JP2022537332A - Clothing - Google Patents

Abstract

Bra cover 10 has a body portion 2 configured to be worn around at least the upper portion of a user's torso, and at least one shoulder strap 8 attached to said body portion 2 . The body portion 2 has an inner fabric layer 4 and an outer fabric layer 6 . The bra cover 10 has at least one opening 12, 18 in the inner fabric layer 4 or the outer fabric layer 6 of the body portion 2 through which the band and cup portions of the bra are inserted to be inserted between the inner and outer fabric layers. can be held in

Description

The present invention relates to articles of clothing, in particular bra covers.

The modern brassiere or bra has been in mainstream production and use since the early 1900's. The main construction of a standard bra consists of a band that wraps around the torso and supports two cups. The cup is held in place by two shoulder straps. The band may be secured at the back, typically by hook and eye fasteners. In other variations, the bra does not include shoulder straps (a "strapless bra"), or even has removable straps that can be removed or repositioned to change the strap configuration. good.

Bras are designed according to a set of standardized, idealized dimensions. Due to the great variation in human anatomy, many users have difficulty finding a well-fitting bra. There is often a conflict between comfort (ie, the support provided by the bra, the materials used, etc.) and style. That is, the user's favorite bra (based on comfort) may not look good when worn with clothing that exposes part of the bra, such as the straps of the bra. Also, the user may want to change the look of their favorite bra depending on the rest of their outfit.

As such, there is a need for apparel and methods for covering, concealing, and/or obscuring the appearance of bras without affecting the support provided by the bra.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a bra cover comprising:
a body configured to be worn about at least an upper portion of a user's torso, said body comprising an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer;
at least one shoulder strap attached to the body; and
at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the body portion through which the band and cup portions of a bra are inserted and held between the inner and outer fabric layers; Department.

The at least one opening may be configured for removably inserting a band and cup portion of a bra.

The opening may be provided in the inner fabric layer.

The body portion may be in the form of a substantially hollow tube and configured to extend around the entire circumference of the tube when the band and cup portions of the bra are inserted.

The shoulder straps may comprise an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer and at least one opening in the inner or outer fabric layer of the shoulder straps for receiving a strap of the bra.

The at least one opening in the shoulder strap may be configured to removably receive the strap of the bra.

Said at least one opening of the shoulder strap may be in the inner fabric layer.

The shoulder straps may comprise an upper fabric layer and at least one retention feature for retaining a bra strap under the upper fabric layer during use.

The retention feature may comprise a fabric loop attached to the underside of the upper fabric layer of the shoulder strap.

The shoulder strap may comprise an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer, wherein the opening in the body portion and at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap are formed from the respective fabrics. It may be formed by fabric flaps cut from the layer, each flap having an open end that is reversibly secured to the surrounding and/or underlying fabric.

The open end of each flap may be reversibly secured via one or more hook and eye fasteners.

A shoulder strap may be removably attached to the body portion.

The cover may comprise a further opening in the inner fabric layer of the body portion.

At least one opening may be located on the front of the body and at least one other opening may be located on the back of the body.

At least the body portion may be seamless.

The inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the body may be laser cut to form the opening.

The inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap may be laser cut to form said opening.

The cover may further comprise retaining means provided on the body portion for maintaining the position of the band and cup portion of the bra between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion.

The retaining means may comprise hooks for attachment to loops on said bra.

The cover may comprise an adjustable ruling portion provided on the body portion.

The cover may be configured to be worn as an undergarment.

The cover may be configured to be worn as one or more of a unitary upper body garment, a layering piece, a swimwear top, and an sportswear top.

In a further aspect, the bra band and cup portions are passed through openings in the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion such that the band and cup portion of the bra are held between the inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion. A method of concealing a bra using the above cover is provided comprising inserting the cup portion into the body portion.

The invention will now be described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the accompanying drawings.
FIG. 1 shows the front portion of a bra cover according to one embodiment. FIG. 2 is a view showing the underside of the front part of the bra cover. FIG. 3 is a view showing the back of the bra cover. FIG. 4 is a view showing the underside of the back of the bra cover. FIG. 5 is a diagram showing a state in which the ruling portion of the bra cover according to another embodiment is not adjusted. FIG. 6 shows the bra cover of FIG. 5 after adjustment by the ruling. FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the underside of the front part of a bra cover according to another embodiment. 8 is an underside view of the back of the bra cover of FIG. 7; FIG. FIG. 9 is a diagram showing a bra cover according to another embodiment without adjustment by the ruling portion. 10 is a view showing the bra cover of FIG. 9 after adjustment by the ruling portion; FIG. FIG. 11 shows a bra cover according to another embodiment. 12 is a view showing the underside of the front portion of the bra cover of FIG. 11; FIG.

