SG172420A1

SG172420A1 - Clothes with cup parts

Info

Publication number: SG172420A1
Application number: SG2011047438A
Authority: SG
Inventors: Masaru Yuasa; Junko Yamaguchi; Aya Ichiba
Original assignee: Wacoal Corp
Priority date: 2009-02-04
Filing date: 2010-02-01
Publication date: 2011-07-28
Also published as: TW201637581A; CN102238881A; WO2010090153A1; TW201036560A; CN102238881B; TWI589236B; HK1159961A1; JP2010180495A

Abstract

Provided is a garment with cup parts, which is excellent inbreast-shaping properties and capable of supporting breasts firmly when5 worn even though it is wireless. The garment with cup parts according to the present invention includes integrally molded members 11, each obtained by integrally molding a wireless-type cup part and a base part. One end of a strap 12 is attached to an upper part of the cup part, and a back cloth 13 is attached to a side part of the integrally molded member 11. The attachment10 width of the back cloth 13 is equal to or less than 1/2 of the length of the sidepart of the integrally molded member 11. The garment further includes strengthening members 14, and each of the strengthening members 14 is attached so as to cover a whole or a part of a region on a lower side of a line connecting a strap-attachment position, a breast top point, and an upper end15 of a front center part in the cup part of the corresponding integrally moldedmember 11. The strengthening member 14 contains a material having a higher shape stability than a material forming the cup part.Figure 7

Description

DESCRIPTION

GARMENT WITH CUP PARTS

Technique Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a garment with cup parts.

Background Art

[0002] Garments with triangular cup parts have been used as fashion-conscious garments with cup parts, wearable as outerwears.

Examples of the garments of this type include a so-called “triangle bra”. The garments of this type are required not only to be fashionable but also to be comfortable in wearing. Thus, many of them are of wireless type in which no wires are used.

[0003] FIG. 10 shows an example of a “triangle bra” as the garment of this type. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the triangle bra, and FIG. 10B is a rear view of the same. In FIGs. 10A and 10B, the same components are given the same reference numerals. As shown in FIGs. 10A and 10B, in this triangle bra 120, a pair of back cloths 123 are attached to both ends of a pair of cup parts 121, respectively. The other ends of the pair of back cloths 123 can be connected to each other with an interlocking connection part 125 and a hook 127. The respective ends of the strap 122 are attached to an upper part of the cup part 121 and an upper edge of the back side of the back cloth 123 with engagement devices 126a. Each of the straps 122 has an adjustment part 126b for adjusting its length. In FIG. 10, an eight-shaped ring is used as the adjustment part 126b.

[0004] One of the features of this type of garment is that portions of the back cloths 123 attached to the both sides of the pair of cup parts 121 (.e., portions that comes to sides of the wearer's body when the garment is worn) have a narrow width. With this configuration, the garment can be worn even under dresses that show a lot of skin, thus allowing the dressing options to be broadened. Such a brassiere, however, has the following problems. In the “triangle bra”, the cup parts are triangular, the width of the side parts of the back cloths 1s narrow, and besides, no wires are used. Thus, 1t does not support side parts of the wearer's breasts sufficiently. This causes the wearer’s breasts to bulge out from the side parts of the cup parts easily, so that the triangle bra tends to achieve poor breast-shaping properties. Asa remedy for this, improving the breast-shaping properties by providing pads in the cup parts has been proposed (see Patent Document 1, for example).

Also, improving the breast-shaping properties by providing a wire in an edge part extending from an outer side to a lower side of each cup has been proposed (see Patent Document 2, for example).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0005]

Patent Document 1: Japanese Patent No. 4038369

Patent Document 2: Japanese Utility Model Registration No. 3048564

Summary of the Invention

Problem to be Solved by the Invention

[0006] However, merely providing the pads in the cup parts causes the garment with cup parts more conspicuous, resulting in unnatural appearance. Furthermore, providing the wires brings about the restriction on design as well as feeling of tight pressure in wearing. They may hinder the requirements that the garment should be fashionable and comfortable in wearing.

[0007] With the foregoing in mind, it is an object of the present invention to provide a garment with cup parts, excellent in breast-shaping properties even though it is wireless and its back cloths have a narrow width.

