Abstract:
The device of the present invention provides a backless, strapless bra that provides support and/or cleavage to a wearer&#39;s breasts and the components of which are not visible, even when worn with a wide variety of revealing outer garments. A first aspect of the invention provides a backless and strapless bra comprising at least one cup member for supporting a front surface of a wearer&#39;s breast, and at least one support member for supporting an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast, wherein each cup member is unattached to a support member and any other cup member.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]     The current application claims the benefit of co-pending U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/502,014 filed Sep. 11, 2003 and 60/511,880 filed Oct. 16, 2003, and co-pending U.S. Design patent application Ser. No. 29/202,935 filed Apr. 7, 2004, all of which are hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     (1) Technical Field  
         [0003]     The present invention relates generally to the field of undergarments and more specifically to a backless and strapless multi-piece bra.  
         [0004]     (2) Related Art  
         [0005]     Bras have long been used to provide support to a wearer&#39;s breasts. However, traditional bras are unacceptable when worn with backless or shoulderless outer garments, as various parts, including their straps, will be visible. As a result, various backless and/or strapless bras have been developed for use with such outer garments.  
         [0006]     For example, U.S. Pat. No. 6,780,081 to Chen et al. describes a backless, strapless bra having cups held to a wearer&#39;s breasts with an adhesive. However, the device of the Chen et al. patent utilizes a connector between the cups of the bra which is intended to provide cleavage to a user&#39;s breasts. As such, the device cannot be worn with outer garments having plunging necklines, as the connector and possibly the cups of the device will be visible. In addition, the device would provide little support for the underside of a wearer&#39;s breast.  
         [0007]     Accordingly, a need exists for a bra that is backless and strapless and is capable of providing support and/or cleavage to a wearer&#39;s breasts while being usable with a wide range of revealing outer garments.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0008]     The device of the present invention provides a backless, strapless bra that provides support and/or cleavage to a wearer&#39;s breasts and the components of which are not visible, even when worn with a wide variety of revealing outer garments. A first aspect of the invention provides a backless and strapless bra comprising at least one cup member for supporting a front surface of a wearer&#39;s breast, and at least one support member for supporting an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast, wherein each cup member is unattached to any support member and any other cup member.  
         [0009]     A second aspect of the invention provides a backless and strapless bra comprising a set of cup members for supporting a front surface of a wearer&#39;s breast, a set of support members for supporting an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast, and at least one mesh member connecting a support member to at least one of a cup member and a second support member, wherein each cup member is unattached to any other cup member.  
         [0010]     A third aspect of the invention provides a backless and strapless bra comprising at least one cup member for supporting a front surface of a wearer&#39;s breast, and at least one support member for supporting an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast, wherein the at least one cup member and the at least one support member comprise sufficient adhesion to secure the cup member and the support member to a wearer&#39;s breast.  
         [0011]     A fourth aspect of the invention provides a backless and strapless bra comprising a pair of cup members for supporting a front surface of each of a wearer&#39;s breasts, and at least two support members for supporting an underside of each of a wearer&#39;s breasts, wherein a first cup member is unattached to a second cup member.  
         [0012]     The foregoing and other features of the invention will be apparent from the following more particular description of embodiments of the invention. 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]     The embodiments of this invention will be described in detail, with reference to the following figures, wherein like designations denote like elements, and wherein:  
         [0014]     FIGS.  1 A-I show several views and embodiments of a multi-piece bra having a round cup according to the invention.  
         [0015]     FIGS.  2 A-F show several views and embodiments of a multi-piece bra having an oval cup according to the invention.  
         [0016]     FIGS.  3 A-F show several views and embodiments of a multi-piece bra having an “eye-shaped” cup according to the invention.  
         [0017]     FIGS.  4 A-H show several views and embodiments of a multi-piece bra having a half-round cup according to the invention.  
         [0018]     FIGS.  5 A-G show several views and embodiments of a multi-piece bra having a partial half-round push-up cup according to the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0019]     Referring to FIGS.  1 A-B, a first embodiment of the invention is shown.  FIG. 1A  shows a front view of the device  1 , comprising a round cup member  10  and a support member  20 . Support member  20  is depicted as an elongate member having squared ends  20   a,    20   b.  One or both ends  20   a,    20   b  may similarly be rounded. Cup member  10  and support member  20  may each be composed of one or more of a number of materials, including, for example, cloth and silicone. An exemplary cloth material is a tricote available from MBK Enterprises, Inc. of Chatsworth, Calif., U.S.A. Optionally, cup member  10 , support member  20 , or both may be composed of a stretchable foam material. In addition, cup member  10  may include various devices common to the manufacture of bras, including, for example, padding to provide the appearance of a larger breast.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1B  shows a front view of device  1  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  20  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  10  is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  10  and support member  20  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  10  may partially or completely cover support member  20  when applied.  
