Brassiere

Abstract

A molded brassiere having a core of a first foam layer and a second foam layer laminated to each other with underwire interposed. An outer fabric layer extends beyond the core forming at least part of the chest bands. The bridge between the cups optionally includes a flexible non-stretchable material.

1 . A brassiere comprising: 
 a core defining at least two breast cups of the brassiere, the core comprising a first layer of foam material, a second layer of foam material that is substantially laminated with the first layer of foam material, and an underwire located between the first and second layers of foam material at or adjacent the lower peripheral part of one or each of the two breast cups; and    a first and a second covering layer, each covering layer comprising at least a fabric ply and each covering layer being laminated with the core on a respective side of the core to encase the core.    
     
     
         2 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core has been subjected to molding to form the shape of the two breast cups.  
     
     
         3 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core does not define any chest band of the brassiere.  
     
     
         4 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein one or each of the first and second layers of foam material is a continuous layer extending across the core.  
     
     
         5 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the underwire comprises a rigid elongate member and a channel encasing the rigid elongate member.  
     
     
         6 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the channel is a fabric material.  
     
     
         7 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 6  wherein the first and second layers of foam material have mutually facing surfaces and the channel is adhered to one or each of the facing surfaces of the first and second layers of foam material by an adhesive.  
     
     
         8 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the underwire is a non-metallic strip.  
     
     
         9 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core has a perimeter and one or each of the first and second covering layers extends beyond at least a portion of the perimeter of the core to form at least part of a chest band of the brassiere.  
     
     
         10 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the first covering layer comprises a fabric ply and a foam ply, the fabric ply and the foam ply being laminated to each other.  
     
     
         11 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 10  wherein a surface of the core is laminated to the foam ply of the first covering layer.  
     
     
         12 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the second layer of foam material is laminated to the first layer of foam material by an adhesive.  
     
     
         13 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core further defines a bridge between the two breast cups, and wherein a flexible and substantially non-stretchable panel of material is located between the first and second layers of foam material and laminated with one or each of the first and the second layers of foam material at the bridge.  
     
     
         14 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core has a perimeter and the brassiere further comprises an outermost layer that is at a greater distance from the body of the wearer of the brassiere than either of the first and the second covering layers, the outermost layer extending beyond at least a portion of the perimeter of the core to form at least part of a chest band of the brassiere.  
     
     
         15 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the brassiere has an inner surface and the outermost layer has a perimeter, the outermost layer being folded at at least a portion of its perimeter to provide a hem affixed to at least a portion of the inner surface of the brassiere.  
     
     
         16 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the hem is affixed to at least a portion of the perimeter region of the inner surface of the brassiere.  
     
     
         17 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 15  wherein one of the first and second covering layers is at least part of the inner surface of the brassiere.  
     
     
         18 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the brassiere further comprises a strip of fabric material that is affixed to at least a portion of the hem and at least a portion of the inner surface of the brassiere.  
     
     
         19 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outermost layer includes a lace fabric.  
     
     
         20 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 15  wherein the hem is affixed adhesively to at least a portion of the inner surface of the brassiere.  
     
     
         21 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 14  wherein the outermost layer is not laminated to at least one of the first and second covering layers.  
     
     
         22 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the core further comprises a pouch located between the first and second layers of foam material at or adjacent a lower portion of one or each of the two breast cups, the pouch containing a material selected from one of a liquid and a gel.  
     
     
         23 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 22  wherein the pouch is laminated to one or each of the first and second layers of foam material.  
     
     
         24 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the brassiere is seamless.  
     
     
         25 . A brassiere comprising: 
 a core having a perimeter and defining at least two molded breast cups of the brassiere, the core comprising an outer layer of foam material, an inner layer of foam material that is substantially laminated with the outer layer of foam material, and an underwire interposed between the outer and inner layers of foam material at or adjacent the lower peripheral part of one or each of the two breast cups;    an outer and an inner covering layer, each covering layer comprising a fabric ply and a foam ply which are substantially laminated to each other, the foam ply of each covering layer being substantially laminated with the core on a respective side of the core to encase the core; and    wherein one or each of the outer and inner covering layers extends beyond at least a portion of the perimeter of the core to form at least part of a chest band of the brassiere.    
     
     
         26 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the core further comprises a pouch located between the outer and inner layers of foam material at or adjacent a lower portion of one or each of the two breast cups, the pouch containing a material selected from one of a liquid and a gel.  
     
     
         27 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the brassiere further comprises an outermost layer that is at a greater distance from the body of the wearer of the brassiere than either of the outer and the inner covering layers, the outermost layer extending beyond at least a portion of the perimeter of the core to form at least part of a chest band of the brassiere.  
     
     
         28 . A brassiere as claimed in  claim 25  wherein the brassiere is seamless.