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Title:
BREAST VOLUME DETERMINATION METHOD
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2018/146109
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a method to determine the volume of the breast using materials readily available in every household and allowing women to determine their breast volume and corresponding bra size. The method is based on the determination of the breast volume by direct measurement of the circumference of the chest or torso immediately below the breast, sometimes referred to as chest circumference, diaphragm size or body size, etc.; and by direct determination of the breast height using a backing sheet.

Inventors:
LAAN DOMINICUS (BE)
Application Number:
PCT/EP2018/052981
Publication Date:
August 16, 2018
Filing Date:
February 06, 2018
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
VAN DE VELDE N V (BE)
International Classes:
A61B5/107; A41C5/00; A61B5/00; A41H1/02
Domestic Patent References:
WO2014170366A12014-10-23
WO2014111391A12014-07-24
Foreign References:
US4219029A1980-08-26
US4279259A1981-07-21
US5485855A1996-01-23
US5965809A1999-10-12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
LC PATENTS (BE)
Download PDF:
Claims:
CLAIMS

1. A method of determining a woman's breast volume said method comprising;

Leveling of a drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast

- Creating a perimeter of said breast to the drawing board; and

Determining the height (H) of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board.

2. The method of claim 1 further comprising;

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Selecting a starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a Cup Size (CS)

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected Volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (Do, H).

3. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining the breast volume V for the measured (O) and (H) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model.

4. The method of claim 1 further comprising:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining a starting breast diameter (Do) by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board.

- Calculating the starting breast volume (Vo) for the determined breast diameter (Do) by means of a mathematical model wherein Vo= f (Do , H).

- Determining the breast diameter (D) for the calculated starting breast volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H).

5. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the breast/torso model is selected from the Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 model, the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1. 6. The method of any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the mathematical model is selected from;

The parabolic of revolution model wherein V=^ * (^)2 * H; or

The anthropometric breast measurement model wherein 7=- * (-)2 * H

7. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4 wherein the circumference of the torso measured immediately below the breast (O), is determined when applying a pull force equivalent to the pull force expected for the brassiere back band when in use. 8. The method according to claim 1 , wherein the height (H) of the breast perimeter is corrected for the chest curvature.

9. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the breast volume (V) is calculated using an iterative process.

10. The method according to claim 9, comprising a process with following steps:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O);

- Selecting or obtaining a starting breast volume (Vo) according to the methods of claims 2 or

4;

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected or obtained starting Volume

(Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H).

- Estimation of a breast diameter Di+i based on the breast/torso model whereby Di+i = f(0, V) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n);

And wherein

O = the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast; V = the breast volume calculated in the previous step;

Calculation of a breast volume Vi+i by means of a mathematical model, wherein Vi+i = f (Di+i , H) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n);

And wherein

Di+i = the breast diameter estimated in the previous step;

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board;

1 1. The method according to claim 10, wherein the process determines whether

m - ½+i l < 1 cm3) (i= 0, 1 , 2, ... , n)

or

( |7i - V|+l | > 1 cm3) (i= 0I 1 I 2I ...I n)

Whereby Vo is a starting breast volume, and Vi and V+i are calculated based on the measured height (H) of the breast.

12. The method according to claim 12, wherein the process is repeated until \Vt - Vi+1 \ < 1 cm3.

13. The method of any one of claims 10 to 12, wherein the breast/torso model is selected from the Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 model, the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1. 14. The method of any one of claims 10 to 13 wherein the mathematical model is selected from;

The parabolic of revolution model wherein V=^ * (^)2 * H; or

The anthropometric breast measurement model wherein V=^ * * H 15. The method according to anyone of the previous claims for use in a model as indicated in WO2014170366.

16. The method according to claim 1 wherein the drawing board is an electrical device such as a tablet, smartphone or mobile display device.

