Patent Publication Number: US-11375757-B1

Title: Brassiere having scooped back band

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of U.S. application 62/601,113, filed Mar. 10, 2017. This application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a brassiere for improved bust support having a scooped back band and asymmetric rings at the back strap joint. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     To address the functionality of the brassiere, improvements have previously only been made to the cups in order to help mold, lift, and shape the breast. However, such modifications do not give functional and lasting support for the bust. The weight of the breast will eventually pull the cups down and add tension to the straps and the shoulders of the wearer. The back wings of previous brassiere designs is made of one fabric piece, typically mesh or another elastic fabric, and thus does not have any structure or stability. Indeed, the elastic fabric will give in at the point of least resistance. This instability causes the back band of the brassiere to “ride-up” the wearer&#39;s back, due to the weight of the breasts, leading to discomfort and poor bust support. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     Embodiments of the invention provide a brassiere having constructed and seamed back wings that address the lack of bust support provided by traditional bras. In addition to the scooped back band, asymmetric rings at the back strap joint help counteract the weight of the bust by reducing tension in the straps and preventing the band from riding up the back of the wearer. Anchoring the back band lower on the back of the wearer creates the necessary balance to the weight of the bust which results in consistent support and comfort while alleviating stress and weight at the shoulders. 
     One aspect of the invention provides a brassiere comprising a pair of interconnected fabric breast cups and a pair of back wings, wherein each back wing is attached to a breast cup at a first end and configured to be releasably attached to the other back wing at a second end and wherein each back wing comprises at least two fabric panels attached end to end, wherein a portion of the panels overlap at each attachment of two panels and wherein the panels are constructed such that a top surface of each panel slopes in a substantially downward direction starting from the end closest to the breast cup. 
     In some embodiments, each fabric panel of the back wing is constructed of a non-stretch fabric or a low-stretch fabric. In some embodiments, each back wing comprises four fabric panels. In some embodiments, the two panels closest to the fabric breast cup are constructed of a non-stretch material and the two remaining panels are constructed of a low-stretch fabric. In some embodiments, boning is contained within a pocket created by overlapping material at each attachment of two panels. 
     In further embodiments, the brassiere further comprises a strap connecting each fabric breast cup to a section of the top surface of the panel located furthest from the fabric breast cup. In some embodiments, the brassiere further comprises an asymmetric ring connecting each strap to each back wing. The asymmetric ring may be heart-shaped. The wider section of each asymmetric ring is oriented in a direction toward the second end of the back wing. In some embodiments, each back wing is configured to be releasably attached to the other back wing by a hook and eye closure. In some embodiments, each fabric breast cup comprises at least two fabric panels, each panel being constructed of a non-stretch fabric. 
     Additional features and advantages of the invention will be set forth in the description below, and in part will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. The advantages of the invention can be realized and attained by the exemplary structure particularly pointed out in the written description and claims hereof as well as the appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a side view of an exemplary scooped back brassiere on the body of a wearer; 
         FIG. 1B  is a back view of an exemplary scooped back brassiere on the body of a wearer; 
         FIG. 2  is a front view of an exemplary scooped back brassiere with back wings extended; 
         FIG. 3  shows an exemplary back wing having four angled panels and boning inserted in the pockets formed between each panel; 
         FIG. 4  show exemplary individually cut and angled panels of the back wing; 
         FIGS. 5A and 5B  show an exemplary fold of fabric adjoining two panels to create a pocket in which boning may be inserted. 
         FIGS. 6A, 6B, and 6C  show exemplary asymmetric rings; 
         FIG. 7A  is a side view of an exemplary scooped back brassiere on the body of a wearer; 
       and 
         FIG. 7B  is a back view of an exemplary scooped back brassiere on the body of a wearer. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The scooped back band of the brassiere described herein is engineered with built-in support to create a sturdy counterbalance to the weight of the bust. With reference to  FIGS. 1A and 1B , unlike traditional brassieres, the back band  120  of the brassiere  110  sits lower on the body while the seamed and angled construction of each back wing  122  holds the scooped position of the band in place, thus allowing for 360 degree support of the bust and for further counterbalancing of the weight of the bust at the front of the brassiere. This is a significant improvement to brassieres that rely only on the breast cups and unstructured one-piece back wings for support. The construction described herein creates a better upright posture by letting support come from the band  120  and not the shoulders of the wearer. 
