STRAPLESS BRA

Abstract

A strapless bra includes a bra body having a first cup configured to receive a first breast of a user, a second cup configured to receive a second breast of a user, and a bridge that is connected between the first cup and the second cup. A plurality of adhesive supports is positionable along the body of the wearer. Each of the adhesive supports includes a main body having an adhesive back surface for adhering to the body of the user, and a connector along the front surface. The connector of each adhesive support engages a complementary connector along the inside surface of the bra body to secure the bra onto the body of the wearer.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates generally to apparel, and more particularly to a reusable and adjustable strapless bra.

BACKGROUND

The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art.

Bras for use in supporting, lifting and/or arranging female breasts are an incredibly important piece of apparel for any woman. For this reason, there are many different types of bras which are designed for use with different types of outfits. For example, traditional bras include a pair of breast cups that are connected to an elongated strap that encircles the user's back. These bras often include a pair of shoulder straps which work to allow the user to adjust the lift and/or position of their breasts.

When wearing a strapless or backless top, it is difficult to conceal a standard bra. As such, there are many known types of strapless bras which typically include a pair of breast cups that are lined with an adhesive material along the inside surface. Although useful for hiding the appearance of the bra itself, traditional strapless bras suffer from many practical drawbacks. For example, in order to make the bras reusable, the adhesive must be relatively weak to allow the user to remove and reuse the bra. As such, the cups do not have the sticking power to actually lift or otherwise support the breasts. Indeed, in many instances, users complain that the adhesive is too weak to keep the cups affixed to the skin, and they have a tendency to fall off.

In addition to the above, because the entire back side of each cup is layered with adhesives, may users complain that their breasts remain sticky for long periods after use; while yet others complain that the glue contacting the sensitive nipple of the breast is painful when wearing the bra, and is extremely painful to attempt to remove after use.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide a strapless bra that can fully support, lift or otherwise position female breasts in a similar manner to conventional non-strapless bras without suffering from the above noted drawbacks.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to a strapless bra. One embodiment of the present invention can include a bra body having a first cup configured to receive a first breast of a user, a second cup configured to receive a second breast of a user, and a bridge that is connected between the first cup and the second cup. The bra also includes a plurality of adhesive supports that are positionable along the body of the wearer independent of the bra.

In one embodiment, each of the adhesive supports include a main body having an adhesive back surface and a connector along the front surface. The connector of each support can engage complementary connectors along the inside surface of the bra body so as to secure the bra onto the body of the wearer.

This summary is provided merely to introduce certain concepts and not to identify key or essential features of the claimed subject matter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Presently preferred embodiments are shown in the drawings. It should be appreciated, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the strapless bra that is useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein.

FIG. 2 is back side view of the bra body of the strapless bra, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 3 is top view of one of the adhesive supports of the strapless bra, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the strapless bra in operation, in accordance with one embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

While the specification concludes with claims defining the features of the invention that are regarded as novel, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from a consideration of the description in conjunction with the drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the inventive arrangements in virtually any appropriately detailed structure. Further, the terms and phrases used herein are not intended to be limiting but rather to provide an understandable description of the invention.

Definitions

As described herein, a “unit” means a series of identified physical components which are linked together and/or function together to perform a specified function.

As described throughout this document, the term “about” “approximately” “substantially” and “generally” shall be used interchangeably to describe a feature, shape or measurement of a component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described herein, the term “removably secured,” and derivatives thereof shall be used to describe a situation wherein two or more objects are joined together in a non-permanent manner so as to allow the same objects to be repeatedly joined and separated.

As described throughout this document, the term “complementary shape,” and “complementary dimension,” shall be used to describe a shape and size of a component that is identical to, or substantially identical to the shape and size of another identified component within a tolerance such as, for example, manufacturing tolerances, measurement tolerances or the like.