As shown in FIGS. 1-4, a bra cover 10 according to one embodiment comprises a body portion 2 configured to be worn about at least the upper portion of a user's torso, the body portion 2 comprising an inner fabric layer. 4 (shown more clearly in FIG. 2, which illustrates the underside of the bra cover 10) and an outer fabric layer 6 (shown more clearly in FIG. 1, which illustrates the front side of the bra cover 10). . Bra cover 10 also includes at least one shoulder strap 8 attached to body portion 2 . The inner fabric layer 4 of the body portion 2 has at least one opening 12 through which the band and cup portions of a bra (not shown) are held between the inner fabric layer 4 and the outer fabric layer 6 . It may preferably be removably inserted so as to obtain.

The body portion 2 is in the form of a substantially hollow tube, forming a continuous path between the inner fabric layer 4 and the outer fabric layer 6 along the entire circumference of the tube, so that the band and cup portions of the bra. will extend around the entire circumference of the tube when inserted. That is, unlike prior art camisoles or sportswear tops that have internal front pockets for receiving bra cups, the bra cover 10 of the present invention accommodates at least one band and the entire cup portion of a bra. As such, the present bra cover 10 may be used to cover up different types of bras or to provide support and coverage for a concealed bra when worn.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the shoulder straps 8 of the bra cover 10 are preferably for releasably receiving the inner fabric layer 14, the outer fabric layer 16 and the straps (not shown) of a bra (not shown). at least one opening 18 in the inner fabric layer 14 of the.

The openings 12 in the body part 2 and/or the openings 18 in the shoulder straps 8 are preferably provided in the inner fabric layer to better conceal the openings, although the openings can alternatively be provided in the outer fabric layers 6,16. , respectively.

To use the bra cover 10, the user selects a bra (eg, his/her favorite bra) to be inserted into the bra cover. For the embodiment shown in Figures 1-4, the bra must have removable straps. The user removes the straps from the bra and inserts the band and cup portions of the bra into the body portion 2 through the openings 12 so that the portions are between the inner fabric layer 4 and the outer fabric layer 6. to The user then inserts each bra strap through the opening 18 into the shoulder strap 8 of the bra cover 10 and reattaches the bra strap ends to the band and cup portions of the bra. After that, the bra cover 10 can be put on and the back zipper of the bra can be closed through the opening 12.例文帳に追加

To facilitate insertion of the bra into the bra cover 10, each of the body portion 2 and the shoulder straps 8 has at least one opening located at the front of each of the body portion and the shoulder straps, and an opening in each of the body portion and the shoulder straps. It is envisioned to consist of a plurality of openings, including at least one other opening located at the back of the. For example, at the front and back of the bra cover 10, the body portion 2 and the shoulder straps 8 cross over to facilitate reattachment of the bra straps to the band and cup portions of the bra after inserting each configuration into the bra cover 10. An opening is preferably provided where the bra strap is attached to the bra.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the openings 12, 18 are adapted to the band and cup portions of the bra while being worn, keeping the openings substantially closed and preventing warping of the bra cover. and may be shaped to facilitate insertion of the strap portion. Specifically, the openings may be in the shape of elongated triangles or rhombuses with the length dimension of each shape aligned with the stretch direction of the fabric when the bra cover is worn. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 4, the elongated diamond-shaped openings of the shoulder strap 8 are configured to substantially close when worn by downward stretching of the fabric, and each diamond-shaped opening is substantially closed. The length facilitates insertion of the strap portion of the bra. In other examples, the openings may include openings having a substantially oval or circular shape. In further examples, the openings may include openings having a substantially square or rounded square shape. An opening having a substantially square or rounded square shape is preferably arranged in the rear lining of the cover. In a further example, the openings may be a combination of openings having different shapes. In embodiments, the edges of each opening are finished on a jacquard assist knitting machine using yarns of the same fabric used to construct the cover.

In another embodiment, the shoulder straps 8 of the bra cover 10 are comprised of an upper fabric layer 20 and at least one retaining feature 22 for retaining the bra straps under the upper layer 20 during use.

