WO2011012837A1

WO2011012837A1 - A support structure for a garment

Info

Publication number: WO2011012837A1
Application number: PCT/GB2010/001210
Authority: WO
Inventors: John Hales
Original assignee: Montfort Services Sdn. Bhd.
Priority date: 2009-07-31
Filing date: 2010-06-21
Publication date: 2011-02-03
Also published as: GB2472261A; GB2472261B; GB0913370D0

Abstract

In the field of support structures for garments there is a need for an improved support structure which provides for greater flexibility in how the garment is configured A support structure (10; 30; 40; 50; 60), for a garment, comprises an elastic first textile portion (16) which defines at least one interface region (18). The support structure (10; 30; 40; 50; 60) also includes an inelastic second textile portion (20) that overlies the or each interface region and is secured relative to the corresponding interface region to inhibit stretching in any direction of the corresponding interface region (18).

Description

A SUPPORT STRUCTURE FOR A GARMENT

This invention relates to a support structure for a garment in particular, but not exclusively, an undergarment such as a brassiere, a corset, or a pair of pants.

Garments, and undergarments in particular, often include a support structure to provide the garment with a desired degree of control, i.e. enable the garment to control the relative positioning of body parts of a wearer. Conventional support structures include one or more solid support members formed from a plastics or metal material, or even bone.

Such support members, while providing a desired degree of control, require some form of fabrication such as moulding, casting or hand-finishing. This renders them expensive to manufacture and, as a consequence, limits the available range of support members. In turn, this means that a garment designer has limited flexibility in the configuration of the garment since he is restricted to utilising a small selection of available support members.

There is, therefore, a need for an improved support structure for a garment which provides for greater flexibility in how the garment is configured.

According to the invention there is provided a support structure, for a garment, comprising:

an elastic first textile portion defining at least one interface region; and an inelastic second textile portion overlying the or each interface region and being secured relative to the corresponding interface region to inhibit stretching in any direction of the corresponding interface region.

An inelastic second textile portion restricts movement of the or each interface region of the first textile portion, and so allows the or each interface region to control the positioning of a wearer's body part.

In addition such a second textile portion may readily be cut into a desired shape during a garment construction process, and so provides a garment designer with an infinitely variable range of possible support structures from which he may select according to the chosen configuration of a garment. In a preferred embodiment of the invention the elastic first textile portion defines a plurality of elongate interface regions spaced from one another in a widthwise direction, each elongate interface region extending in a lengthwise direction and having secured relative thereto a corresponding inelastic second textile portion, the plurality of inelastic second textile portions and spaces therebetween combining to inhibit stretching of the elastic first textile portion in the lengthwise direction and allow stretching of the elastic first textile portion in the widthwise direction.

The ability to arrange the direction in which the first textile portion is or is not able to stretch allows a garment designer to manage which regions of a garment provide control and which regions of the garment provide support, i.e. which regions of the garment stretch in order to maintain a wearer's body parts in the relative positions defined by the control regions of the garment. Managing the control and support regions of a garment allows a garment designer to move, as desired, the or each support region to an area of a garment that is less visible when worn so as to provide the wearer with a more attractive overall appearance.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the plurality of inelastic second textile portions are interconnected with one another. Interconnecting the inelastic second textile portions with one another helps to maintain the relative positions of the portions and so facilitates securing of the second textile portions to the first textile portion in a desired configuration. In a further preferred embodiment of the invention the plurality of inelastic second textile portions are integrally formed from an inelastic second textile. Integrally forming the second textile portions from a single piece of inelastic second textile may be readily achieved, e.g. by cutting, and so helps to keep down the cost of producing the support structure of the invention.

Optionally at least one inelastic second textile portion has a uniform width along the length thereof. Such an arrangement helps to ensure that the given second textile portion uniformly inhibits stretching of the elastic first textile portion in the lengthwise direction. The width of at least one inelastic second textile portion may vary along the length thereof. The inclusion of such an inelastic second textile portion permits a designer to vary the extent to which the elastic first textile portion is able to stretch in the widthwise direction.

