Abstract:
A brassiere comprising: breast cups for supporting a breast of a wearer; each said breast cups including at least one inflatable air envelope having at least one internal space which receives air from at least one air pump; connection means allowing communicating between a pump and the at least one inflatable envelope, such that when a pump is actuated, the at least one inflatable envelope is air inflated.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to women&#39;s undergarments and more specifically to female support garments and more particularly to improvements in brassieres. The invention further relates to a brassier including an assembly which allows a wearer to inflate portions of the bra to selectively alter the shape of a wearer&#39;s breasts without artificial implants, padding, or other artificial supports. The invention further relates to an integrally attached assembly which allows pneumatic inflation of regions of a brassiere which oppose selected breast locations to locally load a breast at least one location to enable the user to selectively adjust breast shape to give an illusion of a user selected breast shape or increased breast size. 
       PRIOR ART 
       [0002]    There are in existence numerous brassiere designs to accommodate the large variety of individual breast shapes and sizes. Breast presentation is an important aspect of a woman&#39;s appearance as dictated by the fashion industry. How an ideal breast should look or be presented is largely dictated by that industry, aesthetics, human activity and circumstances. Enhancement of breast size and shape can be a preoccupation with women either to increase self esteem or to increase a perception that they are attractive to the opposite sex. To this end women have resorted to a wide variety of methods to alter the shape and appearance of breasts to conform to dictates of fashion and to appear more voluptuous in the latest dress fashions. Known methods to enhance breast shape and size include removeable brassiere inserts, padding, silicone implants and other elective surgical enhancements. Although fashion and image dictate acceptable or ideal breast presentation there are many women who although not victims of fashion, may require correction of breast disfigurement occasioned by injury, abnormal size of each individual breast or radical mastectomy resulting from breast cancer treatments. Women in that latter category may elect to use artificial breasts which can be fitted to the chest using an adhesive back wall. These artificial breasts are usually made from silicone and for all intents and purposes, mimic the weight of a real breast and also look real when hidden inside modest upper garments. These adhesive artificial breasts are used by women who have had total mastectomies leaving little or no original breast. Adhesive breasts may be used by women who have had single or double mastectomies. Even in a case where a mastectomy patient has had a full breast reconstruction using a tissue graft, a surgically manufactured replacement breast is not perfect and may require further enhancement using brassiere support, inserts, padding and the like. 
         [0003]    The fashion industry seems to be united on the desirability of presenting breast cleavage as a result of which most of the enhancement methods incorporated into, integral with or used in conjunction with brassieres aim to meet this objective. Although there are many and various brassiere types available to enhance breast appearance, there is always room for improvement. Among the known brassiers are those which employ under wires that provide stiffness in brassiere cups to increase support underneath the breast. Other brassiers have altered cup shape to re distribute support loadings on the breast with the aim of enhancing cleavage or décolete as it is sometimes known. Yet another brassiere type includes integral inserts which are sewn in at strategic locations so the inserts impact on the breast to alter its shape. Usually these inserts are located in apposition to the underside of the breast and provide uplift again increasing décolleté. Although brassiere design has been dictated by fashion, since a brassiere is primarily intended to provide support for breasts attention must be paid to load distributions when a brassiere is in situ. Women with very large breasts can be handicapped by back pain if the brassiere used by such women is not fit for the purpose. For brassieres which include shoulder straps, ultimately breast load is transmitted to the shoulders via those straps. Heavy breasts can cause pain in the shoulders at the load point. This is exacerbated in the case where the brassiere design does not provide optimal breast support. For larger breasted women comfort is often more important than breast appearance. 
         [0000]    One drawback with the known brassieres and particularly those that are designed to enhance breast presentation by altering shape, rather than just providing basic support, is that once on the wearer, the brassiere design dictates breast shape once and for all. Thus, the breasts can only appear in a particular way for a given brassiere design. In that case, should the user be displeased with the result, the only way to change shape is to change brassiere size or type until the desired breast shape and configuration is achieved. In the past the trend in brassiere design has been to achieve breast lift and separation. More recently the trend has been to provide brassieres which may lift but which also urge breasts in apposition to each other to enhance décolleté. Women alter their breast appearance depending upon the activity undertaken. For instance in the workplace comfort is likely to be the primary concern. However, for social occasions such as parties the more exposed breasts are the more important appearance becomes.
