GB2624923A - A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere - Google Patents
A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- GB2624923A GB2624923A GB2218037.6A GB202218037A GB2624923A GB 2624923 A GB2624923 A GB 2624923A GB 202218037 A GB202218037 A GB 202218037A GB 2624923 A GB2624923 A GB 2624923A
- Authority
- GB
- United Kingdom
- Prior art keywords
- cup
- panel
- brassiere
- hook
- edge
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 18
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 claims description 19
- 101150038956 cup-4 gene Proteins 0.000 claims 1
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 abstract 1
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 description 18
- 210000000038 chest Anatomy 0.000 description 10
- 229920000742 Cotton Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 239000000853 adhesive Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000001070 adhesive effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 2
- 238000009958 sewing Methods 0.000 description 2
- 206010040880 Skin irritation Diseases 0.000 description 1
- 210000000481 breast Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000344 non-irritating Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000036556 skin irritation Effects 0.000 description 1
- 231100000475 skin irritation Toxicity 0.000 description 1
- 230000003319 supportive effect Effects 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C3/00—Brassieres
- A41C3/02—Brassieres with front closures
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41F—GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS
- A41F1/00—Fastening devices specially adapted for garments
- A41F1/006—Brassiére fasteners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41B—SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41B2300/00—Details of shirts, underwear, baby linen or handkerchiefs not provided for in other groups of this subclass
- A41B2300/30—Closures
- A41B2300/32—Closures using hook and loop-type fasteners
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Corsets Or Brassieres (AREA)
Abstract
A bra comprises a left cup 30, a right cup 20 and a central gore 50 comprising a hook-and-pile (AKA hook and loop) fastener to retain the cups relative to each other, the gore comprising a left panel 70 connected to the left cup, a right panel 60 connected to the right cup, the panels comprising one of a hook surface and a loop surface respectively such that when the panels are overlapped and pressed together the fastener is engaged. Preferably the cups comprise underwires (figure 4) and each panel is secured by being sandwiched in layers which form an underwire channel. Preferably the free edge of the left panel is shaped to match the right cup and vice versa (figure 3). Also claimed is a method of manufacture.
Description
A BRASSIERE AND METHOD OF FORMING A BRASSIERE
Technical Field
The present invention relates to brassieres, also known as bras.
Background
Brassieres typically have an elastic chest band that wraps around a user's torso in use. Free ends of the chest band are usually fastened to one another at a rear of the user's torso to secure the brassiere in place. It can be difficult and/or uncomfortable for a user to fasten the free ends together behind them.
Left and right cups of a brassiere are held together at a front of the user's torso by a centre gore. For a brassiere to be comfortable and supportive, the centre gore preferentially rests against the skin between the user's breasts. The centre gore must be strong enough to hold the brassiere in place, and be non-irritating to the user's skin.
Placing one or more fasteners at the centre gore of a brassiere can present problems, such as discomfort if the fastener contacts the user's skin, the risk of the front fastener unintentionally releasing under forces applied to the centre gore when the brassiere is worn, and/or the fastener being visible beneath clothing worn over the brassiere.
Summary
According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a brassiere comprising: a left cup and a right cup; and a centre gore located between the left and right cups and having a hook-and-pile fastener to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, the hook-and-pile fastener comprising: a left panel attached to an inner edge of the left cup; and a right panel attached to an inner edge of the right cup; wherein one of the left and right panels has a plurality of hooks disposed on a hook surface thereof, and the other of the left and right panels has a plurality of loops disposed on a loop surface thereof, the plurality of hooks configured to releasably engage with the plurality of loops when the left panel and the right panel are overlapped with each other and the hook surface and the loop surface are pressed together.
Providing the central gore at the front of the brassiere and with the hook-andpile fastener, also known as a hook-and-loop fastener, provides a secure, intuitive, durable, and yet easily securable and releasable, way to hold the left and right cups in place relative to one another.
The brassiere may comprise a left seam at the inner edge of the left cup and a right seam at the inner edge of the right cup, each of the left and right seams being at an interface between front and rear members of the respective cup. An attachment edge of the left panel may be sandwiched between the front and rear members of the left cup at the left seam, and/or an attachment edge of the right panel may be sandwiched between the front and rear members of the right cup at the right seam.
