PROTECTIVE LINGERIE CASE

Abstract

A foldable, rectangular, protective lingerie case with internal coupleable and removable protuberances, that is resistant to pressure. The protective lingerie case is semiflexible, foldable and manufactured in fabrics or leathers with polypropylene reinforcement and foam layers on all four sides and on the upper lid. It stores, transports, protects and conserves the shape of lingerie, especially of brassieres, in closed and narrow spaces, ensuring that the initial shape of thermoformed brassieres is kept intact. The protective lingerie case safeguards the bra's function and use features by avoiding deformation of the stored garment and guaranteeing its durability and design.

Description

PRIORITY

This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119 to Colombian Patent Application No. 07-032940 filed on Apr. 2, 2007. Colombian Patent Application No. 07-032940 is hereby incorporated by reference.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates generally to a collapsible case or packaging with internal removable couplings, pockets and structural reinforcements intended to store and transport lingerie, protecting their shape, especially brassieres, ensuring that their initial shape is kept intact and maintaining their function and use features by avoiding deformation.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Modern brassieres make wide use of thermoformed cups, the concave shape of which must be carefully protected so as not to affect their curvature and thus always give the bust perfect roundness.

Lingerie companies invest great amounts of money annually in researching new technologies to produce innovative designs of totally thermoformed and seamless brassieres. These designs have already been introduced on the market and have received great acceptance for their comfort, shaping of the bust, quality of material, texture and, especially, for the “look” they provide.

Thermoformed products tend to become deformed to a certain degree when exposed to factors that act against the shape they were given with heat during their manufacture. In the case of brassieres, the slightest indentation in the cups generates a distortion in the bust that is not attractive. Although the material used to make the cups has an excellent resistance to folds, after several hours in the same position, as may be the case of a brassiere in a traveling bag, the damage may be irreversible.

Despite the fact that great amounts of money are invested annually in developing new technologies to create brassieres, up to now the advances have been minimal in finding a way to care for and maintain the shape of this important garment during storage and transportation.

Today you can find plastic folding boxes designed to organize brassieres more easily in drawers. However, the advances have been minimal in respect of transportation of brassieres.

Other known packages consist of cups made of clear rigid acetate, mirroring a brassiere's shape, and which store brassieres upon being closed with a lower lid where the lid is fitted to the packaging by pressure. However, despite its great volume, this packaging allows for the storage of only two or three brassieres at the same time before the package lid opens from the pressure of the brassieres. When putting this packaging into luggage together with other clothing and other personal objects, the slightest movement to accommodate everything in the bag makes the packaging lid open unintentionally and, therefore, the brassieres come out and are left unprotected.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention solves significant problems in the art by providing protective lingerie case or packaging. The protective packaging is an innovative packaging for underwear, especially for brassieres, designed to protect their shape should they have to be stored in places that are narrow enough to cause defects in the cups due to the pressure of adjacent objects. The protective lingerie packaging can also be used to simply store brassieres in the closet in a practical and safe way that maintains their esthetics.

The protective lingerie packaging of the present invention solves the storage and transportation problems and makes it possible to keep the brassieres in closed and narrow spaces without deforming their thermoformed cups, by using internal removable couplings and structural reinforcements on its sides to maintain their function and use features, guaranteeing their durability and design.

One embodiment of the present invention is a case to protect intimate apparel comprising: side walls and a top lid composed of structural reinforcement layers that resist pressure and are foldable and semi-flexible; a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls and said top lid; a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane. The case transports, protects and conserves the shape of the intimate apparel, namely, brassieres made out of thermoformed foam, by avoiding the deformation of the intimate apparel during transportation or storage while retaining the ability to be collapsed.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a case for transporting or storing intimate apparel comprising: side walls and a top lid with a structural reinforcement layer that prevents the side walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the ability of the case to be collapsed; a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane when unzipped; and a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side.