     The term “brassiere” encompasses any garment incorporating the features as provided herein and thus includes, for example, a corset as shown in  FIGS. 7A and 7B . A “back wing” as used herein thus also refers to the back body pieces of a corset, also called the frame of a corset. With reference to  FIG. 2 , each back wing  122  of the brassiere  110  comprises at least two fabric panels  230  attached end to end, e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more panels. In some embodiments, the back wing  122  comprises four panels  230 . With reference to  FIG. 4 , each panel  230  is individually cut, angled, and sewn. The panels  230  are cut at an angle such that a top surface  232  of each panel  230  slopes in a substantially downward direction starting from the end closest to the breast cup  234 . “Substantially downward” means that the overall top surface  232  of the panel  230  is sloped downward, i.e. the end closest to the breast cup  234  is at a higher position than the end furthest from the breast cup  234 . Thus, each panel  230  has a generally trapezoidal shape. In some embodiments, the bottom surface  258  of each panel slopes in a substantially downward direction starting from the end closest to the breast cup  234 . Preferably, the degree of slope of the bottom surface is less than the degree of slope of the top surface, i.e., the top surface has a steeper slope than the bottom surface. It is contemplated that some sections of the top surface  232  may be, e.g. horizontal, other than sloped in order to provide an attachment surface for the rings  236  connecting the panel  230  to the strap  238  or to facilitate the overlap of fabric at the connection of each panel  230  ( FIG. 4 ). The scooped shape of the back band  120 , as opposed to bands of traditional brassieres that lie horizontally across the back of a wearer, provides increased control, direction, and stability to the band  120 . 
     Each panel  230  is constructed of a non-stretch fabric or a low-stretch fabric. A non-stretch fabric or material is one that is less elastic than the low-stretch fabric or material. It is to be understood that the “non-stretch” material may not be completely devoid of stretch, although in some embodiments, it includes material having no or substantially no elasticity or stretchability. The non-stretch fabric may be the same fabric used to construct the cups  234  of the brassiere  110 . The low-stretch fabric may be the same or a different material as the high-stretch fabric but with a different degree of elasticity due to a higher ratio of elastomeric fibers (e.g., elastane) to non-elastomeric fibers (e.g., nylon or polyester). The elasticity or flexibility of the fabric may be indicated by the weight or thickness of the fabric, with a lower weight providing more stretch. Thus, in some embodiments, the non-stretch fabric is a higher weight than the low-stretch fabric. In some embodiments, the weight of the non-stretch fabric is about at least 100 GSM, at least 150 GSM, or at least 180 GSM or higher. Exemplary fabrics are known in the art and include, but are not limited to, simplex fabric, lace, elastane (spandex) blends, lycra blends and combinations or blends thereof, e.g. lace having different percentages of elastane may also be used. In some embodiments, the non-stretch material is lined with tricot or another stabilizing or reinforcing fabric in order to further minimize stretch. The stabilizing fabric may be at least about 10 denier, at least about 15 denier, or at least about 20 denier or higher. The low-stretch fabric or material is one that is more elastic than the non-stretch material. 
     The back wing  122  may have any combination and order of non-stretch and low-stretch fabric panels  230 . For example, a back wing  122  having four panels  230  may have four non-stretch panels; three non-stretch panels and one low-stretch panel; two non-stretch panels and two low-stretch panels; one non-stretch panel and three low-stretch panels; or four low-stretch panels. Further, the two back wings  122  of the brassiere may have different arrangements of non-stretch and low-stretch fabric panels  230 . In some embodiments, a back wing  122  as described herein includes four panels  230  with the two panels  230  closest to the fabric breast cup constructed of a non-stretch fabric and the two remaining panels  230  constructed of a low-stretch fabric. 
     The fabric may have 4-way stretch in which the fabric stretches in both a crosswise and lengthwise direction or the fabric may have a 2-way stretch in which the fabric stretches primarily in either a crosswise or lengthwise direction. Fabric with a vertical grain provide a crosswise stretch while fabric with a horizontal grain provide a lengthwise stretch. The back wing  122  may have any combination and order of fabric panels  230  that stretch primarily in crosswise or lengthwise direction or both. In some embodiments, to the extent that each panel has elasticity, the two panels  230  closest to the fabric breast cup have a horizontal grain (or lengthwise stretch) and the two remaining panels  230  have a vertical grain (or crosswise stretch). In some embodiments, the cut of the fabric for each panel is angled such that when assembled the grain of the fabric is substantially perpendicular or parallel to a transverse plane of the wearer. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , in some embodiments, each panel  230  of the band  120  is connected to the adjoining panel  230  by overlapping fabric  460  to create a stitched/seamed pocket  340 . In some embodiments, the pocket is created by inverting one panel and placing it on top of the adjacent panel so that the dotted lines as shown in  FIG. 4  overlap (see  FIG. 5B ). The panels are then stitched together (e.g., by single needle stitching or lockstitch) at the dotted line on the end of the panel containing the fabric to be overlapped  460  and at the edge of panels at the same end. After stitching, the inverted panel is folded over the stitch to assume its correct orientation along the back wing. Another stitch is then added through the three layers of fabric, created from folding the panel, thus forming the pocket.  FIG. 5A  is an example of two pieces of fabric that are overlayed to form a pocket as described herein.  FIG. 5B  is an alternate view of the fold with each of the three stitches shown with dotted lines. It is also contemplated that the pocket may be created by simply overlapping the two ends of adjoining panels. 
