UNITARY POLYMERIC FOAM BRASSIERE

Abstract

A brassiere includes a main body formed entirely of a unitary polymeric foam material and including left and right breast covering portions, left and right shoulder straps integral with and extending from a top portion of the breast covering portions, and the shoulder straps terminating at ends that are secured to the respective left and right breast covering portions, and left and right torso band portions extending from the outer sides of the respective left and right breast covering portions, and a back closure mechanism for securing the left and right torso band portions together to thereby secure the brassiere on the wearer.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This non-provisional patent application is based on provisional Pat. application serial no. 63/261,956 filed on Oct. 1, 2021.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to brassieres and, more particularly, to a unitary polymeric foam brassiere.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Most bras are designed to lift the breasts and may use various component elements along with other parts of the wearer’s body to achieve this result. Brassieres are typically constructed with several different types of materials, including elastic for shoulder straps and a torso band, as well as wires. However, constraining straps and underwire can cause tightness and soreness on the shoulders and the rib cage area, especially after several hours. In an attempt to provide a more comfortable bra, others have proposed brassieres of various designs, construction and materials. Notwithstanding, there still remains a need for a more comfortable brassiere that provides sufficient support of the breasts without soreness to the breasts, shoulders, rib cage or other areas of the upper body.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention provides a brassiere that is by far one of the most comfortable bras available and provides support and lift for breasts with no constraints like previous styles, eliminating pain from the shoulders, breasts and torso. The brassiere is constructed with polymeric foam material or neoprene material made from natural rubber as one piece to provide all around support. The material of manufacture is not particularly limited. The polymeric foam may be made of natural rubber, polyurethane, polystyrene, any other plastic/latex foam, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the brassiere body may comprise additional materials, such as a lining. The percentage of each material present is not particularly limited. In one preferred embodiment of the present invention, the brassiere is made of YULEX® natural rubber material produced by Patagonia, Inc. This material is derived from a sustainable resource and is used to make wet suits for surfing and scuba diving. The material is very flexible and stretches greatly, eliminating constraints. The brassiere flattens the breast, causing a natural lift and a feeling of less weight from the breast and overall comfort.

The brassiere of the present invention is suitable for everyday use and may be a component in sportswear, bathing suits, and post-surgical wear.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a fuller understanding of the nature of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a brassiere according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear elevation view thereof;

FIG. 3 is a plan view of at least a portion of a cutout pattern of polymeric foam material prior to full assembly of the brassiere of the present invention according to at least one embodiment thereof;

FIG. 4 is a top plan view of a polymeric foam core material having an arrangement of spaced holes or perforations for purpose of ventilation;

FIG. 5 is a top plan view of the polymeric foam material used in the construction of the brassiere of the present invention according to at least one embodiment of the invention, and including the polymeric foam core of FIG. 4 with an outer fabric lining on at least the top side;

FIG. 6 is an isolated cross-sectional view of the polymeric foam material used in the construction of the brassiere of the present invention in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof; and including the polymeric foam core and a fabric lining on both the top side and the bottom side; and

FIG. 7 is an isolated elevational view of the back of the torso band of the brassiere of the present invention, in accordance with at least one embodiment thereof, and including a hook-and-eye closure for securing the two portions of the back torso strap together, as shown.

Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

The following detailed description sets forth the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description, as described and illustrated, is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Broadly, an embodiment of the present invention provides a brassiere 10 comprising a unitary polymeric foam material 30 secured with a torso band closure 17. The single piece polymeric foam brassiere 10 is structured and intended to flatten the breasts and help support breast weight. The polymeric foam material 30 maintains lift due to its flexibility and resilience and stays in place due to its inherent stability. The polymeric foam may be made of natural rubber, polyurethane, polystyrene, any other plastic/latex foam, and combinations thereof. In some embodiments, the brassiere body 11 may comprise additional materials, such as a lining. The percentage of each material is not particularly limited. In some embodiments, the brassiere may also have a silicone grip.

Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 3, a one-piece brassiere 10 according to an embodiment of the present invention is shown. The brassiere 10 has two breast covering portions 12 (i.e., left and right) that may be slightly cup shaped. In one embodiment, the breast covering portions are flat. The brassiere further includes two shoulder straps 14, and two portions of a torso strap 16 extending from outer sides 13 of the breast covering portions, all derived from a single unitary sheet of polymeric foam material 30 forming the main body 11. In one embodiment, a back closure 17 includes eyes 18 and hooks 20 as part of a hook-and-eye closure mechanism. The straps 14 may be sewn or otherwise attached to the torso band portions 16 at predetermined positions 22.

In one embodiment, the brassiere 10 is manufactured by cutting a polymeric foam sheet according to a preselected brassiere pattern that includes a first torso band 16a, an opposite second torso band 16b and left and right shoulder straps 14a, 14b. A closure 17 having eyes 18 may be sewn to the first torso band end 16a and hooks 20 may be sewn to the second torso band end 16b. One end of each shoulder strap 14a, 14b is sewn or otherwise attached to its predetermined location on a respective one of the first and second torso bands 16a, 16b.

Referring to FIG. 3, the polymeric foam material 30 may include a polymeric foam core 32 that is provided with an arrangement of holes or perforations 34 for ventilation purposes. This helps the brassiere to breathe better and avoid unnecessary perspiration by the wearer. The ventilation holes 34 also allow for greater comfort, especially when wearing the brassiere 10 for an extended period of time. In a preferred embodiment, as seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, the polymeric foam material 30 further includes outer layers of a soft fabric material 36 that covers at least the inner facing side of the brassiere that touches the user’s skin, and preferably the fabric lining 36 is provided on both sides of the central core material 32. As seen in FIG. 5, the fabric lining 36 covers the ventilation holes 34, which may leave dimples 35 in the locations of the ventilation holes 34. It should be noted that the fabric lining 36 does not significantly interfere with the ventilation through the holes or perforations 34.

The brassiere 10 may be manufactured in a variety of sizes and cup shapes, such as round, oval, triangular, demi, plunge, and quarter. In some embodiments, the straps 14 may be cut separately and attached in any suitable manner.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A brassiere comprising:

a main body formed entirely of a unitary polymeric foam material as a single piece, and the main body including left and right breast covering portions, left and right shoulder straps integral with and extending from a top portion of the respective left and right breast covering portions, and the left and right shoulder straps terminating at free ends, and left and right torso band portions extending from the outer sides of the respective left and right breast covering portions to define a torso band for extending about the wearer’s sides and back, and the free end portions of the left and right shoulder straps fixed to the respective left and right torso band portions; and

a back closure mechanism for securing the left and right torso band portions together to thereby secure the brassiere on the wearer.

2. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary polymeric foam material is made of natural rubber.

3. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary polymeric foam material is made of polyurethane.

4. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary polymeric foam material is made of a polystyrene composition.

5. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the unitary polymeric foam material includes a polymeric foam core having an arrangement of holes therethrough for ventilation.

6. The brassiere as recited in claim 5 wherein the polymeric foam core is made of natural rubber.

7. The brassiere as recited in claim 6 wherein the polymeric foam material includes a fabric lining covering an inner facing side of the main body.

8. The brassiere as recited in claim 7 wherein the unitary polymeric foam material further includes a fabric lining covering an outer facing side of the main body.

9. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the back closure mechanism is a hook-and-eye closure mechanism.

10. The brassiere as recited in claim 1 wherein the back closure mechanism is a hook and loop fastener.