BRA ENGINEERING

Abstract

Brassiere including a first wing and a second wing, each wing including a first end and a second end. A pair of cups is utilized. Each cup has an inner contour having a diameter size as well as an outer contour having an outer diameter defined by an outer diameter size, and an outer apex having a projection distance from the outer diameter. A filling material is provided between the inner contour and the outer contour and being located on each cup so as to, when the brassiere is worn, press against the rib cage and expand and spread the outer diameter. Wherein for a cup-to-cup range of more than 12 inches and less than 14 inches, the diameter size and the projection distance have values that satisfy an equation as follows: y=0.69x+11.24, where y=the diameter size and x=the projection distance.

Claims

1. A brassiere, comprising: a first wing and a second wing, each wing including a first end and a second end; a pair of cups, a first cup connected to the second end of the first wing, and a second cup connected to the second end of the second wing; each cup including an inner contour having a diameter size; each cup including an outer contour having an. outer diameter defined by an outer diameter size, and an outer apex having a projection distance from the outer diameter; filling material provided between the inner contour and the outer contour and being located on each cup so as to, when the brassiere is worn, press against the rib cage and expand and spread the outer diameter; a gore connected to each of the first cup and the second cup; and wherein for a cup-to-cup range of more than 12 inches and less than 14 inches: the diameter size and the projection distance have values that satisfy an equation as follows:
y=0.69x+11.24, where y=the diameter size, and x=the projection distance.

2. A brassiere, comprising: a first wing and a second wing, each wing including a first end and a second end; a pair of cups, a first cup connected to the second end of the first wing, and a second cup connected to the second end of the second wing; each cup including an inner contour having a diameter size; each cup including an outer contour having an outer diameter defined by an outer diameter size, and an outer apex having a projection distance from the outer diameter; filling material provided between the inner contour and the outer contour and being located on each cup so as to, when the brassiere is worn, press against the rib cage and expand and spread the outer diameter; a gore connected to each of the first cup and the second cup; and wherein for the diameter size within a range of 5 and 7 inches; the diameter size and the projection distance have values that satisfy an equation as follows:
y=0.68x+4.08, where y=the diameter size, and x=the projection distance.

3. A brassiere, comprising: a first wing and a second wing, each wing including a first end and a second end; a pair of cups, a first cup connected to the second end of the first wing, and a second cup connected to the second end of the second wing; each cup including an inner contour having a diameter size; each cup including an outer contour having an outer diameter defined by an outer diameter size, and an outer apex having a projection distance from the outer diameter; filling material provided between the inner contour and the outer contour and being located on each cup so as to, when the brassiere is worn, press against the rib cage and expand and spread the outer diameter; a gore connected to each of the first cup and the second cup; and wherein for a center to medial arc value range of between 4 and 6 inches; the diameter size and the projection distance have values that satisfy an equation as follows:
y=1.76x+0.79, where y=the diameter size, and x=the projection distance.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0152] The above and other objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be made apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments, given as non-limiting examples, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0153] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0154] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an outside view of the brassiere.

[0155] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the pad, cup and brassiere.

[0156] FIG. 4 is a front inside view of a prior art brassiere.

[0157] FIG. 5 is a front view of a prior art brassiere.

[0158] FIG. 6 is a front inside view of a prior art exercise brassiere.

[0159] FIG. 7 is a top plan view of the embodiment of FIG. 1.

[0160] FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of an embodiment of a cup of the invention showing the position of the breast inside the cup.

[0161] FIG. 9 is a side view of a cup according to an embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention showing an inside view of the cup on a body frame.

[0162] FIG. 10 is a side view of a cup according to an embodiment of FIG. 1 of the present invention showing an outside view of the cup on a body frame.

[0163] FIG. 11 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an outside view of the brassiere.

[0164] FIG. 12 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere supporting the breast from the outside.

[0165] FIG. 13 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere supporting the breast from the inside.

[0166] FIG. 14 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere.

[0167] FIG. 15 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere supporting the inframammary fold.

[0168] FIG. 16 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere.

[0169] FIG. 17 is a front perspective view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention, showing an inside view of the brassiere located on a ribcage.

[0170] FIG. 18 is a view of cup drafting patternmaking.

[0171] FIG. 19 is a view of band drafting patternmaking.

[0172] FIG. 20 is a view of breast mound spread and protrusion.

[0173] FIG. 21 is Graph 1.

[0174] FIG. 22 is Graph 3.

[0175] FIG. 23 is Graph 4.

[0176] FIG. 24 is Graph 5.

[0177] FIG. 25 is Graph 6.

[0178] FIG. 26 is Graph 7.

[0179] FIG. 27 is Graph 8.

[0180] FIG. 28 is Graph 9.

[0181] FIG. 29 is Graph 10.

[0182] FIG. 30 is Graph 11.

[0183] FIG. 31 is Graph 12.

[0184] FIG. 32 is Graph 13.

[0185] FIG. 33 is Graph 14.

[0186] FIG. 34 is Graph 15.

[0187] FIG. 35 is Graph 16.

[0188] FIG. 36 is Graph 17.

[0189] FIG. 37 is Graph 18.

[0190] FIG. 38 is a chart showing geographical points.

[0191] FIG. 39 is a chart showing geographical points.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0192] A brassiere includes a first wing and a second wing, a closure including a first closure portion on the first end of the first wing, and a second closure portion on the first end of the second wing; and a pair of cups, with a first cup connected to the second end of the first wing, and a second cup connected to the second end of the second wing. Each cup includes an inner contour having an inner diameter size and an outer contour having an outer diameter having an outer diameter size.

[0193] As shown in FIG. 3, each cup includes an inner contour (5,6) shaped with an inner apical zone (3) matching a breast to receive a breast in a natural bust point position and an inner diameter contour (4), and and an outer contour FIG. 1 having a size larger than the inner contour diameter (1) and shaped with an outer apex (FIG. 1(11)) spaced medially, centered or laterally from the respective inner apex placement and filling material provided between the inner contour and the outer contour.

[0194] The brassiere of the invention contains the breast in wider cup, with the cup extending further than industry sizing, laterally, underneath and medially, outwardly and inwardly.

[0195] In the brassiere of the invention, the cups are spaced so that the gore touches the body and the edges of the cups extend to the outer edges of the breasts. The gore must touch the body for a brassiere to operate and function properly.

