U.S. patent application number 14/708200 was filed with the patent office on 2016-11-10 for breast support for a garment or garment part.
The applicant listed for this patent is Clover Mystique Co. Limited. Invention is credited to Kwan Yin Yip.
Application Number | 20160324223 14/708200 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 53506114 |
Filed Date | 2016-11-10 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160324223 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yip; Kwan Yin |
November 10, 2016 |
Breast support for a garment or garment part
Abstract
A breast support (10a, 10b, 50) for a garment or garment part is
disclosed as including at least two support elements (12a, 12b,
14a, 14b, 16a, 16b, 52, 54, 56, 58, 60) pivotally engaged with each
other.
Inventors: |
Yip; Kwan Yin; (Hong Kong,
CN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Clover Mystique Co. Limited |
Hong Kong |
|
HK |
|
|
Family ID: |
53506114 |
Appl. No.: |
14/708200 |
Filed: |
May 9, 2015 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41C 3/0028 20130101;
A41C 3/122 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A41C 3/12 20060101
A41C003/12; A41C 5/00 20060101 A41C005/00; A41C 3/08 20060101
A41C003/08 |
Claims
1. A breast support for a garment or garment part, said breast
support comprising at least a first support element and a second
support element pivotally engaged with each other.
2. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are pivotally engaged with
each other via a hinge.
3. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are curved.
4. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support
element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a
resilient coated fabric.
5. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said second
support element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a
resilient coated fabric.
6. A breast support according to claim 1 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are made of a same material
or different materials.
7. A breast support according to claim 1, further comprising at
least a third support element pivotally engaged with said second
support element.
8. A breast support according to claim 7, further comprising at
least a fourth support element pivotally engaged with said third
support element and a fifth support element pivotally engaged with
said fourth support element.
9. A garment or garment part comprising at least one breast support
according to claim 1.
10. A method of forming a breast support for a garment or garment
part, said method comprising: (a) providing a first support
element, (b) providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally
engaging said first support element with said second support
element.
11. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are pivotally engaged with
each other via a hinge.
12. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are curved.
13. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support
element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a
resilient coated fabric.
14. A method according to claim 10 wherein said second support
element is made of nylon, compressed polyurethane and/or a
resilient coated fabric.
15. A method according to claim 10 wherein said first support
element and said second support element are made of a same material
or different material.
16. A method according to claim 10, further comprising a step (d)
of pivotally engaging at least a third support element with said
second support element.
17. A method according to claim 16, further comprising at least a
step (e) of pivotally engaging a fourth support element with said
third support element and a step (f) of pivotally engaging a fifth
support element with said fourth support element.
18. A method of forming a garment or garment part comprising
incorporating at least one breast support formed by a method
according to claim 10 in a garment or garment part.
19. A method according to claim 18 wherein said at least one breast
support is incorporated in said garment or garment part by molding,
sewing and/or adhesive.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] This invention relates to a breast support for a garment or
garment part, including, but not limited to, brassieres, unlined
brassieres, swimwear, sports bra, crop tops, sports tops,
sleepwear, lingerie, intimate apparel, shapewear, corsets, wedding
gowns and brassiere pads, a garment or garment part with such a
breast support, a method of forming such a breast support and a
method of forming a garment or garment part with such a breast
support.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Existing brassieres usually have metal or plastic wires to
provide support to, and to enhance the shape of, breasts of a
wearer. Such wires are in a U-shape, either in two dimensions or in
three dimensions which generally matches the horizontal outer
contour (curvature) of the human body. However, such conventional
brassieres suffer from one or more of the following disadvantages:
[0003] (a) as two-dimensional U-shaped wires are not shaped to
match the horizontal outer curvature of the body of the wearer,
such wires do not fit the body of the wearer properly; [0004] (b)
while three-dimensional wires generally match the horizontal outer
contour of the body of the wearer, the shapes of the breasts differ
from wearer to wearer. Even for the same wearer, the shape of their
breasts may change over time (e.g. due to change in the wearer's
weight), such that, irrespective of whether two-dimensional or
three-dimension wires are used, the brassieres cannot closely fit
the contour of the body by sitting along the breast route; and
[0005] (c) the wires also cause discomfort to a wearer by pressing
against the ribs of the wearer or digging into the flesh in the
underarm region.