     In some embodiments, one or more of the pockets  340  include boning  342 . In some embodiments, the boning  342  may be sewn into the top surface  232  of the band  120  and float at the bottom which allows for greater flexibility in movement of the body while the rest of the band  120  stays in place during use. It is contemplated that the boning may be sewn topically, however, sewing the boning into pockets provides increased support. In some embodiments, the boning  342  is telescoping boning in which at least two boning pieces are overlapped in a telescoping manner to allow the overall length of the boning to vary as the wearer moves, thus providing further stability to the garment. The bones reinforce and stabilize the angled panels and sloping position of the back band. The introduction of boning also helps create stability between panels having contrasting fabrics with different elasticities. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each cup  234  of the brassiere  110  may also comprise at least two fabric panels  250 , e.g. 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, or more panels, each panel  250  being constructed of non-stretch fabric or low-stretch fabric. In some embodiments, the slide sling  252  of the cup  234  sits higher at the underarm of the wearer and connects by underwire  254  to the first back wing panel  122 . The extra height provided by this arrangement creates additional wireplay to allow full coverage of the side breast tissue and starts the downward angle of the band  120 . 
     In some embodiments, the brassiere  110  described herein is a strapless brassiere. In some embodiments, the brassiere  110  includes a strap  238  connecting each fabric breast cup  234  to a section of the top surface  232  of the panel  230  located furthest from the fabric breast cup  234 . As is known in the art, each strap  238  may be adjustable to different lengths to provide a better fit for the wearer. Each strap  238  may connect a breast cup  234  with its corresponding back wing  122 , e.g. connecting the left cup to the left back wing, or each strap  238  may connect a breast cup  234  with the opposite back wing  122 , e.g. connecting the left cup to the right back wing, thus the straps  238  criss-cross down the back of the wearer. In some embodiments, one or both straps  238  are removably attached to the brassiere  110 . 
     With reference to  FIGS. 2, 4 and 6A -C, in some embodiments, the brassiere  110  described herein further includes a back strap joint comprising an asymmetric ring  236  connecting each strap  238  to each back wing  122 . The rings  236  further limit the pull on the back band  120  due to the weight of the bust and stabilize the band  120  in its lower position on the body. The wider or longer portion of each ring  236  is directed away from the breast cup  234  and toward the end of the back wing  122  not attached to the breast cup  234 . Thus, each ring  236  faces an opposite direction. In some embodiments, the asymmetric ring  236  is heart-shaped ( FIG. 6B ). The asymmetry of the ring  236  allows for a better angle of the strap  238  from a position closer to the center back which prevents the straps  238  from slipping off the shoulders. Thus, the rings  236  create an angle that positions the strap  238  outward without imposing a pull on the back band  120 . 
     In embodiments where the straps  238  are removable from the brassiere  110 , the asymmetric ring  236  has an opening on one side to allow the ring to be hooked into the fabric connected to the back wing and removed by the user ( FIG. 6C ). The front ring  228  connecting the strap  238  to the breast cup  234  is not asymmetric, and can be shaped as any strap ring known in the art. In some embodiments, the front rings  228  include an opening on one side to allow for removable attachment. 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , each back wing  122  of the brassiere  110  is configured to be releasably attached to the other back wing  122  by means known in the art. In some embodiments, the back wings  122  may be attached by a hook and eye closure  256 . 
     It is to be understood that this invention is not limited to particular embodiments described, as such may, of course, vary. It is also to be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only, and is not intended to be limiting, since the scope of the present invention will be limited only by the appended claims. 
     Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     It is noted that, as used herein and in the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It is further noted that the claims may be drafted to exclude any optional element. As such, this statement is intended to serve as antecedent basis for use of such exclusive terminology as “solely,” “only” and the like in connection with the recitation of claim elements, or use of a “negative” limitation. As will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reading this disclosure, each of the individual embodiments described and illustrated herein has discrete components and features which may be readily separated from or combined with the features of any of the other several embodiments without departing from the scope or spirit of the present invention. Any recited method can be carried out in the order of events recited or in any other order which is logically possible. 
     While the invention has been described in terms of its preferred embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present invention should not be limited to the embodiments as described above, but should further include all modifications and equivalents thereof within the spirit and scope of the description provided herein.