[0196] In the brassiere of the invention the cups (underwire or wireless) may be sized with bust point spacing, and the diameter of the arc of the wire (or cup base) is larger than in current bras.

[0197] In the brassiere of the invention, we have emphasized the width fullness, and not necessarily front projection fullness. We defined the lateral and medial projection, which has not before been discussed or recognized, nor does the prior art recognize it's importance.

[0198] Each cup has an inner contour shaped with an inner apical zone and a first diameter. The inner contour accommodates a first volume and a first size. An outer contour has a second volume larger than the inner contour and a diameter size larger than the inner contour and is shaped with an outer apex designed to the contour of the outer cup and diameter. Filling material is provided between the inner contour and the outer contour in a medial, lower and lateral portion of each of the cups to provide a natural fit and fill in medial breast portions, and lateral breast portions under the arm.

[0199] The engineering includes a combination of diameters geometries, and foam like contours. The cup is designed accommodating a first size inner cup contour, and a second size outer cup contour and diameter.

[0200] The breast and inframammary fold is supported by the contour inside the cup by fill (foam, etc.) between the apical well perimeter and the outer diameter. This is very different from industry method of bra design and engineering of setting the cup perimeter tight to the inframammary fold. The bra of this invention is supported on the rib cage by contours of fill (foam) inside the cup, coupled with the pulling force of the body circling components. The inframammary fold is supported inside the cup using new cup geometries formed by a larger diameter and shallower projection than industry standard. The location of the cups on the torso and the use of fill (foam) contours inside the cups has given the bra new engineering, biomechanics and breast adaptability. In the present invention, biomechanical performance is an important factor considered in our engineering.

[0201] Two measurements describe industry standard cup sizes. One is diameter size and the other is projection. In the present application when cup size is described we are using the inner diameter size as the size. When the inner diameter is referred to, it is a means to describe an industry standard cup size rather than describing an actual diameter size. It is descriptive of the cup volume or breast mound diameter. Since volume and breast mound diameter measurements are not recognized as standard measurements in the industry we use the diameter size measurement attached to a standard cup size to describe the approximate volume the cup is meant to contain. When referring to the outside diameter size, that is the actual measurement of a diameter attached to a standardized size.

[0202] The term inner contour or inner diameter describes a diameter about the area between the apical well and the outer diameter. The inner diameter is about halfway between the two. The term outer contour describes the outer convex cup or pad.

[0203] The outer diameter or cup base is the larger diameter measurement.

[0204] The term foam or fill is used to describe any foam or elastic like material forming our contours. It is to be understood the word foam is a representation of a resilient material that can be used to contour and is not limited to a specific material. The cups may be of the molded type. The cups and or contours may be inserts, they may be separate pillow like forms, they may be placed into a sling or pocket.

[0205] The term around the body or body circling is used to describe the wings, band or side sections of the bra, that tensions the bra and keeps it on the body. It can refer to adhesive attachments that do not circle the body completely but are used to keep the bra on the body.

[0206] For body shaping it's all to do with negative ease, which means the garment is slightly smaller than the wearers body so that the wearers body adapts to conform to the shape of the garment. With a bra, the cut or shape of the bra moulds the breast into a more fashionable shape and position.

[0207] In the present invention a combination of tension and compression is used within the cup to support and shift the weight of the breast combined with tension and compression on the outside of the cup to contain and support the tension caused by the inner interaction. The compression on the inside of the cup is caused by the interaction between the interior cup contour material (fill), the breast and torso. The shape of the cup, the shape, density and flexible nature of the fill (foam) contour is an important component in the design. Combining the inner diameter together with the larger outer diameter, along with supporting the breast tissue in a flexible (i.e., foam) contour changes the cup dynamics, and makes it more adaptable to body movement and breast movement. The contours are designed to stretch and contract with the movement of the torso and the shift of the breast.

[0208] The inner and outer cup of the invention is designed to work with that movement. Industry bras are designed to contain the breast projection and weight by balancing and stabilizing the breasts on top of the rib cage. Traditionally, industry bra design is like a cantilever or suspension bridge. The weight of the breast is contained in cups supported by a band around the body to counterforce the cups and straps to support and hold up the weight.

[0209] Engineering for bra design hasn't changed very much in the past 70 years.

[0210] In the bra of the present application, the weight of the breast volume is contained in a contour between two diameters. The inframammary fold is supported inside the cup as opposed to prior art that uses the inframammary fold as the cup boundary.

[0211] We use a larger diameter than industry standard for the outer cup and perimeter combined with a second smaller diameter or contour of a second size to support the volume. Breast fullness is provided in the widthwise direction laterally, underneath and medially.

[0212] The bra contains the breast with the cup extending further medially, underneath and laterally both outwardly surrounding the outer perimeter FIG. 2(2) and inwardly surrounding the breast volume and inner cup perimeter.

[0213] We extended the breast root and extended the boundary using fill inside, underneath and around the sides, using larger wider cups outside to create a comfortable and well-fitting bra. The cups expand and enhance the breast root while compensating for actual lesser tissue volume inside. The cups have a wider than standard diameter on the outside (i.e., C diameter on a B cup) and fill inside the cup to support the breast and hold up the larger outer cup and diameter. We created a sculpted weighted look medially, underneath and laterally outside, using the contour geometry of a larger diameter. We used about a (i.e., 34C 4 diameter) on the outside of our cups to accommodate a smaller cup volume about (i.e., 34B 4 diameter) inside, with an outside projection about somewhere between (i.e., 2 -3) between an industry standard (34B) projection and industry standard (34C) projection. The inside breast projection would be equivalent to about a (34B 2 projection) measurement. Double fill cups use a diameter size two sizes larger than industry per projection. The double fill 34B uses a diameter size of about (34D 5 ) and an outside projection somewhere between (3-4) between an industry standard (34C) projection and industry standard (34D) projection. The cups have an inside criteria and an outside criteria. The inside is sculpted to support the breast and fill in the areas that are missing in volume. The cup location on the torso is designed to shift the breast with the turn of the ribcage. The outside is sculpted to have a simulated look of a beautiful bust. We weighted the outside perimeter to extend the curve for the larger diameter and also to act as an opposing force to the inside fill around the perimeter. Each cup has an extended diameter of about larger than industry standard diameters. The fill between the cup perimeter and the inner diameter (apical zone well) FIG. 7(14,15) forms the support for the breast. The weight of the breast tissue is supported by the inner contour not the rim of the cup FIG. 2(1).The depth, height, density of the inner contour support (crown) FIG. 3(4) crests acting as a fulcrum between the torso, and the breast. This crest can be described as a crown somewhere between the apical zone FIG. 3(3) and the outer diameter (cup base) FIG. 2(1). Depending on the style of bra (i.e., plunge, bandeau, demi etc.), the foam (fill) contour may extend around the entire perimeter. In an embodiment of a strapless bra, the contour may start from the top of the cup on the lateral side, around the armhole, around the lower perimeter, rounding to the top of the cup perimeter on the medial side.

