EP2337465A1

EP2337465A1 - Rear lock of a brassiere

Info

Publication number: EP2337465A1
Application number: EP09740142A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Karl Wanzenböck; Gerhard Fildan
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2008-10-23
Filing date: 2009-10-23
Publication date: 2011-06-29
Anticipated expiration: 2029-10-23
Also published as: EP2337465B1; WO2010046488A1; CN102202533A; CN102202533B; HK1153115A1; JP2012506498A; JP5771526B2

Abstract

A rear lock of a brassiere comprises a strip of an inelastic textile material, said strip fastened to one end of one of the rear parts of the brassiere and supporting a plurality of series of eyelets disposed on the rear side, said series extending in the lateral direction and being at a distance from one another in the longitudinal direction, wherein each series comprises at least two eyelets that are disposed at a distance from one another in the lateral direction. A flat base member has an inner end that is fastened to the end of the other rear part, an opposite outer end, a front side that at least partially overlaps the rear side of the material piece at the outer end, and a rear side opposite the front side. Corresponding plastic hooks which are generally designed to be complementary to the eyelets and which can be engaged therewith in paired fashion, are fastened to the front side of the member at the outer end thereof in such a way that the hooks can be engaged with the eyelets in alignment therewith and affixed thereto. A laterally extending rigid bar disposed on the base member or designed as a part thereof prevents relative motions of the hook from occurring in the lateral direction and bending of the base member near the hook.

Description

BRA BACK CLOSURE

DESCRIPTION

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to a brassiere. In particular, the invention relates to a back closure or a fastening device for a brassiere.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

A standard brassiere comprises a pair of back-open cups adapted to overlay the wearer's breasts and have inner edges which are contiguous with one another, as well as outer edges from which back band wings pass under the arms of the wearer and surround the back of the wearer, where they come to rest against each other and are releasably connected together by means of a closure. A wearer, who normally goes out from the top of each cup and passes over the wearer's shoulder, is attached to the back of the wearer with the upper edge of the respective back strap wing.

The standard closure consists of a plurality of horizontally spaced apart vertical rows of eyes located at the outer or back end of one of the wings and a complementary vertical row of hooks at a front or inner side of the end of the other of the two wings , The hooks are engaged with the eyes of one of the rows to secure the two wings together. For reasons of comfort, the back band wings are typical Made of an elastic textile matehal, however, the ends supporting the hook and eyes are somewhat stiffer.

Although the HakenVAugen standard closure is proven, it still has several problems. The metallic hooks are hard and can drill into the back of the wearer and can also catch other clothes when washing the brassiere. The closure is also applied and is therefore visible under a tight-fitting garment, wherein in the middle of the back of the wearer creates an unattractive bulge. Eventually, the entire closure may curl when a longitudinal force occurs which pulls the two wing tips apart, with both the upper and lower edges and also the outer edge on the dorsal side projecting outwardly. Such a curling deformation increases with the tension that occurs and makes the already existing unattractive bulge in the center of the wearer's back even more pronounced.

The manufacture of the closure from the various elements involves a plurality of positioning and fastening steps which add to the cost of the known closure. Usually, the attachment is by sewing together and it is very difficult to perform the sewing so that the textile elements of the closure perfectly match each other, which are usually already slightly offset from each other when the laundry is still new, but in any case after some time of use ,

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved brace back closure. Further, it is an object to provide an improved bra back closure which avoids the aforementioned disadvantages, in particular to provide a back closure which is extremely flat so that it can be worn under a tight-fitting garment without being visible and also does not pose when the back strap wings are under tension.

Furthermore, an improved and simplified method for producing such a closure should be specified, which in particular avoids the need for unsightly seams.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, a closure provided for joining the ends of two back parts of a brassiere comprises a piece of an inelastic textile mate neck, which has a back surface facing away from the wearer of the brassiere and an opposing front surface. The fabric piece is secured to one end of one of the backs and carries on the back side a plurality of transversely extending and longitudinally spaced apart rows of first plastic closure members, each row including at least two closure elements arranged transversely in one Are spaced apart from each other. A flat body has an inner end attached to the end of the other back, an opposing outer end, a front that at least partially overlaps the back of the cloth at the outer end, and a rear opposite the front. Corresponding second closure elements, which are generally complementary to the first closure element and can be brought into engagement with the first closure element, are fastened to the front side of the main body at its outer end in such a way that they are aligned with the first closure elements and with these fixing can be brought into engagement. A crossover - A -

Running rigid rod which is arranged on the base body or formed as part of the same prevents relative movements of the second closure elements taking place in the transverse direction and bending of the base body in the region of these second closure elements.

