# US 7,607,964 B2 · Foundation garment > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,607,964 B2 - Document ID: US7607964B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 10/903,074 - Filed: 2004-07-30 - Published: 2005-03-24 - Granted: 2009-10-27 - Earliest claimed: 2003-08-01 - Assignees: MJM International, Ltd. - Inventors: Michelle Georgina Mone; Michael John Mone - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7607964B2 ## CPC - A41C 1/06: with brassieres - A41D 7/00: Bathing gowns; Swim-suits, drawers, or trunks; Beach suits - A41F 1/006: {Brassiére fasteners} - A41F 15/002: {separable or adjustable} - A41C 3/08: combined with other garments (with corsets A41C1/06) - A41C: CORSETS; BRASSIERES - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A41F: GARMENT FASTENINGS; SUSPENDERS ## Abstract There is disclosed an improved foundation garment (110) comprising a multiway all-in-one foundation garment. Conventional foundation garments are unsuitable for wearing with clothes such as low cut or backless garments, as conventional strap arrangements and/or back panels usually “show”, or are visible due to the cutaway nature of the clothing. Similar problems are experienced with respect to plunge or “frontless” garments. Accordingly, the present invention provides a foundation garments (130) comprising: breast support means (116) comprising first and second cups (116a, 116b), brief means (121), bridge means (152) between the first and second cups (116a, 116b), and first and second side or panel portions (154a, 154b) extending from the respective first and second cups (116a, 116b) to a respective side (156a, 156b) of the brief means (121), and wherein there is provided a gap or aperture (150) between the bridge means (152), an upper front edge (158) of the brief means (121) and respective edges (160a, 160b) of the first and second side portions (154a, 154b). ## Claims ### Claim 1 A foundation garment comprising: breast support means comprising first and second cups; brief means comprising first and second sides; bridge means between the first and second cups; a continuous front panel comprising first and second panel portions having respective edges, wherein the first and second panel portions extend from the respective first and second cups to the respective first and second sides of the brief means, wherein the continuous front panel further comprises a U-shaped portion connecting the first and second panel portions; and wherein there is provided a gap between the bridge means, an upper front edge of the brief means and respective edges of the first and second panel portions. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the upper front edge of the brief means is below the navel of a wearer, when worn. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the respective edges of the first and second panel portions are longitudinally extending. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and second panel portions are each made of a flexible fabric. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge means has first and second ends, and there are provided first and second means for detachably attaching the first and second ends of the bridge means to the first and second cups. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the bridge means comprises a flexible and non-elasticated material. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment comprises strap means which extend around a wearers neck or shoulder when worn, the strap means comprising a first strap or a first and second strap. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment is backless and no part of the foundation garment is provided, when worn between the nape of the neck, the lower small of the back and outer edges of the shoulder blades of a wearer. ### Claim 9 (depends on 7) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 7, wherein the breast support means comprises at least part of a front panel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 7) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 7, wherein the first strap means comprises at least a first strap, and the first strap is disposable relative to the breast support means so that the garment is wearable in a halter neck style, where the first strap extends around a wearers neck when worn. ### Claim 11 (depends on 7) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 7, wherein where the strap means comprises first and second straps, a first end of the first strap is affixable to a first cup and a second end of the first strap is affixable to a substantially vertical edge of the front panel in a position substantially below and adjacent an armpit of a wearer, and further a first end of the second strap is affixable to a second cup and a second end of the second strap is affixable to a vertical edge of the front panel in a position substantially below and adjacent another armpit of the wearer, such that said first strap and said second strap do not cross over one another. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9, 10, 11) A foundation garment as claimed in claims 9, 10 or 11, wherein there are provided means for detachably attaching the first and/or second straps the front panel. ### Claim 13 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the brief means comprise a brief arrangement which extends between a wearers legs, when worn, and a back panel means. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment is an undergarment. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment comprises the front panel and a strap arrangement, wherein the front panel comprises the breast support means and at least two substantially vertical edges, and wherein friction providing means are disposed at least on an inner side of each substantially vertical edge of the front panel, wherein the friction providing means act, when worn, to prevent relative movement between the inner side of the respective vertical edge and flesh of a wearer. