Abstrict A bra sheath comprising a sheath-body and a plurality of lugs attached
to the inner surface of an elongated liner. The sheath-body and
liner define a tunnel for an underwire. A softness layer is disposed
adjacent the liner outer surface. The bra sheath is formed by folding
the liner and softness layer along the medial line to form a longitudinally
extending internal cavity. The liner and sheath-body are comprised
of woven fabrics including interlocking warp and weft threads. At
least some of the threads are comprised of heat fusible materials
that are melted during processing to bond the woven fabric of the
liner and sheath-body.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A bra sheath, which comprises a sheath-body that can hold an
underwire, characterized by the fact that the sheath-body is attached
to an inner surface of a liner, and including at least one row of
lugs in the inner surface of the liner in a position corresponding
to the underwire in the sheath-body.
2. A bra sheath according to claim 1 wherein there are two rows
of lugs in the inner surface of the liner, and a gap between the
two rows of lugs.
3. A bra sheath according to claim 1 wherein said sheath-body
and liner are woven from a plurality of warp threads and a plurality
of weft threads interlocked as a whole, and there is at least one
piece of heat fusible thread among at least one of the warp threads
and the weft threads, and wherein the warp threads and the weft
threads are bonded to form the inner surface of the sheath-body
and the surface of the liner separately after melting the heat fusible
thread.
4. A bra sheath according to claim 3 wherein said sheath-body
is woven from synthetic warp threads, which warp threads are comprised
alternately of a heat fusible thread and an elastic nylon thread,
each interlocked with the weft threads.
5. A bra sheath as recited in claim 4 characterized by the fact
that the warp threads are comprised of two pieces of elastic nylon
thread and two pieces of heat fusible thread in alternating order.
6. A bra sheath according to claim 5 wherein said weft threads
are comprised of nylon thread, urethane elastic thread, or combinations
thereof, and the weft threads forms a softness layer on the outer
surface of the liner.
7. A bra sheath according to claim 3 wherein said sheath-body
and the liner are woven from synthetic weft threads, which weft
threads are comprised of a heat fusible thread and an elastic nylon
thread in alternating order, each interlocked with the warp threads.
8. A bra sheath according to claim 7 wherein said weft threads
are comprised of two pieces elastic nylon thread and two pieces
of heat fusible thread in alternating order.
9. A bra sheath according to claim 8 wherein said warp threads
are comprised of nylon thread, urethane elastic thread or combinations
thereof, and the warp threads forms a softness layer on the outer
surface of the liner.
10. A bra sheath comprising: an elongated liner folded along a
medial line and having an inner surface; a sheath-body having opposing
edges attached to the liner inner surface to define a tunnel between
the liner inner surface and the sheath-body; a plurality of lugs
attached to the liner inner surface; and a softness layer disposed
adjacent an outer surface of the folded liner.
11. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein the lugs and the tunnel
project from opposing sides of the liner inner surface in a face
to face relationship.
12. The bra sheath of claim 10 further comprising an underwire
in the tunnel.
13. The bra sheath of claim 10 consisting of a flattened tubular
structure defining an internal cavity therein.
14. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein the liner is a fabric closely
woven from interlocked threads.
15. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein at least one of the liner
and sheath-body is a fabric woven from interlocking threads comprising
a heat fusible thermoplastic material.
16. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein at least one of the liner
and the sheath-body is a fabric woven from threads comprising a
heat fusible thermoplastic material interlocked with threads selected
from nylon, urethane and combinations thereof.
17. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein at least one of the liner
and the sheath-body is a fabric woven from threads comprising a
heat fusible thermoplastic material interlocked with threads selected
from nylon, urethane and combinations thereof and subjected to heat
after weaving to melt the heat fusible threads and bond the fabric.
18. The bra sheath of claim 10 wherein the liner is a fabric woven
from threads selected from nylon, urethane and combinations thereof,
wherein the liner threads form the softness layer.
19. A brassiere comprising: a bust cup; a bra sheath comprising:
an elongated liner folded along a medial line and having an inner
surface; a sheath-body having opposing edges attached to the liner
inner surface to define a tunnel between the liner inner surface
and the sheath-body, wherein at least one of the liner and the sheath-body
is a fabric closely woven from threads comprising a heat fusible
thermoplastic material interlocked with threads selected from nylon,
urethane and combinations thereof and subjected to heat after weaving
to melt the heat fusible threads and bond the fabric; a plurality
of lugs attached to the liner inner surface; and a softness layer
formed by the woven threads of the liner and disposed adjacent an
outer surface of the folded liner, the softness layer being secured
along a lower portion of the bust cup; and an underwire disposed
in the tunnel.