Such a closure, measured between front and back can be made extremely thin, in practice, with a thickness of only 4 mm, which is considerably less than the usual 6 mm for a conventional closure. Moreover, the construction is such that tension applied through the backs does not cause the closure to ripple or twist, but rather flatten it so that an unattractive bulge can never form, even if the brassiere is e.g. worn under a tight-fitting T-shirt. The closure can be realized completely without stitching, i. by welding, usually ultrasonic welding, so that never poses the problem of an unattractive contrasting seam.

The first closure elements are female and U-shaped, while the second closure elements are male. They are both completely made of plastic so that they can be used e.g. can not get caught in the laundry. Moreover, such a completely non-metallic construction is very simple and cheap and avoids some of the skin sensitivity and allergy problems associated with metallic parts.

The fabric piece according to the invention is formed from congruent front and back textile layers, and the first closure elements each comprise a front part which is sandwiched between these layers, and a back part, which is mating with the respective associated second closure elements, as well as a pen or Connecting element that passes through the rearward position between the respective front and rear parts. These pins or connecting parts may be integral with the respective front and rear parts or can also be integrally formed with one of the respective front and rear parts and connected by ultrasonic welding to the respective other front or rear part.

Each of the layers is rectangular in shape and the closure further includes ultrasonic welding regions extending along at least three sides of the layers and holding them together immediately within the outer edges thereof. These welds may, according to a particular advantageous embodiment of the invention, only extend along three sides of the layers and be offset from a fourth side. The respective back part end on the fourth side is received between the respective layers and attached thereto. Of course, one or both layers may also be embodied as an integral part of the brassiere back piece when the holder is made together with the undergarment. According to the invention, bar-shaped welds extending between the rows of first closure elements are formed. These prevent the closure from curling and maintain the exact spacing between the first closure elements.

According to the invention, the flat basic body can also be designed as a plastic part that is uniform with the second closure elements and the rigid bars. In this case, at least one flexible textile cloth flap is connected to the rigid rod-shaped part and attached to the respective back piece or in particular two such textile tabs are sandwiched and welded to the rod and also sandwiched at the corresponding wing end and connected thereto.

The inventive method comprises the steps of attaching a plurality of first closure elements, which are made of plastic, on a front side of an inelastic fabric piece, one of the

Wearer of the brassiere facing away from the back and an opposite The first closure elements are arranged in a plurality of transverse longitudinally spaced rows at the backside and further providing a flat base body having an inner end connected to the end of the other of the back portions is connected and an opposite outer end and a front which at least partially overlaps the back of the Texti I fabric piece at the outer end, and a front side opposite the back. Corresponding second closure elements, which are designed to be substantially complementary to the first closure elements, are fastened to the front side of the main body at the outer end, such that they are aligned with the first closure elements and can be brought into fixing engagement. A transversely extending rigid rod is arranged on the base body or formed as part of it, such that transverse movements of the second closure elements relative to one another and bending of the base body in the region of the second closure elements are prevented.

As previously explained, the fabric piece is formed from two congruent front and back textile layers, the first closure elements each having a front part enclosed between the layers, a rear part which can be paired with one of the second closure elements, and a pin or connector passing through the backsheet between the respective front and rear parts. These front and rear parts can be made uniformly with each other, with the pins or the connecting part, as well as with the stiffening rod in a single shot of an injection molding process or alternatively, the pins or connecting parts integral with one of the respective front and rear side parts and executed each welded to the other of the respective front and rear side parts. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The foregoing objects, features and advantages will be more apparent from the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which

Fig. 1A shows a closure according to the invention in plan view;

Fig. 1B is a section along the line IB - IB of Fig. 1A;

Figures 1C and 1D are plan views of the female and male parts of the closure;

Fig. 1 E and 1 F are views of the female and male parts of the

Lock, seen from the back;

Figs. 2A and 2B are front and rear views of the outer female

element;

Fig. 2C shows the outer female element in a section;

Figs. 2D and 2E are front and rear views of the inner female

element;

Fig. 2F is a cross-section through the inner female member;

Figs. 2G and 2H are plan and rear views of the plastic part of the male fastener;

Fig. 2I is a section along line 2I - 2I of Fig. 2G; Fig. 2J is a front view of the tissue for the male