[0006] It is thus an objective of the present invention to provide
a breast support for a garment or garment part, a garment or
garment part with such a breast support, a method of forming such a
breast support and a method of forming a garment or garment part
with such a breast support in which the aforesaid shortcomings are
mitigated or at least to provide a useful alternative to the trade
and public.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a breast support for a garment or garment part, said
breast support comprising at least a first support element and a
second support element pivotally engaged with each other.
[0008] According to a second aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a garment or garment part including at least one breast
support, said breast support comprising at least a first support
element and a second support element pivotally engaged with each
other.
[0009] According to a third aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of forming a breast support for a garment or
garment part, said method comprising (a) providing a first support
element, (b) providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally
engaging said first support element with said second support
element.
[0010] According to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there
is provided a method of forming a garment or garment part including
incorporating at least one breast support in a garment or garment
part, wherein said at least one breast support is formed by a
method comprising (a) providing a first support element, (b)
providing a second support element, and (c) pivotally engaging said
first support element with said second support element.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described,
by way of examples only, with reference to the accompanying
drawings, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 shows a pair of breast supports according to a first
embodiment of the present invention;
[0013] FIG. 2 shows an enlarged side view of one of the breast
supports of FIG. 1;
[0014] FIG. 3 shows an enlarged top view of the breast support of
FIG. 2;
[0015] FIG. 4 shows the positioning of one of the breast supports
of FIG. 1 over a wearer's rib cage;
[0016] FIG. 5 shows movement of the breast support of FIG. 4 when a
brassiere incorporating such a breast support is worn by the
wearer;
[0017] FIG. 6 shows a partial further enlarged view of the breast
support of FIG. 5;
[0018] FIG. 7 shows a breast support according to a second
embodiment of the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 8 shows a pair of brassiere pads incorporated with the
breast supports of FIG. 1;
[0020] FIG. 9 is an inside view of the pair of brassiere pads of
FIG. 8;
[0021] FIG. 10 shows movement of the breast support in one of the
brassiere pads of FIG. 9; and
[0022] FIGS. 11 to 19 show a method of manufacture of the brassiere
pads of FIG. 8, wherein
[0023] FIG. 11 shows a first piece of precursor material and a
second piece of precursor material,
[0024] FIG. 12 shows the first piece of precursor material is
placed between an upper mold and a lower mold of a mold to be
molded to form at least two cup-shaped portions, as shown in FIG.
14,
[0025] FIG. 13 shows the second piece of precursor material placed
between the upper mold and the lower mold to be molded to form at
least two cup-shaped portions, again as shown in FIG. 14,
[0026] FIG. 14 shows two cup-shaped portions formed as shown in
FIGS. 12 and 13,
[0027] FIG. 15 shows a layer of adhesive applied to the layer of
foam material of the molded first piece of precursor material
which, when the brassiere pads are duly assembled, contacts the
molded second piece of precursor material,
[0028] FIG. 16 shows the breast supports placed on the molded
second piece of precursor material,
[0029] FIG. 17 shows the molded first piece of precursor material,
the molded second piece of precursor material, with the breast
supports in between, placed within the upper mold and lower mold
for molding
[0030] FIG. 18 shows the molded first piece of precursor material,
molded second piece of precursor material, with the breast supports
embedded in-between, after being released from the mold of FIG. 17
to form an integral laminated material, and
[0031] FIG. 19 shows the brassiere pads formed by being cut out
from the integral laminated material of FIG. 18.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0032] A pair of breast supports according to a first embodiment of
the present invention are shown in FIG. 1 and generally designated
as 10a, 10b respectively. The breast support 10a has a first curved
segment 12a, a second curved segment 14a and a third curved segment
16a which are pivotally engaged with one another in an end-to-end
manner. In particular, the first curved segment 12a is pivotally
engaged with one longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14a,
and the third curved segment 16a is pivotally engaged with another
longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14a. Similarly, the
breast support 10b has a first curved segment 12b, a second curved
segment 14b and a third curved segment 16b which are pivotally
engaged with one another in an end-to-end manner. In particular,
the first curved segment 12b is pivotally engaged with one
longitudinal end of the second curved segment 14b, and the third
curved segment 16b is pivotally engaged with another longitudinal
end of the second curved segment 14b. The breast supports 10a, 10b
are thus both articulated.
