Abstract:
A foundation garment  10  is provided with breast cups  11 A, 11 B. Each breast cup  11 A, 11 B has a respective outer cup  111 A, 111 B and sling  12 A, 12 B located therewithin. The sling  12 A, 12 B is configured to provide uplift to the breast independently from the respective outer cup  111 A, 111 B, essentially in a cup-within-a-cup arrangement. The foundation garment can be used to improve cleavage enhancement by providing directional support to the breast along with the appearance of an increased breast size.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of our U.S. Ser. No. 11/427,479, filed Jun. 29, 2006, abandoned. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to the field of foundation garments, and in particular, to cleavage enhancing garments such as brassieres, undergarments and swimwear. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Herein the term foundation garment is intended to mean any garment providing breast support, e.g. undergarments such as brassieres (bras), including balcony type, plunge type, front fastening, midi bras, full-cup bras, underwired bras and bra slips; halterneck and multi-way bras, corsets including corselets and panty corselets; basques, bustiers, bodies, or the like and outergarments such as swimsuits, bikini bras, bodices or the like. 
         [0004]    Cleavage enhancing undergarments or “push-up” bras are commonly used by females to enhance the look of the cleavage. This is generally achieved by providing “uplift” to raise the level of the breasts and/or by including additional padding or cushioning within the garment to give a fuller shape to the breasts. 
         [0005]    Within this type of garment, support for the bust is typically provided in the form of underwiring, which is fitted in the base of each cup of the bra and which provides support from underneath the breast. Any uplift provided by the garment is generally brought about by the straps of the brassiere which conventionally attach to the garment at the top outer edge of the cup and can be adjusted to pull the breast upwards. 
         [0006]    The appearance of a fuller bust is typically achieved by the inclusion of padded inserts inside the cups of the garment. Such garments are well known. 
         [0007]    However, these known “push-up” bras suffer from a number of problems including, for example, the weight of the padding, comfort, reliability, and, crucially, the “overspill” effect which can result from the wearing of such garments and which gives rise to an unsightly and bulging appearance. 
         [0008]    Conventional uplift bras are provided with underwiring which gives support to the breast along with straps, which pull the breast from above, in order to give an uplift effect. Padding, when provided, is usually in the form of foam inserts fitted within the cups, although alternative forms of padding such as gel, fluid or air-filled pouches are known. This padding is provided within the cup in a permanent or removable fashion and the breast essentially sits on padding and is raised accordingly. 
         [0009]    An inherent problem with the use of such uplift bras is that they tend to cause compression of the breast at the top edge of the bra cup. This arises from the pressure that is exerted by the bra at the base of the cup and the padding which tends to sit against the breast, causing compression of the flesh. The straps of the garment, which are typically attached to the cup at a top outside edge, exert a further pressure on the breast. These forces combine to push the breast up from the bottom, without any further support from the cup, which can cause the breast to spill over the top edge of the bra cup. This results in an unsightly appearance with the breasts bulging over the top of the bra. 
         [0010]    In certain garments, which are targeted primarily at women with larger bust sizes it is known to provide elements of additional support to account for the size and weight of the breasts. One known form of additional support uses a web inside the cups in addition to the underwiring. In these garments, the inner web is typically the same size to the outer cup and is contoured and attached to the inner conformation of the cup. In such a garment the internal sling provides additional support to the breast in a similar fashion to that provided by underwiring i.e. by supporting the breasts at their natural height, and does not provide any uplift or pushing together of the breasts. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0011]    The present invention identifies the drawbacks of conventional cleavage enhancing garments and proposes a cleavage enhancing garment which mitigates one or more of the limitations previously addressed. 
         [0012]    The aims and objects of the invention will become apparent from reading the following description. 
         [0013]    According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a foundation garment having two breast cups, each breast cup having an outer cup and an additional breast uplifting means located therewithin, where said additional breast uplifting means is configured to provide uplift to the breast independently to the outer cup. 
         [0014]    Essentially, the breast uplifting means is in the form of a sling. Preferably the sling is of a size substantially smaller to the outer cup. 