17. Use of a drawing board in a brassiere fitting method or in a method of determining a woman's breast volume

18. The use according to claim 17 wherein;

- the drawing board is leveled in the inframammary fold of a breast;

- the perimeter of said breast is drawn to the drawing board; and

- the height (H) of said breast is determined as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board. 19. The use according to claims 17 or 18 wherein the drawing board is an electrical device such as a tablet, smartphone or mobile display device.

Description:
BREAST VOLUME DETERMINATION METHOD

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a method to determine the volume of the breast using materials readily available in every household (drawing board, tablet, smartphone, mobile display device,...) and allowing women to determine their breast volume, which then can be used to determine a corresponding bra size, such as for example in a retail or online store.

The method is based on the determination of the breast volume by direct measurement of the circumference of the chest or torso immediately below the breast, sometimes referred to as chest circumference, diaphragm size or body size, etc.; and by direct determination of the breast height using a backing sheet.

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION

The invention described herein relates to a new method of breast volume determination allowing women to determine their breast volume, which then can be used to determine a corresponding bra size in a store. Existing methods are often based on the use of a custom size table where, based on some body measurements of the person a "best fit" size in the table is selected. An example of such a custom fit table is provided in Figure 1. In this example on one axis is plotted the circumference under the bust and on the other axis the circumference measured over (the fullest part of) the bust.

In practice however the results in fitting a bra based on these methods are only moderate and, therefore, these existing methods are often not used. The problems associated with these custom tables are due to the fact that one departs from standardized breast shapes and volumes; and that band and cup sizes are not standardized, but vary considerably from one manufacturer to another, resulting in sizes that only provide an approximate fit. A further problem resides in the body measurements used in the foregoing methods. It has been sufficiently proven that they are not decisive for estimating the correct size. Thus, only in about 30% of the cases the correct size is predicted by such a table (see Pechter patent publication US 5965809).

Pechter therefore proposed an improved method on the basis of a size below the bust and a size of each breast from the beginning of the breast mound at one side laterally to the parasternal area medially. Where this method, if done properly, would result in a higher correct score, it still departs from standardized breast shapes and volumes. Breasts are often uneven in shape, allowing for one breast to fit better to one size than the other breast. Also measurement of the second body size is difficult to perform, especially with sagging breasts. Another problem is that the method does not provide insight into the fit problem: it is not always the case that a particular size in all respects gives the best fit. A person is in many cases somewhere between two, three or even four bra sizes. One such size might give the best lift, the other size improved shaping and a third size the best coverage. Consequently, bra fitting usually falls back on the "trial and error" method.

In other words, the prior art bra fitting methods;

-Have a poor accuracy, and often give in only 30% of the cases a correct answer

-Some methods perform better but are difficult to implement.

-Methods predict a "best fit" size, but provide no insight into the fit issues.

To address the foregoing problems the applicant previously filed a patent application (WO2014170366) to an improved bra fitting method that combines the bodily measurements (i.e. circumference of the torso immediately below the breast, the breast volume and the breast diameter) with the functional characteristics of a bra model and which visually presents fitting advice to the user in a multidimensional space. This improved bra fitting method requires amongst others a proper determination of the breast volumes. To said effect the applicant developed a three-dimensional measuring device for use in a garment fitting room (WO20141 1 1391 ). However, this still requires the customer to visit a point of sale and requires said point of sale to invest in said three-dimensional measuring device.

Therefore, the applicant has developed a method to determine the breast volumes using simple measurement tools and capable of being performed by women using a simple set of instructions. As will become evident hereinafter, the present method can easily be deployed at a point of sale, but equally as an application on a tablet or smartphone allowing women to determine their breast volume, which then can be used to determine a corresponding bra size, such as for example in a retail or online store.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is thus an aspect of the present invention to provide a method of breast volume determination, said method comprising;

Leveling of a drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast;

Creating a perimeter of said breast to the drawing board; and

Determining the height (H) of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board;

The drawing board can be made of different materials (cardboard, metal, wood, ...), as long as the board does not fold and is able to sufficiently lift the breast during measurement. As explained hereinafter, by the more or less horizontal levelling of the board in the inframammary fold, the breast is lifted and found to be properly shaped, allowing a correlation between these simple measurements and the breast volume. A tablet computer, smartphone or mobile display device can equally be used as a drawing board within the context of the present invention, using a perimeter determining app or a combination of a tablet pencil (stylus) and the same technique as mentioned above.

