EP0016054B1 - Bras with adhesive - Google Patents

Abstract

The bras is comprised of two symmetrical elements, supporting each one breath. The element comes on e adhesive wide part (1), placed under the breath and/or to the side, and at least one adhesive thin strap (2) at the end, again the rear part of the shoulder. This bras allows to wear the most varied low neck clothes. Further, the clothes may be hooked thereto.

Description

The present invention essentially relates to a bra consisting of a partially adhesive sheet.

Traditional bras consist of at least one piece of fabric, possibly with a metal frame. Some have no suspenders, but all are made up of a buckle like a belt and which closes in front of the chest.

This presence of the front element prohibits their wearing with deep neckline clothing in front, just as, in most cases, the presence of the rear loop prohibits their wearing with deep neckline clothing in the back. In addition, their rigidity makes them visible under clothing, which users can try to avoid.

US-A-3,276,449 describes a bra which does not have a junction between the two cups on the front. But this bra has a ribbon that goes behind the neck, and which allows no neckline on the back, if we want to avoid the sight of the bra.

The patents FR-A-2 190 384 and FR-A-2 388 517 describe strapless bras, and the latter without junction between the cups. In these bras, breast support is achieved by means of a conventional cup, the straps being replaced by adhesive elements placed under and on the sides of each breast, outside the cup, so that the open area between the breasts is not large and does not allow the effects of large cleavage.

• - une forme telle que l'élément s'applique par une partie inférieure en majorité sur le côté latéral externe du sein et se prolonge par une partie formant bretelle et s'étendant jusqu'en un point voisin de l'épaule,
• - les parties adhésives étant constituées au moins par la partie inférieure et par l'extrémité de la bretelle, de manière à assurer le maintien de l'élément. Réalisé en feuille mince et souple, bien que maintenant parfaitement la poitrine, il est invisible sous les étoffes les plus légères et même légèrement transparentes. Aucune jonction n'existant entre les deux éléments symétriques entre eux, ils sont invisibles sur toutes les hauteurs de décolletés de poitrine, ainsi que de dos. En outre, les éléments adhérants à la peau peuvent être utilisés comme support au tissu même du vêtement ce qui donne de nouvelles possibilités de coupe et de dessin.

The bra according to the invention overcomes these drawbacks. The bra according to the invention consists of two distinct symmetrical elements. According to the invention each bra element for supporting a single breast, cut from a thin sheet comprising at least one adhesive part for adhering to the skin, at least below and / or on the sides of the breast, is characterized by all of the following:

• - a shape such that the element is applied by a lower part mainly on the external lateral side of the breast and is extended by a part forming a strap and extending to a point close to the shoulder,
• - The adhesive parts being constituted at least by the lower part and by the end of the strap, so as to maintain the element. Made of thin and flexible sheet, although it now perfectly holds the chest, it is invisible under the lightest fabrics and even slightly transparent. No junction existing between the two symmetrical elements between them, they are invisible on all heights of necklines, as well as back. In addition, the elements adhering to the skin can be used as a support for the fabric of the garment, which gives new possibilities for cutting and drawing.

The bra according to the invention therefore consists of two elements which are symmetrical to each other, consisting of a sheet or a film at least partially adherent to the skin and of geometric characteristics such that they are capable, after fitting, of supporting the breasts perfectly leaving them the desired shape.

The invention is characterized by its use, its shape and its material.

The first part of the description concerns the form. Most often, the bra element, hereinafter called the element, is taken in a flat film. The breast and the chest being of complex shape, the design of the element must obey strict rules so as to give the breast a pleasant shape while avoiding the folds and local malformations caused by the inadequate shapes.