[0033] As shown in more detail in FIGS. 2 and 3, by way of such an
arrangement, the first curved segment 12b of the breast support 10b
is pivotable relative to the second curved segment 14b about a
hinge 22b between the position shown in solid lines and the
position shown in broken lines 12b'. Similarly, by way of such an
arrangement, the third curved segment 16b of the breast support 10b
is pivotable relative to the second curved segment 14b about a
hinge 24b between the position shown in solid lines and the
position shown in broken lines 16b'. It can also be seen in FIGS. 2
and 3 that the free end 18b of the first curved segment 12b and the
free end 20b of the third curved segment 16b are of different
curvature. In particular, the free end 18b of the first curved
segment 12b is less rounded than the free end 20b of the third
curved segment 16b. In addition, the free end 20b of the third
curved segment 16b has two opposite generally flat surfaces.
[0034] Turning to FIGS. 4 and 5, it can be seen that the breast
support 10a sits under a breast B of a wearer of a brassiere
incorporated with the breast support 10a, and the shape of the
breast support 10a follows closely the contour of the rib cage of
the wearer. If the shape of the breast support 10 does not fit the
contour of the rib cage of the wearer, the first curved segment
12a, the second curved segment 14a and the third curved segment 16a
may be pivotally movable relative to one another for adjustment
purposes.
[0035] Although, as shown in FIG. 6, the present arrangement only
allows the third curved segment 16b and the second curved segment
14b to be pivotable about the hinge 24b, thus with only one
degree-of-freedom, it is envisaged that, e.g. if a ball-and-socket
joint is used instead of a hinge joint, the pivotal movement
between the adjacent curved segments may allow more than one
degree-of-freedom.
[0036] A breast support according to a second embodiment of the
present invention is shown in FIG. 7, and generally designated as
50. The breast support 50 is articulated, and has a first curved
segment 52, a second curved segment 54, a third curved segment 56,
a fourth curved 58 and a fifth curved segment 60 pivotally joined
with one another in an end-to-end manner. By way of such an
arrangement, the first curved segment 52 is pivotally engaged with
the second curved segment 54, which is in turn pivotally engaged
with the third curved segment 56, which is in turn pivotally
engaged with the fourth curved segment 58, which is in turn
pivotally engaged with the fifth curved segment 60. The shape of
the breast support 50 may be adjusted by pivoting the curved
segments 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 relative to one another so as to more
closely fit the contour of the rib cage of the wearer of a garment
or garment part incorporated with the breast support 50. As shown
in FIG. 7, the curved segments 52, 54, 56, 58, 60 may be
manipulated to change the shape of the breast support 50, e.g.
between the one shown in solid lines and the one shown in broken
lines 50'.
[0037] FIG. 8 shows a front view of two brassiere pads, generally
designated as 70a and 70b respectively, and FIG. 9 is an inside
view of the brassiere pads 70a, 70b. Each of the brassiere pads
70a, 70b is embedded with a respective breast support 10a, 10b
according to the present invention along and adjacent the lower
side 72a, 72b of the respective brassiere pads 70a, 70b. As shown
in more detail in FIG. 10, and taking the brassiere pad 70b as an
example, when a brassiere with the brassiere pad 70b incorporated
with the breast support 10b is worn by a wearer, the shape of the
breast support 10b, as well as the shape of the brassiere pad 70b,
may be changed (by pivotally moving the first curved segment 12b,
the second curved segment 14b and the third curved segment 16b
relative to one another) so as to follow more closely the contour
of the rib cage of the wearer.
