Patent ID: 12232546

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure may be understood more readily by reference to the following detailed descriptions of exemplary embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein. However, devices, apparatuses, systems, and structures in accordance with the present disclosure may be embodied in a wide variety of forms and modes, some of which may be quite different from those in the disclosed embodiments. Also, the features and elements disclosed herein may be combined to form various combinations without exclusivity, unless expressly stated otherwise. Consequently, the specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are merely representative. Yet, in that regard, they are deemed to afford the best embodiments for purposes of disclosure and to provide a basis for the claims herein, which define the scope of the invention. It should also be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an”, and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise.

Use of the term “exemplary” means illustrative or by way of example, and any reference herein to “the invention” is not intended to restrict or limit the present disclosure to the exact features of any one or more of the exemplary embodiments disclosed herein. Also, repeated use of the phrase “in one embodiment,” “in an exemplary embodiment,” or similar phrases do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, although they may. It is also noted that terms such as “preferably,” “commonly,” and “typically,” are not used herein to limit the scope of the claimed invention or to imply that certain features are critical, essential, or even important to the structure or function of the claimed invention. Rather, those terms are merely intended to highlight alternative or additional features that may or may not be used in a particular embodiment of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure is directed to an article of clothing, such as a bra, and, particularly, to a bra that (1) provides the optimum level of support, comfort, fit and coverage to a wearer of the bra, (2) visually enhances the wearer's figure by preventing cup gaping and side and top overflow or bulging, and (3) improves the breathability of the bra, thereby reducing heat, sweat and irritation of the skin on or around the wearer's breasts. In certain embodiments, the bra comprises bra cups or bra pads that are configured such that they can stretch and contract to accommodate and fit snugly around the wearer's breasts. In other words, so that the bra cups can move with the wearer in order to improve wearer comfort and prevent unsightly cup bulging or gaping. To achieve these benefits, each bra cup comprises an intermediary flexible layer between the bottom of the bra cup and the support band, which allows the bra cup to freely stretch away from the support band, as needed. The intermediary flexible layer is also able to fully recover and contract, when necessary, so that the bra cups remain snugly against the wearer's breasts.

FIGS.1-4illustrate an exemplary embodiment of bra (100) in accordance with the present disclosure. Referring first toFIG.1, there is shown a rear view of bra (100). As shown, bra (100) comprises two laterally-spaced bra cups (102and104), a front support panel (106), bust support members or underwire channels (108and110), an upper edge portion (224), and intermediary flexible layers (112and114).

Front support panel (106) of bra (100) is illustrated as including two laterally-positioned bra cups (102and104) configured to receive the wearer's breasts; however, depending on the type of bra, the cups may be replaced by a single cup or panel. As shown, each bra cup (102and104) has an inner edge (109and111), respectively, and an outer edge (113and115), respectively, wherein inner edges (109and111) are near the sternum of the wearer, and outer edges (113and115) are near the respective sides of the wearer's body when bra (100) is worn. Bra cups (102and104) may be any known bra cup in the art and may be formed of a sturdy generally inelastic material or, alternatively, may be constructed of an elastic material, which still provides support, but is also stretchable to accommodate the wearer's breasts. Moreover, bra (100) may incorporate the bra pads taught and disclosed in co-pending application filed on the same date as the present application by inventors Emily Suess and Valerie Ann McArdle and Applicant Chico's Brands Investments, Inc., entitled “Bra Pad and Method for Manufacturing Same.”

Below each bra cup (102and104) is provided bust support member or underwire channel (108and110), respectively, which are attached to front support panel (106). Bust support members may be underwire channels (108and110) housing underwire (not shown) therein, which are commonly used in the art to increase the sturdiness of bra cups and thus provide additional support to the wearer's breasts. It should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to underwire channels (108and110) and that any bottom or bust support member that provides support to bra cups (102and104), such as underwire channels, a support panel made from rigid material, a band, and the like, may be used with bra (100). Bust support members, such as underwire channels (108and110), may be omitted from bra (100) as well. It is also noted that illustrated bra cups (102and104) are full coverage cups, which cover over 50% of the wearer's breasts; however, it should be appreciated that smaller or larger bra cups may be used in connection with the bra of the present disclosure.