• - La figure 1 est une vue en plan d'un élément d'une forme de réalisation de l'invention, l'autre élément étant symétrique;
• - les figures 2 et 3 sont des vues en plan de variantes;
• - les figures 4, 5a, 5b et 6 sont des vues en perspective des éléments des figures 1, 2 et 3 respectivement placés sur le même buste;
• - la figure 7 représente une variante de réalisation applicable aux différents éléments des figures 1 à 3;
• - la figure 8 est une superposition, en vue de comparaison des éléments des figures 1, 2 et 3;
• - la figure 9 est une vue en plan d'une série d'éléments non finis illustrant un procédé de fabrication, applicable au soutien-gorge de l'invention;
• - la figure 10 est une vue en perspective représentant un mode de conditionnement au moyen d'une feuille support protectrice;
• - les figures 11, 12 et 13 sont des vues en perspective de mannequins portant des soutiens-gorge selon l'invention, chacun avec un vêtement associé; et
• - la figure 14 est une vue en plan partielle d'un élément de soutien-gorge garni de moyens d'accrochage de vêtements.

Other characteristics of the invention will appear during the description which follows, with reference to the appended drawings, given by way of nonlimiting example, and which will make it clear how the invention can be implemented.

• - Figure 1 is a plan view of an element of an embodiment of the invention, the other element being symmetrical;
• - Figures 2 and 3 are plan views of variants;
• - Figures 4, 5a, 5b and 6 are perspective views of the elements of Figures 1, 2 and 3 respectively placed on the same bust;
• - Figure 7 shows an alternative embodiment applicable to the various elements of Figures 1 to 3;
• - Figure 8 is a superposition, for comparison of the elements of Figures 1, 2 and 3;
• - Figure 9 is a plan view of a series of unfinished elements illustrating a manufacturing process, applicable to the bra of the invention;
• - Figure 10 is a perspective view showing a method of packaging by means of a protective support sheet;
• - Figures 11, 12 and 13 are perspective views of models wearing bras according to the invention, each with associated clothing; and
• - Figure 14 is a partial plan view of a bra element fitted with clothes hanging means.

The basic design is shown in Figure 1. In the descriptions and drawings, we will always speak on the right side when looking at the model in front.

The fundamental element shown in FIG. 1 has an enlarged lower part 1a situated under and / or on the side of the breast and a narrower upper part 2a rising towards the shoulder to then descend, preferably in the back, responsible for supporting the breast and placing it at the desired height. The shape is also characterized by a straight curve comprising a curve 3 passing substantially at the location of the lower fold of the breast and allowing upward inflection, as well as a curve 4 from an inflection point 5 placed slightly above a horizontal line passing through the middle of the breast, so that the upper lifting part does not come too much towards the neck, but towards the shoulder, while freeing the lower part of the joint from that -this to keep movements easy.

The curve on the left includes a first curve 7 intended to give sufficient surface to the film to support the lower breast. This zone 7 approaches the curve on the right so as not to leave too great a width to the film which would not follow the curve of the breast at this point. At 8, an inflection point allows the curve to come gradually parallel to the right curve 4. The curvature changes again after a second inflection point 9, located slightly above the inflection point 5.

Figure 2 shows a slightly different variant on which we can see the curves and their inflection points. This shape also includes a wide lower part 1b and a strap 2b and is particularly suitable for necklines with open shoulders, the upper part being able to pass very outside while the movements remain very easy. This shape does not however allow the same width of neckline above the breasts.

We find on the right curve a large radius 11 under the breast which rises more clearly on top of it; at 12 an inflection point directs the curve towards the end of the shoulder. The left curve includes a first part 14 with a large radius, a first inflection point 15 so as to give sufficient surface to the part supporting the underside of the breast, a curve 16 tending to approach very gradually the right curve and a second inflection point 17 before the curve of the upper part. This displacement of the surface supporting the top of the breast on the left is essential to avoid deformation of the latter when the axis of traction, materialized by the upper part, is biased due to its attachment very outside of the shoulder.

The two embodiments of the first two figures, however, have the same distribution of curves and surfaces and the same inflection points, although those of points 4 and 17 can, in the extreme, disappear for elements which must systematically pass close , or even around the neck. In this case, the element is illustrated in FIG. 3. The lower part 1 has the same characteristics as those of the two preceding elements, but the right inflection point and the upper left inflection point have disappeared to leave the upper part 2c bends towards the neck on the left.

