ES2916838T3 - Bra with first and second sides separated and method of manufacturing the same - Google Patents

Abstract

A brassiere including respective first and second sides each adapted to fit respective breasts; Each side includes a cup tailored to fit a predetermined cup size; a hook-free shoulder strap; and a fastening strap capable of attaching the bra to a body in use, wherein the fastening strap includes a plurality of slots that can be activated by a hook located at one end of the strap to thereby adjust the size of the bra to each user. (Automatic translation with Google Translate, without legal value)

Description

DESCRIPTION

Fastener with separate first and second sides and manufacturing method thereof

The present invention relates to improvements in or relating to fasteners.

It is common for women to wear a bra. There are many different types, sizes and models. Some bras are more comfortable than others. Some bras fit and some don't. Some bras are easy to put on and some are not, especially when arm movement is inhibited in one way or another.

One particular problem that bra designers and manufacturers do not address well is the fact that one breast can often be a different size than the other. This usually means that the cup size for each breast is different. This can be a natural phenomenon or it can be caused by the removal of breasts or lumps in case of illness. Whatever the reason, women have long been searching for a comfortable bra that solves some or all of the problems associated with today's bras.

Bras having different cup sizes for each breast have been proposed, for example in WO2014089762. While they solve some problems, these bras are uncomfortable, difficult to adjust, and difficult to put on.

US2014/087625 discloses an appliance comprising a bra panel comprising multiple underlying pump panels, wherein the bra panel is attached via a removable connection to an elastic shoulder strap of the appliance; whereby separation of the bra panel at the separable connection thus exposes a nursing breast. The apparatus further comprises an outermost crossing cover panel attached via a panel connector to a lower elastic band of the apparatus; so disconnecting the crossover cover panel at the panel connector exposes the multiple underlying pumping panels for hands-free pumping. In another embodiment, disconnection of the crossover cover panel at the panel connector exposes a nursing panel. Advantageously, the apparatus described herein is designed with adjustable outermost cross cover panels to accommodate fluctuations in breast size and as a convenient and functional reminder to alternate breasts when pumping and/or nursing. .

Document EP1005799A1 discloses the preamble of claim 1. It discloses a right-left split type bra for protecting and shaping right and left breasts separately, comprising: a cup portion 11 for protecting and shaping one of the breasts; the band part 12 is connected to a lower part of the cup part 11 and adapted to support the cup part when passing once around a breast; and a shoulder strap 13 which is attached at one end thereof to an upper part of the cup part and at the other end thereof to the back band part after passing over the shoulder. An additional pad is provided in the cup portion to complement a breast augmentation.

The present invention attempts to solve at least some of the problems associated with the prior art.

Some of the issues addressed are listed below. Bras are difficult to put on, especially if the wearer is older or has some kind of disability. Some wearers place the bra at the back, but this requires their arms to be flexible enough. Some wearers place their bra in the front and then rotate the bra around the body. At least with plus size bras, the twisting method is practically impossible.

The bras include a back wing on each side. The back wings are made of strong fabric that usually covers a small area to attach the side cup to the clasp that will attach the bra band. Constraints on the hook and eye force the pattern maker to rely on the length and quality of the strap for any stability. This usually means that the strap is stiff and can dig into the shoulder.

There are usually two or three hooks and eyelets depending on the width of the band. Most bras have multiple adjustment positions so that the tightness of the bra can be adjusted. Therefore, the distance varies from 4 cm for 3 positions to 6 cm for a maximum adjustment in 5 positions (ie for a maternity bra). It is advisable, when buying a bra, to fasten the bra with the closest combination of hook and eye. This means that there may be a variation of up to 4.5 cm in the length of the bra band for different users. One problem with this is that it will not guarantee the wearer a "tight fit" and this is likely to get worse when the band starts to "sag" over time. The nature of the band causes the bra to widen several inches over time. This could be made worse by twisting. Farther bras may work in the future, but can lead to squeezing and discomfort.

