Abstract:
A detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere that:
       can easily be inserted into and removed from a wide variety of brassieres;   is washable and follows the configuration of the bra;   secures the objects between a pocket in the holder and the bra cup;   does not add aesthetically unpleasing bulges;   and that can be constructed to be decorative or to further hold decorative additions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
   This application is related to U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/956,335, filed Aug. 16, 2007, and claims priority thereto. Application No. 60/956,335 is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 

   FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
   This invention relates to wearable items for securing objects, and in particular to a brassiere insert with pockets for securing small items. 
   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   In order to secure small valuable or essential items such as credit cards, money, or cell phones, women have often chosen to carry them in a place hidden from view, generally under some article of clothing. A particularly inaccessible (to a prospective thief) and secure place, and therefore one chosen by many women, is inside an undergarment such as a brassiere. There have been many holders designed to be attached or otherwise be secured to brassieres, and to hold small items. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,441, issued Nov. 12, 1996, and U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,613, issued Nov. 20, 2001 describe two different pouches, each of which is positioned in the center between the two cups of a bra and attached to the connecting region between the two cups. US Patent Publication No. US 2006/0121826, published Jun. 8, 2006, describes a brassiere incorporating a pouch, which may be detachable, either positioned on the side connecting region between the bra cups and the back fastener, or positioned on one of the over-the shoulder bra straps. 
   There are some disadvantages to the currently available designs. First of all, in most cases there is only one layer of security: if there is a malfunction or breach of the security pocket, there is nothing to stop the items enclosed from dropping or being lost. Secondly, aesthetically there is likely to be noticeable bulging since the pockets and the items secured within are generally positioned in places where the bra would not otherwise be. A safer, more discreet, and more aesthetic security pouch would be a useful improvement. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   It is therefore an object of this invention to provide a detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere that can easily be inserted into and removed from a wide variety of brassieres. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere that is washable and follows the configuration of the bra. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere that secures the objects between a pocket in the holder and the bra cup. 
   It is a further object of this invention to provide a detachable holder for securing small objects inside a brassiere that does not add aesthetically unpleasing bulges and that can be constructed to be decorative or to further hold decorative additions. 
   These objects are met by the article described hereinafter. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES 
       FIG. 1   a  shows a first prior art security pouch attached to the center connecting region between two bra cups. 
       FIG. 1   b  shows a second prior art security pouch attached to the center connecting region between two bra cups. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a first embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with the pocket at the center portion of the bra cup region. 
       FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with the pocket at a side portion of the bra cup region. 
       FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with a side zipper on the pocket. 
       FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with an additional pocket in the interior of the insert. 
       FIG. 6   a  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with a decorative panel added. 
       FIG. 6   b  illustrates a sixth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with a decorative accessory attached. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     FIG. 1   a  shows a prior art security pouch, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 6,318,613, for attaching onto a brassiere. The security pouch  100  is worn between the front center  105  of a brassiere  110  or similar type of clothing and the wearer&#39;s skin. The pouch is held by wrap-around strap  115  that encircles center  105  of brassiere  110 . This prior art pouch is worn on the outside of the bra center piece, and will therefore likely both cause bulging, and be subject to losing the secured items if there is a breach. Another prior art pouch, described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,573,441 and shown in  FIG. 1   b , is similarly positioned but is larger, is worn partially underneath the bra center piece, and extends slightly into the bra cup region. This design has the disadvantage of causing bulging and also of distorting the fit of the bra by pushing the bra center piece outward. 
