EP4215074A1

EP4215074A1 - Flexible lace underwear

Info

Publication number: EP4215074A1
Application number: EP22315021.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Emilie Rives; Estelle Perrin; Camille Dubord; Cyrielle Roche
Original assignee: DBI Operations Europe SAS
Current assignee: DBI Operations Europe SAS
Priority date: 2022-01-25
Filing date: 2022-01-25
Publication date: 2023-07-26

Abstract

An undergarment, such as a brassiere or lower torso underwear, includes a body portion having a multi-way stretch lace, and including at least two fabric panels connected by an elastic band. The undergarment includes a torso band, such as a waistband, to partially or completely encircle a wearer of the undergarment. In a brassiere, the body portion includes a pair of breast cups, a front fabric portion, an elastic band along a lower contour of the pair of breast cups, and shoulder straps. In a lower torso undergarment, the body portion includes a front fabric portion, a rear fabric portion, and two side fabric portions connected to the front fabric portion with an elastic band.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to upper torso undergarments and lower torso undergarments, such as brassieres and panties.

BACKGROUND

Undergarments, such as brassieres and underwear, are often designed to fit a single traditional size. For example, brassieres typically have a cup size and a torso band size, and lower torso undergarments typically have a single waistband size.

SUMMARY

This disclosure describes undergarments, including lower torso underwear and brassieres, with a multi-way stretch lace and one or more elastic bands to fit multiple wearer sizes.
In some aspects of the disclosure, a brassiere includes a body portion to at least partially encircle a wearer of the brassiere. The body portion includes a pair of breast cups, a front fabric portion connected to the pair of breast cups with an elastic band along a lower contour of the pair of breast cups, and a pair of side wings connected to the front fabric portion and configured to extend along sides of the wearer to a back of the wearer. The brassiere also includes a torso band connected to the body portion along a lower longitudinal edge of the body portion, and shoulder straps connected to the body portion about upper ends of the pair of breast cups. The shoulder straps are to extend over shoulders of the wearer.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features. A fabric of the pair of breast cups can include a multi-way stretch lace to flex and stretch with the wearer. The front fabric portion can include the multi-way stretch lace. The pair of side wings can include the multi-way stretch lace. The multi-way stretch lace can include nylon and spandex, and can form a jacquard lace. The multi-way stretch lace can include at least 80% recycled nylon. The elastic band can include a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of fabric material extending between an edge of the pair of breast cups and an edge of the front fabric portion. The elastic band can include a ladder hemstitch including parallel lines of fabric material extending between an edge of the pair of breast cups and an edge of the front fabric portion. The brassiere can include a tubular fabric channel coupled to an edge of the front fabric portion and positioned along at least a portion of the elastic,band. The torso band can include a stretchable elastic. The shoulder straps can be flexible. The brassiere can include a hook and eye closure coupled to the pair of side wings, the hook and eye closure to connect the pair of side wings at a back of the wearer. The hook and eye closure can include four rows of attachment loops. The pair of side wings can form a U-shaped back at a back of the wearer, and a lower apex of the U-shaped back is longitudinally lower than an upper longitudinal edge of the pair of side wings at an underarm area of the wearer. The shoulder straps can connect to the pair of side wings at upper lateral ends of the U-shaped back.