As described herein, the term “connector” includes any number of different elements that work alone or together to repeatedly join two items together in a nonpermanent manner. Several nonlimiting examples of connectors include, but are not limited to, flexible strips of interlocking projections with a slider (i.e., zipper), thread-to-connect, twist-to-connect, and push-to-connect type devices, opposing strips of hook and loop material (e.g., Velcro®), attractively oriented magnetic elements or magnetic and metallic elements, buckles such as side release buckles, clamps, sockets, clips, carabiners, and compression fittings such as T-handle rubber draw latches, hooks, snaps and buttons, for example. Each illustrated connector and complementary connector can be permanently secured to the illustrated portion of the device via a permanent sealer such as glue, adhesive tape, or stitching, for example.

FIGS. 1-4 illustrate one embodiment of a strapless bra 10 that are useful for understanding the inventive concepts disclosed herein. In each of the drawings, identical reference numerals are used for like elements of the invention or elements of like function. For the sake of clarity, only those reference numerals are shown in the individual figures which are necessary for the description of the respective figure. For purposes of this description, the terms “upper,” “bottom,” “right,” “left,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in FIG. 1.

As shown in the drawings, one embodiment of the bra 10 can include a main body 11 having a central bridge section 12, two cups 13 and 14, and a plurality of adhesive supports 30. As described herein, the main body of the bra can be constructed in different sizes so as to be worn by human users with breasts of any size. Moreover, the main body components can be made in various shapes other than that illustrated to allow them to function with various clothing types and cuts.

The bra body can be constructed from any number of different types of materials suitable for direct contact with human skin. For example, the bra body may be formed from one or more layers of cloth such as nylon, polyester, cotton, Spandex, and silk, for example, and may further include an underwire 15 along one or more edges. Some embodiments of the bra 10 may further include one or more layers of padding and/or the bra body itself may be constructed from foam or other such material providing both the main body and padding aspects to a user.

In various embodiments, a bridge 12 can be provided to connect the cups together. If the bridge is provided, the bridge 12 can be positioned between the cups 13 and 14, and can function to either permanently or removably join the cups together. In this regard, one embodiment of the device contemplates the bridge being formed from one or more pieces of material that are permanently joined to each of the cups to form the bra body. In one embodiment, the bridge may include a releasable clasp 12a or other such connector for allowing the cups 13 and 14 to be selectively connected and disconnected from each other.

As shown best at FIG. 2, each of the cups 13 and 14 can include generally concave and oval-shaped members forming individual cavities along the inside surfaces 13a and 14a, respectively, for receiving the breasts of a user. In one embodiment, a plurality of connectors such as the illustrated soft and non-abrasive strips of loop material 25 can be positioned along the inside surface of the bra body and will function to selectively and removably engage the connectors of the adhesive supports 30 described below. Because all connectors 25 are not likely to be used at any one time, it is important that the connectors be constructed or arranged so as to not scrape, scratch or otherwise irritate the skin of the wearer of the bra.

The adhesive supports 30 can function to secure the bra body onto the chest area of a user. In one embodiment, each of the plurality of adhesive supports 30 can include a main body having a top surface 31a, and a bottom surface 31b. The main body can preferably be constructed from a durable and malleable material such as thin (e.g., 1 mm-2 mm) vinyl, or other such materials, for example. In one embodiment, the bottom surface 31b can be coated with a medical grade skin adhesive 32 and can be covered by a releasable liner 33 until ready for use.

In one embodiment, a connector 35 can be positioned along the top surface 31a. Connector 35 can be complementary to the connectors 25 on the bra so as to removably engage the same. As noted above, in the preferred embodiment, the connectors 25 on the bra can include strips of soft and non-abrasive loop material so as to not scrape the skin of the wearer against which they may be positioned. In such an embodiment, the connector 35 on the adhesive supports can include strips of loop material for engaging the hooks.

