Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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DESCRIPTION
PIECE OF CLOTHING
Object of the invention
The present invention relates to a piece of clothing which has features
intended to carry out an effective support of the wearer's breasts, and
provide a high
wearing comfort.
Field of application of the invention
This piece of clothing is applicable in the sector of clothing industry.
Background of the invention
It is common among the female population using underwear to support
the bust, especially brassieres. These garments are designed with the primary
objective to provide better esthetic appearance of the wearer to model the
position and
volume of the bust.
The bras are made of several pieces, conveniently attached together
and made with materials of different characteristics, mainly in regard to
their stiffness
and elasticity.
Thus a conventional bra comprises a front structure that includes a pair
of cups made of materials with limited or no elasticity, joined to each other
by inelastic
textile elements; usually including metal rings intended to be positioned
below the
breast, in order to provide stiffness to the cups.
This front structure is attached behind the torso with elastic bands
whose ends are fixed through hooks or other similar closure means. Thus it is
ensures
that the bra is fitted tightly to the torso, and that the front structure is
pushed by the
action of elastic bands against the front of the torso.
Regardless of whether the brassiere has, o not, straps for the support
on the shoulders, the features mentioned above and especially the combination
of a
front structure of limited or practically negligible flexibility, with elastic
bands for the
side support, determines that the use of these bra is uncomfortable for the
wearer; on
the one hand because the support tension is concentrated in elastic side bands
with a
reduced width, which causes that these elastic bands are nailed in the side
areas of
the torso and, on the other hand, because the tension transmitted by these
elastic
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bands to a practically inelastic frontal structure determines that said
frontal structure is
also nailed in the front of the torso, especially in the lower area of the
breast.
Due to this discomfort is common that wearers take off their bra when
they get their home, or subsequently, when they are going to sleep, covering
itself just
with a T-shirt, top, or piece of clothing that has no specific characteristics
for an
effective support of the bust, which is also uncomfortable.
US5944579 "Non-constricting brassiere" by Marcia C. Fleischman
describes a piece of clothing, more in particular a non-constricting brassiere
that
provides limited support. The brassiere comprises a single piece of fabric
having a
front panel and a continuous rear panel with shoulder straps connected from
said
panels. The front and rear panels are centrally connected at the front panel
forming a
vertical seam. Said seam has a gather that forms two separate areas for the
breasts.
The shoulder straps are a continuation of the material of the front and rear
panels.
Affixed to the lower portion of the front and rear panels is a continuous sewn
hem. The
bra provides a limited support so as to not adversely affect lymphatic
circulation and to
increase the wearer comfort. However, this bra still comprises an element
limiting the
inelastic constitution in the front part between the breasts, formed by the
vertical seam
and the fabric gathered that is pulled or tightened by the rest of the front
panel and
rear panel. In addition, the reception areas of the breasts on each side of
this seam do
not have a suitable configuration which accepts the natural shape of said
breasts.
Therefore, the problem that arises is the development of a garment, that
in addition to perform a proper support of the bust, provides a high comfort
of use,
eliminating the inconvenience caused by conventional bras and which can be
used
both as an underwear as an outer garment, or swimsuit.
Description of the invention
The piece of clothing, object of this invention has technical particularities
intended to offer to the wearer great comfort of use without rigid elements or
reinforcements that can be nailed to the skin, but providing an optimal level
of support
for long periods of time,
The piece of clothing is of the type comprising support means for the
wearer's bust by its arrangement around the torso.
According to the invention said support means comprise a front portion
having two longitudinally shaped and aligned bags for the placement of each
breast,
side portions and a rear portion which are applied to the contour of the
torso, being
said portions made of with fabric of the same structure, with properties of
uniform
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horizontal flexibility preconizing the adaptation of the garment on the
contour of the
wearer's torso with a constant pressure at any point. Side and rear portions
have a
height or transverse dimension approximately equal to the height of the front
portion.
This configuration allows that the garment is fitted to the contour of the
wearer like a second skin following the movements of her body and providing
through
a distributed compression, a proper support of the bust. Since the piece of
clothing
lacks of rigid elements, seams between elastics fabrics and inelastic fabrics,
and areas
where the width of the fabric is weakened or suspension parts, does not nail
in the
torso, such as occurs with a conventional brassiere, and therefore does not
create
areas of friction, pressure or punching.
In a preferred embodiment, the front, side and rear portions, made of
one or more pieces of fabric with the same structure, give to the garment a
tubular
configuration, which exerts a nearly uniform pressure throughout its length on
the
wearer's body and provides a high comfort of use of the garment.
