COTTON BRA

Abstract

Implementations of a cotton bra are provided. In some implementations, the bra comprises a chest band, a pair of shoulder straps, a cotton underwire, and two cups. In some implementations, the straps and underwire are manufactured from a woven cotton. In some implementations, the underwire may be comprised of an interior layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the pads of the cups are manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton, cotton batting, or a combination thereof.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates to implementations of a cotton bra.

BACKGROUND

A bra is a woman's undergarment that is constructed to support her breast. They are typically worn for comfort and appearance. The typical bra is comprised of a chest band that wraps around the torso, two cups to hold the breast and a pair of shoulder straps. Many designs also incorporate an underwire to provide additional support and positioning for the breast. The underwire is typically made from metal, plastic, or a resin. Further, bras are frequently constructed with synthetic fibers.

U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,155 (“'155 patent”) discloses an athletic bra having a unitary framework with molded cups that is manufactured from engineered laminated materials.

However, the bra disclosed in the '155 patent has several disadvantages. First, it is constructed of synthetic materials which may irritate the skin of some wearers. Second, the bra relies on the use of engineered laminated materials which may increase manufacturing cost.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cotton bra according to the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Implementations of a cotton bra are provided. In some implementations, the bra comprises a chest band, a pair of shoulder straps, a cotton underwire, and two cups. In some implementations, the shoulder straps may connect the chest band to a top portion of each cup. In some implementations, the two cups may be connected by a gore which extends therebetween. In some implementations, a portion of the chest band may be attached to a portion of each cup. In some implementations, there may be an underwire located underneath each cup.

In some implementations, the straps and underwire are manufactured from woven cotton. In some implementations, the underwire may be comprised of an interior layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the woven cotton is either semi-elastic or inelastic.

In some implementations, the chest band is manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the outer layer of the cups are manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the pads of the cups are manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton, cotton batting, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 1 illustrates an example cotton bra 100 according to the present disclosure.

As shown in FIG. 1, in some implementations, the bra comprises a chest band 105, a pair of shoulder straps 115, a cotton underwire 125, two cups 110, and a gore 120.

In some implementations, the shoulder straps 115 may connect the chest band 105 with a top portion of each cup 110. In some implementations, the two cups 110 may be connected by the gore 120, which extends therebetween. In some implementations, a portion of the chest band 105 may extends from a peripheral portion of each cup 110 as shown in FIG. 1. In some implementations, there may be an underwire 125 located underneath each cup 110. The underwire 125 being placed so as to position and/or support the cups 110 and thereby the breast.

In some implementations, the chest band 105 can be manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the chest band 105 may be manufactured from a cotton interlock knit material. In some implementations, the chest band 105 may be a single unitary piece. In some implementations, the chest band 105 can be adjustable. In some implementations, the chest band 105 includes fastening means such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), hook and eye or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future that may be used to close the chest band 105 of a bra 100.

In some implementations, the cups 110 may be padded or unpadded. In some implementations, the padded portion of padded cups of the bra 100 may be manufactured from quilted cotton batting, stretchable or knit cotton, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the padded portion of padded cups of the bra 100 may be manufactured from quilted cotton batting, a cotton interlock knit material, or a combination thereof. In some implementations, the outer layer of the cups 110 may be manufactured from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the outer layer of the cups 110 may be manufactured from a cotton interlock knit material. In some implementations, the cups 110 may have a decorative pattern thereon.

In some implementations, the gore 120 may be manufactured from the same materials as the cups 110. In some implementations, the gore 120 may be manufactured from a woven cotton material. In some implementations, the woven cotton material can be semi-elastic or non-elastic. In some implementations, the gore 120 of the bra 100 may include fastening means such as snaps, buttons, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., Velcro®), hook and eye or other reclosable fasteners or any other attachment or fastening technology existing or developed in the future. Such designs may be referred to as front closure bras.

In some implementations, the shoulder straps 115 may be adjustable for length. This allows the bra 100 to be fitted to a potential wearer. In some implementations, the shoulder straps 115 may not be adjustable for length. In some implementations, the shoulder straps 115 can be manufactured from woven cotton. In some implementations, the woven cotton material can be semi-elastic or inelastic. In some implementations, the shoulder straps 115 are removably attached to the chest band 105.