In one embodiment, retention feature 22 consists of a fabric loop (not shown) attached to the underside of upper fabric layer 20 of shoulder strap 8 . That is, instead of a substantially continuous inner layer of fabric underlying the top layer 20, discontinuous fabric loops similar to waistband loops for receiving belts facilitate threading of bra straps. do. In some embodiments, each fabric loop may be removable at one end from the underside of the upper fabric layer 20 to further facilitate bra strap positioning. The removable end of each fabric loop may be reversibly secured to the upper fabric layer 20 via one or more fasteners, such as hook and loop closures, hook-and-loop closures, snap closures, or the like.

Figures 7 and 8 show an embodiment that can be used with bras that do not have removable shoulder straps. The body portion 2 and the shoulder strap 8 are composed of outer fabric layers 6, 16, inner fabric layers 4, 14, and fabric flaps 26 cut out from the inner fabric layers 4, 14. As shown in FIG. Each flap 26 has an open end 28 that is reversibly secured to the surrounding and/or underlying fabric. The flaps 26 form openings 12 in the body 2 and openings 18 in the shoulder straps 8 for respectively inserting the band, cup and strap portions of the bra. Reversible fasteners may be accomplished through one or more fasteners such as hook and loop fasteners, hook-and-loop fasteners, snap closures, and the like. In the schematic diagrams of FIGS. 7 and 8, dots 30 indicate where such fasteners can be placed. To use the bra cover 10, the open ends of the fabric flaps 26 are unfastened, the bra (including attached shoulder straps) is placed adjacent the inside surface of the outer fabric layer, and the fabric flaps 26 are refastened. to secure the bra in place between the inner and outer fabric layers.

FIGS. 5 and 6 show an embodiment with an adjustable ruling portion 32 having a drawstring 34 along the center of the front portion of the body portion 2 . This allows the user to vary the height of the upper portion of the body portion 2, for example to match the necklines of various outerwear. A ruling portion 32 may alternatively or additionally be provided on the back of the body portion 2 to allow the wearer to customize the back neckline. Figures 9 and 10 show an embodiment in which similar rulings 32 are configured on the sides of the body 2 to vary the depth of each armhole.

Although the accompanying drawings illustrate a bra cover 10 having two shoulder straps 8, some embodiments have a single shoulder strap, for example for use with one-shoulder dresses or tops. It should be understood that In some embodiments, the shoulder straps 8 are removably attached to the body portion to allow the user to convert the bra cover 10 into a single-shoulder or strapless configuration and/or for interchangeable shoulder straps. may be

Figures 11 and 12 show a further embodiment in which the shoulder straps 8 of the cover do not serve to hide the shoulder straps of the bra. Alternatively, the strapless bra may be inserted into the body portion 2 and held in place via retaining means 36 provided on the body portion. The retaining means may consist, for example, of hooks for attachment to existing loops provided on the bra.

The bra cover 10 may be constructed of any suitable fabric, preferably having one of the properties of four-way stretch, elasticity, sweat/moisture absorption, odor resistance, soft and smooth texture, light weight, and cooling properties. You may have one or more. Preferably, the fabric is suitable for seamless construction, so that at least the body portion 2 may be seamless to enhance the wearer's comfort. For example, the seams and straps of the cover may be constructed using circular knitting. The inner fabric layer is more preferably suitable for laser cutting. In a preferred embodiment, the openings 12, 18 in the body and/or shoulder straps are laser cut to provide a precise, clean line with self-sealing edges. Additionally or alternatively, the edges of the opening may be finished on a jacquard assist knitting machine using the same fabric used to construct the cover. In embodiments, the cover may be composed of recycled polyester and synthetic fibers (such as Lycra). As an example, up to 95%, preferably up to about 90%, of the fabric used to construct the cover is recycled polyester, and the remainder of the fabric used in the cover is synthetic. In another embodiment, the cover may be constructed from nylon and synthetic fibers (such as Lycra). As an example, 95%, preferably up to about 90%, of the fabric used to construct the cover is nylon, with the remainder of the fabric used for the cover being synthetic.

In some embodiments, the fabric of bra cover 10 is sufficiently opaque and thick to substantially completely cover the bra. For example, the user's favorite bra may be the wrong color to wear under a white t-shirt, or have lace or other fabrics that are wrong to wear under light/thin tops. There are times when In this example, the bra cover 10 may be white, opaque, and suitably thick to cover the bra, thereby making it suitable for wearing under white/thin/light tops. In other embodiments, bra cover 10 may be used to obscure or modify the appearance of a bra. In such cases, the fabric of the bra cover 10 may be sheer, eg, lacey, such that the bra is not substantially completely covered by the bra cover 10 . The bra cover 10 is alternatively used to change or update the appearance of the bra.

