Fastener

Abstract

A fastener has first and second fastening parts inter-engageable for fastening two side parts of a brassiere or similar article of clothing. The first and second fastening parts include co-operable fastening members for detachable fastening. The fastening members, at least when attached, are concealable by a concealing member, the concealing member being movable between an operating position to conceal the fastening members and a non-operating position to expose the fastening members.

1 . A fastener comprising first and second fastening parts inter-engageable for fastening two side parts of a brassiere or similar article of clothing, the first and second fastening parts including co-operable fastening members for detachable fastening,
 wherein the fastening members, at least when attached, are concealable by a concealing member, the concealing member being moveable between an operating position to conceal the fastening members and a non-operating position to expose the fastening members.   
     
     
         2 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member is removably fixed to one of the first and second fastening parts and remains movable between the operating and non-operating positions. 
     
     
         3 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member has a side portion sewed onto one of the first and second fastening parts and remains movable between the operating and non-operating positions. 
     
     
         4 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member is co-operable with a retainer to releasably retain the concealing member at the operating position. 
     
     
         5 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the retainer is a two-part retainer inter-engageable for retaining the concealing member at the operating position. 
     
     
         6 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the concealing member is in the form of a detachable pad attachable to the fastening parts by the two-part retainer. 
     
     
         7 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member is in the form of a sleeve unraveled to operate at the operating position where it wraps around the first and second fastening parts for concealing the same. 
     
     
         8 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the sleeve is pre-formed. 
     
     
         9 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member has outer and inner opposite surfaces, the outer surface is exposed when the concealing member is at the operating position. 
     
     
         10 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the inner surface is exposed when the concealing member is at the non-operating position and is distinguishable from the first surface for indication purpose. 
     
     
         11 . The fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the concealing member is dimensioned to conceal both fastening members to their entirety when it is moved to the operating position. 
     
     
         12 . A brassiere comprising a band with two side parts and the fastener as claimed in  claim 1 , provided with the two side parts, wherein the concealing member is made of a material indistinguishable from that of the band. 
     
     
         13 . A brassiere with two side parts comprising:
 a fastener having first and second fastening parts inter-engageable for fastening the two side parts, the first and second fastening parts including co-operable fastening members for detachable fastening; and   a concealing member,   wherein, the fastening members, at least when attached, are concealable by a concealing member, the concealing member being moveable between an operating position to conceal the fastening members and a non-operating position to expose the fastening members.   
     
     
         14 . The brassiere as claimed in  claim 13 , wherein the concealing member is made of a material indistinguishable from that of the band. 
     
     
         15 . A method of manufacturing a brassiere or an article of clothing having a fastener as claimed in  claim 1  comprising the steps of:
 providing inter-engageable first and second fastening parts with co-operable fastening members for detachable fastening; 
 attaching the first and second fastening parts to respective side parts of the brassiere or similar article of clothing; and 
 providing a concealing member with at least one of the side parts, 
 wherein the concealing member is movable between an operating position to conceal the fastening members and a non-operating position to expose the fastening members. 
 
     
     
         16 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the concealing member is pre-formed before it is provided with the at least one of the side parts. 
     
     
         17 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the concealing member is fixed to one of the first and second fastening parts and remains movable between the operating and non-operating positions. 
     
     
         18 . The method as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the concealing member is in the form of a sleeve unraveled to operate at the operating position for concealing the fastening members. 
     
     
         19 . The method as claimed in  claim 15  further including the step of providing a retainer which is co-operable with the concealing member to releasably retain the concealing member at the operating position.