Abstrict An improved backless, strapless bra comprising a pair of bra cups
having an interior surface facing towards a user's skin that comprises
a pressure sensitive adhesive layer disposed thereon for adjoining
the bra cups to the user's skin. The bra cups are permanently or
removably adjoined by a connector that is positioned between inner
side portions of the bra cups. The connector can have a variety
of configurations that enable the user to attach the bra cups. The
connector allows the user to create a desired amount of breast cleavage
and breast push-up enhancement. The bra can also be used with a
pull-up device that attaches to the top portion of the bra cups
and allows the user to lift the bra cups and the user's breasts
to provide additional breast push-up enhancement.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A method of using an adjustable backless, strapless bra comprising:
independently positioning a pair of bra cups over each of a user's
breasts, wherein the bra cups have an interior surface adapted for
placement over the user's breasts and a pressure sensitive adhesive
layer disposed along the interior surface, wherein a thermoplastic
film material supports the pressure sensitive adhesive layer; adjoining
the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of each of the bra cups to
a desired position on the user's breasts, wherein the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer of each bra cup is sufficiently readily removed from
the user's breast independently of the other bra cup to be repositionable
relative to the user's breast and to the adjacent bra cup; and adjoining
the bra cups together by engaging a connector positioned between
inner sides of each of the bra cups, wherein the connector comprises
a first portion attached to the inner side of one of the bra cups
and a second portion attached to the inner side of the other bra
cup, wherein the first portion and the second portion are adapted
to cooperatively engage.
2. The method of claim 1 wherein each bra cup comprises an outer
side facing opposite the inner side and towards the user's armpit,
and the bra cup is secured to the user's breast by the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer.
3. The method of claim 1 wherein the thermoplastic film material
is disposed between a fabric material and the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer.
4. A method of using a backless, strapless bra to adjust breast
cleavage comprising: independently positioning a pair of bra cups
over each of a user's breasts, wherein the bra cups have an interior
surface adapted for placement over the user's breasts and a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer disposed along the interior surface, wherein
a thermoplastic film material supports the pressure sensitive adhesive
layer; adjoining the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of each of
the bra cups to a desired position on the user's breasts, wherein
the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of each bra cup is sufficiently
readily removed from the user's breast independently of the other
bra cup to be repositionable relative to the user's breast and to
the adjacent bra cup; adjoining the bra cups together by engaging
a connector positioned between inner sides of each of the bra cups,
wherein the connector comprises a first portion attached to the
inner side of one of the bra cups and a second portion attached
to the inner side of the other bra cup, wherein the first portion
and the second portion are adapted to cooperatively engage, whereby
engaging the first portion and the second portion moves the bra
cups and the user's breasts together and creates an amount of breast
cleavage; and adjusting the amount of breast cleavage by removing
at least one of the bra cups from the user's breasts and repositioning
the bra cups at a different position on the user's breasts, such
that the distance between the inner sides of the bra cups before
they are adjoined together affects the amount of breast cleavage
created when the bra cups are adjoined together.
5. The method of claim 4 also comprising increasing the distance
between the inner sides of the bra cups before they are adjoined
together to increase the amount of breast cleavage created when
the bra cups are adjoined together.
6. The method of claim 4 also comprising decreasing the distance
between the inner sides of the bra cups before they are adjoined
together to decrease the amount of breast cleavage created when
the bra cups are adjoined together.
7. The method of claim 4 wherein each bra cup comprises an outer
side facing opposite the inner side and towards the user's armpit,
and the bra cup is secured to the user's breast by the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer.
8. The method of claim 4 wherein the thermoplastic film material
is disposed between a fabric material and the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to an improved backless, strapless
bra, and more particularly, to a backless, strapless bra having
an interior surface having a pressure sensitive adhesive layer for
adjoining the bra cups to the user's skin.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Various devices and methods are available to women who wish to
enhance their breasts. Generally, women can either undergo a surgical
procedure to be fitted with a breast implant, or can use some form
of externally worn article. To accommodate women wishing to avoid
the dangers involved with surgical breast implants, several efforts
have been made to provide externally worn articles that have the
look and feel of natural breasts, yet are non-permanent and health-risk
free. Such externally worn devices have included a wide range of
foam pads, push-up bras, and more recently gelled breast inserts
to be worn between the user's breasts and a bra.