In some aspects of the disclosure, a lower torso undergarment includes a body portion including a multi-way stretch lace to at least partially encircle a wearer of the undergarment and to flex and stretch with the wearer. The body portion defines an upper longitudinal edge that forms a waist opening, a first lower longitudinal edge that forms a first leg opening, and a second lower longitudinal edge that forms a second leg opening. The body portion includes a front fabric portion, a rear fabric portion, a first side fabric portion connected to a first side edge of the front fabric portion with a first elastic band along the first side edge, and a second side fabric portion connected to a second side edge of the front fabric portion with a second elastic band along the second side edge. The lower torso undergarment also includes a waistband coupled to the body portion at the upper longitudinal edge of the body portion, the waistband configured to encircle a wearer of the undergarment.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features. The lower torso undergarment of claim 16, wherein the first elastic band extends from the upper longitudinal edge to the first lower longitudinal edge and between the front fabric portion and the first side fabric portion. The second elastic band can extend from the upper longitudinal edge to the second lower longitudinal edge and between the front fabric portion and the second side fabric portion. The first elastic band can include a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of fabric material extending between the first side edge of the front fabric portion and an edge of the first side fabric portion. The first elastic band can include a ladder hemstitch including parallel lines of fabric material extending between the first side edge of the front fabric portion and an edge of the first side fabric portion. At least one of the front fabric portion, the rear fabric portion, the first side fabric portion, or the second side fabric portion include the multi-way stretch lace. All of the front fabric portion, the rear fabric portion, the first side fabric portion, and the second side fabric portion can . include the multi-way stretch lace. The multi-way stretch lace can include nylon and spandex, and forms a jacquard lace. The multi-way stretch lace can include at least 80% recycled nylon. The waistband can include a stretchable elastic. The body portion can include picots along the first lower longitudinal edge that forms the first leg opening and the second lower longitudinal edge that forms the second leg opening.
Certain aspects of the disclosure encompass a method of manufacturing an undergarment. The method includes knitting a body portion formed of a multi-way stretch lace to flex and stretch with a wearer of the undergarment, attaching an elastic band between a first edge of a first fabric portion of the body portion and a second edge of a second fabric portion of the body portion, and attaching a torso band to the body portion, the torso band to at least partially encircle a wearer of the undergarment.
This, and other aspects, can include one or more of the following features. The undergarment can be a brassiere, and attaching the elastic band between the first edge and the second edge can include attaching the elastic band between a pair of breast cups and a front fabric portion and along a lower contour of the pair of breast cups. The method can further include connecting shoulder straps to the body portion about upper ends of the'pair of breast cups, the shoulder straps to extend over shoulders of the wearer. The undergarment can include a lower torso undergarment, and attaching the elastic band between the first edge and the second edge can include attaching the elastic band between a front fabric portion and a side fabric portion, wherein the elastic band extends between a waist opening and a first leg opening of the body portion.
The details of one or more implementations of the subject matter described in this disclosure are set forth in the accompanying drawings and the description below. Other features, aspects, and advantages of the subject matter will become apparent from the description, the drawings, and the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front view of an example brassiere showing a front exterior of the example brassiere.
FIG. 2 is a rear view of the example brassiere of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a partial close-up perspective view of the example brassiere of FIG. 1.
FIGS. 4A and 4B are schematic views of example hemstitch patterns for an elastic band.
FIG. 5 is a partial close-up view of example picots that can be used in the example brassiere of FIG. 1.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a second example brassiere showing a front exterior of the second example brassiere.
FIG. 7 is a rear view of the second example brassiere of FIG. 6.
FIG. 8 is an example table showing five example brassiere sizes.
FIG. 9 is a front view of an example undergarment intended for the lower torso of a wearer.
FIG. 10 is a rear view of the example undergarment of FIG. 9.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart of an example method for manufacturing an undergarment.