Description This application claims the benefit of Chinese Patent Application
No. 02134359.4 filed Jul. 16 2002 and Chinese utility model application
02271753.6 filed Jul. 16 2002.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a kind of fabric. More particularly
the present invention relates to a bra sheath used in woman's support
apparel such as a brassiere, swimsuit and/or simple nightdress.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In woman's brassieres it is the common practice to provide a tubular
pocket or sheath, for example below a brassiere cup, in which a
support wire, frequently referred to as an "underwire"
is received to assist in maintaining the shape of the cup. The conventional
bra sheath is comprised of fabric. The fabric is woven from weft
and warp threads. Typically, the fabric is loosely woven and may
easily be penetrated by the metal support wire in the bra sheath
leading to injury of the user. The tendency of the support wire
to pierce through the fabric of the bra sheath also complicates
laundering of the brassiere. To avoid this problem conventional
bra sheaths are comprised of multiple fabric layers, which not only
consumes more fabric, but also makes the bra sheath harder and very
uncomfortable to the wearer.
There have been attempts to improve the structure of brassieres.
One such attempt is disclosed in Chinese patent of publication number
CN 2332197 Y (Application Number: ZL 98 2 03044.4) entitled: Massage
Bra By Human Natural Force and published on Aug. 11 1999. This
Chinese patent discloses a brassiere having a liquid bag in the
inner surface of a bra-cup and a massage cloth containing unsmoothed
type small lugs in the outer surface of the liquid bag. The liquid
bag is filled with different proportions of liquids each having
a different specific gravity. When the user moves the different
liquids in the liquid bag collide, mix and separate to cause small
vibrations. The Chinese patent claims that the disclosed construction
can produce a beneficial vibration massage effect for the user compared
to an ordinary brassiere. However, the above structure increases
brassiere weight and if the brassiere with this structure is used
with steel support wires there may be the danger of liquid leakage
from the steel wire end head piercing the liquid bag.
Chinese patent of publication number CN 2240871 Y (Application
Number: ZL 95 2 12886.1) entitled Supported Health Bra and published
on Nov. 27 1996 discloses a health bra improving bra sheath strip.
This disclosure illustrates placing a protruding platform on the
lined brassiere sheath strip in the arc of under part of existing
bra and in inner side keeping in touch with the chest. The Chinese
patent claims that this arrangement provides a healthy massage to
guarantee that lymph liquid circulates normally. However the brassiere
sheath strip is still a loosely woven textile layer that is easily
pierced by the support wire, resulting in injuring the user, so
it is not ideal to use yet. There remains a need for a bra sheath
that will lessen or eliminate the problem of the metal support wire
piercing the loose textile layer of a brassiere sheath.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of the invention is to offer a simple and comfortable,
safe and reliable bra sheath that is more resistant to piercing
by a support wire.
Briefly, in one advantageous embodiment, a safety bra sheath comprises
a woven fabric liner having an inner surface, an outer surface,
opposing edges and a longitudinally extending medial line. An elongated
fabric sheath body having opposing edges is attached to the liner
so that one sheath body edge is adjacent one liner edge and the
opposing sheath body edge is disposed toward the opposing liner
edge. The sheath body edges are attached to the liner. The material
of the sheath body intermediate the attached edges is free of the
liner so that a tunnel for an underwire is formed. A plurality of
lugs or beads is attached to, and projects from, the liner inner
surface. A softness layer is disposed adjacent the liner outer surface.
The bra sheath is formed by folding the liner and the softness
layer along the medial line so that the liner edges meet and are
attached. The liner inner surface of the formed bra sheath defines
an internal cavity. The wire tunnel and lugs project from opposing
sides of the inner cavity. Advantageously, the lugs oppose the wire
tunnel within the internal cavity. In some preferred embodiments,
the internal cavity substantially extends the length of the bra
sheath.
In this embodiment the liner and sheath-body are each a single
layer, closely woven fabric comprised of interlocked warp threads
and weft threads. At least some of the fabric threads comprise a
heat fusible thermoplastic material. Other materials of the fabric
threads are selected from elastic nylon, nylon, elastic urethane,
urethane and combinations thereof. The materials can be alternated
during weaving, for example alternating heat fusible threads and
elastic nylon threads and alternating nylon and elastic urethane
threads. The fabric is heated after weaving to melt the heat fusible
threads and bond the fabric.
The open structure of the formed bra sheath with the internal cavity
increases the thickness of the formed bra sheath, provides a cushioning,
gasbag type protection layer and improves the resistance of the
bra sheath to penetration by the support wire. The inventive bra
sheath is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, more comfortable
to the user and saves raw materials and weight compared to a conventional
bra sheath having multiple layers of fabric in a solid cross section.
The bonded fabric of the liner and sheath-body is more resistant
to penetration by an underwire, the formed bra sheath as a whole
retains flexibility and the softness layer increases comfort to
a user.
In general, the invention may be alternately formulated to comprise,
consist of, or consist essentially of, any appropriate components
herein disclosed. The invention may additionally, or alternatively,
be formulated so as to be devoid, or substantially free, of any
components, materials, ingredients, adjuvants or species used in
the prior art compositions or that are otherwise not necessary to
the achievement of the function and/or objectives of the present
invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Other objects and advantages of the invention will be evident to
one of ordinary skill in the art from the following detailed description
made with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is an illustration of an unfolded bra sheath.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged sectional view taken along the lines of 2--2
of FIG. 1
FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view of the formed bra sheath.
FIG. 4 is an illustration of the woven components of the inventive
bra sheath.
