Patent Publication Number: US-9410277-B2

Title: Apparatus for use in laundering garments having cups and methods therefor

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION(S) 
     This patent application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/657,493, filed Oct. 22, 2012, entitled “Apparatus For Use In Laundering Garments Having Cups And Methods Therefor,” which is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Many women&#39;s garments include cups formed from a relatively stiff material in order to provide support and a smooth aesthetic appearance. Such garments include brassieres, or bras, lingerie, swimsuits, camisoles, tank tops, dresses, and other garments with built-in breast support. The cups of these garments are often formed of a fiberfill material or a molded foam pad, for example. These types of materials are relatively stiff in order to maintain their shape during normal use. 
     However, washing these garments in a machine tends to deteriorate the garment, particularly the cups. For example, the cups get crushed or otherwise deformed and the straps tangle with other items in the wash. Furthermore, a bra&#39;s clasps often snag on other items in the wash as well as the bra itself. As a result, the bra becomes distorted and damaged, no longer fitting correctly. 
     Machine washing a bra as few as 4 or 5 times is enough to deteriorate the cups. Wearing out a garment in such a short amount of time is frustrating, particularly when there is a connection to the garments color, fit, and style. Furthermore, bras and garments with breast supports are expensive. Replacing bras that cost approximately $60-70 each, and garments that can cost significantly more, after only 5 washings is impractical. 
     While conventional mesh garment bags may help prevent clasps from tangling with other items in the wash, conventional mesh garment bags do not protect cups against crushing and distortion. Furthermore, conventional products attempting to address these problems suffer the further disadvantage that they are not useable in a dryer. The only alternative is to hand wash and/or air-dry these types of garments, which is a time consuming and inconvenient endeavor. 
     Accordingly, there is a need for an apparatus for use in laundering garments having cups that prevents damage to the cups and prevents shoulders, back straps, and clasps from crushing, snagging, and tangling, and is washer and dryer safe. 
     SUMMARY 
     Provided herein is an apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups. In an embodiment, the apparatus comprises a flexible panel, a pair of cup supports attached to the flexible panel, and a plurality of retainers, such as clips, attached to the flexible panel to hold each cup of the garment against a corresponding cup support. The apparatus may further comprise a pouch attached to the flexible panel that is adapted to receive a clasp of the garment. 
     In an aspect of the technology described herein, each cup support comprises a convex member. Each cup support may include a plurality of apertures formed through the convex member. Each cup support may further include a plurality of protrusions that space the cups of the garment away from the convex member. 
     In another aspect of the technology, the apparatus includes a water permeable bag extending around the flexible panel. In this case, the flexible panel may be attached to the water permeable bag. 
     In another embodiment, the apparatus comprises a first flexible panel having a surrounding edge margin and a second flexible panel attached to the first flexible panel along at least a portion of the edge margin defining an interior region therebetween. The first and second flexible panels may comprise water permeable material. A third flexible panel is disposed in the interior region and a pair of cup supports are attached to the third flexible panel. A plurality of retainers are disposed on the third flexible panel proximate the cup supports. The retainers hold each cup of the garment in close confronting relation with a corresponding cup support. In yet another aspect of the technology, the third flexible panel is rectangular and is attached only along one edge to the surrounding edge margin of the first flexible panel. 
     In some embodiments, the apparatus includes a pair of retainer rings, each attached to a corresponding cup support and operative to hold each cup of the garment against the corresponding cup support. The apparatus can also include a gudgeon attached to each cup support and wherein each retainer ring is rotatably disposed in a corresponding gudgeon. In some embodiments, the apparatus includes at least one latch disposed on each cup support positioned to retain the retainer ring against a corresponding cup of the garment. 
     Also contemplated herein are methods of preparing a garment having cups for laundering. In an embodiment, the method comprises attaching the garment to a flexible panel, supporting the cups of the garment with a pair of cup supports attached to the panel, and enclosing the cup supports and at least a portion of the garment between two mesh panels. The method may further comprise inserting the flexible panel into the garment and adjacent the cups of the garment, and extending the garment beyond the two mesh panels. A method for laundering a garment having cups is also provided. In an embodiment, this method includes preparing the garment for laundering and then machine washing and machine drying the garment while the garment is attached to the flexible panel and enclosed between the mesh panels. 
     These and other aspects of the disclosed technology will be apparent after consideration of the Detailed Description and Figures herein. It is to be understood, however, that the scope of the invention shall be determined by the claims as issued and not by whether given subject matter addresses any or all issues noted in the background or includes any features or aspects recited in this summary. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       Non-limiting and non-exhaustive embodiments of the apparatus, including the preferred embodiment, are described with reference to the following figures, wherein like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the various view unless otherwise specified. 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups according to a first exemplary embodiment; 
         FIG. 2  is a top plan view of the apparatus shown in  FIG. 1  with a representative garment installed in the apparatus; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of the apparatus shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2  with the representative garment removed to illustrate the cup support members; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a water-permeable bag; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of the flexible panel and associated clips and cup supports as shown in  FIGS. 1-3 ; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of the flexible panel as shown in  FIG. 5  as viewed from the back side; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of a cup support as shown in the figures; 
         FIG. 8  is a perspective view of a representative retainer as shown in the figures; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a cup support and retainer ring according to another exemplary embodiment; and 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the cup support shown in  FIG. 9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Embodiments are described more fully below with reference to the accompanying figures, which form a part hereof and show, by way of illustration, specific exemplary embodiments. These embodiments are disclosed in sufficient detail to enable those skilled in the art to practice the invention. However, embodiments may be implemented in many different forms and should not be construed as being limited to the embodiments set forth herein. The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense. 