Like reference numbers and designations in the various drawings indicate like elements.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

This disclosure regards undergarments, including brassieres and lower torso underwear (e.g., panties), formed with a multi-way stretch lace, a pattern of elastic band(s), or both. The undergarments stretch with and support a wearer such that the undergarments fit multiple traditional wearer sizes. In some embodiments, a brassiere incorporates the multi-way stretch lace and an elastic band pattern along a lower contour of breast cups of the brassiere, for example, to adapt to multiple different shapes of wearers. The multi-way stretch lace and/or the elastic band pattern of the brassiere allows the brassiere to fit multiple traditional wearer sizes, such that the traditional brassiere sizes (e.g., from 75A to 90E) can be condensed into a few adaptive and intelligent sizes of brassieres, such as four or five brassiere sizes, according to the present disclosure. The elastic band can include a hemstitch with a variable geometric structure, such as a pattern of crossed diagonal lines, a series of parallel lines, or other structures, which allows the elastic band to flex and extend in any direction (e.g., height, length, transverse directions). This flexibility of the elastic band allows the brassiere to deform and absorb differences in volume, shape, and/or weight displacement between breasts of wearers, and allows the brassiere to fit wearers of more than one traditional size. The brassiere can also include a U-shaped back and wide side wings, for example, to better distribute forces and the weight of the wearer's chest in order to ensure sufficient support and comfort. The brassiere can also include a hook and eye closure with multiple rows of closure loops, (e.g., four rows of closure loops) to fine-tune the brassiere to accommodate different wearer torso sizes.
In certain embodiments, a lower torso undergarment includes the multi-way stretch lace, an elastic band extending from a waist opening to a first leg opening, and another elastic band extending from the waist opening to the other leg opening. The elastic bands stretch and flex with the wearer of the undergarment, allowing for multiple wearer leg sizes, multiple wearer waist sizes, or both, in a single torso undergarment.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an example brassiere 100 showing a front exterior of the example brassiere 100, and FIG. 2 is a rear view of the example brassiere showing the rear exterior of the brassiere 100 and part of an interior of the front of the brassiere 100. The brassiere 100 includes a body portion 102 configured to encircle (partially or completely) a wearer of the brassiere 100, a torso band 104 that (partially or completely) encircles a torso of the wearer, and two shoulder straps 106a and 106b that extend over the shoulders of the wearer. The torso band 104 connects to the body portion 102 along a lower longitudinal edge of the body portion 102, and includes a stretchable elastic material. The body portion 102 includes a pair of breast cups 108a and 108b, a front fabric portion 110 connected to the breast cups 108a and 108b, and a pair of side fabric panels (i.e., a first side wing 112a and a second side wing 112b) connected to the front fabric portion 110 on respective lateral sides of the front fabric portion 110. The pair of breast cups includes a first breast cup 108a and a second breast cup 108b, and the breast cups 108a and 108b have an outwardly curving, substantially concave shape when worn (as viewed from the side of the wearer) to receive and support the breasts of the wearer. The side wings 112a and 112b extend along the sides of the wearer at the underarm to a back of the wearer. The side wings 112a and 112b and torso band 104 selectively connect at the back of the wearer to close the brassiere 100 around a wearer, for example, with a hook and eye closure 114. The hook and eye closure 114 of the example brassiere 100 includes four rows of attachment loops 116, for example, to allow the example brassiere 100 to fit multiple torso sizes of a wearer. In some examples, the hook and eye closure 114 can have fewer (e.g., 2 or 3) or more (e.g., 5 or 6) rows of attachment loops 116 or hooks.
In some instances, the torso band 104 is continuous, such as in seamless, circularly knit garments, and excludes the hook and eye closure 114. In some instances, the hook and eye closure 114 of the example brassiere 100 includes four rows of hooks, for example, to allow the example brassiere 100 to fit multiple torso sizes of a wearer. The shoulder straps 106a and 106b connect to the body portion 102 at upper ends of the pair of breast cups 108a and 108b, and extend over shoulders of the wearer to the back of the brassiere 100 to at least partially distribute support of the brassiere 100 onto the shoulders of the wearer. For example, the first shoulder strap 106a connects to an upper end of the first breast cup 108a, extends over a shoulder of the wearer, and connects to the first side wing 112a at the back of the brassiere 100. Similarly, the second shoulder strap 106b connects to an upper end of the second breast cup 108b, extends over the other shoulder of the wearer, and connects to the second side wing 112b at the