A push-up bra has an envelope between the front panel and the rear panel of the bra cups, that receives a flexible pouch containing a mixture of water and a hygroscopic agent such as 70% glycerine--30% water. The hygroscopic agent will draw moisture into the envelope preventing the volume of liquid from decreasing.

TECHNICAL FIELD 
The present invention relates to an improved pad for a brassiere and, more 
particularly to a flexible, liquid filled envelope incorporated into a 
push-up bra. 
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
Brassieres are worn not only to provide support for women's breasts, but 
also to enhance the shape of the breasts within the brassieres, the 
portion of the breasts above the breasts and the cleavage between the 
breasts. 
Push-up bras are designed to shape and elevate the breasts. Push-up bras 
usually contain a rubber pad received in a pocket in the lower front 
panels of the bra cups. The pad was formed by molding into a complex 
arcuate shape. Rubber pads were both stiff and uncomfortable. Rubber pads 
also caused insecurity due to straying of the pads. Other push-up bras 
used a more yielding silicone foam and some use Nylon (polyamide) padding 
to shape and lift. 
Push-up bras with liquid filled envelopes have recently appeared on the 
market. Silicone oil liquids are very expensive and are hard to seal. 
Hydrocarbon oils have also been utilized as the liquid either alone or in 
a mixture with water. Hydrocarbons can attack the envelope. The liquids in 
the envelope are heated to body temperature of about 99.degree. F. At this 
temperature, evaporation is increased and the hydrocarbon vapors can 
permeate through the wall of the envelope, creating offensive, unpleasant 
odors. Furthermore, water vapor is also able to permeate through the wall 
of the envelope decreasing the liquid volume in the envelope. The envelope 
could rupture or impact or when pierced by a sharp object causing 
embarrassment, discomfort and destruction of the pad. 
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List of References 
Patentee 
Patent No. 
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Block, et al. 
3,620,222 
Kirby, et al. 
3,845,507 
Miller 5,235,974 
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STATEMENT OF THE PRIOR ART 
Block, et al. discloses a foam, push-up brassiere pad. Kirby, et al. 
discloses a breast prosthesis to be worn inside a brassiere cup containing 
an inner bag. A jell-like liquid such as carboxymethyl cellulose is sealed 
within an outer bag containing air. Miller discloses an electrically 
heated bra for lactating mothers containing a fluid impermeable chamber 
filled with water. 
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION 
The improved bra according to the invention contains a flexible envelope 
filled with a mixture of water and an odorless, organic hygroscopic agent 
in specified proportions providing no unpleasant aroma and little 
evaporation of water through the film of the envelope. The envelope is 
formed of a film of a tough synthetic resin resistant to puncture, 
preferably a thermoplastic resin capable of being heat-sealed. The film 
has low transmission rate for water vapor. The hygroscopic agent is able 
to drive water vapor from outside the envelope through the film into the 
envelope so that liquid volume is maintained. 
The push-up bra of the invention looks and feels more natural and the bra 
eliminates discomfort and insecurity caused by stiff, sharp edged or 
straying inner pads. The inner cup lining adjacent the skin is soft and 
wicks moisture away from the skin. 
These and many other features and attendant advantages of the invention 
will become apparent as the invention becomes better understood by 
reference to the following detailed description when considered in 
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
Referring now to FIGS. 1 and 2, the push-up bra 10 of the invention is 
formed of two cups 12, 14, a stretchable strap with releasable fastener, 
not shown, and optional shoulder straps 16, 18. 
The cups 12, 14 are formed of an outer layer 20 of fabric and an inner 
layer 22 of fabric. The outer layer 20 of fabric can be covered with a 
layer 25 of decorative material such as lace. The surface 24 of the inner 
layer 22 is preferably covered with a layer of a soft material 27 which 
absorbs and wicks moisture such as woven cotton or polypropylene cloth. A 
long narrow sleeve 26 following the curved outline of the bra cup can be 
formed along the lower periphery 29 of the bra cups 12, 14. A curved metal 
stiffening rod 28 is received in the sleeve 20 and inner layers 22 of each 
cup 12, 14. 