Part of the closure;

Figures 3A and 3B are views of the base and the free fabric strips for the fabric layers of the female part;

Figures 3C and 3D are front and rear views of the inner and outer female elements after their application to the base strip;

FIG. 3E is a view of the fabric strips after passing through. FIG

Heat treatment have been joined together;

Fig. 3F is a view showing the trimming of the joined fabric strips;

Fig. 4A is a plan view of a second closure according to the invention;

Fig. 4B is a section along the line IVB-IVB of Fig. 4A;

Figs. 4C and 4D are plan views of the female and male parts of the second closure;

Figs. 4E and 4F are views of the back sides of the female and male parts of the second closure;

Figs. 5A and 5B are views of the base and backing fabric strips for the layers of the male part of the second fastener; Figs. 5C and 5D are front and rear views after attachment of the plastic parts to the base strip;

Fig. 5E is a view of the textile strips after being joined together by thermal treatment;

Fig. 5F is a view showing the trimming of the thermally bonded strips;

Figs. 6A and 6B are views of the base and carrier fabric strips for Figs

Textile layers of the male part of the second closure;

Figs. 6C and 6D are front and back views after application of the plastic parts to the base strip;

Fig. 6E is a view of the strips after being joined together by heat treatment;

Fig. 6F is a plan view showing the trimming of the assembled textile strips;

Fig. 7A shows a section along the line A-A of Fig. 7D;

Fig. 7B shows a section along the line B-B of Fig. 7A;

Fig. 7C shows a section along the line C-C of Fig. 7D;

FIG. 7D is a simplified view of the brassiere closure of the present invention when closed in a view corresponding to FIG. 4A; FIG. Fig. 7E is a section along the line E - E of Fig. 7B;

8A shows a further embodiment of a brassiere closure according to the invention in a representation corresponding to FIG. 1A, in the scale 2: 1,

8B shows the closed configuration of the brassiere closure according to FIG. 8A in section along the line B-B of FIG. 8A, FIG.

8C shows a position of provisional fixing of magnetic closure elements of the brassiere closure according to FIG. 8A, likewise in section along the line B-B of FIGS. 8A and 8B

Fig. 8D is the closed configuration of the brassiere closure of Fig. 8A, taken along the line D-D of Figs. 8A, 8B, 8C and 8D, each on a 4: 1 scale.

DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

As can be seen from FIGS. 1A-1F, a closure according to the invention basically comprises a female part 10 which is normally fastened to the dorsal wing W shown in dashed lines and a male part 20 which is fastened to the other dorsal wing. Fig. 1A shows the closure as seen from the rear, i.e., as seen in a position behind the wearer, with the closure closed in its longest configuration.

The female part 10 is formed by a front material layer 11a and a rear material layer 11b, at least one of which, in the exemplary embodiment shown, consists of a non-stretchable textile fabric. a microfibre strip in linen formation. These layers 11 a and 11 b are connected to each other along their longitudinal edges and an outer edge by a U-shaped weld 1 1 c. In addition, transversely extending welds 1 1 d are provided, which are distributed in the longitudinal direction at a distance from one another via the layers 1 1 a and 1 1 b joined together by ultrasonic welding within the areas which are marked by the weld 11 1 c To stabilize arrangement additionally by avoiding train. The U-shaped edge seal 11 c terminates a short distance from the inner ends of the layers 1 1 a and 1 1 b and the innermost transverse weld 1 1 d is also arranged outwardly at a distance from this inner end such that the two layers 1 1 a and 1 1 b at the inner end of the female part 1 1 separated from each other and form fixing lips there. This makes it possible to sandwich the two layers 11a and 11b on opposing inner and outer surfaces of the respective back wing W and to fasten them thereto by welding or sewing such that a stable anchoring and smooth connection is achieved ,

Each of these two female butterfly-shaped closure elements comprising rows 12 are arranged on the back surface of the back-side layer 1 1 b in transversely extending rows, which are arranged in the longitudinal direction at a distance from each other. In principle, more than two such elements 12 could be arranged in braces with larger cups in each row, but it is, as explained below, often only necessary to increase the transverse distance of the two elements 12, not their number, by a Magnification of the transverse dimension of the closure to achieve an adaptation to a wider wing W.