Means for Solving Problem

[0008] In order to achieve the above object, the garment with cup parts according to the present invention includes: cup parts that are wireless; base parts; a strap; and a back cloth. Each of the cup parts is molded integrally with the corresponding base part to form an integrally molded member. One end of the strap is attached to an upper part of the cup part. The back cloth 18 attached to a side part of the integrally molded member. An attachment width of the back cloth is equal to or less than 1/2 of the length of the side part of the integrally molded member. The garment further comprises strengthening members, and each of the strengthening members is attached so as to cover a whole or a part of a region on a lower side of a line connecting a strap-attachment position, a breast top point, and an upper end of a front center part in the cup part of the corresponding integrally molded member.

The strengthening member contains a material having a higher shape stability than a material forming the cup part.

The term “front center” as used herein means the midpoint between right and left breasts and a region in the vicinity thereof.

Effects of the Invention

[0009] The garment with cup parts according to the present invention uses the integrally molded members each obtained by integrally molding the cup part and the base part. Thus, even though the back cloth has a narrow width, the garment can support the wearer’s breasts firmly when it is worn.

Also, in the present invention, each of the strengthening members is attached so as to cover a whole or a part of the region on the lower side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part in the cup part of the corresponding integrally molded member, and the strengthening member contains a material having a higher shape stability than the material forming the cup part. Thus, even though the garment is wireless and the back cloth has a narrow width, the garment can achieve excellent breast-shaping properties.

Brief Description of Drawings

[0010] [FIG. 1] FIG. 1 shows a brassiere as an example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention. FIG. 1A is a perspective view of the brassiere, FIG. 1B is a side view of the brassiere, and FIG. 1C is a rear view of the brassiere. [FIG. 2] FIG. 2 is a schematic view showing an example of an integrally molded member. [FIG. 3] FIG. 3 shows schematic views showing examples of a strengthening member. [FIG. 4] FIG. 4 shows an example of the state where the integrally molded member 1s provided with the strengthening member. oo [FIG. 5] FIG. 5 shows another example of the state where the integrally molded member is provided with the strengthening member. [FIG. 8] FIG. 6 is a schematic view showing another example of the integrally molded member. [FIG. 7] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state where a brassiere as an example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention is used. [FIG. 8] FIG. 8 shows contour lines on the wearer's breasts in a wearing evaluation test. FIG. 8A shows contour lines when the brassiere of the present invention is worn, FIG. 8B shows contour lines when a conventional wired brassiere is worn, and FIG. 8C shows contour lines when a conventional wireless triangle bra is worn. [FIG. 9] FIG. 9 shows perspective views, each showing another example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention. FIG. 9A shows an example of a bodysuit, and FIG. 9B shows an example a brassiere-provided slip. [FIG. 10] FIG. 10 shows an example of a conventional triangle bra. FIG. 10A is a perspective view of the conventional triangle bra, and FIG. 10B is a rear view of the same.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0011] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, the attachment width of the back cloth preferably is in the range from 1/5 to 1/2

0 of the length of the side part of the integrally molded member. More preferably, the attachment width 1s in the range from 1/4 to 1/3 of the same.

In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, the attachment width of the back cloth is narrow, so that the garment does not cover side parts of the wearers body much when it is worn. Thus, for example, the garment can be worn under sleeveless outerwears with low-cut arm holes. As described above, the garment with cup parts according to the present invention can be worn under any type of outerwear.

[0012] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, the height of the upper end of the front center part as measured from the lowermost part of the base part preferably is 5 cm or less. More preferably, the height is 3 cm or less. The lower limit of the height is not particularly limited, and is, for example, 0.5 cm or more. Therefore, the height preferably is in the range from 0.5 cm to 5 cm, more preferably from 2 cm to 3 cm, for example. In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, the front center is at a very low position, so that it can be worn favorably even under V-neck outerwears, for example.

[0013] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that, when the integrally molded member is sectionalized into the base part and an upper cup part and a lower cup part that are defined in the following, a thickness tc of the base part, a thickness ta of the upper cup part, and a thickness tb of the following lower cup part have a relationship shown in the following formula (1). tc <ta <th (1)

The upper cup part refers to a part on an upper side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part in the cup part, and the lower cup part refers to a part on a lower side of the line.

[0014] The garment with cup parts according to the present invention preferably is configured so that, in a region surrounded by a horizontal line extending from the breast top point toward the side part, an inclined line extending from the breast top point toward the front center part, and a verge’s line, the thickness of the integrally molded member increases gradually from the breast top point toward the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in the direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line. Note here that the “verge’s line” refers to an outline of a lower part of a breast.

