CUSTOMISED BRASSIERE

Abstract

The invention relates to a brassiere 40 customized for a user comprising two cups 41, 42 for each receiving a breast of the user, each cup 41, 42 being made of an elastic material, characterized in that each cup 41 42 is detachable and in that the brassiere comprises for each cup 41, 42 an element 26 for fitting the cup to the shape of the breast in the form of a curved rod 20 produced according to the measurements of the user said curved rod being designed to contour the entire length of the shape of the inflammatory fold of the user, and extending from the vicinity of the sternum of the user to the vicinity of the armpit of the user such that said curved rod 20 stretches the cup 41, 42 in such a way that it moulds the shape of the breast.

Claims

1. Customised brassiere for maintaining the health of a user's breasts, comprising two cups for each receiving a breast of the user, each cup being made of an elastic material, characterised in that each cup is detachable and in that the brassiere comprises for each cup an element for fitting the cup to the form of the breast, said fitting element comprising a curved rod produced to the measurements of the user, said curved rod being adapted to contour over its entire length the shape of the inframammary fold up to the ribs of said user, and extending from the vicinity of the sternum of the user to the vicinity of the axillary hollow of the user, such that said curved rod stretches the cup in such a way that it matches the shape of the breast; said element for fitting the cup to the breast of the user having a substantially flat form and being wider at its axillary end in the vicinity of the axillary hollow, substantially in the form of a spatula, for resting flat against the ribs of the user, in the direction of the axillary hollow so as to improve the weight distribution of the breast.

2. Brassiere according to claim 1, characterised in that each cup comprises on its lower edge a sleeve for receiving the said associated curved rod.

3. Brassiere according to claim 2, characterised in that said sleeve is made from an hemline along the entire length of the lower edge of said cup, having at least one lateral opening for inserting or removing said curved rod, and in that it comprises an elastic sheath in said hemline in order to ensure a firm support of the curved rod in said cup.

4. Brassiere according to claim 1, characterised in that each cup has a lateral axillary portion which is adapted to rest in turn against the ribs of the user below the axillary hollow.

5. Brassiere according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises detachable, adjustable straps.

6. Brassiere according to claim 1, characterised in that the brassiere comprises a back-support device, comprising two lateral securing bands, each joined to a cup, each connected to the lower edge of said cup, essentially in the vicinity of the lateral axillary end of said cup, and a detachable back band, which is adapted to be fixed in a detachable manner to the two lateral securing bands at their respective free ends.

7. Brassiere according to claim 6, characterised in that said detachable back band is made from an elastic material.

8. Method for obtaining a brassiere according to claim 1 characterised in that it comprises: a step of obtaining a photograph of each breast of a user; a step of acquiring morphological information about the user, such as their size and weight; a step of processing the image of each breast, so as to define the representative parameters of the volume, form and curvature of each breast, as well as the definition of the three-dimensional curve of the inframammary fold; for each breast, a step of selecting a cup which is adapted according to the morphological information and the photographs obtained; for each breast, a step of defining an element for fitting the cup associated with the form of the corresponding breast according to the morphological information and photographs taken, comprising the definition of the three-dimensional curve of the curved rod and the lateral axillary widening of said curved rod; and a step of determining straps and a suitable back band.

9. Method for producing an element for fitting a brassiere cup according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises: a step of receiving information defining said fitting element comprising information on the three-dimensional curve of the curved rod, for example parametric information; and a step of 3D printing said curved rod.

Description

[0037] The invention also relates to a method for manufacturing a fitting element as described above comprising: [0038] a step of receiving information defining said fitting element comprising information on the three-dimensional curvature of the curved rod, for example parametric information; and [0039] a step of 3D printing said curved rod or any other customised method or standard method of industrial production. Other features and advantages of the invention are given in the following description of a particular embodiment of the invention, given by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0040] FIG. 1 is an exploded view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the invention;

[0041] FIG. 2 is another view of the brassiere according to the embodiment of FIG. 1 with the cups positioned on the torso of a user;

[0042] FIG. 3a is a view of an element for fitting the cup to the form of the breast of a user of the brassiere according to the embodiment of FIG. 1; and

[0043] FIG. 3b is another view of an element for fitting the cup of the brassiere according to the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0044] FIGS. 1, 2, 3a and 3b relate to the same embodiment and will be discussed simultaneously.

