EP3057456A1 - Bra cup with improved functionality - Google Patents
Bra cup with improved functionalityInfo
- Publication number
- EP3057456A1 EP3057456A1 EP14784437.7A EP14784437A EP3057456A1 EP 3057456 A1 EP3057456 A1 EP 3057456A1 EP 14784437 A EP14784437 A EP 14784437A EP 3057456 A1 EP3057456 A1 EP 3057456A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- layer
- fabric
- cup
- open
- bra
- 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.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C3/00—Brassieres
- A41C3/12—Component parts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C3/00—Brassieres
- A41C3/10—Brassieres with stiffening or bust-forming inserts
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C5/00—Machines, appliances, or methods for manufacturing corsets or brassieres
- A41C5/005—Machines, appliances, or methods for manufacturing corsets or brassieres by moulding
Definitions
- the present invention relates to a bra cup with increased functionality. More specifically, the invention relates to a bra cup with high transverse elasticity and reduced longitudinal elasticity, and a bra made with such cups, as well as a method of producing the cup/bra.
- a bra is an item of clothing that is very widely used and of vital importance for women.
- a first technique is for making a bra from fabric, without cups made of thermoformed foam and without underwires.
- the specific components that make up the cups are thermoformed fabrics that are assembled with an operation of stitching or gluing or by seamless thermoforming of tubular portions.
- the bra thus provided ensures basic wearability but without support for the breasts, and therefore such type of garment is used as a top for sports use or daily use.
- a second technique is for making a bra from fabric, without thermoformed foam cups, but with underwires.
- the specific components that make up the cups are sewn or thermoformed fabrics which are assembled with metallic underwires with adapted containment tubes made of plush fabric which are assembled with a stitching operation.
- the bra thus provided ensures good basic wearability, but with cumbersome thicknesses in the region where the underwires are attached.
- thermoformed cups in polyurethane or the like are coupled, with stitching operations, to the outer coverings of the cups. Subsequently they are assembled with metallic underwires with adapted containment tubes made of plush fabric which are assembled with a stitching operation.
- the bra thus provided ensures very comfortable wearability, but with cumbersome thicknesses in the region where the underwires are attached.
- a fourth technique involves making a bra from fabric with thermoformed cups without the presence of underwires, but with inserts in megol or similar materials.
- inserts made of megol or similar materials are inserted, thus giving the bra an adequate level of support, but with an increase in the minimum thicknesses of the cup in order to accommodate the megol inserts in the undercup region.
- the bra thus provided ensures very comfortable wearability, but with cumbersome thicknesses in the region where the inserts are.
- This type of technology can be used for cups/bras with graduated push-up cups, and not for cups with reduced thicknesses or cups with graduations without push-ups.
- the aim of the present invention is to provide a bra cup with improved functionality, which is capable of ensuring a high level of elasticity without using inserts made of megol or similar materials inserted in the cup during the thermoforming process, or the coupling of underwires made of thermoplastic or steel to be fixed to the cup with a stitching operation in order to give the bra the correct level of elasticity.
- an object of the present invention is to provide a bra cup with improved functionality which can be produced without using underwires that are assembled with a sewing machine, thus increasing the comfort of the garment when worn.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a bra cup with improved functionality, which has a reduced thickness in comparison to bras made with conventional inserts.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a bra that has the cups with increased functionality, and also to devise a method of producing the cup/bra.
- Another object of the present invention is to provide a bra cup with improved functionality which is highly reliable, easily and practically implemented and low cost.
- a bra cup comprising a first layer of open-cell or semi-open cell foamed polyurethane, having one side with a polyester fabric, coupled to an additional layer of open-cell or semi-open cell polyurethane foam, also provided with a layer of polyester fabric, characterized in that at least one layer of material made of fabric or non- woven fabric with fibers of synthetic materials adapted to withstand thermoforming temperatures is inserted between said coupled layers of open-cell or semi-open cell polyurethane foam.
- Figure 1 is a partially cutaway, exploded perspective view of a set of layers for providing the bra cup according to the invention
- Figure 2 is a perspective view of the set of layers according to the present invention.
