Login| Sign Up| Help| Contact|

Patent Searching and Data


Title:
ARTICLE OF APPAREL WITH CONCEALED BRASSIERE AND METHOD OF MAKING THE SAME
Document Type and Number:
WIPO Patent Application WO/2022/157657
Kind Code:
A1
Abstract:
The present invention relates to a garment with an internal bra. The garment comprises a front panel; a first and second garment support straps, each of the garment support straps stitched to the top of the front panel; a first cup of the internal bra, the apex of the first cup connected to a first bra strap; a second cup of the internal bra, the apex of the second cup connected to a second bra strap. The first bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the first garment support strap and the second bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the second garment support strap. One side of the front panel is connected to the other side of the front panel at the rear of the garment. A method of manufacturing a garment with an internal bra is also disclosed.

Inventors:
LICHFIELD CLARE (GB)
JANELIONYTE SIGITA (GB)
Application Number:
PCT/IB2022/050464
Publication Date:
July 28, 2022
Filing Date:
January 20, 2022
Export Citation:
Click for automatic bibliography generation   Help
Assignee:
ENSOI LTD (GB)
International Classes:
A41C3/08
Foreign References:
US6811462B12004-11-02
US2180390A1939-11-21
US20190274370A12019-09-12
Attorney, Agent or Firm:
RATIONAL IP LIMITED (GB)
Download PDF:
Claims:
Claims

1 . A garment with an internal bra, comprising: a) a front panel; b) a first and second garment support straps, each of the garment support straps stitched to the top of the front panel; c) a first cup of the internal bra, wherein the apex of the first cup is connected to a first bra strap; d) a second cup of the internal bra, wherein the apex of the second cup is connected to a second bra strap; wherein the first bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the first garment support strap and the second bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the second garment support strap; and wherein one side of the front panel is connected to the other side of the front panel at the rear of the garment.

2. A garment as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising: a rear panel which connects the one side of the front panel with the other side of the front panel at the rear of the garment and wherein each of the garment support straps are stitched to the top of the rear panel.

3. A garment as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a back panel of the internal bra connected to the first cup and the second cup and stitched to the inside of the rear panel.

4. A garment as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the one side of the front panel is connected to the other side of the front panel at the rear of the garment via the first and second garment support straps.

5. A garment as claimed in claim 4, wherein the one side and the other side of the front panel are releasably connected via the garment support straps.

9 A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first cup and the second cup are releasably connected such that this forms an opening to the bra. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the front panel comprises a v-shape at the top of the front panel such that the garment has a v-neck. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second bra straps are rouleau straps. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the bra is made at least in part from stretch material. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the front and rear panels are made at least in part from non-stretch material. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims when dependent on claim 2, wherein the front and rear panels are made from a woven material. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garment is a camisole top, a slip dress, a jump-suit, or maxi-dress. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first and second cups are soft bra cups. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the garment support straps are shoulder straps. A garment as claimed in any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first bra strap is integrally formed with the first bra cup and the second bra strap is integrally formed with the second bra cup. A garment as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first bra strap is stitched to the apex of the first bra cup and the second bra strap is stitched to the apex of the second bra cup. A method of manufacturing a garment to include an internal bra, comprising two cups, including: stitching a first strap from an apex of a first cup of the internal bra to a first apex of a garment to align with a first support strap of the garment; and stitching a second strap from an apex of a second cup of the internal bra to a second apex of a front panel to align with a second support strap of the garment. A method as claimed in claim 17, further including: stitching a back panel of the internal bra to the back of the garment. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the internal bra is made from stretch material. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the garment is made from non-stretch material. A method as claimed in claim 20, wherein the garment is made from a woven material. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 21 , wherein the garment is a camisole top, a slip dress or a jump-suit.

11 A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 22 wherein the internal bra comprises an opening at the front of the internal bra between the two cups. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the garment includes a V-neck at the front of the garment. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 24, wherein each of the first and second straps are made of silk. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 25, wherein each cup is a soft cup. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the first strap is stitched to the apex of the first bra cup and the second strap is stitched to the apex of the second bra cup. A method as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 26, wherein the first strap is integrally formed with the first bra cup and the second strap is integrally formed with the second bra cup. A garment manufactured according to the method of any one of claims 17 to 28.

