A non-wired bra that prevents sagging and sideways movement and is breathable.

Abstract

This bra provides a solution that prevents breast sagging and sideways movement without the use of wires, while also preventing discomfort caused by stuffiness inside the cups. [Solution] The bra according to the present invention comprises a band-shaped support extending along the lower edge of the breast and supporting the breast from below, and a cup portion that accommodates the breast. The band-shaped support is formed of a thick fabric or a multilayer structure formed by laminating multiple fabrics. The cup portion has multiple micropores in either the outer fabric or the inner fabric, or both, and the cup is formed of a porous material, thereby achieving both support by the band-shaped support and ventilation by the cup portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a bra that prevents breast sagging and lateral displacement by means of a strip-shaped support extending along the lower edge of the breast and provides breathability to the cup portion.

Background Art

[0002] Bras are used for various purposes such as shaping the breasts into a symmetrical form, making them look beautiful and attractive, protecting the breasts, and suppressing shaking. In particular, the most basic purpose of wearing a bra is considered to be preventing breast sagging and lateral displacement (hereinafter referred to as "sagging etc." unless otherwise specified).

[0003] Breast sagging etc. is caused by factors such as the stretching of the ligaments inside the breast that support the adipose tissue and mammary gland tissue due to the weight and shaking of the breasts, the decrease in collagen and the reduction in skin tension due to aging, and the continuous downward-facing posture such as slouching for a long time, resulting in a decrease in internal support and external environment.

[0004] Therefore, various structural devices have been incorporated into bras to prevent breast sagging etc. For example, the cup portion wraps around the breast, holds its shape, partially bears the weight of the breast, and has the function of suppressing lateral diffusion and guiding it towards the center.

[0005] Also, an underbelt that goes around the torso under the cup disperses the weight of the breast to the trunk and has the function of tightening in the circumferential direction to suppress outward flow. Also, the straps (shoulder straps) serve as an auxiliary force to pull the breast upward and have the function of stabilizing the cup position to prevent displacement.

[0006] Also, side bones located on the side of the cup portion and provided to extend upward from the underbelt reinforce the rigidity in the side direction and physically suppress the outflow of the breast in the side direction by suppressing the deformation of the cup.

[0007] However, while the above-described configuration has some effect in suppressing breast sagging, it does not directly support the lower edge of the breast, and therefore may not adequately prevent breast sagging. For this reason, bras with wires positioned along the lower edge of the breast to support the breast from below, so-called wired bras, have traditionally been widely used as bras to prevent sagging.

[0008] These wired bras typically feature a wire that extends in an arc along the lower edge of the breast, housed within a loop of fabric. The wire is a thin, elongated rod, only a few millimeters long, and is often made of metal (steel wire) coated with resin. By being positioned along the lower edge of the breast, this wire provides support from below and helps maintain its shape.

[0009] The specific functions and effects of a wired bra include the fact that the wire is a linear support member and can directly support the lower edge of the breast, thus effectively preventing breast sagging. In addition, the shape of the wire stabilizes the contour of the cup, which can suppress lateral movement of the breast, i.e., sideways spillage.

[0010] Furthermore, the wired bra, with its composite structure of wire, underband, cups, straps, and side bones, works in cooperation with each other to prevent breast sagging and maintain the breasts in place, thereby preserving their shape well.

[0011] However, with wired bras, the wire can easily cause localized pressure and digging in against the lower edge of the breast, potentially causing pain and discomfort to the wearer. Furthermore, the strong support can leave marks on the skin when the bra is removed. Additionally, in structures where wires provide support, the cup portion is involved in holding the breast in place, requiring the cup's shape and strength to be maintained. This often results in the cup becoming airtight or thick, leading to reduced breathability and increased stuffiness.

[0012] Because the cups of a bra are in close contact with the breasts for extended periods, they become almost completely sealed. As a result, there is little airflow, leading to poor ventilation. Furthermore, when exercising or in the summer heat, body temperature rises, and sweating can cause heat to build up in the cups, leading to stuffiness. This can not only cause discomfort but also potentially lead to itching and rashes.

[0013] However, in wired bras, if thin fabrics, fabrics with micropores, or porous cup structures are used to provide breathability to the cup portion, the rigidity and shape retention of the cup portion may decrease, potentially compromising the ability to adequately support the breasts.

