wing, the control panel having an upper edge and a lower edge and wherein the wire terminates proximal to the lower edge of the control panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Inventor: Jeanette Misseldine
  • Patent number: 9314054
    Abstract: A garment 1 having a cup part in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention is a garment having a cup part for covering a bust. The cup part 10 has upper and lower cup portions 12, 16, with a middle cup portion 14 sewed therebetween. The middle cup portion 14 is arranged such that a bust top T is located at a boundary between the upper and middle cup portions 12, 14 or in the middle cup portion 14 and extends from a front center side edge 10lf of a lower portion or a front center side edge of an upper portion of the cup part 10 to an outer side edge of the lower portion, an edge 10s of a side portion, or an outer side edge of the upper portion thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2016
    Assignee: Wacoal Corp.
    Inventors: Masaru Yuasa, Megumi Tachiiri, Keiko Ishii, Mariko Kanazawa
  • Patent number: 9084443
    Abstract: An article of apparel includes an integrated support system. In an embodiment, the article of apparel is a tank top including a body and shoulder straps. The support structure, moreover, is a bra suspended from the interior of the body. The bra includes textile segments possessing predetermined degrees of resiliency. In an embodiment, the bra includes first and second cups, each including a pocket operable to receive an insert. The cups may be laterally spaced from each other by a non-stretch textile. The rear of the bra may be formed of a resilient textile.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2015
    Assignee: Under Armour, Inc.
    Inventors: Shannon Moulden, Jami Dunbar, Angela Farina
  • Publication number: 20150072591
    Abstract: A garment, bra, underwear, shaper, or other suitable articles of clothing, encircles a body part or a body organ of a human wearer. The back-side or back-region of the garment has three areas or five areas or other number of areas of differential elasticity and/or differential rigidness and/or differential support. In a demonstrative garment, a back-side region includes at least five areas: a central area having reduced elasticity; a right-side area having increased elasticity; a left side area having increased elasticity; a first intermediary area, located between the central area and the right-side area, wherein the first intermediary area has intermediate elasticity; and a second intermediary area, located between the central area and the left-side area, wherein the second intermediary area has intermediate elasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2014
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Inventor: Eli ALMOG
  • Patent number: 8915765
    Abstract: The present invention includes a garment, such as a bra or a shaper, having regions of differential elasticity. For example, a bra includes: two cups located at a front side of the bra; and a backwing comprising a plurality of regions having differential elasticity. Optionally, the plurality of regions comprise at least five areas which comprise: a central area having reduced elasticity; a right-side area having increased elasticity; a left side area having increased elasticity; a first intermediary area, located between the central area and the right-side area, wherein the first intermediary area has intermediate elasticity; and a second intermediary area, located between the central area and the left-side area, wherein the second intermediary area has intermediate elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Delta Galil Industries Ltd.
    Inventors: Sagit Chayet, Eli Almog
  • Publication number: 20140235139
    Abstract: The present invention includes a garment, such as a bra or a shaper, having regions of differential elasticity. For example, a bra includes: two cups located at a front side of the bra; and a backwing comprising a plurality of regions having differential elasticity. Optionally, the plurality of regions comprise at least five areas which comprise: a central area having reduced elasticity; a right-side area having increased elasticity; a left side area having increased elasticity; a first intermediary area, located between the central area and the right-side area, wherein the first intermediary area has intermediate elasticity; and a second intermediary area, located between the central area and the left-side area, wherein the second intermediary area has intermediate elasticity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2012
    Publication date: August 21, 2014
    Inventors: Sagit Chayet, Eli Almog
  • Patent number: 8702469
    Abstract: A moisture management fabric using denier differential to facilitate the movement of sweat away from the wearer's body is presented. An exemplary moisture management support garment constructed from an exemplary moisture management fabric is presented. An exemplary moisture management support garment is a moisture transporting sport bra. A denier differential is employed to provide superior moisture transporting and evaporation of perspiration from a wearer during exertion. The denier differential relies upon a facing layer and a back layer with substantially different yarn thickness and fabric porosity to achieve fluid transport.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2014
    Assignee: Nike, Inc.