         [0021]      FIG. 1C  shows device  1  with optional mesh member  40  connecting cup member  10  and support member  20 . Mesh member  40  may be of the same material or a different material as cup member  10  and support member  20 .  
         [0022]      FIG. 1D  shows device  1  having a first support member  20  and a second support member  22  residing below first support member, and each residing below cup member  10 . First and second support members may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0023]      FIG. 1E  shows device  1  of  FIG. 1D  with optionally rounded ends  20   a,    20   b,    22   a,    22   b  on each of first support member  20  and second support member  22 . It should be appreciated that while each end of first support member  20  and second support member  22  is shown having a rounded shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that one end of either or both support members may be rounded while the other end is squared.  
         [0024]      FIG. 1F  shows a side view of device  1  as it would be located on a wearer&#39;s breast. Cup member  10  and support member  20  are secured to a wearer&#39;s breast by an adhesive  30  along an inner surface of each of cup member  10  and support member  20 . Adhesive  30  may be provided upon one or both of cup member  10  and support member  20  or it may be applied to the inner surfaces of each by a wearer prior to application of device  1 . Adhesive  30  may cover one or more portions or an entire interior surface of cup member  10  and support member  20 . Substances suitable for use as adhesive  30  include skin-sensitive, pressure-sensitive, hypoallergenic, acrylate adhesives that are non-toxic and non-irritating to a wearer&#39;s skin. Such adhesives are available from, for example, 3M Inc. of St. Paul Minn., U.S.A.  
         [0025]     In a particularly preferred embodiment, adhesive  30  is a layer of silicone having properties making it adhesive or “tacky” to the touch. Such a material provides sufficient adhesion to a wearer&#39;s breast that cup member  10  and support member  20  are held in place and provide sufficient support to a wearer&#39;s breast but may be easily removed without causing discomfort to a wearer&#39;s skin. Optionally, cup member  10 , support member  20 , or both may be composed of such a silicone, obviating the need for a separate layer of adhesive  30 .  
         [0026]     Support member  20  is an elongate member placed substantially along an underside of a breast, providing support in direction A similar to that of an underwire in a traditional bra. Cup member  10  is placed over a front surface of a breast, providing support in direction B, holding the breast toward the wearer&#39;s body. Optionally, a mesh member  40  may connect cup member  10  and support member  20 . Preferably, there is no adhesive  30  on an interior surface of mesh member  40 . As such, mesh member  40  may provide additional support to a breast while still allowing the independent movement of cup member  10  and support member  20 .  
         [0027]      FIG. 1G  shows a side view of device  1  as it would be located on a wearer&#39;s breast. First support member  20  is connected to cup member  10  and second support member  22  by first mesh member  40  and second mesh member  42 , respectively. Such an embodiment may be useful, for example, where a wearer requires additional support for the underside of a breast. As in  FIG. 1F , adhesive  30  may be applied to a portion or an entire interior surface of cup member  10 , first support member  20 , and second support member  22 .  
         [0028]      FIG. 1H  shows a side view of device  1 , wherein cup member  10  is applied to cover support member  20 . As in FIGS.  1 F-G, adhesive  30  may be applied to a portion or an entire interior surface of cup member  10  and support member  20 .  
         [0029]      FIG. 1I  shows a partially exploded side elevational view of device  1  as applied to a wearer (shown in phantom). Two cup members  10 L,  10 R are provided, one for each of a wearer&#39;s breasts. Right cup member  10 R and right support member  20 R are shown before application to the wearer&#39;s right breast. Right support member  20 R is to be applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s right breast while right cup member  10 R is to be applied to a front surface of the wearer&#39;s right breast. Left cup member  10 L is shown applied to the wearer&#39;s left breast. As applied, left cup member  10 L covers left support member (not shown), which has been applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s left breast. It should be understood, of course, that left cup member  10 L or any other cup member may similarly cover only a portion of a support member or none of the support member, depending, for example, on the size of a wearer&#39;s breast and/or the particular sites of application of the cup member and the support member.  
         [0030]     While FIGS.  1 A-I show cup member  10  having a substantially round shape, other shapes are possible and within the scope of the present invention. Such shapes include, for example, half-rounds, partial half-rounds, ovals, half-ovals, partial half-ovals, “eye” shapes, and ellipses. Exemplary embodiments are described below with reference to FIGS.  2 A-F,  3 A-F,  4 A-H, and  5 A-G.  
         [0031]     Referring to FIGS.  2 A-F, various embodiments of device  100  are shown, wherein cup member  110  has an oval shape.  FIG. 2A  shows a front view of device  100 , comprising an oval cup member  110  and a support member  120 . Cup member  110  and support member  120  may each be composed of one or more of a number of materials, including, for example, cloth and silicone.  