[0214] The contour between the perimeter of the inner apical well and the larger diameter has a minimum width of about and a maximum width of about the perimeter of the apical well. The size and shape varies depending on the size of the cup and the design of the bra. A bandeau is a fuller cup design as opposed to a demi which is much smaller. Exercise and swim bras may use fabrications with stretch and wicking fabrics that may effect the geometry of the contour, and technology and smart bra styles may incorporate sensor strips that would need to be incorporated into the cup. Larger breasts have more volume than smaller breasts and may require less fill and or different contour geometries. An important feature in the bra of the invention is the interaction of the downward force between the weight of the breast tissue acting on the contour, and the interaction between the inner contour and the outer diameter. The crown of the inner contour acts as a fulcrum. The design of the contour is determined by the shape of the cup (bandeau, day bra etc.), the volume and size of the breast, the function of the bra, and the modulus of the materials,

[0215] The configuration of the inner contour is determined by the type, function and style of the bra. For example, a bandeau bra or strapless bra receives the breast in a generally balanced fashion. The inner contour fills the cup in an expanded U shape or an expanded inverted C. The plunge or pushup is designed to move the breasts toward the center of the body. The inner contour of the plunge may have a wider and higher contour (towards the top of the cup) on the lateral side than the medial side. It is well known in the industry that there are many different ways to fill a breast cup and direct the breast. Even though an expanded U shape or expanded inverted C is described, the contours forming the U and C can be divided into sections to create the same effect. The height of the contour and the density of the fill, is variable depending on the style and size of the bra. The geometries of the inside contours will always be different from industry size standards as the shape and dimensions of the pad/cup have different geometries than standard.

[0216] In general, an exercise bra is usually designed to constrain the breasts with compression or encapsulation or both, a yoga bra generally has less support, a running bra and crossfit more support. A smart bra may be designed for sensors to make contact with the skin surface.

[0217] The present invention may be designed with greater or lesser tension and compression depending on the bra's function.

[0218] The crest, or crown is designed to deform against the body when the bra is worn. This action pushes against the outer rim of the cup and expands the cup on the inside FIG. 14. If there is ample breast tissue in the cup, the contour will push the tissue up or in towards the center, depending on the inside contour and design of the bra. If there isn't excess tissue, the deformation will fill in areas of the cup that is empty.

[0219] The outside of the cup (the front cup) was designed to look like a well-proportioned breast based on the outer diameter, FIG. 9(22,23) and the inside (such as the apical well, and the inner surface such as the protruding pad) was designed with fill (foam) to compensate for the differences in volume, shape, and size and to hold up and fill out the outer cups larger diameter. An outer apex FIG. 2(11), on the outer surface was designed based on the proportional geometry of the outer cup irrespective of the position of the bust point placement inside the cup. An inner apical zone or well FIG. 3(3) was created for the breast apex to be placed somewhere between the inner contour crown and the top of the cup.

[0220] Breast tissue extends laterally to the mid-axillary line and medially to the center of the chest. The mid-axillary line is considered the anatomic edge border of the breast. In the brassiere of the application, the cup extends the boundary of the breast (breast root), differing from the present industry, which uses the breast root trace, (the inframammary fold). Thus, the brassiere of the invention gives a fullness or the illusion of fullness because the cup extends the natural anatomic border of the breast laterally, underneath and medially allowing a new method of enhancement and bra engineering and design to be obtained.

[0221] The extended breast root diameter enhances and supports the root in a way that has not been discussed before, and supports the breast tissue with foam which makes for a more comfortable fit. The flexibility of the foam and the larger cup enables the sizing to have greater accommodation for variations in breast size, shape and spacing. The wider breast root base allows the cup to be designed from a wider trajectory.

[0222] Because there is more cup on the body and foam counterforcing the cups, the cups with the extended breast root diameter, the underwire (or wireless) cup is maintained on the chest wall more securely, and does not lie up onto or press against the outside of the wearers breast tissue. The inframammary fold is supported inside the perimeter of the cup by approximately inch foam (the difference between standard diameter sizes). The foam may be concave on the inside and convex on the outside. In prior art the underwire or cup base is designed at the inframammary fold. The present embodiments make for a more comfortable fitting brassiere and enables the engineering and fit of the bra to work more efficiently.

[0223] The present brassiere contains the breast with the cup extending further laterally, outwardly and inwardly, instead of first projecting in the forward direction. The diameter of the breast can be enhanced at the root. In the present brassiere, the diameter of the arc of the cup wire (or wireless) is larger than in the current bras. A contour of greater fullness in the upper portion of the breast is created by the extension of the breast root and the extended enhancement of the lateral, lower and medial tissue.

[0224] The spacing between cups should be wide enough for the gore to contact the body, which is why we have developed a new system of measurement for an embodiment of the brassiere. We incorporated the spacing between the bust point location and the location of the cups on the band. By spreading out the cups and allowing the gore to sit flat against the chest wall the bra wings and cups are evenly distributed in tension and allow the bra to sit comfortably on the body.

[0225] Industry push-up bras push tissue from the sides and bottom and move the tissue to the cups. The brassiere of the invention positions the cups on the breasts and fills in the deficits. The brassiere includes pads that extend higher on the upper portion of the cup on the sides both medially and laterally, to fill in missing breast tissue and to hold up the larger cups. We surround the entire cup base perimeter with foam cresting somewhere between the cup perimeter and the apical well to enable the foam to counterforce the cup on the body and act as a fulcrum. We use the foam (fill) inside, around the cup to tension the cup against the body, along with the pull of the band. Dimensioning the cup with two cup size contours, surrounding the perimeter with foam on three sides, creating an apical well, is a new method of bra engineering.