    Inventors: Rebecca P. Hurd, Susan L. Sokolowski
  • Patent number: 8562553
    Abstract: A compression bandage shaped as an elongate rectangle is made of a textile fabric on which a hook strip is fastened along a narrow side of a small portion of a lateral face, or hook side. The fabric contains elastic filaments running in a longitudinal direction and, in a transverse direction, includes virtually inelastic supporting filaments having a spring constant in the longitudinal direction that ranges from 0.3 to 3 Newtons/cm of longitudinal stretching and a per meter length and per decimeter width of the compression bandage. Small loops made of soft filaments are interwoven and distributed uniformly over the entire area of the lateral face, or fleece side, opposite the hook strip. These small loops are oriented approximately perpendicularly to the lateral face, in size and distance from one another, and are complementary to the hooks of the hook strip for forming a releasable hook-and-loop closure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Inventor: Dorethea Naumann
  • Patent number: 8523631
    Abstract: A bra to be worn during vigorous physical activity includes a stretch front panel and a stretch back panel. The back panel forms a back portion of a left and right shoulder strap. Non-stretch fabric connects the front panel and the back panel and forms the front portion of the left and right shoulder straps. The bra also includes a rib band configured to encircle a wearer's torso.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2012
    Date of Patent: September 3, 2013
    Inventor: Cynthia A. Smith
  • Patent number: 8257138
    Abstract: A bra to be worn during vigorous physical activity. It provides the wearer with a high level of breast tissue support without undue restriction of breathing or shoulder movement, while providing means for ventilation and moisture management. The bra is underwire-free, and designed to be worn as outerwear. The bra achieves these objectives through the innovative combination of various non-stretch and stretch fabrics. The non-stretch portions of the garment provide a high level of compression and stability to the breast tissue, while the multiple regions of stretch fabric minimize breathing and shoulder restrictions and provide ventilation. Non-stretch wicking fabric is used to form the majority of the body of the bra, and is used to pull the breast tissue in and hold it firmly to the chest. This non-stretch fabric is connected to panels of stretch wicking fabric located in the front and back of the body of the bra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Inventor: Cynthia A Smith
  • Patent number: 8235764
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2012
    Assignee: INVISTA North America S.à.r.l.
    Inventors: Joyce I. Baran, Petros Dafniotis, Douglas K. Farmer
  • Publication number: 20120149277
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Maidenform, Inc.
    Inventors: Wanda Moses-Jones, Kristen Quaranta
  • Patent number: 8137155
    Abstract: Clothing having cups in which a front center supporting part is provided at a portion where front sides of left and right cups covering left and right breasts respectively which are disposed nearer to a front center in a left-to-right direction than top portions of the left and right cups are continuous with each other, with a front central position interposed between the front sides of the left and right cups. Upper and lower portions of the front center supporting part are spread in a left-to-right direction with the upper and lower portions thereof extended to upper and lower sides of the left and right cups respectively surrounding each of the top portions to such an extent that the upper portion is located at a position where the upper portion and a strap are continuous with each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2012
    Assignee: Wacoal Corp.
    Inventors: Katsuko Horii, Kiriko Kondo, Saori Sakamoto
  • Patent number: 8066546
    Abstract: A brassiere is provided with a front piece forming the breast cups and with two side pieces extending around the upper body of an individual, the first ends of which are fastened to the front piece and the second ends of which can be connected in the back area of the wearer. Each side pieces has a support piece forming an outline of the side pieces with an upper edge and a lower edge. On the outside of the side pieces an outer textile blank is provided, which is connected with the supporting element in the area of the upper edge and the lower edge. The outer textile blank is folded over twice with its edge, over the upper edge and the lower edge, wherein the first fold, travels directly along the upper or lower edge and the second fold travels between the support piece and the first fold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2011
    Assignee: Triumph Intertrade AG
    Inventor: Elisabeth Simpson
  • Patent number: 8038506
    Abstract: A brassiere having flexibility, durability, and improved comfort for the wearer is provided. The side panel of the bra 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Warnaco U.S., Inc.