Each female single element 12 comprises, as better seen with reference to FIGS. 2A - 2C, a butterfly-shaped back part 12a, which sits on the outer surface of the backsheet 1 1 b and a rectangular-annular, inner part 12b (FIGS. 2D-2F) sandwiched between the front side of the backsheet 11 and the back side of the front material layer 11a. The back portion 12a is butterfly-shaped with a pair of wings having diverging outer portions 12c, parallel inner portions 12d with overhanging portions 12e, and a bulge 12f connecting the base ends of the inner portions 12d. Protruding from the front side of the female elements 12 are projecting projections which pass through the rearward position 11b and find their seat in holes in the front part 12b, which in turn has analogous projections 12i.

The male part 20 comprises, as can be seen better in FIGS. 2G-2J, a flexible but normally inelastic textile part formed by front and back layers 20a and 20b, which in turn are defined by halves of a common rectangular textile piece (FIG. 2J) and has a central slot 20c, and a plastic part 20c having an outer part 2Od and an inner rod-shaped part 2Oe interconnected by a slightly narrower piece of fabric 2Of which fits through the slot 20c, as will be described below becomes. The outer part 20c is provided on its back side with decorative elements and with a display including the word "PUSH" and an arrow pointing outwards to indicate to the user in which direction the part 20 has to be moved to the closure to open.

It would also be possible to provide a system in which the two tabs 20a and 20b would be in one piece and make one of the pieces so large that it would cover the entire back and outside of the plastic part 20d, so that the Back side only textile material is visible.

The front side of the outer part 20c is provided with a pair of hook members 20h, each of which has an enlarged head 20i and an inwardly projecting rib 20j. The heads 2Oi, the projections 12e engage, so that the parts 10 and 20 are anchored against separation in any direction, except for the direction towards each other, ie by a movement of the part 20 in the direction of the "TURN" arrow of the display 20g. which are arranged on the inside of the heads 2Oi, serve for sliding the heads 2Oi between the arms 12c of the parts 12a in the closed position.

The male part 10 of the closure is, as shown in Figs. 3A - 3F, created by first the two blank strips 1 1 a 'and 1 1 b "(Figures 3A and 3B), the same shape as the layers 1 1 a and 1 1 b, but are larger all around by a dimension amount D, which here is about 0.125 in., are laminated together.

In a first step, shown in FIGS. 3C and 3D, the parts 12a and 12b are fixedly connected to each other in three rows of two (not limited to the invention) with the pointed projections 12g and 12i through the Blank strips 1 1 b 'push through and secure the exact positioning of the parts 12 a and 12 b to each other. The parts 12a and 12b thus held together are welded together in this position by ultrasonic action at the outer ends of the projecting tips so that they overlap in a mushroom shape and the parts 12a and 12b together with the strip 11b 'arranged between them are firmly anchored to one another are.

Then, as shown in FIG. 3E, the two blank strips 11a 'and 11b' are fastened together in a congruent position, and the welds 12c and 12d are created, which can be done by the action of ultrasound. As a result, the overall arrangement is slightly stiffened and completely surrounds the parts 12b.

In a final step, an edge 1 1 e of the dummy strip 1 1 a 'and 11 b' cut off to convert them into the layers 1 1 a and 1 1 b. This Pruning is cold, immediately adjacent or slightly outside the ultrasonic weld 12c, so that when the fabric of the plies 1 1 a and 1 1 b fray slightly through use and washing, a smooth edge remains.

The embodiment according to FIGS. 4A-6F is functionally similar to the first, previously explained embodiment and conveys all the advantages thereof, but differs therefrom with regard to the manner of manufacture and construction of the male part 30.

In particular, the male part 30 is not constructed of two pieces, namely the textile element shown in FIG. 2J and the plastic part shown in FIGS. 2G and 2H. Instead, as shown in Figures 5A and 5B, it is formed from two blank strips 30a 'and 30b', the first being a simple, unperforated piece of material and the second being provided with a number of through holes 30c, both pieces of fabric are increased by a dimension amount D.

The blank strip 30b 'is then, as shown in Figs. 5C and 5D, fixed between two Sphtzguss- or blow mold halves and it is injected a synthetic resin to at the front of the empty strip 30b' two small circular push button base parts 3Od and a transversely forming on the rear side two flat push-buttons 3Of, from which project heads 30g identical to the heads 2Oi and ribs 30g, which in turn are identical to the rib 2Oj. Simultaneously, a flat connector 30i is formed which extends through the blank strip 30b 'between the buttons 30d and 30f, which are also interconnected via integral pin members extending through the holes 30c passing between the buttons 30d and 30f - are hands. Accordingly, all the plastic parts are made in a single shot and therefore integral with each other.