FIG. 5 is an illustration of part of a a bra incorporating the
inventive bra sheath.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
One aspect of the invention is an elongated bra sheath 10 (shown
best in FIG. 3), comprising an elongated fabric liner 12 having
an inner surface 14 an outer surface 16 opposing edges 18 20
and a longitudinally extending medial line 22. An elongated fabric
sheath body 24 having opposing edges 26 28 is attached to the liner
so that one sheath body edge 26 is adjacent one liner edge 18 and
the opposing sheath body edge 28 is disposed toward the opposing
liner edge 20. The edges 26 28 of the sheath body 24 are attached
to the liner 12 by, for example, weaving, stitching, heat bonding
or adhesive bonding. The material of the sheath body 24 intermediate
the attached edges 26 28 is free of the liner so that a tunnel
30 for an underwire is formed. Advantageously, the sheath body is
attached to one side of the medial line 22 as shown in FIG. 2. In
some preferred embodiments, the sheath body substantially extends
the length of the liner 12. A plurality of lugs or beads, each 34
is attached to, and projects from, the liner inner surface 14. Advantageously,
the lugs 34 are disposed in two, longitudinally extending rows opposite
of the medial line 22 from the sheath body 24. The lugs are formed
from a plurality of longitudinally extending stretch nylon yarns.
The nylon yarns forming the lugs 34 are interleaved at spaced positions
38 with threads in the liner 12 using a needle loom. The interleaved
yarns and threads attach the lugs 34 to the liner 12. In one advantageous
embodiment the lugs 34 intermediate the spaced positions 38 are
adjacent, but not attached to, the liner inner surface 14. A softness
layer 36 is disposed adjacent the liner outer surface 16.
The bra sheath 10 is formed by folding liner 12 and softness layer
36 along the medial line 22 so that the liner edges 18 20 meet.
The liner inner surface 14 of the formed bra sheath 10 defines an
internal cavity 40. The wire tunnel 30 and lugs 34 project from
opposing sides of the inner cavity 40. Advantageously, the lugs
34 oppose the wire tunnel 30 within the internal cavity 40. In some
preferred embodiments, the internal cavity 40 substantially extends
the length of the bra sheath 10.
Stitching 38 joins the liner edges 18 20 and attaches the formed
bra sheath 10 to the apparel. It may also be possible to use two
lines stitching (not illustrated), one line adjacent edges 18 20
and the other line adjacent the medial line 22 to form the bra
sheath and attach it to the apparel. In the joined condition, surface
42 of the softness layer 36 will be adjacent the wearer. The underwire
32 will be separated from the wearer by the softness layer 36 the
liner 12 the lugs 34 the internal cavity 40 and the sheath body
24.
The open structure of the formed bra sheath 10 with the opposing
lugs 34 and wire tunnel 30 within the internal cavity 40 increases
the thickness of the formed bra sheath 10 provides a cushioning,
gasbag type protection layer and improves the resistance of the
bra sheath to penetration by the support wire. The inventive bra
sheath 10 is simple in structure, easy to manufacture, more comfortable
to the user and saves raw materials and weight compared to a conventional
bra sheath having multiple layers of fabric in a solid cross section.
Advantageously, the liner 12 and sheath-body 24 are each a single
layer, woven fabric comprised of interlocked warp threads 44 and
weft threads 46 as shown in FIG. 4. Advantageously at least one
of the warp threads 44 or weft threads 46 is a heat fusible thread
48 comprised of a thermoplastic polymer. Nylon having a melting
point range of about 85.degree. C. to about 100.degree. C. has been
found suitable for use as a heat fusible thread. The woven fabric
is heated to melt the heat fusible thread 48 and bond the woven
warp and weft threads within the fabric.
Advantageously, the warp threads 44 comprising the fabric used
for the liner 12 and sheath-body 24 can comprise heat fusible thread
48 and elastic nylon thread 50 interlocked with weft threads 46.
As one example, advantageous for making the invention stick firm
and reliable and easy to manufacture, the warp threads 44 in the
fabric of the liner 12 and sheath-body 24 are comprised of alternating
heat fusible threads 48 and elastic nylon lines 50. The weft threads
46 in the liner 12 and sheath-body 24 can be selected from nylon
thread, elastic urethane thread and combinations thereof. Advantageously
the softness layer 36 is formed by the warp and weft nylon threads.
Alternatively, the weft threads 46 comprising the fabric used for
the liner 12 and sheath-body 24 can comprise heat fusible thread
54 and elastic nylon thread 56 interlocked with warp threads 44.
As one advantageous example the weft threads 46 in the liner 12
and sheath-body 24 are comprised of alternating heat fusible threads
54 and elastic nylon lines 56. The warp threads 44 in the liner
12 and sheath-body 24 can be selected from nylon thread, elastic
urethane thread and combinations thereof. Advantageously the softness
layer 36 is formed by of the warp and weft threads.
While preferred embodiments of the foregoing invention have been
set forth for purposes of illustration, the foregoing description
should not be deemed a limitation of the invention herein. Accordingly,
various modifications, adaptations and alternatives may occur to
one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope
of the present invention.
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