The standard bra closure is made up of one or more small metal hooks and corresponding metal eyelets. These can be difficult to hold, especially if they are not visible. Standard hook and eye is made up of 1 to 4 rows and 1 to 5 columns and misalignment is common. The more rows, the tighter the bra grips the body. Users who have arthritis and the like may be unable to put on a standard bra without assistance.

A standard bra is laced at the center front to guide the wearer's breast to find its place in the volume area of the cup. The center front is usually beautiful and factories are working hard to make a perfect symmetrical bra with a perfect center front which is very difficult to sew, especially with bras that have large cups. Often part of the breast can be seen at the neckline and unless the wearer is perfectly symmetrical in terms of breast size, the difference in size is often noticeable. Many users do not like this and take steps to lift one breast or flatten another. Standard bras simply cannot correct the lack of symmetry for almost all wearers. This can be even more significant if the user has undergone some type of breast surgery,

The invention is defined in the independent claims. Various optional features of the invention are defined in the dependent claims.

Reference will now be made by way of example to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is an enlarged front view of a first side of a fastener, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2a is a front view of a first side of a fastener on a body, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2b is a front view of a second side of a fastener on a body, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a front view of a first side and a second side of a fastener, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4a is a rear view of a first side of a fastener on a body, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4b is a rear view of a second side of a fastener on a body, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 is a rear view of a first side and a second side of a fastener on a body, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 6 is a view of a lower infinity band used to secure bra sides to the wearer, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 7 is a front view of the first side and the second side of a fastener for a narrow bosom frame, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 8 is a front view of a first side and a second side of a bra for a wide-bosom frame, according to an embodiment of the present invention; Y

Figures 9a to 9d show top and bottom views to show the fit of the bra according to an embodiment of the present invention (9a and 9b) compared to a standard bra (9c and 9d).

The present invention relates to a bra having two separate sides, one for each breast. The two separate sides can be of different sizes to accommodate women who have breasts of different cup sizes.

Referring to Figure 1, a first bra side 100 is illustrated. The bra side includes a cup 102, a shoulder strap 104, a back panel or back, and a bottom infinity band 106 for fastening the bra to the wearer. .

The bra is made up of two bra sides, each with a different cup size if needed. There are other bras that have two sides, these have many disadvantages and in many cases are difficult to use and put on. The manner in which a person can put on the bra according to the present invention is described below.

The bra cup can be measured according to known sizes, such as A, D, C, D, DD, etc. The cup is made of a soft material, such as microfiber cloth, that can be placed on the breast in an optimal position for each user. There are no wires to poke into the wearer's flesh, which can be very uncomfortable, especially for larger women. By having the correct cup size for each breast, the cup will fit your breast as closely as possible and keep it in place. There will be no sagging of the bra and no poor fit of each cup. The cup can be sewn or molded in a microfiber material.

The shoulder strap is a fixed length as the cup size is correct and the wearer does not need to shorten or lengthen the shoulder strap in order to fit an ill-fitting cup size as is the case with many previously existing fasteners. In addition, since there is no need to adjust the length of the strap, there is no need for an adjustment mechanism on the shoulder strap. This makes the bra more comfortable and much Less complicated to use and adjust. In addition, there is a saving in manufacturing costs and time since it is not necessary to add a shoulder strap adjustment mechanism to the bra. The reason the strap does not fit is due in part to the back panel, or back, being wide enough to maintain balance control of the bra and prevent the strap from digging into the wearer.

Since the wearer can purchase different cup sizes for each breast, the final bra is completely adaptable to the right size for both breasts. It is no longer necessary to have a bra that is sagging on one side because it is too big for the size of the breasts on that side. Users can now have a bra that fits perfectly, even if there is a big difference in cup size from one breast to another.

Figure 2a shows the first fastener side in place on a body. Shoulder strap 104 extends over the shoulder. Cup 102 is placed over the breast. The lower infinity band 106 extends around the body below the breast and is attached by hook 108 to one of the slots 110. Figure 2b shows the position of a second fastener side on the body.

Figure 3 shows a front view of a wearer wearing both a right and left side of a bra, where each side is substantially as shown in Figures 1, 2a and 2b, except that one side of a bra is for the right side and the other for the left side. Each of the RHS and LHS sides is attached under the opposite arm by a respective hook that engages in a respective slot.

