US3726286A

US3726286A - Underwire brassiere

Info

Publication number: US3726286A
Application number: US00141470A
Authority: US
Inventors: F Wolfson
Original assignee: International Playtex Inc
Current assignee: Hillshire Brands Co
Priority date: 1971-05-10
Filing date: 1971-05-10
Publication date: 1973-04-10
Anticipated expiration: 1990-04-10

Abstract

A brassiere is disclosed in which each of the breast cups thereof includes inner and outer layers of material between which is defined an interior pocket. The pocket of each cup contains a stiffening means, preferably in the form of a generally U-shaped fabric enclosed underbust wire stay. Preferably, such stiffening means are secured for a major portion of their length to lower edge portions of the inner and outer layers of the breast cups which edge portions extend into the aforedescribed pockets whereby each stiffening means is free to float with respect to the major surface area of the inner and outer layers of each breast cup. Minor portions of the lengths of each stiffening means are loosely joined to one another (through a fabric joining member) but are free to float within a passageway joining the interior pocket of each breast cup. In this manner, the brassiere of the invention is free to accomodate itself to the size and shape of the bust of the wearer rather than restraining the bust in the manner of a conventional wire bra. A horizontally seamed breast cup construction which eliminates the vertical center section of a typical wire bra further permits the bra of the invention to adopt itself to a woman''s bust and provide in a wire bra the newer, soft, unaccentuated look.

Description

Write tates atent 11 1 Wolfson 51 Apr. 10, 1973 Primary Examiner-Jordan Franklin Assistant Examiner-William L. Falk 1 UNDERWIRE BRASSIERE Inventor: Frank C. Wolfson, New York, N.Y.

AttorneyStewart J. Fried and Jeffrey A. Schwab ABSTRACT A brassiere is disclosed in which each of the breast cups thereof includes inner and outer layers of materi- [22] Filed:

[ PP 141,470 a] between which is defined an interior pocket. The pocket of each cup contains a stiffening means, preferably in the form of a generally U-shaped fabric enclosed underbust wire stay. Preferably, such stiffening means are secured for a major portion of their length to lower edge portions of the inner and outer 52 U.S.Cl...................................................128/473 .A4lc l/114 1 28/469-477 [58] Field of Search....................

layers of the breast cups which edge portions extend into the aforedescribed pockets whereby each stiffening means is free to float with respect to the major surface area of the inner and outer layers of each breast cup. Minor portions of the lengths of each stiffening means are loosely joined to one another (through a [56] References Cited fabric joining member) but are free to float within a passageway joining the interior pocket of each breast 128/469 cup. In this manner, the brassiere of the invention is 28/475 free to accomodate itself to the size and shape of the bust of the wearer rather than restraining the bust in the manner of a conventional wire bra. A horizontally seamed breast cup construction which eliminates the vertical center section of a typical wire bra further permits the bra of the invention to adopt itself to a woman's bust and provide in a wire bra the newer, soft, unaccentuated look.

UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,372,698 3/1968 2,880,732 4/1959 3,252,460 5/1966 Lances 2,432,910 12/1947 Licht....... 2,586,529 2/1952 G1uckin....... 2,900,981 8/1959 Herbener 2,896,631 7/1959 Block FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLICATIONS Canada...................,... 11/1960 Canada........

8 Claims, 1 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEB 1 0 575 SHEET 1 BF 2 BY f WRNFYS UNDERWIRE BRASSIERE FIELD OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to brassieres and more particularly to brassieres commonly known in the industry as underbust wire brassieres or underwire bras.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Underbust wire bras and their attendant advantages are well known in the brassiere industry For example, such brassieres provide particularly desirable shape, lift, separation and support for certain figure types. Typically, an underbust wire bra includes a pair of generally U-shaped, preferably fabric enclosed, wire stays which are sewn along the inner surface of the breast cups; joined at their upper inner extremities; and joined at their lowermost peripheral portions by a body encircling elastic band which further functions on opposite sides of the bust cups as the lower edge of the side panels of the brassiere. Bras of the aforedescribed construction, although functioning well as wire bras, have certain undesirable characteristics, both from structural and aesthetic points of view, which tend to limit the popularity of such bras to primarily larger breasted women or those customers who are not of the high fashion type. j

For example, from the point of view of esthetic sales appeal, the complete visual exposure of the structured wire stays on the inner surface of prior art wire bras creates in the mind of the prospective buyer, the image of a stiff contrivance which will be in contact with the womans body. This may also connote that the brassiere is only intended for a larger breasted or more mature wearer. This image alone can be sufficient to discourage the potential buyer even if she knows that a wire bra offers desirable support advantages.