In addition to the demand for devices and methods for enhancing
breast size and shape, there is also a demand for being able to
use those devices and methods while wearing a full-range of clothing.
For example, women wearing a backless dress or a halter top will
not want to wear a traditional bra. As a result, bras have been
developed that are both backless and strapless. Such backless, strapless
bras have used non-permanent adhesives, such as a disposable double-sided
tape, to secure the bra to the user. Furthermore, known backless,
strapless bras have relied on extension tabs that extend from the
outer surface of the bra cups to secure the bra cups to the user's
skin, and have provided very limited means for enhancing breast
cleavage and breast push-up.
As a result, there exists a need for a backless, strapless bra
having a system for pushing-up the breasts and enhancing breast
cleavage. Further, there exists a need for such a bra having a permanent
and re-usable adhesive that allows the user to position the bra
in a desired position without the use of extension tabs and without
concern of the bra shifting from that position.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a front view of a bra having a pair of bra cups adjoined
by a connector;
FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the bra cups shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 3a is a side cross-sectional view of a bra cup having a fabric
layer adjoined to a thermoplastic film material;
FIG. 3b is a side cross-sectional view of a bra cup having a foam
material disposed between two layers of the fabric layer and adjoined
to a thermoplastic film material;
FIG. 4a is a front view of the bra of FIG. 1 having an adjustable
connector that has not been engaged to adjoin the bra cups;
FIG. 4b is a front view of the bra of FIG. 4a wherein the connector
has been engaged to adjoin the bra cups;
FIG. 5 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 1 having a single unit
connector;
FIG. 6 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 5 having a different
single unit connector;
FIG. 7 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 1 having an adjustable
connector assembly;
FIG. 8 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 1 wherein the connector
is positioned between the bottom inner portions of the bra cups;
FIG. 9 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 5 wherein the connector
includes a subassembly of connector patches; and
FIG. 10 is a front view of the bra of FIG. 5 having an additional
pull-up device attached to the bra cup.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved backless, strapless
bra comprising a pair of bra cups having an interior surface facing
towards a user's skin that comprises a pressure sensitive adhesive
layer for adjoining the bra cups to the user's skin. The pressure
sensitive adhesive layer is adjoined to a PSA supporting layer,
which can be formed from a variety of different types of films or
fabrics. The bra cups are permanently or removably adjoined by a
connector that is positioned between inner side portions of the
bra cups. The connector can have a variety of configurations that
enable the user to attach the bra cups. The connector allows the
user to create a desired amount of breast cleavage and breast push-up
enhancement.
The present bra eliminates the aforementioned problems and shortcomings
of existing backless, strapless bras. There is no needs for extension
tabs or the like to attach the bra to the user. Rather, the pressure
sensitive adhesive layer itself is the only required means for adjoining
the bra to the user. Furthermore, the preferred pressure sensitive
adhesive is permanently grown to a thermoplastic film that comprises
a portion of the interior surface of the bra cups.
An additional feature available for the present bra is a pull-up
device that attaches to the top surface of the bra cups and allows
the user to lift the bra cups and the user's breasts to provide
additional breast push-up enhancement.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
An improved backless, strapless bra constructed according to principles
of this invention, generally comprises a pair of bra cups adjoined
by a connector. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a backless, strapless
bra 10 of this invention. The bra 10 includes a pair of bra cups
12 adjoined by a connector 14 that is positioned between opposing
surfaces of the two bra cups. The bra cups 12 each have a pressure
sensitive adhesive layer that enables the bra cups to be removably
attached to each of a user's left and right breasts. The bra cups
12 are separate articles that are independently placed on a left
and right breast of a user. Each of the bra cups 12 has the same
structure, except one is designed to support and enhance the left
breast and the other is designed to support and enhance the right
breast. Furthermore, the bra cups can be either permanently or removably
adjoined by the connector.
Generally, the user of the bra 10 positions the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer of each of the bra cups 12 on the left and right
breasts, and then adjoins the bra cups to each other by engaging
the connector 14. The user can create varying degrees of breast
cleavage and breast push-up enhancement depending on where the bra
cups are positioned on the user's breasts and how much the connector
14 pulls the two bra cups towards each other. Furthermore, the placement
of the connector relative to the top and bottom of the bra cups
will impact the degree of cleavage and push-up enhancement. Accordingly,
the bra 10 enables the user to position the bra cups at a desired
position and control the amount of cleavage and push-up enhancement
by adjoining the bra cups with the connector. It is also possible,
however, for the bra cups to be permanently adjoined together by
a fixed connector.
