Bra with Storage Pocket

Abstract

Each cup of the bra is provided on the inside with a zippered pocket. An intermediate ply of resilient foam material in each pocket is deformable on one side about an item in the pocket while remaining in smooth even contact on an opposite side with the outer ply of the cup. Each side panel of the bra may also have a zippered pocket on the inside.

Description

This invention relates to a bra with one or more storage pockets.

As is known, various types of bras have been fabricated with pockets or pouches in order to hold items, such as, credit cards, car keys, cell phones and the like. Examples of such bras are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,364,491; 6,626,733; 6,176,761; 2,503,847 and 2,492862. Generally, the fabrication of the pockets in these bras has been such that the pockets or pouches have been readily visible to others than the user. In addition, when items are placed in the pockets, bulges appear in the outside of the bra.

Accordingly, It is an object of the invention to provide a pocket in a bra for receiving one of more items that is conveniently located for the wearer.

It is another object of the invention to provide a concealed pocket in a bra for receiving one of more items.

It is another object of the invention to provide a bra with a built-in pocket that does not present any aesthetically displeasing bulges due to the presence of one or more items in the pocket.

Briefly, the invention provides a bra comprised of a pair of cups wherein each cup is of multi-ply construction with a built-in pocket.

In particular, each cup has an outer ply of material, an inner ply of material secured to the outer ply to define an enclosed space and an intermediate ply of resilient foam material disposed between the outer ply and the inner ply. In addition, a fourth ply of material is sewn or otherwise secured to the inner ply in order to form the built-in pocket with an opening extending along the upper section of the cup.

In accordance with the invention, the intermediate ply of foam material is characterized in being deformable on one side about an item in the pocket while being in smooth even contact on an opposite side with the outer ply. That is, the intermediate ply is of a relatively soft deformable material so that an item in the pocket of a cup presses into the foam material without creating a bulge on the opposite side (the outside) of the intermediate ply. For example, the foam material is made of a breathable viscoelastic memory foam which is pressure-absorbing in nature, similar to a temperpedic pillow. This foam material will also prevent perspiration in the breast cup area.

In one embodiment, the outer ply of each cup of the bra is of a harder material than the intermediate ply of foam material to ensure that the softer intermediate ply does not cause a bulge in the outer ply when one or more items are placed in a pocket of the cup.

In order to provide for closure of a pocket, each cup has a zipper sewn into the inner ply in a conventional manner. Typically, the zipper is disposed along an upper section of a cup to allow for convenient access to the pocket therein. In addition, each cup has a flap on the inner ply for covering over the zipper in order to provide keep the zipper from contacting the skin of a wearer, Typically, the flap is made of a soft material that is compatible with the use of the bra.

In another embodiment, the bra is fabricated with at least one side panel that extends laterally of the pair of cups and that is provided with a pouch for receiving a small item, such as a credit card. In this embodiment, a zipper is provided for closing the pouch along with a flap for covering over the zipper.

The bra of the invention may be constructed in any suitable manner or style, for example for use as an everyday bra, a multiway bra or a sports bra.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of an everyday bra constructed in accordance with the invention on the body of a user;

FIG. 2 illustrates a view of the inside of a multiway bra constructed in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 illustrates a view of a side panel of the bra of FIG. 2 with a pocket in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective front view of a sports bra in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 5 illustrates a side view of he sports bra of FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view taken on line 6-6 of FIG. 2.

Referring to FIG. 1, the bra 10 is of generally conventional structure and style for use as an everyday bra having a pair of cups 11 connected to a gore 12 in a cleavage zone (i.e. the middle of the bra 10), an underwire 13, a pair of side panels 14 (only one of which is shown) that can be connected together at the back of the bra 10 in any conventional manner and a pair of shoulder straps 15.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the bra 10 is constructed and styled for use as a multiway bra wherein each cup 11 is of multi-ply construction with a built-in pocket 16.

