Malleable support insert and garments containing same

Abstract

A malleable support insert that is useful in the construction of clothing garments, particularly brassieres. The malleable support insert is shapeable and responsive to an external force such that the insert is shaped by the external force into a first configuration and retains the first configuration after removal of the external force.

1 . A support for use in an article of clothing comprising at least one layer of a material enclosed in a protective coating, the material being shapeable and responsive to an external force such that the material is shaped by the external force into a first configuration and retains the first configuration after removal of the external force; and the material being shapeable into a second configuration by application of a subsequent external force.  
     
     
         2 . The support of  claim 1  further comprising at least one layer of a metal screening enclosed in the material.  
     
     
         3 . The support of  claim 2  wherein the material is silicone rubber.  
     
     
         4 . The support of  claim 2  wherein the metal screening comprises aluminum.  
     
     
         5 . An article of clothing comprising at least one pocket adapted to receive a support of  claim 1 .  
     
     
         6 . The article of  claim 5  wherein the article is a brassiere having two cups with each cup containing a pocket adapted to receive the support.  
     
     
         7 . A garment having at least one pocket adapted to receive a support, wherein the support comprises at least one layer of a material enclosed in a protective coating, the material being shapeable and responsive to an external force such that the material is shaped by the external force into a first configuration and retains the first configuration after removal of the external force; and the material being shapeable into a second configuration by application of a subsequent external force.  
     
     
         8 . A support for use in an article of clothing comprising a preselected pattern of wire enclosed in a protective coating, the pattern of wire being shapeable and responsive to an external force such that the pattern of wire is shaped by the external force into a first configuration and retains the first configuration after removal of the external force; and the pattern of wire being shapeable into a second configuration by application of a subsequent external force.