Then, as shown in Fig. 5E, the two blank strips 30a 'and 30b' are superposed on each other so that the front blank strip 30a 'covers the buttons 30d and the reinforcing bar 30e, and the two blank strips 30a' and 30b 'pass through Ultrasonic welding in a U-shaped weld 3Oj connected to each other, the buttons 3Od and 3Of extends surrounding and along a straight ultrasonic welding 30k on the rod 3Oe to the two strips and the plastic parts 3Od, 3Of, 3Oe and 3Oi firmly together connect.

Finally, a cold cut is made around the weld 30j, extending slightly outside the weld to cut off an edge 30m to provide front and back smooth-edge material layers 30a and 30b, and a pair of lips between which the respective wing W can be anchored.

Also, the female part of the second embodiment, as illustrated in FIGS. 6A-6F, formed with one-piece, injection-molded plastic parts.

In particular, as shown in FIGS. 6A and 6B, it can be assumed that the blank strips 40a 'and 40b' are produced, the former being identical to the blank strip 11a 'and the second one being identical to the blank strip 11b 'differs only in that it is provided with six U-shaped rows of through holes.

The blank strip 40b 'is then, like the blank strip 30b' clamped between the mold halves, in which the plastic material for the formation of

Moldings 50a and 50b, which are necessarily identical to parts 12a and 12b, except that they are integral with each other. are executed on the other and connected by thin pins which extend through the holes 40c. This is shown in Figs. 6C and 6D.

The steps illustrated by Figures 6E and 6F are identical to those shown in Figures 3E and 3F, with the resulting welds 12c and 12d then being cut at the edge 40c to provide a front layer 40a and a back layer 40b , which have a smooth edge and two lobes that can be connected to a back wing.

For the purpose of a more detailed explanation of the brassiere closure according to the invention, reference will now be made to FIGS. 7A to 7E which show, on an enlarged scale, details with reference to FIGS. 2a to 2j and 4a and 4b to female elements 10 and male elements 20 already discussed Brassiere closures according to the invention are analogous to those already explained with reference to FIGS. 2A to 2J and 4A and 4B. Accordingly, FIG. 7A is an enlarged view of a portion of the element of FIG. 4B. Accordingly, reference is made to the relevant description of Fig. 4B and the embodiment shown in this.

In cases where reference numerals in one of the FIGS. 7A to 7E are not mentioned in the associated parts of the following description, reference should be made to those preceding parts of the description in which the named reference numbers have been introduced.

A very important characteristic of the brassiere closure according to the invention is that a small minimum force must be applied to connect the back parts of the cup holder, ie a certain resistance must be overcome. After overcoming this resistance threshold, however, the compound is extremely resistant to tension, ie ever greater becomes a tensile force acting away from each other in the sense of movement of the back parts of the brassiere, the more the holding force of the brassiere closure increases and stabilizes the fixation of the back parts of the brassiere to one another. On the other hand, the wearer of the brassiere should be able to open the closure without any appreciable expenditure of force.

For this purpose, in general terms, the female fastener 10 and the male fastener 20 are designed in such a manner that, generally speaking, closing the brassiere fastener also results in stabilization of the closure configuration of its component parts, i. Tensile stresses occurring in the closure region, which are directed parallel to the body surface of the wearer of the brassiere, assist in pressing the interconnected side or back parts of the brassiere against the wearer thereby stabilizing the connection of the back parts.

In order to meet this requirement - within the limits of what is possible - in the brassiere closure according to the invention, the features explained in more detail below are implemented:

The butterfly-shaped - female - closure elements 12 of the brassiere closure according to the invention, as can be seen in particular the detailed illustrations of FIGS. 7B and 7C, formed symmetrically with respect to a longitudinal center plane 51 w whose track in the drawing plane parallel to the opposing narrow flat guide end faces 51st f (Figure 7C) of the female closure element 12.

The male closure elements 20 are formed symmetrically with respect to a center plane 51 m, which coincides in the closed state of these elements 10 and 12 with the median plane 51 w of the respective female closure element 12. The rectilinear edges 52g of the "outer" wing sections 12c and the guide surfaces 51f of the parallel inner sections 12d of the butterfly-shaped elements enclose an angle of approximately 145 ° with each other and engage each other via a respective latching projection 12r (Figure 7B) The minimum distance Dmin of the latching protrusions from each other is slightly smaller than the lateral distance Dd of the parallel inner portions 12d in the remaining part of the inner portions 12c of the female shutter members

The male closure elements are also provided with latching projections 53m, which are functionally associated with the anchoring projections 52r of the female closure elements 12. They are arranged on opposite sides of a guide rib 54 (20j) of the respective male locking element 20.