The outer layers are stitched around their common peripheries 30, 32 to 
form pockets 34, 36 for receiving a flexible pouch 38, 40 containing a 
liquid 42 as shown in FIG. 2. The pouches 36, 40 have the general exterior 
shape of a bra cup 12, 14. The pouches 38, 40 are formed of a front film 
42 heat sealed to a rear panel 44 forming a lip 46. The pouches 38, 40 are 
preferably anchored to the outer layer 20 or inner layer 22 of fabric. The 
lip 46 could be formed by adhering the outer peripheries of the two panels 
by adhesive or stitching. However, stitching or adhesive could make the 
lip 46 more susceptible to tear. It is preferred that the pouches 38, 40 
be provided with an extended tab 50 which before thermal bonding serves as 
a filling spout. 
The two layers 20, 22 of the pouch are completely thermal sealed within the 
tab 50 into a unitary film 52. Two thermally generated beads 54, 56 can be 
provided normal to the axis of the pouches to reinforce the tab from 
tearing. 
The tab 50 is sewn 60 into the edge of the outer layer of fabric 20 near 
the outside periphery of the pocket 34, 36. The pouch 38, 40 is then 
inserted into the pockets 34, 36. The edge of the inner layer 22 of fabric 
is then stitched to the edge of the outer layer 20. 
The skin of the pouch is a tough, puncture-resistant, flexible film such as 
a 0.01 to 5 mm thick film, preferably a film having a thickness from 0.05 
to 0.5 mm. Suitable films are thermoplastic, thermally bondable films such 
as polyethylene, vinyl, silicone resins or polyurethane which can be in 
the form of a closed cell foam. The surface of the pouch has good 
wetability for water is resistant to hydrolysis, has flame retardence, 
U.V. It is stable to being agitated with hot soapy water in a washing 
machine. The film can have a Shore A Hardness from 50 to 100, a Specific 
Gravity of 1.1 to 1.3 an elongation of at least 300% and a minimum tear 
strength of 200 Lb/in. The film should have a high melting temperature 
above 180.degree. C. in order to be capable of surviving temperatures 
encountered in washing and drying machines. However, hand washing and air 
drying of the bra are preferred. 
The pouches are filled with a mixture of water and a major amount of an 
organic, hygroscopic material miscible with water. The mixture of water 
and the hygroscopic material forms a clear, uniform liquid having a 
viscosity similar to water. The organic hygroscopic materials are 
polyhydric organic compounds containing a plurality of hydroxyl group such 
as glycerine (glycerol) or liquid polyols. Glycerine is preferred since it 
is a clear, colorless, odorless syrupy liquid having hygroscopic 
properties. A USP grade having minimum purity of 99.5% is preferred. 
Analysis of a USP glycerine used in the push-up bra of the invention 
follows: 
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TEST RESULT SPECIFICATION 
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Glycerine Content % 
99.68 99.5 min. 
Relative Density 25/25 
1.2609 
1.2607 min. 
Color Apha 5 
10 max. 
Ash &lt;0.01 
0.01 max. 
Chloride ppm &lt;10 
10 max. 
Sulphate ppm &lt;20 
20 max. 
Arsenic ppm &lt;1.5 
1.5 max. 
Heavy Metal ppm &lt;5 5 max. 
Chlorinated Compounds ppm 
&lt;30 30 max. 
Fatty Acid & Esters 
0.7 1.0 max. 
ml 0.5 NAOH 
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A prototype of the push-up bra of the invention was prepared by filling a 
polyurethane pouch with a mixture of 30% water and 70% USP glycerine. The 
tab on the pouch was heat sealed and then inserted into a pocket in a 
push-up bra. The tab was sewn into the periphery of the pouch and the seam 
on the inner layer of fabric was closed. 
The film was a closed cell polyurethane having the following properties: 
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Properties 
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Color APHA 5 
Thickness 0.1 mm 
Hardness 87 Shore A 
Specific Gravity 1.20 
Tensile Strength 6525 psi 
Elongation 480% 
Tear Strength 400 lb/in 
Melting Temperature 180-190.degree. C. 
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The prototype was tested under normal wearing conditions. The mixture of 
water and glycerine provided a natural cushion. The pouch did not leak or 
ooze liquid. It was self sealing. There was no loss of volume over a 3 
month test period due to permeation of water due to the glycerine 
humectant within the pouch. The bra was very comfortable for a shaping bra 
and gave a natural lift for a fuller look. Though the bra can be machine 
washed, there is less wear and tear if the bra is hand washed and hung to 
dry. 
It is to be realized that only preferred embodiments of the invention have 
been described and that numerous substitutions, modifications and 
alterations are permissible without departing from the spirit and scope of 
the invention as defined in the following claims.