In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be manufactured from woven cotton. In some implementations, the underwire may be comprised of an interior layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be comprised of an interior layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from a cotton interlock knit material. In some implementations, the woven cotton of the underwire 125 can be semi-elastic or inelastic. The underwire 125 may be positioned underneath the cups 110 to position and provide support for the breast.

In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be manufactured from metal or plastic. In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be comprised of an interior layer made from metal or plastic, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton. In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be comprised of an interior layer made from metal or plastic, and an outer layer made from a cotton interlock knit material. In some implementations, the underwire 125 may be comprised of an interior layer made from metal or plastic, a middle layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton. The middle layer of woven cotton may prevent the metal or plastic of the interior layer from damaging the outer layer of cotton.

In some implementations, the underwire 125 may have a decorative pattern thereon.

In some implementations, the bra 100 may include decorative piping or boning. The piping or boning may be manufactured from woven cotton. In some implementations, the piping or boning may be comprised of an interior layer made from woven cotton, and an outer layer made from stretchable or knit cotton, or cotton lace. In some implementations, the woven cotton of the piping or boning can be semi-elastic or inelastic.

In some implementations, the bra 100 may be manufactured exclusively from cotton material. This ensures that the bra 100 is comfortable for women with skin that is sensitive to synthetic materials and other non-cotton natural fibers. In some implementations, the bra 100 can be manufactured exclusively from cotton materials, except for the materials used to produce the fastening means.

In some implementations, the cotton used to manufacture the bra 100 may be dyed any suitable color or combination of colors.

In some implementations, the bra 100 may have thereon decorative ribbons, bows and/or flowers.

Reference throughout this specification to “an embodiment” or “implementation” or words of similar import means that a particular described feature, structure, or characteristic is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrase “in some implementations” or a phrase of similar import in various places throughout this specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment.

Many modifications and other embodiments of the inventions set forth herein will come to mind to one skilled in the art to which these inventions pertain having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings.

The described features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. In the above description, numerous specific details are provided for a thorough understanding of embodiments of the invention. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, however, that embodiments of the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific details, or with other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations may not be shown or described in detail.

While operations are depicted in the drawings in a particular order, this should not be understood as requiring that such operations be performed in the particular order shown or in sequential order, or that all illustrated operations be performed, to achieve desirable results.

Claims

1. A cotton bra comprising:

two cups for covering a wearer's breast;

a pair of shoulder straps consisting of a woven cotton; and

an underwire located adjacent said two cups, said underwire comprising an interior layer made from woven cotton and an outer layer consisting of stretchable cotton.

2. The cotton bra of claim 1, wherein said cups comprises padding consisting of cotton batting.

3. The cotton bra of claim 2, wherein the outer layer of said cups consist of stretchable cotton.

4. The cotton bra of claim 3, further comprising a chest band consisting of stretchable cotton.

5. The cotton bra of claim 1, wherein said woven cotton of said shoulder straps is semi-elastic.

6. The cotton bra of claim 1, wherein said woven cotton of said shoulder straps is inelastic.

7. The cotton bra of claim 1, wherein said woven cotton of said underwire is semi-elastic.

8. The cotton bra of claim 1, wherein said woven cotton of said underwire is inelastic.

9. The cotton bra of claim 1, further comprising decorative piping consisting of a woven cotton.

10. The cotton bra of claim 9, wherein said woven cotton of said piping is semi-elastic.

11. The cotton bra of claim 9, wherein said woven cotton of said piping is inelastic.

12. A cotton bra comprising:

two cups for covering a wearer's breast; and

an underwire located adjacent said two cups, said underwire comprising an interior layer made from woven cotton and an outer layer consisting of stretchable cotton.

13. The cotton bra of claim 12, wherein said cups comprises padding consisting of cotton batting.

14. The cotton bra of claim 13, wherein the outer layer of said cups consist of stretchable cotton.

15. The cotton bra of claim 14, further comprising a chest band consisting of stretchable cotton.

16. The cotton bra of claim 12, wherein said woven cotton of said underwire is semi-elastic.

17. The cotton bra of claim 12, wherein said woven cotton of said underwire is inelastic.

18. The cotton bra of claim 12, further comprising decorative piping consisting of woven cotton.

19. The cotton bra of claim 18, wherein said woven cotton of said piping is semi-elastic.

20. The cotton bra of claim 12, further comprising decorative piping consisting of a cotton lace.