[0015] The garment with cup parts according to the present invention preferably is configured so that, in a region surrounded by a horizontal line extending from the breast top point toward the side part, an inclined line extending from the breast top point toward the front center part, and a verge’s line, the thickness of the integrally molded member increases gradually along the direction of the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in the direction along the verges line.

[0016] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that a portion having a maximum thickness in the direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line is formed on a homothetic curve of the verge’s line, lying across a substantially central portion in the direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line, and the portion having the maximum thickness in the direction along the verge’s line is on a line that substantially divides an angle formed between the horizontal line and the inclined line into two equal angles.

[0017] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that, when the integrally molded member is sectionalized into the base part and an upper cup part and a lower cup part that are defined in the following, a hardness hc of the base part, a hardness ha of the upper cup part, and a hardness hb of the following lower cup part have a relationship shown in the following formula (2). hb < ha < he (2)

[0018] Inthe garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that the strengthening member has a flexural rigidity in the range from 0.1 to 1.6 gf.cm%/cm (in the range from 0.98 to 15.68mN-cm%cm).

[0019] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that the strengthening member is a fabric.

[0020] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that the garment is a brassiere.

[0021] In the garment with cup parts according to the present invention, it is preferable that the garment further includes a garment main body and that the garment main body 1s attached under the base part.

[0022] In the following, the garment with the cup parts according to the present invention will be described with reference to illustrative examples.

It is to be noted, however, the present invention is by no means limited to or restricted by the following examples.

[0023] FIG. 1 shows a brassiere as an example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention. In the present example, back cloths 13 have interlocking connection parts 15 that can be connected and disconnected freely. The mterlocking connection parts 15 are provided so that they are in the vicinity of the center of the wearer’s back when the brassiere of the present example 1s worn. FIG. 1A 1s a perspective view showing the brassiere of the present example in the state where the back cloths are connected to each other; FIG. 1B is a side view of the same; and FIG. 1Cis a rear view showing the brassiere of the present example in the state where the back cloths are disconnected from each other. In these three drawings, identical components are given the same reference numerals. As shown in the drawings, the brassiere 10 of the present example includes: a pair of integrally molded members 11; a pair of straps 12; a pair of back cloths 13; and a pair of strengthening members 14, as main components. FIG. 2is a schematic view showing an example of the integrally molded member 11.

The integrally molded member 11 is obtained by integrally molding a wireless type cup part and a base part. The integrally molded member 11 includes: an upper cup part 11a, which is on the upper side of a line 45a connecting a strap-attachment position 44, a breast top point 42, and an upper end 43 of the front center part in the cup part: a lower cup part 11b, which is on the lower side of the line 45a; and a base part 11c. The virtual boundary line between the lower cup part 11b and the base part 11c substantially coincides with the verge’s line. The base part 11c allows the integrally molded member 11 to fit the verge’s line when the brassiere is worn, thus allowing the wearer's breasts to be held stably even when the brassiere is designed so that the side parts of the back cloths have a narrow width. The term “front center” means a region positioned between right and left breasts so as to be adjacent thereto, and the term “front center part” means a part in the vicinity of the front center.

[0024] To an upper part of the upper cup part 11a included in the integrally molded member 11, one end of the strap 12 is attached. The pair of integrally molded members 11 having the cup parts are connected to each other at their base parts 11c. To both ends of the pair of base parts 1lc, one ends of the back cloths 13 are attached, respectively. The attachment width

A of the back cloth 18 is equal to or less than 1/2 of the length B of a side part of the integrally molded member 11. To the other ends of the pair of back cloths 13, the interlocking connection parts 15 are attached so that the back cloths 13 can be connected and disconnected freely. In the brassiere of the present example, a hook 31 (e.g., a hook and eye closure) is used as an interlocking connection device. However, other kinds of interlocking devices also may be used. Furthermore, the brassiere may be a front closure type brassiere with a back cloth having no interlocking parts, a brassiere having no interlocking parts, or a brassiere with back cloths to be fastened by tying them together. The other end of the strap 12 is attached to an upper edge of the back cloth 13 by passing the strap 12 through a ring-shaped engagement device 16a attached to the upper edge of the back cloth 13, turning around the strap 12, and introducing the strap 12 into a length adjuster 16b that is an eight-shaped ring. By attaching the strap 12 in this manner, it becomes possible to adjust the length of the strap 12. The form of the straps is not limited thereto. For example, a so-called “halter-neck” type strap(s)

Co attached only to the cup parts may be employed.