         [0032]      FIG. 2B  shows a front view of device  1  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  120  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  110  is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  10  and support member  120  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  110  may partially or completely cover support member  120  when applied.  
         [0033]      FIG. 2C  shows device  100  with optional mesh member  140  connecting cup member  110  and support member  120 . Mesh member  140  may be of the same material or a different material as cup member  110  and support member  120 .  
         [0034]      FIG. 2D  shows device  100  with a first support member  120  and a second support member  122  residing below first support member, and each residing below cup member  110 . First and second support members may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0035]      FIG. 2E  shows device  100  of  FIG. 2D  with optionally rounded ends  120   a,    120   b,    122   a,    122   b  on each of first support member  120  and second support member  122 . It should be appreciated that while each end of first support member  120  and second support member  122  is shown having a rounded shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that one end of either or both support members may be rounded while the other end is squared.  
         [0036]      FIG. 2F  shows a partially exploded side elevational view of device  100  as applied to a wearer (shown in phantom). Two cup members  110 L,  110 R are provided, one for each of a wearer&#39;s breasts. Right cup member  110 R and right support member  120 R are shown before application to the wearer&#39;s right breast. Right support member  120 R is to be applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s right breast while right cup member  110 R is to be applied to a front surface of the wearer&#39;s right breast. Left cup member  110 L is shown applied to the wearer&#39;s left breast. As applied, left cup member  110 L covers left support member (not shown), which has been applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s left breast. It should be understood, of course, that left cup member  110 L or any other cup member may similarly cover only a portion of a support member or none of the support member, depending, for example, on the size of a wearer&#39;s breast and/or the particular sites of application of the cup member and the support member.  
         [0037]     Referring to FIGS.  3 A-F, various embodiments of device  200  are shown, wherein cup member  210  has an exaggerated oval or “eye” shape.  FIG. 3A  shows a front view of the device  200 , comprising an “eye-shaped” cup member  210  and a support member  220 . Cup member  10  and support member  20  may each be composed of one or more of a number of materials, including, for example, cloth and silicone.  
         [0038]      FIG. 3B  shows a front view of device  200  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  220  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  210  is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  210  and support member  220  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  210  may partially or completely cover support member  220  when applied.  
         [0039]      FIG. 3C  shows device  200  with optional mesh member  240  connecting cup member  210  and support member  220 . Mesh member  240  may be of the same material or a different material as cup member  210  and support member  220 .  
         [0040]      FIG. 3D  shows device  200  with a first support member  220  and a second support member  222  residing below first support member, and each residing below cup member  210 . First and second support members may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0041]      FIG. 3E  shows device  200  of  FIG. 3D  with optionally rounded ends  220   a,    220   b,    222   a,    222   b  on each of first support member  220  and second support member  222 . It should be appreciated that while each end of first support member  220  and second support member  222  is shown having a rounded shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that one end of either or both support members may be rounded while the other end is squared.  
         [0042]      FIG. 3F  shows a partially exploded side elevational view of device  200  as applied to a wearer (shown in phantom). Two cup members  210 L,  210 R are provided, one for each of a wearer&#39;s breasts. Right cup member  210 R and right support member  220 R are shown before application to the wearer&#39;s right breast. Right support member  220 R is to be applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s right breast while right cup member  210 R is to be applied to a front surface of the wearer&#39;s right breast. Left cup member  210 L is shown applied to the wearer&#39;s left breast. As applied, left cup member  210 L covers left support member (not shown), which has been applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s left breast. It should be understood, of course, that left cup member  210 L or any other cup member may similarly cover only a portion of a support member or none of the support member, depending, for example, on the size of a wearer&#39;s breast and/or the particular sites of application of the cup member and the support member.  
         [0043]     Referring to FIGS.  4 A-H, various embodiments of device  300  are shown, wherein cup member  310  has a half-round shape, wherein cup member  310  is substantially U-shaped and a top portion of cup member  310  has sides that are substantially parallel.  FIG. 4A  shows a front view of the device  300 , comprising a half-round cup member  310  and a support member  320 . Cup member  310  and support member  320  may each be composed of one or more of a number of materials, including, for example, cloth and silicone.  
         [0044]      FIG. 4B  shows a front view of device  300  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  320  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  310  is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  310  and support member  320  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  310  may partially or completely cover support member  320  when applied.  
         [0045]      FIG. 4C  shows device  300  with optional mesh member  340  connecting cup member  310  and support member  320 . Mesh member  340  may be of the same material or a different material as cup member  310  and support member  320 .  
         [0046]      FIG. 4D  shows device  300  with a first support member  320  and a second support member  322  residing below first support member, and each residing below cup member  310 . First and second support members may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0047]      FIG. 4E  shows device  300  of  FIG. 4D  with optionally rounded ends  320   a,    320   b,    322   a,    322   b  on each of first support member  320  and second support member  322 . It should be appreciated that while each end of first support member  320  and second support member  322  is shown having a rounded shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that one end of either or both support members may be rounded while the other end is squared.  