[0226] This enables the cups (underwire, wireless etc.), gore, wings and straps (or strapless) to balance the forces of the bra and allow the design to work more effectively in tension and engineering. The inside bra cups are designed to contain tissue and fill (foam, etc.). The fill, fills in the tissue deficits in the cup, between the inner contour and the outer diameter, instead of relying on tissue that isn't there. We build the breast from out to in first, by using fill to fill in the larger diameter.

[0227] We prestress our cups using a combination of geometries, contours and foam. We created a force within the cups to expand the contour and shape the cup minimizing the need for maximum breast volume to fill out the cup. This is a great improvement over prior art.

[0228] Industry sizing is based on size aggregates, initial design of a fit model, and a tight fit to form bra.

[0229] If a person's size does not conform to the initial core size, it can be difficult to find a ready to wear bra that fits correctly.

[0230] Prior art designs the cups based on geometries of a semi-circle.

[0231] From a representative sample of bras, covering a wide range of styles, sizes and manufacturers, we sought to select a set of bra design features that differentiated Braverman's bras from the existing bras on the market. A total of 56 bras were used for the analysis: 15 from Braverman, and 41 from other prominent bra companies (see Table 1).

[0232] In Table 1, the following abbreviations for industry bras apply: [0233] Samantha Change is abbreviated as Chang. [0234] Gossamer is abbreviated as OG. [0235] Stella McCartney is abbreviated as Stella. [0236] Wolford is abbreviated as W and as Wolf. [0237] Walmart is abbreviated as Wal.

[0238] Conceptualized within a machine learning framework, what we were looking for was a classification schemea way to objectively delineate between what currently exists and the innovation that Braverman proposed. While many algorithms exist to solve the classification problem in general, we elected to use a support vector machine (SVM) for the task, as it is a non-probabilistic, binary classifier, capable of both linear and non-linear classification. In an SVM model, each of the bras are considered as data points and are mapped in space according to the values of their features. The model then finds the boundary between the points that maximizes the distance between the two categories.

[0239] To solve the SVM algorithms for the charts, the Python programming language and scikit-learn were used. Python version 2.7.6 (Python Software Foundation), and scikit-learn version 0.14.1 on a Linux (ubuntu 14.04) machine were used for the analysis.

[0240] As an illustration, consider what emerges when one plots the bras in a two-dimensional space, where the x-axis represents the projection of the bra from the chest, and the y-axis represents the diameter of the bra (see Graph 1). Each point represents a different bra: the red dots are Braverman's, and the blue dots are the industry's. Notice how Braverman's bras occupy a categorically separate region of the space, representing a novel relationship between diameter and projection. This distinction is made precise by the SVM model, which finds the boundary between the bras that maximizes the separation.

[0241] What we've illustrated graphically is that, to date, the existing bras lie below the diagonal line, whereas Braverman's reside above the line. This is a concrete, pictorial manifestation of a difference between Braverman's bras and the rest of the industry's. And the meaning should be made explicit as well: what we have here is a truly novel and radical departure from the existing theory of bra design.

[0242] Numerically, the SVM establishes a boundary on the new territory that Braverman has carved out for herself. For any new bra, one can mechanically check whether it resides below or above the SVM boundary by simply plotting the bra according to its projection and diameter. And thus one can tell immediately whether it encroaches on this novel design feature. For example, a bra with a 2-inch projection and a 5.5-inch diameter would fall within Braverman's newly created space; but a bra with a 3-inch projection and 5.5-inch diameter would not.

Methodology

[0243] We assigned each of the 56 bras to one of three major categories: bandeau, plunge, or day bra (see Table 2). The different styles reflect important structural variations in bra design; it is most meaningful to compare bras of the same styles. Within each of these major categories, we allowed for 2 subcategories to further control for stylistic variations, thus providing us with greater power to elucidate meaningful, structural differences in bra design. See Table 2.

[0244] For each bra, we obtained measures of 26 different features and selected the ones that provided absolute differences between Braverman's and the others'. See Table 2.

TABLE-US-00006 TABLE 2 Bra Projection A T CHIN CHOUT TIN 2 7 10.75 7 4.5 5 14 8.5 5.5 5 2 6.5 9.75 6.5 5 5.5 14.5 5 5.25 11 2.5 7 7 10 7 4.5 5.5 14.25 3 8 7.5 10.25 8 4.75 5.25 14 8 11 7.5 9.75 2.25 6.25 9 4.5 5 10.5 6.75 11 6 2.25 7 6.75 9.5 7 4.5 5 7 11.5 7 2.5 7.5 10.5 7.5 5.25 5.5 15 7.5 12 7.75 7.5 5.75 6.5 7.5 5.75 4.1 4 15 11 6.5 7 5.5 4.75 5 14 6.75 2.75 5.75 7.5 6.75 4.75 5.25 14 7 7 7.5 7.5 2.75 7 7.5 9.25 7 5.5 7 11 2.25 6.5 7.5 6 4.75 5.25 7.75 2.5 5.25 7 7.75 6.25 4.5 5.25 13.5 6 6 11 6.5 2.75 6.5 7.5 6.5 5.5 13.5 7 2.25 5.75 7 6 4.5 5.25 14.5 6 6 13 7.5 2.25 5.25 6.75 7.75 4.75 5 14.5 11 7.5 5.25 2.5 7 6.75 5 5.5 14.5 6.75 6.5 12 9.25 5.5 10.5 7.5 4 2.75 7.5 7 5.5 6 14.75 7 7.25 13 7.5 11.25 7.5 4.75 2 5.75 4 4.25 12 5.75 6 10 5 4.25 4.75 2 7 5.75 4 4.5 11 10.5 5 4.5 7.75 5.5 4.5 5 14 7 11 10.5 7 6 7 6 5.5 14.25 6.75 7 11.5 7 11 7.25 7.75 2.25 5.5 4.25 15 11 6 4 4.5 7.25 2.25 5 7.5 5 3.5 4 13 5.25 5 10 5.5 3.75 8.5 3.5 4.75 7.75 2.5 5.5 5.5 4 4.25 13.25 5.5 5.5 10.5 6 4 8.5 7.5 4 8.5 2.75 6 7 6 4.25 4.5 13.25 6.25 5.75 11 4.5 9.75 7.75 4.5 5.25 3 7.75 4.75 5.25 13.25 6.75 6 11.75 7.5 5 10 8 4.5 9.75 3.5 6.5 8.5 10 6.5 5 5.5 13.5 7 6.25 12 8 5.25 10.75 8.25 10 7 2.25 10.25 7 5.5 13.25 7.25 6.75 13 5.75 12 8.75 7 6 4.5 14 6.75 13.5 4.75 11 7 5.25 7 2.25 6 7 7.25 4.5 14.5 6 12 7 5.25 10 7 4 5.5 7 2.25 6.5 7 7 4.25 14 6.5 6.5 12 6.5 10 7 4 4.5 6.25 2.25 5.75 6.5 4 13.5 5.25 10 5.5 4.375 8.8 4 4.5 6 3 6.5 4.25 14.5 6.5 10 6 4.75 10 4 7.5 5 13.5 7 12 7.5 5.5 11 5.5 5.5 7.5 2.75 7 7 4.5 7.5 12 7.5 5 5 8.5 3 7.75 5 7.75 3 7.5 7.75 0.0 10.0 7.75 5 11 5 5.5 10 10 14.25 9 7.5 12 7 12 5.5 5.75 11.5 10 12 5.5 3 10.25 12 5 8 5.75 5 10.5 3.5 11 7 14 5 9 6.5 11 5 11 7 7 11.25 4.75 6.75 11 5 11.25 1.5 7 6.5 12 6.5 4.5 10 5 5.5 2.25 5.25 6.5 8.25 4 6.25 4.5 10 4.5 2.5 6 7.5 8 7 5 14 6 7 10 5 1.75 6 7 8.5 4.25 14 5.5 5.25 4.5 7.75 1.75 5.75 7 8.5 4.5 14 4.5 4.5 5.75 10 2.25 7 7.25 10.75 7.5 5 14 7 5.5 5 9.25 5.25 10.5 2.75 7.5 11 6 4 14 7.5 8.75 2.5 7.5 9 2.75 9 9.5 8.75 2.5 7.5 9 9 9.5 indicates data missing or illegible when filed