Arranged on one end of the guide rib 54 is an anchoring head 20i, which, together with the rib of the male closure part 20, forms an anchoring hook 20h which can be brought into engagement with the female closure element 12. In the particular embodiment of the closure shown in FIG. 7C, two pairs 12, 20 of such closure elements are combined to form a one-piece plastic part 54 (FIG. 7C) whose geometric configuration readily corresponds to the enlarged scale representations of FIG. 7C of Fig. 2H can be removed.

The anchoring head 20h, measured at right angles to the plane of symmetry 51 m or the plane of symmetry 51 w of the female closure element 12, has a diameter Dm which is significantly greater than the distance of the guide end faces 51 f of the parallel sections 12 d of the female closure elements 10. The guide surfaces 51 f parallel to the center plane of the parallel sections 12 d of the female closure elements 10 are offset by planar coplanar step surfaces (FIG. 7 c) against further guide surfaces 54 r extending approximately parallel to the center plane 51 w whose distance from each other corresponds at least to the diameter D m of the anchoring head. is preferably slightly larger than this, in order to ensure a smooth displaceability of the male closure elements relative to the female closure elements. As a result of this configuration of the female closure elements, an overhanging arrangement of guide elements 12e of the female closure elements 10 results in the vicinity of the region of the attachment of the parallel and divergent closure element sections 12d and 12c.

The closure of the brassiere closure according to the invention is effected by pushing the male closure member 20 in the direction of the arrow 56 of FIG. 7B into the female closure member 12 with its rib 2Oj (FIG. 7E) between the parallel guide end faces 51F (FIG. 7C) until the anchoring head 20h comes into abutment against the inside of the overhangs 12e, with the male and female fastener parts being pressed against each other. As soon as the latching projections 53m of the male closure part 20 have moved past the latching projections 52r of the female closure element, the male closure element is positively frictionally secured against retraction - in the opening direction. At the same time, by engaging the anchoring head 20h of the male closure part 20 on the back part 12f of the female element running transversely to the median plane 54w, the occlusion disfigurement of the male closure part 20 is marked.

The geometric dimensions of the described locking elements and the elastic properties of the material of the closure elements are coordinated with one another in such a way that a smooth engagement of these Elements in the closed position and also a smooth opening of the brassiere closure is guaranteed.

The brassiere closure shown in FIGS. 8A to 8D, to the details of which reference is expressly made, designated as a whole by 80, is largely analogous in construction and function to the embodiments of brassiere fasteners explained with reference to FIGS. 1A to 7E (in particular the closures according to FIGS. 1 A to 3F and 7A to 7E) and in many details with these also identical, so that in this respect, to avoid repetition, reference may be made to the relevant parts of the description. This applies both with regard to the design of the butterfly-shaped female closure elements 12a and with respect to the male closure parts which can be brought into engagement with them, and the arrangement and shape of welds by means of which the textile material layers carrying and / or enveloping the closure elements also interact with each other in pairs and / or are connected to supporting parts of the closure elements. Insofar as reference numerals are given in FIGS. 8A to 8D, which have already been used previously in one or more of FIGS. 1A to 7E, this is to include the reference to the parts of description belonging to these elements and to the identity or analogy of FIG indicate identical parts.

Substantially different from the variants of brassiere fasteners explained with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7E, in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 8A to 8D, magnetic closure elements 80 / w and 80 are also provided in addition to fastening elements which provide a force-positive fixation of the brassiere wings (Figures 8B and 8C) are provided to facilitate the brassiere wearer in seeking the closure position of the brassiere closure as a whole and its closing operation. Here, by means of the magnetic closure elements 80 / w and 80 / m, seen in itself, a kind of preliminary coupling of the brassiere wings be achieved to the effect that even alone due to the magnetic attraction forces of the magnets results in a closed configuration of the brassiere out of the final closure configuration, the positive engagement of the otherwise explained female and male closure parts, even without a view of the closure 80 is easily accessible.