Referring to FIG. 6, each cup 11 has an outer ply of material 17, an inner ply of material 18, e.g. sewn to the outer ply 17, and an intermediate ply 19 of resilient foam material disposed between said outer ply 17 and inner ply 18. In addition, a fourth ply of material 20 is sewn or otherwise secured to the inner ply 18 in order to form the pocket 16 with an opening extending along the upper section of the cup 11.

A zipper 21 is sewn between the third and fourth plys 18, 20 in order to provide a closure for the pocket 16. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the zipper 21 in the left-hand cup 11 has a slider 22 that moves from left to right to open the pocket 16 while the zipper 21 in the right-hand cup 11 has a slider 22 that moves from right to left to open the pocket 16 therein.

In addition, a flap 23 is secured on the inner ply 18 of each cup 11 for covering over the zipper 21 in order to provide keep the zipper 21 from contacting the skin of a wearer. Typically, the flap 23 is made of a soft material that is compatible with the use of the bra 10. As illustrated, the flap 23 extends across the upper edge of the cup 11 and is of a suitable width to cover over a zipper 21.

Each pocket 16 is sized to provide ample space for receiving one or more items (not shown). As illustrated, each pocket 16 occupies a major fraction of the back of a cup 11. However, the each pocket 16 may be made of a smaller size, for example, of a size to snugly receive a cell phone.

In accordance with the invention, the intermediate ply 19 of resilient foam material is characterized in being deformable on one side about an item (not shown) in the pocket 16 while remaining in smooth even contact on an opposite side with the outer ply 17. That is, the intermediate ply 19 is of a relatively soft deformable material so that an item in the pocket 15 of a cup 11 presses into the foam material without creating a bulge on the opposite side (the out side) of the intermediate ply 19 or in the outer ply 17. For example, the intermediate ply 19 is one-half inch thick and is made of a breathable viscoelastic memory foam which is pressure-absorbing in nature.

In one embodiment, the outer ply 17 of each cup 11 of the bra 10 is of a harder material than the intermediate ply 19 to ensure that the softer intermediate ply 19 does not cause a bulge in the outer ply 17 when one or more items are placed in a pocket of the cup.

Referring to FIG. 3, each side panel 14 (only one of which is shown) of the bra 10 is provided with a pouch 24 for receiving a small item or items, such as a credit card 25 and key 26. In similar manner to the pocket 16, the pouch 24 is formed by a panel 27 of fabric sewn or otherwise secured to the side panel 14, a zipper 28 and a flap 29 for covering over the zipper 28.

Referring to FIGS. 4 and 5, wherein like reference characters indicate like parts as above, the bra 10′ may be fabricated as a one-piece sports bra with cups 11, support straps 15 and a back 30. As above, each cup 11 has a pocket 16 for receiving one or more items. In addition, a pouch 24 is provided in the side of the bra 10′ for receiving small items, 25, 26.

The invention thus provides a bra with concealed built-in pockets that provide a smooth even appearance with one or more items in the pockets.

Further, the invention provides a bra with one or more concealed pockets that can be readily accessed by the wearer and closed utilizing zippers for quick and easy access and closure.

Claims

1. A bra comprising

a pair of cups;

each said cup having an outer ply of material, an inner ply of material secured to the outer ply, an intermediate ply of resilient foam material disposed between said outer ply and said inner ply, and a fourth ply of material secured to said inner ply to form a pocket therewith with an opening extending along the upper section of the cup, said intermediate ply being characterized in being deformable on one side thereof about an item in said pocket while being in smooth even contact on an opposite side thereof with said outer ply.

2. A bra as set forth in claim 1 wherein said outer ply of each said cup is of a harder material than said intermediate ply.

3. A bra as set forth in claim 1 wherein each said cup has a zipper in said inner ply thereof for closing said pocket thereof.

4. A bra as set forth in claim 3 wherein each said cup has a flap on said inner ply thereof for covering over said zipper.

5. A bra as set forth in claim 3 wherein said zipper of each said cup is disposed along an upper section of each said cup.

6. A bra as set forth in claim 1 further comprising at least one side panel extending laterally of said pair of cups and having a pouch therein, a zipper for closing said pouch and a flap for covering over said zipper.