Abstract: A bra includes two breast cups that each include an outer fabric layer and an inner fabric layer. A neckline perimeter of each breast cup is defined at least by one of the outer fabric layer and inner fabric layer. At each breast cup, a core pad is captured between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer that includes a tapered perimeter region to define a thin perimeter region, the thin perimeter region located inward of the neckline perimeter. Also, a bra includes two breast cups from each of which there extends a chest band portion each chest band portion including at least an interior most panel and an exterior most panel. Each chest band portion includes an upper perimeter and a lower perimeter. Captured between and adhered with the interior most panel and the exterior most panel is at least one elastic band that is located to extend at least along at least part of and adjacent the upper perimeter and the lower perimeter.

Abstract: A brassiere has a core pad between the outer and inner layers of fabric. The core pad has a thin perimeter region proximate the neckline. The core pad is of foam plies. The core pad is at the cups and at the bridge between the cups.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide a three-dimension bra cup support structure comprising at least two fabric layers, at least two nonwoven layers and at least one foam layer. The layers are sandwiched with gel and thermal-pressing to constitute the support structure. The bra cup support structure is flexible and subsidiary closed to the lower periphery of the breast to provide a comfort support structure to users.

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.

Abstract: A bra includes two cups, and two bands, which are connected to respective ones of the cups at front ends thereof; each band has two supporting ribs thereon, which are used for helping keep the band smooth; furthermore, each band has a sustaining rib arranged between the two supporting ribs; when the bra is worn on a woman's body with the bands being stretched, passed across the woman's back, and joined together at rear ends, the sustaining ribs will prevent tensional force in the bands from causing deformation of the supporting ribs such that the bra bands will touch the wearer's body closely.

Abstract: The present invention is to provide an improved resilient bra cup structure with adjustable stiffness or softness, wherein the bra cup structure having at least four layers comprising a layer of stiff knitted fabric, a layer of meshed gel, a layer of resilient staple fiber, and a layer of soft knitted fabric. The layer of meshed gel is subjected to a heating process for thermally bonded between the layer of stiff knitted fabric and the layer of resilient staple fiber. Furthermore, the thermally-bonded sandwiched fabric is bonded to the layer of soft knitted fabric for forming a compound fabric to make a bra cup.

Abstract: A breast cup construction of a cup shape to be incorporated as part of a brassiere, the breast cup construction comprising a molded to a cup shape laminated core assembly comprising a ply of foam material and a ply of fabric material disposed to the convex side of the foam material. An exterior ply is overlying and to the concave and convex sides of at least part of the laminated core assembly. The exterior ply is folded at and to define at least part of the neckline perimeter of the cup shape.

Abstract: A molded bra of a layered assembly of a plurality of plies of flexible moldable material. The layered assembly generally defines two molded breast cups a bridge intermediate of the two breast cups and a chest band from which each of the molded breast cups are disposed. The assembly includes an outward ply of a fabric material presenting a first outermost surface of the bra to the convex side of the breast cups of the bra, and an inward ply disposed to the opposite side of the assembly where the first outermost ply is presented and presenting a second outermost surface of the bra to the concave side of the breast cups of the bra. The layered assembly includes at least the inward and the outward ply at the entire perimeter about the bra regions and wherein the outward ply has been folded at the perimeter to provide a hem affixed to the inward ply.

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: A method of incorporating a fastener with a molded brassiere of a seamless construction and that includes an exterior panel of moldable material and an interior panel of moldable material that is contiguous with the exterior more panel and has been laminated therewith except at at least a non-laminated region where the fastener is to be located, and wherein the fastener includes a connector supported by a flexible mounting panel, the method comprising creating an opening through one of the exterior panel and the interior panel at the non-laminated region and at a location thereof through which at least part of the connector is to extend, locating the flexible mounting panel intermediate of the exterior panel and the interior panel at the non-laminated region in a manner to allow the at least part of the connector to extend through the opening, affixing at least one of the exterior panel and the interior panel to the flexible mounting panel.

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.

Abstract: A method is described for manufacturing an item of underwear or an item of sportswear by applying a medium, running in lengths and strengthening the fabric of the item of clothing, on to a cut-out piece of material, wherein application of the medium is done by the silk screen printing method or the adhesive coating method and in a first step of the method the printed length is structured in such a way that it substantially corresponds to the later outer contour of the item of clothing and in a second step of the method the printed fabric is cut in the area of the printed length.

Abstract: A narrow profile soft tip is provided for an underwire arcuate member intended to be fitted into a sleeve. The arcuate member has a first width at a shoulder position thereof and the tip has a tip width at a lower surface thereof substantially equal to the first width of the arcuate member, such that the arcuate member and the tip as mounted on the arcuate member with the lower surface adjacent the shoulder position present a smooth profile at the shoulder position.

Abstract: The invention concerns lingerie articles comprising at least a moulded region to create a retaining and supporting volume of at least a curved part of the human body, made from a tubular knitted fabric (1) formed with a first extensible and thermoformable material, provided with a ribbing (2) which forms one of the edges of said article elastically enclosing the body, the final shape of the article being produced by cuts performed in the tubular knitted fabric from the free end opposite the ribbing.

