AIR-PERMEABLE ELASTOMERIC BRA CUP

Abstract

A bra cup includes a convexo-concave body having an inner face and an outer face. The body is a silicone foamed elastomer made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group. The body includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure. The bra cup is light, soft, elastomeric, air-permeable, durable, and non-deformable while providing wearing comfort and providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a bra cup. In particular, the present invention relates to an air-permeable bra cup.

2. Description of the Related Art

Bras may provide a support for the bosom of the user while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance. FIG. 1 of the drawings illustrates a conventional bra cup 90 comprising an inner layer of cloth 93, an outer layer of cloth 92, and a padding member 91 between the layers of cloth 92 and 93, providing a convexo-concave structure. The padding member 91 is generally made of polyurethane foam (PU foam) or polyvinyl alcohol foam (PVA foam) or a combination thereof. Since these materials are thermoplastic, the elastomericity and thermal stability of the resultant padding member 91 are not satisfactory. Further, the padding member 91 is apt to deform.

The padding member 91 is formed by heating the material to a temperature of 170-190° C. at a high pressure for a long period of time to obtain the required convexo-concave outline at the cost of the elastomericity and softness. Further, the air-permeability of the padding member 91 is scarified, as the edges of the padding member 91 are greatly compressed. Further, the color of the layers of cloth 92 and 93 changes and the elastomericity of the layers of cloth 92 and 93 is adversely affected when proceeding with long-term high-temperature/high-pressure bonding of the padding member 91 and the layers of cloth 92 and 93.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that is soft, highly elastomeric, durable, non-deformable, and shock-absorptive. Another objective of the present invention is to provide a bra cup that can be in intimate contact with the skin of the user and that is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

A bra cup in accordance with the present invention comprises a convexo-concave body including an inner face and an outer face. The body is a silicone foamed elastomer made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group. The body includes a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure. The bra cup is light, soft, elastomeric, air-permeable, durable, and non-deformable while providing wearing comfort and providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

In an embodiment, the inner face of the body comprises a bulged lower section.

In another embodiment, the body comprises a hollow lower section. The body may comprise two half pieces that are bonded together. Further, the body may comprise a bladder mounted in the hollow lower section. Preferably, the bladder contains fluid therein.

In a further embodiment, the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof and a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof for absorbing sweat.

Other objectives, advantages, and novel features of the invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a sectional view of a conventional bra cup.

FIG. 2 is a sectional view of a first embodiment of a bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a sectional view of the bra in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of a third embodiment of the bra cup in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a fourth embodiment of the bra in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 7 is a sectional view of a fifth embodiment of the bra in accordance with the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Referring to FIG. 2, a first embodiment of a bra cup in accordance with the present invention comprises a body 11 that is convexo-concave to suit the profile of the bosom of a user. The body 11 includes an outer face 16 and an inner face 17. In this embodiment, the body 11 is made of silicone foamed elastomer. The body 11 includes a plurality of densely distributed holes in the interior and the surface of the body 11, providing a highly air-permeable, highly elastomeric structure.

In manufacture, a first silicon oil containing OH functional group (such as HO(Me₂SiO)_nH) and a second silicon oil containing H functional group (such as (CH₃)₃SiO((SiHCH₃)O)_nSi(CH₃)₃) are filled into a mold for a bra cup and dehydrating crosslinking reaction is carried out under catalyzing by platinum catalyst at room temperature to form a foamed elastomer (i.e., the body 11). The mold may be heated to a temperature of 70-120° C. to accelerate foaming. Fillers may be added to reinforce the body 11. Once formed, the shape of the body 11, even heated, does not change. The body 11 is soft, highly elastomeric, durable, non-deformable, and shock-absorptive. Further, when in use, the body 11 is in intimate contact with the skin of the user and is air-permeable to provide wearing comfort while providing an aesthetically pleasing appearance and a comfortable sense of touching. This is because the body 11 is a silicone foamed elastomer with high air-permeability.

FIGS. 3 and 4 illustrate a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 12 with an inner face 16 and an outer face 17. Further, the inner face 17 includes a bulged lower section 171 to lift the bosom of the user, providing an aesthetically pleasing effect.

FIG. 5 illustrates a third embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 13 with an inner face 16 and an outer face 17. Further, a layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 20 is mounted to the outer face 16 of the body 13, and a layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 21 is mounted to the inner face 17 of the body 13. Each layer of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 20, 21 may absorb sweat without sacrificing the air-permeability. Further, the layers of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 20 and 21 may provide an aesthetically pleasing effect.

FIG. 6 illustrates a fourth embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 14 having a hollow section. Preferably, the hollow section is at a lower portion of the body 14. Preferably, the hollow section is in the form of a chamber 18.

FIG. 7 illustrates a fifth embodiment of the invention, wherein the bra cup includes a body 15 that is formed by two half pieces 19 and 190 that are bonded together by spot bonding. Each half piece 19, 190 is a silicone foamed elastomer manufactured in a mold in a manner mentioned above. Further, an air chamber 18 is delimited between the half pieces 19 and 190. In this embodiment, a bladder 30 is mounted in the chamber 18 by bonding, and fluid 31 such as oil, air, water, or powders can be filled in the bladder 30. The bladder 30 is formed by bonding two pieces of elastomeric plastic films by heat pressing to provide a sealed space for containing the fluid 31.

It is noted that the layers of air-permeable, elastomeric cloth 20 and 21 in the fourth embodiment can be used in other embodiments.

Although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications and variations are still possible without departing from the essence of the invention. The scope of the invention is limited by the accompanying claims.

Claims

1. A bra cup comprising:

a convexo-concave body comprising an inner face and an outer face, the body being a silicone foamed elastomer made from a first silicon oil containing OH functional group and a second silicon oil containing H functional group, and the body including a plurality of holes in an interior and a surface of the body, providing an air-permeable, elastomeric structure.

2. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the inner face of the body comprises a bulged lower section.

3. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body comprises a hollow lower section.

4. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body comprises two half pieces that are bonded together.

5. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body comprises a bladder mounted in the hollow lower section.

6. The bra cup as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bladder contains fluid therein.

7. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

8. The bra cup as claimed in claim 7, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.

9. The bra cup as claimed in claim 2, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

10. The bra cup as claimed in claim 9, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.

11. The bra cup as claimed in claim 3, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

12. The bra cup as claimed in claim 11, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.

13. The bra cup as claimed in claim 4, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

14. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1 3, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.

15. The bra cup as claimed in claim 5, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

16. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1 5, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.

17. The bra cup as claimed in claim 6, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the inner face thereof.

18. The bra cup as claimed in claim 1 7, wherein the body further comprises a layer of air-permeable cloth mounted to the outer face thereof.