back of the brassiere 100. The shoulder straps 106a and 106b are stretchable and flexible, for example, to provide adaptive support to the breast cups and to absorb and distribute forces from the breast cups 108a and 108b due to the weight of the wearer's breasts in the breast cups 108a and 108b. The size, materials, and characteristics of the shoulder straps 106a and 106b can vary. For example, the shoulder straps 106a and 106b can be made of a standard flat elastic material including a mix of polyamide and elastane. Elongation of the straps can vary, for example, between 59% and 80%. In some examples, such as for size 1 and 2 brassieres, the straps 106a and 106b include a minimum elongation of 60% in the longitudinal length direction, a maximum elongation of 80% in the longitudinal length direction, and/or includes a modulus in a longitudinal length direction of between 0.52 and 0.86 at 30% elongation (for example, when cycled three times under a 4 kg load). In certain examples, such as for size 3 and 4 brassieres, the straps 106a and 106b include a minimum elongation of 59% in the longitudinal length direction, a maximum elongation of 79% in the longitudinal length direction, and/or includes a modulus in a longitudinal length direction of between 0.82 and 1.36 at 30% elongation (for example, when cycled three times under a 4 kg load).
In the example brassiere 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, sections of the body portion 102 are made up of a multi-way stretch lace 118. For example, fabric of the breast cups 108a and 108b, the front fabric portion 110, the side fabric panels 112a and 112b, or a combination of these sections include the multi-stretch lace 118. The multi-way stretch lace 118 can flex and stretch with the wearer, for example, to account for multiple sizes of the wearer. In the example brassiere 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, the breast cups 108a and 108b, the front fabric portion 110, and the side fabric panels 112a and 112b all include the multi-way stretch lace 118. In some implementations, only a subset of the sections of the body portion 102 include the multi-way stretch lace 118. For example, the breast cups 108a and 108b may include the multi-way stretch lace 118, while the front fabric portion 110 and the side wings 112a and 112b exclude the multi-way stretch lace. In another example, both the breast cups 108a and 108b and the front fabric portion 110 include the multi-way stretch lace 118, while the side fabric panels 112a and 112b exclude the multi-way stretch lace 118.
The multi-way stretch lace 118 is elastic, in that the .stretch lace 118 can stretch and recover in order to optimize its elasticity to allow the body portion 102, such as the breast cups 108a and 108b, to adapt and conform to the shape and volume of the breasts of the wearer of the example brassiere 100. The multi-way stretch lace 118 is disposed on the breast cups 108a and 108b to provide flexibility and stretch for the variance in size, shape, and/or weight of the breasts of a wearer. In some examples, the multi-way stretch lace 118 has a minimum elongation of 121% and a maximum elongation of 149% in the length direction, and has a minimum elongation of 25% and a maximum elongation of 45% in the width direction. In some instances, the multi-way stretch lace 118 has a modulus in the length direction between 0.22 and 0.36 at 30% elongation, and between 0.41 and 0.68 at 50% elongation.
In some implementations, the multi-way stretch lace 118 includes a combination of nylon and spandex, and is knit in the form of a jacquard lace, such as a jacquardtronic lace. The multi-way stretch lace 118 includes about 89% nylon and 11% spandex (or other elastane). However, this composition distribution can vary, such that there is more nylon and less spandex, or less nylon and more spandex. In certain examples, the multi-way stretch lace 118 includes recycled nylon. The recycled nylon can take up the entirety of the nylon in the composition of the multi-way stretch lace 118, or the recycled nylon can take up a subset of the nylon used in the composition. For example, the multi-way stretch lace 118 can include about 80% recycled nylon (or more), plus a percentage of additional nylon, to complete the nylon composition of the multi-way stretch lace 118. The percentage compositions of the nylon, recycled nylon, and spandex can vary.
In some instances, the stretch lace 118 can be a mono stretch one way lace with an elastane composition of about 11% (plus or minus 3%), where the elastane composition provides a stretchability of the lace in the length direction to be about 135% plus or minus 14% (e.g., a minimum elongation of 121% and a maximum elongation of 149%).
The front fabric portion 110 connects to the side fabric portions 112a and 112b by stitching, adhesive, bonding, or another attachment type, or they are continuous with (i.e., integrally formed with) each other such that the front fabric portion 110 and the side fabric portions 112a and 112b form a single continuous fabric panel. The front fabric portion 110 extends continuously underneath and along the sides of the pair of breast cups 108a and 108b, and connects to the pair of breast cups 108a and 108b with an elastic band 120. The elastic band 120 is positioned along the lower contour of the pair of breast cups 108a and 108b, and couples to a lower edge of the pair of breast cups 108a and 108b and to an upper edge of the front fabric portion 110. The elastic band 120 is positioned around the contour of the breast cups 108a and 108b to surround and support the breasts of the wearer within the breast cups 108a and 108b without entirely enclosing the breasts of the wearer.
