WO2010082090A1

WO2010082090A1 - 3 dimensionally curved brassiere wire

Info

Publication number: WO2010082090A1
Application number: PCT/IB2009/053335
Authority: WO
Inventors: Anjana Kavisekera; Lalith Kumarapeli; Chaaminda Karunaratne
Original assignee: Prym Intimates Lanka (Private) Limited
Priority date: 2009-01-19
Filing date: 2009-07-31
Publication date: 2010-07-22

Abstract

A 3 dimensionally curved brassiere under wire which is designed for use in brassieres or similar close fitted garments, which closely matches the natural contour of the bust allowing the bra to fit the wearer more accurately.

Description

3 DIMENSIONALLY CURVED BRASSIERE WIRE Description Field of invention

This invention relates to a garment accessory known as under wire, which is used in intimate garments such as brassieres. Particularly, this invention is connected to a curved wire which is used to form a firm base for the cup of a brassiere.

General introduction

This invention relates to a 3 dimensionally curved brassiere or bra wire, which was designed to fit the contour of the body more precisely by sitting along the bust route more accurately than the conventional bra wire.

Background

A bra wire is used to retain the shape of a brassiere by forming a firm base for the bra cup. A bra wire is curved according to the curvature of the cup base and varies in size and shape accordingly. Basically, the wire takes a general "U" shape. However, the wire is not shaped to meet the horizontal cross sectional curvature of the body and therefore, the wire does not fit the body properly. Due to this reason, the two ends of the wire, especially the sides, tend to push against the body during wear. This creates irritations and because of that, the wearers find it a bit uncomfortable.

This was an inherent defect of the conventional bra wire. Although there have been many attempts to overcome this issue, none have being successful and made their way to being produced on a commercial level.

This invention was aimed to overcome the issues of the conventional bra wire by introducing a second curvature, that is (and hereinafter will referred to as) 3D curvature.

Summary of the invention

In this invention the conventional bra wire is modified to meet the requirement of the wearer. Specifically the wire was given with two curvatures. They are the 2D curvature and the 3D curvature. 2D curvature is the curvature which is visible from the front side of the garment and is formed according to the shape of the cup base. This is the curvature available in any conventional brassier under wire. 3D curvature is the curvature which matches with the horizontal cross sectional curvature of the human body. The 3d curvature therefore can be explained as a curvature formed on a conventional underwire in a plane transverse to the plane which the existing curvature located. This curvature differentiates the invention from any conventional bra under wire because conventional bra wires do not posses this type of a curvature.

Like the underwire itself, the shape and the dimensions of the 3D curvature is dependant on many variables such as style of the garment, cross grading and the size of the garment. These variables are dependent on the requirement of garment designer. Therefore it is impossible to demarcate or limit the precise shape or dimension of which the 3D curvature can take. Primarily, 3D wires can be divided into three types depending on the basis of their 3D curve formation. Namely they are cylindrical wires, conical wires and miscellaneous wires.

When it comes to a cylindrical wire, it is assumed that the segment of the torso underneath the bust is cylindrical. The wire is curved to match the curvature of the assumed cylinder. The final product appears like it has being cut out from a cylinder. The radius of 3D curvature depends on the size and type of the bra which the wire goes into. Also, depending on the requirement of the customer, the respective segment of cylinder can either be a circular, elliptical, oval or randomly curved based.

When developing a conical wire, it is assumed that the segment of the torso underneath the bust is conical. The assumed conical segment can either be a segment from one of circular based, elliptical based or oval based cones. Also, these cones may be right cones or oblique. The selection criterion for the type of cone is not specified because it depends on the garment designer's requirement.

The miscellaneous wire's 3D curve varies from centre front to arm-hole side. It is flatter at the centre front and gradually gets curvier at the side. This complex curvature can either be a combination of the previous two curvatures or a custom curvature designed by a garment designer.

In either case, the 3D wire should coincide with the respective 2D shape in order to fit the bust in the front direction. Therefore, the 3D wire can also be defined as a projection of a 2D wire onto a curved surface. Furthermore, similar to the conventional wire, the 3D wire's two edges (or tips) are also covered by molten plastic, Silicone gel, hardened foam or any other suitable material in order to obtain a smooth finish.

It should be noted that 3D wire has no material-wise restrictions. 3D wires can be successfully made by any material which can be used on similar applications. Furthermore, the cross sectional geometry of the 3D wire may vary according to different needs. Also, the wire cross section could be hollow, solid or a combination of both hollow and solid cross sections.

The shape and construction of the invention is best understood by referring to the following drawings.

Detailed description of preferred embodiments

Figure 1 is provided to illustrate the most common terminology used in this document. Here in this document, the term "2D curvature" is used to describe the curvature which any bra underwire already has. Because of this curvature Bra wire gets its distinctive U shape. This is a variable curvature; meaning which the radius of curvature changes from point to point along the length of the wire. The construction depends on a number of various parameters, thus the shape of the wire also varies from the basic U shape depending on ones requirement. It should be well noted that any wire can be formed in to a 3D wire irrespective of this basic 2D shape.