A front view of the bra cups 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Each bra cup
12 has a top 16 a bottom 18 opposite the top, an outer side 20
and an inner side 22 opposite the outer side. Each bra cup also
defines an inner top 24 an inner middle 26 and an inner bottom
28. Referring to FIG. 2 each bra cup 12 defines two surfaces relative
to the user, an interior surface 30 facing towards the user's breasts,
and an exterior surface 32 facing opposite the interior surface
and away from the user's breasts. The interior surface 30 includes
a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 that adjoins the bra cups
to the user's skin.
The pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) layer 33 allows the user
to place each of the bra cups at a position on the user's breasts
that will create a desired support and appearance of the breasts.
The amount and type of PSA comprising the pressure sensitive adhesive
layer 33 can vary, as can the portions of the interior surface that
have the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. Various factors can
contribute to the amount, type, and placement of the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer such as the size, shape, and weight of the bra cup
and the user's breasts.
The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 is preferably a re-usable
PSA that is permanently grown to the interior surface 30 of each
bra cup. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer can also be applied
to the interior surface of the bra cups by other methods such as
spray coating, hot melting, extrusion application, die application,
or other methods known for applying a PSA to a substrate. Unlike
known adhesives, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 will not
readily shift once it is positioned on the user and can be re-used
repeatedly without losing its adhesive properties. The pressure
sensitive adhesive layer 33 has an adhesion force to the bra cups
12 that is greater than a cohesion force to the user's skin. The
pressure sensitive adhesive layer is further able to withstand tremendous
movement and pressure from the user without slipping and can even
be subjected to water or sweat without degeneration of the adhesive
properties. In fact, if the pressure sensitive adhesive layer becomes
dirty (i.e. collects unwanted particles such as dust, lint, or debris),
it can be cleaned with soap and water to remove the unwanted particles
and fully restore the adhesive properties.
The bra cups 12 are each adapted to accommodate the connector 14.
The connector 14 can have many different forms, but generally will
have two or more separate portions, where a first portion attaches
to one bra cup and a second portion attaches to the other bra cup.
The first and second portions of the connector are designed to engage
each other in order to adjoin the two bra cups. Furthermore, the
separate portions of the connector 14 can be either permanently
or removably attached to the bra cups. It is also possible for the
connector 14 to be a single unit that removably attaches to both
bra cups. The manner in which the connector 14 attaches to the bra
cups will vary depending on the particular structures of the bra
cups and the connector.
The bra cups 12 generally include one or more layers of materials
adjoined together. For example, the interior surface 30 can be a
layer comprising at least a portion of a plastic film material.
Adjoined to the plastic film material can be a variety of different
types of fabrics or other materials, such as foams and the like.
Referring to FIG. 3a, a side cross-sectional view of the bra cup
12 is shown, wherein the bra cup has a sheet of thermoplastic film
material 34 adjoined to a fabric layer 36. The thermoplastic film
material and fabric layer can be permanently and inseparably adjoined
by heat lamination or other similar processes. The thermoplastic
film material can be any type of plastic or polymer that is suitable
for heat lamination, such as polyurethane or the like. The point
38 represents the perimeter or the bra cup.
In the embodiment shown, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer
can be permanently grown to the thermoplastic film material, or
applied by the other methods discussed above. It is understood that
the amount of pressure sensitive adhesive covering the interior
surface of the bra cups and the amount of the thermoplastic film
material forming the interior surface can vary depending on the
desired design and function of the bra cups.
FIG. 3b shows the bra cup 10 having an additional foam material
40 disposed between two layers of the fabric layer 36 such that
the fabric layer defines the exterior surface 32 of the bra cup.
It should be understood that the bra cup can include a variety of
combinations of fabrics and materials that can form different layers
of the bra cup. For example, the fabric layer can be made from any
suitable material, such as a two-way or four-way stretchable material
that allows the bra cup to conform to the user's breast shape. In
the different configurations of bra cups, the thermoplastic film
material 34 will be the layer nearest the user that defines the
interior surface 30.