Preferably the width of at least one inelastic second textile portion tapers towards at least one end. Such an arrangement provides for a uniform variation in the extent to which the elastic first textile portion is able to stretch in the widthwise direction.

Conveniently the space between adjacent elongate interface regions varies in width, and so provides a designer with further options for tailoring the extent to which the elastic first textile portion is able to stretch in the widthwise direction.

Preferably the inelastic second textile portion is held in a predefined three dimensional configuration. Pre-forming the inelastic second textile portion in this way helps the second textile portion to conform readily to the shape of a wearer's body part, thereby resulting in a comfortable garment, while providing a desired degree of control and support.

Optionally the elastic first textile portion defines a curved interface region and the elastic second textile portion adopts a curved three-dimensional configuration. Such a configuration is readily able to conform the shape of a wearer's breast.

The curved three-dimensional configuration of the elastic second textile portion may define a curved segment of a sphere. Such a shape conforms well with the shape of a wearer's breast and imbues a garment with an attractive appearance when not being worn.

In a still further preferred embodiment of the invention the curved interface region includes a solid structural member retained relative thereto. The inclusion of a solid structural member offers additional strength to the support structure, if required.

Conveniently sections of the elastic first textile portion not forming the interface region are moveable relative to the inelastic second textile portion. Such a feature allows, for example, a wearer of a garment including the support structure to adjust the garment to ensure a comfortable fit.

Optionally the or each inelastic second textile portion is secured to the corresponding interface region by stitches. Preferably the or each inelastic second textile portion is secured to the corresponding interface region by an adhesive. The or each inelastic second textile portion may be laminated between the elastic first textile portion and a further textile portion.

As a consequence of each of the foregoing features the support structure of the invention may be fabricated using conventional garment construction techniques so as to further reduce the cost of manufacture.

In another preferred embodiment of the invention the or each inelastic second textile portion has a higher density than the elastic first textile portion. Such a feature helps the or each inelastic second textile portion provide a greater degree of stiffness than the elastic first textile portion, and so helps to improve further the level of control provided by the or each second textile portion.

Optionally the or each inelastic second textile portion is woven from polyester yarns. Such yarns provide a desired textile structure while maintaining the inelastic nature of the or each second textile portion.

Preferably the or each inelastic second textile portion is laminated from a plurality of second textile layers having differing densities. Forming the or each second textile portion from a plurality of second textile layers allows a garment design to tailor the density, and resulting stiffness of the or each second textile portion according to the requirements of the garment in which the support structure of the invention is to be incorporated.

According to a second aspect of the invention there is provided a garment including a support structure as described hereinabove.

There now follows a brief description of preferred embodiments of the invention, by way of non-limiting examples, with reference being made to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 shows a first garment including a plurality of support structures according to a first embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 shows a schematic, exploded view, of a portion of the garment shown in Figure 1 ;

Figure 3 shows a second garment including a plurality of support structures according to a second embodiment of the invention;

Figure 4 shows a portion of a third garment including a support structure according to a third embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 shows a portion of a fourth garment including a support structure according to a fourth embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 shows a portion of a fifth garment including a support structure according to a fifth embodiment of the invention.

A support structure according to a first embodiment of the invention is designated generally by the reference numeral 10. The first support structure 10 is incorporated in a first garment 12, e.g. a first corset 14.

The support structure 10 includes an elastic first textile portion 16 which defines a plurality of interface regions 18 (only one interface region being shown in Figure 2). Each interface region 18 extends in a lengthwise direction L and is spaced from one or more of the other interface regions 18 in a widthwise direction W.

In addition, each interface region 18 has a corresponding inelastic second textile portion 20 secured relative thereto. Each second textile portion 20 has a uniform width along the length thereof.

In other embodiments of the invention one or more of the second textile portions 20 may vary in width along its length. Each second textile portion 20 is secured relative to the corresponding interface region 18 by a plurality of stitches (not shown).