         [0048]      FIG. 4F  shows device  300  of  FIG. 4A , wherein cup member  310  further comprises an underwire  350 . Such an embodiment may be desirable, for example, where a wearer desires more upward support of a breast than is provided by support member  320 .  
         [0049]      FIG. 4G  shows a front view of device  300  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  320  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  310 , which includes underwire  350 , is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  310  and support member  320  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  310  may partially or completely cover support member  320  when applied.  
         [0050]      FIG. 4H  shows a partially exploded side elevational view of device  300  as applied to a wearer (shown in phantom). Two cup members  310 L,  310 R are provided, one for each of a wearer&#39;s breasts. Right cup member  310 R and right support member  320 R are shown before application to the wearer&#39;s right breast. Right support member  320 R is to be applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s right breast while right cup member  310 R is to be applied to a front surface of the wearer&#39;s right breast. Left cup member  310 L is shown applied to the wearer&#39;s left breast. As applied, left cup member  310 L covers left support member (not shown), which has been applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s left breast. It should be understood, of course, that left cup member  310 L or any other cup member may similarly cover only a portion of a support member or none of the support member, depending, for example, on the size of a wearer&#39;s breast and/or the particular sites of application of the cup member and the support member.  
         [0051]     Referring to FIGS.  5 A-G, various embodiments of device  400  are shown, wherein cup member  410  has a partial half-round shape, designed to raise and move a wearer&#39;s breast to a medial position, thus providing cleavage.  FIG. 5A  shows a front view of the device  400 , comprising a partial half-round cup member  410  and a support member  420 . Cup member  410  and support member  420  may each be composed of one or more of a number of materials, including, for example, cloth and silicone.  
         [0052]      FIG. 5B  shows a front view of device  400  as it would be applied to a wearer. Support member  420  resides along an underside of a wearer&#39;s breast while cup member  410  is placed along a front surface of the breast. While both cup member  410  and support member  420  are substantially flat before application, each conforms to the shape of a wearer&#39;s breast upon application. As shown, cup member  410  may partially or completely cover support member  420  when applied.  
         [0053]      FIG. 5C  shows device  400  with optional mesh member  440  connecting cup member  410  and support member  420 . Mesh member  440  may be of the same material or a different material as cup member  410  and support member  420 .  
         [0054]      FIG. 5D  shows device  400  with a first support member  420  and a second support member  422  residing below first support member, and each residing below cup member  410 . First and second support members may be of the same or different materials.  
         [0055]      FIG. 5E  shows device  400  of  FIG. 5D  with optionally rounded ends  420   a,    420   b,    422   a,    422   b  on each of first support member  420  and second support member  422 . It should be appreciated that while each end of first support member  420  and second support member  422  is shown having a rounded shape, it is within the scope of the present invention that one end of either or both support members may be rounded while the other end is squared.  
         [0056]      FIG. 5F  shows device  400  comprising a pair of cup members  410 R,  410 L and support members  420 R,  420 L as well as optional tab members  460 R,  460 L located on or adjacent a lateral surface of each cup member  410 R,  410 L. That is, tab members  460 R,  460 L may be attached to cup members  410 R,  410 L by any means known in the art or may be applied as independent members to areas adjacent cup members  410 R,  410 L. Tab members  460 R,  460 L provide additional support to a wearer&#39;s breast by further securing cup member  410 R,  410 L to a side of the wearer&#39;s body. Accordingly, an adhesive such as that described above may be applied to a portion or an entire interior surface of tab member  460 R,  460 L. Tab members  460 R,  460 L may be of the same or a different material than cup member  410 R,  410 L and support member  420 R,  420 L.  
         [0057]      FIG. 5G  shows a partially exploded side elevational view of device  400  as applied to a wearer (shown in phantom). Two cup members  410 L,  410 R are provided, one for each of a wearer&#39;s breasts. Right cup member  410 R and right support member  420 R are shown before application to the wearer&#39;s right breast. Right support member  420 R is to be applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s right breast while right cup member  410 R is to be applied to a front surface of the wearer&#39;s right breast. Left cup member  410 L is shown applied to the wearer&#39;s left breast. As applied, left cup member  410 L covers left support member (not shown), which has been applied to an underside of the wearer&#39;s left breast. It should be understood, of course, that left cup member  410 L or any other cup member may similarly cover only a portion of a support member or none of the support member, depending, for example, on the size of a wearer&#39;s breast and/or the particular sites of application of the cup member and the support member.  
         [0058]     While this invention has been described in conjunction with the specific embodiments outlined above, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the embodiments of the invention as set forth above are intended to be illustrative, not limiting. Various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the following claims.