As shown inFIG.1, between each bra cup (102and104) and underwire channel (108and110) is provided intermediary flexible layer (112and114), respectively. As will be described in detail below, intermediary flexible layers (112and114) comprise stretchable material such as LYCRA®, spandex, elastane, rubber, polyester, nylon and the like, and are provided to allow bra cups (102and104), respectively, to stretch away from and contract back to underwire channels (108and110), as needed, to accommodate the wearer's breasts. Intermediary flexible layers (112and114) may also comprise additional or excess fabric, which may also be made from LYCRA®, spandex, elastane, rubber, polyester, nylon and the like, to allow the bra cup to stretch even further, if necessary. Bra cup (102), underwire channel (108) and intermediary flexible layer (112) together are referred to as bra cup configuration (101). Likewise, bra cup (104), underwire channel (110) and intermediary flexible layer (114) together are referred to as bra cup configuration (103).

Bra (100) may also have certain elements and components that a conventional bra in the art may have. For example, bra (100) may comprise three distinct support panel segments: a front support panel (106), a left support panel (116), and a right support panel (118), which in combination are used to attach bra (100) around a wearer's torso. Front support panel (106) comprises left and right bra cups (102and104, respectively) for receiving the breasts of the wearer and, to the extent bra cups are not directly attached, comprises fabric portion (107) that extends in-between and connects bra cups (102and104) together. Left support panel (116) is attached to and extends away from the left side of front support panel (106) and right support panel (118) is attached to and extends away from the right side of front support panel (106). Front support panel (106), left support panel (116) and right support panel (118) may be comprised of any suitably flexible, yet sturdy material known in the art. To secure bra (100) to the wearer, left and right support panels (116and118) are extended around the left and right side of the wearer's torso, respectively, and may be fastened together against the wearer's back using fastening means known in the art, such as a releasable clasp, a hook-and-eye fastening system, toggles and loops, hook and loop fasteners, snaps, buckles, tie-able ribbons or strings, a button and hole combination, and the like. Bra (100) may also be constructed such that the support panel is fastened in the front between bra cups (102and104) at point (107) using the same or similar fastening means. Alternatively, and as well known in the art, bra (100) may comprise a one-piece, single support cup or panel, without a fastener, in lieu of the three distinct aforementioned support panel segments.

Bra (100) may also comprise left and right shoulder straps (120and122) respectively, that, when bra (100) is worn, bridge the front and back portions of bra (100) and are provided over the shoulders of the wearer. One end of straps (120and122) are preferably affixed to the top portion of bra cups (102and104), respectively. At the other end, straps (120and122) are preferably affixed to the top portion of left and right support panels (116and118), respectively. Bra straps (120and122) may be comprised of any material known or used in the art. Bra straps (120and122) are provided largely to assist in keeping bra (100) in place on the wearer and to provide additional support and lift to the wearer's breasts. It is further contemplated that one or more portions of the underside surface of shoulder straps (120and122) may be comprised of LYCRA®, spandex, elastane, rubber, polyester, nylon or the like to prevent shoulder straps (120and122) from slipping off the wearer's shoulders. Alternatively, bra (100) may be strapless, or comprise straps that are removable or adjustable such that the straps may cross-over in the front or the back of bra (100), or the straps may be connected in any other feasible manner. Further, straps (120and122) may be affixed to bra (100) such that they are adjustable, as is commonly known in the art.

Turning now toFIG.2, shown is a close-up of a rear perspective view of right bra cup configuration (103), which more closely illustrates the details thereof. It should be understood that bra cup configurations (101and103) are substantially the same and thus the following description of bra cup configuration (103) applies equally to bra cup configuration (101). Bra cup configuration (103) comprises bra cup (104), underwire channel (110) and intermediary flexible layer (114) arranged in the configuration shown inFIG.2.

As shown inFIG.2, bra cup (104) is only directly affixed to bust support member or underwire channel (110) at two points: (1) near inner edge (202) of bra cup configuration (103), and (2) outer edge (204) of bra cup configuration (103), which is on the opposite of inner edge (202). This configuration creates an open space (not shown) between bra cup (104) and underwire channel (110) where these two components are not directly connected. Intermediary flexible layer (114) is provided in this open space and indirectly connects bra cup (104) and underwire channel (110) as illustrated inFIG.2. That is, bra cup configuration (103) is configured such that a portion of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) is affixed to top edge (208) of intermediary flexible layer (114) and bottom edge (210) of intermediary flexible layer (114) is affixed to top edge (212) of underwire channel (110).

