Breast cup and method of manufacture

Abstract

There is provided a breast cup for a brassiere comprising an outer layer and an inner layer attached to the outer layer. The breast cup also comprises first and second opposing pieces of fabric positioned between the inner and outer layers, wherein the first and second opposing pieces of fabric are preferably affixed to the inner and outer layers respectively. At least a portion of the first opposing piece of fabric is movable relative to at least a portion of the second opposing piece of fabric. A method of manufacturing the breast cup is also provided.

1 . A breast cup comprising:
 an outer layer;   an inner layer attached to the outer layer; and   first and second opposing pieces of fabric positioned between the inner and outer layers;   wherein at least a portion of the first opposing piece of fabric is movable relative to at least a portion of the second opposing piece of fabric.   
     
     
         2 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second opposing pieces of fabric are affixed to the inner and outer layers respectively. 
     
     
         3 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is in a region of the lower portion of the cup which provides support and uplift. 
     
     
         4 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is over substantially the entire cup. 
     
     
         5 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the breast cup further comprises an underwire positioned between the outer layer and the second opposing piece of fabric and the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is in the region of the underwire. 
     
     
         6 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second opposing pieces of fabric consist of fabric that facilitates the relative movement between the pieces. 
     
     
         7 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein a gap is provided between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         8 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , further comprising a filler material provided between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         9 . The breast cup up of  claim 1 , wherein the breast cup is a molded breast cup. 
     
     
         10 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein at least one of the inner and outer layers comprises a fabric-foam laminate. 
     
     
         11 . The breast cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first and second opposing pieces of fabric are affixed to each other along at least a portion of the periphery of the opposing pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         12 . A method for producing a breast cup comprising:
 providing an inner layer;   providing an outer layer;   providing first and second opposing pieces of fabric between the inner and outer layers; and   affixing the inner layer to the outer layer,   wherein at least a portion of the first opposing piece of fabric is movable relative to at least a portion of the second opposing piece of fabric.   
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of affixing the first and second opposing pieces of fabric to the inner and outer layers respectively. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the steps of:
 spraying the inner and outer layers with adhesive;   placing the first and second opposing pieces of fabric between the inner and outer layers; and   moulding the inner and outer layers with the opposing pieces of fabric therebetween to form a molded breast cup.   
     
     
         15 . The method of  claim 14 , wherein the step of moulding the inner and outer layers with the opposing pieces of fabric therebetween comprises moulding one of the inner and outer layers by itself, and then moulding, as a set, the inner and outer layers with the opposing pieces of fabric therebetween. 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is provided in a region of the lower portion of the cup which provides support and uplift. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is provided over substantially the entire cup. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein the method further comprises placing an underwire between the outer layer and the second opposing piece of fabric and wherein the relative movement between the first and second opposing pieces of fabric is provided in the region of the underwire. 
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising the step of affixing the first and second opposing pieces of fabric to each other along at least a portion of the periphery of the opposing pieces of fabric. 
     
     
         20 . A molded brassiere comprising a first breast cup and a second breast cup wherein each breast cup comprises:
 an outer layer;   an inner layer; and   first and second opposing pieces of fabric positioned between the inner and outer layers, the first and second opposing pieces of fabric affixed to the inner and outer layers respectively;   wherein at least a portion of the first opposing piece of fabric is moveable relative to at least a portion of the second opposing piece of fabric.