Patent Publication Number: US-2007123146-A1

Title: Brassiere and method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention relates to brassieres. More particularly, although not exclusively, the invention relates to a comfortable brassiere having special hems and/or seams and also to a method of manufacturing parts for use in a comfortable brassiere.  
      Known brassieres have stitched hems and seams that can present areas of discomfort or at least cause irritation to the wearer&#39;s skin. This can result from the stitching methods employed in the manufacture of the brassiere, particularly about the periphery of the brassiere cup.  
     OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION  
      It is the object of the present invention to overcome or substantially ameliorate the above disadvantages and/or more generally to provide an improved brassiere and an improved method of manufacturing a brassiere.  
     DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION  
      There is disclosed herein a brassiere, comprising: 
          parts cut-to-pattern from fabric sheet,     fixing tape upon or alongside an edge strip area of the fabric sheet,     folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over an adjacent portion of the fabric sheet, and     applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to form a hem.        

      Preferably, the method further comprises the step of applying a rolling force through the folded-over edge strip area of the fabric sheet to the fixing tape.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises a separate step of applying heat and pressure to the fixing tape prior to the folding step.  
      Preferably, said separate step of applying heat and pressure lasts for approximately 2 seconds at a temperature of approximately 330° F.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises the detection of any unwanted curling of the fixing tape, and if detected—pressing the fixing tape flat.  
      Preferably, said step of pressing the fixing tape flat lasts for approximately 20 seconds at a temperature of between 460 and 480° F.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises the step of trimming excess material from the fabric sheet and/or fixing tape.  
      Preferably, the above method steps are followed by the further steps of laying the hemmed fabric sheets flat and pressing for approximately 30 seconds at between 330 and 340° F.  
      There is further disclosed herein a method of manufacturing parts of a brassiere, comprising: 
          providing a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet,     placing a fixing tape upon or alongside an edge strip area of the fabric sheet,     folding the edge strip area of the fabric sheet over an adjacent portion of the fabric sheet, and     applying heat and pressure through the fabric sheet to the fixing tape to adhere the fixing tape to the fabric sheet to form a hem.        

      Preferably, the method further comprises the step of applying a rolling force through the folded-over edge strip area of the fabric sheet to the fixing tape.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises a separate step of applying heat and pressure to the fixing tape prior to the folding step.  
      Preferably, said separate step of applying heat and pressure lasts for approximately 2 seconds at a temperature of approximately 330° F.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises the detection of any unwanted curling of the fixing tape, and if detected—pressing the fixing tape flat.  
      Preferably, said step of pressing the fixing tape flat lasts for approximately 20 seconds at a temperature of between 460 and 480° F.  
      Preferably, the method further comprises the step of trimming excess material from the fabric sheet and/or fixing tape.  
      Preferably, the above method steps are followed by the further steps of laying the hemmed fabric sheets flat and pressing for approximately 30 seconds at between 330 and 340° F. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
      A preferred form of the present invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein:  
       FIG. 1  is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of placing a fixing tape upon a cut-to-pattern fabric sheet and pressing same,  
       FIG. 2  is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of folding a hem portion of the fabric sheet and rolling the hem portion flat upon the fixing tape,  
       FIG. 3  is a schematic set of drawings illustrating a step of pressing the folded-over hem portion upon the fixing tape,  
       FIG. 4  is a schematic front elevation of a brassiere made using the piece of FIGS.  1  to  3 , and  
       FIG. 5  is a schematic rear elevation of the brassiere of  FIG. 4 . 
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT  
      In FIGS.  1  to  3  of the accompanying drawings there is depicted schematically a cut-to-shaped fabric piece  11  undergoing a hemming operation. Numerous such fabric pieces  11  would first be cut to a pattern from a multi-layered stack of fabric typically having paper dividing sheets therebetween. A conventional power saw would be used for this purpose. However, a knife could be used if necessary—depending on the type of fabric.  
      A length of fixing tape  12  is placed upon an edge strip area of the fabric piece  11  as shown in  FIG. 1 . The fixing tape might typically be a #3403 film manufactured by The Bemis Company, Industrial Products Division of PO Box 2968/2200 Badger Avenue Oshkosh, Wis. 54903 USA.  
      After positioning the fixing tape  12 , a heated press  14  bears down upon the sheet  11  and tape  12  to initially adhere the tape to the sheet. The pressing plates  14  are typically at 320 20  F., and pressing is timed to last for approximately 2 seconds. If the tape curls which is undesirable, the press  14  can be reactivated to apply heat and pressure for say another 30 seconds.  
      The edge portion of the fabric piece together with the fixing tape is then folded over to form a hem  13 . As an alternative, the fixing tape might be placed just over a tape&#39;s width in from the edge of the fabric piece  11  and initially adhered in that position. The overhanging tape&#39;s width of fabric could then be folded over/upon the tape. The hem  13  is then rolled flat by a roller  15  prior to trimming off excess material. The piece is then placed again between the pressing plates  14  and laid flat. The fabric piece is then pressed at about 330 to 340° F. for about 30 seconds under about 9 lb. of weight.  
      The piece  11  can now be assembled with other parts such as cups  16  and shoulder straps  17  to form a brassiere as shown for example at  10  in  FIGS. 4 and 5 . Numerous hems  13 , such as about the brassiere cups  16  and along the shoulder straps  17  can be formed by the same method as described herein.  
      It should be appreciated that modifications and alterations obvious to those skilled in the art are not to be considered as beyond the scope of the present invention. For example, joins between various fabric pieces of a brassiere or other garment could be made under minor adaptations of the method described herein.