[0025] The brassiere 10 of the present example is worn with the integrally molded member 11 being located on a breast 41 of the wearer as shown in

FIG. 2. At this time, the strengthening member 14 is provided so as to cover a region on the lower side of the line 45a connecting the strap-attachment position 44, the breast top point 42, and the upper end 43 of the front center part in the cup part. FIG. 3 shows schematic views showing examples of the strengthening member 14. FIG. 3A shows the shape of the strengthening member when it is attached so as to cover an entire region on the lower side of the line 45a connecting the strap-attachment position 44, the breast top point 42, and the upper end 43 of the front center part in the cup part of the integrally molded member 11. In this case, it is preferable that the tilt angle 0 of the line 45a relative to the bottom line of the base part is around 45°.

FIG. 3B shows an example of the shape of the strengthening member when it is attached so as to cover a part of the region on the lower side of the line 45a.

In this case, it is preferable that the strengthening member has a substantially L-shape.

[0026] The attachment height of the strengthening member 14 in the front center part can be determined arbitrarily, but the strengthening member 14 preferably is attached from a higher position. It is more preferable that the strengthening member 14 1s attached so as to cover a region including the upper end 43 of the front center part in the integrally molded member 11,

because this can improve the breast-shaping properties of the brassiere. The strengthening member 14 preferably is attached so as to cover an intersection 46 of: a line 45b connecting the breast top point 42 and a virtual point 43b extending upwardly from the upper end 43 of the front center part; and an upper line of the integrally molded member 11. FIG. 3C shows an example of the shape of such a strengthening member. Even when the brassiere is designed so that the height of the upper end 43 of the front center part as measured from the lowermost part of the base part is low, it is possible to improve the breast-shaping properties of the brassiere by using the strengthening member 14 with such a shape.

[0027] The strengthening member 14 contains a material having a higher shape stability than the material forming the cup part. By forming the strengthening member 14 with such a material, a suitable rigidity is imparted to the cup part, thus improving the breast-shaping properties and allowing the cup part to support a breast firmly. As the strengthening member 14, a fabric can be used. In this case, specifically, materials such as power net fabrics, satin net fabrics, and triconet fabrics are more preferable, but the material of the strengthening member is not limited thereto. The material of the strengthening member 14 may be stretchable or non-stretchable as long as it has a high shape stability. In the case where the molding of the integrally molded member 11 is performed with the strengthening member 14 being overlaid on a material for forming the mtegrally molded member 11, a stretchable material preferably is used for the strengthening member 14 because it can prevent the appearance of wrinkles and the like in the strengthening member 14.

[0028] The strengthening member 14 preferably has a flexural rigidity in the range from 0.1 to 1.6 gf-cm?/em is (equivalent to 0.98 to 15.68 mN-cm2/cm, as a result of conversion to an SI unit with 1 gf = 9.8 mN). The flexural rigidity in the above-described range is preferable because a good balance between the shape retaining ability and the flexibility favorable as a garment can be achieved. It is more preferable that the flexural rigidity is in the range from 0.5 to 1.0 gf-cm?cm (equivalent to 4.9 to 9.8 mN-cm2/cm, as a result of the same conversion). The flexural rigidity is measured by holding a sample S having a length of 20 cm and a width of 1 cm with chucks at intervals of 1 cm and carrying out pure bending while changing a curvature K from -2.5 to +2.5 (em) at a constant rate. The deformation rate at this time is set to 0.5 (cm/sec, and a flexural rigidity per unit length is determined through the measurement. As the measurement tester, it is possible to use

KES-FB2-AUTO-A (automated pure bend tester) manufactured by Kato tech

Co., Ltd.