[0014] Thus, a challenge exists with wired bras: there is a trade-off between breast support and breathability. Therefore, there has been a demand for a bra that can adequately support the breasts from below without using wires, while also improving the breathability of the cup area.

[0015] Therefore, there are so-called non-wired bras that do not use wires. These non-wired bras do not have wires positioned along the lower edge of the breast, and instead hold the breast in place with the cups, underband, and straps. This type of bra is often made mainly of flexible fabric materials or elastic components, and is characterized by its ability to deform to conform to the shape of the body.

[0016] Non-wired bras, lacking the localized pressure of wires, reduce digging in and pressure on the lower edge of the breast, thus minimizing pain and discomfort during wear. Furthermore, because they are made of flexible materials, they conform to the wearer's body shape and posture, providing excellent body conformity and a comfortable fit.

[0017] Furthermore, because the entire bra follows the body's movements, it minimizes discomfort during exercise and daily activities, maintaining a comfortable fit. In addition, by not using rigid materials, the overall structure is lightweight and flexible, reducing strain on the body even during prolonged wear.

[0018] Furthermore, by eliminating the wire structure, the design freedom for the cup and other components is increased, making it easier to adopt various structures to improve breathability (for example, breathable materials and opening structures). As a result, it is easier to ensure internal ventilation, suppress stuffiness when sweating, and create a comfortable wearing environment.

[0019] Therefore, as a non-wired bra, the following invention is described in Patent Document 1. [Prior art documents] [Patent Documents]

[0020] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Publication No. 2014-51749 [Overview of the Initiative] [Problems that the invention aims to solve]

[0021] The invention described in Patent Document 1 is a non-wire type bra having a cup part, a back cloth, and shoulder straps. Each cup part is composed of an upper cup part and a lower cup part and is joined to each other at the front center. The lower cup part is made of a non-stretchable fabric having a bottom part formed in a substantially straight line and a side edge part formed in a substantially arc shape that gradually inclines toward the side from the bottom to the upper edge and corresponds to the bust side part.

[0022] Also, a back cloth made of a stretchable knitted fabric that is wider than half of the maximum vertical width of the cup part and stretches in the longitudinal direction is joined to the side edge parts of the left and right lower cup parts, and a pressure-adjusting part made of a stretchable knitted fabric in a substantially triangular shape is arranged to extend from the upper edge of the upper cup part. A shoulder strap is connected between the upper part of the pressure-adjusting part and the back of the back cloth.

[0023] This invention is characterized in that it widens the allowability of the fit feeling with respect to the bust size and can maintain the shape of the bust without causing physical tension even when worn for a long time. However, the bottom part of the lower cup part, which is the part that abuts against the underbust, is only formed of a non-stretchable fabric, namely a non-woven fabric, and it cannot be said that it has any physical structure that can withstand some weight, such as thickening the bottom part or having a laminated structure.

[0024] Therefore, it cannot sufficiently support the weight of the breasts, and it is difficult to maintain the shape of the breasts over a long period of time. Also, since the bra does not have a breathable structure, there is a risk that the cup part in a sealed state will become stuffy.

[0025] Therefore, the present invention solves the problem of the trade-off relationship existing between the breast support function and breathability in a wired bra, and provides a bra that can sufficiently support the breasts from below and improve the breathability of the cup part even in a non-wire type bra. That is, the configuration of the present invention is as follows.

Means for Solving the Problems

[0026] The bra according to claim 1 is a bra having functions of preventing sagging and lateral displacement of the breasts and breathability, and comprises a strip-shaped support extending along the lower edge of the breast and supporting the breast from below, and a cup part for accommodating the breast, wherein the strip-shaped support is formed of a thick fabric or a multi-layer structure in which a plurality of fabrics are laminated, in order to ensure breathability, the cup part has a plurality of micropores in either one or both of its front fabric and back fabric, and the cup is formed of a porous member, characterized in that it enables both the support by the strip-shaped support and the breathability by the cup part.

[0027] The bra according to claim 2 is characterized in that the strip-shaped support includes a strip-shaped reinforcing tape.

[0028] The bra according to claim 3 is characterized in that the strip-shaped support is formed thicker than other parts.

[0029] The bra according to claims 4 and 5 is characterized in that when a pad is attached, the pad is formed of a porous member.