Such a construction may provide a more secure connection between the left and right panels of the central gore and the respective left or right cup. In turn, this may more securely hold the left and right cups in place relative to one another. In known hook-and-pile fasteners, an edge of a surface on which the plurality of hooks or the plurality of 1 oops are disposed may be relatively rough and irritate skin of a user in close contact with the edge. Accordingly, sandwiching an attachment edge of the left and/or right panel between front and rear members of the respective cup may provide a more comfortable brassiere.
Each of the hooks of the plurality of hooks may have a height of 3mm or less from the hook surface. Each of the hooks of the plurality of hooks may have a height of 2mm or less, or lmm or less from the hook surface. Each of the loops of the plurality of loops may have a height of 3mm or less from the loop surface. Each of the loops of the plurality of loops may have a height of 2mm or less, or lmm or less from the loop surface.
The plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops may be disposed on respective fabrics that are attached, for example adhered and/or sewn, to the respective left or right panel. Attachment edges of the respective fabrics may also be sandwiched between front and rear members of the respective cup to help provide a more secure and comfortable brassiere.
The left cup may comprise a left channel and a left underwire disposed in the left channel. The right cup may comprise a right channel and a right undenvire disposed in the right channel. The front and rear members of the respective left and right cups may define the respective left and right channels therebetween, and the left seam may be disposed at an exposed edge of each of the front and rear members of the left channel, and the right seam may be disposed at an exposed edge of each of the front and rear members of the right cup. This may provide a secure and comfortable connection between the cups and the panels.
When the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, the hook surface may be an outer surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels and the loop surface may be an inner surface of an outermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels. The plurality of hooks is typically coarser than the plurality of loops. By arranging the central gore such that the hook surface is an outer surface of the innermost panel, the plurality of hooks face away from the skin of a person wearing the brassiere, which may help to reduce the change of skin irritation caused by the hook-and-pile fastener.
The plurality of hooks and/or the plurality of loops may cover at least 90% of the respective hook or loop surface. This may help to increase the force required to release the fabrics from each other, which may provide a more secure brassiere. This may also help to accommodate an amount of misalignment between the left and right panels when securing the hook-and-pile fastener.
Each of the left panel and the right panel may have an upper edge and a lower edge. The lower edge of each of the left and right cups is closer to a base of the respective cup than the upper edge of the respective cup. The lower edge of each of the left and right cups may be longer than the respective upper edge. This may help to maximise an area of each of the panels, and thus the area covered by the plurality of hooks and plurality of loops. In turn, this may increase the force required to release the hook-and-pile fastener, which may decrease the chance of unintended unfastening of the brassiere.
When the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, an inner surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels may be formed from the same material as an inner lining material of the left and right cups. This may provide a more comfortable brassiere since the material may be suitable for use in close contact with skin.
When the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, an outer surface of an outermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels may be formed from the same material as an outer lining material of the left and right cups. Accordingly, the outer surface of the outermost panel may aesthetically match an outer look of the brassiere. The hook-and-pile fastener may be the only releasable fastener provided in the brassiere for donning and doffing the brassiere. This may permit a simpler and more comfortable brassiere construction. For example, the brassiere may also comprise a chest band configured to extend around a torso of the user and join the left cup to the right cup. The chest band may comprise a single length of material and be fixed at either end to the left and right cup respectively.
A free edge of the left panel may substantially match a shape of the inner edge of the right cup and/or a free edge of the right panel may substantially match a shape of the inner edge of the left cup. This may help to ensure that the left and right panels can be fully overlapped with each other, which may help to increase the area over which the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops engage with one another, which may increase the force required to release the hook-and-pile fastener, which, in turn, may decrease the chance of unintended unfastening of the brassiere. This may also help to ensure that the hook-and-pile fastener is not easily visible when the brassiere is in use. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of forming a brassiere, the method comprising: providing a left cup and a right cup; providing a centre gore having a hook-and-pile fastener, the hook-and-pile fastener comprising a left panel and a right panel, wherein one of the left and right panels has a plurality of hooks disposed on a hook surface thereof, and the other of the left and right panels has a plurality of loops disposed on a loop surface thereof; and attaching the left panel to an inner edge of the left cup and the right panel to an inner edge of the right cup, in such a way that, the left and right panels are able to be overlapped with each other with the hook surface facing the loop surface.
