Stretchable garment with breast supporting structures

Abstract

A garment for support of a wearer's bust (e.g. a brassiere, bralette, a tank top, or other garment) may include one or more of an elastic under-band, an internal bust support structure, and an external bust support platform for providing additional bust support.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A garment comprising:
 a single piece of stretchable material folded along a mirror line forming a material support structure, wherein said mirror line forms a lower edge of the material support structure,   the material support structure further comprising:
 two layers of material, including an interior layer of material in contact with a wearer when in use and an exterior material layer; 
 laterally-separated cup portions for support of the wearer; 
 at least one side wing portion; 
   an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed within the material support structure and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions and the at least one side wing portion;   an external support platform for each breast constructed overlaying the interior layer of the material support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions;   an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material located within the material support structure and extending laterally along the lower edge of the garment.   
     
     
         2 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the garment further comprises at least one shoulder strap coupling at least one laterally-separated cup portion to a back portion of the material support structure. 
     
     
         3 . The garment of  claim 2 , wherein the back portion of the material support structure further comprises a closure. 
     
     
         4 . The shoulder strap of  claim 2 , wherein at least one laterally-separated cup portion is removably attached proximate the shoulder strap to allow for nursing or pumping. 
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the internal bust support is constructed from a stabilizing material. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the laterally-separated cup portions further comprise molded cups; 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the external support platform for each breast is constructed from a double layered piece of stretchable material. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein external support platform for each breast includes a concave top edge. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the external support platform for each breast is attached to the material support structure proximate a center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions, proximate the side wing portion, and along a lower edge of the laterally-separated cup portion. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 1 , wherein the internal bust support is constructed from at least one piece of material. 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 10 , wherein the internal bust support comprises at least one of:
 a center internal bust support piece positioned along a vertical center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion;   a side wing internal bust support piece positioned along an outer line of the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; and   an under-bust internal support piece positioned following a lower outline of the laterally-separate cup positions.   
     
     
         12 . A garment comprising:
 a material support structure including opposing interior and exterior material layers and defining laterally-separated cup portions for supporting a wearer's bust when in use;   an internal bust support constructed of at least one stabilizing material interposed between the interior and exterior material layers and extending at least along undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the bust support structure; and   an external material support platform overlaying the interior material layer of the breast support structure and extending at least along the undersides of the laterally-separated cup portions of the breast support structure.   
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the garment further comprises an under-band constructed of at least one elastic material and extending along a lower edge of the garment. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the garment further comprises at least one shoulder strap coupling at least one laterally-separated cup portion and a back portion. 
     
     
         15 . The shoulder strap of  claim 14 , wherein at least one laterally-separated cup portion is removably attached proximate the shoulder strap to allow for nursing or pumping. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the laterally-separated cup portions further comprise molded cups. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the back portion of the bust support structure further comprises a closure. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the internal bust support is constructed from a stabilizing material. 
     
     
         19 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the material support platform is attached to the material support structure proximate a center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions, proximate a side wing portion, and along a lower edge of the laterally-separated cup portion. 
     
     
         20 . The garment of  claim 12 , wherein the internal bust support is constructed from at least one piece of material. 
     
     
         21 . The garment of  claim 20 , wherein the internal bust support comprises at least one of:
 a center internal bust support piece positioned along a vertical center line of the garment interposed between the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion;   a side wing internal bust support piece positioned along an outer line of the laterally-separated cup portions and curving downward following the shape of the laterally-separated cup portion extending to the center of the laterally-separated cup portion; and   an under-bust internal support piece positioned following a lower outline of the laterally-separated cup positions.