The three cases studied are again illustrated in the drawings of FIGS. 4, 5a, 5b and 6 for, respectively, the elements presented in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3. It can be seen in FIG. 4 that the strap 2 of the model of the Figure 1 passes in the middle of the shoulder, while in Figure 5a, the strap 2 of the model of Figure 2 passes outside, on the edge of the shoulder, and in Figure 6, the strap 2 of the Figure 3 model is placed very close to the neck. It is not possible to widen the surface of the adhesive in the area where it covers the curved part of the breast for reasons of geometry related to the flatness of the sheet, however it is possible to add surface elements , without departing from the scope of the invention. According to a variant (FIG. 5b), the adhesive element is composed of three functionally distinct parts: the first is an adhesive element within the breast, the second an element 36 adhesive at the shoulder, the third a non-adhesive strap 37 connecting the two first.

Preferably, the strap 37 will consist of a sort of fabric tape glued or sewn to the adhesive elements whose geometric and physical characters are moreover those described above. However, given the natural flexibility of the strap, symmetrization of the element is possible. Preferably, the tri-partite element constituted by the present invention is delivered with two protective sheets for the adhesive, removable by simple peeling, the protective sheet projecting from the adhesive generally on the side of the strap.

The element shown in Figure 7 has an extension 18, or additional grip and support surface, partially detaching from the wide part 1, so as to be placed on top of the breast. In this case, the user places her breast in the desired high position before gluing the additional surface, the part considered as the base surface having been placed normally. In this way, this surface extension participates effectively in supporting the top of the breast. This type of extension will be used essentially to help fix the clothing or fabric trim as described below. In order to allow the film to follow the desired curve, the extension will be partially pre-detached from the base surface, as it appears in the drawing in FIG. 7, by the presence of the slot 19.

The three elements of Figures 1, 2 and 3 are shown superimposed in Figure 8. The lower part 1 is common to the three embodiments, while the upper parts 2a, 2b and 2c are clearly divergent. The inflection points 5, 8, 9 of the element of FIG. 1 have been indicated, as well as an extension 18 according to the model of FIG. 7.

According to a characteristic of the invention, the adhesive elements are produced from self-adhesive films, generally of the type used in medicine in the form of adhesive tapes. Preferably, an anallergic material will be used.

According to a characteristic of the invention, a film of non-woven fibers, breathable, sufficiently transparent so that it takes on the color of the skin will be used. According to another characteristic, the original color of the film is flesh.

According to the invention, a woven support can be used. In this case, it is advantageous, to give a great flexibility laterally favorable to the ease of installation and to the respect of the forms and to give longitudinally a good mechanical resistance, to use weft and warp threads with different properties, the element being less lengthwise.

Also indicated are the packaging of the adhesive elements, so as to make them usable for users, and the manufacturing method which results from the choice of packaging. The elements are symmetrical to each other, but, most often, do not each have an axis of symmetry. They are offered in pairs being for single use, and presented in sufficient number, equal to or greater than one pair.

A preferred presentation of the elements according to the invention consists of the following arrangement: the cut elements are glued to each other by their adhesive face, the last of the stack having an adhesive face is glued to a passive element made of a material such as waxed or siliconized paper or cardboard, allowing take-off that is not harmful to the last element. The symmetrical elements can be glued to the other side of the passive element. They therefore have, for reasons of symmetry and reversal, the same external profile as the first series.

In manufacturing, a single cut is therefore sufficient, including the passive element.

According to the invention, and to allow the elements to be detached as they are used, the end of the strap thereof or another part of the shape is devoid of adhesive and can therefore be grasped easily. In this case, a precut, such as small perforations for example, allows, after installation preferably, to easily detach the excess part not covered with adhesive, if it is at the end.