Such a method may result in a brassiere that may be securely, intuitively, durably and easily secured and released.
The attaching the left panel to the inner edge of the left cup may comprise sandwiching the respective left panel between front and rear members of the left cup at a seam at the inner edge of the left cup. The attaching the right panel to the inner edge of the right cup may comprise sandwiching the right panel between front and rear members of the right cup at a seam at the inner edge of the right cup. This may provide a more secure connection between the left and right panels and the respective left and right cups.
The attaching of the left and right panels to the respective left and right cups may comprise attaching the left and right panels to the respective left and right cups such that the hook surface is an outer surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels and the loop surface is an inner surface of an outermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels. This may help to ensure that the plurality of hooks, which are typically coarser than the plurality of loops, face away from the skin of a user when the brassiere is worn.
Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description of preferred embodiments of the invention, given by way of example only, which is made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Brief Description of the Drawings
Figure 1 shows a front view of a brassiere according to an example, the brassiere in a fastened configuration; Figure 2 shows a front view of the brassiere of Figure 1 in an unfastened configuration, Figure 3 shows a front view of a central gore of the brassiere of Figure 1 in an unfastened configuration; Figure 4 shows a perspective view of a connection between a panel of a central gore, and cup of a brassiere, according to an example; Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a connection between a panel of a central gore, and cup of an underwired brassiere, according to an example and Figure 6 is a flowchart depicting a method according to an example.
Detailed Description
A brassiere 10 according to an example is shown in Figures 1 and 2. The terms left and right used herein are with reference to when looking at the brassiere 10 from the front, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, rather than from the perspective of the wearer.
The brassiere 10 has a left cup 20, a right cup 30, a chest band 40 that extends from the left cup 20 to the right cup 30 (and would extend around a rear of a torso of a person wearing the brassiere 10, in use), and a central gore 10 between and connecting the left cup 20 and the right cup 30.
A left shoulder strap 22 extends from a first end, connected to an apex 21 of the left cup 20, to a second end, connected to the chest band 40. A right shoulder strap 32 extends from a first end, connected to an apex 31 of the right cup 30, to a second end, connected to the chest band 40. Although not shown in this example, the shoulder straps 22, 32 are adjustable in length in other examples. In other examples, the shoulder straps may be omitted and/or may connect to each other.
The chest band 40 is a single length of elasticated material having a left end 42 fixed to an outer edge 26 of the left cup 20 and a right end 44 fixed to an outer edge 36 of the right cup 30.
In order to facilitate donning and doffing of the brassiere 10, the central gore 50 comprises a left panel 60 connected to an inner edge 28 of the left cup 20, and a right panel 70 connected to an inner edge 38 of the right cup 30. Together, the left and right panels 60, 70 form a releasable hook-and-pile fastener 80: a plurality of hooks 82 are disposed on an outer surface, or hook surface, 62 of the left panel 60 and a plurality of loops 84 are disposed on an inner surface, or loop surface, 72 of the right panel 70. Figure 3 shows a front view of the left panel 60 and a folded front view of the right panel 70, with both of the respective hook and loop surfaces 62, 72 visible. Known hook-and-pile fasteners include Vel cre.
In this example, the plurality of hooks 82 are disposed on a hook fabric 86 that is fixed, in this example sewn, to the outer surface 62 of the left panel 60. In other examples the hook fabric 86 may be fixed to the outer surface 62 in any other suitable way, for example with adhesive. Each of the hooks 82 have a height of around 1.5mm from the hook fabric 86 in this example. The plurality of hooks 82 cover substantially all of the hook fabric 86 and are uniformly distributed across the hook fabric 86. The hook fabric 86 covers all of the outer surface 62 of the left panel 60 other than a relatively small margin 61 around the edges of the outer surface 62. In other examples, the plurality of hooks 82 are disposed directly on the left panel 60.