Advantages of the Invention

[0030] According to the present invention, since the breast can be supported from below by the strip-shaped support extending along the lower edge of the breast, sagging of the breast can be effectively prevented. Further, since the strip-shaped support is formed of a thick fabric or a multi-layer structure of fabrics, the breast can be supported in a planar manner without causing local compression by a rigid member such as a wire, and pain and discomfort during wearing can be reduced.

[0031] Furthermore, in this invention, the band-shaped support is responsible for breast support, while the cup portion is primarily responsible for breast accommodating and ventilation. Therefore, even if micropores are formed in the cup portion or a porous structure is adopted, ventilation can be improved without reducing the support function. Thus, the trade-off relationship between breast support and ventilation is eliminated, and both functions can be achieved simultaneously.

[0032] Furthermore, by positioning the band-shaped support along the lower edge of the breast with sufficient width, the load from the breast can be received over a wide area and efficiently transmitted to the underbelt, thereby reducing the load acting on the cup portion. This makes it possible to design the cup portion with an emphasis on breathability.

[0033] If the band-shaped support includes reinforcing tape, its shape retention is improved, and the support position of the breast can be stabilized. Furthermore, if the band-shaped support has a greater thickness than other parts, the load can be distributed and supported by increasing the contact area, thereby improving support and reducing the feeling of pressure.

[0034] Furthermore, if the pad is made of a porous material, air can circulate within the pad, further improving the breathability inside the cup. This invention is not limited to cup size and can be applied to various bras such as full cup, half cup, and three-quarter cup bras.

[0035] Furthermore, because the bra of this invention does not cause pressure from wires and has excellent breathability, it can be applied to a night bra to maintain a comfortable wearing state even while sleeping, and can be applied to a sports bra to suppress the up-and-down movement and lateral shaking of the breasts during exercise while following the body's movements.

[0036] Thus, according to this invention, it is possible to simultaneously prevent breast sagging and ensure breathability, providing a bra that combines comfortable wearability with excellent functionality. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0037] [Figure 1] This is a front view of the back of a bra with a continuous band-shaped support structure, and a magnified view of a portion of the band-shaped support structure. [Figure 2] This is a view of the front of the cup portion with the micro-porous fabric, and a magnified front view of the micro-porous fabric. [Figure 3] The diagram shows a cup, where (a) is a front view of the back of the cup covered with dough, (b) is a front view of the back of the porous cup with the dough removed, and (c) is a cross-section of the cup. [Figure 4] This is a front view of the back of a bra, where a U-shaped band-like support is formed. [Figure 5] This is a front view of the reverse side of the porous pad. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0038] A first embodiment of the bra according to the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. Figure 1 is a front view of the back side of a bra 1A on which a series of band-shaped support 2A according to the first embodiment of the present invention is formed, and an enlarged view of a part of the band-shaped support 2A; Figure 2 is a front view of the front side of a cup portion 3 covered with cup fabric 3A on which micropores 3B are formed, and an enlarged view of the cup fabric 3A on which micropores 3B are formed; and Figure 3 is a diagram of the cup 8.

[0039] The basic structure of the bra 1A according to the present invention, as shown in Figures 1 and 2, comprises a cup portion 3 for accommodating the breasts, an underbelt 4 positioned below the cup portion 3, a front panel 5 positioned on the lower front of the front side, straps 6 for the shoulders, and a hook portion 7 provided on the back side. It should be noted that the bra 1A described herein is merely a basic structure and is not limited thereto. For example, other structures are possible, such as those with side bones or those without a front panel 5.

[0040] Furthermore, a feature of this invention is the formation of a band-shaped support 2A that extends along the lower edge of the breast. This band-shaped support 2A is continuously arranged while curving along the lower edges of the left and right cup portions 3. By being arranged along the lower edge of the breast, it is configured to support the breast from below.

[0041] Furthermore, the band-shaped support 2A is placed on top of the upper surface of the underbelt 4 and is fixed to the underbelt 4 by sewing or adhesive. This allows the load from the breasts to be transmitted to the underbelt 4 via the band-shaped support 2A.

[0042] The strip-shaped support 2A is formed from a thick fabric or a multilayer structure formed by laminating multiple fabrics. Here, the fabric can be woven, knitted, or nonwoven, and may be made of polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyurethane fibers, etc. as appropriate.

[0043] The thickness of the band-shaped support 2A is relatively thicker than the fabric of the other parts, thereby ensuring a larger contact area with the breast and distributing the load. The specific thickness is not particularly limited, but it should be thicker than the fabric of the normal cup portion and set within a range that does not cause discomfort when worn.