In one embodiment of the invention the garment comprises in at least
one area of its perimeter an opening that extends vertically from the lower
edge of the
garment and presents on the opposite edges complementary closure means.
The release of these closure means allows the partial enlargement of
the garment during its placement or removal, by passing appropriately inside
the same
the head and arms, or else the hip.
In one embodiment, the front portion and the rear portion extend
through its upper edge in support wide bands on the shoulders, adopting the
garment
a configuration as a "top" with the added function of supporting for the bust.
In this embodiment it is provides for the incorporation in the garment of
means for adjusting the length of said upper support bands, and thus,
regulating the
height of the bust.
In a specific example, the piece of clothing has oblique seams at outer
sides of the bags which define centering means for the breast, improving thus
the
aesthetics of the silhouette.
In an embodiment, the garment comprises a hem, with or without
elastic, at its lower edge intended to prevent rolling during its use,
ensuring thus that
the fabric is fully fitted on the wearer's torso.
In an alternative embodiment, the garment comprises partial filling
elements made of a foamy and/or elastic material, fixed on the inside of the
bags so
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that it is achieved an enhanced effect of the wearer's bust, increasing the
volume
effect, known as push-up effect.
These filling elements, with concave shape, and approximately semi-
circular elevation, are fixed preferably by a seam.
It is not ruled out the adaptation of the garment, in regard to the size of
the bags and the filling, to ensure an appropriate use by those male users who
wish to
increase the volume of the pectoral muscles in order to get an athletic and
muscular
appearance.
Description of the figures
To complement the description being made and in order to facilitate
understanding of the features of the invention is attached to this
specification a set of
drawings in which, with illustrative and non-limiting character, the following
has been
represented:
- Figure 1 shows an elevation view of a piece of clothing provided
with the supporting bands or straps to the shoulders.
- Figure 2 shows a rear elevation view of the garment of the
previous
figure.
- Figure 3 shows an elevation view of the piece of clothing made of a
single tubular piece of continuous fabric.
- Figure 4 shows an elevation view of a piece of clothing with
centering seams of the bust.
- Figure 5 shows an elevation view of the garment turned
inside out,
in which it can see the inside of the front area and the filling elements
fixed in the
bags.
- Figure 6 shows a profile view of the garment of the
previous figure.
- Figure 7 shows a rear elevation view of an alternative
embodiment
of the garment provided with a lower opening in "V" with complementary closure
means at the opposite edges.
Preferred embodiment of the invention
As can be seen in the referenced figures, the piece of clothing
comprises support means for the bust constituted by: a front portion (11)
having two
bags (12) longitudinally shaped and aligned made for the accommodation of the
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breasts, side portions (13) and a rear portion (14); said portions (11, 13,
14) being
made of fabric of the same structure, with properties of uniform horizontal
flexibility.
The garment has a tubular configuration defined by one or more pieces
of fabric with the same structure, conveniently attached.
5 As can
be seen in the accompanying figures the side and rear portions
(13, 14) have a height or transverse dimension approximately equal to the
height of
the front portion (11).
In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the garment has at the rear
portion (14) an opening (2) which extends from the lower edge of the garment
and
having in the opposite edges complementary closure means (21) mutually
attachable
for the closure of this opening (2) in an operative position.
The release or opening of said complementary closure means provides
additional enlargement of the garment in order to facilitate its placement or
removal by
the wearer.
In the embodiment shown in Figures 1 and 2, the garment has the front
and rear portions (11, 14) extended along its upper edge in wide bands (15)
for its
support on the wearer's shoulders.
In said embodiment the garment comprises diagonal seams (3) at the
outer sides of the bags (12), whose purpose is to define centering means for
the bust
and improve the silhouette.
In the examples shown, the garment comprises a hem (4) at the lower
edge to prevent the garment from rolling on itself during its normal use and
forming a
perimeter thickening that might become uncomfortable for the wearer's since
creates a
higher pressure area.
In the example shown in Figure 5, the garment comprises, inside the
bags, filling elements (5), made of foamy and/or elastic material, fixed by
means of
semicircular seams (51) on the inside of the bags (12).
With the features mentioned, this garment may further incorporate
laces, embroideries, prints or any other finishes intended to its
embellishment.
Having sufficiently described the nature of the invention as well as a
preferred embodiment, it is stated for pertinent purposes that the materials,
shape,
size and arrangement of elements described may be modified, provided that this
does
not alter the essential features of the invention claimed below.
