Abstract:
A brassiere comprising two brassiere cups each having an equal number of two or more panel sections representing by at least a lateral sling panel section and a main panel section respectively with the panel sections of each breast cup arranged such that the lateral panel section acts as a sling and possesses substantially less elasticity than is possessed by the main panel section and that the brassiere satisfies a narrow base width measurement for each breast cup of between 11.5 and 13.5 centimeters when the brassiere is extended. The main panel section should extend superiorly to cover the nipple area of the breast and possess greater elasticity.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
       [0001]     This invention is a continuation in part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/683,134 filed on Oct. 9, 2003 and relates to a brassiere for providing breast support, enhancement and cleavage control and more particularly to the construction of a soft cup (no underwire) brassiere which applies force in a medial direction for directing the breasts toward one another and in a superior direction relative to the chest wall for lifting the breasts upwardly without the use of an underwire or excessive padding.  
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     Many attempts have been made in the past to construct a brassiere, which will provide improved breast support, and enhancement as is taught in the following patent disclosures:  
         [0003]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,868,601, for example, teaches the use of externally placed support straps to pull the breast together so as to unnaturally create an enhanced cleavage line.  
         [0004]     U.S. Pat. No. 5,098,330 employs elastomeric members to create compressive forces intended for use with added padding to push the breasts upwardly and inwardly toward each other. The arrangement is awkward and unwieldy as well as cosmetically unattractive.  
         [0005]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,165,047 teaches a brassiere within a brassiere construction for use in combination with excessive padding to volumetrically enhance the breast. The inner cup is placed firmly against the breast, forcing the natural breast tissue away from the middle of the chest, which is directly opposite to the desired force direction to create cleavage.  
         [0006]     U.S. Pat. No. 6,213,842 incorporates a stretchable band in each breast cup to control the forces on the breasts when tension is naturally applied to the band and a force to move the breasts laterally toward one another. However, the use of stretchable bands actually limits the lateral excursion of the breast when tension is naturally applied around the chest and, as such, limits the degree of breast enhancement.  
         [0007]     U.S. Pat. No. 3,595,243 contemplates adding pull elements to provide elevation of the breast and U.S. Pat. No. 4,413,625 teaches shortening the side panels of the brassiere to cause breast elevation.  
         [0008]     Other known techniques involve different measuring systems to measure bra sizes so as to permit the design of the bra to accommodate differences in volumetric breast size as well as differences in the perimeter of the breast on the chest.  
         [0009]     All of the above prior art brassiere designs contemplate the use of extra padding, external supports, or an underwire as an integral part of the design. The prior art does not teach a brassiere design using a breast anthropometrical standard, applicable to most women, or correlating the breast cup diameter of the brassiere to the breast anthropometrical standard as taught in the present invention.  
         [0010]     Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a brassiere design, which will create breast enhancement, cleavage and support while maximizing the appearance of the natural breast volume without any reliance on extra padding or underwire.  
         [0011]     Another object of the present invention is to present an anthropometric standard which, will be utilized to create breast cleavage for average to slightly above average weight women using a brassiere construction that satisfies the finding that the base width of the average woman&#39;s breast changes minimally over varying chest circumferences and cup sizes. Adhering to this correlation is critical to the creation of cleavage in the said group of women. Heretofore prior designs incorporated an underwire to maintain a brassiere&#39;s cup integrity.  
         [0012]     Still another object of the present invention is to provide a brassiere construction, which will control breast cleavage using a design common to two breast cups with each cup formed of a minimum of two panel sections, designed with different elastic properties so as to maximally facilitate a force in the superior-medial direction required to create cleavage without underwire.  
         [0013]     Yet another object of the present invention is an external main panel or covering fabric, which is molded from one piece of material eliminating seams. The smooth appearance under clothing further accentuates the natural exposed breast tissue, i.e., the cleavage.  