- Figure 3 is a perspective view of the step of thermoforming the set of layers in Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 4 is a perspective view of the female die with the thermoformed set of layers
- Figure 5 is a perspective view of the set of layers after the thermoforming step
- Figure 6 shows an embodiment of a bra with the cups according to the present invention.
- the bra cup according to the invention comprises a first layer 2 made of open-cell or semi-open cell polyurethane foam, which is coupled to a polyester fabric that is adapted to withstand thermoforming temperatures without resulting in variations of color tones.
- the cup 1 further comprises a second layer 3 of open-cell or semi- open cell polyurethane foam which is coupled, with lamination operations, to a polyester fabric that is adapted to withstand thermoforming temperatures without resulting in variations of color tones.
- the layer of polyester fabric coupled to the layer 3 is designated by the reference numeral 3 a.
- At least one layer 5 of material made of fabric or non-woven fabric with fibers of synthetic materials adapted to withstand thermoforming temperatures is interposed between the first layer 2 and the second layer 3, which are arranged facing each other, with the polyurethane foam surfaces facing each other.
- the above mentioned fibers can be fibers of polyester, nylon, kevlar, polyamides or partial compositions thereof.
- the fibers used are fibers of materials that are adapted to ensure a reduced longitudinal elasticity and a high transverse elasticity.
- the layer 5 is configured in the shape of a strip and is superimposed on a portion of the layer of open-cell or semi-open cell polyurethane.
- the strip 5 can have a layer of adhesive coupled thereto and the strip 5 is thus in this case adapted to be glued to the polyurethane, thus fixing it in the required position.
- the strip 5 is arranged on the foam so as to be in the lower portion of the cup defined on the foam, so as to substantially affect about half of the surface of the cup.
- Such extension of the strip 5 obviously can vary according to requirements and to the degree of elasticity that it is desired to give the bra cup.
- the cup thus provided can be paired with a similar cup in order to provide a complete garment, i.e. a bra made up from two standard cups.
- the bra is instead thermoformed when directly assembled, i.e. with the two cups 1 already joined together, then the two strips 5 of material are arranged substantially inclined with respect to each other, with the inclination chosen so as to obtain different properties of wearability and support according to requirements.
- the invention further relates to a method for producing the above mentioned cup or the entire bra as discussed previously.
- the method involves positioning, on a surface, a rectangle 2 of open-cell or semi-open cell polyurethane foam, as previously described, coupled to a layer of polyester fabric 2a that is adapted to withstand thermoforming temperatures without resulting in variations of color tones.
- Such layer is arranged with the surface with the polyurethane foam 2 arranged upwardly.
- a further layer of foam 3, laminated to a layer of fabric 3a, is positioned above the rectangle prepared previously, where the surface of the foam that is not laminated with the fabric is turned downwardly so that the two foam surfaces are facing each other.
- thermoforming machine 10 for foams, over an aluminum female mold part 11 with a 3D female profile 12 that reflects the outer shape of the cups or bra, which is conveniently heated to a suitable temperature for the thermoforming process.
- a male mold part 13 is fixed on the moving table of the thermoforming machine at the female mold part, and is also conveniently heated to a suitable temperature for thermoforming, having a 3D male profile 14 that reflects the inner shape of the cups/bra.
- the upper, male mold part 13 fixed on the table of the thermoforming machine is repositioned in the fully open position and the operator removes the thermoformed two-part element 20 with the cups/bra.
- the cups/bra are extracted from the outer swarf present in the two-part element 20.
- thermoforming can also be done with strips 5 that are free from adhesive.
- the cups/bra thus obtained have completely different elasticity characteristics from cups/bras of identical shape and using identical materials, but without inner strips 5.
- a cup provided according to the invention when subjected laterally to lateral traction, will not deform, while this occurs with a cup made with the known art when it is subjected to the same lateral traction.