FIG. 3 is a partial close-up perspective view of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1 showing the elastic band 120. Referring to FIGS. 1 and 3, the elastic band 120 flexibly connects the front fabric portion 110 to the breast cups 108a and 108b such that the elastic band 120 allows for flexibility and extension in all directions, including lateral length, longitudinal height, and transverse direction (e.g., to and away from the wearer). The elastic band 120 can take a variety of forms. In some implementations, the elastic band 120 takes the form of a hemstitch (e.g., ladder hemstitch, zig-zag hemstitch, somersault hemstitch, diamond hemstitch, or another hemstitch type) with a geometric pattern of material between the edge of the breast cups 108a and 108b and the edge of the front fabric portion 110. For example, the elastic band 120 of the example brassiere 100 of FIGS. 1 and 3 is shown as a cross-type hemstitch having a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of material extending between the lower edge of the breast cups 108a and 108b and the upper edge of the front fabric portion 110. FIG. 4A is a schematic view of the crossed lattice pattern of the elastic band 120. Alternatively, the elastic band 120 can take a variety of other forms. For example, the elastic band 120 can include a ladder hemstitch formed by parallel lines of fabric material extending between the edge of pair of breast cups 108a and 108b and the edge of the front fabric portion 110. FIG. 4B is a schematic view of this ladder hemstitch pattern of an elastic band 120' that can be used in the elastic band 120 of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1.
The material composition of the elastic band 120 and 120' can vary. In some instances, the elastic band 120 (or 120') includes a polyamide and elastane. For example, the fabric content of the elastic band 120 can be about 53.7% nylon and about 46.3% spandex. These percentages may vary within 1%, within 5%, within 10%, or within a greater percentage, while maintaining the structure and function of the elastic band 120. The crossed lattice pattern of the elastic band 120 and/or the parallel line ladder hemstitch of the elastic band 120' provides for stretchability and flexibility in the width direction (i.e., across its width) and its longitudinal direction (i.e., along its length). In some instances, the crossed lattice pattern provides a more controlled extension in all directions. The hemstitch of the elastic band 120 provides sufficient connection of the breast cups 108a and 108b to the front fabric panel 110 to withstand daily use and launderings, while providing the freedom and flexibility to move and stretch in order for the breast cups 108a and 108b to adapt and conform to multiple breast sizes of wearers.
In the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1, the elastic band 120 follows a lower contour of the breast cups 108a and 108b, in that the elastic band 120 extends from a top edge of the first breast cup 108a, along an outer side of and underneath the first breast cup 108a, further underneath a center gore portion between the first breast cup 108a and the second breast cup 108b, underneath the second breast cup 108b, along the outer side of the second breast cup 108b, and to a top edge of the second breast cup 108b. However, the elastic band 120 can be positioned and shaped differently. For example, the elastic band 120 can be split into two elastic bands, where each of the breast cups 108a and 108b has its own elastic band 120 that follows a lower contour of the respective breast cup, and each elastic band can end at the center gore portion between the breast cups, such as at a top edge of the center gore portion of the breast cups 108a and 108b.
In the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1, the elastic band 120 extends continuously from the upper edge of the first cup 108a to the upper edge of the second cup 108b. The extent of this elastic band 120 allows for the breast cups 108a and 108b to better conform to the shape of the wearer's breasts, for example, without being restricted by a direct sewing connection between the breast cups 108a and 108b and the front fabric portion 110. The elastic band 120 allows for increased freedom of movement of the breast cups 108a and 108b to promote the breast cups to better conform to the shape of the wearer.
A width of the elastic band 120 of the example brassiere 100 can vary. In the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1, the width of the elastic band 120 (i.e., the distance between the edge of the breast cups and the edge of the front fabric portion) is about 6 millimeters (mm), and can vary between 1 mm and 15 mm. However, the elastic band 120 can be larger than 15 mm in some instances. The greater the width of the elastic band 120, the more the breast cups 108a and 108b are able to flex and conform to multiple breast cup sizes. The width of the elastic band 120 is identified as the distance between the edge of the breast cups and the edge of the front fabric portion, however, the elastic band 120 may include seams, channels, or other fabric structures at its edges that assist in connecting (e.g., adhering, seaming, or otherwise coupling) the elastic band 120 to the edge of the breast cups and/or the edge of the front fabric portion.
