US 2010/0144242 A1Published application

Brassiere with improved side panel construction

AssigneeWarnaco U.S., Inc.

InventorsDonald R. Allen, Patricia E. McLaurin

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Abstract

A brassiere having flexibility, durability, and improved comfort for the wearer is provided. The side panel of the bra comprises a folded fabric and two elastic bands. The folded fabric has two opposing longitudinal edges, a top edge, and a bottom edge. Each of the two elastic bands is positioned in the interior of the folded fabric along a respective longitudinal edge, which also includes notches for orienting the bands. The folded fabric is sewn together at each of the top and bottom edges such that the two elastic bands are held in place. One of the longitudinal edges may be formed by sewing the folded fabric together to form a seam using a pull-out stitch. Each of the two elastic bands may include either of a woven elastic band or a knitted elastic band.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A brassiere with improved side panel construction comprises:

a pair of breast cups, a left side panel, a right side panel, and a back connecting portion, each of the left and right side panels having a top longitudinal edge, a bottom longitudinal edge, a front-side edge and a back-side edge, wherein the front-side edge of the left side panel is sewn together with a left portion of the pair of breast cups, the front-side edge of the right side panel is sewn together with a right portion of the pair of breast cups, and the back connecting portion is sewn together with each of the respective back-side edges of the left and right side panels, and
wherein the right side panel is formed using a single fabric by
folding the fabric such that two edges of the fabric meet along one of the longitudinal edges;
sewing the two edges together to form a seam such that the fabric comprises in a tubular shape;
reversing the fabric so that the first face is facing outward;
flattening the fabric so that the seam substantially coincides with a first longitudinal edge;
inserting a pattern into the fabric;
cutting the fabric according to the inserted pattern;
inserting a first elastic band into the fabric along the first longitudinal edge;
inserting a second elastic band into the fabric along a second longitudinal edge;
sewing together a top edge of the fabric such that a first respective portion of each of the first and second elastic bands is held in place;
and
sewing together a bottom edge of the fabric such that a second respective portion of each of the first and second elastic bands is held in place.

10 more elements

A method for constructing a brassiere with improved side panel construction,

the brassiere comprising two breast cups, a left side panel, a right side panel, and a back connecting portion, each of the left and right side panels comprising a fabric having a first face and a second face,
the method comprising the steps of:
constructing the right side panel;
constructing the left side panel;
and
sewing together the breast cups, the right side panel, the left side panel, and the back connecting portion to form the brassiere, wherein the step of constructing the right side panel comprises the steps of
folding the fabric so that the second face is facing outward and that two edges of the fabric meet;
sewing the two edges together to form a seam such that the fabric comprises in a tubular shape;
reversing the fabric so that the first face is facing outward;
flattening the fabric so that the seam substantially coincides with a first longitudinal edge;
inserting a pattern into the fabric;
cutting the fabric according to the inserted pattern;
inserting a first elastic band into the fabric along the first longitudinal edge;
inserting a second elastic band into the fabric along a second longitudinal edge;
sewing together a top edge of the fabric such that a first respective portion of each of the first and second elastic bands is held in place;
and
sewing together a bottom edge of the fabric such that a second respective portion of each of the first and second elastic bands is held in place.

14 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.