12

Description:
Article of Apparel with Concealed Brassiere and Method of Making the Same

Field of Invention

The present invention is in the field of apparel manufacture. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to manufacture of garments with internal bras.

Background

Most women’s garments do not provide support for the wearer’s breasts. In order to provide sufficient support, brassieres or bras are worn underneath the garment. Conventional bras comprise a strap connecting the apex of each support cup to the rear of the bra. Such a strap is worn over each shoulder of the wearer and is therefore visible for certain garments which have narrow shoulder straps or fabric. This can often be undesirable, particularly, if the garment is an item of evening/formal-wear such as a camisole top or slip dress.

One solution to the problem of visible bra straps is the use of strapless bras, but these are often uncomfortable or lack adequate support for many women.

Some types of women’s garments do include built-in or internal bras. These include certain types of activewear and nightwear tank tops. However, activewear and nightwear tank tops have outer fabric materials made from stretch fabrics which means that the bras can be sewn directly to the garments. There is a desire for a different solution which would enable an internal bra to be added to garments which comprise non-stretch materials. Another solution to in-built bras is described within US Publication No. 2019/0274370. This solution involves adding an elastic and gathering to the back of the garments. Unfortunately, this can affect the overall aesthetic of the garment which is an important consideration for high-end or evening/formal-wear.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a garment and method of manufacturing such a garment which overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art, or at least provides a useful alternative.

Summary of Invention

According to a first aspect of the invention there is provided a garment with an internal bra, comprising: a) a front panel; b) a first and second garment support straps, each of the garment support straps stitched to the top of the front panel; c) a first cup of the internal bra, wherein the apex of the first cup is connected to a first bra strap; d) a second cup of the internal bra, wherein the apex of the second cup is connected to a second bra strap; wherein the first bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the first garment support strap and the second bra strap is stitched to the top of the front panel to align with the second garment support strap; and wherein one side of the front panel is connected to the other side of the front panel at the rear of the garment.

According to a further aspect of the invention there is provided a method of manufacturing a garment to include an internal bra, comprising two cups, including: stitching a first strap from an apex of a first cup of the internal bra to the top of a garment to align with a first support strap of the garment; and stitching a second strap from an apex of a second cup of the internal bra to the top of a front panel to align with a second support strap of the garment.

Other aspects of the invention are described within the claims.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Embodiments of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 : shows a diagram illustrating the front and rear of a garment within an internal bra in accordance with an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 2: shows a flow diagram illustrating method of manufacturing a garment with an internal bra in accordance with an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 3: shows a diagram illustrating method of manufacturing a garment with an internal bra in accordance with an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments

The present invention provides a garment with an internal bra and a method of manufacturing such an article of apparel.

In Figure 1 , a garment 100 with an internal bra in accordance with an embodiment of the invention is shown.

The front 101 of the garment shows a front panel. The front panel may have a V-shape forming a V-neck for the garment. Of course other shapes or configurations are also envisaged including scoop and cowl neck. The rear 102 of the garment shows a rear panel.

The front and/or rear panel may be made out of a non-stretch fabric such as silk or a substantially non-stretch fabric such as 5-10% stretch fabric (i.e. silk/elastane blend). The fabric may be woven such as silk, cupro, triacetate, polyester, Tencel Lyocell, or cotton.

In other embodiments, the garment does not include a rear panel, but the first and second sides of the front panel may be connected at the rear by straps or ties. For example, in one embodiment, the first and second sides of the front panel may be connected using the garment support straps (i.e. in a cris-cross arrangement looping the straps into several loops on each side of the front panel). The first and second sides of the front panel may be releasably connected such that the garment can be undone, for example, via undoing of the straps or ties.

A first bra strap 103 is connected from the apex of a first bra cup of the internal bra to the top of the front panel and aligned with a first garment support strap 105.

A second bra strap 104 is connected from the apex of a second bra cup of the internal bra to the top of the front panel and aligned with a second garment support strap 106.

In embodiments, each of the bra straps 103 and 104 are connected to the apex of the corresponding bra cup by stitching to the bra cup, fused to the bra cup, or integrally formed with the bra cup (e.g. made of the same material such that the apex of the bra cup forms into a bra strap).

Each of the bra straps and the garment support straps may be stitched aligned together at the inside of the front panel. The bra straps and/or garment support straps may be rouleau straps and may be made of silk. In one embodiment, the bra straps and/or garment support straps may be simple ribbons.