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the friction providing means comprises first and second lengths of silicone elastic provided on inner sides of respective vertical edges. ### Claim 17 (depends on 15) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the friction providing means are disposed on at least an upper inside edge of the brief means adjacent the gap. ### Claim 18 (depends on 15) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the friction providing means are disposed on at least an inner side of each substantially vertical edge of each cup of the breast support means. ### Claim 19 (depends on 15) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the strap arrangement comprises at least a first strap. ### Claim 20 (depends on 19) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 19, wherein a first end of the first strap can be affixed at or near to an upper edge of the breast support means and a second end of the first strap can also be affixed to an upper edge of the said breast support means. ### Claim 21 (depends on 19) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 19, wherein there are provided means for removably affixing said first strap to the foundation garment. ### Claim 22 (depends on 15) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 15, wherein the strap arrangement comprises a first strap and a second strap. ### Claim 23 (depends on 22) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 22, wherein a first end of the first strap can be affixed to the breast support means and a second end of the first strap can be affixed to one of the substantially longitudinal or vertical edges of the front panel and further, a first end of the second strap can be affixed to the breast support means and a second end of the second strap can be affixed to the other of the substantially vertical edges of the front panel. ### Claim 24 (depends on 22) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 22, wherein there is provided means for removably affixing said first and second straps to the foundation garment. ### Claim 25 (depends on 22) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 22, wherein said first strap and said second strap do not cross over one another. ### Claim 26 (depends on 22) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 22, wherein said first strap and said second strap cross over one another. ### Claim 27 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment comprises the front panel and a strap arrangement wherein the strap arrangement comprises a first strap and a second strap, a first end of the first strap and a first end of the second strap being attached to the front panel, and a second end of the first strap and a second end of the second strap being attached to respective sides of the front panel, such that the first strap does not cross over the second strap. ### Claim 28 (depends on 27) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 27, wherein said first strap and said second strap are permanently affixed to the front panel arrangement. ### Claim 29 (depends on 27) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 27, wherein there are provided means for removably affixing said first strap and said second strap to said front panel arrangement. ### Claim 30 (depends on 29) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 29, wherein the removably affixable first strap and removably affixable second strap are arrangeable such that the first strap and second strap do cross over. ### Claim 31 (depends on 27) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 27, wherein the straps are formed of a same fabric as the front panel and the brief means. ### Claim 32 (depends on 27) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 27, wherein the front panel comprises the breast support means. ### Claim 33 (depends on 7) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 7, wherein the strap means are formed of a substantially transparent material. ### Claim 34 (depends on 27) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 27, wherein the brief means comprises a gusset which extends between legs of wearers, when worn, the gusset being affixed to the front panel arrangement and a rear panel arrangement affixed at a first edge to the gusset, at a second edge attached to a first lower vertical edge of the front panel, and at a third edge attached to a second vertical edge of the front panel. ### Claim 35 (depends on 34) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 34, wherein an inner side of each substantially vertical edge of the front panel is provided with a friction providing means. ### Claim 36 (depends on 35) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 35, wherein an inner side of an upper edge of the rear panel arrangement is provided with another friction providing means. ### Claim 37 (depends on 35) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 35, wherein the friction providing means is silicone elastic. ### Claim 38 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cup of the breast support means is provided with an underwire arrangement. ### Claim 39 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein each cup of the breast support means is a seam free cup. ### Claim 40 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the foundation garment comprises the front panel arrangement and a strap arrangement comprising a first strap and a second strap, wherein when worn the first strap substantially encircles an acromio-clavicular joint of one side of a wearer and the second strap substantially encircles the acromio-clavicular joint of another side of the wearer. ### Claim 41 (depends on 40) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 40, wherein the first strap is arranged to substantially encircle the acromio-clavicular joint of a right hand side of the wearer by having a first end of the first strap attached at or near to a right hand side upper edge of the front panel and a second end of the first strap attached to a right hand side vertical edge of the panel at a point below an armpit of the wearer. ### Claim 42 (depends on 40) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 40, wherein the second strap is arranged to substantially encircle the acromio-clavicular joint of a left hand side of the wearer by having a first end of the second strap attached at or near to a left hand side upper edge of the front panel and a second end of the second strap attached to a left hand side vertical edge of the front panel arrangement at a point below an armpit of the wearer. ### Claim 43 (depends on 1) A foundation garment as claimed in claim 1, wherein the first and/or second straps are interchangeably selectable from one of: a flexible fabric, or a flexible transparent material.