From a structural point of view, the typical prior art wire bra, with its stays completely sewn to the breast cups which in turn are virtually frozen in position with respect to one another (by virtue of a fixed vertical center section and the securement of the breast cups to one another by the aforementioned body encircling band), tends to constrain a womans breasts to a shape dependant not upon the woman's natural build, but to a shape determined solely by the prearranged construction of the brassiere. Not only might such shape result in some discomfort to the wearer; but furthermore, the somewhat artificial peaked effect achieved thereby is in contradistinction to the soft, natural gradual look which is popular in today s brassiere market.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The underwire brassiere of the instant invention provides the user with the advantages (support, shape, lift, and separation normally associated with 'such brassieres. However, the brassiere of the instant invention employs and locates the underwire supports in such a manner as to eliminate those undesirable characteristics normally associated with prior art underbust wire bras which have been primarily responsible for limiting the popularity of such garments.

More specifically, and with respect to the image problem mentioned above, the breast cups of the brassiere of theinstant invention are established, by inner and outer layers of material between which is defined an interior pocket within which is located the stiffening means which characterizes the brassiere as an underbust wire bra. In this manner, the stiffening means are not readily apparent from a mere visual examination. That is, they may be considered as hidden, thereby completely eliminating the unpleasant structural contrivance stigma which has been associated with underwire bras. Apart from this improvement in product presentation, improved product performance is obtained by locating the stiffening means of the brassiere within the aforementioned interior pocket of the breast cups.

Additionally, and as will be further described, the stiffening means of the brassiere are secured within the aforementioned interior pockets in such a manner that they are free to float with respect to the major surface portions of the inner and outer layers of material which define the respective breast cups. With such construction, the individual breast cups are markedly freer to assume a more natural, unconstrained shaping and positioning of the bust than is possible with prior art underbust wire bras in which the wire stays thereof are firmly and rigidly secured in all respects to the inside of the individual breast cups.

Additionally, and as a further feature of the invention, the innermost extremities of the stiffening means are unsecured with respect to the inner and outer layers of the respective breast cups. To the contrary, such inner extremities of the stiffening means are joined loosely to one another through the medium of a fabric joining member which resides in an interior passageway joining the interior pockets of the respective breast cups. As will become apparent, the freedom of movement permitted to these portions of the respective stiffening means allows the brassiere of the instant invention a certain degree of freedom with respect to the corresponding portion of the wearers sternum. Thus for large busted women, this arrangement permits the center of the brassiere to pull away from the sternum and provide a softer, more gradual transition between the bust cups, thereby modulating the rather harsh, severe separation often associated with prior art underbust wire brassieres.

As a further advantageous feature of the invention, a horizontally seamed breast cup construction is employed in a manner that eliminates the customary vertical center section and body encircling lower band associated with typical prior art underwire bras, thereby further permitting the wire bra of the instant invention to effectuate the soft, unaccentuated look not usually associated with conventional underwire bras. I

Finally the side panels of the invention are affixed to their respective breast cups only along the outer side edges thereof with no portion of such side panels extending beneath the breast cups is conventional in most prior art underbust wire brassieres. Advantageously, such side panels are stretchable, and the major stretch axis of such side panels are oriented such that when the brassiere is worn, the major stretch axis of the side I panels horizontally encircles the wearer to permit a maximum degree of freedom.

Accordingly, it is an object of the instant invention to provide a brassiere of the underbust wire type which is of such construction as to eliminate many of the undesirable characteristics that are normally associated with underwire bras.

Another object of the instant invention is to provide such a underwire brassiere in which the stiffening means thereof is concealed within interior pockets defined in the respective breast cups thereof.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide such a brassiere in which the securement of the stiffening means within the respective breast cup interior pockets is such as to permit the stiffening means to float with respect to the major surface areas of the breast cups and allow the breasts to assume a shape far more natural than previously possible with underwire bras.