         [0015]    As the sling is undersized in comparison to the outer cup, the breast is supported and lifted within the breast cup such that the breast exerts pressure on the upper edge of the outer cup giving particularly good cleavage and shape. 
         [0016]    Preferably the outer cup is moulded to the shape of a breast. Advantageously this ensures that in use, whilst the breast uplifting means provides uplift to the breast, the majority of the breast is held within the breast cup to provide a smooth silhouette. 
         [0017]    Preferably, the breast uplifting means is formed of a fabric with little or no elasticity. This is commonly termed a rigid material or fabric within the clothing manufacture field. Use of this type of material ensures the breast support means provides adequate support without sagging under the weight of the breast. 
         [0018]    More preferably the breast uplifting means is formed of rigid woven satin. 
         [0019]    Even more preferably, the rigid woven satin fabric is cut on the bias as this cut allows the breast uplifting means to yield very slightly under the weight of a breast while still providing adequate support. 
         [0020]    Preferably, the breast uplifting means is attached to the breast cup along the lower inside edge of the outer cup and at an additional point at the apex of the outer cup. This attachment is such that the angle of the breast uplifting means provides directional support for the breast directing the breast both upward and inward due to the resulting angle of the breast uplifting means. 
         [0021]    Optionally the breast uplifting means is attached continuously along the lower and side edge of the outer cup from the bottom to the apex of the breast cup. 
         [0022]    Preferably, the outer cup extends beyond the breast uplifting means to give the appearance of a fuller breast. 
         [0023]    Preferably the inner surface of the outer cup and outer surface of the breast uplifting means define a cavity space. 
         [0024]    Optionally the foundation garment comprises non-supportive padding within the cavity between the outer cup and the breast uplifting means. 
         [0025]    The non-supportive padding does not provide any uplift or directional support to the breast however it prevents the breast cup from deforming by preventing the outer cup from being pushed inwards towards the breast uplifting means if external pressure is supplied. 
         [0026]    Optionally, the padding inserts are integrally formed with the outer cup. 
         [0027]    Optionally the padding inserts may be removable. 
         [0028]    The padding inserts may be formed of foam or a gel. 
         [0029]    Optionally, the padding inserts may comprise a fluid or air-filled bag. 
         [0030]    Preferably, the outer cups are seam free, that is, have no seam on an outer surface thereof. 
         [0031]    Optionally the foundation garment is provided with strap means. 
         [0032]    The strap means may comprise two shoulder straps which are provided in a conventional manner or one strap which circumvents the neck in a halter style. 
         [0033]    Optionally the strap means comprise two straps which are adjustable with respect to the garment such that they can be adapted in a multi-way manner. 
         [0034]    In one embodiment the garment is an undergarment. In another embodiment the cleavage enhancing garment is an outer garment, for example a swimming costume or a bikini brassiere. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  shows a perspective front view of the foundation garment according to a preferred embodiment of the invention; and 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  shows a perspective back view of the foundation garment of  FIG. 1  showing the inside of the breast cups; and 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a perspective upper side view of the foundation garment of  FIG. 2  as seen along the lines  3 - 3 ; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a cup of the foundation garment of  FIG. 2  as seen along the lines  4 - 4 ; and 
           [0040]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the foundation garment of  FIG. 2  as seen along the lines  5 - 5  wherein the padding insert is removable; and 
           [0041]      FIG. 6  is a view of the foundation garment of  FIG. 5  as configured in use to uplift the breast and conceal the overspill behind the greater extent of the larger outer cup, and also showing an alternate embodiment wherein the padding is integral within the outer breast cup. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0042]    With reference to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a foundation garment generally depicted at  10 . The garment comprises a pair of laterally positioned breast cups,  11 A and  11 B. The garment further comprises a back strap  15 , and shoulder straps  16  as are conventional. The outer appearance is therefore that of a standard brassiere. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , it can be seen that each of the cups  11 A and  11 B is made up of an outer cup  111 A and  111 B and a breast sling  12 A and  12 B. Each breast sling  12 A,  12 B is positioned within one of the respective outer cups  111 A,  111 B. The breast slings  12 A,  12 B are of a smaller size of coverage area relative to outer cups  111 A,  111 B such that they are wholly contained within and covered by outer cups  111 A and  111 B, and are neither visible in use, nor extend as far as the outer cup  111 A,  111 B, as is clearly visible in the Figures. The breast slings  12 A,  12 B provide a smaller support area in comparison to outer cups  111 A and  111 B and it is in these smaller breast slings  12 A and  12 B that the breast sits in use. Essentially the sling acts as a cup within a cup, where the majority of the breast support is by the inner sling  12 A,  12 B, as opposed to the outer cup  111 A,  111 B. 