    Inventors: Donald R. Allen, Patricia E. McLaurin
  • Patent number: 7867057
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Maidenform, Inc.
    Inventors: Manette Scheininger, Steven Castellano, Dean Gilliand
  • Patent number: 7867056
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Maidenform, Inc.
    Inventors: Manette Mallon Scheininger, Steven Castellano, Dean Gilliand
  • Patent number: 7833084
    Abstract: A garment with breast cups comprises breast cups, a forwardly facing base part and rearwardly facing base parts, wherein, for the purpose of providing a function of causing the breast cups to agree with the movement of breasts, an elastic function of the forwardly facing base part is superior to an elastic function of the rearwardly facing base parts. The garment with breast cups is preferably configured such that the garment with breast cups is further provided with suspender straps, and that an elastic function of the suspender straps is inferior to the elastic function of the rearwardly facing base part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2010
    Assignee: Yugenkaisha Chouryu
    Inventor: Toshifumi Hirashima
  • Patent number: 7753757
    Abstract: Upper underwear includes: right and left cups for accommodating respective breasts therein; a coupling member coupling the cups to each other, and a belt joined to the cups, wherein: the belt has belt side portions to be positioned on side parts of a body when the underwear is put on the body, and a belt back portion to be positioned on a back part of the body when the underwear is put on the body; and the belt is formed such that when the upper underwear is put on the body, a lower edge of said belt back portion is positioned above a lower end level of said cups, whereby a sensation of pressure imparted to the body by the upper underwear can be relieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2010
    Assignee: Indy & Associate
    Inventor: Yumi Shinomiya
  • Patent number: 7695344
    Abstract: A brassiere has a pair of breast receiving cups and a first back panel connected to one of the pair of breast receiving cups and a second back panel connected to the other of the pair of breast receiving cups. The first back panel and the second back panel each have a band affixed thereto that is capable of modifying a property of the panel. The bands limit the elongation of each of the pair of back panels during wear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nuzzo, Margaret B. Shultz
  • Patent number: 7588479
    Abstract: A brassiere having a front opening and a dynamic adjustable back section and a first side panel and a second side panel is provided. The brassiere also has a pair of breast receiving cups and a connector between the breast receiving cups for selectively opening and selectively closing the brassiere. The dynamic adjustable back section elongates from a first length to a second length to automatically adjust a size of the brassiere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventor: Gloria Falla
  • Publication number: 20090081924
    Abstract: A feminine undergarment includes two cups for the breasts, a contact strip positioned under the cups and intended to circle the bust, two support elements connected firstly to the cups in the upward extension of the latter and secondly to a rear panel, a middle panel lying between the two cups, and side panels extending from the cups to the rear panel. In the vertical direction, the inner wall of the cups has an elasticity of 60% at most, and at least 15% of the surface of the said wall has an ability to adhere to the skin. The middle panel has a horizontal elasticity of at least 20%, preferably of the order of 60% to 80%. The adherence capacity of the inner wall of the cups is due to the presence of a material that has a high friction coefficient with the skin, in particular of the silicone type.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2007
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Celine Puyaubreau
  • Publication number: 20090053975
    Abstract: A brassiere has a pair of breast receiving cups and a first back panel connected to one of the pair of breast receiving cups and a second back panel connected to the other of the pair of breast receiving cups. The first back panel and the second back panel each have a band affixed thereto that is capable of modifying a property of the panel. The bands limit the elongation of each of the pair of back panels during wear.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 24, 2007
    Publication date: February 26, 2009
    Inventors: Anthony J. Nuzzo, Margaret B. Shultz
  • Patent number: 7300331
    Abstract: A brassiere or breast shaping garment has a pair of breast-receiving cups, each of which is formed with 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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2007
    Assignee: Invista North America S.AR.L.