Yet another object of the instant invention is to provide such a brassiere in which the floating securement of the stiffening means at the center of the brassiere permits the center portion of the brassiere to pull away from the sternum.

These and other objects of the instant invention will be further apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of the brassiere of the instant invention when worn on the body;

FIG. 2 is a plan view of the brassiere of the instant invention as it is layed out flat, off the body;

FIG. 2A is an enlarged view of an interior portion of the brassiere shown in FIG. 2;

FIG. 3 is a perspective side view of the brassiere of the instant invention as shown in FIg. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a preferred form of stiffening element employed with the brassiere of the instant invention, with a portion of the exterior covering of such element broken away to reveal the interior thereof;

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the stiffening element of FIG. 4 taken along the lines 55 thereof;

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of one of the breast cups shown in FIg. 2 taken along the lines 6-6 thereof;

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the other breast cup illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along the lines 77 thereof;

FIG. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of a portion of the breast cup constructions illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7;

FIG. 9 is a partial top sectional view of the brassiere illustrated in FIG. 2 taken along the lines 9-9 thereof; and

FIG. 10 is a somewhat schematic top view of the brassiere of the instant invention shown 'on the body, and illustrating the manner in which it cooperates with the breasts of the wearer.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Turning to the Figures, and particularly FIGS. 1-3, there is shown the brassiere10 of the instant invention in relation to a wearer 12. As noted previously, the brassiere 10 of the instant invention is of the type generally known in the industry as an underbust wire bra by virtue of the employment of generally U-shaped underbust

stiffening elements

14 and 16 in association with the breast cups broadly designated 18 and 20 respectively.

Side panels

22 and 24, to be described in greater detail, together with associated

straps

26 and 28 respectively comprise the remaining major elements of the brassiere.

As mentioned previously, and as best seen in FIGS. 6 and 7, each of the breast cups l8 and 20 is comprised of an inner and outer layer of suitable material such as a tricot fabric. Before going into detail, and for reasons to be soon apparent, it is to be noted that the terms inner and outer" layers are employed with reference to the orientation of FIGS. l3

In fact, as will be described below, the brassiere of the instant invention is reversible such that when reversed with respect to the orientation illustrated in FIGS. 1-3 the designated inner" and outer layers of the breast cups l8 and 20 will actually become the outer" and inner" layers respectively Referring to FIG. 6, the breast cup 20 is comprised of an inner layer of material broadly designated 30 and an outer layer of material broadly designated 32 to establish an interior pocket 34 in the space therebetween. In similar fashion, the breast cup 18 includes an inner layer of material 36 and an outer layer of material 38 between which is defined an interior pocket 40.

In accordance with a primary feature of the invention, and as shown in FIGS. 2,6,7 and 8, located in the interior pocket 34 of the bust cup 20 and secured therein in a manner to be further described, is the generally U-shaped underbust wire stiffening member 16. In like manner, located within the interior pocket 40 of breast cup 18 is the generally U-shaped stiffening element 14. From the above, it will be appreciated that unlike the typical underbust wire bras of the prior art, the

stiffening elements

14 and 16 of the instant invention are sandwiched and concealed within their respective pockets and are therefore hidden to the prospective buyer/wearer. As indicated above, this de-emphasis of the underbust wire eliminates a disadvantage usually present in this type of brassiere.

Also to be appreciated from the above discussion is the fact that the disclosed hidden wire construction makes the bra of the instant invention useable as a reversible bra. Thus, and regardless of whether the breast cups 18 and 20 are oriented in the solid line position shown in FIG. 6 or 7 or reversed in the manner suggested in phantom at 20' in FIG. 6; the

stiffening members

14 and 16 will still remain hidden and out of sight. It should be pointed out that the reversibility feature inherent in the instant invention is especially func-v tional .since the inner and outer 'layer construction lends itself to employing fabrics of different colors thereby adding fashion versatility to the brassiere. Of course, should a reversible bra be desired, appropriate reversable fastening means, well known in the industry,

and broadly designated 42 and 44 in FIG. 2 will be provided for the

side panels

22 and 24 to permit joining of the

ends

46 and 48 thereof regardless of which way the bra is being worn.