     FIG. 2  is an illustration of a first embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention. Insert  200  has three regions: regions  205  and  210  are cup insert regions, and are connected by center region  215 . The cup insert regions have side edges  206  and  207 , center areas  208 , and side areas  211  and  212 . The insert is made of a washable cloth or cloth-like material, and may be quilted or padded for extra comfort. Possible materials used to construct the insert include but are not limited to: cotton, nylon tricot, single knits, double knits, micro fiber, woven blends, cotton blends, polyester blends, nylon blends, synthetic fiber or blends, rayon, flannel, wool, lace, linen, denim, twill, lycra, or a combination of any of the above. The entire insert is shaped to be similar to a standard brassiere shape, so that it may be inserted into most bras without noticeably distorting their shape, and without protruding substantially out of the areas already covered by the brassiere. Outer stitched region  220  provides enough rigidity to make insertion easy, but without adding uncomfortable stiffness. Fastener  225  which may be in the center is provided to attach insert  200  to the regular brassiere  228 . In the embodiment shown, fastener  225  is an elastic strap with a snap to loop around the center region of the bra  228 , but this is exemplary only. Other types or positions of fasteners could be employed, such as but not limited to: hook and loop fasteners such as Velcro brand, double sided tape, snaps, clamps, etc. Since the insert is pliable, a removable elastic could simply be looped around the bra and the insert. As will be seen hereinafter, such an elastic could also be used to attach a decorative item. Pockets  230  are, in this embodiment, located near the center of the bra cup region. “Pocket” as used in this application is defined as in the first two definitions in Dictionary.com: 
   1. a shaped piece of fabric attached inside or outside a garment and forming a pouch used esp. for carrying small articles. 
   2. a bag or pouch. 
   Accordingly, the terms “pocket” and “pouch” will be used interchangeably hereinafter. The pockets are sized appropriately to snugly fit such important items as credit cards or cell phones. In this embodiment the pocket is open at the top. The insert is positioned with the pocket side facing outward towards the bra. In this way, the secured items are pressed between the insert and the bra, which adds extra security should there be a breach in the pocket of the insert. The insert may be sized to more comfortably fit in different bra sizes, e.g., sized as S, M, L. 
     FIG. 3  illustrates a second embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention. In this embodiment pockets  230  are located near the sides of the bra cup region. Sub-embodiments may have the pockets near the inner sides or the outer sides of the bra cup region. This second embodiment may provide added comfort for women with particularly sensitive central or nipple regions. It may also cause less bulging, particularly for flat items such as credit cards which would fit more compactly onto the flat side areas of the bra cup rather than onto the curved central region. 
     FIG. 4  illustrates a third embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention. In this embodiment the pocket has a re-usable closure at one edge, rather than being open at the top. Illustrated is a pocket with a zipper  400  closing side  405 . Other types and positions of closures are possible, for example: Velcro; snap; tape; hook; a flap with or without a button, which may be placed at the top of the pocket rather than at the side. 
     FIG. 5  illustrates a fourth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, which further includes interior pocket or pockets  500  disposed on the interior surface of the insert, to be worn facing the person&#39;s skin. This interior pocket could be used to hold additional valuables, or alternatively it could be used, for example, to hold padding or other breast enhancements. 
     FIG. 6   a  illustrates a fifth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, which adds a decorative panel  600  across the center region. This panel can extend upward so as to be visible on the outside of a low necklined article of outer clothing, thereby adding modesty as well as decoration. The decorative panel can be lace, by way of example, or other decorative fabric. The decoration could also be extended across the entire top of the insert. 
     FIG. 6   b  illustrates a sixth embodiment of the pocket bra insert of the present invention, with a decorative accessory  605  attached. This accessory may be, for example, a scarf, which can both add aesthetic value, and can also serve to cover cleavage visible with low-cut outer garments. The accessory may be attached, for example, with a Velcro strip, or by inserting a scarf through the elastic loop attaching the insert to the bra. 
   In summary, the pocket bra insert of the present invention adds functionality and aesthetic value that is not present in currently available security holders for using with brassieres. It is detachable, washable, easily inserted and secured to a wide variety of brassieres, adds safety to the secured objects by placing them between the insert and the bra cup, is comfortable to wear and does not cause unsightly bulging or deforming of the bra fit, and can be adapted to add decoration and provide modesty. 
   It is not expected that the present invention be limited to the exact embodiments disclosed herein. Changes and modifications can be made without departing from the inventive concept. For example, the exact method of connecting the insert to the bra may differ from those disclosed. The scope of the invention should be construed in view of the claims.