         [0044]    In the depicted embodiment of  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two breast cups  11 A,  11 B are joined by a central front bar  13  which serves to separate the breasts. However, it will be appreciated that the breast cups  11 A,  11 B can be integrally joined together or linked by alternative means such as zippers, ties or fasteners. 
         [0045]    In the preferred embodiments seen in  FIGS. 3-6 , an underwire  14  is provided at the base of each of the breast cups  11 A,  11 B. Each breast sling  12 A,  12 B is attached to the respective outer cup  111 A,  111 B along the lower edge of the outer cup  111 A,  111 B and at an additional point  20  at the apex of the cup in the proximity of the point of attachment of the strap means  16 . In the depicted embodiments the means of attachment of the breast sling  12 A,  12 B to the outer cup  111 A,  111 B is stitching  18 , as best seen in  FIG. 1 , which is provided continuously along the edges of the outer cup  111 A,  111 B from the bottom edge to the apex. However, it will be appreciated that it is not necessary for attachment to be provided continuously along this length. In the depicted and preferred embodiment the attachment means is double stitching which confers an additional level of security to the garment although single stitching or alternative means of attachment may be used. 
         [0046]    As is most clearly depicted in  FIGS. 3-5 , each of the breast slings  12 A,  12 B is positioned between the outer cup  111 A,  111 B and the underwire  14 . The positioning of each of the breast slings  12 A,  12 B between the outer cup  111 A,  111 B and the underwire  14  provides a higher level of security to hold the breast sling  12 A,  12 B in position although it is not essential to the working of the invention. 
         [0047]    The breast slings  12 A,  12 B are formed of a material with a low level of elasticity, typically termed a “rigid material” in the field of clothing manufacture, which in the depicted embodiment is a rigid woven satin. In this embodiment, the fabric has been cut on the bias, as is clearly evident in  FIG. 2 . Bias cut fabric is utilised as, although the material has little or no natural elasticity, this cut allows the fabric to yield slightly under the weight of the breast, thus increasing the level of comfort to the wearer. The fabric employed for the construction of the sling must be rigid enough to support the breast without relying on any additional support from a padding insert. 
         [0048]    The top inner edge  112  of the breast sling  12 , which is an open edge, is folded over itself in the embodiments seen in  FIGS. 5 and 6  to give a smooth edge both to provide improved comfort and appearance. 
         [0049]      FIG. 4  is a sectional view of a cup of the embodiment of  FIG. 2  showing the free edge  112  of the sling spaced away from the outer cup which is formed of an outer fabric layer  111 ′ and an inner fabric layer  111 ″. The space between the sling at the upper edge  112  and the inner fabric layer  111 ″ defines a cavity  17 . In the embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the outer cup  111  includes a padding insert  17 A to help maintain the shape and appearance of the outer cup  111 , especially where the breast is supported by the sling  12  and the outer cup portion, which is nonsupportive of the breast, might otherwise easily compress. 
         [0050]      FIG. 5  is a sectional view of the foundation garment of  FIG. 2  showing the elevation of the foundation garment. The sling  12  is shown as a double fabric layer that is folded over at the free edge  112 . In this embodiment the outer cup also includes inner and outer fabric layers  111 ′,  111 ″ which are doubled together and the padding insert  17 B is removeably disposed in the cavity space  17 . 
         [0051]    In the preferred embodiment depicted in  FIG. 5 , a padding insert  17 B is provided in the space between each outer cup  111  and inner breast sling  12 . 