- the method according to the invention makes it possible to render the cups/bra rigid where necessary, in order to increase the support for the breasts, i.e. in the undercup region (by positioning the strips 5 with elastic and/or thermoadhesive properties inside the two-part element) and leave all the elasticity that is obtained with the known art in the upper region of the cup, where a stiffening would compromise the wearability of the garment and its comfort.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Textile Engineering (AREA)
- Manufacturing & Machinery (AREA)
- Corsets Or Brassieres (AREA)
- Thermally Insulated Containers For Foods (AREA)
- Table Devices Or Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
IT001743A ITMI20131743A1 (en) | 2013-10-18 | 2013-10-18 | CUP FOR BRA WITH IMPROVED FUNCTIONALITY. |
PCT/EP2014/071973 WO2015055624A1 (en) | 2013-10-18 | 2014-10-14 | Bra cup with improved functionality |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3057456A1 true EP3057456A1 (en) | 2016-08-24 |
Family
ID=49683889
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP14784437.7A Withdrawn EP3057456A1 (en) | 2013-10-18 | 2014-10-14 | Bra cup with improved functionality |
Country Status (4)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20160366951A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP3057456A1 (en) |
IT (1) | ITMI20131743A1 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2015055624A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11406141B2 (en) * | 2018-09-14 | 2022-08-09 | Nike, Inc. | Single-piece pad insert for bras |
US11780208B2 (en) * | 2018-11-21 | 2023-10-10 | Silueta (Private) Limited | Moulded composite article formed from laminates |
DE102019000027A1 (en) * | 2019-01-07 | 2020-07-09 | Comfexy GmbH | Process for the production of a non-iron push-up bra and its design |
USD988628S1 (en) * | 2019-12-31 | 2023-06-06 | Piaoxiang He | Silicone care bag for bra |
CN114434719B (en) * | 2022-02-17 | 2023-07-14 | 北京铁科首钢轨道技术股份有限公司 | Polyurethane elastic backing plate and preparation method thereof |
Family Cites Families (9)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6398620B1 (en) * | 2001-02-26 | 2002-06-04 | Strong Castle Ind. Co., Ltd. | Lining pad for a brassiere |
US20070004315A1 (en) * | 2003-01-21 | 2007-01-04 | Theone Luk | Brassiere |
US6796876B2 (en) * | 2003-01-21 | 2004-09-28 | Regina Miracle International Limited | Breast cup for a bra with visual enhancement |
CA2519637C (en) * | 2003-02-19 | 2010-10-12 | Sara Lee Corporation | A brassiere having a spacer fabric and a method of making same |
US7517273B2 (en) * | 2003-12-10 | 2009-04-14 | Andrea Wooten | Support bra |
US7052360B2 (en) * | 2004-03-19 | 2006-05-30 | Victoria's Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc. | Brassiere and related breast cup construction |
US8167678B2 (en) * | 2008-08-14 | 2012-05-01 | Maidenform, Inc. | Bra cup for augmenting breasts and brassiere having the same |
US8142256B2 (en) * | 2009-04-03 | 2012-03-27 | Vibrant, Llc | Breast saver: an ergonomic dynamic bra with combo cups |
US8506348B2 (en) * | 2010-05-18 | 2013-08-13 | Hbi Branded Apparel Enterprises, Llc | Breast enhancing brassiere |
-
2013
- 2013-10-18 IT IT001743A patent/ITMI20131743A1/en unknown
-
2014
- 2014-10-14 WO PCT/EP2014/071973 patent/WO2015055624A1/en active Application Filing
- 2014-10-14 EP EP14784437.7A patent/EP3057456A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2014-10-14 US US14/901,877 patent/US20160366951A1/en not_active Abandoned
Non-Patent Citations (2)
Title |
---|
None * |
See also references of WO2015055624A1 * |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160366951A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
WO2015055624A1 (en) | 2015-04-23 |
ITMI20131743A1 (en) | 2015-04-19 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
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17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20151218 |
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AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
AX | Request for extension of the european patent |
Extension state: BA ME |
|
DAX | Request for extension of the european patent (deleted) | ||
RIC1 | Information provided on ipc code assigned before grant |
Ipc: A41C 3/12 20060101ALI20180713BHEP Ipc: A41C 5/00 20060101AFI20180713BHEP Ipc: A41C 3/10 20060101ALI20180713BHEP |
|
GRAP | Despatch of communication of intention to grant a patent |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: EPIDOSNIGR1 |
|
INTG | Intention to grant announced |
Effective date: 20181023 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION IS DEEMED TO BE WITHDRAWN |
|
18D | Application deemed to be withdrawn |
Effective date: 20190305 |