 
One type of bra used to create an illusion of larger breast size is the padded bra which is known by the trade mark name of Wonderbra. These bras lift the breasts and add shape to them with extra padding. Some more innovative push up bras use silicone inserts or water sacks to imitate the fullness of natural breasts. They are said to lift and separate creating a full cleavage look on breasts of all sizes. The bra features include a plunge-front underwire and cushioned back straps. The plunge and pad design is said to add an entire cup size to the bust line. Bra cups have been designed for a sleeker look under clothes.
 
         [0004]    Another known bra is a strapless push-up plunge bra having a precision-angled underwire, removable cookies and silicon-backed elastic to provide slip-free, stay-put wearing. This bra can be worn with or without straps. Bra sizes are typically 32-38A, 32-38B, 32-38C, and 32-38D. 
         [0005]    Another type of bra is the underwire push up air bra which is a lightly lined bra with removable air pillows in the cups aiming to create a natural-looking cleavage with maximum comfort. Another known bra is the seam free T shirt bra which includes padding with gel inserts. This bra looks and feels natural and is intended to mould to the wearer&#39;s shape so it feels like the wearers own bust. The intention of this bra is to creates attractive cleavage whilst providing support and comfort. Another bra known as the seamless underwire bra which provides cleavage and without compromise to support. This bra has a hidden underwire. 
         [0006]    There is a long felt want in the brassiere industry to provide a brassiere which allows a user the versatility to alter breast shape and presentation beyond one fixed shape and presentation as was the case in the prior art. There is also a long felt want in the industry to provide a brassiere which has multiple degrees of freedom of expansion in multiple directions so the user can control breast shape and as required, change the appearance of a breast. To date there is no brassiere that conveniently provides a user with wide versatility to change breast shape by altering the shape of a brassiere before use or while in use. 
       INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present invention provides a brassier including an assembly which allows a wearer to inflate portions of the bra to selectively alter the shape of a wearer&#39;s breasts without artificial implants, padding, or other artificial supports. The invention further provides an integrally attached assembly which allows pneumatic inflation of regions of a brassiere which oppose selected breast locations to locally load a breast at predetermined locations to enable the user to selectively adjust breast shape and to give an illusion of increased breast size. 
         [0008]    In its broadest form the present invention comprises: 
         [0009]    a brassiere comprising: breast cups for supporting a breast of a wearer; each said breast cups including at least one inflatable air envelope having at least one internal space which receives air from at least one air pump; 
         [0000]    connection means allowing communicating between a pump and the at least one inflatable envelope, such that when a pump is actuated, the at least one inflatable envelope is air inflated. 
         [0010]    In another broad form the present invention comprises: 
         [0011]    a brassiere having at least spaced apart breast cups, a midriff band and fastening means, the brassier further comprising an assembly including a pump, at least one inflatable envelope and means communicating between the pump and the at least one inflatable envelope, wherein the pump is manually operable to enable pneumatic inflation of the at least one envelope to a size selected by the user, wherein each said inflatable envelope displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast. 
         [0012]    The shape of the breast is altered to an extent commensurate with the extent of inflation of the at least one envelope. The displacement of the breast takes place at a breast location which is in apposition with the inflatable envelope. 
         [0013]    Preferably there are at lest two inflatable envelopes integrally formed in either cup of the brassiere. 
         [0014]    In another broad form the present invention comprises: 
         [0000]    an assembly which enables adjustment to a shape of a brassiere cup, the assembly comprising; at least one inflatable air envelope located in or on the brassiere cup having at least one internal space which receives air from at least one pump; means allowing communicating between the at least one pump and the at least one inflatable envelope, such that when the at least one pump is actuated, the at least one inflatable air envelope receives air and inflates. 
         [0015]    In another broad form the present invention comprises: 
         [0000]    an assembly which allows manual inflation of at least a portion of a brassiere having at least spaced apart breast cups, a midriff band and fastening means; the assembly including a pump, at least one inflatable envelope and communication means between the pump and the at least one inflatable envelope or bladder, wherein the pump is manually operable to enable pneumatic inflation of the at least one bladder to a size selected by the user, wherein each said inflatable bladder upon inflation displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast.
 
According to a preferred embodiment each bladder includes a valve allowing selective deflation of the bladder.