[0045] In this embodiment, a customised brassiere 40 comprises two cups 41, 42, adjustable straps 44 and a back-support device 46 for holding the brassiere 40 against the bust of the user.

[0046] However, the invention is not limited to a brassiere with straps and also relates to a strapless brassiere with or without a back band.

[0047] The cups 41, 42 are connected to one another by a detachable fastening 47 substantially in the vicinity of the sternum 50 of a user wearing the brassiere 40. Each cup 41, 42 can have a different size and a different shape from the other cup 41, 42, so as to adapt to a user's asymmetrical breasts.

[0048] The removable fastening 47 in this embodiment is a clip fastening relatively common for brassieres. However, the invention is not limited to this type of fastening and any fastening means known to a person skilled in the art can be used, such a Velcro fastening, for example a Velcro closure, a snap button, a standard button or another other type of closure. In particular, the type of fastening can be selected according to criteria for fastening closure, comfort and also according to aesthetic and/or discretionary criteria.

[0049] The detachable sternal fastening 47 of the two cups 41, 42 in this embodiment is the only element to be manipulated for fitting the brassiere to the user's chest. In other words, the brassiere according to this embodiment is designed to be fastened by the user at the level of their sternum, by the detachable fastening 47 between the cups.

[0050] The other detachable parts of the brassiere are designed to permit customisation and an increased adjustment of the brassiere.

[0051] However, the invention is not limited to this single way of fastening the brassiere to the user's bust, and it is possible in particular to fasten the brassiere at the opening of the back-support device 46 described in the following.

[0052] The back-support device 46, comprises two lateral bands 45, each joined to a cup 41, 42, and each connected to the lower edge 410, 420 of said corresponding cup 41, 42, substantially in the vicinity of the lateral axillary end 411, 421 of the corresponding cup 41, 42, and a detachable back band 43, adjusted to be fixed in a detachable manner to two lateral fastening bands 45 at their respective free ends 450.

[0053] The back band 43 is selected according to the shape of the user so as to enable an optimal adjustment of the brassiere on the user.

[0054] Here the back band 43 is made of an elastic material, for example the same material as the cups 41, 42, in order to improve the comfort of wearing the brassiere for the user.

[0055] The lateral bands 45 joined to each cup 41, 42 are of standard length, for example extending in the direction of the user's back between 5 cm and 20 cm. The adjustment of the brassiere 40 to the shape of the user, in particular with regard to their bust measurement, is performed by selecting a back band 43 with a length and thickness which is adapted to permit optimum support and is not compressive but fits firmly against the user's back.

[0056] The lateral bands 45 can be made from an assembly of stitched pieces or pieces fused to one another in order to give an aesthetic appearance and optimised comfort, for example comprising a transparent insert.

[0057] The detachable straps 44, are each fixed in a detachable manner to a corresponding cup 41, 42, to an upper part of the corresponding cup 41, 42, referred to as the upper cup 53, substantially opposite the lower part of the cup 41, 42, referred to as the lower cup 54.

[0058] Furthermore, the straps 44 are also fixed in a detachable manner to the back-fastening band 43.

[0059] The straps 44 in this embodiment are high strength, with reliable elasticity. The length adjustment of the straps 44 is performed according the usual practice of the prior art, namely an adjusting ring which can slide along the whole length of the strap 44.

[0060] Thus the straps 44 extend between the upper cup of the brassiere and the back of the user, both passing over the user's shoulder, so as to ensure a substantially vertical support of the brassiere, in the invention the vertical reference being the height of the user in a standing position. Thus the straps can be selected taking into account the height of the bust of the user, in particular the distance between the shoulders and the sternum of the user.

[0061] The straps 44 can be fixed in a detachable manner to the back band 43, after crossing or not crossing the back of the user.

[0062] When designing a customised brassiere 40 for a user it is possible to select on the one hand two appropriate cups 41, 42 that are designed in more detail below, a back band 43 for optimising the back support, and two detachable straps 44 for improving the vertical hold of the brassiere 40, in particular taking into account the height of the bust of the user and their shape.

[0063] The fastening of the straps 44 to the cups 41, 42 and of the back band 43 to the associated lateral bands 45 can be performed by detachable fastening means described above for fastening the two cups 41, 42 together.

[0064] Each cup 41, 42 is made of an elastic material, for example a bidynamic material (referred to as bi-stretch material), in particular elastane or any other suitable material.