In this example, the plurality of loops 84 are disposed on a loop fabric 88 that is fixed, in this example sewn, to the inner surface 72 of the right panel 70. In other examples the loop fabric 88 may be fixed to the inner surface 72 in any other suitable way, for example with adhesive. Each of the loops 84 have a height of around 1.5mm from the loop fabric 88 in this example. The plurality of loops 84 cover substantially all of the loop fabric 88. The plurality of loops 84 cover all of the inner surface 72 of the right panel 70 other than a relatively small margin 71 around the edges of the inner surface 72. In other examples, the plurality of loops 84 are disposed directly on the right panel 70.
The left panel 60 has an inner surface (not visible in the Figures) opposite the outer surface 62 and the inner surface faces the skin of a wearer when the brassiere 10 is worn. The inner surface is formed from the same material as a material of an inner lining 24 of the left and right cups 20, 30, which in this example is cotton. In other examples, the material of the inner surface may be different to the inner lining material. The right panel 70 has an outer surface 73 opposite the inner surface 72 and the outer surface 73 faces away from the wearer when the brassiere 10 is worn. The outer surface 73 is formed from the same material as a material of an outer lining 25, 35 of the left and right cups 20, 30, which in this example is also cotton. In other examples, the material of the outer surface 73 may be different to the outer lining material. The left and right panels 60, 70 in this example have substantially the same shape. In this example the left and right panels 60, 70 are trapezoid. The left and right panels 60, 70 each have a free end 64, 74 and an attachment edge 65, 75 at an opposite end to the free end 64, 74. In this example, the free ends 64, 74 and the attachment edges 65, 75 are curved, but may be any other suitable shape in other examples, such as straight.
The free ends 64, 74 each have a curved shape that corresponds to the shape of the inner edge 28, 38 of the opposing cup 20, 30 to which that panel 60, 70 is attached at the attachment edge 64, 74, so that the hook-and-pile fastener 80 is substantially hidden when the left and right panels 60, 70 are correctly aligned and overlapped with each other. Accordingly, an upper edge 66, 76 of each panel 60, 70, as viewed in Figures 1-3, has a lesser length than a lower edge 67, 77 of the respective panel 60, 70.
The attachment edge 65, 75 of each panel 60, 70 is fixed to the inner edge 28, 38 of the respective cup 20, 30, as best shown in Figure 4, which shows part of the inner edge 28 of the left cup 20 of the brassiere 10. Although described herein with reference to the left cup 20 and the left panel 60, the features shown in and described with reference to Figure 4 are also applicable to the right cup 30 and the right panel 70. The left cup 20 comprises an inner, rear lining 24 and an outer, front lining 25, which are sewn together at a seam 29 that extends along the inner edge 28. The attachment edge 65 is sandwiched between the inner and outer linings 24, 25 at the seam 29, such that the attachment edge 65 is sewn to the left cup 20. The left panel 60 is inserted between the inner and outer linings 24, 25 to such an extent that an edge of the hook fabric 86 that is adjacent to the attachment edge 65 is also sandwiched between the inner and outer linings 24, 25 at the seam 29, such that the hook fabric 86 is also sewn to the left cup 20, as denoted by the dashed lines in Figure 4. The attachment edge 65 of the left cup 20 is shown as straight in Figure 4, for ease of reference only. In other examples, at least two of the inner and outer linings 24, 25, the left panel 60 and the hook fabric 86 are additionally, or alternatively, adhered to each other at the seam 29.
When donning the brassiere 10, a wearer places their arms through gaps between the respective left and right shoulder straps 22, 32 and the chest band 40. The wearer then pulls the left and right panels 60, 70 together at the front of their chest to correctly align the left and right cups 20, 30. Finally, the wearer lies the right panel 70 over the left panel 60 so that the plurality of hooks 82 on the outer, hook surface 62 of the left panel 60 engage with the plurality of loops 84 on the inner, loop surface 72 of the right panel 70 to hold the cups 20, 30 in place relative to one another. To doff the brassiere 10, the wearer can unfasten the hook-and-pile fastener 80 by pulling the left and right panels 60, 70 apart to release the plurality of hooks 82 from the plurality of loops 84. For example, the wearer may pull a free end 74 of the right panel 70 in a direction away from their torso and away from the left cup 20.