[0029] In the integrally molded member 11, the thickness tc of the base part

Ile, the thickness ta of the upper cup part 11a, and the thickness tb of the lower cup part 11b preferably have the relationship shown in the following formula (1). tc <ta < tb (1)

[00380] Furthermore, the lower cup part 11b on the lower side of the line 45a preferably is configured so that, in a region surrounded by a horizontal line extending from the breast top point 42 toward the side part, an inclined line extending from the breast top point 42 toward the front center part, and the verge’s line, the thickness of the integrally molded member 11 increases gradually from the breast top point 42 toward the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in the direction from the breast top point 42 toward the verge’s line. In particular, as shown in FIG. 6, within a region surrounded by an inclined line drawn from the breast top point 42 toward the front center part at an angle of 45° and the horizontal line extending from the breast top point 42 toward the side part, a portion 83 with a maximum thickness in the direction from the breast top point 42 of the integrally molded member 11 toward the verge’s line 81 preferably is formed on a homothetic curve 82 of the verge’s line, lying across a substantially central portion in the direction from the breast top point 42 toward the verge’s line 81 formed by the lower edge of the lower cup part 11b.

[0031] It is also preferable that, in a region surrounded by the horizontal line extending from the breast top point 42 toward the side part, the inclined line extending from the breast top point 42 toward the front center part, and the verge’s line 81, the thickness of the integrally molded member 11 increases gradually along the direction of the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in the direction along the verge’s line. It is more preferable that the portion 84 with a maximum thickness in the direction along the verge’s line is on a line that substantially divides an angle formed between the horizontal line and the inclined line into two equal angles.

[0032] Preferably, the thickness of the integrally molded member 11 reaches its maximum in the vicinity of an intersection 85 of the portion 83 having a maximum thickness in the direction from the breast top point to the verge’s line and the portion 84 having a maximum thickness in the direction along the verge’s line. The thickness of the thickest portion can be designed depending on the size of the wearer's breasts, the requirement as to how the breasts should be shaped, and the like. Preferably, the thickness is about 20 mm. By providing the thickest portion in the above-described position, the brassiere 10 is effective not only in enlarging the perceived breast size but also in providing cleavage by pushing-up the breasts, thus realizing favorable breast-shaping properties. Also, it is preferable that the thickness of the integrally molded member 11 varies continuously. When the thickness of the integrally molded member 11 varies continuously, it is possible to provide more comfortable fit to the wearer and also to prevent the discomfort or foreign-body feeling when it is worn.

[0033] Furthermore, in the integrally molded member 11, the hardness hc of the base part 1lc, the hardness ha of the upper cup part 11a, and the hardness hb of the lower cup part 11b preferably have a relationship shown in the following formula (2).

hb < ha < he (2)

By making the base part 11c relatively hard, it is possible to improve the fit and immobilization of the integrally molded member 11 to the verge’s line. Thus, even though the brassiere 10 is wireless and the side parts of the back cloths have a narrow width, it is possible to prevent the brassiere 10 from sliding up when it is worn and the wearer’s breasts from spreading to the sides. Moreover, when the hardnesses of the respective parts vary stepwise as described above, discomfort and foreign-body feeling in wearing are eliminated.

[0034] In order to realize the relationship of the thicknesses shown in the formula (1) and the relationship of the softnesses shown in the formula (2) at the same time, the integrally molded member 11 may be produced in the following manner, for example. As the material of the integrally molded member 11, it is possible to use an urethane foam; a nonwoven fabric; a thick sheet-like circular knitted fabric knitted with a highly elastic yarn such as polyurethane (a corrugated cardboard-like knitted fabric, which is a knitted fabric composed of two or more knitted fabrics, including front and back fabrics, connected using a connecting yarn with a space therebetween so that it has a cross-section similar to that of a corrugated cardboard); or the like.

Among these, an urethane foam is preferable from the viewpoint of moldability, durability, and the like. A material as above-described with a uniform thickness is provided and subjected to compression molding using a mold with a desired shape. A portion to be thin after the molding becomes hard because it is compressed strongly, and a portion to be thick after the molding becomes soft because it is compressed weakly. Thus, it is possible to obtain integrally molded member 11 having a suitable thickness and a suitable softness.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows an example of the state where the integrally molded rember 11 is provided with the strengthening member 14. FIG. 4A isa schematic view of the integrally molded member 11 as viewed from the back

(the wear side), and FIG. 4B is a sectional view taken in the arrow direction of line I-I in FIG. 4A. As shown in FIG. 4B, in the present example, the strengthening member 14 is interposed in the integrally molded member 11.

With this configuration, the strengthening member 14 does not touch the wearer’s skin directly, thus allowing the wearing comfort to be improved. In the present example, at the time of molding the integrally molded member 11, the strengthening member 14 may be interposed in a material for forming the integrally molded member 11.