To put on the bra, the wearer will first put on the first side of the bra by screwing the bra onto the arm. The bra side is then closed and the second side is then similarly positioned and closed. Which side is placed first is not important and depends on the preferences of the user.

The bra of the present invention has been separated into two pieces to allow the flexibility of having two different cup sizes, but also to fit the breast and/or any prosthesis that the user wishes to use, without limitations.

The method by which the bra is donned is now described in greater detail and is believed to offer an easy and ergonomic way of donning a bra. In addition, the bra is easy to put on even if the wearer has had recent surgery or has movement problems caused by age or disability.

The user selects the desired cup size for each part of the bra. The lower band is attached to the front or side of the breast opposite the one to be worn with the cup. The binding can be as loose or tight as the wearer wishes. If the bra includes underwire, the underwire is already in place and does not need to be twisted or bent to fit under the breast. There are no hassles. The user puts her arm inside the armhole: the fact that there is only one cup facilitates this movement and the user can easily put her arm through the armhole. The user then adjusts the breast and center front as needed. If necessary, the tension of the band can be adjusted if necessary. The other side of the bra fits the same way.

The fact that the bra does not have strap adjusters means that you do not need to adjust the length of the strap. As will become clear below, the shape, shape and fabric of the bra back and the specific special composition of the strap play an important role in the "balance" of the bra.

The back bra wings are a continuation of the front cup coverage. Straps that are placed in a predetermined area, compared to traditional bras, means that the bra will be less painful on the shoulders. The back wing covers enough of the back to "grab" the body and adds to the balance of the bra. The rear spoiler can be made of breathable microfiber with a high percentage of elastane.

The strap is soft and not hard and rigid as is often the case with traditional bras. The strap is made of a special material that will prevent the breasts from bouncing when the wearer walks, but will appear softer and more forgiving when the wearer is not moving. The straps can be made from a combination of microfiber and elastane, for example Fiber JMR. The shape and material of the strap means that the strap does not dig into the shoulders.

As mentioned above, the bra makes use of a so-called infinity strap to close the bra around the body. There is no fixed hook and eye closure. Instead, the band is very flexible from a sizing standpoint, and a bra will fit many different sizes, as described in more detail elsewhere. The body strap has been created as a special slotted strap that can be hooked at any point along its length. This closure system helps the user to put on the bra in a first step by closing the bra in the front area, passing the opposite arm through the armhole with ease and then adjusting the tension of the band as necessary when the breast is in its position. place. The closure is flexible, which means that the user does not need to "squeeze" her body. The bra is well adjusted and once adjusted in the first place, it will stay in that orientation for as long as it is needed.

The bra has a non-metallic hook for each cup and an infinity band comprising a plurality of slits (replacing the buttonhole function in a traditional bra) that are spaced along the band every few millimeters. This can result in not having to manufacture different sizes of bands and avoiding many hooks. This can be achieved by virtue of the fact that the shape and form of the front and back bra and the special strap make the fit and balance without having to "squeeze" the wearer by means of an underband such as a standard bra would. The hook has been designed to be ergonomic, easy to grip and screw into any slot, without having to look. This means that the wearer can fasten the bra without also looking. The hook has also been developed to be made of a non-metallic material to allow the wearer to keep the bra on for any medical examination or screening. An example of a suitable material for the hook is a resin-type material or a plastic material.

As can be seen further in Figure 3, there is no "center front" on the fastener. Generally, all bras include a center front, however small or large, depending on the exact nature of the bra. The center front defines a predetermined space between the two breasts and forces the breasts to be in a position defined by the bra, which may not be natural or comfortable. Again, this is a limitation of today's bras, as not all women have the same space between their breasts. If the center front is the wrong length, it can be uncomfortable. By not having a center front, the bra of the present invention can be tailored to fit wearers who have different spaces between the two breasts. This is clearly another advantage of this bra over the prior art. Also, there is an additional advantage of not having a central front; there is still additional savings in terms of the manufacturing process, as joining a center front between the cups is an additional manufacturing step that is complicated and time consuming and requires additional material.