Abstract: Disclosed is a seamless support garment for use in the active-wear industry and method of making the same. In particular, the present invention is directed to a dual-layered seamless sports bra and camisole tailored for exercise, movement, and other moderate to strenuous physical activities. Furthermore, the invention provides a system of support for a breast or breasts during exercise that is comfortable, non-abrasive, stylish and cost effective to manufacturer.

Abstract: A laminated stretch cushion strap assembly having a stretchable cover, a stretchable cushion filler and a stretchable bottom or bottom fabric. The cover includes a stretchable top fabric, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric and a stretchable base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on a side opposite that of the top fabric. The stretchable bottom fabric forms with the cover an enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler is adapted to be completely enclosed within the enclosure. The stretchable cushion filler has a first cushion layer, and adhesive for securing during lamination the cover to the stretchable cushion filler, and the cushion filler to the stretchable bottom fabric. The adhesive is a second adhesive web layer positioned between the stretchable base layer and the first cushion layer to secure the cushion filler to the cover, and a third adhesive web layer positioned on the first cushion layer to secure the bottom fabric to the cushion filler.

Abstract: A camisole garment including an elastic system which is under tension and a ruffle which forms an edge of the elastic structure whereby the curl-over of the structure is minimized during use.

Abstract: A shielding brassiere fabricated of a soft supple material such as cotton interwoven with stainless steel threads to shield and screen the breast from electromagnetic radiation.

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: The present invention concerns a bra for the support and compression of the breasts of a woman suffering from post-partum breast engorgement, enlargement, or other conditions of the breasts. The bra includes a front panel connected to a back panel forming a garment. The garment is separable and includes connectors at the separation. The connectors are selectively connectable to provide an adjustable girth size of the garment. Variation in the girth size provides adjustable compression. The present invention also concerns warm or cold compresses in combination with a bra for the support and compression of breasts.

Abstract: Inflatable breast pads for use with a brasserie are provided including a pair of inflatable bladders each situated within an associated one of the cups of a brassiere. Further included is an inflation mechanism for inflating the inflatable bladders.

Abstract: A cushion tip for a brassiere frame is molded in-situ about an end of the brassiere frame that has been reduced in transverse cross-section at its end, whereby the cushion tip provides a continuation of the outer surfaces of the brassiere frame in at least the dimension of the thickness of the frame, and also, optionally, in the direction of the width of the frame.

Abstract: A water bag type brassiere mounted in one cup of a brassiere and having a valve partially projecting to the outside through which the volume of contained fluid in the padding can be adjusted with a syringe, the valve including a rubber valve body and a rubber binding sleeve sleeved onto the rubber valve body, the valve body having longitudinal center hole at its heat outside the padding, and a split forced to close by the binding sleeve, the split being opened to let fluid pass when a needle of a syringe is inserted into the longitudinal center hole of the valve body.

Abstract: A ladies' undergarment with a molded upper part, in particular a brassiere has two side parts which include cups, are joined together in the front central area between the cups, have a back fastener at the back ends and are provided with shoudler straps. Each side part includes a blank which covers their entire surfaces and is of a textile material which is composed at least in part of thermoplastically fusible fibres. Reinforcement parts are bonded to the blank parts at least along their outer edges. The reinforcement parts are also of a textile material which is composed at least in part of thermoplastically fusible fibres. The side parts are joined together in the front central area by a thermally produced weld. The parts of the back fastener as well as the shoulder straps are indirectly or directly joined to the side parts by thermally produced welds.

Abstract: A nipple pad for protecting and concealing the nipple and areola of a woman's breast includes a pliable cover, a padded liner, adhesive strips, and a release liner. The padded liner is affixed to a central portion of the cover. The adhesive strips are attached to the periphery of the cover, concentrically surrounding the padded liner. The release liner is attached to the adhesive strip for covering and protecting both the adhesive strip and the padded liner. The central portion of the cover and the padded liner have a concave shape for receiving the nipple, resulting in enhanced contouring and softening thereof. The padded liner has an increasing thickness from the periphery to the central portion of the cover, resulting in maximum contouring and softening of the nipple.

Abstract: This invention relates to a garment having a crotch part and the function of keeping an upward profile for the hip and buttock line comprising a main body covering at least a buttock region, and a band-shaped patch being stretchable in at least the longitudinal direction. The patch is attached to the portion from the vicinity of the back center of the lower part of a buttock obliquely upward to the side direction of the main body, wherein the part covering at least a buttock part of the main body comprises a stretchable fabric containing an elastic fiber and the stretchable patch comprises a stretchable fabric which substantially does not contain an elastic fiber.

Abstract: Protective tips for brassiere wires including a brasserie with a pair of cups. An elongated wire extends along a bottom periphery of each cup. A pair of T-shaped tips are each integrally positioned on an associated wire. Preferably, the wires and T-shaped member is lined with a material in a group which includes TEFLON.