         [0014]     Yet another object of the present invention is to provide an improved brassiere construction that can be economically manufactured for use as an independent brassiere or incorporated into many different garments, such as swimsuits and evening gowns for sale as one garment.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0015]     It is believed that a large percentage of women are accommodated with ill-fitted brassieres due to the lack of a reliable industry standard for correlating brassiere size with women&#39;s anatomy. It has been discovered in accordance with the present invention that an anthropometric standard does indeed exist to correlate brassiere size with the average women&#39;s anatomy which will enable a brassiere design to satisfy normal to slightly overweight women (limited to women who are not obese) having average to above average sized breasts.  
         [0016]     The brassiere of the present invention is designed to support and exert force on the wearer&#39;s breasts to move them to a more superior and medial direction on the chest wall in accordance with an anthropometric standard. This anthropometric standard is achieved in accordance with the present invention by designing the brassiere to satisfy a narrow base width measurement for each breast cup when the brassiere is extended; i.e., when worn. The base width standard may be accomplished by controlling the base diameter of the breast cups and the different elasticities of the panel sections of the brassiere relative to one another such that the base width of each breast cup stays within a narrow measurement between 11.5 to 13.5 centimeters. Previously the base width of a soft (without underwire) brassiere breast cup when extended around the chest, significantly exceeded this measurement. A soft cup brassiere that meets this standard will provide support and promote cleavage for normal to slightly overweight women with average to somewhat above average breasts without the need for excess padding. Heretofore a soft cup brassiere was never designed to satisfy a limited base width measurement for each breast cup, which directly correlates to the base width of a woman&#39;s breast as taught in the present invention to accomplish the goal of cleavage creation.  
         [0017]     From an overall perspective the brassiere of the present invention broadly comprises two brassiere cups designed with each cup having a minimum of two panel sections representing a main cup panel section and a lateral sling panel section. The main cup panel in this invention corresponds in function to the superior panel section referred to in the parent patent application. Independent of the number of panel sections, each breast cup should be arranged such that the main or superior panel section extends superiorly to cover the nipple area of the breast. The elasticity of the different panel sections of the brassiere should be controlled relative to one another such that the main or superior panel section possesses a substantially greater elasticity and with less resistance than is possessed by the other panel section(s). For purposes of the present invention the elastic properties of the fabric will be defined by the American Standard Testing Methods (ASTM) using ASTM strength and recovery testing to show the elastic properties of the fabrics and using ball bursting strength to demonstrate the varying resistance of the fabrics. Moreover, the choice of fabric contributes to maintaining the base width of each breast cup to a narrow range preferably between 11.5 to 13.5 centimeters. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0018]     Other advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of the invention when read in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which:  
         [0019]      FIG. 1  is a front perspective of a brassiere according to one preferred embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0020]      FIG. 2  is a sectional view taken along the lines  2 - 2  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0021]      FIG. 3  is a sectional view taken along the lines  3 - 3  of  FIG. 1 ;  
         [0022]      FIG. 4  is a posterior view of  FIG. 1  with the main cup panel section of each breast cup shown broken away to expose the interior lateral sling panel section; and  
         [0023]      FIG. 5  is an anatomic rendering of the naked breast with points that define the base width breast measurement which correspond to the base of the extended breast cup 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS  
       [0024]     Reference is made to the first preferred embodiment of the invention inclusive of  FIGS. 1-5 . In  FIG. 1  the brassiere  10  of the present invention is shown, for purpose of illustration, secured in place on the torso of a women&#39;s body. The brassiere  10  includes a first breast cup  20  and a corresponding second breast cup  30  interconnected at the medial as is shown in  FIGS. 1 and 4 . Anterior support member  22  also referred to as the chest band, is located beneath each breast cup  20  and  30 . The anterior support member  22  is a single piece  23  of double faced knitted fabric with an elastic band  24 , secured between the fold, of the fabric at its most inferior extent. Around the lower perimeter of each breast cup in between the breast cups  20 ,  30  and the anterior chest band  22  is soft support member,  26 . The soft support member  26  is located in the area in which a conventional underwire (not shown) would otherwise be placed to form a typical underwire supported brassiere. The junction of the fabric of the anterior support member  22 , the main breast cup panel  14 , and the lateral sling panel  12  creates the soft support member  26 . The soft support member  26  is a single piece  28  of double-faced knitted fabric secured about the soft support member  26 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The soft support member  26  also limits the extension of the base width of the breast cup  20 ,  30  when secured around the chest wall.  