In another embodiment, said method may further comprise:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O). The circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) is representative for the breast diameter (D); the height of the breast perimeter (H) determined using the aforementioned method is representative for the breast height; and the breast volume is function of (D) and (H). Hence, based on these simple measurements of (O) and (H), subsequent determination of the breast volume becomes possible.

In one embodiment the method to determine the breast volume further comprise

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O).

- Selecting a starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a Cup Size (CS)

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected Volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (Do, H).

In one embodiment the method to determine the breast volume further comprise

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining the breast volume V for the measured (O) and (H) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model.

In one embodiment the method to determine the breast volume further comprise

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining a starting breast diameter (Do) by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board.

- Calculating the starting breast volume (Vo) for the determined breast diameter (Do) by means of a mathematical model wherein Vo= f (Do , H).

- Determining the breast diameter (D) for the calculated starting breast volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H).

The breast diameter not only depends on the circumference O but also on the breast volume V, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001. Because the volume V depends on breast diameter D and breast diameter D depends on volume V, in a particular method according to the invention these parameters are determined iteratively.

In a certain embodiment however, measurement of (O) and (H) can directly be used in the determination of the breast volume via a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 , the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1. In another embodiment, the starting point for said iteration process is based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the selection of a starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a cup size (CS).

The starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected volume (Vo) then can be estimated based on breast/torso model related (and algorithm derived) tables, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 (see figure 2), the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1.

Next, the breast volume V is calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein V = f (Do, H) wherein

Do = the starting breast diameter

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast. As mentioned above, the volume V depends on breast diameter D and breast diameter D depends on volume V.

Hence, in another embodiment, the starting point for said iteration process is based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the determination of a starting breast diameter (Do), by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board. The starting breast volume (Vo) for the selected diameter (Do) then can be calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein Vo = f (Do, H)

wherein

Do = the starting breast diameter H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

Next, a breast diameter (D) for the calculated starting breast volume (Vo) then can be estimated based on breast/torso model related (and algorithm derived) tables, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 (see figure 2), the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1.

Next, the breast volume V is calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein V = f (D, H) wherein

D = the breast diameter as estimated above

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

Hence, in a certain embodiment, the method comprises a process with following steps:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O);

- Selecting or obtaining a starting breast volume (Vo) according to the above-mentioned methods (starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a cup size (CS); a volume taken from a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model; or a volume calculated using a starting breast diameter by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board);

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected or obtained starting Volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H).

- Estimation of a breast diameter Di+i based on the breast/torso model whereby Di+i = f(0, V) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n); And wherein

O = the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast; Vi = the breast volume calculated in the previous step;

Calculation of a breast volume Vi+i by means of a mathematical model, wherein Vi+i = f (D i+1 , H) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n);

And wherein

Di+i = the breast diameter estimated in the previous step;

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board;

Hence, for instance, in case the calculated Breast Volume (Vi) « the estimated starting breast volume (Vo), the user has a correct indication about the dimensions of the breasts, which then for instance can be used for bra fitting, i.e. selecting an appropriate bra size, cup volume and circumference of the bra band.

In case the calculated Breast Volume (Vi) ≠ the selected Starting Breast Volume (Vo), the calculated first Breast Volume (Vi) is used with the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) to determine a second breast diameter (D2). Using said second breast diameter D2 a second Breast Volume (V2) is calculated and as height the height of the breast perimeter H. In case the second calculated Breast Volume (V2) « the first calculated Breast Volume (Vi) the user has a correct indication about the dimensions of the breasts. In case the second calculated Breast Volume (V2)≠ the first calculated Breast Volume (Vi) the foregoing process is repeated.