    Inventors: Joyce I. Baran, Petros Dafniotis, Douglas K. Farmer
  • Patent number: 7204741
    Abstract: A brassiere comprising two brassiere cups each having an equal number of two or more panel sections representing by at least a lateral sling panel section and a main panel section respectively with the panel sections of each breast cup arranged such that the lateral panel section acts as a sling and possesses substantially less elasticity than is possessed by the main panel section and that the brassiere satisfies a narrow base width measurement for each breast cup of between 11.5 and 13.5 centimeters when the brassiere is extended. The main panel section should extend superiorly to cover the nipple area of the breast and possess greater elasticity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2007
    Inventor: Sharon Giese
  • Patent number: 7169011
    Abstract: There is provided a circular knit brassiere having a body portion with a pair of breast cups and a pair of side panels. Each side panel is connected to a different breast cup. The brassiere has different degrees of stretchability in each breast cup and side panel as compared to the center region of the brassiere. Tighter stitches with shorter stitch lengths than in the center region are used in the breast cups, thereby providing support for the breasts. Looser stitches, with longer stitch lengths than in the center region, are used in each side to provide improved flexibility and comfort to the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: HBI Branded Apparel Enterprises, LLC
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Sandra Ann Waitz
  • Patent number: 7144294
    Abstract: A garment (1) for providing compressive forces to a torso to help eliminate or reduce swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the torso region. An embodiment of the present invention includes an outer covering (10) of compression fabric, wide shoulder straps (22, 24), front and back panels of compression fabric (12, 14, 16, 18), a non-rolling rib band (72), axilla gussets (82, 84), and both front closure (40) and back closure (50). The garment may also include one or more princess seams (102, 104, 102?, 104?) so as to enable the front panel(s) to encapsulate and hold the user's breasts in place at the same time that compressive forces are applied, as well as one or more front shelves (132, 134) in the front panel(s) for providing upward compressive support to the breast tissue, thereby holding the tissue in a proper neutral position so that inward compressive forces acting on the tissue provide maximum effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2006
    Assignee: Lightning2 LLC
    Inventors: Lesli R. Bell, Eugenie Z. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 6918812
    Abstract: A brassiere comprising two brassiere cups each having three separate panel sections representing a lateral panel section, a medial panel section and a superior panel section respectively with the three panel sections of each breast cup arranged such that the superior panel section extends superiorly to cover the nipple area of the breast and possesses a substantially greater elasticity than is possessed by the lateral and medial panel sections respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Sharon Giese
  • Patent number: 6918813
    Abstract: A brassiere comprises a pair of cups for supporting and shaping the breasts of the wearer. The cups are connected by connecting structure. A side panel is attached to each cup. Each side panel has a surface for contacting the wearer. The side panels are adapted to apply substantially uniform pressure to the wearer across the surface in contact with the wearer for the purpose of increasing comfort and reducing unsightly bulging of tissue of the wearer's sides and back.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2005
    Inventor: Brian Hass
  • Patent number: 6899591
    Abstract: A circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each of the breast cups has at least two different areas of stretchability. Each different area of stretchability has a different stitch density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2005
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventor: John C Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6860789
    Abstract: A garment (1) for providing compressive forces to a torso to help eliminate or reduce swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the torso region. An embodiment of the present invention includes an outer covering (10) of compression fabric, wide shoulder straps (22, 24), front and back panels of compression fabric (12, 14, 16, 18), a non-rolling rib band (72), axilla gussets (82, 84), and both front closure (40) and back closure(50). The garment may also include one or more princess seams (102, 104, 102?, 104?) so as to enable the front panel(s) to encapsulate and hold the user's breasts in place at the same time that compressive forces are applied, as well as one or more front shelves (132, 134) in the front panel(s) for providing upward compressive support to the breast tissue, thereby holding the tissue in a proper neutral position so that inward compressive forces acting on the tissue provide maximum effect.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2005