 
         [0016]    In another broad form the present invention comprises: 
         [0000]    a brassiere comprising spaced apart breast cups for supporting a breast of a wearer the, a midriff band and fastening means for securing the midriff band about the torso of a wearer, the brassier further comprising an assembly including a pump, at least one inflatable envelope and means communicating between the pump and the at least one inflatable envelope, wherein the pump is manually operable to enable pneumatic inflation of the at least one envelope to a size selected by the user, wherein each said inflatable envelope displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast. 
         [0017]    The present invention provides an alternative to the known prior art and the shortcomings identified. The foregoing and other objects and advantages will appear from the description to follow. In the description reference is made to the accompanying representations, which forms a part hereof, and in which is shown by way of illustration specific embodiments in which the invention may be practiced. These embodiments will be described in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention, and it is to be understood that other embodiments may be utilized and that structural changes may be made without departing from the scope of the invention. In the accompanying illustrations, like reference characters designate the same or similar parts throughout the several views. 
         [0000]    The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention is best defined by the appended claims. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  shows a front elevation view of a stylized brassiere according to one embodiment. 
           [0019]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a brassiere according to an alternative embodiment including a clasp pump which enables joining of the brassiere at a midriff. 
           [0020]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of a brassiere including a clasp pump which enables joining of the brassiere at a midriff and including an alternative air distribution regime. 
           [0021]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a pump assembly according to one embodiment. 
           [0022]      FIG. 5  shows a cross sectional view taken on one axis of a pump assembly according to one embodiment. 
           [0023]      FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view taken on another axis of a pump assembly according to one embodiment. 
           [0024]      FIG. 7  shows a perspective view of the pump of  FIG. 4  from an underside; and 
           [0025]      FIG. 8  shows a perspective view of the pump of  FIG. 4  from a top side view. 
           [0026]      FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view through an air release valve according to one embodiment. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0027]    The examples referred to herein are illustrative and are not to be regarded as limiting the scope of the invention. While various embodiments of the invention have been described herein, it will be appreciated that these are capable of modification, and therefore the disclosures herein are not to be construed as limiting of the precise details set forth, but to avail such changes and alterations as fall within the scope of the description. 
         [0028]      FIG. 1  shows a front elevation view of a stylized brassiere  1   
         [0029]    (hereinafter abbreviated to bra) according to one embodiment. Brassiere  1  comprises spaced apart breast cups  2  and  3 , a midriff band  4  and fastening means (not shown) to enable fastening of bra  1 . Bra  1  further comprises an under wire  5  in cup  2  and under wire  6  in cup  3 . Underwires are commonly found in brassieres to impart added rigidity to the periphery of the cups and to increase support. The invention to be described below according to a preferred embodiment, may be employed in a wide variety of bra&#39;s and is not limited to its application in an underwire bra. Brassier  1  further comprising an assembly which allows selective inflation and deflation of parts of the bra cups. The inflation assembly includes a pump  7  which is operatively connected to inflatable envelopes or bladders  8  and  9  in cup  2  and inflatable bladders  10  and  11  in cup  3 . Interconnecting pump  7  are air delivery passages  12  and  13  which communicate with the bladders. According to the embodiment shown, passage  12  feeds bladders  8  and  9  via distribution envelope  15  and passage  13  feeds bladders  10  and  11  via distribution envelope  16 . Pump  7  is preferably manually operable to enable pneumatic inflation of the bladders to a size selected by the user. Each inflatable bladder displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast both locally and remotely depending upon the degree of inflation. Initial displacement of the breast takes place at a breast location which is in apposition with the inflatable bladders. According to a preferred embodiment, there are at least two inflatable bladders integrally formed in both cups  2  and  3  of the brassiere. In an alternative embodiment, one cup has bladders but the other cup does not. This may for instance be required in the case where one breast has undergone trauma to one breast causing an alteration in the breast shape or full or partial mastectomy as a result of cancer. As shown in  FIG. 1 , each of bladders  8 , and  10  are adapted with control valves respectively valves  17  and  18  which regulate the passage of air to and from the respective bladders. Valves  17  and  18  can be a known type such as a duck bill valve or standard two way valve which allows passage of air in and out of the bladders  8  and  10 . Preferably the valves are adapted with a manual release which enables a user to independently operate each valve release air as required. 
         [0030]    Air enters bladder  8  via inlet  19  and air enters bladder  10  via inlet  16   a.    
