Underwire for a brassiere

Abstract

There is provided an underwire for a brassiere or a breast cup. In particular, the underwire comprises at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position. An underwire assembly, a method of manufacturing a brassiere and a mold for manufacturing the underwire are also provided.

1 . An underwire for a brassiere, the underwire comprising:
 at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position.   
     
     
         2 . The underwire of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the underwire has a first length at the first position and a second length at the second position, the second length being different to the first length.   
     
     
         3 . The underwire of  claim 2 , wherein the second length differs from the first length by a range of up to 10 mm. 
     
     
         4 . The underwire of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the underwire has a first radius of curvature at the first position and a second radius of curvature at the second position, the second radius of curvature being different to the first radius of curvature.   
     
     
         5 . The underwire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two members comprise a first member and a second member. 
     
     
         6 . The underwire of  claim 5 , wherein the second member comprises a hollow tube configured to receive a first end of the first member. 
     
     
         7 . The underwire of  claim 6 , further comprising a third member. 
     
     
         8 . The underwire of  claim 5 , wherein the second member is situated on the underarm side of the underwire. 
     
     
         9 . The underwire of  claim 7 , wherein the third member is configured to receive a second end of the first member different to the first end. 
     
     
         10 . The underwire of  claim 5 , wherein the first member is made from one or more of:
 metal;   plastic;   carbon fibre; and   glass fibre.   
     
     
         11 . The underwire of  claim 7 , wherein one or both of the second and third members comprises a plastic tube. 
     
     
         12 . The underwire of  claim 5 , further comprising a cover through which at least a portion of at least the first member is inserted. 
     
     
         13 . The underwire of  claim 12 , wherein the cover comprises one or more of:
 elastic material; and   plastic material.   
     
     
         14 . The underwire of  claim 13 , wherein the cover comprises a plastic tube. 
     
     
         15 . The underwire of  claim 13 , wherein the cover comprises a first layer comprising an elastic material and a second layer comprising a fabric material. 
     
     
         16 . The underwire of  claim 15 , wherein the second layer comprises two disjoint parts, wherein a first one of the two disjoint parts is integrated with or connected to the first member and a second part of the two disjoint parts is integrated with or connected to the second member. 
     
     
         17 . The underwire of  claim 13 , wherein the cover comprises an elastic tube. 
     
     
         18 . The underwire of  claim 17 , wherein the elastic tube is formed from one or more of:
 latex,   silicone,   rubber, and   thermoplastic rubber.   
     
     
         19 . The underwire of  claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the first member and at least a portion of the second member insert through the elastic tube. 
     
     
         20 . The underwire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two members are further configured to move between the first position and the second position in accordance with a user breast shape. 
     
     
         21 . The underwire of  claim 1 , wherein the at least two members are configured to move between the first position and the second position in response to a force exerted by the user breast. 
     
     
         22 . An underwire assembly for a brassiere, the underwire assembly comprising:
 an underwire according to  claim 1 ; and   a sheath for containing the underwire.   
     
     
         23 . The underwire assembly of  claim 22 , wherein the sheath comprises an elastic material. 
     
     
         24 . A method of manufacturing a brassiere, the method comprising:
 providing an inner panel and an outer panel;   placing an underwire comprising at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position or an underwire assembly in accordance with  claim 22  between the inner and outer panels; and   connecting together the inner and outer panels with the underwire or underwire assembly therebetween.   
     
     
         25 . A method of manufacturing a brassiere, the method comprising:
 providing an inner panel and an outer panel;   placing an underwire comprising at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position or an underwire assembly comprising an underwire comprising at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position and a sheath for containing the underwire between the inner and outer panels; and   connecting together the inner and outer panels with the underwire or underwire assembly therebetween, wherein the underwire is in accordance with  claim 14  and wherein the method further comprises forming the cover by injection molding.   
     
     
         26 . A method of manufacturing a brassiere, the method comprising:
 providing an inner panel and an outer panel;   placing an underwire comprising at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position or an underwire assembly comprising an underwire comprising at least two members movable relative to each other between a first position and a second position and a sheath for containing the underwire between the inner and outer panels; and   connecting together the inner and outer panels with the underwire or underwire assembly therebetween, wherein the underwire is in accordance with  claim 16 , and wherein the method further comprises connecting the second layer to the first member and to the second member.