For this purpose, in the arrangement shown in FIG. 8A, in the rows 12, in which two butterfly-shaped female closure elements 12a of the female closure part 10 are arranged, one magnetic element 80 / w of the female closure part 10 is integrated; Furthermore, a permanent magnet 80 / m assigned to the male closure element 20 is provided. These magnets 80 / w associated with the female closure part 10 and the permanent magnet 80 / m associated with the male closure part 20 are embedded in the arrangement shown in FIGS. 8B and 8C between the textile material layers 11a and 11b of the female closure element 10. used in the male closure element 20, which in turn is connected to the textile fabric layers 20a and 20b by welding tensile.

The magnets 80 / w and 80 / m are formed in the basic form as circular discs, which in a typical dimensioning have a diameter of 4 mm and a thickness of 1 mm. Used are neodymium permanent magnets or other rare earth magnets, which are commercially available in suitable specifications.

In principle, it is sufficient to provide only one of the closure parts 10 or 20 a permanent-magnetic closure element and to take at each other a small plate of soft magnetic material, but it is expedient for reasons of sufficient attraction, to use 10 and 20 permanent magnets on both closure parts, which are able to develop relatively larger forces of attraction at the appropriate polarity, on the other hand, a space-saving, low-cost construction of the closure 80 benefits.

In the illustrative embodiment chosen, the permanent magnets 80 / w of the female closure member 10 are each disposed between the female closure members 12a of the respective row 12 of closure members. The same applies mutatis mutandis to the male as a whole partially formed plastic closure member 20, the permanent magnet 80 / m in a manner shown in Figs. 8B and 8C manner between locking lugs 80 / r of the plastic male closure member 20 is fixed, as only schematically indicated.

The arrangement of the magnetic closure elements 80 / w and 80 / m and their relative movements of limited stop elements 81 with outwardly, ie to the respective magnet 80 / w open stop limit 82 is selected such that the position (FIG. 8C) of the magnetic closure elements 80 / w and 80 / m, in which they develop their greatest attraction, is arranged at a distance S from the position of the closure parts 10 and 20, in which the butterfly-shaped closure elements 12a have latching heads 20 associated therewith (FIGS. 7E and 7A or 8D). in force-locking engagement and the brassiere closure occupies the load-capable closure position, which can be achieved only by active involvement of the wearer. However, this will facilitate the finding of the appropriate starting position in that, when the brassiere is put on, the magnetic closing elements 80 / w and 80 / m develop a noticeable attractive force, by which the wing tips are attracted to the "centered" position of their magnets shown in FIG. 8c after which the wearer with little effort by a relative movement of the male closure element 20 in the direction of the arrow 83 of FIG. 8c relative to the female closure element 10, the closing configuration of Adjusting brassiere closure, in which a stop lug 84 of the male closure member 20 abuts against the curved stop surface 82 of the female stop member 81 of the brassiere closure 80.

Claims

A closure for joining the ends of two backs of a brassiere with a piece of an inelastic textile matehal having a rear surface facing away from the wearer of the brassiere and an oppositely disposed front surface and having one end of one of the backs, a plurality thereof transversely extending and longitudinally spaced rows of first plastic-made fasteners disposed on the rearward side, each row comprising at least two fastener elements spaced transversely from one another; a flat body having an inner end fixed to the end of the other back, an opposite outer end, a front which at least partially overlaps the back of the cloth at the outer end, and a back opposite to the front and corresponding ones plastic second closure elements generally complementary to and engageable with the first closure elements and fixed to a front of the body at the outer end thereof so as to align with the first closure elements and are fixably engageable with these; a transverse rigid rod disposed on or integral with the body to prevent transversely relative movement of the second closure members and flexing of the body in the region of these second closure members.

2. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the first closure elements are female and U-shaped and the second closure elements are male.

3. Closure according to claim 1, characterized in that the fabric piece is formed from congruent front and back textile layers and the first closure elements each comprise a front part which is sandwiched between these layers, and a back part, which is associated with the respectively associated second Locking elements is mating, as well as a pin or connecting element, which passes through the rearward position between the respective front and rear parts, is provided.

4. A closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the pins or connecting parts are integral with the respective front and rear parts.

5. A closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the pins or connecting parts can be made integral with the respective front and rücksei- term parts and welded to the other of the respective front and rear parts.

6. Closure according to claim 3, characterized in that the layers are each formed in the basic shape according to rectangular and the closure further comprises welded portions extending along at least three sides of the layers and these hold together immediately within the outer edges thereof.