Of course, these are but one possible combination of connectors that can be used herein, as any number of other types of connectors may be utilized. For example, another embodiment is contemplated wherein connectors 25 comprise magnetic elements that are embedded within the material of the bra, and the complementary connectors 35 on the supports 30 comprise magnetically attractive metal strips of magnets also.

As shown at FIG. 4, the inventive strapless bra allows a user to decide exactly where they wish to place the adhesive supports on their body so as to adjust and secure the bra in any number of different ways. For example, the user 1 can position any number of supports 30 along their body at locations on or adjacent to their breasts. When so positioned, the connectors 25 and 35 can be joined together to affix the bra onto the user's body.

Importantly, because the supports 30 are independent from the bra body itself, users are able to adjust the shape, size and/or orientation of the bra in many different ways so as to achieve different looks not possible with traditional bras. For example, if the user wishes to arrange their breasts to achieve a more voluptuous look, the user can position the supports 30 at a location between the outside edges of their breasts adjacent to their arms. When positioned in this manner, the supports will be arranged at a distance that is greater than the overall width of the bra itself.

As such, the user can first join one or more of the connectors of one cup (e.g., 13) to the supports 30 on one side of their body. Next, the user can push their breasts together (see arrow a) and can then secure one or more of the connectors along the second cup (e.g., 14) to the supports on the other side of the user's body. When positioned, the bra will be stretched between the breasts and will work in conjunction with the supports to maintain the breasts in the pushed together position, thus providing lift and the appearance of increased cleavage.

Of course, this is but one possible example of how the bra can function. To this end, the supports can be placed at other locations along, above or below the breasts so as to impart a lifting force for achieving fuller looking breasts, a downward pushing force for achieving smaller looking breasts or other locations based on the desires of the user.

As to a further description of the manner and use of the present invention, the same should be apparent from the above description. Accordingly, no further discussion relating to the manner of usage and operation will be provided.

As described herein, one or more elements of the device 10 can be secured together utilizing any number of known attachment means such as, for example, screws, glue, compression fittings and welds, among others. Moreover, although the above embodiments have been described as including separate individual elements, the inventive concepts disclosed herein are not so limiting. To this end, one of skill in the art will recognize that one or more individually identified elements may be formed together as one or more continuous elements, either through manufacturing processes, such as welding, casting, or molding, or through the use of a singular piece of material milled or machined with the aforementioned components forming identifiable sections thereof.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the invention. As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises” and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements, and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements, components, and/or groups thereof. Likewise, the term “consisting” shall be used to describe only those components identified. In each instance where a device comprises certain elements, it will inherently consist of each of those identified elements as well.

The corresponding structures, materials, acts, and equivalents of all means or step plus function elements in the claims below are intended to include any structure, material, or act for performing the function in combination with other claimed elements as specifically claimed. The description of the present invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description but is not intended to be exhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Many modifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention. The embodiment was chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and the practical application, and to enable others of ordinary skill in the art to understand the invention for various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated.

Claims

1. A strapless bra, comprising:

a bra body having a first cup configured to receive a first breast of a user, and a second cup configured to receive a second breast of a user; and

at least one support device that is configured to adhere to the user.

2. The bra of claim 1, wherein the at least one support device is configured to removably engage the bra body.

3. The bra of claim 2, wherein the at least support device includes a main body having a top surface and a bottom surface.

4. The bra of claim 3, further comprising:

an adhesive material that is positioned along the bottom surface of the main body of the at least one support device.

5. The bra of claim 4, wherein the adhesive material comprises medical grade skin adhesive.

6. The bra of claim 4, further comprising:

a liner that is removably secured along the bottom surface of the main body of the at least one support device.

7. The bra of claim 6, wherein the liner is configured to selectively cover the adhesive material.

8. The bra of claim 1, wherein the bra body is constructed from a fabric material.

9. The bra body of claim 8, further comprising:

a first underwire that is positioned along a bottom end of the first cup.

10. The bra body of claim 9, further comprising:

a second underwire that is positioned along a bottom end of the second cup.