The bras shown in FIGS. 3a and 3b include the entire interior surface
having the thermoplastic film material and the pressure sensitive
adhesive layer, but various partial configurations and designs can
be achieved. It is understood that the interior surface can be formed
from a number of other materials besides a thermoplastic film material.
The interior surface of the bra cups serves as a pressure sensitive
adhesive support layer. The interior surface can be formed from
any type of film material or fabric material suitable for adjoining
to a PSA. One preferred fabric material is an unwoven fabric, which
can be substantially impervious to the PSA. Additionally, various
types of woven fabrics can be made suitable for the function of
supporting the PSA layer. Thus, a variety of materials and methods
can used to form the interior surface of the bra cups and for applying
the PSA layer to the interior surface.
The bra 10 differs considerably from known backless, strapless
bras because it does not require an additional portion for attaching
to the user. The bra 10 does not require an extension tab having
a double-sided tape that extends from the bra cup and attaches to
the user's skin. Rather, the user of the bra 10 can simply attach
the bra cups directly to the user's skin without having to use any
other type of attachment system.
With respect to the means for connecting the bra cups 12 the connector
14 can be adjoined to the bra cup at the interior surface 30 or
the exterior surface 32 or both surfaces. Because the particular
material used to construct the bra cups will vary, the material
to which the connector is adjoined should be able to withstand a
number of different pulling forces without separating from the bra
cups.
Referring to FIGS. 4a and 4b, the connector 14 is shown as an adjustable
clasp assembly. In FIG. 4a the connector 14 has a first portion
42 attached to the inner side 22 of one of the bra cups 12 and
a second portion 44 attached to the inner side 22 of the other bra
cup 12. The first portion and the second portion are designed to
engage each other in order to adjoin the two bra cups. It does not
matter to which of the bra cups the first portion 42 and the second
portion 44 are attached, so long as the first and second portions
are oriented towards each other in a manner that allows them to
cooperatively engage. The first portion 42 is shown having a clasp
46 that is adapted to fit within a plurality of loops 48 that are
disposed on the second portion 44. The first portion and second
portion are shown prior to being engaged.
FIG. 4b shows the first portion 42 engaged with the second portion
44 such that the connector 14 has adjoined the two bra cups 12.
The clasp 46 is shown engaging the first of the three loops 48 of
the second portion. Because the connector 14 is adjustable, the
user could engage the clasp 46 with one of the other loops, which
would result in the two bra cups being pulled closer towards each
other, thereby creating more cleavage between the user's breasts.
In FIGS. 4a and 4b, the connector 14 is shown permanently fixed
to the bra cups. More specifically, the first portion 42 and second
portion 42 are permanently attached to the inner side 22 portions
of the bra cups 12. However, it is possible for the first portion
and second portion to be removably attached to the bra cups. For
example, the first portion and second portion could attach to the
bra cups by way of a button type assembly that snaps through a small
hole in each of the bra cups. This would allow both portions of
the connector to be removed from the bra cups, which would allow
the user to wear the bra cups without adjoining the bra cups.
Another embodiment of the bra 10 is shown in FIG. 5. The connector
14 is shown as a single unit, as opposed to having two separate
portions that adjoin. In the single unit shown, the connector 14
has a body 50 with a pair of hooks 52 attached at each end of the
body. The body can be made of any suitable material such as plastic,
metal, or various fabrics, such as an elastic fabric. The hooks
52 are adapted to slide into and engage a pair of loops 54 that
are attached to the inner sides 22 of each bra cups. The loops 54
are shown permanently attached to the inner sides of each bra cup,
and have a size that provides for a snug fit between the hooks and
the loops. The loops can be made to detach from the bra cups and
can vary in size. Generally, the user will slide one of the hooks
52 into one of the loops 54 and then slide the other hook through
the other loop, which adjoins the two bra cups together.
Another embodiment of the connector 14 is shown in FIG. 6. Similar
to FIG. 5 the connector 14 is a single unit that engages openings
that extend from each bra cup. The connector 14 has a rigid body
56 with a pair of rigid arms 58 extending from each end of the body.
The arms 58 are adapted to snap into receptacles 60 that extend
from the inner side of each bra cup. Once the arms are snapped into
the receptacles, the two bra cups are engaged.