     Provided herein is an apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups. The apparatus is designed to help keep the cups, straps, foam, underwire and hooks of the undergarment from pulling, stretching, ringing, and otherwise becoming distorted. The apparatus lifts the garment cups slightly off the dome shape, so that water, detergent and air make contact with the garment allowing it to be cleansed and dried thoroughly, while protecting the shape and form of the cup and the fabric. The apparatus also protects the straps and hooks from catching on other clothes in the washer and dryer, thus helping to eliminate wringing of the garment. 
     With reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , apparatus  30  is used in laundering a garment having cups, such as bra  10 . Apparatus  30  includes a water-permeable bag  32  with a flexible panel  34  disposed therein. Water permeable bag  32  includes first and second flexible panels  40  and  42 , respectively. With further reference to  FIG. 3 , flexible panel  34  includes a plurality of retainers  24  and a pair of cup supports  36 . In this case, retainers  24  are in the form of clips which are operative to engage the bra. 
     As is known in the art, bra  10  may include a pair of cups  12  which are interconnected by gore  18 . Extending from each cup  12  is a back wing strap  16  each of which terminates in a corresponding clasp  20 ,  22 . Straps  14  extend from the top of each cup  12  and connect with a corresponding back wing  16 . 
     In this case, the retainers  24  engage bra  10  at the gore  18 , both back wings  16 , and at the top of the cups  12  where each strap  14  extends. It should be understood that the location and construction of the retainers are for illustrative purposes only. Other retainers, in the form of clips, straps, pockets, pouches, snaps, buttons, and the like, may be used and their locations may vary. In this embodiment, a pair of pouches  26  are attached to flexible panel  34  which are sized and configured to receive clasps  20  and  22 . As shown in  FIG. 5 , a pair of cup supports  36  are attached to flexible panel  34 . It can be appreciated that the plurality of retainers  24  are disposed proximate the cup supports  36  and are thereby operative to hold each cup  12  of the garment in close confronting relation with a corresponding cup support  36 . The retainers  24  and cup supports  36  may be attached to the flexible panel  34  by sewing, gluing, welding (in the case of plastic components), or through suitable fasteners such as snaps or cooperative hook and loop material, for example. 
     While the exemplary embodiments of the apparatus are described herein with respect to a bra, it should be understood that other garments having cups may be laundered using the disclosed apparatus. Garments having cups include, for example and without limitation, lingerie, swimsuits, camisoles, tank tops, dresses, training bras, full cup bras, demi cup bras, padded bras, underwired bras, strapless bras, convertible bras, t-shirt bras, minimizer bras, maximizer/push up bras, sports bras, built-in bras, shelf bras, peephole bras, maternity bras, and mastectomy bras, as well as other garments with built-in breast support. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 4 , water-permeable bag  32  includes a first flexible panel  40  and a second flexible panel  42 . First flexible panel  40  has a surrounding edge margin defined by edges  43 ,  45 ,  47 , and  49 . In this case, second flexible panel  42  is attached to first flexible panel  40  along the edge  49 . The panels may be attached by sewing, for example. In other cases, the panels may be attached or connected together with a zipper, snaps, buttons, or cooperative hook and loop materials. While the flexible bag  32  is described here as two separate panels connected together at edge  49 , it should be appreciated that the bag may be comprised of a single piece of material folded over to form a bag. In such a case, the second panel is effectively attached to the first panel at the fold. Bag  32  is comprised of water-permeable material, such as polyester mesh, for example. 
     In this embodiment, a zipper  50  extends along edge margin  43  and  45 . When the zipper is engaged it completes the bag, defining an interior region  44  between the first and second panels  40 ,  42 . The bag  32  surrounds and protects the garment disposed in the interior region  44 . Although the edge margins  43 ,  45  are closed by zipper  50  in this example, the bag may be closed by snaps, buttons, or cooperative hook and loop material, to name a few. It should be appreciated that because zipper  50  only extends along edges  43  and  45  the bottom edge  47  remains open. The opening along edge  47  allows longer garments to be placed inside the apparatus for laundering, such as dresses, lingerie, tank tops, etc. 
     With reference to  FIG. 6  it can be seen that flexible panel  34  includes a pair of openings  52  corresponding with the back side of cup supports  36 . It should be appreciated that cup supports  36  may be hollow, as shown here, and openings  52  prevent any water present during the laundering process from becoming trapped between cup supports  36  and flexible panel  34 . 