Therefore, the process determines whether

Whereby Vo is a starting volume based on an estimated breast diameter (supra) based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and Vi and V+i are calculated based on the measured height (H) of the breasts.

An optimal end-point for the iteration process will be reached when the calculated Breast Volume (V1+1 ) is equal to selected or previously calculated Breast Volume (Vi). In one embodiment of the invention the iteration process will be stopped when the difference between V1+1 and Vi is smaller than 1 cm 3 . Expressed differently, in one embodiment of the present invention V1+1 ~ V when \V l - V i+1 \ < 1 cm 3 .

Where the foregoing method can be applied using the height of the breast perimeter as representative for the height of the breast, it is typically too low. Levelling a straight drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast it fails to follow the chest curvature and accordingly underestimates the actual height of the breast. Hence in a further embodiment of the instant application a corrected height of the breast perimeter (Hb) is being used instead. This correction adds the chests curvature to the height of the breast perimeter. In practice, it can be based on a mathematical body model obtained after measurement of a comprehensive set of subjects, using the measurement of the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the height of the breast perimeter (H). In another embodiment, the height (H) of the breast perimeter is corrected for the chest curvature (see fig. 3). A great advantage of levelling a straight drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast however, resides in its further use, namely shaping and lifting the breast tissue in a similar manner as a bra, creating a more appropriate breast shape and a more accurate measurement of the height H of the breast perimeter. The bra lifts the breast mainly (80%) through the force in the bra back pand. For this purpose, it is necessary that the bra is sufficiently tight to the body, and that the bra back pand generates a minimal pull force, typically in the range of about 4 to 16 Newton. Evidently, this pull is linked to the circumference of the bra when secured and preferably corresponds to the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O).

Hence, in one embodiment of the present invention, the circumference of the body measured immediately below the breast, is determined when applying a pull force equivalent to the pull force expected for the brassiere back band when in use. Alternatively, the circumference of the body measured immediately below the breast, is determined without applying a pull force and corrected for the minimal pull force of the brassiere back pand by means of a mathematical body model obtained after measurement of a comprehensive set of subjects.

In a certain embodiment, the circumference of the body measured immediately below the breast (O), is determined when applying a pull force in the range of about 4 to 16 Newton.

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a drawing board in a brassiere fitting method or in a method of determining a woman's breast volume

In a certain embodiment:

- the drawing board is leveled in the inframammary fold of a breast;

- the perimeter of said breast is drawn to the drawing board; and

- the height (H) of said breast is determined as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board.

In another embodiment, the drawing board is an electrical device such as a tablet, smartphone or mobile display device.

Using the procedure of the instant application, and based on the determination of two simple parameters, one obtains an iterated value for the breast diameter and the breast volume. In a next step, said parameters could correspond to the input values for the bra fitting method that combines the bodily measurements with the functional characteristics of a bra model and which visually presents fitting advice to the user in a multidimensional space. Hence, in a further embodiment the iterated value for the breast diameter, the iterated value for the breast volume and the measured value for the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast are used in the model as provided in WO2014170366.

As already mentioned herein before, the present method can easily be deployed at a point of sale, but equally as an application on a tablet or smartphone allowing women to determine their breast volume, which then can be used to determine a corresponding bra size, such as for example in a retail or online store. Hence in a further aspect the present invention provides the use of the procedure of the instant application at a point of sale, including a retail or online store. In a further aspect the present invention provides the implementation of the procedure of the instant application on an electronic device such as a computer, tablet, smartphone or mobile display device. It accordingly includes an electronic device such as a computer, tablet, smartphone or mobile display device, running an app (herein also referred to as a perimeter determining app) or application that performs the procedure of the instant application. In one embodiment the implementation on an electronic device, includes input of the breast perimeter to the device, for example using a stylus on a tablet, smartphone or mobile display device.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

With specific reference now to the figures, it is stressed that the particulars shown are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the different embodiments of the present invention only. They are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the invention. In this regard no attempt is made to show structural details of the invention in more detail than is necessary for a fundamental understanding of the invention. The description taken with the drawings make apparent to those skilled in the art how the several forms of the invention may be embodied in practice.