Since the bra doesn't have a center front, it addresses one of the many frustrations with standard bras. Without a pre-tied center front, the wearer can position the bra cups over the breast and/or prosthesis as desired, without much restriction. Without the pre-ligated center front, the wearer can choose two different cup sizes or mix and match different types (with or without a prosthesis pocket) or even colors. Without the center front pre-attached, the wearer can hook a specially designed removable hook on her lower band to feel secure throughout the day.

Another important feature of the bra that distinguishes it from known bras is that since it does not have a center front, there is no space between the breasts. As each breast is encased with a single cup half bra. This has more advantages. The space between the breasts in a traditional bra can easily become damp due to perspiration. This can be so intense that the traditional bra wearer is forced to place a tissue or other absorbent material in the space between the breasts to absorb perspiration. This can be uncomfortable and unsightly. The fact that there is no center front in the bra of the present invention means that it provides a cover for each breast completely around the breast and there is no space between the two breasts that is not retained in the respective cup. This means there is no space for perspiration to collect. The material in this area of the present invention can be further adapted, if necessary, to be more absorbent in order to cope with any residual perspiration that may occur. This is shown in figures 9a.

Another added benefit of not having a center front is that this lack of space between the breasts means that the breasts are better supported and move less when the wearer moves. This is particularly relevant to movement of the breast in a lateral direction, but can apply to any movement. As a result, there is less stress on the back and shoulders due to the weight of the breasts and the momentum caused by the movement of the breasts. The result is that the bra of the present invention provides more balance and comfort than traditional bras, and the wearer is much less likely to experience back strain and shoulder pain. This is especially true for women with large breasts.

Referring to Figures 9a and 9b, when viewed from above and below, the bra of the present invention has no gaps between the bra and the body. From above, the crossing of the two cups substantially encloses the two breasts separately and there are no gaps between the breasts when viewed from above. This looks more attractive than a substantial space between the breasts for users with large breasts and is much more comfortable than squeezing the breasts to produce a large "cleavage". While many wearers would like to have a good cleavage, it is often very uncomfortable and there is a sense of relief when the wearer removes her bra.

From below, with a traditional bra, there is often a gap between the lower strap and the body below the breasts. This means that the bra is not holding the breasts in the correct position. The bra of the present invention does not have this problem and the infinity strap is flush with the body along its length even under the breasts where traditional bras may have gaps. The bra of the present invention thus provides full support for the breast in all directions without causing any discomfort to the wearer. Views similar to 9a and 9b for a standard bra are shown in Figures 9c and 9d, in order to highlight the vast difference in fit using a standard bra as opposed to the bra according to the present invention. Molding the bra of the present invention to conform to the breasts results in a considerably more comfortable and better fitting garment, as can be seen in Figures 9a and 9b.

Figures 4a and 4b show the back of the first and second sides when worn by the user. There is a back or for each side of the bra which makes the bra comfortable to wear. The back part is made of a suitable microfiber and can be lined with a breathable mesh to be able to adhere to the back. This helps with the natural balance of the bra and prevents the bra from slipping. Figure 5 shows the two sides together from behind and shows an overlap 114.

Figure 6 shows the lower infinity band or tie strap 106 in more detail and shows the generally desired position of the hook 108 when engaged with a slot 110. For optimum comfort and ease of fastener-side closure, the hook is hooks into a slot under the arm or on the side of the wearer's breast, opposite the breast for which the bra side is to be used. This can be done blindly and with one arm and the wearer does not need to twist and turn to put on the bra. In a preferred embodiment, the hook is not made of metal and is made of a plastic material or a resin.

The bottom infinity band includes a plurality of slots therealong. The lower infinity band 106 includes a hook 108 that can engage with one of the plurality of slots 110 located along the lower infinity band 106. The lower infinity band is made from a combination of microfiber and elastic yarn that provides a slight pressure on the body and keeps the bra in the same place throughout the day.

