Self-adjusting brassiere

Abstract

The present invention relates generally to a garment that is capable of providing additional comfort, support, and / or flexibility to the user. For example, the garment can be in the form of a brassiere having bra cups defined at least partially by a bra rim. Each of the bra cups includes an outer stretchable layer and an inner layer, and a bra wing supports the bra cups on a user. A stretchable component is located on each of the bra cups adjacent to at least a portion of the bra rims and attached to the inner layer. The stretchable component is made from a stretchable fabric and has a stretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outer layer. The inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchable component are structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand to accommodate differently shaped and / or sized body portion(s) across different shape and / or size groups.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0001]The present invention relates generally to a garment formed to provide increased comfort, support, and / or flexibility to the user. In particular, the present invention relates to a brassiere that provides a stretchable and / or customized fit to accommodate differently shaped and / or sized body portion(s) across different shape and / or size groups to enhance comfort, support, and / or flexibility to many different users.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Garments are typically made in standard shapes and / or sizes, each of which is intended to fit a group of users having similar body shapes and sizes. Within any shape and / or size group, the intended users may nevertheless have somewhat different heights and / or weights. As a result, the standard shape and / or size system cannot comfortably fit all users in the same shape and / or size group. This is particularly true when the garments are designed to fit closely on the users' bodies.[0003]For example, brassieres are a...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]The present invention provides a garment that can be formed according to a standard shape and / or size system, yet capable of providing a stretchable fit to accommodate different shapes and / or sizes occurring across different shape and / or size group without significantly increasing cost. In particular, the present invention provides a brassiere that self-adjusts to a variety of different shape and size users, while also providing the ability to continuously self-adjust to that particular user when that user's body changes shape and / or size such as when the wearer bends her body during various physical activities or changes occurring during natural physiological cycles, while enhancing comfort, support, and / or flexibility to the user.

[0006]The present invention relates generally to a garment that provides additional comfort, support, and / or flexibility to users across different shape and / or size groups. For example, the garment can be in the form of a brassiere having bra cups defined at least partially by a bra rim. Each of the bra cups includes an outer stretchable layer and an inner layer, and a bra wing supports the bra cups on a user. A stretchable component is located on each of the bra cups adjacent to at least a portion of the bra rims and attached to the inner layer. The stretchable component is made from a stretchable fabric and has a stretchability greater than the inner layer and less than the outer layer. The inner layer, the outer layer and the stretchable component are structured so as to allow the bra cups to expand to accommodate differently shaped and / or sized body portion(s) across different shape and / or size groups.

[0007]According to a further aspect of the present invention, the brassiere can also have the bra wings and bra straps made of a stretchable fabric similar to the outer layer of the bra cups. This will allow the bra wings and bra straps expand to accommodate users across different shape and / or size groups.

[0008]The inner layer, bra wings and bra straps are preferably made from a stretchable fabric containing a fiber that has a high elongation and a low hysteresis, thereby providing a fabric with optimum stretching with less force and greater recovery power. This results in the wearer experiencing little or no perceptible resistance to stretch movements, as well as a quick shape recovery so as to closely conform to the body of the wearer. It will be appreciated that the stretchable fabric can be knitted or woven or in the form of lace, embroidery, mesh, and the like.

Problems solved by technology

As a result, the standard shape and / or size system cannot comfortably fit all users in the same shape and / or size group.

In view of this phenomenon, the standard shapes and / or sizes will not comfortably fit all users.

Although custom tailoring can be employed to address the above-mentioned problem, the cost and effort associated with custom tailoring makes it impractical to supply to the mass market.

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