Fig. 1 : Example of a custom table based on the measurement of the circumference under the bust and of the circumference over (the fullest part of) the bust.

Fig. 2: Example of a table based on a torso/breast model as indicated in Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 for a certain body height (168cm) and related to a certain cup volume B, with (1 ) Body height, (2) Circumference under the breast, (3) Breast circumference, (4) Waist size, (5) Hip size, (6) Size 8cm under the waist, (7) Back width, (8) Back length, (9) Neck circumference, (10) Shoulder width, (1 1 ) Inclination of the shoulder, (12) Neck length measured from center to waist, (13) Neck length measured from shoulder to the center of the breast, (14) Distance between the beginning of the breast and the center of the breast, (15) Distance between the waistline and circumference under the breast, (16) Distance between the breast centers, (17) Height of the breast, (18) Breast diameter, (19) Hip depth.

Fig. 3: Correction for the chest curvature, wherein H is the measured height and C is the correction to account for chest circumference. A horizontal cut is taken through the body shape at a vertical position of lowest part of inframammary fold (position just at the lowest part of breast attachment to the chest).

Fig. 4: An example of a perimeter determining app on a mobile device, wherein the height of the breast (H) is determined with respect to the base of the mobile device. The perimeter is created by lifting the breast tissue, wherein the lift shapes the breast tissue to a shape that provides a correlation between the height (H) and the breast volume.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention described herein allows women to determine their breast volume, comprising;

Leveling of a drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast;

Creating a perimeter of said breast to the drawing board; and

Determining the height (H) of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board;

The breast height, preferentially measured on the largest breast, can be determined using a paper, a pen, a ruler and a board. The paper is put on a board, the board is levelled in the inframammary fold of a breast, and the pen is put perpendicular on the paper and used to draw the perimeter around the breast. When leveling the drawing board, said board is to be held more or less horizontal in an inframammary fold of a breast. This will typically require a lifting of the breast tissue. It has now surprisingly been found that this lift shapes the breast tissue to a shape that provides a correlation between the height (H) obtained using the aforementioned method and the breast volume. By drawing the full perimeter around the breast, one can for example immediately determine if the breasts are pointed (small volume) or more rounded (high volume). Evidently, measuring the left or right half of the breast is sufficient, as long as the highest point (i.e. nipple) is reached during the measurement.

Furthermore, the board can be made of different materials (cardboard, metal, wood, ...), as long as the board does not fold and is able to sufficiently lift the breast during measurement. A tablet, computer, smartphone or mobile display device as board can be used as well, using a perimeter determining app or a combination of a tablet pencil and the same technique as mentioned above. As indicated in figure 4, the height of the breast (H) is determined with respect to the base of the mobile device. The perimeter is created by lifting the breast tissue, wherein the lift shapes the breast tissue to a shape that provides a correlation between the height (H) and the breast volume.

In another embodiment, the method allowing women to determine their breast volume may further comprise:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Selecting a starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a Cup Size (CS)

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected Volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (Do, H). or

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining the breast volume V for the measured (O) and (H) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model.

or

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O)

- Determining a starting breast diameter (Do) by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board.

- Calculating the starting breast volume (Vo) for the determined breast diameter (Do) by means of a mathematical model wherein Vo= f (Do , H).

