Cradle structure for a garment cup

Abstract

The present disclosure generally relates to a cradle structure ( 200 ) for forming a garment cup in a garment. The cradle structure ( 200 ) comprises: a fabric layer ( 210 ) comprising a cradle centre region ( 212 ) and a cradle peripheral region ( 214 ) surrounding the cradle centre region ( 212 ); a polymer peripheral layer ( 220 ) formed on the cradle peripheral region ( 214 ) for stiffening the cradle peripheral region ( 214 ) to enhance support of a user's breast wearing the garment cup; and a polymer band layer ( 230 ) joined to the cradle peripheral region ( 214 ) below the cradle centre region ( 212 ) for elasticizing the cradle structure ( 200 ) to fit the garment on the user, wherein the cradle structure ( 200 ) is shaped to volumize the cradle centre region ( 212 ) and accommodate different shapes ( 240 ) of the garment cup.

1 . A cradle structure for forming a garment cup in a garment, the cradle structure comprising:
 a fabric layer comprising a cradle centre region and a cradle peripheral region surrounding the cradle centre region;   a polymer peripheral layer formed on the cradle peripheral region for stiffening the cradle peripheral region to enhance support of a user's breast wearing the garment cup; and   a polymer band layer formed on the cradle peripheral region below the cradle centre region for elasticizing the cradle structure to fit the garment on the user,   wherein the cradle structure is shaped to volumize the cradle centre region and accommodate different shapes of the garment cup.   
     
     
         2 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer has varying stiffness that increases towards the cradle centre region to enhance support of the cradle centre region. 
     
     
         3 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer comprises a polymer outer region laterally outside of the cradle centre region for laterally supporting the cradle centre region. 
     
     
         4 . The cradle structure according to  claim 3 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer comprises a polymer inner region laterally opposite the polymer outer region across the cradle centre region, the polymer inner region for laterally supporting a centre gore region between garment cups of the garment. 
     
     
         5 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer band layer comprises a ribbed structure. 
     
     
         6 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the cradle structure is shaped by a moulding process. 
     
     
         7 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the fabric layer comprises a spacer fabric material. 
     
     
         8 . The cradle structure according to  claim 7 , wherein the spacer fabric material comprises one or more of cotton, polyester, spandex, and nylon. 
     
     
         9 . The cradle structure according to  claim 1 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer and polymer band layer comprise silicone. 
     
     
         10 . The cradle structure according to  claim 9 , wherein the silicone comprises colour pigments. 
     
     
         11 . A method of making a cradle structure for forming a garment cup in a garment, the method comprising:
 forming a fabric layer comprising a cradle centre region and a cradle peripheral region surrounding the cradle centre region;   forming a polymer peripheral layer on the cradle peripheral region for stiffening the cradle peripheral region to enhance support of a user's breast wearing the garment cup;   forming a polymer band layer on the cradle peripheral region below the cradle centre region for elasticizing the cradle structure to fit the garment on the user; and   shaping the cradle structure to volumize the cradle centre region and accommodate different shapes of the garment cup.   
     
     
         12 . The method according to  claim 11 , further comprising trimming the cradle structure after shaping the cradle structure. 
     
     
         13 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein shaping the cradle structure comprises moulding the cradle structure. 
     
     
         14 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer has varying stiffness that increases towards the cradle centre region to enhance support of the cradle centre region. 
     
     
         15 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer comprises a polymer outer region laterally outside of the cradle centre region for laterally supporting the cradle centre region. 
     
     
         16 . The method according to  claim 15 , wherein the polymer peripheral layer comprises a polymer inner region laterally opposite the polymer outer region across the cradle centre region, the polymer inner region for laterally supporting a centre gore region between garment cups of the garment. 
     
     
         17 . The method according to  claim 11 , wherein the polymer band layer comprises a ribbed structure. 
     
     
         18 . A garment component for forming garment cups of a garment, the garment component comprising a pair of cradle structures according to  claim 1 , wherein the cradle structures are joined together. 
     
     
         19 . The garment component according to  claim 18 , wherein the cradle structures are joined together by a dividing region at a centre gore region that enables the cradle structures to separate from each other. 
     
     
         20 . A garment comprising a pair of garment cups, each garment cup comprising a cradle structure according to  claim 1 .