         [0052]      FIG. 6  is a similar view of the  FIG. 5  shown in use to support the lower portion of the breast B against the inner sling  12  and to conceal the bulge S above the free edge  112  of the sling  12  behind the outer cup  111 . In this embodiment, the sling  12  may support the breast B below the nipple and angle upwardly from the point of attachment from the lower edge adjacent the front bar  13  to the point  20  at the apex (see  FIG. 2 ), serving to lift the breast upward and inward to enhance the appearance of the cleavage. 
         [0053]    The tension in the breast sling  12  can compress the breasts and form a bulge or overspill S just above the top edge  112  of the sling  12 , which is thus disposed above the cavity space  17  where any otherwise visible overspill S is concealed by the relatively larger inner surface area of the outer cup  111  that extends above the upper edge  112  of the sling  12 . 
         [0054]    In the preferred embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 6 , the padding insert  17 B is a foam, which is integrally moulded with the outer cup  111 , between outer fabric layer  111 ′ and inner fabric layer  111 ″. Optionally, any other known padding material such as gel, fluid or air filled pouches can be used to form the padding insert in either embodiment of  FIGS. 4 and 6  or of  FIG. 5 . The padding inserts  17 A,  17 B are non-supporting as all of the requisite support for the breast will be provided by the breast slings  12 A,  12 B. This prevents a situation where the padding is pushing the breast upwards from a single point resulting in unsightly overspill. As the breast will be cradled within a breast sling  12 A,  12 B which will lift the breast up within the breast cup  11 A,  11 B this will give a more natural cleavage and shape. Additionally, it is not essential that the padding insert is integral with the outer breast cups. The padding insert can be provided as a removable pouch which can be inserted in the space  17  between the breast slings  12 A,  12 B and the outer cups  111 A,  111 B as seen in  FIGS. 4 and 6  or alternatively can be provided integral with the breast slings  12 A,  12 B as seen in  FIG. 5 . The space between the breast slings  12 A,  12 B and the outer cups  111 A,  111 B serves to create the appearance of a fuller bust, and, as such, a padding insert is not essential to maintain the appearance of a fuller bust. However, an advantage of incorporating a padding insert is that it can prevent compression of the cups  11   a ,  11 B under external forces, e.g. to avoid deflation of the space between the outer cup  111 A,  111 B and the breast slings  12 A,  12 B, for example by compression due to tight clothing. 
         [0055]    In the preferred and depicted embodiment in  FIG. 2 , the angle of the upper edges  112 A,  112 B of the breast slings  12 A,  12 B, with respect to horizontal, i.e. sloped upward and outward, serves to provide both upward and inward directional support to the breast. In alternative embodiments, however, the breast slings  12 A,  12 B could be angled to provide a different type of support, e.g. to provide more uplift and less inward directional support. 
         [0056]    As full support is provided to the breast by the breast slings  12 A,  12 B, there will advantageously be less pull on the breast from the weight of the padding insert. 
         [0057]    Additionally, as the breast sling provides support directly to the breast, the reliability of the garment is increased and the risk that the breasts of the wearer would become dislodged from the garment, for example when leaning forward, is decreased. 
         [0058]    It will be evident that various modifications and improvements could be made to the above-described garment within the scope of the invention. For example, the above description is written in the context of push up brassiere, however it could equally apply to another style wherein the inward directional breast support is reduced relative to the upward breast support, as controlled by the angle of the breast slings within the outer breast cups. 
         [0059]    The present invention in one of its aspects provides an improved cleavage enhancing garment which provides directional support to the breast along with the appearance of an increased breast size, which overcomes some of the limitations previously addressed. 
         [0060]    As the uplift is provided by the breast sling, more directional support can be provided to the breast for example by attaching the breast sling at a point within the outer cup at the upper outside edge. Advantageously, this results in a more contoured appearance to the bust, and decreases the appearance of unsightly bulges which can arise from conventional cleavage enhancing garments. 
         [0061]    Further modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention herein intended.