- Determining the breast diameter (D) for the calculated starting breast volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H). The circumference of the torso immediately below the breast is representative for the breast diameter, and the height of the breast perimeter is representative for the breast height. The breast diameter not only depends on the circumference O but also on the breast volume V, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001. Because the volume V depends on breast diameter D and breast diameter D depends on volume V, these parameters are preferably determined iteratively.

The circumference of the torso (O) immediately below the breast can be measured using a tape- measure. As further detailed above, the bra lifts the breast mainly (80%) through the force in the bra back pand. For this purpose, it is necessary that the bra is sufficiently tight to the body, and that the bra back pand generates a minimal pull force, typically in the range of about 4 to 16 Newton. Hence, in a particular embodiment the circumference of the torso (O) immediately below the breast is measured using a tape-measure while applying a pull force equivalent to the pull force expected for the brassiere back band when in use. More in particular the circumference of the torso (O) immediately below the breast is measured using a tape-measure while applying a pull force in the range of about 4 to 16 Newton.

Alternatively, the circumference of the torso measured immediately below the breast (O), is determined without applying a pull force and corrected for the minimal pull force of the brassiere back pand by means of a mathematical body model obtained after measurement of a comprehensive set of subjects.

In one embodiment of the method of the present invention an iteration process fits the two foregoing measurements to a value for the breast volume (V).

In a certain embodiment, measurement of (O) and (H) can be used in the determination of the breast volume via a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 , the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1.

In another embodiment, the method further includes an iterative process wherein the starting point for said iteration process is based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the selection of a starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a cup size (CS).

The starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected volume (Vo) then can be estimated based on breast/torso model related (and algorithm derived) tables, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 (see figure 2), the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1.

Next, the breast volume V is calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein V = f (Do, H) wherein

Do = the starting breast diameter

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast. 2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

As mentioned above, the volume V depends on breast diameter D and breast diameter D depends on volume V.

Hence, in another embodiment, the starting point for said iteration process is based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the determination of a starting breast diameter (Do), by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board. The starting breast volume (Vo) for the selected diameter (Do) then can be calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein Vo = f (Do, H)

wherein

Do = the starting breast diameter

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

Next, a breast diameter (D) for the calculated starting breast volume (Vo) can then be estimated based on breast/torso model related (and algorithm derived) tables, for instance exemplified in several tables in the publication of Mahr-Erhardt & Scheck, 2001 (see figure 2), the Hohenstein, 2016 model, or the Vandevelde model as represented in table 1.

Next, the breast volume V is calculated based on a mathematical model, wherein V = f (D, H) wherein

D = the breast diameter as estimated above

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board

and the mathematical model for example being based on

1 ) a parabolic of revolution, also known as a paraboloidal dish.

This volume is being calculated as V=^ * (^) 2 * H

Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

2) the anthropometric breast measurement model

This volume is being calculated as 7=- * (-) 2 * H Wherein D is the diameter of the breast and H the height of the breast.

Hence, in a certain embodiment, the method comprises a process with following steps:

- Determining the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O);

- Selecting or obtaining a starting breast volume (Vo) according to the above-mentioned methods (starting breast volume (Vo), for instance a volume representing a cup size (CS); volume taken from a table for the correlation between (O), (H) and (V) of a breast/torso model; Volume calculated using as breast diameter the diameter measured by means of the perimeter of said breast to the drawing board);

- Determining the starting breast diameter (Do) for the selected or obtained starting Volume (Vo) in a dimension table for the correlation between (O), (D) and (V) of a breast/torso model; and

- Calculating the breast volume (V) by means of a mathematical model wherein V = f (D, H).