In some instances, the body portion 102 includes a tubular fabric channel 122 coupled to the edge of the front fabric portion 110 and positioned along (i.e., adjacent to) at least a portion of the elastic band 120 on an interior surface of the body portion 102. The tubular fabric channel 122 provides a degree of rigidity to the body portion 102 along the elastic band 120 without modifying the function of the elastic band 120. The tubular fabric channel 122 excludes any underwire within the tubular fabric channel 122. However, in other implementations, the tubular fabric channel 122 may include underwiring or other rigid structures.
In some implementations, the pair of side wings 112a and 112b form a U-shaped back 126 at the back of the wearer, such that the top edge of the side wings 112a and 112b and the torso band 104 form a U-shape. For example, a lower apex of the U-shaped back 126 is longitudinally lower than an upper longitudinal edge of the pair of side wings 112a and 112b at the underarm area of the wearer. The shoulder straps 106a and 106b connect to the pair of side wings 112a and 112b at upper lateral ends of the U-shaped back 126. The U-shaped back 126 can promote distribution of the forces from the shoulder straps 106a and 106b. The shoulder straps 106a and 106b are flexible, in that they are formed from a stretchable material.
The body portion 102 of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1 includes a V-neck neckline along a top edge of the breast cups 108a and 108b. However, this neckline shape can vary. In some implementations, the side wings 112a and 112b have a fabric height at the underarm that is larger than the height of the apex' of the V-neck neckline of the breast cups from the torso band 104. In some instances, the top edge of the body portion 102 include picots 124 along some or all of the top edge of the body portion 102 between the shoulder straps 106a and 106b. FIG. 5 is a partial close-up view of example picots 124 that can be used in the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1 at the top edge of the breast cups 108a and 108b.
FIG. 6 is a front view of a second example brassiere 600 showing a front exterior of the second example brassiere 600, and FIG. 7 is a rear view of the second example brassiere 600 showing the rear exterior of the second brassiere 600 and part of an interior of the front of the second brassiere 600. The second example brassiere 600 is the same as the example brassiere 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2, except that the body portion 102' of the second example brassiere 600 includes breast cups 108a' and 108b' that are padded, and includes a center gore 602 between the breast cups 108a' and 108b'.
The second example brassiere 600 includes a first spacer fabric pad 604a positioned at an interior of the first breast cup 108a', and a second spacer fabric pad 604b positioned at an interior of the second breast cup 108b. In some examples, the spacer fabric pads 604a and 604b are cut and sewn three-dimensional spacers that are connected (e.g., adhered, bonded, sewn, laminated, or otherwise attached) to an interior of the breast cups 108a' and 108b'. The spacer fabric pads 604a and 604b provides for additional support for the breasts of the wearer and provides added comfort to the wearer of the second example brassiere 600.
The multi-way stretch lace 118, the elastic band 120, or the combination of both the stretch lace 118 and the elastic band 120, allow the example brassiere 100 and the second example brassiere 600 to fit multiple traditional brassiere sizes with a single brassiere. FIG. 8 is an example table 800 showing five example brassiere sizes (T1 to T5) according to the present disclosure. These five example brassiere sizes are designed similar to the example brassiere 100 and/or the second example brassiere 600, and each of the brassiere sizes (T1-T5) can fit multiple wearers identified under multiple traditional brassiere sizes. For example, the T1 brassiere can fit wearers sized 70A, 70C, 75A, 75B, 75C, 80A, or 80B. The T2 brassiere can fit wearers sized 75D, 75E, 80C, 80D, 85B, or 85C. The T3 brassiere can fit wearers sized 80E, 85D, 90B, and 90C. The T4 brassiere can fit wearers sized 85E, 90D, and 90E. The T5 brassiere can fit wearers sized 95B, 95C, 95D, 100B, and 100C. These size ranges can vary, for example, based on the size of the torso band, breast cups, elastic band, a combination of these, or other characteristics of the brassiere.
In some instances, lower torso undergarments can incorporate the multi-way stretch lace, elastic bands, or both, to fit a variety of wearer sizes. FIG. 9 is a front view of an example undergarment 900 intended for the lower torso of a wearer, and FIG. 10 is a rear view of the example undergarment 900. The example undergarment 900 is shown as a women's panty, though the undergarment 900 can take a variety of other forms, such as men's briefs, boy shorts, or other types of lower torso undergarments.