The second textile portions 20 have a higher density than the first textile portion 16 and are woven from polyester yarns. Preferably the second textile portions 20 are, or include, an ocean sailcloth such as Ocean 655, Ocean 955, or Ocean 1155 as manufactured by Bainbridge International Limited. In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the or each second textile portion 20 may be formed by laminating a plurality of second textile layers, e.g. a plurality of ocean sailcloth layers. The textile in each layer may be identical, or may differ in physical characteristics, such as density, from the other layers. In use, the first support structures 10 inhibit stretching of each interface region 18 of the first textile portion 16, and so inhibit stretching of the first textile portion 16 in the lengthwise direction. Meanwhile the spaces between the first support structures 10 allow stretching of the first textile portion 16 in the widthwise direction. In this way the first corset 14 is able to provide a desired degree of control to a wearer's body parts by maintaining a constant height, i.e. length in the lengthwise direction, while readily allowing a user to put it on and remaining comfortable by expanding in the widthwise direction through corresponding stretching of the first textile portion 16. A second garment 26, i.e. a second corset 28, includes three support structures 30 according to a second embodiment of the invention.

Each of the second support structures 30 shares common features with the first support structure 10, and these common features are identified by identical reference numerals.

Each second support structure 30 differs from the first support structure 10 by including an inelastic second textile portion 20 which has a width that tapers towards first and second ends 32, 34 of the second textile portion 20. In addition, each second support structure 30 is secured relative to a corresponding interface region (not shown) by an adhesive, and is laminated between the first elastic textile portion 16 and a further textile portion (not shown).

In use, the second support structures 30 function in a similar manner to the first support structures 10. In particular, the second support structures 30 inhibit stretching of the first textile portion 16 in the lengthwise direction, while allowing stretching in the widthwise direction.

However, because each second textile portion 20 is narrower at either end 32, 34 this inhibits stretching of the first textile portion 16 to a lesser extent in the region adjacent either end 32, 34 of the second textile portion 20 than in the region adjacent the centre of the second textile portion 20.

As a consequence the extent to which the second corset 28 is able to stretch in a widthwise direction varies from a mid portion to upper and lower portions, i.e. the second corset 28 stretches more in the upper and lower portions that it does in the mid portion.

Such a variation in stretching tailors the second corset 28 to control and support a rounder body shape than the first corset 14, as well as sit more comfortably on such a body shape.

Figure 4 shows a portion of a third garment 36, i.e. a front panel 38 of a pair of pants, which includes a support structure 40 according to a third embodiment of the invention. The third support structure 40 shares some features with each of the first and second support structures 10; 30 and these common features are identified by common reference numerals.

The third support structure includes seven second textile portions 20 which are interconnected with one another by a trunk portion 42. In particular the second textile portions 20 are integrally formed with the trunk portion 42 from a single piece of inelastic second textile, e.g. an ocean sailcloth.

Each second textile portion 20 tapers from the first end 32 to the second end 34, and the corresponding space between adjacent second textile portions 20 also varies in width in that it too tapers towards the second end 34 of each second textile portion 20.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the space between adjacent second textile portions 20 may vary in a non-uniform manner. The integral second textile portions 20 and truck portion 42 is adhered to a corresponding interface region (not shown) of the elastic first textile portion 16, and laminated between the first textile portion 16 and a further textile portion (not shown). The front panel 38 functions in a similar manner to the second corset 28 in that there is a degree of tailoring in the extent to which the elastic first textile portion 16 is able to stretch in the widthwise direction, while its stretching in a respective lengthwise direction is inhibited. The relative positioning of the tapered second textile portions 20 and the tapered space lying therebetween defines a radially extending arrangement. The elastic first textile portion 16 is able to stretch to a greater extent adjacent the first end 32 of each second textile portion 20 than it is adjacent the second end 34 of each second textile portion 20. Moreover, the radial positioning of the second textile portions 20 relative to one another means that the respective widthwise stretching of the elastic first textile portion 16 adjacent a given second textile portion 20 combines with the relative widthwise stretching adjacent the other second textile portions 20 to allow the panel 38 as a whole to stretch in an arcuate manner.

Such arcuate stretching allows the panel 38 to control and support a dome-shaped body part, such as a stomach, as well as sit comfortably on such a body part.

A portion of a fourth garment 46, i.e. a first bra cup 48, includes a fourth support structure 50.