[0065] For example, the elasticity of the material forming each cup 41, 42 may be between 15% and 35%, for example an elasticity of 20%.

[0066] Each cup 41, 42 is designed to receive a breast of the user wearing the brassiere 40.

[0067] In order to improve the fitting of each breast of the user into its associated cup, the brassiere 40 comprises for each cup 41, 42 an element for fitting 20 the cup 41, 42 to the contour of the breast.

[0068] The element for fitting 20 the cup 41, 42 to the form of the breast comprises a curved rod 20 made of plastic material.

[0069] This curved rod 20 is made to fit around the inframammary fold of a user up to their ribs. The curved rod 20 differs from a standard underwire of a brassiere of the prior art, also known as a whale bone, in that it does not restrict the breast in any particular position. On the contrary, the curved rod 20 fits around the contour of the emergence of the breast between the sternum 50 of the user and the axillary hollow 52 of the user, by following between these two ends the emergence of the breast against the lower thoracic wall, referred to as the inframammary fold 51.

[0070] Thus the curved rod 20, extending between a sternal end 21 and an axillary end 22, can be positioned below the breast without the latter being deformed by said curved rod 20.

[0071] This curved rod 20 has a substantially flat straight section so as to be able to be placed flat against the thorax and the ribs of the user.

[0072] The curvature of the curved rod 20 is a three-dimensional curvature, and not a curvature in a bidimensional plane, such as those generally used in the underwiring of the prior art.

[0073] This three-dimensional curvature makes it possible in particular for the curved rod 20 to rest flat at its axillary end against the lateral part of the thoracic cage of the user, below the axillary hollow, also referred to as an armpit.

[0074] In order to ensure optimal cooperation between the cup and the curved rod 20, and consequently optimum comfort for the user, each cup 41, 42 has a lateral axillary extension of material which enables the cup to pass round against the ribs of the user to below the axillary hollow 52.

[0075] It is understood from the wording round against the ribs, against the ribs and up to the ribs that the cup, or the curved rod, rests on a lateral part of the thoracic case of the user, extending substantially perpendicular to the sternum.

[0076] In other words, the cup 41, 42, made of a flexible and elastic material, covers the breast of the user between the sternum 50 and the axillary hollow 52, following below the constraint of the curved rod 20 the inframammary groove 51 of the user and coming around against the ribs of the user below the axillary hollow 52.

[0077] At its axillary end 22, the curved rod 20 has a widened portion, forming a spatula, for resting in a pain-free manner against the user's ribs.

[0078] The sternal end 21 of the curved rod 20 can also have a widened end relative to the width of the main portion 23 of the curved rod 20. However, for essentially aesthetic reasons and for discretion, there is optimally a slight thickening at the sternal end 21, at the same time still ensuring that this end lies flat against the sternum of the user.

[0079] Each curved rod 20 is installed in a removable manner in a corresponding cup 41, 42. This makes it possible to remove the curved rods 20 from the brassiere 40 for example before washing, to avoid damage to the materials used such as lace. Furthermore, the ability to remove the curved rods 20 makes it possible to use them in different brassieres. Thus, it is possible to obtain a single pair of customised curved rods 20 and to use them for a plurality of compatible cups 41, 42.

[0080] To enable a simple and robust installation of the curved rod 20 in the corresponding cup 41, 42, the cup comprises on its lower part, referred to as the lower cup 410, 420, a sleeve 413, 423 formed in this embodiment by a hemline or a fold of material of the cup 41, 42 stitched onto itself.

[0081] However, the invention is not limited to the formation of a hemline on the lower cup to form the sleeve 413, 423. In particular, it is possible to stitch, adhere or join by any known method a sleeve 413, 423 for accommodating the curved rod 20 in the lower cup 410, 420.

[0082] The sleeve 413, 423 is made from a bidynamic material, such as that of the corresponding cup 41, 42, and comprises in this embodiment an elastic lining, also referred to as an elastic sheath, extending over the entire length or over part of the length of the sleeve 413, 423 to increase the friction and thus the support effect of the curved rod 20 when it is inserted into the sleeve 413, 423.

[0083] The sleeve 413, 423 has at least one opening for enabling the insertion and the removal of the curved rod 20. In this embodiment the opening is formed at the axillary end of the cup 41, 42. However, it is possible to have an opening at the sternal end of the cup 41, 42 or to have an opening at each end of the lower edge of the cup 41, 42.