In other words, bra cup configuration (103) is configured such that at least a portion of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) is not directly affixed to top edge (212) of underwire channel (110). Instead, as shown, intermediary flexible layer (114) is provided between the aforementioned portion of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) and top edge (212) of underwire channel (110), such that intermediary flexible layer (114) connects those components together. Intermediary flexible layer (114) comprises stretchable material such as LYCRA®, spandex, elastane, rubber, polyester, nylon and the like. This aforementioned configuration of bra cup configuration (103) in combination with the flexible material of intermediary flexible layer (114) allows bra cup (104) to stretch away from and contract back to underwire channel (110), as needed, to accommodate the wearer's breasts. Intermediary flexible layer (114) may also comprise additional or excess fabric, which may also be made from LYCRA®, spandex, elastane, rubber, polyester, nylon and the like, to allow the bra cup to stretch even further, if necessary.

The size of the portion of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) that is affixed to underwire channel (110) via intermediary flexible layer (114) directly affects the stretch-ability of bra cup (104). For example, if all or nearly all of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) is connected to underwire channel (110) via intermediary flexible layer (114), bra cup (104) is configured such that it can achieve maximum stretch-ability. Conversely, if only a small portion of bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) is connected to underwire channel (110) via intermediary flexible layer (114) and a majority of bottom (206) of bra cup (104) is directly affixed to underwire channel (110), bra cup (104) will be comparatively less stretchable.

FIG.3illustrates a close-up, rear perspective view of inner edge (202) of bra cup configuration (103). As shown, intermediary flexible layer (114) extends along the bottom of bra cup (104) towards inner edge (202) of bra cup configuration (103) and is provided between bra cup (104) and underwire channel (110). As further shown, intermediary flexible layer (114) tapers as it approaches inner edge (202) and is connected or sewn to both bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) and top edge (212) of underwire channel (110) at connection point (302) of bra cup configuration (103) so that intermediary flexible layer (114) contains less or negligible excess fabric at connection point (302) and as it leads up to connection point (302). All three components, bra cup (104), intermediary flexible layer (114), and underwire channel (110), may be affixed or sewn together at connection point (302). With intermediary flexible layer (114) containing less or negligible excess fabric as it tapers to connection point (302), the bra cup's ability to stretch is reduced near that point, and thus more support is provided to the wearer's breasts in that area.

FIG.4illustrates a close-up, rear perspective view of outer edge (204) of bra cup configuration (103). As shown, intermediary flexible layer (114) extends along the bottom of bra cup (104) towards outer edge (204) of bra cup configuration (103) and is provided between bra cup (104) and underwire channel (110). As further shown, intermediary flexible layer (114) tapers as it approaches outer edge (204) and is connected or sewn to both bottom edge (206) of bra cup (104) and top edge (212) of underwire channel (110) at connection point (402) of bra cup configuration (103) so that intermediary flexible layer (114) contains less or negligible excess fabric at connection point (402) and as it leads up to connection point (402). All three components, bra cup (104), intermediary flexible layer (114), and underwire channel (110), may be affixed or sewn together at connection point (402). With intermediary flexible layer (114) containing less or negligible excess fabric as it tapers to connection point (402), the bra cup's ability to stretch is reduced near that point, and thus more support is provided to the wearer's breasts in that area.

While bra cup configuration (103)—e.g., the right bra cup configuration—of the present disclosure has been shown and described in detail, it should be appreciated that bra cup configuration (101)—e.g., the left bra cup configuration—is essentially a mirror image thereof. As such, the drawings and disclosure of bra cup configuration (103) apply equally to bra cup configuration (101) of the present disclosures.

It should be understand that if no underwire channel, band or other bust support component is provided, the intermediary flexible layers may be disposed between the bottom of the bra cups and the front portion of the bra.

It is further contemplated that the bra of the present disclosure may incorporate the bra pads disclosed and described in commonly owned, co-pending application filed on the same date as the present application by inventors Emily Suess and Valerie Ann McArdle and Applicant Chico's Brands Investments, Inc., entitled “Bra Pad and Method for Manufacturing Same.”

While the subject matter discussed herein has been described in detail with reference to embodiments for the purposes of making a complete disclosure, such embodiments are merely exemplary and are not intended to be limiting or represent an exhaustive enumeration of all aspects of the invention. It will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that numerous changes may be made in such details, and the invention is capable of being embodied in other forms, without departing from the spirit, essential characteristics, and principles of the invention. Also, the benefits, advantages, solutions to problems, and any elements that may allow or facilitate any benefit, advantage, or solution are not to be construed as critical, required, or essential to the subject matter disclosed. The scope of the invention is to be limited only by the appended claims.