Accordingly, in a fastened configuration of the brassiere 10, the plurality of hooks 82 are disposed on the outer surface 62 of the left panel 60, which is the innermost of the left and right panels 60, 70 relative to a wearer of the brassiere 10. The plurality of loops 84 are disposed on the inner surface 72 of the right panel 70, which is the outermost of the left and right panels 60, 70 relative to a wearer of the brassiere 10. Figure 5 shows an inner edge 128 of a left cup 120 of another brassiere 110 according to an example. All features of the brassiere 110 are the same as the brassiere 100 described with reference to Figures 1 to 4, other than as described herein. Like features have the same reference number, but increased by 100. Although described herein with reference to the left cup 120 and the left panel 160, the features shown in and described with reference to Figure 5 are also applicable to the right cup 130 and the right panel 170.
In this example, the brassiere 110 is an underwired brassiere 110. An underwire 111 is disposed in an underwire casing 112, which is partially cut away in Figure 5 to show the position of the underwire 111 in the underwire casing 112. The underwire casing 112 comprises an inner elongate strip 113 and an outer elongate strip 114 connected to each other along their longitudinal edges to define a channel 115 therebetween.
An internal edge 116 of the underwire casing 112 is attached to the inner and outer linings 124, 125 of the left cup 120. In this example, the inner and outer linings 124, 125 are sandwiched between internal longitudinal edges of the elongate strips 113, 114 at an internal, sewn seam 117. An external seam 119 extends along an exposed edge 118 of the underwire casing 112 and joins together an external longitudinal edge of the elongate strips 113, 114. The attachment edge 165 of the left panel 160 is sandwiched between the elongate strips 113, 114 at the external seam 119 such that the attachment edge 165 is sewn to the left cup 120. The left panel 160 is inserted between the elongate strips 113, 114 to such an extent that an edge of the hook fabric 186 that is adjacent to the attachment edge 165 is also sandwiched between the elongate strips 113, 114 at the seam 119 such that the hook fabric 186 is also sewn to the left cup 120. The attachment edge 165 of the left cup 120 is shown as straight in Figure 4, for ease of reference only.
The brassiere 110 described with reference to Figure 5 is donned and doffed in the same manner as described with reference to the brassiere 10 shown in Figures 1-4.
Figure 6 depicts a method 200 of forming a brassiere according to an example. The brassiere may be a brassiere according to an example, such as one of the brassieres 10, 110 described with reference to Figures 1 to 5.
The method 200 comprises providing a left cup and a right cup (block 210), providing a centre gore having a hook-and-pile fastener (block 220), the hook-and-pile fastener comprising a left panel and a right panel, the left panel having a plurality of hooks disposed on a hook surface thereof, and the right panel having a plurality of loops disposed on a loop surface thereof, and attaching the left panel to an inner edge of the left cup and the right panel to an inner edge of the right cup (block 230), in such a way that, the left and right panels are able to be overlapped with each other with the hook surface facing the loop surface. Finally, the method 200 comprises pressing the hook surface against the loop surface (block 240) to cause the plurality of hooks to engage with the plurality of loops, although this may be omitted in other examples.
In this example, the left panel is attached to the inner edge of the left cup by sandwiching the left panel between front and rear members of the left cup at the inner edge of the left cup, and the method 200 comprises sewing the left panel and front and rear members together at a left seam. In other examples, the method 200 comprises additionally or alternatively adhering at least two of the left panel and front and rear members together at the seam.
In this example, the right panel is attached to the inner edge of the right cup by sandwiching the right panel between front and rear members of the right cup at the inner edge of the right cup, and the method 200 comprises sewing the right panel and front and rear members together at a right seam. In other examples, the method 200 comprises additionally or alternatively adhering at least two of the right panel and front and rear members together at the seam.
In this example, the left panel is attached to the left cup such that the hook surface is an outer surface of the left panel, and the right panel is attached to the right cup such that the loop surface is an inner surface of the right panel.
The above embodiments are to be understood as illustrative examples of the invention. Further embodiments of the invention are envisaged. For example, the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops may be disposed on the other panel of the left and right panels to that described above with reference to Figures 1-5. For example, the brassiere may be configured such that the left panel is configured to overlie the right panel in contrast to the arrangement described above with reference to Figures 1-5 in which the right panel is configured to overlie the left panel. In the illustrated examples, the hook-and-pile fastener is the only releasable fastener provided in the brassiere for donning and doffing the brassiere, but in other examples an additional releasable fastener may be provided elsewhere in the brassiere.
