Bra wing with integrated gripping technology

Abstract

Difficulties with designing strapless bras include ensuring that they are comfortable, breathable, and that they do not slide down on the wearer's body. Many strapless bra designs use elastic bands or high friction polymer coatings to keep the bra in place. These additions can be uncomfortable and add weight to the bras. The bra wings disclosed herein have exposed elastic threads that grip the wearer's body to resist sliding. They are comfortable and light-weight, with free-cut edges that ensure a smooth look on the wearer's body. Single-layer construction and lack of high-friction coatings or elastics ensure breathability. Methods of making the bra with integrated gripping technology are also disclosed herein.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A bra comprising:
 a bra wing having an exterior surface and an interior surface, the interior surface comprising a region with exposed elastic threads configured to directly contact the body of a wearer; and   wherein the bra wing has a free-cut superior and inferior edge.   
     
     
         2 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the region is a vertical segment stretching from the superior edge to the inferior edge of the bra wing. 
     
     
         3 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the region with exposed elastic threads is the entire interior surface of the bra wing. 
     
     
         4 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the region with exposed elastic threads is devoid of horizontally extending seams. 
     
     
         5 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the region with exposed elastic threads is devoid of horizontally extending adhesives. 
     
     
         6 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the region with exposed elastic threads is devoid of any coatings having a higher coefficient of friction than the interior surface. 
     
     
         7 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing comprises a blend of nylon and elastane. 
     
     
         8 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing comprises from 60% to 95% elastane and from 5% to 40% nylon. 
     
     
         9 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing comprises a knit fabric. 
     
     
         10 . The bra of  claim 9 , wherein the bra wing comprises a circular knit fabric. 
     
     
         11 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing comprises spacer fabric having an outer component, an inner component, and a spacer component. 
     
     
         12 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the outer component comprises a blend of nylon and elastane. 
     
     
         13 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the inner component comprises 100% elastane. 
     
     
         14 . The bra of  claim 11 , wherein the spacer component comprises elastane. 
     
     
         15 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the linear density of the exposed elastic threads is at least 80 denier. 
     
     
         16 . The bra of  claim 15 , wherein the linear density of the exposed elastic threads is from 80 denier to 280 denier. 
     
     
         17 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing has a tension force of from 5 N to 40 N at 30% elongation, from 15 N to 60 N at 50% elongation, and from 25 N to 80 N at 70% elongation in the length direction. 
     
     
         18 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing has a tension force of 5 N to 40 N at 30% elongation, from 15 N to 60 N at 50% elongation, and from 25 N to 80 N at 70% elongation in the width direction. 
     
     
         19 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra has a strapless configuration. 
     
     
         20 . The bra of  claim 19 , wherein the bra has at least one connector for a detachable strap. 
     
     
         21 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing is formed from a single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         22 . The bra of  claim 21 , wherein the single layer of fabric is spacer fabric. 
     
     
         23 . The bra of  claim 21 , wherein the exposed elastic threads are knit into the single layer of fabric. 
     
     
         24 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in the width direction at 100 N load. 
     
     
         25 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in the length direction at 100 N load. 
     
     
         26 . A method of making a bra, the method comprising:
 knitting elastic threads into a fabric such that the elastic threads are exposed on a region of a surface of the fabric;   cutting at least one bra wing from the fabric;   attaching at least one bra wing to a breast support portion such that the elastic threads are exposed on a region of an interior surface of the bra wing; and   leaving superior and inferior edges of the bra wing in a free-cut state.   
     
     
         27 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein cutting the bra wing from the fabric comprises cutting the bra wing such that the exposed elastic threads stretch from a superior edge to an inferior edge of the bra wing on at least one vertical segment. 
     
     
         28 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein cutting the bra wing from the fabric comprises cutting the bra wing such that the exposed elastic threads stretch the entire interior surface of the bra wing. 
     
     
         29 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein knitting elastic threads into a fabric comprises circular-knitting the elastic threads into the fabric. 
     
     
         30 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein knitting elastic threads into a fabric comprises knitting an inner component, an outer component, and a spacer component. 
     
     
         31 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein cutting at least one bra wing from the fabric comprises cutting a left wing and a right wing, and attaching at least one bra wing to the breast support portion comprises attaching the left wing and right wing to the breast support portion. 
     
     
         32 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein attaching at least one bra wing to a breast support portion comprises attaching the bra wing to at least one cup. 
     
     
         33 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in the width direction at 100 N load. 
     
     
         34 . The method of  claim 26 , wherein the bra wing has an elongation of from 85% to 180% in the length direction at 100 N load.