Abstract: A wire reinforcement for women's garments designed to support the breasts exhibits an axial cross section with a long axis and a short axis perpendicular to the long axis. The long axis has a length, and the short axis has a center thickness which is smaller than half of the length. Along the long axis, the cross section has a left end with a left thickness and a right end with a right thickness. Both the left thickness and the right thickness are substantially greater than the center thickness. Such a wire reinforcement is very rigid in the direction of the long axis and is flexible in the other directions and in relation to torsional stresses.

Abstract: A protective brassiere that protects the delicate breast tissue and the related glandular areas from harmful radiation.

Abstract: A laminated fabric product and methods of making the product are disclosed. The use of the laminated fabric product to make a brassiere shoulder strap or a shoe insole pad is also disclosed. The nonwoven textile product includes an inner layer of compressed nonwoven batt of textile staple fibers and a cured binder disposed substantially throughout the batt, intermediate upper and lower layers of synthetic fabric laminated to each side of said inner layer, and upper and lower outer fabric layers laminated to each of the intermediate layers.

Abstract: A cushion strap assembly and method of making same is provided which cushion strap assembly is adapted to be used in a brassiere shoulder strap. The assembly includes a top fabric layer, a first adhesive web layer positioned on one side of the top fabric layer, and a base layer positioned on the first adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the top fabric layer. The assembly also includes a cushion filler that is a first cushion layer, a third adhesive web layer positioned on a side of the first cushion layer, a second cushion layer positioned on the third adhesive layer on the side opposite that of the first cushion layer. A second adhesive web layer can be part of the cushion filler or separate. In either event, it is positioned on the first cushion layer on the side opposite the third adhesive web layer.

Abstract: A fabric laminate is disclosed which is formed of stretch fabrics laminated together by an integrally formed adhesive web having differential stretch characteristics. One or both of the stretch fabrics may include elastomeric yarn. The adhesive web is placed within the laminate with its primary elongation direction being in a predetermined direction, in conjunction with the orientation of the primary elongation directions of the fabrics, such that the resultant elongation characteristics of the laminate is combinedly determined by the fabrics and the web as well as the predetermined orientation of their primary elongation directions. The laminate may be used for forming the control panel of women's undergarments, such as the stomach, thigh or rear control support of a panty, or the undercup or side support of a brassiere. The adhesive web which unites the two fabrics forming the laminate is a open net-like film of heat sensitive adhesive which may be formed of a polyamide material.

Abstract: A moisture managing brassiere for sports wear and general wear includes a front portion, a back portion connected to the front portion, and a pair of shoulder straps connected respectively at one end to the front portion and at respective opposite ends to the back portion. The brassiere is constructed of a composite stretch fabric including an inner fabric layer, and intermediate fabric layer, and an outer shell fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is constructed of hydrophobic moisture wicking fibers for residing in skin contact during garment wear. The intermediate fabric layer resides adjacent to the inner fabric layer for receiving, dispersing, and transporting moisture outwardly away from the inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layer resides adjacent to the intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from the inner and intermediate fabric layers.

Abstract: A moisture managing brassiere for sports wear and general wear includes a front portion, a back portion connected to the front portion, and a pair of shoulder straps connected respectively at one end to the front portion and at respective opposite ends to the back portion. The brassiere is constructed of a composite stretch fabric including an inner fabric layer, and intermediate fabric layer, and an outer shell fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is constructed of hydrophobic moisture wicking fibers for residing in skin contact during garment wear. The intermediate fabric layer resides adjacent to the inner fabric layer for receiving, dispersing, and transporting moisture outwardly away from the inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layer resides adjacent to the intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from the inner and intermediate fabric layers.

Abstract: Orthopedic splint materials made with thermoplastic polyester, particularly poly (epsilon-caprolactone) with a molecular weight of over 5,000 and melting between 50.degree. C. and 100.degree. C. have improved properties when subjected to gamma radiation in the range from 0.5 to 30 megarads.

Abstract: A brassiere cup molding method using moldable and non-moldable fabric blanks in which a mold with a cup shape is used to project into a cup shape a fabric blank that is stretchable but absent of plastic moldable content, i.e. non-moldable, while it is in spanning relation across an opening of a fabric blank having a plastic content, i.e. moldable, wherein the moldable blank assumes a molded frusto conical shape about the opening therein which holds the stretch fabric, although not molded, in the cup shape that was imparted to it by the mold by not allowing the stretch fabric to return to its pre-stretched flat condition.

Abstract: The present invention provides a brassiere strap having an elastic band attached to an elongate laminate band. The laminate band consists of a foam laminae between fabric inner and outer laminaes. The laminate band and the elastic band combination provides sufficient rigidity to prevent substantial bowing of the brassiere strap in response to longitudinal stresses of the strap and also provides sufficient flexiblity to permit the strap to conform to the configuration of the shoulder of a wearer. The combination of the laminate band and the elastic band form the shoulder portion of the brassiere strap to prevent irritation and indentation marks of the shoulder of a wearer.