         [0025]     In this preferred embodiment of the invention each breast cup  20  and  30  has at least two separate panel sections, which, in combination, support the breast when worn by a user. The two panel sections of the breast cup  20  include the main cup panel section  14  and the lateral sling panel section  12  that is hidden from view by the main cup panel section  14 . Likewise, the breast cup  30  includes a main cup panel section  14  and a corresponding lateral sling panel section  12  internal to the main cup panel section  14 . Since the breast cup  20  and the breast cup  30  are of identical construction, only one breast cup, namely breast cup  30 , will hereafter be further described in detail relative to the drawings with the understanding that the other breast cup  20  is constructed with a corresponding number of layers in the same arrangement and of the same materials. As will become more apparent hereafter the material(s) of construction for each of the two panel sections of each of the breast cups  20  and  30  play a significant role in the present invention relative to one another, to the soft support member  26 , and the anterior chest band  22  and the other members of the brassiere  10 . Any natural or synthetic fabric material may be used in the construction of the different panels as long as they satisfy the elastic properties of the panels in accordance with the present invention.  
         [0026]     The description of the materials of construction for each of the two panel sections  12  and  14  of the breast cup  30  will now be explained with reference to  FIGS. 1 through 4  inclusive.  FIGS. 2 and 3  are sectional views indicative of a preferred arrangement for the number of fabric layers selected for each of the two panel sections  12  and  14  of the breast cup  30 .  
         [0027]     The main cup panel section  14  aids in the containment of the breast tissue and is constructed to possess the greatest elasticity, i.e., capacity to stretch based upon the ASTM stretch and recovery test when compared to the lateral sling section. The difference in elasticity is primarily established using different materials of construction (composition), which reflect the fabric stretch and resistance. The fabric is knitted and pre-molded. The fabric stretch is defined by a 130% average length stretch and a 75% average width stretch. The fabric growth shows a 10% average width growth after 60 seconds and 8% average after 60 minutes. The above stated tests reveal the elastic properties of the fabric. The fabric&#39;s ball bursting strength is 116 lbs. and reflects the resistance properties of the fabric. The main cup panel section  14  need only be composed of a minimum of one layer or may be constructed of two or more layers of fabric with the lateral sling section  12  placed in between the layers as is shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 . The main cup panel which is smooth and pre-molded and possesses a greater elasticity in terms of its ASTM stretch and recovery and bursting strength test relative to the elasticity, based upon comparative ASTM tests, of the other panel section  12 . The main cup section must provide enough force in a lateral medial direction as shown by the double-headed arrow in  FIG. 4  to contain the breast tissue from being forced out of the brassiere. The main cup panel  14  should also extend superiorly to just cover the nipple areola complex of the breast. The main cup section  14  may be molded. The main cup panel section as described with one or more layers may also be embellished with any decorative covering such as lace.  
