Abstract:
An improved construction for a brassiere, wherein the brassiere is equipped with both back and front fasteners, and a multi-layered lining inside the cups to provide structure and support. The back and front fasteners enable the wearer to put the brassiere on with ease. The multi-layered lining, which absorbs body heat to mold to the shape of the breast accommodates the slight differences in size and shape in the breasts.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention generally relates to an improved construction of a brassiere and, more specifically, to a brassiere having posterior and anterior fasteners. 
   Brassieres come equipped to fasten either in the front or in the back. However, those who have a limited range of motion in their arms, shoulders or back, may have difficulty manipulating fasteners located in the back. Some may attempt to fasten the brassiere while wearing it backwards, then rotating it into its correct position. However, using this method may result in the breasts being improperly positioned in the brassiere. 
   Alternatively, brassieres may fasten in the front, between the breasts. Nevertheless, unlike brassieres which fasten in back, these brassieres are often constructed without fasteners which enable the wearer to adjust the tightness around the torso to accommodate for fluctuations in weight and size that may occur from month-to-month. Thus, the brassiere may be ill fitting or uncomfortable or not support the breasts. 
   In addition, many brassieres are constructed with an inner support system placed behind the cups. However, the inner support does not provide for flexibility so as to take into account the differences in the sizes and shapes of the breasts. Thus, the construction of the brassiere requires the breasts to conform to the shape of the brassiere, not vice versa. 
   As can be seen, there is a need for an improved brassiere which can be put on with ease, such as by those with impaired movement, and which takes into account the differentiations in the size and shape between the two breasts of a woman. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In one aspect of the present invention, a brassiere comprises a first cup-and-band section and a second cup-and-band section, both of which attach and detach anteriorly and posteriorly on the brassiere. 
   In another aspect of the present invention, two anterior cups for covering the breasts having medial ends affixed with detachable fasteners, wherein the anterior fasteners attach the medial ends of the two cup sections together; and two posterior bands affixed to each of the two anterior cups, adapted to attach to each other with detachable fasteners on the medial ends of the bands, wherein the posterior fasteners attach the two bands together. 
   In a further aspect of the present invention, a brassiere comprising fabric bands affixed with detachable posterior fasteners, an outer layer of breast covering cups having an outer surface and an inner surface, and an inner layer of multi-layered lining; wherein the bands are attached adjacent to the outer layer of breast covering cups; and wherein the multi-layered lining attached to the inner surface of the breast coverings cups further comprises ethyl vinyl acetate plastic and stretch knit fabric. 
   In an additional aspect of the present invention, a multi-layered lining for a brassiere, comprising ethyl vinyl acetate plastic and two or more layers of stretch knit fabric, wherein the lining may be attached to cups of the brassiere. 
   In yet another aspect of the present invention, a method for supporting breasts is disclosed. The method comprises the steps of: fastening posterior fasteners of a brassiere, placing fabric bands of a brassiere across the back of the torso, placing cups of the brassiere over the breasts, and fastening anterior fasteners of the brassiere. 
   These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       FIG. 1  is a front view of a brassiere, in a fastened state, in accordance with the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the brassiere of  FIG. 1 , in a partially unfastened state; 
       FIG. 3  is a back view of the brassiere of  FIG. 1 , in a fastened state; 
       FIG. 4  is a back view of the brassiere of  FIG. 1 , in a completely unfastened state; 
       FIG. 5  is a perspective, exploded view of a multi-layered lining for use in a brassiere according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 6  is a flow chart of a method for supporting breasts with a brassiere according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
   Broadly, the present invention provides an improved construction for a brassiere. In particular, the present invention facilitates greater ease in putting on the brassiere, as the brassiere is equipped with both a front and back fastener. In addition, the brassiere is fitted with a soft, flexible, multi-layered lining which conforms to the shape of the wearer&#39;s breasts, as the material absorbs body heat to mold to the shape of the breasts. 
   Unlike other brassieres which are constructed with only a front fastener or only a back fastener, the present invention is equipped with both front and back fasteners. By having both front and back fasteners, the wearer is able to adjust the tightness of the fit around the torso by selecting one of a plurality of back fasteners. Once the back is fastened in the desired location, the wearer may place the back of the brassiere along the torso and bring the cups around to encompass the breasts, easily fastening the cups together using the front fasteners. 
   As used herein, the terms “anterior,” “posterior,” and “medial” may refer to directional positions on the human body. Accordingly, “anterior” may refer to the chest or front of the torso, and the term “posterior” may refer to the back or the back of the torso. Further, the term “medial” may refer to positioning located toward the center of the front or back of the torso. Therefore, the term “medial end” may refer to a terminal section of a brassiere that, when worn in its normal position, may be located near the center of the front of the torso or near the center of the back of the torso. 
     FIG. 1  is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a brassiere  10  according to the present invention in a completely fastened state, posteriorly and anteriorly.  FIG. 2  provides a perspective view of the brassiere  10  in  FIG. 1 , but showing the brassiere  10  in a partially unfastened state, posteriorly. Although the figures depict a brassiere adapted to be worn with shoulder straps, the invention is not limited as such, as strapless brassieres may also be contemplated by the present invention. 