The size of the lower infinity band 106 is regulated by the position of the hook along it in the slot 110 most suitable for the person in question. For a size Large, the bottom infinity band is longer than for a Short size, this is determined by the wearer after the bra is purchased, and the infinity band below is cut to size to avoid excessive overlap. The bottom infinity band includes one or more markings indicating where the cut should be made based on the wearer's normal size. For example, if a user has a size 95B for one breast and 95C for the other, the user can purchase a cup side B and a cup side C for the breast in question and then cut the bottom infinity band to the breast marker. 95 cm on both sides. The user cuts to any suitable length based on the users' own comfort and tightness requirements. It is not necessary to cut the band to size for different cup sizes as the length of the infinity band under the cup will be different for different cup sizes and as a result will be adequate to fit the wearer without the need for adjustment additional. The lower infinity band ensures that the fit is completely personalized.

The infinity strap can be adapted to provide more than one hook for added security and comfort. The additional hook may be located in a location other than the end of the strap, for example, in the front near the center of the wearer's breast, in a location below the breast, or in any other convenient location.

By using the infinity band below the band 106, bra manufacturers can make a one size bra side for each cup size of each breast. In this way, manufacturing costs can be significantly reduced. The only thing that changes from one bra side to the next is the cup size and whether the breast is on the right or left side.

Figures 7 and 8 show the bra of the present invention in a narrow cleavage structure and a wide cleavage structure, respectively, showing two morphologies having the same size and a different shape. The amount of overlap of the two sides is different for each situation. This further shows the adaptability of the fastener of the present invention and the reason the center front has been omitted.

Each fastener side of a fastener according to the present invention is manufactured according to the independent method of claim 4.

The present invention has been described by way of examples and as defined in the claims.

Claims (5)

Claims 1. A bra including respective first and second separate sides (100) each adapted to fit respective breasts; each side (100) including a cup (102) adapted to fit a predetermined cup size; a shoulder strap (104); and a tie strap (106) capable of fixing the bra side (100) to a body in use, wherein the tie strap (106) includes a plurality of slots (110) engageable by a hook (108). ) located at one end of the connecting strap (106) to thus regulate the size of the bra side (100) for each user, also including a rear part to balance the bra side (100) and keep it in place; Y wherein the bra does not include a center front between the cups (102) so that the bra can be tailored to fit wearers who have different spaces between the two breasts; wherein the sides of the bra (100) overlap at the front thereof to different degrees depending on the spacing of the breasts; wherein each bra side (100) includes a back flap that is integral with the shoulder strap (104) such that there is no adjustment of the shoulder strap; wherein the shoulder strap (104) has a fixed length; Y characterized in that the connecting strap (106) includes a series of marks in order to indicate a location in which to cut the connecting strap for different sizes of bra. 2. The bra of claim 1, further including each bra side (100) having the same or different cup size. The bra of any preceding claim, wherein each bra side (100) is wire free. A method for separately manufacturing each bra side (100) of a bra according to any preceding claim, the method comprising the steps of: make a cup (102) of a predetermined cup size; attaching the cup (102) to a back wing via a shoulder strap (104) at an upper portion of the cup (102); attaching the cup (102) to a tie strap (106) at the base of the cup (102); attaching the rear wing at a predetermined location on the tie rod (106); wherein the tie strap (106) is capable of attaching the fastener side (100) to a body in use; wherein the tie strap (106) includes a plurality of slots (110) engageable by a hook (108) located at one end of the tie strap (106) to thereby adjust the size of the fastener side (100) for each user; in which the back balances the fastener side (100) and holds it in place; wherein the bra does not include a center front between the cups (102) so that the bra can be tailored to fit wearers who have different spaces between the two breasts; wherein the sides of the bra (100) overlap at the front thereof to different degrees depending on the spacing of the breasts; wherein each bra side (100) includes a back flap that is integral with the shoulder strap (104) such that there is no adjustment of the shoulder strap; wherein the shoulder strap (104) has a fixed length; Y characterized in that the connecting strap (106) includes a series of markings for the purpose of indicating a location in which to cut the connecting strap (106) for different sizes of bra. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein each bra side (100) has the same or a different cup size.