[0038] FIGS. 11 to 19 show a method for manufacturing the brassiere
pads 70a, 70b of FIG. 8 according to the present invention. FIG. 11
shows a first piece of precursor material 102 formed of a layer of
fabric material 104 and a layer of foam material 106 fixedly
engaged with each other by an adhesive and/or heat lamination, and
a second piece of precursor material 108 formed of a layer of foam
material 110 and a layer of fabric material 112 fixedly engaged
with each other by an adhesive and/or heat lamination.
[0039] As shown in FIG. 12, the first piece of precursor material
102 is placed between an upper mold M.sub.1 and a lower mold
M.sub.2 of a mold to be molded (by pressure and preferably with
heat as well) to form at least two cup-shaped portions, as shown in
FIG. 14. Similarly, and as shown in FIG. 13, the second piece of
precursor material 108 is placed between the upper mold M.sub.1 and
lower mold M.sub.2 to be molded (by pressure and preferably with
heat as well) to form at least two cup-shaped portions, again as
shown in FIG. 14.
[0040] As shown in FIG. 15, a layer of adhesive 114 is applied to
the layer of foam material 106 of the molded first piece of
precursor material 102 which, when the brassiere pads 70a, 70b are
duly assembled, contacts the molded second piece of precursor
material 108. Alternatively or in addition, a layer of adhesive is
applied to the layer of foam material 110 of the molded second
piece of precursor material 108 which, when the brassiere pads 70a,
70b are duly assembled, contacts the molded first piece of
precursor material 102.
[0041] The breast supports 10a, 10b are then placed on the molded
second piece of precursor material 108, as shown in FIG. 16.
Further as shown in FIG. 17, the molded first piece of precursor
material 102, the molded second piece of precursor material 108,
with the breast supports 10a, 10b in between, are placed within the
upper mold M.sub.1 and lower mold M.sub.2 for molding by pressure
and preferably with heat as well. Although the breasts supports
10a, 10b are shown in FIG. 17 as being spaced away from the molded
second piece of precursor material 108, it should be understood
that, as mentioned earlier, the breast supports 10a, 10b are placed
on the molded second piece of precursor material 108.
[0042] FIG. 18 shows the molded first piece of precursor material
102, molded second piece of precursor material 108, with the breast
supports 10a, 10b embedded in-between, after being released from
the mold comprising the upper mold M.sub.1 and lower mold M.sub.2
subsequent to further molding to form an integral laminated
material 116. The brassiere pads 70a, 70b, as shown in FIG. 19, are
then formed by being cut out from the integral laminated material
116.
[0043] The brassiere pads 70a, 70b may be used for forming a
brassiere, or may be incorporated in other garments, e.g. swimwear.
In addition, although the invention has thus far been discussed in
the context in which the breast supports 10a, 10b are incorporated
in the brassiere pads 70a, 70b by molding, it is envisaged that the
breast supports 10a, 10b may be incorporated in the brassiere pads
70a, 70b by sewing and/or adhesive. Furthermore, the breast
supports 10a, 10b may also be directly incorporated, e.g. by
molding, sewing and/or adhesive, in other garments or garment
parts, such as unlined brassieres, swimwear, sports bra, crop tops,
sports tops, sleepwear, lingerie, intimate apparel, shapewear,
corsets and wedding gowns.
[0044] It should be understood that the above only illustrates
examples whereby the present invention may be carried out, and that
various modifications and/or alterations may be made thereto
without departing from the spirit of the invention.
[0045] It should also be understood that certain features of the
invention, which are, for clarity, described in the context of
separate embodiments, may be provided in combination in a single
embodiment. Conversely, various features of the invention which
are, for brevity, described in the context of a single embodiment,
may also be provided separately or in any appropriate
sub-combinations.
* * * * *