The fourth support structure 50 includes three inelastic second textile portions 20 which are interconnected with one another by a strip portion 52. The second textile portions 20 and the strip portion 52 are integrally formed from a second textile, e.g. an ocean sailcloth.

The integral second textile portions 20 and strip portion 52 is adhered to a corresponding interface region (not shown) of the elastic first textile portion (not shown), and laminated between the first textile portion and a further textile portion 54.

Each second textile portion 20 has a generally ovoid shape so as to provide a desired degree and distribution of control to the first bra cup 48. Figure 6 shows a portion of a fifth garment 56, i.e. a second bra cup 58, which includes a support structure 60 according to a fifth embodiment of the invention. The fifth support structure 60 includes an inelastic second textile portion 20 which, as well as being secured by stitches (not shown) relative to the interface region (not shown) of the elastic first textile portion 16, is also held in a predetermined three dimensional configuration. The interface region is curved and the second textile portion 20 adopts a curved three- dimensional configuration, and in particular a curved segment 62 of a sphere.

In other embodiments of the invention (not shown) the second textile portion 20 may adopt a larger or smaller segment of a sphere.

In the embodiment shown the curved interface region includes a solid structural member 64 in the form of a known bra wire 66.

The section 68 of the elastic first textile portion 16 which does not form the interface region is moveable relative to the inelastic second textile portion 20.

In use the fifth support structure 60 is able to control breast shape by inhibiting stretching of the interface region of the elastic first textile portion 16. The inelastic second textile portion 20 defines a curved segment of a sphere which conforms to a desired shape of a wearer's breast, and so the first support structure 60 is able to provide additional breast shape control while the elastic first textile portion 16, which forms the remainder of the breast cup, is able to provide a desired degree of support.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A support structure, for a garment, comprising:

2. A support structure according to Claim 1 wherein the elastic first textile portion defines a plurality of elongate interface regions spaced from one another in a widthwise direction, each elongate interface region extending in a lengthwise direction and having secured relative thereto a corresponding inelastic second textile portion, the plurality of inelastic second textile portions and spaces therebetween combining to inhibit stretching of the elastic first textile portion in the lengthwise direction and allow stretching of the elastic first textile portion in the widthwise direction.

3. A support structure according to Claim 2 wherein the plurality of inelastic second textile portions are interconnected with one another.

4. A support structure according to Claim 3 wherein the plurality of inelastic second textile portions are integrally formed from an inelastic second textile.

5. A support structure according to any of Claims 2 to 4 wherein at least one inelastic second textile portion has a uniform width along the length thereof.

6. A support structure according to any of Claims 2 to 4 wherein the width of at least one inelastic second textile portion varies along the length thereof.

7. A support structure according to Claim 6 wherein the width of at least one inelastic second textile portion tapers towards at least one end.

8. A support structure according to any of Claims 2 to 8 wherein the space between adjacent elongate interface regions varies in width.

9. A support structure according to Claim 1 wherein the inelastic second textile portion is held in a predefined three dimensional configuration.

10. A support structure according to Claim 9 wherein the elastic first textile portion defines a curved interface region and the elastic second textile portion adopts a curved three-dimensional configuration.

11. A support structure according to Claim 10 wherein the curved three-dimensional configuration of the elastic second textile portion defines a curved segment of a sphere.

12. A support structure according to any of Claims 9 to 11 wherein the curved interface region includes a solid structural member retained relative thereto.

13. A support structure according to any of Claims 9 to 12 wherein sections of the elastic first textile portion not forming the interface region are moveable relative to the inelastic second textile portion.

14. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion is secured to the corresponding interface region by stitches.

15. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion is secured to the corresponding interface region by an adhesive.

16. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion is laminated between the elastic first textile portion and a further textile portion.

17. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion has a higher density than the elastic first textile portion.

18. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion is woven from polyester yarns.

19. A support structure according to any preceding claim wherein the or each inelastic second textile portion is laminated from a plurality of second textile layers having differing densities.

20. A garment including a support structure according to any preceding claim.

21. A support structure generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

22. A garment generally as herein described with reference to and/or as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.