According to a preferred form, the film is first manufactured in a roll, the width of which is equal to or slightly greater than each element. This film has the particularity of not being provided with adhesive on at least one of the two edges and over a width of approximately 1 cm at least. Figure 9 shows how the cutting of the elements is placed in relation to the strip. The symmetrical elements are arranged by alternating the wide parts 1 and the straps 2 so as to reduce the losses in falls. Perforation lines 30 make it easy to separate the end 31 of the strap, which is located in the strip 32. The adhesive element can be sold with an easily peelable protective backing sheet, for example a sheet of paper coated with silicone, of which it is lifted off just before placement. However, it may be inconvenient to handle a piece of adhesive sheet. It is therefore advantageous to use a support in several parts (FIG. 10) which can be removed independently of each other, preferably in two parts: a part 20 covering the wide lower part 1, and a part 21 covering the strap 2. The user first strips off the wide part 1, puts it in place, then easily places the strap by removing the rest of the protective sheet. The middle part of the bra element may or may not be adhesive, as long as the wide part 1 and the end of the strap are well adhesive.

Such an element is perfectly supported for a day and current adhesives allow it to be used in water, under a swimsuit.

Alternatively, the element can be manufactured by cutting from a thin sheet made permeable by microperforations.

According to a variant of the invention, the film is no longer made in plan, but in shape, so that the element adapts better to the volume of the breast. In this case, the manufacture of the support will advantageously be combined (drying of a paper pulp on form, polymerization of a plastic film, vulcanization of a rubber) and its cutting. In particular, methods used for the manufacture of latex gloves will be used, for example. The deposition of the adhesive agent can be done by spraying with an electrostatic gun for example.

According to another variant of the invention, the adhesive film is replaced by a reusable film or preferably a piece of fabric of suitable shape, filled at the places in accordance with the invention with an adhesive product applied to each use using a brush or an aerosol can for example. The adhesive product preferably combines sufficient adhesive, hypoallergenic and dissolving properties in at least one cleaning product.

In accordance with the invention, the new characteristics brought by these elements allow greater freedom in the design of women's clothing. In addition to the absence of annoying elements, the adhesive elements allow a hanging, or at least the maintenance of clothing on these adhesive elements themselves, which is impossible in the case where women choose not to wear any bra. The new hooking possibilities will be given in the following examples.

Example 1

A piece of fabric traditionally used for making bras is hung on the adhesive element. Cut according to traditional rules, able to give them the desired curve, these pieces serve both to give the whole a more perfect shape and to hide the adhesive element, and possibly a larger surface, what the film does. 'is not able to do for reasons of deformation and aesthetics. The drawing in FIG. 11 shows the appearance of such a part 40, fixed on an element of the type of that illustrated in FIG. 4 and visible in dotted lines.

The same principle is of course applicable to swimwear without departing from the scope of the invention. It is the same for any increase or decrease in fabric area compared to the drawing given as an example, for reasons of aesthetics for example.

The same principle, except for the shapes, can be used in the context of the invention for the production of all garments, and in particular panties 41 that match the bras while retaining the attachment to adhesive, as shown in FIG. 11.

Example 2

A one-piece swimsuit 43 has a very deep neckline in front and is hung up around the neck, as shown in fig. 12. The adhesive elements of the type of that illustrated in fig. 6 are indicated by dotted lines. The fabric is hung on these elements. Without this attachment, this type of jersey cut is practically unusable, because it does not allow significant movements without discovering the chest. The same principle is applicable to all clothing and in particular to evening or summer dresses, whether they are hung around the neck or fitted with suspenders.

Example 3

A top of clothing 45, dress or tunic for example, has a neckline on the shoulders and fairly deep in front, as shown in FIG. 13. Usually, this type of clothing does not hold on the shoulders and does not allow to wear bras. According to the invention, it is fixed at least to the shoulders to the adhesive element which, in the form illustrated in FIG. 5, can be carried as far outside as desired, without hampering movement too much.

The attachment of the garment to the bra as shown in Figures 11, 12 and 13, can be achieved in different ways. Small gaps in the adhesive can be expected. It is thus possible to slide a hook or a staple between the film and the skin.

