Undercup insert member

Abstract

An undercup insert member ( 10 ) for a breast support arrangement, for example a brassiere is disclosed. The undercup insert member ( 10 ) comprises an elongate curved main portion ( 12 ) shaped to conform generally to the shape of the breast to be supported. The undercup insert member ( 10 ) is formed of a plastics material.

1 . An undercup insert member for a breast support arrangement, the insert member comprising:
 an elongated curved main portion shaped to conform generally to a breast to be supported, the undercup insert member being formed of a plastics material.   
     
     
         2 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastics material is capable of providing support to said breast, and wherein said plastic material holds the breast support arrangement open. 
     
     
         3 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein the undercup insert member is arrangeable under a cup of the breast support arrangement, and wherein the undercup insert member holds said cup open. 
     
     
         4 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated curved main portion is a wire. 
     
     
         5 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 4 , wherein the wire is an underwire. 
     
     
         6 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated curved main portion is sufficiently flexible and resilient to allow deformation from an original shape so that the undercup insert member can return to said original shape after deformation thereof. 
     
     
         7 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is an acetal polymer. 
     
     
         8 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 7 , wherein said plastics material is an acetal homopolymer. 
     
     
         9 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 7 , wherein said plastic material is an acetal copolymer. 
     
     
         10 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is a resin. 
     
     
         11 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material is selected from the group consisting of thermoplastic polyester, a thermoplastic polyester elastomer, a liquid crystal polymer, and any combinations thereof. 
     
     
         12 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material has a portion that is selected from the group consisting of a filler, reinforcement, and any combination thereof, and wherein said portion comprises up to approximately 30% w/w of said plastic material. 
     
     
         13 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material has a portion that is selected from the group consisting of a filler, reinforcement, and any combination thereof, and wherein said portion comprises up to approximately 20% w/w of said plastic material. 
     
     
         14 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said plastic material has a portion that is selected from the group consisting of a filler, reinforcement, and combination thereof, and wherein said portion comprises substantially 10% w/w of said plastics material. 
     
     
         15 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated curved main portion has rounded edges, wherein said elongated curved main portion has a profile that is generally oval in configuration, and wherein said elongated curved main portion has opposite ends that are rounded. 
     
     
         16 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated curved main portion has an outer region having a profile with first and second support elements, and wherein said first and second support elements has a narrower connecting element extending therebetween. 
     
     
         17 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 15 , wherein the undercup insert member has an outer region with a profile having a shape that is generally an hour glass shape. 
     
     
         18 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 15 , wherein said elongated curved main portion has an inner region extending from an outer region, and wherein said inner region is of a generally oval configuration. 
     
     
         19 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein said elongated curved main portion has at least one lug member for the undercup insert member to be sewn into the breast support arrangement. 
     
     
         20 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one lug member has a generally flat portion extending outwardly from said elongated curved main portion. 
     
     
         21 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 19 , wherein at least one lug member extends from opposite sides of said elongated curved main portion. 
     
     
         22 . An undercup insert member according to of  claim 19 , wherein the at least one lug member extends from at least one end of the said elongated curved main portion. 
     
     
         23 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 22 , wherein said at least one end is two ends, and wherein the at least one lug member is a plurality of lug members and said plurality of lug members extend from said two ends of said elongated curved main portion. 
     
     
         24 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 22 , wherein the at least one lug member is generally circular in configuration. 
     
     
         25 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 19 , wherein the at least one lug member extends substantially the length of said elongated curved main portion. 
     
     
         26 . (canceled) 
     
     
         27 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein the breast support arrangement is an article of clothing. 
     
     
         28 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein the breast support arrangement is an article of breast supporting underwear. 
     
     
         29 . The undercup insert member according to  claim 1 , wherein the breast support arrangement is a brassiere. 
     
     
         30 . (canceled)