Brassiere

• US 4,767,377 A
• Filed: 10/02/1987
• Issued: 08/30/1988
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Warnaco Incorporated (PVH Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Warnaco Incorporated (PVH Corp.)
• Inventors: Falla, Gloria M.
• Primary Examiner(s): Rimrodt, Louis K.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Olds, J. L.
• Application Number:
  US07/104,441
• Time in Patent Office: 333 Days
• Field of Search: 450/52, 450/65, 450/70, 450/73, 450/76
• US Class Current: 450/65
• CPC Class Codes: A41C 3/10 with stiffening or bust-forming inserts

Abstract

A brassiere comprises two bra cups, each including an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally joined together to form upper, lower, inner side and outer side margins. Each of the outer cups is formed of elastic material and each of the inner cups comprises a segment formed of non-elastic material extending upwards from the lower margin and a yoke formed of elastic material connecting the top and sides of the non-elastic segment to the upper, inner side and outer side margins. Thus, the elastic yoke of the inner cup permits the outer cup to accommodate to the breast of the wearer, while the non-elastic segment of the inner cup provides support in the medial region thereof.

Claims

1. In a brassiere comprising

(A) two bra cups, each including an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally joined together to form upper, lower, inner side and outer side margins;

(B) back band means for connecting said outer side margins of said bra cups about the back of the wearer; and

(C) chest band means for connecting said inner side margins of said bra cups in the front of the wearer;

the improvement wherein each of said outer cups is formed of elastic material and each of said inner cups comprises a segment formed of non-elastic material extending upwards from said lower margin and a yoke formed of elastic material connecting the top and sides of said non-elastic segment to said upper, inner side and side outer margins;

whereby said elastic yoke of said inner cup permits said outer cupto accommodate to the breast of the wearer while said non-elastic segment of said inner cup provides support in the medial region thereof.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said non-elastic segment comprises at least 50 percent of the total area of said inner cup.

3. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said non-elastic segment extends above the bra cup point.

4. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said non-elastic material is fiberfill.

5. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said yoke is chevron-shaped.

6. The brassiere of claim 1 additionally comprising underwire support means extending through said lower margin and into said inner and outer side margins.

7. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said segment and said yoke of said inner cup are connected without overlapping.

8. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein during use of said brassiere said outer cup conceals the connection of said segment and said yoke of said inner cup.

9. The brassiere of claim 1 additionally comprising shoulder strap means for connecting said upper margins of each of said bra cups to said back band means over the shoulders of the wearer.

10. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said inner and outer cups of each of said cups are coextensive.

11. In a brassiere comprising

(A) two bra cups, each including an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally joined together to form upper, lower, inner side and outer side margins;

(B) back band means for connecting said outer side margins of said bra cups about the back of the wearer;

(C) chest band means for connecting said inner side margins of said bra cups in the front of the wearer; and

(D) shoulder strap means for connecting said upper margins of each of said bra cups to said back band means over the shoulders of the wearer;

the improvement wherein said inner and outer cups of each of said bra cups are coextensive;

each of said outer cups is formed of elastic material; and

each of said inner cups comprises a segment formed of non-elastic material extending upwards from said lower margin and a yoke formed of elastic material connecting the top and sides of said non-elastic segment to said upper, inner side and outer side margins, said non-elastic segment comprising at least 50 percent of the total area of said inner cup and extending above the bra cup point;

whereby said elastic yoke of said inner cup permits said outer cup to accommodate to the breast of the wearer, said non-elastic segment of said inner cup provides support in the medial region thereof, and said outer cup conceals the connection of said inner cup segment and yoke during use of the brassiere.

12. In a brassiere of the type including two bra cups, each including an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally joined together;

the improvement comprising each of said outer cups formed of elastic material, and each of said inner cups including a segment formed of non-elastic material and a suspending yoke formed of elastic material connected to said non-elastic segment;

whereby said elastic yoke of said inner cup permits said outer cup to accommodate to the breast of the wearer while said non-elastic segment of said inner cup provides breast support.

13. A brassiere comprisng two bra cups, each including an inner cup and an outer cup peripherally joined together, said inner and outer cups being substantially coextensive;

each of said outer cups being formed of elastic material, and each of said inner cups including a segment formed of non-elastic material and a suspending yoke formed of elastic material connected to said non-elastic segment, said non-elastic segment extending over at least 50 percent of the total area of said inner cup, and said suspending yoke enabling said outer cup to accommodate to the breast of the wearer with said non-elastic segment providing breast support.