The single unit connectors shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 can each be made
into more than one piece, or configured to attach (either permanently
or removably) to the one or more of the bra cups. For example, in
FIG. 5 rather than having a pair of hooks 52 attached at both ends
of the connector body 50 a single hook could be attached at one
end of the body 50 and the other end of the body could be fixed
to one of the bra cups. In this configuration, one bra cup would
have a loop 54 extending from its inner side, and the other bra
cup would have the body of the connector with a hook attached thereto.
Accordingly, it is understood that there are many possible configurations
for the connector 14 and the manner in which it connects to the
bra cups. Furthermore, it is understood that the connector can be
a single unit that is permanently and inseparably adjoined between
the two bra cups, such that the bra cups are inseparable; such a
construction could resembly the bra shown in FIG. 1. Additionally,
the bra cups 12 can be used without a connector to form the bra
10.
Further embodiments of the bra 10 can be achieved by making minor
alterations to the connector 14 and the bra cups. For example, referring
to FIG. 4a, the first portion 42 and the second portion 44 could
be mating portions for a VELCRO strap, wherein the first portion
includes a strip having a plurality of minute hooks and the second
portion includes a corresponding strip with a surface of uncut pile.
Also, the receptacles 60 shown in FIG. 6 could be changed in shape
to be circular or could be made into metal or plastic rings. Further,
the connector 14 could simply be a piece of string, or the like,
that passes through the rings and allows the user to tie a knot
to adjoin the two bra cups. An additional embodiment is shown in
FIG. 7 wherein the connector 14 includes a mounting strap 62 and
a pair of plugs 64. The mounting strap 62 has a plurality of holes
that are adapted to engagingly receive the plugs 64. The bra cups
each have a receptacle 60. The user adjoins the bra cups by aligning
one of the holes on the mounting strap with each of the receptacles,
and then inserting the plugs through the receptacles and mounting
strap. The user can adjust the amount of breast cleavage by adjoining
the bra cups closer together on the mounting strap.
The manner in which any of the permanently or removably attached
portions of the connector are adjoined to the bra cups can vary.
The same is true with respect to portions of the bra cup that are
adapted to engage the connector. The various portions of the connector
and the bra cup could be attached by stitching, heat sealing, adhesives,
or any other suitable means. For example, the connector can be part
of a sub-assembly that attaches to the bra cups. Referring to FIG.
9 the bra of FIG. 5 is shown further comprising a pair of connector
patches 66. The connector patches 66 are each a subassembly that
houses the loops 54 which receive the hooks 52 in order to adjoin
the bra cups. Accordingly, the loops are integrally joined to the
connector patches 66 which separately adjoin to the bra cups. The
connector patches can have many different shapes and sizes, and
can be made from a number of materials, such as a fabric of film
material. For example, if the subassembly is made of a thermoplastic
film, then it can be heat sealed to the interior or exterior surface
of the bra cup, or the connector patch can have a permanently grown
adhesive that allows the subassembly to be removably attached to
the bra cup. Therefore, many options exist for adjoining the connector
with the bra cups.
Once the user adjoins the bra cups to their skin and creates the
desired look and position, the user can create greater breast cleavage
by pulling the bra cups together to engage the connector. Furthermore,
if the user wants to push-up the breasts, the user can position
the bra cups at a lower and more outward position on the breasts,
and then adjoin the bra cups with the connector, or can select a
bra that positions the connector a lower region of the bra cups.
The placement of the connector relative to the top 16 and bottom
18 of the bra cups will control the amount of push-up enhancement.
For example, compare the positioning of the connector 14 in FIG.
8 to the positioning of the connector 14 in FIG. 1. The connector
in FIG. 1 is positioned at the inner middle 26 portion of the bra
cups. The connector in FIG. 8 is positioned at the inner bottom
28 portion of the bra cups and, as a result, when the bra cups are
adjoined by pulling them together to engage the connector, the user's
breasts are pulled together and pushed upward. Therefore, the present
bra 10 provides more or less push-up enhancement by regulating the
placement of the connector.
An additional feature of the bra 10 that allows a user to create
additional breast push-up enhancement is a pull-up device 68 shown
in FIG. 10. The pull-up device 68 is an optional device that attaches
to the top surface 16 of the bra cup 12 and to the user's skin in
order to provide a means for lifting the bra cup and the user's
breasts. One pull-up device is shown in FIG. 10 but it is understood
that a second pull-up device would be used for the other bra cup.
