Abstract:
A brassiere strap having a layer of material having an inner surface and a non-slip surface; and a support fabric connected to the inner surface is provided. The non-slip surface has a nap that is capable of preventing movement between the non-slip surface and the skin of a wearer when the strap is worn against the skin of the wearer. A brassiere strap having a layer having a non-slip surface and an inner surface opposite the non-slip surface is provided. The support layer is connected to the inner surface. The layer non-slip surface is formed from a material having a nap that is capable of preventing movement between the non-slip surface and the skin of a wearer when the strap is worn against the skin of a wearer.

Description:
[0001]    This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/835,181, filed on Aug. 2, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated by reference herein. 
     
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates generally to a non-slip strap for an article of clothing. More particularly, the present invention relates to a non-slip shoulder strap for an article of clothing. Still more particularly, the present invention relates to a non-slip shoulder strap for a brassiere in which the strap material prevents the strap from slipping on the shoulder of the wearer. 
         [0004]    2. Description of Related Art 
         [0005]    Undergarments often have straps that contact the shoulder of the wearer for support during wear. The shoulder straps are often connected to the cups of the undergarment and are used to maintain the position of the undergarment during wear. These straps generally have a width that maximizes their ability to maintain position on the shoulder yet not appear unsightly beneath clothing. Unfortunately, such straps do not maintain their position and do not offer comfort to the wearer. 
         [0006]    Some brassiere straps incorporate films on their body contacting layer to maintain their position on the shoulder of the wearer. Such straps are often very thin and may not be effective after extended periods of time. Other straps have large foam inserts that are either inserted or built-in foam components that are molded or formed in the brassiere strap. Foam straps are often too bulky to be worn with close fitting over clothes. Further they can shift during wear and make the wearer self conscious or fail after several washings. 
         [0007]    Accordingly, there is a need for a foam or fabric strap that prevents sliding of the strap on the shoulder and that offers a smooth profile beneath clothing and provides desired comfort during wear. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0008]    The present disclosure provides for a brassiere strap having a foam layer that directly contacts the shoulder of the wearer to prevent sliding. 
         [0009]    The present disclosure also provides for a brassiere strap having a fabric layer that directly contacts the shoulder of the wearer to prevent sliding. 
         [0010]    The present disclosure also provides for a brassiere strap having a material layer with a nap that directly contacts the shoulder of the wearer to prevent sliding of the strap over the shoulder during wear. 
         [0011]    The present disclosure further provides for a brassiere strap having a foam body contacting layer with a curvilinear and/or straight configuration that does not slide or shift on the shoulder during wear. 
         [0012]    The present disclosure still further provides for a brassiere strap having a skin contacting layer that is knitted to prevent slippage against the skin of the wearer. 
         [0013]    The present disclosure still yet further provides for a brassiere strap that has a comfort feature and a non-slip body contacting layer. 
         [0014]    The present disclosure yet still further provides for a brassiere strap having a foam layer that contacts the shoulder of the wearer that distributes pressure over the shoulder. 
         [0015]    The present disclosure also provides for a brassiere strap that has any one of a gel, a spacer fabric or a fiber fill insert therein and a non-slip body contacting layer. 
         [0016]    The present disclosure further provides for a brassiere strap that has strap width from about ⅜ inches to 1¼ inches in width and a non-slip body contacting layer. 
         [0017]    These and other advantages and benefits are provided by a brassiere strap having a layer of material having an inner surface and a non-slip surface; and a support fabric connected to the inner surface. The non-slip surface has a nap that is capable of preventing movement between the non-slip surface and the skin of a wearer when the strap is worn against the skin of the wearer. 