The bra cover 10 may be worn as underwear. In addition to concealing the wearer's bra, the bra cover 10 may provide additional support, coverage, warming or cooling functions, as well as aesthetic or decorative qualities in some embodiments. The bra cover 10 may also be configured to be worn as one or more of a single piece upper body garment, layering piece, support garment, swimwear top, and sportswear top.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a method of concealing a bra using the bra cover 10 described above. The method includes inserting the bra band into the body portion 2 through the opening 12 in the body portion such that the band and cup portion of the bra are held between the inner fabric layer 4 and the outer fabric layer 6 of the body portion. It consists of inserting a cup part. If the bra straps of the bra are also desired to be hidden, each bra strap is inserted into or under the shoulder straps 8 of the bra cover through openings 18 or through fabric loops.

While various embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that they have been presented by way of illustration only, and not limitation. It will be apparent to those skilled in the relevant art that various changes in form and detail can be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, the invention should not be limited by any of the above-described exemplary embodiments.

Any reference herein to any prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter refers to the field to which that prior publication (or information derived therefrom) or known matter pertains herein. is not and should not be taken as an endorsement or admission or any form of suggestion to form part of the common general knowledge of

Throughout this specification and the claims that follow, unless the context requires otherwise, the word "comprise" and variations such as "comprise,""comprising," etc., refer to a recited integer or step, or an integer or step and does not exclude any other integer or step or group of integers or steps.

Claims (23)

is a bra cover,
a body portion configured to be worn about at least an upper portion of a user's torso, said body portion including an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer;
at least one shoulder strap attached to the body;
at least one opening in the inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the body portion, the band portion and the cup portion of the bra being inserted so as to be held between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer;
comprising a
bra cover. wherein the at least one opening is configured for removably inserting a band portion and a cup portion of the bra;
The bra cover according to claim 1. The opening is provided in the inner fabric layer,
3. Bra cover according to claim 1 or 2. wherein the body portion is in the form of a substantially hollow tube and is configured to extend around the entire circumference of the tube when the band and cup portions of the bra are inserted;
4. Bra cover according to any one of claims 1-3. the shoulder straps comprising an inner fabric layer, an outer fabric layer, and at least one opening in the inner or outer fabric layer of the shoulder straps for receiving a strap of the bra;
5. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. said at least one opening in said shoulder strap is configured to removably receive said strap of said bra;
6. Bra cover according to claim 5. said at least one opening in said shoulder strap is in said inner fabric layer;
7. Bra cover according to claim 5 or 6. The shoulder straps comprise an upper fabric layer and at least one retention feature for retaining the bra straps under the upper fabric layer during use.
5. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. the retention feature includes a fabric loop attached to the underside of the upper fabric layer of the shoulder strap;
9. Bra cover according to claim 8. The shoulder strap includes an inner fabric layer and an outer fabric layer,
a cover in which the opening of the main body and at least one of the inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap are formed by fabric flaps cut from each of the fabric layers,
each flap has an open end that is reversibly secured to the surrounding and/or underlying fabric;
5. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. said open end of each flap is reversibly secured via one or more hook and eye fasteners;
11. The bra cover of claim 10. The shoulder strap is detachably attached to the main body,
12. Bra cover according to any one of the preceding claims. comprising a further opening in the inner fabric layer of the body;
13. A bra cover according to any one of the preceding claims. at least one opening located at the front of the body and at least one other opening located at the back of the body;
14. The bra cover of claim 13. at least the body is seamless;
15. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. an inner fabric layer or an outer fabric layer of the body is laser cut to form the opening;
16. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. an inner or outer fabric layer of the shoulder strap is laser cut to form the opening;
A bra cover as claimed in claim 5 or any claim dependent on claim 5. further comprising retaining means provided on the body portion for maintaining the position of the band and cup portions of the bra between inner and outer fabric layers of the body portion;
18. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. said retaining means includes hooks for attachment to loops on said bra;
19. The bra cover of claim 18. comprising an adjustable ruling portion on the body portion;
20. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. 21. A bra cover according to any preceding claim, adapted to be worn as an undergarment. the cover is configured to be worn as one or more of a single body garment, a layering piece, a swimwear top, and a sportswear top;
22. A bra cover as claimed in any preceding claim. A method of hiding a bra, comprising:
The bra is inserted into the body through openings in the inner fabric layer or the outer fabric layer of the body such that the bands and cups of the bra are held between the inner fabric layer and the outer fabric layer of the body. including inserting the band and cup of
23. A method of concealing a bra using a bra cover according to any one of claims 1-22.

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