[0044] Furthermore, the width of the band-shaped support 2A only needs to be wide enough to continuously extend along the lower edge of the breast and stably support the breast, and can be appropriately set in a range of several millimeters to several centimeters, for example. With the above configuration, the band-shaped support 2A can be compressed and deformed when it comes into contact with the breast, thereby increasing the contact area with the breast and distributing the load.

[0045] Furthermore, the band-shaped support 2A may include a band-shaped reinforcing tape. This reinforcing tape is arranged along the longitudinal direction of the band-shaped support 2A and has the function of improving the shape retention of the band-shaped support 2A and stabilizing the support position of the breast. Woven tape, knit tape, power net tape, etc. can be used as this reinforcing tape.

[0046] The band-shaped support 2A may be made of a single layer of thick fabric, a structure made of multiple layers of fabric, or a structure combining these with reinforcing tape. This ensures that the band-shaped support 2A has a predetermined thickness and rigidity, allowing it to stably support the breast in a planar manner.

[0047] In Figure 1, the band-shaped support 2A is formed on the back side of the bra 1A, but it may also be formed on the front side, or it may be formed on both the back and front sides to enhance the support. With this configuration, the load on the breasts can be distributed over a surface area and supported while maintaining flexibility, even without wires.

[0048] Next, we will explain the ventilation structure of cup section 3. As shown in Figures 1 to 3, the cup portion 3 is a component that accommodates the breast and is composed of a cup 8 and a cup fabric 3A that covers its surface. This cup portion 3 has a unique structure to ensure breathability. Specifically, the cup fabric 3A has multiple micropores 3B formed in it, which are arranged on the front and back sides of the cup portion 3.

[0049] The cup fabric 3A is made of a woven material, and can be, for example, a woven fabric, a knitted fabric, or a nonwoven fabric. Specifically, polyester fibers, nylon fibers, polyurethane fibers, or blends thereof can be used, and materials with water absorption, quick-drying properties, or elasticity can be appropriately selected as needed.

[0050] As shown in Figure 2, the micropores 3B are formed with a nearly uniform distribution throughout the entire fabric, thereby enabling air circulation between the inside and outside of the cup. The shape, size, number, and arrangement of the micropores 3B are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate within a range that ensures breathability.

[0051] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 3(b), cup 8 is formed from a porous member 8A. Note that Figure 3(a) shows cup 8 with the surface of the porous member 8A covered with fabric, but the presence or absence of this fabric is not relevant. As shown in Figures 3(b) and (c), this porous member 8A has a structure in which a large number of small voids or ventilation holes 8B (hereinafter referred to as "ventilation holes 8B") are formed, and these ventilation holes 8B allow air and water vapor to pass through.

[0052] The porous member 8A can be made of foam, sponge-like material, or porous resin material, and may be a single layer or a structure with multiple layers stacked. Furthermore, the shape, size, number, and arrangement of the ventilation holes 8B are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate within a range that ensures airflow.

[0053] Outside air flows into the cup 8 through the ventilation holes 8B, providing an air cooling effect that suppresses the generation of moisture and heat. Additionally, any moisture and heat generated inside the cup 8 is released to the outside through the ventilation holes 8B.

[0054] Therefore, the cup portion 3 can form an efficient ventilation path through the interaction of the micropores 3B formed in the cup fabric 3A covering its surface and back surface, and the internal structure of the ventilation holes 8B of the porous member 8A, thereby suppressing stuffiness inside the cup 8.

[0055] Next, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 4. In the following description, components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first embodiment will be denoted by the same reference numerals, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0056] As shown in Figure 2, the bra 1B of this embodiment has the same basic configuration as the bra 1A of the first embodiment, including cups, an underband, and straps, but is characterized by the configuration of the band-shaped support 2B. That is, in this embodiment, the band-shaped support 2B is not formed as a single continuous band on the left and right sides, but is configured as two independent bands on the left and right sides.

[0057] These left and right pairs of band-shaped supports 2B are positioned to extend upward from the lower edge of the corresponding cup portion 3, and are configured to provide support along the lower edge of the breast, as well as support to the sides and central parts of the breast, extending upward.

[0058] Furthermore, although each of the strip-shaped support members 2B is positioned close to each other near the center of the cup portion 3, they are formed discontinuously without being connected to one another. This configuration allows each strip-shaped support member 2B to support the breast independently, improving conformability to the shape of the breast and enabling support not only from below but also from above.