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , cup  2  has bladder  9  laterally disposed and bladder  8  disposed in a region which presents to the underside of a breast. Bladder  9  would impact upon inflation on the outer lateral breast region urging the breast in a general direction towards the opposite breast. Bladders  8  and  9  can be operated independently or jointly depending upon the users breast presentation requirements. Lateral load placed on the breast by bladder  9  would urge the breast centrally increasing décolleté. At the same time, the breast can undergo lift under the action of underside bladder  8 . Similar adjustment capability is available in cup  3  by inflation or deflation of bladders  10  and  11 . Thus, both breasts can be adjusted symmetrically or asymmetrically as required depending upon the user requirements. It will be appreciated that with this versatility integrated into bra  1 , that a user has wide capacity to adjust breast configuration as required. Specifically, the breasts can be configured using this bra to adapt to dress requirements, whether it be for evening wear, sport, work wear or other form of attire. The bra can also accommodate different sized breasts so as to make the breasts look symmetrical. 
         [0032]      FIG. 2  shows a front view of a brassiere according to an alternative embodiment including a clasp pump which enables joining of the brassiere at a midriff. 
         [0033]    Brassiere  20  comprises spaced apart breast cups  21  and  22 , a midriff band  23 . Bra  20  further comprises an under wire  24  in cup  21  and under wire  25  in cup  22 . Brassier  20  further comprising an assembly which allows selective inflation and deflation of parts of the bra cups. The inflation assembly includes a pump  26  which is operatively connected to inflatable envelopes or bladders  27  and  28  in cup  21  and inflatable bladders  29  and  30  in cup  22 . Extending from pump  26  are air delivery passages  31  and  32  which communicate with the bladders. According to the embodiment shown, passage  31  feeds bladders  27  and  28  via distribution envelope  33  and passage  32  feeds bladders  34  and  35  via distribution envelope  36 . Pump  26  is preferably manually operable to enable pneumatic inflation of the bladders to a size selected by the user. As before, each inflatable bladder displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast both locally and remotely depending upon the degree of inflation. Initial displacement of the breast takes place at a breast location which is in apposition with the inflatable bladders. 
         [0034]    According to a preferred embodiment, bladders  27  and  28  may comprises segments with separate geometry but are in air communication. One bladder may used to effect all inflation or a segmented bladder as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  may be used to more effectively distribute loading on the breast generated by the inflatable bladders. Preferably the bladders are contained within the fabric of the brassiere. Each of bladders  27 , and  29  are adapted with control valves respectively valves  37  and  38  which regulate the passage of air to and from the respective bladders. Valves  37  and  38  can be a known type such as a duck bill one way valve or standard two way valve which allows passage of air in and out of the bladders  37  and  38 . Preferably the valves are adapted with a manual release which enables a user to independently operate each valve release air as required. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIG. 2  air from pump  26  enters bladder  27  via inlet  39  and bladder  29  via inlet  40 . Air may be released from bladder  27  and  28  via valve  37  and from bladder  29  and  30  via valve  38 . 
         [0036]    Bladders  27  and  28  and  29  and  30  operate as described for the bladders in bra  1  of  FIG. 1 . Thus, both breasts can be adjusted symmetrically or asymmetrically as required depending upon the user requirements. 
         [0037]      FIG. 3  shows a front view of a brassiere  50  including a clasp pump  51  which enables joining of the brassiere at midriff portions  52  and  53 . Bra  50  includes an alternative air distribution and release regime to that described with reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
         [0038]    Brassiere  50  comprises spaced apart breast cups  54  and  55  including an under wire  56  in cup  54  and under wire  57  in cup  55 . Brassier  50  further comprises an assembly which allows selective inflation and deflation of parts of the bra cups  54  and  55 . Pump  51  includes bladder inlet tube  58  which feeds pressurised air to distribution bladder  59 . Air is then delivered via inlet  60  to bladder  61  and via inlet  62  to bladder  63 . Bladder  61  includes air release valve  64  and bladder  63  includes air release valve  65 . Pump  51  includes bladder inlet tube  58  which feeds pressurised air to distribution bladder  59 . Air is then delivered via inlet  60  to bladder  61  and via inlet  62  to bladder  63 . Bladder  61  includes air release valve  64  and bladder  63  includes air release valve  65 . 
         [0039]    Pump  51  also includes bladder inlet tube  66  which feeds pressurised air to distribution bladder  67 . Air is then delivered via inlet  68  to bladder  69  and via inlet  70  to bladder  71 . Bladder  69  includes air release valve  72  and bladder  71  includes air release valve  73 . 
