Cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere or the like

1. A cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere comprising:

an inner sleeve containing the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major outside surfaces and opposed elongate edges;

a cushioning material covering at least one of the two major outside surfaces; and

a panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges;

wherein the first and second elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric is each folded over one said opposed elongate edge of the inner sleeve containing the underwire to substantially cover the cushioning material.

2. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 1 , wherein the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric overlaps the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to form a casing.

3. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 2 , wherein a casing formed by the panel of outer fabric is sealed by bonding an inwardly facing region proximal to the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to an outwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric.

4. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 3 , wherein the casing is bonded to the inner sleeve.

5. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 3 , wherein an inwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric is bonded to a major surface of the inner sleeve.

6. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 1 , wherein the cushioning material is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the inner sleeve.

7. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 1 , wherein the cushioning material is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the inner sleeve by lamination.

8. The cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 1 , wherein the cushioning material is selected from one or more of foam, fiber fill, silicon gel, or a bladder filled with air or fluid.

9. A brassiere comprising:

a pair of breast cups;

a connector securing together an inner edge of each of the breast cups;

a back wing or pair of back wings for securing the brassiere to the torso of a wearer;

an underwire disposed about a lower periphery of each breast cup;

a cushioning structure for the underwire comprising:

an inner sleeve for receiving the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major surfaces and opposed elongate edges;

a cushioning material covering at least one of the major surfaces; and

a panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges;

wherein the first and second elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric each folds over an opposed elongate edge of the inner sleeve to substantially cover the cushioning material.

10. The brassiere according to claim 9 , wherein the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric overlaps the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to form a casing.

11. The brassiere according to claim 10 , wherein a casing formed by the panel of outer fabric is sealed by bonding an inwardly facing region proximal to the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to an outwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric.

12. The brassiere according to claim 9 , wherein an inwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric is bonded to a major surface of the inner sleeve.

13. The brassiere according to claim 9 , wherein the cushioning material is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the inner sleeve.

14. The brassiere according to claim 9 , wherein the cushioning material is bonded to at least one of the major surfaces of the inner sleeve by lamination.

15. The brassiere according to claim 9 , wherein the cushioning material is selected from one or more of foam, fiber fill, silicon gel, or a bladder filled with air or fluid.

16. A method of making a cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere, the method comprising the following steps:

providing an inner sleeve containing the underwire, the inner sleeve having two major outside surfaces and opposed elongate edges;

covering at least one said major outside surface of the inner sleeve with a cushioning material;

bonding a panel of outer fabric to the inner sleeve with the cushioning material secured thereto, the panel of outer fabric having first and second opposed elongate edges which extend beyond the opposed elongate edges of the inner sleeve;

folding the first and second opposed elongate edges of the panel of outer fabric which extend beyond the elongate edges of the inner sleeve with the cushioning material secured thereto to substantially cover the cushioning material; and

trimming the cushioning structure to fit an underwire.

17. A method of making a cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 16 , wherein the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric is folded so as to overlap the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric.

18. A method of making a cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of bonding an inwardly facing region proximal to the second elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to an outwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric.

19. A method of making a cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 16 , further comprising the step of bonding an inwardly facing region proximal to the first elongate edge of the panel of outer fabric to a major surface of the inner sleeve.

20. A method of making a cushioning structure for an underwire of a brassiere according to claim 16 , wherein the bonding occurs by means selected from one or more of an adhesive or one or more stitches.