[0036] FIG. 5 shows another example of the state where the integrally molded member 11 is provided with the strengthening member 14. FIG. 5A 1s a schematic view of the integrally molded member 11 as viewed from the back (the wear side), and FIG. 5B is a sectional view taken in the arrow direction of line IT-IT in FIG. 5A. As shown in FIG. 5B, in the present example, the strengthening member 14 is provided on the inner surface of the integrally molded member 11. With this configuration, it is possible to cause the shape-stabilizing ability of the strengthening member to act on the wearer’s breasts directly.

[0037] Preferably, the strengthening member 14 is provided so as to fit a concavo-convex shape of the lower cup part 11b. In this case, for example, it 1s possible to employ a method such as providing a dart part in the strengthening member 14. In order to further improve the breast-shaping properties, it 1s preferable to use a flat strengthening member 14 because it can apply a greater strength to the wearer's breasts.

[0038] Next, a method of using the brassiere of the present example will be described with reference to FIG. 7. In FIG. 7, components identical to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals.

[0039] FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing the state where the brassiere as the garment with cup parts according to the present example is used.

Reference numeral 91 indicates the user. As shown in FIG. 7, the brassiere of the present example covers breasts with integrally molded members 11 having cup parts, like ordinary brassieres. The brassiere of the present example has strengthening members 14 containing a material with a high shape stability. Thus, by covering the breasts with the integrally molded members 11, it is possible to achieve excellent breast-shaping properties without using any wire. Moreover, since the brassiere of the present example is wireless, it causes no discomfort on the breasts.

[0040] Brassieres 10 of the type shown in FIG. 1 were produced, and evaluation of the brassieres 10 was made by test users. In the brassiere 10, a power net fabric having a flexural rigidity of 0.6 gf-cm?/cm (5.88 mN-cm%/cm) was used as a material of the strengthening member. The test users, whose breast sizes were all C70, consisted of three women at a BS (body stage) I (ages from 19 to 24) and five women at a BS II (ages from 27 to 36). Each of the test users wore the brassiere 10, a conventional wired brassiere, and a conventional wireless triangle bra, to conduct a wearing test.

FIG. 8 shows the result obtained by taking pictures in the state where the above-described three kinds of brassieres were worn and indicating moiré interference fringes as contour lines to compare three-dimensional shapes.

FIG. 8A shows the contour lines when one of the test users wore the brassiere 10 of the present embodiment; FIG. 8B shows the contour lines when the same test user wore the conventional wired brassiere; and FIG. 8C shows the contour lines when the same test user wore the conventional wireless triangle bra. It can be seen from these drawings that the brassiere 10 of the present embodiment exhibited a sufficient effects of enlarging the perceived breast size and pushing up the breasts as compared with the conventional wired brassiere. Also, in response to the request for comments as to the wearing comfort of the brassiere 10 of the present embodiment, seven out of the eight test users commented that “the brassiere 10 can improve the breast shape”, and six out of the eight test users commented that “wearing comfort generally 1s good”. From these comments, it was found that the brassiere 10 of the present embodiment realizes the feeling of breast shape improvement and the feeling of comfort by breast supporting, comparable to those by the wired brassieres even though it is wireless.

[0041] FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a bodysuit 100 as another example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention.

[0042] A part corresponding to a brassiere in this bodysuit 100 is designed based on substantially the same concept as that for the brassiere described with reference to FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the bodysuit 100 has a body part 101 as a garment main body and a crotch part 102 under integrally molded members 11. In the present example, a part(s) of the body part 101 serves as a back cloth(s) of the present invention. However, the back cloth(s) may be provided as a separate component(s), and a garment main body may be attached under the back cloth. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in the brassiere 10 shown in FIG. 1. Components identical to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations therefor are omitted. In the bodysuit 100 shown in FIG. 9A as an example of the embodiment of the present invention, strengthening members 14 also are provided. It is preferable that each of the integrally molded members 11 satisfies the above-described requirements as to the thickness and the hardness, because this allows the breast-shaping properties to be improved further and the wearer's breasts to be supported firmly when it is worn.

[0043] Next, FIG. 9B is a perspective view of a brassiere-provided slip 110 as still another example of the garment with cup parts according to the present invention.