    Assignee: Lightning2 LLC
    Inventors: Lesli R. Bell, Eugenie Z. Lindahl
  • Patent number: 6790122
    Abstract: There is provided a circular knit brassiere having a body portion with a pair of breast cups and a pair of side panels. Each side panel is connected to a different breast cup. The brassiere has different degrees of stretchability in each breast cup and side panel as compared to the center region of the brassiere. Tighter stitches with shorter stitch lengths than in the center region are used in the breast cups, thereby providing support for the breasts. Looser stitches, with longer stitch lengths than in the center region, are used in each side to provide improved flexibility and comfort to the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2004
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Sandra Ann Waitz
  • Publication number: 20040137822
    Abstract: A circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each of the breast cups has at least two different areas of stretchability. Each different area of stretchability has a different stitch density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 4, 2003
    Publication date: July 15, 2004
    Applicant: SARA LEE CORPORATION
    Inventor: John C. Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20040110447
    Abstract: An adjustable circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each side panel is adjacent to a different one of the pair of breast cups. The central gore also has a stabilizing area knitted therein. The breast cups also have a stabilizing area knitted into the bottom edge of each breast cup. The bra preferably also has a pair of adjustable shoulder straps. The bra preferably also has adjustable fasteners at the bra back.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 7, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: Sara L Corporation
    Inventors: John Mitchell, Sandra Ann Waitz
  • Patent number: 6685535
    Abstract: A circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each of the breast cups has at least two different areas of stretchability. Each different area of stretchability has a different stitch density.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2004
    Assignee: Sara Lee Corporation
    Inventor: John Mitchell
  • Publication number: 20040002288
    Abstract: A garment (1) for providing compressive forces to a torso to help eliminate or reduce swelling caused by an accumulation of lymph fluid in the torso region. An embodiment of the present invention includes an outer covering (10) of compression fabric, wide shoulder straps (22, 24), front and back panels of compression fabric (12, 14, 16, 18), a non-rolling rib band (72), axilla gussets (82, 84), and both front closure (40) and back closure(50). The garment may also include one or more princess seams (102, 104, 102′, 104′) so as to enable the front panel(s) to encapsulate and hold the user's breasts in place at the same time that compressive forces are applied, as well as one or more front shelves (132, 134) in the front panel(s) for providing upward compressive support to the breast tissue, thereby holding the tissue in a proper neutral position so that inward compressive forces acting on the tissue provide maximum effect.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2002
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Lightening2 LLC
    Inventors: Lesli R. Bell, Eugenie Z. Lindahl
  • Publication number: 20030171067
    Abstract: A circular knit bra is provided. The bra has a pair of breast cups, a central gore disposed between the breast cups, and a pair of side panels. Each of the breast cups has at least two different areas of stretchability. Each different area of stretchability has a different stitch density.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 7, 2002
    Publication date: September 11, 2003
    Applicant: SARA LEE CORPORATION
    Inventor: John Mitchell
  • Patent number: 6287168
    Abstract: A brassiere fashioned from a circularly knit fabric blank has a central panel between the breast cups that has a greater resistance to stretching than the remainder of the body of the brassiere. The brassiere preferably is formed from a blank that is knit to have two pairs of breast cups that are arranged in mirror image about a fold region at which the blank is folded to place one set of breast cups in overlying relationship with the other set of breast cups such that the resulting brassiere is a two-ply structure. The brassiere can be formed in either non-underwire or underwire form. When included, the underwires are attached either to an exterior side of one of the plies, or alternatively between the plies. The blank can be circularly knit as a two-ply tubular structure similar to a long turned welt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 14, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2001
    Assignee: Alba-Waldensian, Inc.