TABLE-US-00007 TABLE 2 WIRETIP- WIRE- CTOMEDARC SAGCURVE APEXOUTTOP APEXOUTBOT APEXINTOP APEXINBOT STYLE SPREAD DEPTH RELAXDIAM 5 3 2.25 2.75 2.25 2.75 1 5.25 3.25 6 4 3.5 2.25 3.25 2.5 2.25 1 5 2.875 5.5 4.5 3.5 2 3.5 2.25 3 1 5.25 3 6 4.5 2.5 2 3.25 2.25 3 1 5.25 3.375 7 4 2.5 2 3 1.75 2.75 1.5 4.75 2.75 6 4.5 3 2 3.25 2 5 1.5 5 2.875 5 3.25 2.25 3.5 2.25 3.5 1.5 5.375 3 6.5 4 2.25 1.5 3.5 1.25 3 1.5 4.75 2.125 5.5 4.5 3 1.5 3.5 1.5 3.25 1.5 5 2.375 6 4.75 3 1.75 3.5 1.75 3.5 1.5 5.25 2.525 4.75 2.75 2 2.5 2 5. 1.5 5.5 2.2.75 5.5 3 2.75 2 3 1.5 2.75 2 4.5 2 5.25 3 2.75 1.5 3.5 2 3 2 4.75 2.25 5.5 3 3 2 3.5 2.25 3.25 2 5 2. 6 3 3 2 3 2.5 2.25 2 5.5 2.25 6 3.25 2.5 2 5 2 5 2 4.875 2.125 5.75 4 2.5 2 5.75 2.5 3.25 2 5.25 2.25 6 4 3 2.25 3.75 2.25 3.75 2 5.5 2.375 6.5 3 2.25 1.5 2.75 1.5 2.75 2 4.375 1. 5 3 2.25 1.5 3 1.5 3 2 4.375 1. 5 3 2.5 2 2.25 2 3.25 3 4.75 2.5 5.75 3 2.5 2.25 2.25 2.25 2.75 3 5 2.5 6.25 3.25 2 1.75 2.25 1.75 2.25 3 4.75 2.25 5.75 3 2 1.5 2.25 1.5 2.25 3.5 4.25 2.25 5.5 3.5 2.25 1.5 2.75 1.5 2.75 3.5 4.625 2.25 6 4 2.25 1.5 3 1.5 3 3.5 5 2.5 4 2.5 2 3 2 3 3.5 5.25 2.75 6.5 4.5 3 2 3.5 2 3.5 3.5 5.5 2.875 7.25 5 2.75 2.25 3.75 2.25 3.75 3.5 5.875 3.125 7.5 4 3 2.25 3 2.25 2.5 3 3.25 2.5 3.5 2.5 3.5 3 3 2.5 3 2.5 2.5 3 2.5 1.5 2 2.5 2 2 2.5 4.25 1.75 5 2.25 2 2 3 2 4.5 2.5 3.5 2.25 2.25 3 2.25 3.5 2.5 5.75 2.5 5.5 3 2 2 3.5 2 2.75 2.5 2.5 2.25 2 2 3.75 2.25 3 2.5 3.5 3 3.5 4 3.25 3.75 2.5 4 3 2.25 4 2.5 3 1 4.5 3.5 2.5 4.5 2.75 3.5 1 5 3.5 2.25 2.75 2.25 2.7 1 5.5 2.5 2.25 2.75 2.25 2.7 1 3.5 2.75 2 2.5 2 2.25 3 5.125 2.25 5. 3 3 4 3 3.75 3 4 3 2.5 2.75 2.5 2.75 3 3.5 2.25 2.75 2.25 2.5 2 5 2.5 2.25 3.25 1 1 2 2 2 3 3 3 indicates data missing or illegible when filed

[0245] A key component in the analysis was the realization that projection played a pivotal role in differentiating Braverman's line of bras, and thus all two-dimensional plots incorporated the bra's projection. Effectively, the differences in bra design exist with respect to the bras' projection.

[0246] The chart of FIGS. 38 and 39 discloses the geographical points measured on the present brassiere and the prior art brassieres:

[0247] After selecting meaningful features, all bras of a given style were plotted in two-dimensional planes, and the SVM model was computed to find the boundary between the bra designs. In most cases linear SVMs were sufficient, but polynomial kernels were used in instances where more accurate extrapolation was needed at the edges. See the graphs of FIGS. 21-37.

