Triangular Brassiere Accessory with Adjustable Attachment Straps

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing garments that attach to brassieres to cover cleavage do not securely attach, are not adjustable, use visible securing means, and fail to fit strapless brassieres, limiting their adaptability and reusability.

Innovation Solution

A triangular-shaped brassiere accessory with adjustable attachment straps, elastomeric upper band for secure fit, and hidden securing means, allowing attachment to various bra sizes and strapless designs, with optional extension straps and jewelry attachment.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If adhesive securing means are used to attach the garment to the brassiere, then the garment can be attached to the brassiere, but the adhesive does not always adhere and does not allow a user to reuse the garment without applying new adhesive

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment reliabilityVSAvoidreusability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The securing means is divided into separate reusable components: a fastener element attached to the garment and a corresponding receptacle element on the brassiere. This segmentation allows the garment to be detached and reused multiple times without replacing adhesive, resolving both the reliability and reusability issues.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The garment includes its own self-contained fastening system with fastener elements that can be repeatedly attached and detached from the brassiere receptacles. This self-service mechanism eliminates the need for external adhesives that fail and cannot be reused, providing consistent reliable attachment across multiple uses.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #25Self-service

2Reliability

If bows are used as securing means to attach the garment to the brassiere, then the garment can be attached to the brassiere, but the bows show through the outer garment, thereby making it obvious that a woman is wearing a cleavage covering device

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment capabilityVSAvoidvisibility of securing means
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The visible bow element is extracted and replaced with concealed fastening elements (fasteners and receptacles) that attach the garment to the brassiere. This extraction removes the harmful visual effect while preserving the attachment function, as the fastening elements can be positioned to remain hidden under the garment fabric.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses intermediate fastener and receptacle elements that connect the garment to the brassiere without requiring visible external ties like bows. These intermediary elements are designed to be concealed within the garment structure, eliminating the visibility problem while maintaining secure attachment.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Ease of manufacture

If a fixed-size garment design is used, then the garment can be manufactured simply, but the garment is not adjustable and thus is not adaptable to different chest sizes and/or different sizes of brassieres

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemanufacturing simplicityVSAvoidsize adaptability
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The garment incorporates adjustable straps with multiple attachment points and flexible fastening elements that can be repositioned to accommodate different chest sizes and brassiere dimensions. This dynamic adjustability allows a single garment design to adapt to various users while maintaining manufacturing simplicity through standardized components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastening system uses universal fastener and receptacle elements that can be positioned at multiple locations on the garment and brassiere. This multi-functional design allows the same basic components to serve different sizing requirements, providing size adaptability without complicating the manufacturing process.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

4Reliability

If existing garments are designed to attach to brassieres with shoulder straps, then they can attach to those brassieres, but they do not attach to strapless brassieres

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveattachment to strapless brassiereVSAvoidattachment mechanism complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The attachment mechanism uses universal fastener and receptacle elements that can attach to any brassiere type, whether with shoulder straps or strapless. The same basic fastening system adapts to different brassiere configurations by positioning the receptacles appropriately, eliminating the need for separate designs for different brassiere styles.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The attachment system is dynamically configurable to work with different brassiere types. The fastener elements can be positioned and secured to various parts of the brassiere structure, allowing the same garment to adapt to strapless designs or traditional strap designs without increasing the fundamental complexity of the attachment mechanism.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

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

Provides a secure, adjustable, reusable, and visually discreet solution for covering cleavage, compatible with various bra sizes and types, including strapless designs, while allowing for jewelry attachment and easy on/off functionality.

Implementation Method 1

The attachment straps have securing means, such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fastener, etc., located thereon

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectHook and loop fastener: Velcro

Implementation Method 2

An upper band of elastomeric material is located along the upper edge of the garment and brassiere accessory

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElasticity: Elasticity

Data Source

PatentEP2568847B1Garment and brassiere accessory
Publication Date: 2018.07.11 DE SOUSA MICHELLE E
  • EP2568847B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP2568847B1 patent drawingFigure 3~7
  • EP2568847B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

A garment and brassiere accessory that is substantially triangular in shape having attachment straps extending outward from upper corners of the undergarment that may be looped around shoulder straps of a brassiere. In addition, a lower corner may be looped around a center portion of the brassiere. An upper band of preferably elastomeric material located along an upper edge of the undergarment keeps the undergarment securely against a woman's chest while being worn. The undergarment is preferably constructed from two layers of material, an outer layer and an inner layer so that the outer layer hides any wrinkles or indentations caused by the stress of the lower corner pulling on the inner layer while the undergarment is being worn. Additional features include extension straps that allow a user to adapt the undergarment to a larger chest and/or brassiere size or to wear the undergarment without a brassiere and detachable jewelry.