The example undergarment 900 includes a body portion 902 and a waistband 904. The body portion 902 includes a multi-way stretch lace 906, the same lace as the multi-way stretch lace 118 of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1. The body portion 902 partially or completely encircles a wearer of the undergarment 900, and flexes and stretches with the size of the wearer. The body portion 902 defines an upper longitudinal edge 908 that forms a waist opening, and the waistband 904 couples to the body portion 902 at the upper longitudinal edge 908. The body portion 902 also defines a first lower longitudinal edge 910a that forms a first leg opening 912a, and a second lower longitudinal edge 910b that forms a second leg opening 912b. The body portion 902 includes a front fabric portion 914, a rear fabric portion 916, a first side fabric portion 920a connected to a first side edge 918a of the front fabric portion 914, and a second side fabric portion 920b connected to a second side edge 918b of the front fabric portion 914 opposite to the first side edge 918a. The waistband 904 encircles the wearer of the undergarment 900, and includes a flexible elastic material to stretch with and fit the wearer.
At least one of the front fabric portion 914, the rear fabric portion 916, the first side fabric portion 920a, and/or the second side fabric portion 920b include the multi-way stretch lace 906. In the example undergarment 900 of FIGS. 9 and 10, the front fabric portion 914, the rear fabric portion 916, the first side fabric portion 920a, and the second side fabric portion 920b all include the multi-way stretch lace 906. In some instances, only the front fabric portion 916 includes the multi-way stretch lace 906. In other instances, only the front fabric portion 916 and the side fabric portions 920a and 920b include the multi-way stretch lace 906.
The front fabric portion 914 connects to the first side fabric portion 920a with a first elastic band 922a along the first side edge 918a, and also connects to the second side fabric portion 920b with a second elastic band 922b along the second side edge 918b. The first elastic band 922a and the second elastic band 922b have the same structure as the elastic band 120 of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1, except that the first elastic band 922a and the second elastic band 922b are substantially linear. The first elastic band 922a extends from the upper longitudinal edge 908 to the first lower longitudinal edge 910a, and between the front fabric portion 914 and the first side fabric portion 920a. The second elastic band 922b extends from the upper longitudinal edge 908 to the second lower longitudinal edge 910b, and between the front fabric portion 914 and the second side fabric portion 920b.
The first elastic band 922a, the second elastic band 922b, or both elastic bands, can take a variety of forms, similar to the elastic band 120 of the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1. In some implementations, the elastic band(s) 922a and 922b can take the form of a hemstitch (e.g., ladder hemstitch, zig-zag hemstitch, somersault hemstitch, diamond hemstitch, or another hemstitch type) with a geometric pattern of material between the edge of the front fabric panel 914 and the edge of the respective side fabric panel 920a and 920b. For example, the elastic band 922a and 922b of the example undergarment 900 of FIGS. 9 and 10 are shown as a cross-type hemstitch having a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of material extending between the edges of the respective elastic band. Alternatively, the elastic bands 922a and 922b can take a variety of other forms. For example, the elastic bands 922a and 922b can include a ladder hemstitch formed by parallel lines of fabric material extending between its opposite.
The rear fabric portion 916 connects to the side fabric portions 920a and 920b by stitching, adhesive, bonding, or another attachment type, or they are continuous with (i.e., integrally formed with) each other such that the rear fabric portion 916 and the side fabric portions 920a and 920b form a single continuous fabric panel. The rear fabric portion 916 extends over the buttocks of the wearer.
In some implementations, the body portion 902 includes picots 924 along the first lower longitudinal edge 910a that forms the first leg opening 912a and the second lower longitudinal edge 910b that forms the second leg opening 912b.
FIG. 11 is a flowchart describing an example method 1100 for manufacturing an undergarment, such as the example brassiere 100 of FIG. 1, the second example brassiere 600 of FIG. 6, or the example undergarment 900 of FIG. 9. At step 1102, a body portion is knitted, and is formed of a multi-way stretch lace that flexes and stretches with a wearer of the undergarment. At 1104, an elastic band is attached between a first edge of a first fabric portion of the body portion and a second edge of a second fabric portion of the body portion. At 1106, a torso band is attached to the body portion. The torso band at least partially encircles a wearer of the undergarment.
A number of implementations have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure.