Figure 2 illustrates how a "Cylindrical 3D wire" sits perfectly on a cylinder. As compared in Figure 4, the conventional wire can rest on a flat surface only. But the Cylindrical wire fits a curved surface well. In this figure, the "Radius of 3D curvature" and the "3D curvature" itself are shown. The "3D curvature" is the secondary curvature which differentiates this invention from the conventional product. "Cylindrical 3D wire" is only a one type of three major 3D wire types. Illustrations of other types are provided in figure 8. Referring to Figure 3, which is a preferred embodiment of the present invention, it illustrates the main differences between the conventional wire and the 3D wire. Both the wires look the same when observed from the front. In fact, the curvature visible from the front would be exactly the same as the 2D wire. The difference of the two components is apparent only from the end elevation. The conventional or 2D wire is perfectly flat. The 3D wire is curved and so it has a distinctive shape when observed from the sides.

Figure 4 is a computer generated simulation which compares the 2D and 3D wires. The two wires taken into comparison here are 2D and 3D versions of the same style. That is, the size and style of the brassiere which the wires go into is the same. In the illustration the wires are placed on a flat horizontal plane. The 2D wire (the conventional wire) rests on the surface perfectly because it posses no curvature on the horizontal plane. However the 3D wire does not fit on a flat surface due to its 3D curvature. Also, it should be noted that the projection of the 3D wire coincides with the respective 2D wire. The term projection is best understood as the shadow of the wire on the horizontal plane when a source of light is placed exactly above the wire.

Figure 5.A is a graphical representation of the placement of the 2D wire on the body. The wire does not sit fully on the body. The end (pointing the side seam) tends to move forward and push against the breast. This would make it very uncomfortable for the wearer. Figure 5.B is an enlarged illustration of the same.

Figure 6.A illustrates the placement of a 3D wire on the body. Since the wire is curved to fit the curvature of the body, it rests well on the body. Therefore, the uncomfortable effects of wearing a conventional or 2D wire are readily lowered. In Figure 6.B, an enlarged view of the wire placement is shown.

Figure 7.A shows the manner in which a pair of 2D wires fit on the body from a bird's eye view. The marked area shows the wire and it is clearly visible that only a very little portion of the bust is supported by the wire. Figure 7.B shows a pair of 3D wires from the same view. Unlike in the previous case, here the wire rests along the curve of the body offering maximum support and comfort to the wearer. Figure 8.A shows a typical "Cylindrical" 3D wire. The wire's 3D curvature matches exactly with the curvature of the respective cylinder. (The "respective cylinder" refers to a cylinder with the radius of a curvature of the wire). The illustration shows a cylindrical wire curved to match a right circular cylinder. However it should be noted that the base cylinder may vary according to the designer's requirement. In such cases, the wire can be made to tally with an elliptical or oval based right or oblique cylinder.

Figure 8.B shows the placement of cylindrical wires on the body which is assumed to be cylindrical underneath the breasts. Although a pair of meshed cylinders is shown in this picture for clarity, it should be noted that only a small portion, that is, only the segment covered by the wire is taken into consideration when developing the concept.

Figure 8.C is a representation of a typical "Circular based right conical 3D wire". As the name implies, the wire is made to match with a circular based cone. The cone parameters, i.e. base radius and angle of inclination depend on the style of the garment and the garment designer's requirements. Also, the base cone may either be normal or oblique with circular, elliptical or oval shaped bases. The body can be compared more closely to a cone than to a cylinder. It should be noted that the drawing provided in this draft is an exaggerated version. The dimensions of these wires are totally dependant upon the garment designer's requirement.

In Figure 8.D the orientation of conical wires on the body while wearing is illustrated. In this concept the torso is assumed to be conical.

Figure 8.E shows a variably curved or miscellaneous wire. In this concept the 3D curvature of the wire varies continuously and attempts to match the exact curvature of the torso. In the context of the miscellaneous under wire, it should be noted that only a part of the wire, preferably the area between the base point and the arm-hole side, will only be curved while keeping the rest of the wire in the original condition.

Figure 8.F illustrates how a pair of variably curved (or miscellaneous) wires fit on a body. Brief description of drawings

Figure 1

Figure 1 illustrates the terms which used to identify specific areas of the conventional product.

Figure 2

Figure 2 illustrates the radius of 3D curvature and how the new invention unites with the 3D curvature.

Figure 3

Figure 1 shows and compares the conventional wire and the invented 3D wire. As illustrated, both the wires look the same in the front view. However at the end, the conventional wire is flat whereas the 3D wire is curved.

Figure 4

Figure 2 is a computer generated simulation comparing the 2D and 3D wires placed on a horizontal plane

Figure 5

The illustrations show and compare the drawings of the placement of two conventional wires on the body.

Figure 6

Figure 4 gives a closer illustration of the 3D wire placement on the body. As shown in Figure 3, the 2D wire does not provide the full support. Instead, it tends to push against the breast. However in the case of the 3D wire, it is placed right beneath the breast providing maximum support.

Figure 7

Figure 5 illustrates the difference between conventional and 3D wires when they are placed on the body

Figure 8 The sequence of figures show three different approaches used to develop 3D wire.

Claims

1. An under- wire used for brassieres or bras that has a curvature profile in three dimensions such that it closely matches the natural contour of the bust allowing the bra to fit the wearer more accurately.

2. An under-wire used for brassieres or bras claimed in 1 which curvature can vary from tip to tip.

3. An under-wire used for brassieres or bras claimed in 1 which can be made out of metallic or non metallic raw materials or a combination of raw materials.

4. An under-wire used for brassieres or bras claimed in 1 which can have a cross- sectional profile of any shape including hollow and solid and vary from area to area.