         [0028]     The lateral sling panel section  12  is preferably a single layer of fabric located between the layers of the main cup panel  14 . The inferior edge of the lateral sling panel section  12  is shaped to preferably follow the shape of the inframammary fold, lower curvature of the breast, and is secured to an anterior support member  22  of the brassiere  10  by the soft support member,  26 . The lateral sling panel section  12  may extend superiorly up to or slightly above the nipple areola complex of the breast but is preferably located below the nipple areola complex of the breast and below the superior edge of the main panel section  14  as is evident from  FIGS. 1 and 4  respectively. The lateral sling panel section  12  is also secured to a side panel  35  of the brassiere  10  at its lateral extent. The side panel  35  extends superiorly and laterally toward the anterior breast strap  65  to which the lateral panel section  12  is also secured by stitching  32 . The fabric selected for the lateral sling panel is preferably knitted and should preferably have a fabric stretch defined by a 5.0% average length stretch and a 6.2% average width stretch. The fabric growth shows a 3.7% average width growth after 60 seconds and 2.5% average after 60 minutes and a 3.1% average length growth after 60 seconds and a 1.9% average after 60 minutes. The fabric resistance was assessed by the ball bursting strength and measured at 59.30 lbs. Therefore, the lateral sling panel section  12  has the least stretch and elasticity and the most resistance when compared to panel  14 . The lateral sling panel sections of each breast cup  20  and  30  are minimally distensible and function to force the naturally, laterally falling breast tissue to a more superior and medial position when the brassiere is secured around the chest wall after appropriately adjusting the breast straps  65  and  66  respectively.  
         [0029]     The above described cup panels  12 , and  14  with their own unique elastic properties, for creating differing forces on the breast mound, when the brassiere  10  is secured about the chest wall (extended) can also be achieved by a single manufactured piece of fabric. The fabric would have the same above described differences in strength but are created internally in the fabric by e.g., modifying the denier of each of the selected panels for effectively controlling the elasticity and resistance. The same unique differences in elasticity and strength can be created in a single piece of woven fabric to create the same forces on the breast mound in each breast cup.  
         [0030]     The anterior support member  22  bridging the two breast cups  20  and  30  is composed of at least two superimposed layers of material as shown in  FIG. 3  with at least one layer designed to add structural integrity to the brasserie  10  by anchoring the breast cups  20  and  30  down. Additionally an elastic band  24  is in between the two layers of the anterior support member  22 , as shown in  FIG. 3 . The anterior support member  22  has a superior border secured to the lateral sling panel section  12  of the breast cup  30  by the soft support member  26 . Accordingly the superior border of the anterior support member  22  conforms in shape to the inframammary fold, lower curvature of the breast. The anterior support member  22  also extends rearward or is secured to the posterior support member  35  extending around the back of the wearer. The anterior support member  22  is preferably composed of at least two layers of superimposed fabric material, as is shown in  FIG. 3 . It also anchors the brassiere  10  to the chest when the posterior support member  35  and  36  are secured posterior. The tension created when the brassiere  10  is secured counters the superior tension pull forces from the brassiere straps  65  and  67 ,  FIG. 4 .  
         [0031]     Each of the posterior support members  35 ,  36  for each breast cup  30  and  20  are joined together in the mid region of the back in any conventional fashion using, for example, a hook mechanism  55  and clips  56 . The posterior support member  35  is composed of at least one layer of fabric. The anterior and posterior support member&#39;s anchors the brassiere to the chest and counterbalance the superior pull of the breast straps. The anterior and posterior support members have structural integrity derived from material fabrication and yield point and do not necessitate the use of a wire. Each posterior support member has elastic easing,  31 ,  34   FIG. 4 , secured to the inner surface of the brassiere  10  on the superior and inferior borders. The elastic easing adds comfort for the wearer. The anterior brassiere straps  65  and  67  attach to the posterior brassiere straps  66  and  68  by adjustable loops  73  and  74  for manual adjustment of each strap on the shoulders of the wearer. The anterior strap  65  establishes a superior force vector as shown in  FIG. 4 .  
         [0032]     As explained hereinbefore, the anthropometric standard will be achieved by designing the brassiere so that the base width measurement of each breast cup when extended stays within a fixed linear measurement of between 11.5 to 13.5 centimeters. The measurement is a linear one preferably taken as shown in  FIG. 5  between points A′ and B on the chest. The position A-A corresponds to the midline of the chest with A′ corresponding to the medial extent of the breast, and points B correspond to the respective positions at the lateral extent of each breast anatomically, as is known to those skilled in the medical profession. The measurements between points A, A′ and B can readily be measured on a brassiere in the extended position and they should correspond to those measurements on the body as seen in  FIG. 5 .