Each bra cup 12 will have a separate pull-up that separately lifts
each bra cup and each of the user's breasts. The pull-up device
68 generally comprises two or more portions that are designed to
cooperatively engage. The pull-up device shown in FIG. 10 has two
separate portions, namely a strap portion 70 and an anchor portion
72. The strap portion 70 is the portion of the pull-up device that
attaches to the user's skin--at a position above the user's breast--and
the anchor portion 72 is the portion that attaches to the top of
the bra cup.
The strap portion 70 and the anchor portion 72 are designed to
cooperatively engage each other. Both the strap portion 70 and the
anchor portion 72 have two ends, namely an attachment end 74 and
a connection end 76. For the strap portion, the attachment end 74
is the end that attaches to the user's skin, and for the anchor
portion, the attachment end 74 is end that attaches to the bra cup.
The attachment end of the strap portion has a pressure sensitive
adhesive layer 78 on the surface that attaches to the user's skin.
The pressure sensitive adhesive layer can have the same properties
and features as the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 discussed
above. The attachment end 74 of the anchor portion can also have
the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 78 that allows the anchor
portion to be removably attached to the bra cup. Alternatively,
the anchor portion can be permanently adjoined to the bra through
other suitable means such as stitching, heat lamination, or permanent
adhesive. Furthermore, the attachment end 74 of the anchor portion
can be attached to either the interior surface 30 of the bra cup,
or to the exterior surface 32 or to both surfaces of the bra cup.
Concerning the connection end 76 of the strap portion and the anchor
portion, a variety of different configurations can be used to obtain
cooperative engagement between the two ends. In the configuration
shown in FIG. 10 the connection end of strap portion has a hook
member 80 and the connection end of the anchor portion has a loop
member 82. The pull-up device is shown with the anchor portion attached
to the bra cup, and the connection ends of the anchor portion and
the strap portion are not cooperatively engaged. The hook member
is designed to engage the loop member to adjoin the strap portion
and the anchor portion. Various other connection means can be used
to accomplish this engagement, such as the various type of connecting
means discussed above with respect to the connector 14 that adjoins
the two bra cups.
The user of the bra 10 can achieve significant push-up enhancement
by using the pull-up device 68. The user can attach the attachment
end 74 of the anchor portion to the top of the bra cup (or the anchor
portion could be permanently attached already) and then engage the
connection end of the strap portion with the connection end of the
anchor portion. Then, the user can pull the strap portion upward
towards the user's shoulder, which results in the user's bra cup
and breast being pulled upward. When the user's breast is lifted
to position that creates the breast push-up enhancement desired
by the user, the user can maintain that position by adjoining the
attachment end 74 of the strap portion to the user's skin. The pressure
sensitive adhesive layer 78 on the strap portion will retain the
user's bra cup and breast in this lifted, pushed-up position until
the user chooses to remove the strap portion from their skin. Unlike
known backless, strapless bras that use extension tabs or the like
to retain the bra on the user's skin, the present bra only needs
the pressure sensitive adhesive layer to retain the bra cups on
the user's skin.
The particular materials and sizes of the strap portion and the
anchor portion can vary. For example, both portion can be made of
a number of suitable fabrics, polymers, or rubbers. Additionally,
the length of the strap portion can be varied depending on a number
of factors such as the size of the bra cup and the user's breasts.
Similarly, the shape of the pull-up device, including its respective
portions, can be varied to any shape desired that provides sufficient
surface area for maintaining attachment to the bra cup and the user's
skin.
It is also possible for the pull-up device 68 to be a single unit
or portion, or likewise have more than two portions. For instance,
the strap portion and the anchor portion can be integrally and inseparably
joined as a single unit, such that the pull-up device in effect
has two ends that are both attachment ends 74 wherein one end attaches
to the user's skin and the other end attaches to the bra cup. Therefore,
it is clear that the pull-up device 68 can be beneficially employed
with the bra 10 in variety of different manners and configurations.
In addition to the specific features and embodiments described
above, it is understood that the present invention includes all
equivalents to the structures and features described herein, and
is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments. For example,
the size and shape of the bra cups can be varied to any configuration
desired by a user of a bra, including various types of partial cup
constructions that cover different portions of the user's breasts.
Additionally, individuals skilled in the art to which the present
bra pertains will understand that variations and modifications to
the embodiments described can be used beneficially without departing
from the scope of the invention.
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