In another embodiment, the film is manufactured so that it is at least partially filled with adhesive on both sides. The fabric sticks to the exterior surface thus filled and is maintained. In order to promote the adhesion of the garment, according to the invention, it can be lined in the relevant places with a piece, sewn for example, and whose nature is favorable to good adhesion.

As a variant, the film is lined at the desired locations with a hooking surface, possibly attached, so as to allow recovery. The garment is provided with the corresponding element.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the film is provided with series of perforations or slots, aligned 50 in the region of the attachment. The film can be non-adhesive along the line of perforations. A flexible blade or rod 51 is introduced before or more generally after installation, through the perforations, alternately under and on the film. The garment is hung on the rod by means of small hooks or the like. Without departing from the scope of the invention, the perforations can be used directly to fix the hooks or equivalent elements, without using the rods. The same means can be used to fix pieces of fabric on a panty.

Claims (11)

1. Brassiere element for supporting a single breast, cut from a thin sheet material comprising at least an adhesive part so as to adhere to the skin at least under and/or on the sides of the breast, characterized by the following set of elements:

- such a form that the element is applicable by a lower part (1) in majority to the outer side surface of the breast and extending through a strap-like portion (2) up to a point proximate the shoulder,

- the adhesive parts being constituted by at least the lower end (1) and the strap end (2) so as to insure the hold of the element.

2. Brassiere element according to claim 1, wherein a first wider part (1a, 1 b, 1 c), is positioned to adhere to the underside of the breast or on the side of same and passing outwardly therefrom, a part of decreasing section extending between the shoulder and the breast and a third part constituting a shoulder-strap (2a, 2b, 2c) adhering to the skin at least at the end thereof, said three parts together constituting the shape being substantially equal to the surface developed on a plane by the part of the body covered by the element.

3. Brassiere element according to claim 1, characterized by a shape delimited between two principal curved lines (3, 4, 7) meeting at the bottom at an angle or through a curve of small radius and at the top through any shape at the end of a shoulder-strap and such that:

- the outer curve (3, 4) has an inflexion point (5) slightly above a horizontal tine passing through the middle of the breast; the curved part (3) under this inflexion point substantially follows the developed curve joining the breast to the thorax, the upper curved part (4) connects the side of the breast to the end of the shoulder-strap (2) avoiding the juncture of the clavicle with the shoulder;

- the inner curve has two inflexion points (9, 8), the first (9) situated at a slightly upper level than that of the inflexion point (5); the other (8) lower one allows the curve (7) to meet the outer curve (3, 4) leaving a surface sufficient enough to support the base of the breast.

4. Brassiere element according to claim 1, characterized by a means of attachment (50, 51) between it and a garment.

5. Brassiere element according to claim 1, characterized in that it is obtained from a thin film, perforated with holes (50) with a diameter of the order of 1 to 6 mm in the desired region of attachment of a garment.

6. Brassiere element according to claim 5, wherein it is associated with a means of attachment constituted by a piece fixed to the garment and including small hooks at the same intervals as the perforations (50) and sliding through these perforations between the film and the skin.

7. Brassiere element according to claim 1, wherein one part at least of the element has no adhesive so as to be able to be taken hold of and thus the element be unstuck.

8. Brassiere element according to claim 1, characterized by the absence of adhesive on the central part of the element, i.e. between the region supporting the breast and the end region of the shoulder-strap.

9. Brassiere element according to claim 8, characterized by the association of an individual protective film (20, 21) for each adhesive part of the element.

10. Adhesive brassiere element according to claim 1, comprising three parts, a first (1) adhering to the breast, a second (2) adhering to the shoulder and a third constituted by a non- adhesive strap connecting said first and second parts.

11. Adhesive brassiere element according to claim 10, further comprising two protective sheets (20, 21) covering the two adhesive parts by overlapping them so as to be able to be taken hold of and detached on putting on.

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