[0059] Furthermore, the band-shaped support 2B is formed from a thick fabric or a multilayer structure of multiple layers of fabric, similar to the first embodiment, and can stably support the breast without using wires.

[0060] Therefore, according to this embodiment, in addition to preventing breast sagging, it is possible to obtain an upward lifting effect and a centering effect on the breasts, making it possible to maintain a better bust shape. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first embodiment.

[0061] Next, a third embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to Figure 5. This embodiment corresponds to claims 4 and 5, and the same reference numerals are used for components that are the same as or corresponding to those in the first and second embodiments, and their detailed descriptions will be omitted as appropriate.

[0062] The bra of this embodiment is characterized by having a breathable pad 9 inside the cup portion 3. The pad 9 may be detachably attached to the cup 8, or it may be integrally attached to the cup 8A. The pad 9 is formed in a substantially teardrop shape having an upper part 9A and a lower part 9B, and is positioned inside the cup portion 3 to shape the breast and assist in support.

[0063] The lower part 9B is formed to be thicker than the upper part 9A, thereby acting to lift the breast from below, helping to prevent sagging and sideways movement of the breast. In addition, the upper part 9A of the pad 9 has multiple ventilation holes 9C. These ventilation holes 9C are for promoting the circulation of air and water vapor.

[0064] The shape, size, number, and arrangement of the ventilation holes 9C are not particularly limited and can be set as appropriate within the range that ensures breathability. As a result, moisture and heat generated inside the cup portion 3 are released to the outside through the ventilation holes 9C formed in the pad 9, the ventilation holes 8B formed in the porous material 8A of the cup 8, and the micropores 3B formed in the cup fabric 3A of the cup portion 3.

[0065] The pad 9 shown in Figure 5 is formed in a roughly teardrop shape, but it is not limited to this shape. As long as ventilation holes 9C are formed in the same way as in this embodiment, it may be in other shapes such as circular or lemon-shaped. Furthermore, it is not limited to a shape in which the left and right pads are separated, but may be a so-called peanut-shaped pad that is integrated into one unit.

[0066] Therefore, according to this embodiment, even when the pad 9 is provided, breathability is not hindered, but rather it can function as part of the ventilation path, and stuffiness inside the cup can be effectively suppressed. The other configurations and effects of this embodiment are the same as those of the first or second embodiment.

[0067] As described above, the bras 1A and 1B in each embodiment of the present invention, which include strip-shaped supports 2A and 2B made of thick fabric or a multilayer structure of multiple fabrics, a cup fabric 3A with micropores 3B formed thereon, a cup 8 using a porous member 8A with ventilation holes 8B formed thereon, and a pad 9 with ventilation holes 9C formed thereon, make it possible to solve the trade-off relationship between breast support function and breathability that existed in wired bras. [Industrial applicability]

[0068] The bra according to this invention has a band-shaped support made of thick fabric or a multilayer structure of multiple layers of fabric, and a cup portion equipped with micropores and ventilation holes. Therefore, it can be suitably used by consumers who require both the prevention of breast sagging and sideways movement and the assurance of breathability in the cup portion. [Explanation of Symbols]

[0069] 1A, 1B bra 2A, 2B Band-shaped support 3 cup section 3A Cup dough 3B Micropore 4 Underbelt 5 Front Panel 6 straps 7 hooks 8 cups 8A Porous material 8B, 9C Ventilation holes 9 pads 9A Upper 9B Lower part

Claims

1. A bra that prevents breast sagging and sideways movement and provides breathability, A band-shaped support extending along the lower edge of the breast, supporting the breast from below, It comprises a cup portion for accommodating the breast, The aforementioned strip-shaped support is formed from a thick fabric or a multilayer structure formed by laminating multiple fabrics. The cup portion is provided with multiple micropores in either the outer fabric or the inner fabric, or both, to ensure breathability, and the cup is formed from a porous material. A bra characterized by achieving both support by the aforementioned band-shaped support and ventilation by the cup portion.

2. The bra according to claim 1, characterized in that the band-shaped support includes a band-shaped reinforcing tape.

3. The bra according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the strip-shaped support is formed to be thicker than the other parts.

4. The bra according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, when a pad is attached, the pad is made of a porous material.

5. The bra according to claim 3, characterized in that, when a pad is attached, the pad is made of a porous material.

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