    Inventor: Sigi Rabinowicz
  • Patent number: 6238266
    Abstract: This invention relates to support garments which provide a support function through the utilization of a dried polyurethane coating placed on certain areas of the target fabric surface. Such a coating produces a reduction in the elongation characteristics of the target fabric thereby exhibiting a manner of providing support to the target fabric which is comfortable to the wearer and inexpensive to produce. The inventive garments may be utilized as sports brassieres, swimwear, “control-top” underwear, girdles, athletic supporters, medical braces, and the like.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2000
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2001
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventor: Kirkland W. Vogt
  • Patent number: 6142852
    Abstract: A brassiere includes a support portion (straps, sides, back, etc.) for supporting the brassiere on the human body, and two cups joined to the support portion. At least one of the two cups includes an additional elastic portion that is adapted to exercise an elastic retention effect on an oedema of the breast held in the cup. This additional elastic cup portion, which is preferably placed on the exterior of the cup, is adapted to have, in a slacked or unstretched state, a surface area smaller than the cup and a depth smaller than the cup. The additional elastic cup portion is attached solely along its periphery to the periphery of the cup.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1998
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Inventors: Denise Lerolle-Lelorrain, Tae H. Kim, Daniel H. Dunn, Joanne Elizabeth Birnberg, Risa Asmus-Dorweiler
  • Patent number: 5211598
    Abstract: An exercise brassiere having an outer layer adapted to fit over the wearer's upper torso and shoulders and a coextensive inner layer adapted to fit over the front portion of the wearer's upper torso and shoulders. The inner layer and the outer layer are constructed of a lightweight, flexible two-way stretch fabric having a stretchability significantly greater in the horizontal direction than in the vertical direction to provide adequate and comfortable support to the wearer's breasts. The inner layer has cut into it a pair of apertures sized and positioned to receive the breasts of the wearer the apertures being covered by the outer layer. The apertures also provide support to the wearer's breasts and further provide for a natural, contoured appearance to the wearer's breasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: May 18, 1993
    Inventor: Desiree L. Hall
  • Patent number: 5171182
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 15, 1992
    Assignee: Wacoalamerica, Inc.
    Inventor: Valerie L. Heinen
  • Patent number: 5167566
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 1992
    Date of Patent: December 1, 1992
    Assignee: Wacoal America, Inc.
    Inventors: Rosalie M. Novitsky, Harold Stern, Nancy Fishman, Miguel Cintron
  • Patent number: 4816005
    Abstract: The sports bra comprises two front panel sections with each front panel section being a mirror image of the other and including a main body portion and an upwardly extending wide strap forming portion and a rear panel section including a body portion and two upwardly extending wide strap forming portions. The body portion of the rear panel section is attached on each side edge thereof to one of the main body portions of one of the front panel sections and the upper ends of each strap forming portion are attached to the upper end of one of the strap forming portions of one of the front panel sections. The rear panel section includes two elastic strap reinforcing bands which extend from the upper end of one of the strap forming portions angularly downwardly to the opposite side edge of the rear panel section to form cross strap members. The sports bra has arm holes and a neck hole which are defined between the areas of joining of the front and rear panel sections.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 1987
    Date of Patent: March 28, 1989
    Inventor: Renelle Braaten
  • Patent number: RE38853
    Abstract: A brassiere fashioned from a circularly knit fabric blank has a central panel between the breast cups that has a greater resistance to stretching than the remainder of the body of the brassiere. The brassiere preferably is formed from a blank that is knit to have two pairs of breast cups that are arranged in mirror image about a fold region at which the blank is folded to place one set of breast cups in overlying relationship with the other set of breast cups such that the resulting brassiere is a two-ply structure. The brassiere can be formed in either non-underwire or underwire form. When included, the underwires are attached either to an exterior side of one of the plies, or alternatively between the plies. The blank can be circularly knit as a two-ply tubular structure similar to a long turned welt.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2005
    Assignee: Alba-Waldensian, Inc.
    Inventor: Sigi Rabinowicz