7. Closure according to claim 6, characterized in that the welds extend only along three sides of the fabric layers and are offset from a fourth side, wherein the respective back part is received on the fourth side between the respective layers and secured thereto.

8. A closure according to claim 6, characterized in that further extending between the rows of the first closure elements transverse rod-shaped welds are arranged.

9. A closure according to claim 1, wherein the flat base body is formed as a unit with the second closure elements and stiffening plastic part.

10. Closure according to claim 9, characterized in that at least one flexible textile fabric flap is connected to the rigid rod-shaped part and attached to the respective back part end.

11. A closure according to claim 10, characterized in that two such textile cloths are sandwiched and connected by ultrasonic welding to the rod and sandwiched also arranged on the corresponding wing end and connected thereto.

12. Closure according to one of claims 2 to 1 1, wherein the female closure elements are provided with protruding anchoring elements and the male closure elements are also equipped with projecting anchoring elements, the mutual engagement of a positive fixation of the anchoring elements is achieved in the closed configuration, wherein the Closing and opening of the brassiere closure takes place against moderate restoring forces, which occur by elastic deformation of the projecting parts of the closure elements in the closure operation.

13. A closure according to claim 12, wherein the projecting parts of the female closure elements are arranged in the region of transitional regions, within which follow diverging guide surfaces of the female elements parallel guide surfaces, by means of which the closure elements are guided into the anchoring position.

14. A closure according to claim 12 or claim 13, characterized in that the closure position of the closure elements is marked by stop action.

15. Closure according to one of claims 1 or claim 14, characterized in that at least one of the closure parts (10, 20) in addition to the force-form-locking closure elements (12a, 20, 20h, 20i) at least one permanent magnetic Closing element (80 / w and / or 80 / m) is arranged, which in interaction with a likewise permanent-magnetic or magnetizable closure element, which is arranged on the other closure part (20 or 10), in a (pre) Fixation configuration can be brought, from which the closing operation of the brassiere closure

(80) is feasible.

16. Closure according to claim 15, characterized in that the permanently magnetizable closure elements (80 / w and 80 / m) both on the female closure part (10) and on the male closure part

(20) are provided.

17. Closure according to claim 15 or claim 16, characterized in that the forces which can be deployed by the permanent magnetic closure elements in the configuration in which the positively locking elements are hooked together, are significantly lower than the holding forces of the mutually positively anchored positive locking elements.

18. A method for providing a closure for connecting the ends of two back parts of a brassiere, characterized by the following method steps:

Attaching a plurality of first closure elements, which are made of plastic, on a front side of an inelastic fabric piece, which has a back facing away from the wearer of the brassiere back and an opposite front, wherein the first closure elements in a plurality of transversely extending in the longitudinal direction at a distance mutually located rows are arranged at the back; To provide a flat body having an inner end connected to the end of the other of the backs and an opposite outer end, and a front which at least partially overlaps the back of the fabric at the outer end and a front opposite Has back; Fixing corresponding second closure elements, which are designed substantially complementary to the first closure elements on the front side of the main body at the outer end, such that they are aligned with the first closure elements and can be brought into fixing engagement; Creation of a transverse rigid rod on the base body or as part thereof, such that transverse movements of the second closure elements relative to one another and bending of the base body in the region of the second closure elements are prevented.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that the fabric piece is formed from two congruent front and rear textiles, wherein the first closure elements each have a front part enclosed between the layers, a rear part which can be paired with each one of the second shutter members, and a pin or a connecting part passing through the back sheet between the respective front and rear parts.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the front and the rear parts are made uniform with each other, with the pins or the connecting part and with the rod in a single shot of an injection molding process.

21. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the pins or connecting parts are integrally formed with one of the respective front or rear parts and welded to the respective other front or back part.

22. The method of claim 19, wherein each of the layers of the basic shape is rectangular, characterized in that welds are formed extending along at least three sides of the layers and connecting them directly within their outer edges.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein the welds extend only along three sides and the sheets are separated from each other at a fourth side, characterized in that the respective wing end is secured to the fourth side between the sheets, respectively.

24. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that see between the rows of the first closure elements transverse bar-shaped welds are formed.

25. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that the flat base body is designed as integral with the second closure elements and the stiffening rod plastic part.

26. A method according to claim 25, characterized in that at least one flexible textile flap is provided, which is fastened to the rigid bar, and that the flaps are fastened to the respective back of the tail.