It is to be understood that any feature described in relation to any one embodiment may be used alone, or in combination with other features described, and may also be used in combination with one or more features of any other of the embodiments, or any combination of any other of the embodiments. Furthermore, equivalents and modifications not described above may also be employed without departing from the scope of the invention, which is defined in the accompanying claims.
Claims (13)
- CLAIMSI. A brassiere comprising: a left cup and a right cup; and a centre gore located between the left and right cups and having a hook-and-pile fastener to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, the hook-and-pile fastener comprising: a left panel attached to an inner edge of the left cup; and a right panel attached to an inner edge of the right cup, wherein one of the left and right panels has a plurality of hooks disposed on a hook surface thereof, and the other of the left and right panels has a plurality of loops disposed on a loop surface thereof, the plurality of hooks configured to releasably engage with the plurality of loops when the left panel and the right panel are overlapped with each other and the hook surface and the loop surface are pressed together.
- 2. The brassiere according to claim 1, comprising a left seam at the inner edge of the left cup and a right seam at the inner edge of the right cup, each of the left and right seams being at an interface between front and rear members of the respective cup, wherein an attachment edge of the left panel is sandwiched between the front and rear members of the left cup at the left seam, and an attachment edge of the right panel is sandwiched between the front and rear members of the right cup at the right seam.
- 3. The brassiere according to claim 2, wherein: the left cup comprises a left channel and a left underwire disposed in the left channel, the right cup comprises a right channel and a right underwire disposed in the right channel, the front and rear members of the respective left and right cups define the respective left and right channels therebetween, and the left seam is disposed at an exposed edge of each of the front and rear members of the left cup and the right seam is disposed at an exposed edge of each of the front and rear members of the right cup
- 4. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, configured so that, when the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, the hook surface is an outer surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels and the loop surface is an inner surface of an outermost panel, relative to the wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels.
- 5. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, wherein: each of the left panel and the right panel has an upper edge and a lower edge, the lower edge of each of the left and right cups is closer to a base of the respective cup than the upper edge of the respective cup, and the lower edge of each of the left and right cups is longer than the respective upper edge.
- 6. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, wherein the plurality of hooks and the plurality of loops cover at least 90% of the respective hook surface and loop surface.
- 7 The brassiere according to any preceding claim, configured so that, when the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, an inner surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels is formed from the same material as an inner lining material of the left and right cups
- 8. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, configured to that, when the plurality of hooks are engaged with the plurality of loops to retain the left cup relative to the right cup, an outer surface of an outermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels is formed from the same material as an outer lining material of the left and right cups.
- 9. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, wherein the hook-and-pile fastener is the only releasable fastener provided in the brassiere for donning and doffing the brassiere.
- 10. The brassiere according to any preceding claim, wherein a free edge of the left panel substantially matches a shape of the inner edge of the right cup and a free edge of the right panel substantially matches a shape of the inner edge of the left cup.
- 11. A method of forming a brassiere, the method comprising: providing a left cup and a right cup; providing a centre gore having a hook-and-pile fastener, the hook-and-pile fastener comprising a left panel and a right panel, wherein one of the left and right panels has a plurality of hooks disposed on a hook surface thereof, and the other of the left and right panels has a plurality of loops disposed on a loop surface thereof; and attaching the left panel to an inner edge of the left cup and the right panel to an inner edge of the right cup, in such a way that, the left and right panels are able to be overlapped with each other with the hook surface facing the loop surface.
- 12. The method according to claim 11, wherein the attaching the left panel to the inner edge of the left cup comprises sandwiching the left panel between front and rear members of the left cup at a seam at the inner edge of the left cup, and attaching the right panel to the inner edge of the right cup comprises sandwiching the right panel between front and rear members of the right cup at a seam at the inner edge of the right cup
- 13. The method according to claim 11 or claim 12, wherein the attaching the left and right panels to the respective left and right cups comprises attaching the left and right panels to the respective left and right cups such that the hook surface is an outer surface of an innermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels and the loop surface is an inner surface of an outermost panel, relative to a wearer of the brassiere, of the left and right panels.