[0084] To ensure that the curved rod 20 is inserted into the sleeve 413, 423 correctly by the user, a coding means is provided, here an engraving on the curved rod 20, which makes it possible to determine the direction of insertion of the curved rod 20 into the associated sleeve 413, 423.

[0085] This engraving makes it possible for the user to know which breast the curved rod 20 corresponds to, for example an engraving indicating left and right, or any other recognisable marking. Furthermore, the engraving can be formed on only one surface of the curved rod 20 such that the user is able to determine how to insert the rod into the sleeve relative to the engraved surface; for example the engraved surface may need to be applied against the user's thorax.

[0086] Each curved rod 20 is made from a smooth material, such that the insertion into and removal from the sleeve 413, 423 is relatively simple.

[0087] The invention also relates to the method of obtaining such a brassiere 40. The method of obtaining a brassiere 40 comprises a step of obtaining a photograph of each breast of a user. This step is performed in this embodiment by the users themselves. For this purpose a computer program is installed on a computer platform of the user, for example a personal computer or preferably a smartphone or a tablet.

[0088] However, this step is not limited to obtaining photographs from the users themselves, and can comprise a step of acquiring morphological information on the user by 3D scanning or any other known solution from the prior art.

[0089] The computer programme is then suitable for processing the photographs and performing the following processing steps of the device or transmitting the photographs to a remote secure server for processing the photos and performing the following processing steps of the device.

[0090] The method then uses a step of acquiring morphological information on the user such as their size and its weight. This step can be performed either by processing the photographic images obtained from the user, or according to alternatives by processing 3D scanning information and any other known imaging technology, or by taking this information directly from the user.

[0091] Then a step is carried out of processing the image of each breast, so as to define representative parameters of the volume, the shape and the curvature of each breast, as well as the definition of the three-dimensional curvature of the inframammary fold. The defined information is not limited to the information indicated and can include other information for refining the customisation of the brassiere.

[0092] Then a step is carried out of selecting a cup which is adjusted to the morphological information and photographs obtained. Thus this step makes it possible to define the optimal cup for the user without taking into account typical information on cup sizes known from the prior art.

[0093] Then a step is performed of defining a fitting element for each associated cup according to the morphological information and photographs taken, comprising the definition of the three-dimensional curve of the curved rod and the lateral axillary widening of said curved rod. This step makes it possible to define a curved rod on the basis of morphological information on the user, so that it matches the form of the submammary fold, which makes it possible to adapt the selected cup, made of an elastic material, to the shape of the breast. This differs from the prior art in which an opposite approach is applied, in which the underwiring restricts the breast to the shape of the cup.

[0094] Lastly, the method implements a step of determining the straps and a suitable back band, taking into account the morphological information on the user to enable the adjustment and optimal support of the brassiere and thus optimal comfort.

[0095] The invention also relates to a method for producing an element 20 for fitting a brassiere cup to the form of a breast, here a curved rod 20 comprising a step of receiving information defining said fitting element 20 comprising information on the three-dimensional curve of the curved rod, in this embodiment parametric information followed by a step of 3D printing said curved rod 20.

[0096] 3D printing can be performed by one of the following techniques including: [0097] additive manufacture by depositing filaments (FDM); [0098] selective powder sintering (SLS); [0099] curing of a resin by UV laser (SLA) [0100] curing of a resin by UV image (CLIP); [0101] lamination by addition of laser-cut layers (LOM); [0102] curing a resin by photopolymerisation (DLP); or also [0103] a binding agent projection technique.

[0104] It is possible for the flexible rod 20 to be made from a polyamide material, from silicone, thermoplastic polyurethanes (TPU), acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS) or any other suitable material.

[0105] The invention thus enables the users of the brassiere to obtain a customised brassiere, with optimal comfort and optimal support, by the assembly of its detachable parts, straps 44, back band 43, independent cups 41, 42. Furthermore, the brassiere 40 according to the invention ensures the support of lymphatic drainage and a natural breast form by using the curved rod 20 according to the invention.

[0106] Furthermore, for the manufacturer, this solution makes it possible to break free from the constraints of production associated with the multiplicity of sizes of brassieres, the sizes comprising the combination of the chest and bust measurements. This enables more economical production, better stock management, and a better range adapted to the expectations of users by reducing the number of cups sizes the cups can be made to fit by the fitting element 20.