Improvements in or relating to clothing

Abstract

FIG. 1 shows a garment in the form of a brassiere ( 1 ) including loosely located, generally flat, sling pieces ( 2, 3 ) attached to the side of each breast cup (or breast cup portion) ( 4,5 ) by guide pieces ( 6, 7 ). The sling pieces ( 2, 3 ) are elasticated or ‘stretchable’ and non-slip. Each sling piece ( 2, 3 ) comprises a breast support apparatus. The sling pieces ( 2, 3 ) are each similarly shaped and are integrally joined together at X in mirror image arrangement to form a double-lobed sling S loosely located relative to the breast cups ( 4, 5 ). Each guide piece ( 6, 7 ) is of a trapezium shape and of very thin, flexible and stretchable perforate (one-layer) material and is sewn into seams S 1 , S 2 on the associated wing piece W 1 , W 2 of the brassiere ( 1 ) at the outside edge of the associated cup, and into the seams of the associated sling piece ( 2, 3 ).

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
     
     
         11 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ), such as a brassiere or bikini top ( 1 ; 100 ), including two breast cups ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), each breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), in use, including a breast support apparatus ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) displaceable or deformable, in use, relative to the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), said apparatus ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) comprising a sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material which is attached at one end ( 2   a , 3   a ), in use, at or adjacent an upper part ( 4   a , 5   a ) of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), or which is attached to a strap ( 10   a ,  11   a ) arranged at or adjacent an upper part ( 4   a , 5   a ) of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), in use, the arrangement being such that the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material is displaceable or deformable along its length relative to the associated breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) as the breast is introduced into the sling piece ( 2 , 3 , 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material, in use, to support the breast underneath and from an outside edge to partially encircle the breast, pulling the breast, in use, upwardly and inwardly towards the cleavage of the breasts, wherein said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ;  103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material is provided with first and second non-parallel edge portions (e 1 ,e 2 ; 103   a , 104   a ; 103   b , 104   b ), said first edge portion (e 1 ; 103   a , 104   a ) being arranged to substantially follow the root of the breast, in use, and being arranged at or adjacent the junction of the breast root with the body, in use, said second edge portion (e 2 ; 103   b , 104   b ) being arranged to lift and support the breast, in use, partially encircling the breast above the location of the first edge portion (e 1 ; 103   a , 104   a ) underneath or at the region of the nipple, in use. 
     
     
         12 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 11  in which said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is attached at an opposite end (X), in use, at or adjacent a lower part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ;  101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) below or substantially at the level of the nipple, or which is attached to a further strap ( 10   b , 11   b ) arranged at or adjacent a lower part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), in use, below or substantially at the level of, the nipple. 
     
     
         13 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 11  in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ;  103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material is diagonally mounted or inclined on the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and, preferably, in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) extends from adjacent an upper apex ( 4   a , 5   a ; 101   a , 101   b ) of the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and extends downwardly, in use, to a lower location ( 101   b , 102   b ) on the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and/or in which said one end ( 2   a , 3   a ) of the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) or said strap ( 10   a , 11   a ) is attached at or adjacent said upper part ( 4   a , 5   a ; 101   a , 101   b ) of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) above or substantially at the same level as the nipple, in use, and/or in which the attachment of the strap ( 10   a , 11   a ) at or adjacent an upper part ( 4   a , 5   a ; 101   a , 101   b ) of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) is direct or indirect e.g. via a ring or hoop (r 1 ,r 2 ) and/or in which the attachment of the further strap ( 10   b , 11   b ) at or adjacent a lower part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) is direct or indirect e.g., via a ring or hoop (r 1 ,r 2 ). 
     
     
         14 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 11  in which the first edge portion (e 1 ) comprises a first substantially linear or straight edge section (e 1 ′) that, in use, follows the root or junction of the breast with the body generally downwardly, which first edge section (e 1 ′) is joined to a curved section (e 1 ″) that, in use, passes under the lower root portion of the breast and, preferably, in which the second edge portion (e 2 ) is curved or contoured, and, preferably, in which said curvature of the second edge portion (e 2 ) is greater than the curved section (e 1 ″) of said first edge portion (e 1 ). 
     
     
         15 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 11  in which the sling portion ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is wider in a central region tapering towards end regions and, preferably, in which the sling portion ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is of a generally oval or elliptical shape and, preferably, in which the sling portion ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is asymmetrical and/or in which the sling portions ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) are integrally formed to create a double-lobed sling (S) and, preferably, in which the lower ends (X) of the sling pieces ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) are not connected to a lower part ( 101   b , 102   b ) of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) and each sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is connected to a side part or wing (W 1 , W 2 ) of the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) via a flexible guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) and, preferably, in which the flexible guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) allows for a relative lateral or turning (angular) adjustment and/or in which the flexible guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) allows for movement of the sling (S) inwards or outwards away from the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and, preferably, in which ends ( 4   a , 5   a ) of each sling portion ( 2 , 3 ) are attached to the breast cups ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and/or in which each sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is contoured in depth or of variable thickness and/or in which the garment ( 1 ; 100 ) is made of different composite materials. 
     