         [0018]    A brassiere strap having a layer with a non-slip surface and an inner surface opposite the non-slip surface. The support layer is connected to the inner surface. The layer non-slip surface is formed from a material having a nap that is capable of preventing movement between the non-slip surface and the skin of a wearer when the strap is worn against the skin of a wearer. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0019]    These and other objects of the present invention will be more apparent from the followed detailed description of the present invention, in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein: 
           [0020]      FIG. 1  illustrates a perspective view of a brassiere that incorporates the foam straps of the first embodiment present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 2  illustrates a top view of the foam straps of  FIG. 1  of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates a bottom view of the foam straps of  FIG. 1  of the present invention; 
           [0023]      FIG. 4  illustrates a side view of the foam straps of  FIG. 1  of the present invention; 
           [0024]      FIG. 5   a  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the foam strap according to  FIG. 4  of the present invention taken along line  5   a - 5   a;    
           [0025]      FIG. 5   b  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the foam strap of  FIG. 4  without a laminated layer of  FIG. 5   a;    
           [0026]      FIG. 6  illustrates a top view of the foam straps according to a second embodiment of the present invention having a straight configuration; 
           [0027]      FIG. 7   a  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the foam strap of the  FIG. 6  according to second embodiment of the present invention, taken along line  7   a - 7   a;    
           [0028]      FIG. 7   b  illustrates a side cross-sectional view of the foam strap of  FIG. 6  without a laminated layer; 
           [0029]      FIG. 8  illustrates a cross-sectional view of the foam strap of the third embodiment of the present invention having a comfort feature; 
           [0030]      FIG. 9  illustrates a top view of a fabric strap according to a fourth embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0031]      FIG. 10  illustrates a cross section view of the fabric strap according to  FIG. 9  taken along line  10 - 10 . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0032]    Referring to the drawings, and in particular,  FIG. 1 , there is provided a brassiere generally represented by reference numeral  10 . Brassiere  10  is shown as a conventional brassiere and includes a pair of breast-receiving cups  15 , a torso-encircling band  30  and a pair of back panels  20 . Each shoulder strap  40  is connected to one of the pair of breast receiving cups  15  and to one of a pair of adjustable back strap assemblies  35 . Each shoulder strap  40 , as shown more clearly in  FIGS. 2 and 3  has a shaped area with a non-slip portion  55 . 
         [0033]    Referring to  FIGS. 2 through 4 , a first embodiment of the strap  40  of the present invention is shown. Strap  40  has an upper support layer  45  having a surface  46  and lower layer  50 , respectively. Strap  40  has a front end  48  that is connected proximate the breast cup of brassiere  10  and a back end  47  that is connected to a strap assembly  35  of brassiere  10 . Strap assembly  35  has a strap adjustment element to change the length of strap. Alternatively, adjustment feature could be located at the front of brassiere  10 . Upper support layer  45  has a very smooth profile to ensure a smooth appearance beneath clothing. Upper support layer  45  is made from a smooth fabric such as, for example, polyester, although other materials could also be used. Lower layer  50  is made from two materials, a non-slip foam portion  55  and a smooth portion  57 . Smooth portion  57  can be made from the same material as upper support layer  45 . 
         [0034]    Non-slip foam portion  55  contacts the skin of the wearer during wear of brassiere  10 . Non-slip foam portion  55  is made from a material that has a nap and provides a degree of friction between itself and the skin of the wearer. Non-slip foam portion  55  is preferably made form a soft foam material such as a material called PORON™, that is owned by Rogers Corporation. PORON™ is an open celled microcellular polyurethane that is a urethane polymer. Non-slip foam portion  55  has a sueded or buffed texture that ensures strap  40  will not slide or move from the shoulder of the wearer during wear. Other materials similar to PORON™ that offer a similar textured surface that would resist sliding on the shoulder of the wearer could also be used. 
         [0035]    Layers  45  and  50  of strap  40  have a curvilinear shape, for example, an elongated ovoid shape that is widest at the non-slip foam portion  55 . Non-slip foam portion  55  is advantageously positioned at the top of the shoulder to resist slipping or shifting on the shoulder during wear and active movement. Thus, the broad non-slip foam portion  55  is provided where it is particularly necessary to offer the greatest amount foam material to effect the non-slip function. Layers  45  and  50  each contain stitching  65  and  70 , respectively, to connect layers  45  and  50 . 
         [0036]    Referring to  FIG. 4 , the profile of brassiere strap  40  and upper support layer  45  and lower layer  50  are shown. Strap  40  has a smooth profile even though a foam material is used in its assembly. In many brassieres, a foam strap feature adds unwanted bulk to the strap and a visible contour beneath clothing. By having the non-slip foam portion  55  as a skin contacting surface, that disadvantage is eliminated. 
         [0037]      FIG. 5   a  shows the cup fabric  90  of brassiere strap  40  having an inner layer of netting material layer  82 . Similarly, inner side of non-slip layer  55  is also covered by a netting material layer  80  such as for example, stabilized microfiber or stabilized tricot. Netting material layers  80  and  82  are laminated to the non-skin contacting layer of non-slip portion  55  and inner cup fabric layer  90  prior to strap assembly. Netting material  80  allows non-slip layer  55  to be sewn to create seams  65  and  70  without peeling or fragmenting during the assembly process. Each layer  55  and  90 , respectively, is folded under itself to prevent fraying of a free edge and to provide greater strap integrity. Further, netting material layers  80  and  82  have minimal thickness so that the overall profile of strap  40  remains slim and not visible beneath clothing. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 5   b , cup fabric  90  can be sewn to non-slip portion  55  and netting layer  80  without netting layer  82 . 