Priority Applications (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2218037.6A GB2624923A (en) | 2022-11-30 | 2022-11-30 | A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere |
| PCT/EP2023/083473 WO2024115534A1 (en) | 2022-11-30 | 2023-11-29 | A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2218037.6A GB2624923A (en) | 2022-11-30 | 2022-11-30 | A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere |
Publications (2)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| GB202218037D0 GB202218037D0 (en) | 2023-01-11 |
| GB2624923A true GB2624923A (en) | 2024-06-05 |
Family
ID=84889453
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB2218037.6A Pending GB2624923A (en) | 2022-11-30 | 2022-11-30 | A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere |
Country Status (2)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| GB (1) | GB2624923A (en) |
| WO (1) | WO2024115534A1 (en) |
Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2177337A1 (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1997-11-25 | Yung Feng Chiang | Brassiere structure |
| US6063110A (en) * | 1997-11-19 | 2000-05-16 | Stedman; Veronica Mercia | Medical device |
| US7001240B1 (en) * | 2002-10-12 | 2006-02-21 | Huffman-Jimenez Teri A | Brassieres |
| US20140249518A1 (en) * | 2011-02-24 | 2014-09-04 | Elizabeth Chabner Thompson | Radiation Treatment Brassiere II |
Family Cites Families (3)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| FR1462298A (en) * | 1965-09-30 | 1966-04-15 | Bra refresher | |
| US7128635B1 (en) * | 2005-11-04 | 2006-10-31 | Regina Miracle International Ltd. | Molded seamless brassiere incorporating fasteners |
| US20070161329A1 (en) * | 2005-11-09 | 2007-07-12 | Christine Torrey | Brassiere Assembly with Different Cup Sizes |
-
2022
- 2022-11-30 GB GB2218037.6A patent/GB2624923A/en active Pending
-
2023
- 2023-11-29 WO PCT/EP2023/083473 patent/WO2024115534A1/en unknown
Patent Citations (4)
| Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CA2177337A1 (en) * | 1996-05-24 | 1997-11-25 | Yung Feng Chiang | Brassiere structure |
| US6063110A (en) * | 1997-11-19 | 2000-05-16 | Stedman; Veronica Mercia | Medical device |
| US7001240B1 (en) * | 2002-10-12 | 2006-02-21 | Huffman-Jimenez Teri A | Brassieres |
| US20140249518A1 (en) * | 2011-02-24 | 2014-09-04 | Elizabeth Chabner Thompson | Radiation Treatment Brassiere II |
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| GB202218037D0 (en) | 2023-01-11 |
| WO2024115534A1 (en) | 2024-06-06 |
Similar Documents
| Publication | Publication Date | Title |
|---|---|---|
| CN106686998B (en) | Back winding type bra | |
| US7695343B2 (en) | Brassiere | |
| EP3570695B1 (en) | Pumping/nursing garment | |
| US7520794B1 (en) | Strapless, backless camisole garment | |
| US8317569B2 (en) | Multi-end adjustable fastener straps for bra | |
| US8167679B2 (en) | Breast supporter | |
| CN107951091B (en) | Garment for nursing or hands-free use of a breast pump | |
| US20070105481A1 (en) | Undergarment | |
| US6381752B1 (en) | Bra with selectively configurable straps using a stiffening attachment | |
| EP4046512A1 (en) | Brassiere | |
| US6361398B1 (en) | Nursing garment | |
| KR101820510B1 (en) | a women's functional underwear | |
| GB2624923A (en) | A brassiere and method of forming a brassiere | |
| US20220160053A1 (en) | Women's top with detachable pad | |
| JP2002038308A (en) | Clothing easy exchangable breast cup and wearable with front side back | |
| CN117545389A (en) | Bra with intermediate flexible layer and method of making same | |
| CN216821941U (en) | Underwear back button | |
| US20210145081A1 (en) | Item of Clothing Having a Modular Structure | |
| CN218127117U (en) | Garment closure and garment | |
| CN205728146U (en) | A kind of dismountable one-piece dress of liner | |
| CN217695353U (en) | Back button of underwear | |
| CN213848794U (en) | Invisible back hook | |
| CN113907472A (en) | Underwear back button and manufacturing method thereof | |
| JP3946961B2 (en) | Maternity bra | |
| US20240008559A1 (en) | Fastener clamp for attachment to textiles |