     
         16 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 11  provided with a double strap ( 10 , 11 ) arrangement on each side of the breast cups ( 4 , 5 ;  101 , 102 ), one strap ( 10   a , 11   a ) being attached to the breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and another strap ( 10   b , 11   b ) being attached to the associated sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) and, preferably, in which said straps ( 10   a , 11   a ; 10   b , 11   b ) are connected together, and, preferably, in which the straps ( 10   a , 11   a ; 10   b , 11   b ) are connected together by adjustment means (r 1 ,r 2 ) and, preferably, in which the straps ( 10   a , 11   a ; 10   b , 11   b ) are elasticated/adjustable. 
     
     
         17 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ), such as a brassiere or bikini top ( 1 ; 100 ), including two breast cups ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), each breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), in use, including a breast support apparatus ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) displaceable or deformable, in use, relative to the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ;  101 , 102 ), said apparatus ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) comprising a sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material which is attached at one end ( 2   a , 3   a ), in use, at or adjacent an upper part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), or which is attached to straps ( 10   a , 11   a ) at or adjacent an upper part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), in use, the arrangement being such that the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material is displaceable or deformable along its length relative to the associated breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) as the breast is introduced into the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated, or stretchable material, in use, to support the breast underneath and from an outside edge to partially encircle the breast, pulling the breast, in use, upwardly and inwardly towards the cleavage of the breasts, wherein said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) or elasticated or stretchable material is provided with an edge portion (e 1 ) arranged to follow substantially the root of the breast, in use, which edge portion (e 1 ) is connected at or adjacent to a side part (W 1 ,W 2 ) of the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) by a flexible or stretchable guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) allowing lateral or turning adjustment of the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material relative to the associated breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) by the user, as the breast is introduced into the breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ). 
     
     
         18 . A garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in  claim 17  in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material, is diagonally mounted or inclined on tin associated cup ( 4 , 5 ;  101 , 102 ) and, preferably, in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) extends from adjacent an upper apex ( 4   a , 5   a ) of the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and extends downwardly in use to a lower location on the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and/or in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material is formed separately to the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ), and, preferably, in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) is of a thinner and more flexible material than said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material and/or in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) is in the form of a thin strap and/or in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) is trapezium shaped and/or in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) allows a relative lateral or turning (angular) adjustment of the sling ( 2 , 3 ) relative to the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) and/or in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) allows movement of the sling ( 2 , 3 ) inwards or outwards away from the associated cup ( 4 , 5 : 101 , 102 ), and/or in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or flexible material is of soft, padded material, and/or in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 : 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or flexible material is wider in a central part thereof and is tapered towards the ends and/or in which the shape of the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) conforms roughly to an elongate oval or elliptical shape and/or in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 : 103 , 104 ) is asymmetrical and/or in which the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) is provided with a second, curved edge portion (e 2 ) arranged above the first edge portion (e 1 ), in use and/or in which said curvature of the second edge portion (e 1 ) is greater than that of the first edge portion (e 1 ). 
     
     
         19 . A garment ( 1 : 100 ) such as a brassiere or bikini top ( 1 ; 100 ) including two breast cups ( 4 . 5 ; 101 , 102 ), each cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) having a loosely located displaceable or deformable sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) diagonally mounted or inclined inside the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ), in use, said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) being bounded by non-parallel first and second edge portions (e 1 ,e 2 ) and said sling piece ( 2 , 3 : 103 , 104 ) tapering, towards associated ends of the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ), the first edge portion (e 1 ) being arranged to substantially follow the root of the breast, in use, being arranged at or adjacent the junction of the breast root with the body and the second edge portion (e 1 ) being arranged to partially encircle the breast above the location of the first edge portion (e 1 ) underneath or at the region of the nipple, in use and, preferably, in which each said sling portion ( 2 , 3 ) is provided with a flexible or stretchable guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) and, preferably, in which the guide piece ( 6 , 7 ) is attached to a side part (W 1 ,W 2 ) of the associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ), in order to allow lateral or turning adjustment of the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) relative to the associated breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) by the wearer, as the breast is introduced into the breast cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ). 
     
     
         20 . A method of making a garment ( 1 ; 100 ), such as a brassiere or bikini top ( 1 ; 100 ), having one or two portions ( 4 , 5 ), to cover the breast/s, said method including making a sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) of elasticated or stretchable material and cutting/making the sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) to shape, said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) having a concave and/or convex profiled edge portion (e 1 ,e 2 ), attaching said sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) at one end, in use, at or adjacent an upper part of an associated cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) above or substantially at the level of the nipple in use, or attaching said sling piece ( 2 , 3 : 103 , 104 ) to a strap ( 10   a , 11   a ) arranged at or adjacent an upper part of the cup ( 4 , 5 ; 101 , 102 ) or garment ( 1 ; 100 ) or a sling piece ( 2 , 3 ; 103 , 104 ) for use in a garment ( 1 ; 100 ) as claimed in claim  1 .