Backless Brassiere with Arched Underwire and Cup Reinforcements
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing strapless and backless brassieres lack sufficient support and comfort, often relying on adhesive materials or unconnected underwires that fail to provide a durable and comfortable hold for extended wear.
Innovation Solution
A backless brassiere design featuring an arched rigid elastic underwire that connects horizontally across the torso and includes cup reinforcements, providing structural support and a cantilever effect to maintain breast position without straps, using a combination of textile layers and thermoformed plates for comfort and durability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive materials are used to provide support in backless brassieres, then the brassiere can be worn without straps, but the comfort and durability of wear are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive materials with a mechanical support system consisting of an elastic rigid underwire forming a spring and cup reinforcements. The underwire creates a cantilever effect that mechanically supports the breasts without requiring adhesive contact with the skin, thereby maintaining backless capability while improving comfort and durability for extended wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The support system is divided into distinct functional components: the elastic rigid underwire that forms a spring structure for overall support, and separate cup reinforcements positioned within each cup. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function optimally - the underwire provides structural support through the cantilever effect, while the cup reinforcements provide localized support and shaping.
2Device complexity
If unconnected underwires are used in backless brassieres, then the brassiere can be simplified in structure, but the support and hold are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the underwire and cup reinforcements into a single integrated support system. The elastic rigid underwire is positioned to work in conjunction with the cup reinforcements, creating a unified mechanical structure that provides coordinated support. The underwire's spring structure and cantilever effect are combined with the localized support of the cup reinforcements to achieve adequate hold.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite material properties by employing an elastic rigid underwire that combines rigidity for structural support with elasticity for flexibility and comfort. This composite material approach allows the underwire to maintain its shape and provide support while adapting to body movements, thereby improving both support and wearability.
3Adaptability or versatility
If adhesive brassieres are used for backless support, then strapless capability is achieved, but the wear comfort is reduced due to skin contact
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces adhesive contact with a mechanical support system that operates through the cantilever effect of the underwire. This substitution eliminates the need for adhesive materials to contact the skin, thereby maintaining strapless capability while significantly improving wear comfort during extended periods.
4Ease of manufacture
If the underwire lacks structural connection between portions, then manufacturing is simplified, but the mechanical action and hold are independent and insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the underwire portions into a continuous elastic rigid spring structure that provides unified mechanical action. The underwire is constructed as a single integrated component that spans across the back and connects to the cups, allowing mechanical efforts to be transmitted throughout the entire structure rather than acting independently on separate segments.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design ensures a comfortable and durable hold, preventing breast sag and allowing wear for several hours without discomfort, even during physical activity, by distributing weight and providing adequate support through the arched underwire and flexible cup reinforcements.
Implementation Method 1
a rigid elastic underwire forming a spring shaped to partially envelop the torso of the user
Implementation Method 2
a plate made of a rigid material in one direction coextensive with the plate and elastically flexible in a transverse direction
Data Source
AI summary
A brassiere, such as a backless and optionally strapless brassiere, includes a basque to accommodate the torso of a user, a pair of concave cups coupled to a portion of the basque, and a pair of reinforcement plates coupled to the concave cups. The reinforcement plates help support a wearer's chest in each one of the cups. Each of the reinforcement plates include fingers extending from an outside of a respective bra cup toward a center of the respective bra cup. The fingers include a first finger extending under the area of the respective cup.