Results

[0248] 1. Bandeau

[0249] The following 5 features of bra design showed categorical differences between Braverman's bras and the industry's, when considering all subtypes of the Bandeau (full cup) style with respect to each bra's projection: [0250] i. i. CToMedArc (Graph 3) [0251] ii. ii. CupToCupin (Graph 4) [0252] iii. iii. OuterUL(Graph 5) [0253] iv. iv. T(Graph 6) [0254] v. v. Underwire(Graph 7)

[0255] When restricting attention to just those bras that are of the same subtype as Braverman's (i.e. Wolford, Prism Cab), the following feature also produced meaningful differences: [0256] i. Diameter(see Graph 8)

[0257] 2. Plunge

[0258] For the plunge style, 3 features emerged as effective classifiers across all subtypes: [0259] i. Diameter(Graph 9) [0260] ii. CupToCupin(Graph 10) [0261] iii. ChOut(Graph 11)

[0262] 3. Day Bras

[0263] Finally, for the day bras, 4 features differentiated Braverman's bras from all the others, across all subtypes: [0264] i. Diameter(Graph 12) [0265] ii. Underwire(Graph 13) [0266] iii. CToMedArc(Graph 14) [0267] iv. CupToCupin(Graph 15)

[0268] 4. All Bras

[0269] With wires. For all bras with a wire, we were able to measure an additional feature that effectively distinguished between Braverman's and the industry's bras, namely the WireTipSpread(Graph 16)

[0270] Similar subtype. Across all major styles, all bras in similar subcategories as Braverman's bras can be classified using the diameter to projection relationship (Graph 17).

[0271] Compete set of bras. And in the most far-reaching result of our analysis, all bras measured for inner-cup-to-cup distance show a clear distinction between Braverman's and the rest of industry's (Graph 18).

[0272] For the above described graphs, the table below shows the bounds:

TABLE-US-00008 BANDEAU UPPER BOUND LOWER BOUND CENTER TO MED ARC 8 4 PROJECTION 5 1 CUP TO CUP IN 17 11 OUTER UNDERWIRE 16 7 LENGTH TOP 13 5 INNER UNDERWIRE 16 7 LENGTH INNER DIAMETER 8 5 PLUNGE PLUNGE INNER DIAMETER 9 4 PROJECTION 5 1 CUP TO CUP 17 10 CENTER HEIGHT OUT 11 4 DAY BRA INNER DIAMETER 8 5 PROJECTION 5 1 INNER UNDERWIRE 16 7 LENGTH CENTER TO MED ARC 8 3

[0273] The curves that were used to separate the present bras from the prior art bras can also be defined using formulas. For each curve, there is an equation relating diameter to projection that describes the boundary between the present bras and prior art bras; for any Projection (x) value, the equation will return a Diameter (y) value, above which all of the present bras fall, and below which all of the prior art bras fall.

[0274] The equation for each curve is provided below. [0275] Graph 3: y=1.76x+0.79 [0276] Graph 4: y=1.32x+9.25 [0277] Graph 5: y=0.52x+9.39 [0278] Graph 6: y=2.09x+2.55 [0279] Graph 7: y=1.02x+7.58 [0280] Graph 8: y=0.64x+4.06 [0281] Graph 9: y=0.51x+4.80 [0282] Graph 10: y=3.27x+4.81 [0283] Graph 11: y=2.00x+0.62 [0284] Graph 12: y=0.32x+5.14 [0285] Graph 13: y=1.43x+4.80 [0286] Graph 14: y=1.00x+1.75 [0287] Graph 15: y=0.84x+11.28 [0288] Graph 16: y=0.76x+3.61 [0289] Graph 17: y=0.68x+4.08 [0290] Graph 18: y=0.69x+11.24

[0291] For the AllAngleStrictLinear.png (top angle measure): y=16.69x+140.31

[0292] For the BandeauAngleStrictLinear.png: y=14.45x+133.26

[0293] For the DayAngleAllLinear.png: y=16.08x+139.93

[0294] For the PlungeAngleAllLinear.png: y=15.82x+140.80

[0295] In the present brassiere, using a larger diameter and shallower projection changes the shape of the pad. The inner contour is designed wider and higher than industry contours based on those differences FIG. 3(7,9).

[0296] Pendulous breasts fall down and to the side in their natural state. Industry takes them from the side, brings them to the center and lifts them up. The present brassiere extends the area of the breast root by using larger diameters for the cup than the standard diameter industry grade FIG. 8(20). Instead of attempting to move the breast apex to the bra in the center of the body, the brassiere of the invention contains the breast tissue in a foam like surround FIG. 8(17,18,19) and positions the breast in the cup at the root and redefines the lateral, lower and medial edge of the breast. Depending on the amount of fill inside the cup, the fill can lift the breast tissue and create a globulosity of the upper portion of the breast if that is desired. This globulosity can create cleavage in a different way than pushing breasts together from the sides. The fill can be used to make the breast tissue compact on three sides, FIG. 8(17,18,19) centers the mass and contains the volume of the breast using contours, tension and compression. The fill between the inframammary fold and the inner contour acts as compression between the torso and the cup perimeter FIG. 3(6). The inner contour using a larger diameter per size as a base FIG. 8(17) and the combination of an inner diameter FIG. 8(16) and outer diameter FIG. 8(17) is a new method of breast support. The cups are designed using tension and compression within the cups to conform to the movement of the body as it turns. By using larger diameters per inside volume the fill surrounding three sides FIG. 3(5,6) can be used to expand or contract the newly shaped cup perimeter. The outside of the cup was created to look like a well-proportioned breast based on the outer diameter, and the inside was designed to compensate for the differences in volume, shape and sizes.

[0297] Fullness in lateral, lower and medial positions provides that the bust is supported in a natural position FIG. 13. This is a much more comfortable position than trying to uncomfortably move tissue to an apex. Instead of taking breast tissue and trying to push it forward, we are maximizing its appearance first by filling out the breast laterally, underneath and medially. By spreading the breast tissue wider FIG. 13(101) (using three sides of the cup with foam and a larger diameter) we support and enhance the breast tissue in a different manner. This is more natural, and comfortable to the wearer. The contour FIG. 13(100) between the wider outer diameter and inner apical well counterforces the bra.

[0298] The foam on the wider inside pads FIG. 7(14) make the cups more adaptable to a variety of breast shapes while also increasing the accuracy of the fit with the foams cushioning characteristic.

[0299] This also makes the engineering of the bra fit better and more comfortably.

[0300] It makes the bra more adaptable to breast variations.

[0301] In the prior art, the tight fitting diameter of the underwire or wireless cups have too small of a diameter to contain the breasts comfortably against the ribcage and move comfortably with the breast tissue.