         [0040]    As before, each inflatable bladder displaces at least a portion of a breast thereby altering the shape of the breast both locally and remotely depending upon the degree of inflation. Initial displacement of the breast takes place at a breast location which is in apposition with the inflatable bladders. Preferably the valves are adapted with a manual release which enables a user to independently operate each valve. 
         [0041]    This arrangement allows the user separate capacity to adjust bladder compartments individually and provides increased capacity for fine adjustment of loading applied to the breast for breast reshaping. Although the embodiments shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2  and  3  have one pump assembly operatively connected to all bladders it will be appreciated that according to one embodiment, each bladder be operated by its own separate pump. Also, each cup may be adapted with a plurality of bladders as shown or one bladder only. Furthermore, each bladder may have its own release valve or there may be one release valve for all bladders. In an alternative embodiment one valve can be adapted to operate one or more bladders. Bladders can be restricted to one cup or distributed symmetrically or asymmetrically across two cups. An asymmetric distribution may for instance occur for uneven breasts or in the case of a partial mastectomy. 
         [0042]      FIG. 4  shows an exploded view of a pump assembly  80  according to one embodiment. Preferably pump assembly  80  is operable by squeezing or pressing from the front against the backing of the chest of a wearer. Pump  80  according to the embodiment shown comprises a body having first and second general hemispherical parts  81  and  82  having respective opposing equator regions  83  and  84 . Part  81  which acts as a manifold and  82  define an internal space  93  housing valves  84  and  85  which engage respective sealing covers  86  and  87 . Covers  86  and  87  respectively close passages  88  and  89 . Passage  88  is in communication with outlet tube  90  and passage  89  is in communication with outlet tube  91  (obscured). Assembly  80  further comprises a regulator one way valve  92  which allows entry of an air supply into space  93  when pump  80  is charged. Part  81  includes a flange  94  which allows engagement of the pump with a brassiere and also allows midriff portions of the brassiere such as midriff portions  52  and  53  as described in  FIG. 3  to be clasped by the flange. Part  81  also includes a diaphragm  95  which an operator can depress against the bias of restoring spring  96 . Pump  80  operates between a first state in which air is introduced into space  93  and a second state in which diaphragm  95  is depressed or squeezed against biasing spring  96  forcing air in space  93  into valves  84  and  85  and then into tubes  90  and  91  for delivery of air to inflatable bladders in a brassiere as described earlier. Collar  97  locks flange  94  of part  82  to flange  98  of manifold  81 . Collar  97  is locked via engagement between locking pins  99 ,  100 ,  101  and  102  with corresponding housings  103 ,  104  (obscured),  105  and  106 . 
         [0043]      FIG. 5  shows with corresponding numbering a cross sectional view taken on one axis of the assembled pump assembly  80 . One way duck bill valves  84  and  85  feed pressurised air to channels  88  and  89 .  FIG. 6  shows a cross sectional view taken on another axis of a pump assembly  80 . Air from passage  88  is delivered to outlet tube  90  and air from passage  89  is delivered to tube  91  thereby inflating bladders in a brassiere to which pump  80  is attached as described earlier. 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  shows with corresponding numbering a perspective view of the pump  80  of  FIG. 4  fully assembled from an underside; and  FIG. 8  shows with corresponding numbering from a top side view of the pump  80  of  FIG. 7 . 
         [0045]      FIG. 9  shows a cross sectional view through a release valve assembly  90  according to one embodiment. Valve assembly  90  comprises a valve body  91  and valve  92 . Valve body  91  includes an inner recess  93  which terminates in an opening  94  which receives and retains therein shut off gate  95 . Valve  92  moves between a first state in which gate  95  abuts rim  96  via shoulder  97  of gate  95  to close and seal the valve and a second state in which valve is pressed by a user allowing shoulder  97  to extend away from rim  96  to allow release of air through opening  94 . Air migrates away from valve  92  via passage  98  thereby releasing air from inflatable bladders. The above described valve assembly is one embodiment of release valves  17  and  18  or  64  and  65  referred to in  FIGS. 1 and 3  respectively. 
         [0046]    Various materials may be adopted for the inflatable bladders pump and air supply lines from the pump to bladders. Plastics are preferred with an example of bladder material being polyurethane. 
         [0047]    It will be recognised by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and modifications may be made to the invention broadly described herein without departing from the overall spirit and scope of the invention.