- Estimation of a breast diameter Di+i based on the breast/torso model whereby Di+i = f(0, Vi) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n);

And wherein

O = the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast; V = the breast volume calculated in the previous step;

Calculation of a breast volume Vi+i by means of a mathematical model, wherein Vi+i = f (D i+ i , H) (i = 0, 1 , 2, ... , n);

And wherein

Di+i = the breast diameter estimated in the previous step;

H = the measured height of the breast as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board; Hence, for instance, in case the calculated Breast Volume (Vi) « the estimated starting breast volume (Vo), the user has a correct indication about the dimensions of the breasts, which then for instance can be used for bra fitting, i.e. selecting an appropriate bra size, cup volume and circumference of the bra band. In case the calculated Breast Volume (Vi)≠ the selected Starting Breast Volume (Vo), the calculated first Breast Volume (Vi) is used with the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) to determine a second breast diameter (D2). Using said second breast diameter D2 a second Breast Volume (V2) is calculated and as height the height of the breast perimeter H. In case the second calculated Breast Volume (V2) « the first calculated Breast Volume (Vi) the user has a correct indication about the dimensions of the breasts. In case the second calculated Breast Volume (V2)≠ the first calculated Breast Volume (Vi) the foregoing process is repeated.

Therefore, the process determines whether

Vi « Vi + i (i= 0, 1 , 2, n) or

Whereby Vo is a starting volume based on an estimated breast diameter (supra) based on the measured circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and Vi and V+i are calculated based on the measured height (H) of the breasts.

An optimal end-point for the iteration process will be reached when the calculated Breast Volume (Vi+i ) is equal to selected or previously calculated Breast Volume (Vi). In one embodiment of the invention the iteration process will be stopped when the difference between Vi+i and Vi is smaller than 1 cm 3 . Expressed differently, in one embodiment of the present invention Vi+i ~ V when \V l - V i+1 \ < 1 cm 3 .

Where the foregoing method can be applied using the height of the breast perimeter as representative for the height of the breast, it is typically too low. Levelling a straight drawing board in the inframammary fold of a breast it fails to follow the chest curvature and accordingly underestimates the actual height of the breast. Hence in a further embodiment of the instant application a corrected height of the breast perimeter (Hb) is being used instead. This correction adds the chests curvature to the height of the breast perimeter. In practice, it can be based on a mathematical body model obtained after measurement of a comprehensive set of subjects, using the measurement of the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the height of the breast perimeter (H). In another embodiment, the height (H) of the breast perimeter is corrected for the chest curvature (figure 3).

Another aspect of the invention relates to the use of a drawing board in a brassiere fitting method or in a method of determining a woman's breast volume

In a certain embodiment:

- the drawing board is leveled in the inframammary fold of a breast;

- the perimeter of said breast is drawn to the drawing board; and

- the height (H) of said breast is determined as the height of the breast perimeter with respect to the base of the drawing board.

In another embodiment, the drawing board is an electrical device such as a tablet, smartphone or mobile display device.

Using the procedure of the instant application, and based on the determination of two simple parameters, one obtains an iterated value for the breast diameter and the breast volume. In a next step, said parameters could correspond to the input values for the bra fitting method that combines the bodily measurements with the functional characteristics of a bra model and which visually presents fitting advice to the user in a multidimensional space. Hence in a further embodiment the iterated value for the breast diameter, the iterated value for the breast volume and the measured value for the circumference of the torso immediately below the breast are used in the model as provided in WO2014170366.

Examples

Table 1

Torso/breast model table as indicated by Vandevelde, wherein the breast volume V (cm 3 ) is displayed as a function of circumference of the torso immediately below the breast (O) and the height of the breast (H), both in cm. In said table, the iteration process for the breast diameter (D) has already been taken into account.

Bibliography

Mahr-Erhardt, A. & Scheck, H. (2001 ) - Korpernr^e, Marktanteile und Konstruktionsgrundlagen fiir Miederbekleidung: Absch^bericht zum Forschungsvorhaben: "Grundsatzuntersuchung zur Erforschung der Korperdimensionen und G^enverteilung fur die ρθβίοππείϋΙιβΓβΓ Konstruktion von Miederbekleidung fur Frauen. Vlume 143 van Bekleidungstechnische Schriftenreihe - ISSN 1436-9664.