[0302] The tight fit also does not allow room for variation in the cups or for differences in breast shapes and tissue distribution.

[0303] By using a larger (than standard) size diameter on the outside and a smaller breast volume on the inside, and cushioned fill inside this invention gives the customer new and different choices in fit, comfort and sizes.

[0304] The brassiere of the invention contains the breast in a larger contoured cup. Our cup is a smaller cup size on the inside (i.e. C cup) and a larger size cup (and diameter) on the outside (i.e. D cup).

[0305] The brassiere of the invention also includes pads on the upper portion of the cup that extend higher FIG. 3(9) and wider FIG. 3(7) than in the prior art to fill in the deficits of the larger diameter outside cup and to counterforce the cup on the torso.

[0306] The wider cups and gore spacing of our sizing enables the cups to be located on the rib cage so that the bra, cups and rib cage all work together with the turn of the body (FIG. 14). The wider cups and the location on the ribcage make the cups adaptable to the movement of the body. The gore spacing places the bra on the rib cage where it needs to be. The bra cup is engineered to work with and react to the ribcage. This is very different engineering than prior art. As the body turns, the interaction between the inner contour of the cup and the outer cup diameter moves the breast tissue within the cup and shifts the gelatinous tissue to conform to the cup position and body angle.

[0307] By changing the dimensions of the standard proportion for cup design, and using cushioned fill inside the cup as a counterforce there is more cup on the body than standard per size FIG. 13. The extended width in the cup allows the cup to conform to the ribcage and better adapt to the turn of the body FIG. 9(21). The location the cup sits on the body is important FIG. 10(24). The wider cup and fill combination and the different gore sizing allows the center gore FIG. 2(26) to sit flat against the sternum. The bra wings and cups are evenly distributed in tension allowing for a much more comfortable fit and enabling the bra to move comfortably with the body.

[0308] By extending the cup diameter a counterforce is created using fill (foam) within the cup.

[0309] Pressure placed on the inner foam contour by the torso when the bra is tightened to the body supports and lifts up the breast FIG. 9(23A), while also expanding the perimeter of the cup FIG. 15. The inner foam of the inner contour between the inner diameter and the outer diameter pushes the lower perimeter of the outer cup contour out giving the cup an appearance of weight FIG. 12. The inner foam contour between the inframammary fold and the cup perimeter acts as a fulcrum FIG. 3(6) as opposed to prior art which uses the underwire (cup base) at the inframammary fold.

[0310] The diameter in industry bra sizing and engineering is designed to fit the breast tissue in a semi-circular shape at the inframammary fold, the breast circumference. The breast tissue and breast perimeter is supported by an underwire or wireless cup, which along with approximately wire splay laterally in concert with the band counterforces the bra against the rib cage.

[0311] Straps are used to support the bra and lift the weight of the breast tissue.

[0312] In the bra of the invention the fill (foam, etc.) using foam like properties surrounds the breast on three sides taking the tension off the breast and cup perimeter. We created a comfortable and well-fitting bra by creating a counterforce between the bust, the cups, and the wings using foam and contours to counterbalance the cups and give the illusion of weight and mass in the cup. Tension engineering was used to make the bra fit comfortably by balancing tension between the bust and the body.

[0313] Tension is dispersed by using wider cups (than industry standard per projection) with foam inside the cups counterforcing the thorax FIG(9). An inner apical zone is created by the inner contour for variations in bust point spread. This is very different from prior art. In prior art the cup is designed for the breast tissue to be positioned inside the cup to an apex.

[0314] The website Her Room teaches breast tissue is malleable. For best results, lean forward and place your breasts in your cup making sure your breast apex (nipple) is in the deepest point in your cup before fastening your bra.

[0315] In the present invention, using larger diameters than the inframmamary fold standard, and using wider cups positioned on the body between the center line of the body and the mid axillary line, allows the pull of the cups to be spread over a wider distance. The location from under the armpit is a better tension pull point than from the front of the body under the breast.

[0316] The pull of the cup from around the mid axillary line allows the gore to sit flat against the sternum which is necessary for proper bra engineering. The fill inside the cup counterforces the torso on three sides of the breast and supports, centers and compacts the breast tissue inside the cup.

[0317] Surrounding the breast tissue with foam on three sides and using an inner contour diameter and an outer contour diameter changes the engineering, design and function of the bra.

[0318] The inside foam surrounds the breast tissue from three sides and makes it dense.

[0319] The breast tissue is contained in the cup in a solid mass surrounded in a material (fill) that compresses and expands as the body moves. The compact breast mound finds a natural center FIG. 7(15) between the cup and the fill. Our cups are designed with a wider base and shallower projection than industry standard. Something with a wide base and a low height, has a low center of gravity in relation to the rest of the object.

[0320] The mass of all objects is said to act around one point that is known as the center of gravity. It is around this point that the object can balance, but also where it's weight is exerted downwards.

[0321] The bra is designed with an understanding of the flexural modulus of the material, incorporating a constant interplay between a bending stress and the resulting strain.

[0322] When the force load is even across the forms geometric center, it is concentric. The tension created between the band, the outer cup and the compression against the inner foam crown is it's own counter.

[0323] In prior art, the underwire (or seams in a wireless cup perimeter) is the cup stabilizer to the breast, along with the pull of the wings and the support of the straps.

[0324] The weight of the breast is supported by the structure of the cup design containing the breast (encapsulation), the stretch of the fabric on the cups (compression), the placement of the cups, the bra design (plunge, day, bandeau etc.), the tension of the band and the tension of the straps.

[0325] In bras designed as compression and encapsulation, the weight of the breasts counterforce the cups along with the band around the body.

[0326] Bras are designed to fit tight to form to a model breast size based on averages and then are scaled up and down from that form.

[0327] The band is designed to have ease using the stretch of the material, the straps are adjustable and the hooks are variable to adjust to the wearers torso.

[0328] Fill (foam) is used in the cups acting as a pushing force from the side or the bottom of the cup to create cleavage or to add projection. The perimeter of the fill (foam) is designed within the geometries of the cup perimeter.

[0329] Different materials behave differently when subject to compression and tension forces.

[0330] The intrinsic quality or strength of material determines the tensile load it can carry.

[0331] When it comes to compression, length and cross sectional shape are important.

[0332] The shape of an object can affect it's ability to carry compressive forces.