The front and rear panels may be connected to one another by a French seam along at least a part of each panel’s sides. The French seam approach may produce an aesthetically pleasing result, but other approaches to connecting the panels are possible. The front panel and rear panel may be a skin and the garment may also include a lining, for example, a lining front panel and a lining rear panel. In embodiments, instead of a lining, the garment may include a front and back yoke, or a lace trim at the neckline.

The bra cups may be soft cups and may be releasably connected between the two cups to form an opening to the bra to facilitate easy dressing and removal.

The bra cups may be connected to each other via a bra back panel or strap. The bra back panel or strap may be stitched to the rear panel such that the bra back panel or strap is inside the garment.

The garment may be a camisole top, slip dress, jump-suit, or maxi-dress.

The garment support straps may be shoulder support straps. In an alternative embodiment, the garment support straps may be neck support straps (i.e. to provide halter neck).

Referring to Figure 2, a method 200 of manufacturing a garment with an internal bra will be described.

The garment may include a front panel and a rear panel. The front panel may be cut or otherwise formed to have a neck with a first apex and a second apex (e.g. a “V” neck). The garment may have two shoulder straps which are to run from the front panel of the garment to the rear panel. Each shoulder strap may be connected to the rear panel of the garment via a shoulder strap tab.

The garment may have a skin and a lining, in such a case the front panel will be formed of a front skin panel and a front lining panel, and the rear panel will be formed of a rear skin panel and a rear lining panel.

In step 201 , a first strap is connected to the apex of a first bra cup. This first bra strap may be formed integrally with the first bra cup or may be stitched to the inside of the first apex of the front panel. The first bra strap is aligned with a first garment shoulder strap. This first bra strap may be aligned with the first shoulder strap and stitched to the first apex of the front panel by sandwiching the first shoulder strap and the first bra strap between the first apex of the front skin panel and the front lining panel. A straight stitch across this apex will then stitch the two straps together.

In step 202, a second strap is connected to the apex of a second bra cup. This second bra strap may be formed integrally with the second bra cup or may be stitched to the inside of the second apex of the front panel. The second bra strap is aligned with a second shoulder strap of the garment. This second bra strap may be aligned with the second shoulder strap and stitched to the second apex of the front panel by sandwiching the second shoulder strap and the second bra strap between the second apex of the front skin panel and the front lining panel. A straight stitch across this apex will then stitch the two straps together.

The bra cups may be soft bra cups.

In step 203, the back panel of the bra may be stitched to the back of the garment. The back panel of the bra may be sandwiched between the rear skin panel and the rear lining panel. In addition, the rear shoulder strap tabs may be sandwiched between the rear skin and lining panels. A straight stitch across the top of the rear skin and lining panels across the top of the back panel of the bra will then stitch the back panel of the bra to the back of the garment.

Referring to Figure 3, a further method 300 of manufacturing a garment with an internal bra will be described.

In step 301 , the right side of the back side panel is shown.

In step 302, place bra (lining side) back opening between the notches of the back skin panel.

In step 303, place back strap tabs on top of the bra.

In step 304, the silk side of the fused back lining panel sits on top of bra (top raw edges together).

In step 305, straight stitch from apex, across the back to the next apex, 1cm from raw edge.

In step 306, bag out the top edge, so the bra now sits on the inside of the garment.

In step 307, with the lining and skin of main panels together, straight stitch 1cm from raw neck edge.

In step 308, sandwich garment strap and bra strap between apex of skin and lining. Straight stitch 1cm from top of apex opening. Mitre the CF neck edge ‘V’. In step 309, bag out the apex of the garment. Bra will be on the inside of the garment.

Potential advantages of some embodiments of the present invention is that support for a wearer’s breasts can be provided within garments without visible bra straps as an alternative to strapless bras, and internal bras can also be added to garments which comprise non-stretch materials with little or no aesthetic impact on the garment when worn.

While the present invention has been illustrated by the description of the embodiments thereof, and while the embodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not the intention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope of the appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages and modifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Therefore, the invention in its broader aspects is not limited to the specific details, representative apparatus and method, and illustrative examples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made from such details without departure from the spirit or scope of applicant’s general inventive concept.