Considering FIGS. 2 and 2A together with FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, it will be seen that the inner layer 30 and the outer layer 32 of the breast cup 20 terminates in lower peripheral extremities or

raw edges

50 and 52 respectively which are turned into the pocket 34 and joinedto one another for example by the stitching indicated at 54..With reference to FIG. 2, it is noted that the extremities or

raw edges

50 and 52 are only secured to one another by the stitching 54 for a major portion 58 of the total circumferential length 56 of what for convenience may be, designated the lower portions of the inner and

outer layers

30 and 32 respectively.

As seen in Fig. 6, the inner layer 30 and the outer layer 32 of the breast cup further include upper

peripheral extremities

60 and 62 which are joined together for instance by the stitching indicated at 64. However, like the lower half of the inner and

outer layers

30 and 32, the

upper extremities

60 and 62 are only joined together for a major portion 66 of the total circumferential length 68 of the upper portions of the inner and outer layers.

The above described construction leaves the inner and

outer layers

30 and 32 of the breast cup 20 with inner side edge portions 70 and 72 (only side edge portion 70 of outer layer 32 being visible in FIG. 2) which are unsecured with respect to one another.

In like manner, and with respect to FIG. 7, it will be seen that inner layer 36 and the outer layer 38 of the breast cup 18 terminate in lower

peripheral extremities

74 and 76 which are turned into the pocket 40 and joined to one another for example by the stitching indicated at 78. With reference to FIG. 2, it may be pointed out that the extremities or edges 74 and 76 are only secured to one another by the stitching 78 for a major portion (corresponding to the dimension 58 for the breast cup 20) of the total circumferential length (corresponding to the dimension 56 for the breast cup 20) of what for convenience may be designated the lower portions of the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38 respectively.

Similarly, and as seen in FIG. 7, the inner layer 36 and the outer layer 38 of the breast cup 18 further include upper

peripheral extremities

80 and 82 which are joined together for instance by the stitching 84. However, like the lower half of the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38, the

upper extremities

80 and 82 are only joined together for a major portion (corresponding to the dimension 66 for the breast cup 20) of the total circumferential length (corresponding to thelength 68 for the breast cup 20) of the upper portions of the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38.

Such construction of the breast cup-l8 leaves the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38 thereof with inner side edge portions 86 and 88 (only side edge portions 86 of outer layer 38 being visible in FIG. 2) which are unsecured with respect to one another. As best seen in FIG. 9, the unsecured inner side edge portions 70 and 72 of the inner and

outer layers

30 and 32 of'the cup 20 together with the unsecured inner side edge portion 86 and 88 of the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38 of the cup 18 thereby define a passageway 90 joiningthe interior pockets 34 and 40 (see FIG. 9.)

Disposed in the passageway 90, is a generally bifurcated fabric joining member 92 the opposite side edges 94 and 96 of which are joined by stitching indicated at 98 and 99 to the

innermost portions

100 and 102 of the stiffening means 14 and 16 respectively, which innermost portions are of relatively minor length compared to the overall circumferential length of the respective stiffening elements. The manner in which the joining member 92 is secured to the

portions

100 and 102 of the stiffening means 14 and 16, and the manner in which the remaining major portions of the

stiffening elements

14 and 16 are secured within their

respective pockets

34 and 40 will now be considered in detail.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5, each of the

stiffening elements

14 and 16 comprise a generally U-shaped wire stay 104 located within a fabric tube 106 of suitable material such as cotton, nylon, etc. The fabric tube 106 of the stiffening means 14 is secured for the major portion of its length to the previously mentioned inturned

raw edge portions

50 and 52 of the inner and

outer layers

30 and 32 of the breast cup 20 by stitching indicated at 108. In like fashion, and by stitching indicated at 110 in FIG. 2A, the major portion of the fabric tube 106 of the stiffening means 16 is sewn to the inturned

raw edge portions

74 and 76 of the inner and

outer layers

36 and 38 of the breast cup 18. As also seen in FIG. 2A, stitching 108 continues at 108a to secure the left leg 112 of the joining member 92 to the

raw edges

50 and 52; while in like manner stitching 110 continues at 110a to secure the right leg 114 of the joining member 92 to the inturned

raw edges

74 and 76 of the breast cup 20. As previously mentioned, the

stitching

98 and 99 is employed to secure opposite edges 94 and 96 of the joining member 92 to the fabric tubing covering the innermost extremities and 102 of the stiffening means 14 and 16 respectively.

