A brassiere includes a back portion, a front portion coupled to the back portion at side areas, straps coupled to the front portion and the back portion, and cup panels included on the front portion and extending to the straps. Each of the cup panels includes a fabric layer and a polymer layer applied to the fabric layer. The polymer layer includes at least one continuous region and at least one discontinuous region. The at least one discontinuous region includes a plurality of openings in the polymer layer. The elastic modulus of the cup panel varies between the at least one continuous region and the at least one discontinuous region.

An athletic bra includes a support panel shaped to include first and second cups. Grooves are formed into the panel to provide areas of increase flexure and/or stretch. A textile layer can be secured to the support panel.

Aspects of a flat-knit support garment for an upper torso are provided. The flat-knit support garment may include a bra structure having a flat-knit bra material that includes a cup zone, a body zone, a wing zone, a strap zone, and a chestband zone. In some instances, a perimeter of the flat-knit bra comprising a neck opening and armhole openings includes a finished edge treatment corresponding to a high stretch modulus, covered yarn. Such finished edges are generated in seamless construction with the unitary, flat-knit structure of the flat-knit support garment for an upper torso. The flat-knit characteristics of the support garment for an upper torso may correspond to one or more of a flat-knit stitch sequence, a yarn type, and/or a finishing treatment.

The invention provides a textile comprising a supporting mechanism disposed on a surface of a fabric, having a printed layer and a layered elastic support; the elastic support is made of thermoplastic elastomer, and is connected with the printed layer; and a plurality of air-permeable elements disposed in the supporting mechanism. The textile of the invention can be made into wearables for a human body, and the supporting mechanism is capable of supporting human motor organs. The invention also provides a supportive thermoprinting material, a printed layer and a thermoplastic elastomer material layer are disposed on a surface of a substrate, and the printed layer and the thermoplastic elastomer material layer of the thermoprinting material are combined on a fabric to form the textile of the invention.

A brassiere includes a front portion configured to be position along a front of a torso, a back portion coupled to the front portion, and a shoulder strap extending from the front portion to the back portion. The front portion comprises a fabric layer and a discontinuous polymer layer. The fabric layer includes a first, user-facing side and second side opposite the first side. The polymer layer is deposited on the second side of the fabric layer. The polymer layer forms covered fabric areas where the polymer is applied to the fabric layer and noncovered fabric areas where the polymer is not applied to the fabric layer. The noncovered fabric areas provide openings in the discontinuous polymer layer, thereby exposing the fabric layer. An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is greater than the noncovered fabric areas.

A brassiere incorporating a hot flash mitigation system for cooling the upper torso, chest and neck area of a wearer is disclosed. The brassiere comprises two front panel sections connectively engaged to each other, at least one rear panel section connectively engaged to each of the two front panel sections. The hot flash mitigation system provides a deformable reservoir for containing and dispensing a fluid therefrom. The deformable reservoir is disposed in mating and contacting engagement with the brassiere and has an outlet in cooperative fluid engagement thereto. At least one duct disposed proximate to one of the at least two front panel sections is in fluid engagement with the outlet of the deformable reservoir. At least one nozzle disposed upon an end of the duct distal from the deformable reservoir operatively conveys the fluid from the duct to the upper torso, chest and neck area of the wearer.

A brassiere includes a back portion and a front portion coupled to the back portion at side areas. Straps are coupled to the front portion and the back portion. Cup panels are provided on the front portion and extend to the straps. Each cup panel includes a perimeter cup region and a central cup region located on the front portion and a strap region located on one of the straps. The perimeter cup region and the strap region having a greater elastic modulus than the central cup region. In at least one embodiment, each cup panel includes a first layer and a second layer. The second layer is provided by a polymer sheet including a plurality of openings formed in the polymer sheet. The arrangement of the openings on the polymer sheet contributes to the elastic modulus in the central cup region, the perimeter cup region, and the strap region of the cup panel.

An engineered bra having preconfigured lockout and stretch zones with different stretch properties is provided. The different stretch properties may be achieved by adjusting one or more knitting or weaving techniques and/or materials throughout the bra, with at least a first portion of the bra including a common feature between multiple regions. The knit or woven bra may include varying knit or woven structures within the zones, varying the modulus of elasticity of the yarns used to form the zones, and/or varying the modulus of elasticity of the knit or woven material through specific knit stitch orientation or woven technique. In further aspects, different stretch properties correspond to individual yarn placement, integrated knit or woven structures such as channels, pockets, or shaping, and/or additional integrated knit or woven aspects used to create lockout in a first zone and stretch characteristics in an adjacent, second zone.

A brassiere includes a front portion configured to be positioned along a front of a torso, a back portion coupled to the front portion, and a shoulder strap extending from the front portion to the back portion. The front portion includes a cup for supporting a wearer's breast. The cup comprises a fabric layer and a printed layer. The fabric layer includes a first, user-facing side and a second side opposite the first side. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer and forms a discontinuous layer defining covered fabric areas and noncovered fabric areas exposing the fabric layer. An elastic modulus of the covered fabric areas is different than an elastic modulus of the noncovered fabric areas. The printed layer is deposited on the fabric layer in a pattern configured to provide the cup with an elastic modulus gradient.

A breast support device and a brassiere comprising a cup section having a convex surface and a concave surface. A bracing section is provided adjacent an edge of the cup section and extending radially therefrom. The bracing section is substantially inflexible.