[0333] In materials science, the strength of a material is it's ability to withstand an applied load without failure. A load applied to a mechanical member will induce internal forces within the member called stresses, when those forces are expressed on a unit basis. The stresses acting on the material cause deformation of the material in various manner. Deformation of the material is called strain when those deformations too are placed on a unit basis. The applied loads may be axial (tensile or compressive) or shear. To access the load capacity of a member, a complete description of the geometry of the member, it's constraints, the loads applied to the member and the properties of the material of which the member is composed.

[0334] The key to quality engineering is a design that will bear load and distribute force in the best way possible. One of the simplest and widely used structures is the arch. The arch is able to reduce shear tension and tortional stress by taking advantage of the compressive force on the arch and making the whole structure stable horizontally. In an arch, the keystone bears the brunt of the force from the mass above it. Force is transferred horizontally along the components of the arch all the way to the supporting abutments, which are positioned securely on the ground. The more compressive force is placed on the keystone, the stronger the arch becomes.

[0335] The contours of the cups of this invention support the breasts and the bra using arch technology. The inner contour diameter and the larger outer diameter form an arch.

[0336] The center front of a bra is like the keystone on an arch of a bridge, it holds the bra together and carries the majority of the stress of the bra.

[0337] By using a wider diameter than the breast root (inframammary fold) and using foam surrounding the diameter the foam pressing against the rib cage FIG. 3(8) expands and spreads the diameter

[0338] This is a tremendous solution to cup design because most cups are reliant on breast tissue to fill the cup and spread the wire. If the breast tissue doesn't fill the cup completely, or even if it does it is difficult to spread the wire unless the bust is extremely full. Many women's breast are not dense enough to bring about this action.

[0339] When bras are designed they are designed on a model with perfect, full, dense breasts which most women don't have. Most industry bra designs require the breasts to fill the cups completely. Most women do not have breasts as full or perfect as the breasts the bras were designed for. There are also many different ways the breasts are positioned on the body which the ready to wear system does not accommodate in it's sizing structure.

[0340] The stretch fabric from the outer cup FIG(11), the pull of the wings FIG. 2(12) laterally FIG. 15 and the wider spread of the larger diameter per volume creates a force against the body

[0341] The inner foam stretches with the pull of the wings FIG. 15 and expands against the body and also pushes out the cup and the diameter medially, underneath and laterally.

[0342] The wider cups and shallower projection per size, allow the tips of the wire cups to spread in a hyperbolic direction and engage in arch action FIG. 15.

[0343] The inner supportive foam surrounding the diameter pushes against the cup rim using foams expansion to spread the wires

[0344] The geometries used for the bra cups along with the compressive strength of the foams properties create a new form of breast containment and engineering.

[0345] As the center front is pushed downwards by the load above it, (the breast and foam) it's curve pushes outward onto the arch. The forces are spread sideways, rather than downwards, and thence around the arch. Ultimately the entire load is transferred partly down and partly out to either side of the center.

[0346] In this application the outer cup/inner cup diameter to projection ratio is different from industry standard and industry engineering. Because of that, all geometries, curves and contours are different from industry bras.

[0347] By altering the dimensions of the pad or cup, the perimeter is less circular.

[0348] The lower curve is similar to an oblate spheroid. In an embodiment using a molded cup the inner contour is formed using opposing inner concave and outer convex curves.

[0349] When the pad, is inserted into a bra frame (and or underwire), the interaction between the bra frame or underwire prestresses the cup. The combination between the pad and the frame and between the pad contours and the body, forms an intrinsic property that varies depending on the level of fill, density, the pad shape, the contour shape, the volume of the breast, and the angle of the ribcage.

[0350] The prestressed cup has a force of its own using the interaction of the foams properties, the interior curve against exterior curve and the cup or underwire and bra frame geometry. In an embodiment, the concave fill (foam) on the inside of the cup pushes against the concave fill on the exterior of the cup. The interior and exterior shape of the bra cup is formed by this action. The curve of the breast starting from the inframammary fold to the apical zone compresses the inner contour causing a reverse curve to secure the foam to the torso FIG. 15 and the foam against the breast. The interior shape is pushed out by the interaction between the torso and the breast thus pushing out the exterior contour of the cup FIG. 14. The bra cup is less reliant on the breast to fill out the shape of the cup. This is a very important feature particularly for breasts that do not match the breasts of the initial core model size and do not fill out a bra cup size completely. The cup and bra move in concert with the torso and the breast, bra, cups and torso work in a biomechanical unity.

[0351] When the bra is put on the body due to the new geometries of this invention, several unique things happen within the bra cup.

[0352] The foams (fill) properties inside the cup make the breast tissue dense from three sides FIG. 8. The inner foam contour manipulates the mass and supports the inner volume and inframammary fold inside the cup FIG. 9(21A). This is very different from industry standard using the inframammary fold as the perimeter of the cup.

[0353] Positioning the inframammary fold inside the cup using the foam contour as support along with the stretch of the cup from the pull of the wings on the body when worn supports and lifts the breast tissue FIG. 10(24A). The pulling force on the interior foam also pushes the foam against the thorax. This action causes a reverse curve inside the cup with the interior (fill) foam.

[0354] The outside contour with a wider curve than the interior contour supports the reverse curve with fill creating a wedge between the reverse curve and the exterior contour FIG. 10(24A).

[0355] The inner contour acts very differently from the outer contour.

[0356] The spring line of the arch is equivalent to the diameter of the cup base measured from the top of the cup arc medially to the top of the cup arc laterally. In prior art, the underwire, or wireless cup is designed to spring (expand) approximately from the lateral side to allow the bra to adjust to the breast and the body. This action is reliant on the pull from the wings and the weight of the breast against the underwire (or wireless cup). If the band is not tight enough or the breast tissue does not fill out the cup this action will not engage.

[0357] The springing in the bra of the invention is caused by the interaction of the tension between the inner contour and the outer underwire (or cradle cup) pulled tight on the torso. It is not necessarily reliant on the breast tissue. The cup is prestressed by the foam and the contours on all sides (medially, underneath and laterally) eliminating much of the need for the breast and ribcage to stress the cups. This is a great advantage over prior art.

[0358] Many breasts are asymmetrical or do not match the breast volume of the original fit model. Since prior art bras are designed to interact with the tension and weight of the breast it is very important for the tissue to fill out the cup completely to have the bra fit comfortably. If the breast tissue doesn't fill the cup completely, the bra will not work properly and all other functions of the bra will not work properly.