[0044] A part corresponding to a brassiere in this brassiere-provided slip 110 is designed based on substantially the same concept as that for the brassiere described with reference to FIG. 1. In the present embodiment, the brassiere provided slip 110 has a lower chest body 111 and a skirt part 112 connected thereto under integrally molded members 11. In the present example, the lower chest body 111 serves as a back cloth of the present

; 17 : ! mvention. However, the back cloth may be provided as a separate component, and the lower chest body and the skirt part 112 may be attached : under the back cloth, or alternatively, the skirt part 112 may be attached directly under the back cloth. Other configurations are substantially the same as those in the brassiere 10 shown in FIG. 1. Components identical to those in FIG. 1 are given the same reference numerals, and duplicate explanations therefor are omitted. In the brassiere-provided slip 110 shown in FIG. 9B as an example of the embodiment of the present invention, strengthening members 14 also are provided. It is preferable that each of the integrally molded members 11 satisfies the above-described requirements : as to the thickness and the hardness, because this allows the breast-shaping properties to be improved further and the wearer's breasts to be supported firmly when it is worn.

[0045] The present invention has been described above with reference to specific examples of its embodiment, namely, a brassiere, a bodysuit, and a brassiere-provided slip. It is to be noted, however, the garment with cup parts according to the present invention is not limited to these specific examples, and can be embodied in various forms. For example, the present invention is applicable not only to foundation garments such as those described in the above embodiments, but also to brassiere-provided camisoles, tops of separate-type swimsuits, leotards, and other various garments with cup parts. The present invention also is applicable to front closure type garments whose front center parts are connected to each other using a hook that can be connected and disconnected freely.

Claims

1. A garment with cup parts, comprising: cup parts that are wireless; base parts; a strap; and a back cloth, wherein each of the cup parts is molded integrally with the corresponding base part to form an integrally molded member, one end of the strap is attached to an upper part of the cup part, the back cloth is attached to a side part of the integrally molded member, an attachment width of the back cloth is equal to or less than 1/2 of a "length of the side part of the integrally molded member, the garment further comprises strengthening members, and each of the strengthening members is attached so as to cover a whole or a part of a region on a lower side of a line connecting a strap-attachment position, a breast top point, and an upper end of a front center part in the cup part of the corresponding integrally molded member, and the strengthening member contains a material having a higher shape stability than a material forming the cup part.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein, when the integrally molded member is sectionalized into the base part and an upper cup part and alower cup part that are defined in the following, a thickness tc of the base part, a thickness ta of the upper cup part, and a thickness tb of the following lower cup part have a relationship shown in the following formula (1): tc <ta <tb (1) the upper cup part: a part on an upper side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part in the cup part; and the lower cup part’ a part on a lower side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position in the cup part, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part.

3. The garment according to claim 1, wherein, in a region surrounded by a horizontal line extending from the breast top point toward the side part, an inclined line extending from the breast top point toward the front center part, and a verge’s line, the thickness of the integrally molded member increases gradually from the breast top point toward the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in a direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line.

4. The garment according to claim 1, wherein, in a region surrounded by a horizontal line extending from the breast top point toward the side part, an inclined line extending from the breast top point toward the front center part, and a verge’s line, a thickness of the integrally molded member increases gradually along the direction of the verge’s line and decreases gradually after providing a portion having a maximum thickness in a direction along the verge’s line.

5. The garment according to claim 4, wherein a portion having a maximum thickness in a direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line is formed on a homothetic curve of the verge’s line, lying across a substantially central portion in the direction from the breast top point toward the verge’s line, and the portion having a maximum thickness in the direction along the verges line is on a line that substantially divides an angle formed between the horizontal line and the inclined line into two equal angles.

6. The garment according to claim 1, wherein, when the integrally molded member is sectionalized into the base part and an upper cup part and a lower cup part that are defined in the following, a hardness he of the base part, a hardness ha of the upper cup part, and a hardness hb of the following lower cup part have a relationship shown in the following formula (2): hb <ha < he (2) the upper cup part: a part on an upper side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part in the cup part; and the lower cup part: a part on a lower side of the line connecting the strap-attachment position in the cup part, the breast top point, and the upper end of the front center part.

7. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the strengthening member has a flexural rigidity in a range from 0.1 to 1.6 gf-cm2cm (in a range from 0.98 to 15.68 mN-cm2cm).

8. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the strengthening member 1s a fabric.

9. The garment according to claim 1, wherein the garment is a brassiere.

10. The garment according to claim 1, further comprising: a garment main body, wherein the garment main body is attached under the base part.