       FIG. 7  illustrates cup support  36  which includes a convex member  54  and a plurality of protrusions  56 . Protrusions  56  are operative to space the cups  12  of the garment  10  away from the convex member  54  thereby allowing fluid and airflow around the cup to facilitate cleaning and drying. As shown in this case, the convex member  54  may also include a plurality of apertures  58  formed through the convex member. Apertures  58  may be included to further facilitate air and water flow during the laundering process. As shown in this embodiment cup support  36  is a hollow convex shaped component. However, cup support  36  may be constructed as a solid piece of material, as a lattice structure or cage, or other convex structure. Cup support  36  may be molded or thermoformed, for example, from any suitable material such as plastic or rubber to name a few. It should be appreciated that cup supports  36  may be different sizes corresponding to various bra cup sizes. In addition, the cup supports  36  may be interchangeable between different sizes. In an embodiment, the cups are stacked smallest to largest and are removable and replaceable, thereby facilitating the selection of the appropriate sized cup support  36 . 
       FIG. 8  illustrates a retainer  24  in the form of a clip having a base portion  62  and a clip portion  66  which interconnects to the base portion  62  via arcuate portion  64 . The clip may be formed of plastic such as ABS, or the like. As mentioned above, the clips may be attached to the flexible panel  34  by sewing, gluing, welding (in the case of plastic components), or through suitable fasteners such as snaps or cooperative hook and loop material, for example. 
       FIG. 9  illustrates a cup support  70  and a retainer ring  80 , according to an exemplary embodiment. In this embodiment, cups  12  are retained against corresponding cup supports  70  by retainer rings  80  that can be latched closed in order to hold the retainer ring against the cup. Cup support  70  includes a convex member  72  having a surrounding rim  74 . As in the above described embodiments, the convex member  72  includes a plurality of protrusions  76  and a plurality of apertures  78  formed through the convex member. Protrusions  76  are operative to space the cups  12  away from the convex member  72  thereby allowing fluid and airflow around the cup to facilitate cleaning and drying. Apertures  78  further facilitate air and water flow during the laundering process. In some embodiments, cup support  70  may be molded, for example, from a clear urethane rubber material, such as Clear Flex® 95 available from Smooth-on, Inc. of Easton, Pa. As in the above described embodiments, the cup supports  70  may be attached to a flexible panel, such as flexible panel  34 , by sewing, gluing, welding (in the case of plastic components), or through suitable fasteners such as snaps or cooperative hook and loop material, for example. 
     As mentioned above, cups  12  are retained against corresponding cup supports  70  by retainer rings  80 . The retainer rings  80  may be formed of any suitable material such as plastic, for example. With continued reference to  FIG. 9 , each retainer ring  80  is rotatably disposed in a corresponding gudgeon  82 . Gudgeon  82  provides a bearing in which the retainer ring  80  can rotate or pivot. As shown in  FIG. 10 , gudgeon  82  includes a gudgeon boss  84  and a pivot hole  86  formed through the boss that is sized to receive the retainer ring  80 . In this embodiment, the gudgeon boss  84  is integrally molded with the cup support  70  and extends between the surrounding rim  74  and the convex member  72 . 
     The cup support  70  can also include one or more latches  88  positioned to retain the retainer ring  80  against a corresponding cup of the garment. Thus, the retainer ring  80  is rotatable between an unlatched state in which a cup of the garment may be positioned on the convex member  72 , and a latched state in which the retainer ring  80  is retained against the cup of the garment. In this embodiment, the support cup  70  includes a pair of latches  88  positioned adjacent the gudgeon  82 . Although, the latches  88  are shown in this embodiment to be next to the gudgeon  82 , a latch or latches may be positioned at other suitable locations. As with the gudgeon boss  84 , the latches  88  can be integrally molded into the cup support  70 , as shown. 
     Also contemplated herein are methods of preparing a garment having cups for laundering. The method may include attaching the garment to a flexible panel  34  and supporting the cups of the garment with a pair of cup supports such as cup supports  36  or  70 . The method further includes enclosing the cup supports  36  and at least a portion of the garment between two mesh panels such as panels  40  and  42 . In the case of a dress, for example, the method may further comprise inserting the flexible panel  34  into the garment and adjacent the cups of the garment such that cup supports  36  engage and support the cups of the garment. Also in the case of an elongate garment, such as a dress, the method may further comprise extending the garment beyond the two mesh panels  40  and  42 . In this case, beyond panels  40  and  42  across edge  47 . A method for laundering a garment having cups is also provided. In an embodiment, this method includes preparing the garment for laundering, as described above, and then machine washing and machine drying the garment while the garment is attached to the flexible panel and enclosed between the mesh panels. 
     Accordingly, the apparatus for use in laundering a garment having cups and methods therefor have been described with some degree of particularity directed to the exemplary embodiments. It should be appreciated, however, that the present invention is defined by the following claims construed in light of the prior art so that modifications or changes may be made to the exemplary embodiments without departing from the inventive concepts contained herein.