   As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the brassiere  10  may be comprised of first and second anterior cups  16  each having an outer surface  58  and an inner surface  60  adapted to encompass and cover the breasts. The cups may be made of a soft, seamless flexible material such as a simplex style warp knit of polyester. A detachable anterior fastener  12 , such as a clasp, may be affixed to medial ends  56  of the cups  16  to hold the cups  16  together. The anterior fastener  12  may include a first anterior fastener  12 ′ affixed to a first medial end  56  and a second anterior fastener  12 ″ affixed to a second medial end  56 . 
   As better shown in  FIG. 2 , a first band  18  may be attached to the first cup  16  to form a first cup-and-band section  46 . Further, a second band  18  may be attached to the second cup  16  to form a second cup-and-band section  46 . Each of the bands  18  may be made of a material such as LYCRA® (spandex). The medial ends  54  of the bands  18  may be affixed together with a posterior fastener  14 . 
   The posterior fastener  14  may be comprised of a first posterior fastener element  14 ′ adapted to attach to a second posterior fastener element  14 ″, such that the two bands  18  may be fastened together. In one embodiment, the detachable posterior fastener  14  may be comprised of two to five, typically three, hook and eye combinations. As an example, the fastener element  14 ′ may be approximately two to five hooks, typically three, affixed to the first medial end  54  of the first band  18 . In that case, the fastener element  14 ″ may be multiple lines of corresponding eyes, between two to five, typically three, on the second medial end  54  of the second band  18 . 
   Accordingly, the combination of hooks  14 ′ and eyes  14 ″ enable the user to adjust the tightness of the fit of the bands  18  (and thus the brassiere  10 ) around the torso, as the user may select which series of eyes  14 ″ to thread the hooks  14 ′ through to increase or decrease the tightness of the fit. Although  FIG. 2  illustrates a hook and eye combination, alternative fasteners, such as clips and clasps may also be employed. Further, the positioning of the fasteners may also be reversed, such that the eyes are affixed to the first medial end of the first band, and the hooks are affixed to the second medial end of the second band. 
     FIG. 3  is a back view of the brassiere  10  of  FIG. 1  in a completely fastened state while  FIG. 4  is a back view of the brassiere  10  in a completely unfastened state. As shown in  FIG. 3 , the two posterior bands  18  may be joined together by posterior fastener  14  located on the medial ends  54  to span and encompass the width of the back of the torso, thereby securing the cups  16  to the breasts, and the brassiere, as a whole, to the torso. 
   In  FIG. 4 , the anterior fastener  12  is shown as located on the medial ends  56  of the cups  16 , and which fastener  12  holds the first and second cup-and-band sections  46  together anteriorly. The anterior fastener  12 , pictured here as a clasp, may also be detached or fastened to allow for removal or use of the brassiere  10  by the user. As an alternative to a clasp, the anterior fastener  12  may be comprised of hooks, hook and eye combinations, or interlocking clips. Similarly, the posterior fastener  14  on the medial ends  54  of the bands  18  holds the medial ends  54  of the bands  18  together posteriorly, and the fastener  14  may be completely detached or fastened to allow for removal or use of the brassiere  10  by the user. 
   Still referring to  FIG. 4 , each cup  16  may include an upper portion  16 ′ and a mid portion  16 ″ which respectively interface and support the upper portions and mid portions of the breasts. An upper support band  22  may interface each upper portion  16 ′ and be made of a soft, flexible material such as a simplex style warp knit of polyester. The support bands  22  may be adjustable to the breasts via shoulder straps  24 . 
   In  FIG. 4 , a lower support band or multi-layer liner  20  may interface a lower portion of the inner surface  60  of the cups  16 , in addition to a portion of the bands  18 . Thereby, each breast may be supported at least by a cup  16 , an upper support band  22 , and lower support band  20 . The support bands  20 , support bands  22 , and cups  16  may be affixed in the brassiere  10  such as by sewing. However, alternative methods of attachment, such as the use of adhesive, may also be employed. 
     FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the lower support band or multi-layered liner  20 , which may be used in the cups  16  to provide the breasts with support. The lower support band  20  may be comprised of ethyl vinyl acetate plastic  48  inserted between layers of fabric  50 . The fabric  50  may be a stretch knit fabric. The lower support band  20  may respond to body heat so as to mold the band  20  to the shape of each breast, providing individualized, contoured support to each breast. 
     FIG. 6  represents a flow chart for a method  500  of supporting breasts according to the present invention. In a step  505 , a posterior fastener, such as fastener  14 , of a brassiere, such as brassiere  10 , may be fastened together. In a step  510 , fabric bands, such as bands  18 , of the brassiere may be placed across the back of the torso. In a step  515 , cups of the brassiere, such as cups  16 , may be placed over the breasts. At the same time, an upper support band, such as band  22  may interface upper portions of the breasts, while a lower support band, such as band  20 , may interface lower portions of the breasts. In a step  520 , an anterior fastener, such as fastener  12 , of the brassiere may be fastened to secure the brassiere in place. In step  515 , step  520 , and/or later, the lower support band may conform to the shape of each breast to provide support. In so doing, the breasts may be better supported in comparison to a method whereby only a single fastener is used and/or no lower support band that conforms to the breast contour is used. 
   It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.