Another embodiment of the present invention provides a case for transporting or storing intimate apparel comprising: side walls and a top lid with a plastic structural reinforcement layer that prevents the side walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the ability of the case to be collapsed; a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane when unzipped; a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side; removable foam protuberances attachable to said at least one side wall; and optionally, at least one pocket attachable to said at least one side wall. The case may also include an insert panel added to the bottom of the case for additional support.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a view of the protective lingerie case in an opened position with a bra placed inside.

FIG. 2 is a view of the protective lingerie case without a bra inside with two internal protuberances.

FIG. 3 is a view of the protective lingerie case and the attachment mechanism for the two internal protuberances.

FIG. 4 shows the optional protuberances.

FIG. 5 is a lateral view of the packaging showing the hidden zipper on the bottom of the case.

FIG. 6 shows the composition of the layers of material of the case.

FIG. 7 is a front view of the lingerie case in a closed position.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the lingerie case in a closed position.

FIG. 9 is a view of the protective lingerie case showing an embodiment that includes pockets on the back wall.

FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the lingerie case with the lid removed showing the support panel and attachment means.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

While the invention is susceptible of several embodiments, there is shown in the drawings, specific embodiments thereof, with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the specific embodiments shown.

Referring initially to FIG. 1 of the drawings, in which like numerals indicate like elements throughout the several views, shown is the protective lingerie case 8 which is resistant to pressure. The protective lingerie case 8 is a rectangular, semiflexible, folding case manufactured of fabrics or leathers on the outer layer 23 with polypropylene reinforcement 21 and a layer of cushioned material 22, such as foam, on the lateral sides 11 and 13, on the front side 12, on the back side 14 and on the top lid 10. The lateral sides 11, front side 12 and back side 14 are collectively referred to as side walls. To open and close the protective lingerie case 8, a standard zipper 9 is used around the lateral sides 11 and 13 and the front part 12 of the protective lingerie case 8.

As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, in the interior of one embodiment of the protective lingerie case 8 provided are two removable coupleable protuberances 15 in the shape of two half-spheres, made of high density foam. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, these protuberances 15 simulate the shape of the bust and act as a support for the cups 16 of one or several packed brassieres when the protective lingerie case 8 is exposed to pressure from an outside force. The internal protuberances 15 in the shape of two half-spheres are adhered to the interior of the protective lingerie case 8 by means of a coupling mechanism 17 located on the flat part of the protuberances 15 and on the back side 14 of the protective lingerie case 8. The coupling mechanism 17 may be VELCRO® or a button, allowing for the removal and replacement of the coupleable protuberances 15, or other mechanism such as snaps, well known to persons skilled in the relevant art.

As shown in FIG. 5, to be able to make the protective lingerie case 8 foldable, the bottom 18 is the only side that is not reinforced with polypropylene 21, and it has an invisible or hidden zipper 19 that travels across the bottom 18 diagonally from one corner to the other. While the hidden zipper 19 is closed as observed in FIG. 5, the protective lingerie case 8 maintains its structural rectangular shape, but as the hidden zipper 19 is opened, the protective lingerie case 8 can be collapsed into a single plane.

Should there be a desire to fold the protective lingerie case 8, the half-sphere protuberances 15 must be removed and the coupling mechanism 17 makes it possible to fasten and unfasten the protuberances 15 an unlimited number of times.

FIG. 6 shows the protective lingerie case 8, which is made up of two layers of fabric or leather composing an inner layer 20 and an outer layer 23. Between the layers of material there are a polypropylene reinforcement 21 and a cushioned material 22. This composition makes the bra protection firm to avoid deformation of the bra and soft to prevent wear and tear of the protected garment. Although polypropylene is used in the disclosed embodiment, other similar materials can be used for this purpose, such as various plastics, polyethylene, polyvinyl chloride, polymethyl methacrylate, acrylics, silicones, or polyurethanes.