From the above description, certain structural characteristics of the brassiere of the instant invention should now become apparent. First of all, and as can be appreciated from a consideration of FIGS. 6, 7 and 8, each of the stiffening means 14 and 16, in being secured only to the pairs of

raw edges

50, 52 and 74, 76 respectively, is free to float with respect to the major surface areas of the inner and outer layers forming the interior pockets of the respective breast cups. This is most clearly visible in FIG. 8, where the stiffening element 16 is completely free of the major surface area of the inner layer 30 and outer layer 32 of the breast cup 20. This permits the breast cups 18 and 20 to freely move and conform in shape to the users breasts while still attaining the advantageous support of the underbust wire. This floating wire principle of the instant invention is to be contrasted to prior art wire bras in which the wires thereof are completely sewn to the respective breast cups thereby constraining the breasts of the wearer to a shape dictated by the prefabricated construction of the brassiere rather than the natural shape of the woman.

Also to be appreciated from the above described construction is the fact that the

inner extremities

100 and 102 of the stiffening means 14 and 16, in being secured only to the joining member 92 located within the passageway 90, are totally unsecured with respect to the inner and outer layers of the respective breast cups 18 and 20. By virtue of such construction, the freedom of movement permitted to these portions of the stiffening means 14 and 16 allows the brassiere 10 of the instant invention a certain degree of freedom with respect to the sternum 112 (FIG. 10) of the wearer. That is, since the

innermost portions

100 and 102 of the stiffening means 14 and 16 are free with respect to the inner and outer layers of the respective breast cups, the brassiere of the instant invention is free at its center generally designated 114 to pull away from the sternum 112, as may typically be encountered with larger breasted women. Such bridging of the sternum" permitted by the instant invention has the effect of minimizing the appearance of a large breasted woman, and thereby even permits large breasted women to achieve the now popular soft look created by a gradual transition between the breasts. Again, this is to be contrasted with prior art wire brass which are of such restraining construction as to dictate a rather harsh peaked affect.

Returning to FIG. 1, it was previously mentioned that typical prior art wire bras included a vertical center section or panel which together with a lower encircling body band further necessitate that the breasts of the wearer closely conform to the predefined shape established by the garment. In a preferred embodiment of the instant invention the necessity for such vertical center section is completely eliminated by the utilization of a horizontally-seamed breast cup construction which can best be understood by referring to FIGS. 6 and 7 in conjunction with FIG. I. Specifically, the inner layer 30 for the breast cup comprises an upper portion 116 and a lower portion 118 which are stitched together at 120 in FIG. 6. In like manner, the outer layer 32 of breast cup 20 comprises an upper portion 122 and a lower portion 124 stitched together at 126. For breast cup 18, the inner layer 36 comprises an upper portion 128 and a lower portion 130 stitched together at 132, and the outer layer 38 comprises an upper portion 134 and a lower portion 136 stitched together at 138. Thus, and as best illustrated in FIG. 1, the

upper portion

122 and 134 of the

outer layers

32 and 38 of the breast cups 20 and 18 respectively actually constitute portions of a one piece outer upper length of material broadly designated 140 in FIG. 1. Similarly, the

lower portions

124 and 136 of the

outer layers

32 and 38 of the breast cups 20 and 18 respectively, actually constitute portions of a one piece outer lower length of material broadly designated 142 in FIG. 1. Thus the stitching designated 126 in FIG. 6 and 138 in FIG. 7 actually comprises a single length of stitching which defines the aforementioned horizontal seam extending across both breast cups.

In similar fashion, the upper inner portions 116 and 128 of the inner layers and 36 of the breast cups 20 and 18 respectively actually constitute portions of a one piece inner upper length of material, while the

lower portions

118 and 130 of the

inner layers

30 and 36 of the breast cups 20 and 18 respectively constitute portions of a larger one piece inner lower length of material. Thus the stitching indicated at 120 in FIG. 6 and 132 in FIG. 7 actually comprises a horizontal line of stitching extending across the inner surface of the breast cups. If the brassiere were reversed, such line of stitching would form an outer horizontal seam much in the way that the lines of

stitching

126, 138 form the horizontal seam in FIG. 1.