Claims

A brassiere, comprising:
a body portion configured to at least partially encircle a wearer of the brassiere, the body portion comprising:
a pair of breast cups,

a front fabric portion connected to the pair of breast cups with an elastic band along a lower contour of the pair of breast cups, and

a pair of side wings connected to the front fabric portion and configured to extend along sides of the wearer to a back of the wearer;

a torso band connected to the body portion along a lower longitudinal edge of the body portion; and

shoulder straps connected to the body portion about upper ends of the pair of breast cups, the shoulder straps configured to extend over shoulders of the wearer.
The brassiere of claim 1, wherein a fabric of the pair of breast cups comprises a multi-way stretch lace configured to flex and stretch with the wearer.
The brassiere of claim 2, wherein at least one of the front fabric portion or the pair of side wings comprises the multi-way stretch lace.
The brassiere of claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the multi-way stretch lace comprises nylon and spandex, and forms a jacquard lace; and optionally, wherein the multi-way stretch lace comprises at least 80% recycled nylon.
The brassiere of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the elastic band comprises at least one of: a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of fabric material extending between an edge of the pair of breast cups and an edge of the front fabric portion, or a ladder hemstitch comprising parallel lines of fabric material extending between an edge of the pair of breast cups and an edge of the front fabric portion.
The brassiere of any one of claims 1 to 5, comprising a tubular fabric channel coupled to an edge of the front fabric portion and positioned along at least a portion of the elastic band.
The brassiere of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the torso band comprises a stretchable elastic, and wherein the shoulder straps are flexible.
The brassiere of any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a hook and eye closure coupled to the pair of side wings, the hook and eye closure configured to connect the pair of side wings at a back of the wearer; and optionally, wherein the hook and eye closure comprises four rows of attachment loops.
The brassiere of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the pair of side wings form a U-shaped back at a back of the wearer, wherein a lower apex of the U-shaped back is longitudinally lower than an upper longitudinal edge of the pair of side wings at an underarm area of the wearer; and optionally, wherein the shoulder straps connect to the pair of side wings at upper lateral ends of the U-shaped back.
A lower torso undergarment, comprising:
a body portion comprising a multi-way stretch lace configured to at least partially encircle a wearer of the undergarment and to flex and stretch with the wearer, the body portion defining an upper longitudinal edge that forms a waist opening, a first lower longitudinal edge that forms a first leg opening, and a second lower longitudinal edge that forms a second leg opening, the body portion comprising:
a front fabric portion;

a rear fabric portion;

a first side fabric portion connected to a first side edge of the front fabric portion with a first elastic band along the first side edge; and

a second side fabric portion connected to a second side edge of the front fabric portion with a second elastic band along the second side edge; and

a waistband coupled to the body portion at the upper longitudinal edge of the body portion, the waistband configured to encircle a wearer of the undergarment.
The lower torso undergarment of claim 10, wherein the first elastic band extends from the upper longitudinal edge to the first lower longitudinal edge and between the front fabric portion and the first side fabric portion, and wherein the second elastic band extends from the upper longitudinal edge to the second lower longitudinal edge and between the front fabric portion and the second side fabric portion.
The lower torso undergarment of claim 10 or claim 11, wherein the first elastic band comprises at least one of: a crossed lattice pattern of intersecting diagonal lines of fabric material extending between the first side edge of the front fabric portion and an edge of the first side fabric portion, or a ladder hemstitch comprising parallel lines of fabric material extending between the first side edge of the front fabric portion and an edge of the first side fabric portion.
The lower torso undergarment of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein at least one of the front fabric portion, the rear fabric portion, the first side fabric portion, or the second side fabric portion comprise the multi-way stretch lace; and optionally, wherein all of the front fabric portion, the rear fabric portion, the first side fabric portion, and the second side fabric portion comprise the multi-way stretch lace.
A method of manufacturing an undergarment, the method comprising:
knitting a body portion formed of a multi-way stretch lace configured to flex and stretch with a wearer of the undergarment;

attaching an elastic band between a first edge of a first fabric portion of the body portion and a second edge of a second fabric portion of the body portion; and

attaching a torso band to the body portion, the torso band configured to at least partially encircle a wearer of the undergarment.
The method of claim 14, wherein the undergarment is a brassiere, and attaching the elastic band between the first edge and the second edge comprises attaching the elastic band between a pair of breast cups and a front fabric portion and along a lower contour of the pair of breast cups; and optionally, further comprising connecting shoulder straps to the body portion about upper ends of the pair of breast cups, the shoulder straps configured to extend over shoulders of the wearer.