As shown in FIG. 7, the protective lingerie case 8 can store, transport and guarantee the shape of brassieres placed inside of it; and it can store as many brassieres as desired, depending on the extension of the lateral sides 11 and 13 and the front side 12. The protective lingerie case 8 is a product that is sufficiently resistant and practical to pack brassieres for traveling, and it features esthetic characteristics of hardness and softness that offer a feminine, sexy and elegant touch.

FIG. 8 is a back view of the protective lingerie case 8. The back 14, top 10, and lateral sides 11 are shown with the top 10 in the closed position. The zipper 9 is shown closed, which secures the contents of the lingerie case 8.

FIG. 9 is a view of an alternate embodiment the protective lingerie case 8 that includes pockets 24 on the internal back side 14 of the case. The pockets 24 can be used to hold a variety of lingerie, including, underwear, removable bra straps, and other various items. The pockets 24 can be removable. Optionally, the pockets 24 can be permanently affixed to the back side 14 of the protective lingerie case 8. In an alternative embodiment, the pockets 24 can be designed to receive and secure protuberances 15. Also shown in FIG. 9 is the zipper 9, the lateral walls 11, and the top 10. There is an optional insert panel 25 which can be inserted into the bottom of the protective lingerie case 18 to provide additional protection and support. As shown in FIG. 10, the protective lingerie case 8 may optionally contain attachment means 26 for securing the insert panel 25 to the bottom of the lingerie case 8.

Accordingly, it will be understood that the preferred embodiment of the present invention has been disclosed by way of example and that other modifications and alterations may occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the appended claims.

Claims

1. A case to protect intimate apparel comprising:

side walls and a top lid composed of structural reinforcement layers that resist pressure and are foldable and semi-flexible;

a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls and said top lid;

a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane; and

wherein the case transports, protects and conserves the shape of a brassiere by protecting against the deformation of the brassiere during transportation or storage while retaining the ability to be collapsed.

2. The case of claim 1, wherein said structural reinforcement layers are polypropylene.

3. The case of claim 1, further including foam protuberances that substantially conform to the shape of the brassiere.

4. The case of claim 3, wherein said foam protuberances are shaped like two half spheres and which are removable and replaceable.

5. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances adhere to the internal side walls of said case from their flat side.

6. The case of claim 1, wherein said case is composed of a combination of fabric, leather, polypropylene and a cushioning material.

7. The case of claim 1, wherein one or more brassieres can be stored therein.

8. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances are composed of high density foam.

9. The case of claim 1, wherein said zipper is hidden and runs diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side allowing said case to be collapsible and fold flat when said zipper is open.

10. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances adhere to the case with hook and loop fastening material or buttons.

11. The case of claim 3, wherein the foam protuberances act as support to one or more brassieres to resist external pressure from outside of the case.

12. The case of claim 1, further including storage pockets on at least one of said side walls.

13. A case for transporting or storing intimate apparel comprising:

side walls and a top lid with a structural reinforcement layer that prevents the side walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the ability of the case to be collapsed;

a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane when unzipped; and

a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side.

14. The case of claim 13, further including removable foam protuberances for maintaining the shape of a brassiere.

15. The case of claim 13, further including storage pockets on at least one of said side walls.

16. The case of claim 13, wherein said structural reinforcement layer is polypropylene.

17. The case of claim 13, further including a removable reinforcement panel attachable to said bottom side.

18. A case for transporting or storing intimate apparel comprising:

side walls and a top lid with a plastic structural reinforcement layer that prevents the side walls and top lid from being compressed while retaining the ability of the case to be collapsed;

a bottom side that does not contain structural reinforcement and includes a zipper diagonally from one corner to the other of said bottom side that allows the case to be collapsed into a single plane when unzipped;

a cushioning layer on the inside of said side walls, said top lid and said bottom side;

removable foam protuberances attachable to said at least one side wall and at least one storage pocket attachable to said at least one side wall.

19. The case of claim 18, wherein said plastic structural reinforcement layer is polypropylene.

20. The case of claim 18, further including a removable reinforcement panel attachable to said bottom side.