Item of lingerie

Abstract

The invention relates to a part of an item of lingerie, specifically to a three-dimensional underwire ( 1 ) for a brassiere, the profile thereof being in the form of an arch with two limbs ( 2, 2′ ), characterised in that the cross-section thereof is an essentially curvilinear triangle and in that the two limbs ( 2, 2′ ) are inclined in relation to each other at a certain angle. The invention also relates to a brassiere comprising said underwire ( 1 ).

1 . An underwire for a brassiere in the form of a profile with two limbs, characterized in that the section of each of the limbs of the profile is a polyhedron and preferably a curvilinear triangle and in that the central axis of each of both limbs is not positioned in a single and same plane. 
     
     
         2 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the tilt angle of both limbs is comprised between 5 and 40 degrees. 
     
     
         3 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the underwire comprises an internal face capable, under conditions of use, of coming into contact with the body of the user, an external face opposite to the internal face and turned, under conditions of use, to the outside of the body of the user, the curvilinear polyhedron being defined by at least one face forming the internal face, an external face, and at least one third face protruding on the internal face and intended to support the breast of the user under conditions of use. 
     
     
         4 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one of its limbs, defined as the first limb, is able to be in contact, under conditions of use, with the portion of the breast of the user in proximity to the sternum and the other limb, defined as the second limb, is able to be in contact, under conditions of use, with the portion of the breast of the user located opposite to the sternum, both limbs considered individually being located in a same plane. 
     
     
         5 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that one of its limbs, defined as the first limb, is able to be in contact, under conditions of use, with the portion of the breast of the user in proximity to the sternum and the other limb, defined as the second limb, is able to be in contact, under conditions of use, with the portion of the breast of the user located opposite to the sternum, at least one of the two limbs considered individually being located in at least two different planes. 
     
     
         6 . The underwire according to  claim 5 , characterized in that the central axis of the second limb is located on a curved surface. 
     
     
         7 . The underwire according to  claim 6 , characterized in that the second limb is curved (tilted) towards the inside of the underwire. 
     
     
         8 . The underwire according to  claim 4 , characterized in that both of its limbs are dissymmetrical, the first limb being shorter than the second limb. 
     
     
         9 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that its external face has at least one notch. 
     
     
         10 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that it has several notches, the density of which varies along the underwire, the density of the notches being preferably greater on the second limb than on the first limb. 
     
     
         11 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that the dimensions of the notches in at least one space direction of space vary. 
     
     
         12 . The underwire according to  claim 1 , characterized in that its consists of one or several polymeric materials having a flexure modulus of more than 350 MPa, preferably comprised between 500 and 3,000 MPa, and more preferably between 800 and 2,000 MPa. 
     
     
         13 . The underwire according to  claim 12 , characterized in that the polymeric material is selected from the group formed by polyethylenes, poly(vinyl chloride)s, poly(ethylene terephthalate), polypropylenes, polystyrenes, polyamides and mixtures thereof. 
     
     
         14 . A double underwire comprising a set of two underwires according to  claim 1 , attached to each other. 
     
     
         15 . A brassiere comprising an underwire or a double underwire according to  claim 1 .