It should be noted, that the horizontal seam construction described above is a preferred embodiment of the instant invention, simplifying construction and greatly, facilitating the establishment of the passageway 90 joining the

interior pockets

34 and 40 of the breast cups 18 and 20. However, if desired, the brassiere of the invention can be constructed without such horizon tal seam construction such that each breast cup would simply comprise an inner and outer layer of fabric in the nature of single pieces of material appropriately stitched together (and to the adjacent breast cup) to establish the side edge portions 70, 72 and 86, 88 and the passageway 90 in the manner previously discussed.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 through 3, the breast cups 18 and 20 further include outer side edge portions 144 and 146 to which the

side panels

22 and 24 are respectively secured. It is significant to note that the lowermost point of

securement

148 and 150 respectively of the

side panels

22 and 24 to the respective outer side edges 144 and 146 of the breast cups 18 and 20 occurs above the lowermost edges 152 and 154 of the breast cups such that no portion of the side panels actually extends beneath the respected breast cups. Thus the force of the

side panels

22 and 24 is exerted along a portion of the cup where the wire has some ability to flex outward. Again, this is to be contrasted with typical prior art wire bras wherein the aforementioned body encircling band thereof is normally secured to and extends beneath both of the breast cups and is fixedly secured to the underbust wire, thereby constraining the breast cups to the spacial relationship established by such securement.

The

side panels

22 and 24 are constructed of an elastic material the

major stretch axis

156 and 158 of which extend horzontally about the body when the brassiere is worn (FIG. 3).

Axis

156 and 158 will extend downwardly and outwardly with respect to the

horizontal stitch line

126, 138 when the brassiere is lying flat as illustrated in FIG. 2. (In the event the brassiere of the instant invention does not employ the horizontal seam construction 128, 138, it will be appreciated that the

major stretch axis

156 and 158 will still extend generally downwardly and outwardly with respect to an imaginary line joining the center of the breast cups l8 and 20). Thus when the brassiere is worn, such that the side panels encircle the side of the body of the wearer in a generally horizontal direction, only the extreme leftmost and rightmost portions of the major stretch axis of the panels illustrated at 158 and 158" will remain at a bias with respect to the breast cups to which the side panel is secured. The entire center portion of the major stretch axis, indicated at 158 in FIG. 3 will necessarily follow the generally horizontal orientation of the center portion of the side panel thereby permitting the wearer a maximum degree of freedom.

Also to be appreciated from a consideration of FIG. 1 is the fact that the front-side ends 160 and 162 of the

straps

26 and 28 are secured to the breast cups 18 and 20 at

upper points

164 and 166 respectively located outwardly off center with respect to the center of the breast cups. Such off center'securement of the straps has the effect of locating the remaining portions of the shoulder straps on the shoulder blades of the wearer thereby substantially reducing shoulder stress and eliminating the dug in strap marks often associated with wire brassieres.

From the above, it will be seen that the instant invention provides an underbust wire bra in which a hidden wire floating construction, together with other features described above, eliminates many of the customary disadvantages of underbust wire brassieres. Although this invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment, it should be understood that many variations and modifications will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, and it is preferred, therefore, that the scope of the invention be limited not by the specific disclosure herein, only by the appended claims.

I claim:

1. A brassiere comprising: first and second breast cups joined to one another, each of said breast cups having a defined lower peripheral edge and comprising inner and outer layers of material defining an interior pocket therebetween; v

first underbust stiffening means located in the interior pocket of said first breast cup;

second underbust stiffening means located in the interior pocket of said second breast cup; and

body encircling means secured to a respective outer edge of said first and second breast cups;

the lower portion of said inner and outer layers of material of each breast cup joined together for a major portion of their length defining a pair of free edges which extend beyond said juncture and said defined lower peripheral edge into the interior pocket of said breast cup;

each of said underbust stiffening means secured to at least one of the free edges of its respective breast cup and being free of the inner and outer layers of material proximate to said defined lower peripheral edge in a manner such that said stiffening means is free to move relative to the portions of said inner and outer layers of material which define said interior pocket.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said inner layer of material of said first breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said inner layer of material of said second breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material;

said upper portions of said inner layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting por tions of a one piece, inner, upper length of material having a lower edge extending generally horizontally therealong;

said lower portions of said inner layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece, inner, lower length of material having an upper edge extending generally horizontally therealong; and

said lower edge of said one piece inner upper length of material being secured to said upper edge of said one piece inner lower length of material to define an inner horizontal seam extending across said inner layer of said first and second breast cups.

3. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said first and second stiffening means each comprise a length of stiffening wire of predetermined arcuate shape located within a pliable tube of corresponding length;

said tube of said first stiffening means secured for a major portion of its length to said pair of free edges of one breast cup;

said tube of said second stiffening means secured for a major portion of its length to said pair of free edges of the other breast cup.

4. The brassiere of claim 2 wherein said outer layer of material of said first breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material;

said outer layer of material of said second breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said upper portions of said outer layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece outer upper length of material having a lower edge extending generally horizontally thereacr oss; said lower portions of said outer layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece outer lower length of material having an upper edge extending generally horizontally therealong;

said lower edge of said one piece outer upper length of material being secured to said upper edge of said one piece outer lower length of material to define an outer horizontal seam extending across said outer layer of said first and second breast cups.

5. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said body encircling means comprises first and second side panels secured at one end thereof to a respective outer edge of said first and second breast cups and securable at a second end thereof to one another and the lowermost point of securement of said first and second side panels to said outer side edges of said first and second breast cups occurs above the lowermost edges of said first and second breast cups respectively.

6. The brassiere of claim 5 and further including first and second strap means, each respectively secured at one end thereof to said second end of said side panels and each secured at a second end thereof to an upper point of said first and second breast cups respectively; said upper points of said first and second breast cups located outwardly off-center with respect to the respective centers of said first and second breast cups.

7. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein said side panels are of generally rectangular shape having a longitudinal axis extending downwardly and outwardly with respect to an imaginary line joining the center of said first and second breast cups when said brassiere is lying fiat and said side panels lie in a common plane.

8. The brassiere of claim 6 wherein said side panels are constructed of stretchable material having a major axis of stretch parallel to said longitudinal axis.

Claims

1. A brassiere comprising: first and second breast cups joined to one another, each of said breast cups having a defined lower peripheral edge and comprising inner and outer layers of material defining an interior pocket therebetween; first underbust stiffening means located in the interior pocket of said first breast cup; second underbust stiffening means located in the interior pocket of said second breast cup; and body encircling means secured to a respective outer edge of said first and second breast cups; the lower portion of said inner and outer layers of material of each breast cup joined together for a major portion of their length defining a pair of free edges which extend beyond said juncture and said defined lower peripheral edge into the interior pocket of said breast cup; each of said underbust stiffening means secured to at least one of the free edges of its respective breast cup and being free of the inner and outer layers of material proximate to said defined lower peripheral edge in a manner such that said stiffening means is free to move relative to the portions of said inner and outer layers of material which define said interior pocket.

2. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said inner layer of material of said first breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said inner layer of material of said second breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said upper portions of said inner layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece, inner, upper length of material having a lower edge extending generally horizontally therealong; said lower portions of said inner layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece, inner, lower length of material having an upper edge extending generally horizontally therealong; and said lower edge of said one piece inner upper length of material being secured to said upper edge of said one piece inner lower length of material to define an inner horizontal seam extending across said inner layer of said first and second breast cups.

3. The brassiere of claim 1 wherein said first and second stiffening means each comprise a length of stiffening wire of predetermined arcuate shape located within a pliable tube of corresponding length; said tube of said first stiffening means secured for a major portion of its length to said pair of free edges of one breast cup; said tube of said second stiffening means secured for a major portion of its length to said pair of free edges of the other breast cup.

4. The brassiere of claim 2 wherein said outer layer of material of said first breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said outer layer of material of said second breast cup comprises an upper and lower portion of material; said upper portions of said outer layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece outer upper length of material having a lower edge extending Generally horizontally thereacross; said lower portions of said outer layer of material of said first and second breast cups constituting portions of a one piece outer lower length of material having an upper edge extending generally horizontally therealong; said lower edge of said one piece outer upper length of material being secured to said upper edge of said one piece outer lower length of material to define an outer horizontal seam extending across said outer layer of said first and second breast cups.

7. The brassiere of claim 5 wherein said side panels are of generally rectangular shape having a longitudinal axis extending downwardly and outwardly with respect to an imaginary line joining the center of said first and second breast cups when said brassiere is lying flat and said side panels lie in a common plane.