         [0038]    Referring to  FIG. 6 , a second embodiment of the brassiere strap of the present invention is shown and generally referenced using reference numeral  51 . Strap  51  is similar to strap of  FIG. 2  and  FIG. 3 ; however, strap  51  has a straight configuration. Strap  51  has a first surface  52  and a second surface  56 . Surface  52 , a skin contacting surface, has a non-slip portion  54  and a smooth portion  53 . Non-slip portion  54  is also made from PORON™ to ensure that strap  51  does not slip on the shoulder of the wearer during wear. Other materials similar to PORON™ that offer a similar textured surface that would resist sliding on the shoulder of the wearer could also be used. Second surface  56  is a support surface of brassiere cup to which non-slip portion  54  is connected, preferably, using stitches  58 . Second surface  56  is has a smooth profile to ensure a smooth appearance beneath clothing. Second surface  56  is made from a smooth fabric such as, for example, polyester, although other materials could also be used. Smooth portion  53  is also made from a smooth fabric, such as for example polyester. 
         [0039]      FIG. 7   a  shows a cross-sectional view of the strap of  FIG. 6 . Second surface  56  of brassiere strap  51  has an inner netting material layer  63  connected thereto. Similarly, inner side of non-slip layer  54  also has a netting material layer  66  such as for example, stabilized microfiber or stabilized tricot, connected thereto. Netting material layers  63  and  66  are preferably laminated to and inside surface of second surface  52  and to inner side of non-slip layer  54 , respectively, prior to strap assembly. Netting layer  66  allows non-slip layer  54  to be sewn without peeling or fragmenting during the assembly process. Further, netting layers  63  and  66  have minimal thicknesses so that the overall profile of strap  51  remains slim and not visible beneath clothing. In the present embodiment, non-slip layer  54 , its laminated to netting layer  66 , and smooth portion  53  to form a straight configuration. Non-slip layer  54  and netting layer  66  have free ends  68  that are cut and are laminated together. By having free ends  68 , strap  51  maintains a desirable thin profile beneath clothing. Were the edges folded over and sewn between the strap surfaces, strap  51  may potentially be visible beneath clothing. Further, the manufacturing of a straight strap is more efficient because the cutting and sewing processes are shorter and simpler. Alternatively, as shown in  FIG. 7   b , second surface  56  is sewn non-slip portion  54  and netting layer  66  without netting layer  63 . 
         [0040]    A third embodiment of the present invention is shown in  FIG. 8 . Strap  100  has non-slip portion  110  and a comfort feature  105 . Comfort feature  105  is preferably inserted in strap  100  during the assembly process. Comfort feature  105  can be a layer of for example, an encased silicone or gel material, a spacer fabric or a fiber fill insert. Comfort feature  105  allows the distribution of the weight of the breast tissue over the width of the strap  100  located at the top of the wearer&#39;s shoulder and minimizes the pressure of the breast tissue on the shoulder during wear. Comfort feature  105  together with non-slip portion  110  of PORON™ also offer a degree of compressibility and therefor comfort to the wearer of the brassiere incorporating such a strap  100 . Comfort feature  105  can have either a straight or a curved configuration similar to the first and second embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3  and  FIGS. 6 ,  7   a , and  7   b , respectively. 
         [0041]    A fourth embodiment of the present invention, a non-slip strap is shown in  FIGS. 9 and 10 , and generally referred to using reference numeral  120 . Strap  120  has a non-slip portion  125  that is knitted to enhance the friction between strap  120  and the skin of the shoulder of the wearer to prevent unwanted movement during wear. Strap  120  has a non-slip portion  125  that is knitted using an elasticized material that is plated towards its surface  126 . By knitting the elasticized material to the surface  126 , a nap is created to provide a gripping or friction effect between strap  120  and the skin of the wearer to prevent slipping. The material used to knit non-slip portion  125  is a blend of preferably approximately a 36% nylon and 64% Spandex blend material. Other similar percentages could also be used to provide the same function to prevent slipping between non-slip portion  125  and the skin of the wearer. 
         [0042]    Strap  120  preferably has a straight configuration; although other configurations, such as an elongated ovoid shape, could also be used to enhance the functionality of strap  120 . A strap having a narrower and/or straight configuration would coordinate with a delicate brassiere and still offer the non-slip function. The manufacturing of a straight strap is more efficient because the cutting and sewing processes are shorter and simpler. A strap having a thickness of from 0.375 inches to about 1.25 inches is sized to provide optimal performance. Non-slip portion  125  is connected to a base material  130  by stitches  135 . Additionally, strap  120  could also include a comfort feature as shown in the second embodiment to provide additional comfort to the wearer. 
         [0043]    The present invention has been described with particular reference to the preferred embodiment. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions and examples are only illustrative of the present invention. Various alternatives and modifications thereof can be devised by those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the present invention is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications, and variations that fall within the scope of the disclosure.