Abstrict A strapless, backless bra is provided, including two cups and a
connector. The connector has a female part affixed to one cup and
a male part affixed to the second cup. Each cup has an upper rim,
a first and second end, and a lower peripheral area extending below
the upper rim from the first end to the second end. The female and
male parts of the connector are located at the first end of the
first and second cups, respectively, such that when connected, the
bra cups may swivel relative to the connector to conform to the
shape of the user. The bra cups further include inside and outside
surfaces. Dermal adhesive tape may be disposed on the inside surface
of each cup, in the peripheral area thereof, for attachment of the
cups to the user.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A strapless and backless bra, comprising: a first cup and a
second cup for attachment to a user's body; and a connector for
detachably and pivotally connecting said first cup and said second
cup; wherein said connector enables said first and second cups to
be pivoted in a plane parallel to a surface of said users body.
2. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said connector comprises a snap having a female part affixed to
said first cup and a male part affixed to said second cup.
3. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 2 wherein
each of said first cup and said second cup further comprises a peripheral
region and a first and a second end.
4. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 3 wherein
said female part and said male part of said snap are disposed, respectively,
at the first end of said first cup and the first end of said second
cup.
5. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 2 wherein
each of said first and second cups further comprises an upper rim,
a first end, a second end, and a peripheral area extending from
the vicinity of the first end and below the upper rim to the second
end.
6. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 5 wherein
said female and male snap parts are disposed, respectively, in the
first and second cups at the first end of each of said cups.
7. A strapless and backless bra, comprising; a first cup and a
second cup, each cup having an inside surface and an outside surface;
a connector for detachably connecting said first cup and said second
cup; and adhesive material disposed on the inside surface of a peripheral
portion of each of said first cup and said second cup for attachment
of each of said first cup and said second cup to a user's body;
wherein said connector enables said first and second cups to be
pivoted in a plane parallel to a surface of said user's body.
8. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 7 wherein
said connector comprises a snap having a female part affixed to
said first cup and a male part affixed to said second cup.
9. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 8 wherein
each of said first cup and said second cup further comprises a first
end and a second end.
10. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 9 wherein
said female part and said male part of said snap are disposed, respectively,
at the first end of said first cup and the first end of said second
cup.
11. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 9 wherein
said first cup and second cup of said bra each further comprises
an upper rim, said peripheral portion of each cup extending from
the vicinity of said first end, below the upper rim, to the second
end.
12. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 7 wherein
said first cup and said second cup are capable of pivoting freely
relative to said connector.
13. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 7 wherein
a portion of the outside surface of said first cup is in contact
with a portion of the inside surface of said second cup when said
first cup and said second cup are connected by said connector.
14. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 7 wherein
said adhesive material is an acrylic-based double-sided adhesive.
15. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 7 further
comprising at least one removable backing disposed on the adhesive
material.
16. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 15 wherein
said backing is made of paper.
17. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said first cup and said second cup are symmetrical.
18. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 17 wherein
said first cup and said second cup are substantially oval in shape.
19. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 1 wherein
said first and second cups may be nested for packaging, storage
or shipment.
20. A strapless and backless laminated closed-cell foam bra, comprising;
a first cup and a second cup, each cup having an inside surface,
an outside surface, a peripheral region, and a first and second
end; a snap for detachably and pivotally connecting said first cup
and second cup, said snap comprising a female part affixed to said
first cup and a male part affixed to said second cup; and adhesive
material disposed on the inside surface of each of said first cup
and second cup for attachment of each of said first cup and said
second cup to a user's body; wherein said female and male parts
are affixed to said first and second cups, respectively, at the
first ends of said first and second cups, and wherein said snap
enables said first and second cups to be pivoted in a plane parallel
to a surface of said user's body.
21. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 20 wherein
said first cup and second cup of said bra each further comprises
an upper rim, said peripheral region of each cup extending from
the vicinity of said first end below the upper rim to said second
end.
22. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 21 wherein
said adhesive material is disposed on the inside surface of each
of said first and second cup at the peripheral region thereof.
23. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 20 wherein
said first and second cups comprise closed cell polyurethane foam.
24. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 23 wherein
said inside surface of said first and second cups comprises a layer
of closed cell polyurethane foam material, and said outside surface
of said first and second cups comprises a layer of polyester circular
knit fabric.
25. A strapless and backless bra, comprising; a first cup and a
second cup, each cup having an inside surface and an outside surface;
a connector for detachably connecting said first cup and second
cup; adhesive material disposed on a portion of the inside surface
of each of said first cup and second cup for attachment of said
first cup and said second cup to a user's body; and a backing disposed
on said adhesive material on each of said first cup and second cup,
wherein said first and second cups, when connected by said connector,
may freely pivot relative to said connector and in a plane parallel
to a surface of the user's body.
26. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 25 wherein
said first cup and second cup each further comprises a first end,
a second end, an upper rim, and a peripheral portion extending from
said first end, below said upper rim, to said second end.
27. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 26 wherein
said adhesive material is disposed on the inside surface of the
peripheral portion of said first cup and second cup.
28. A strapless and backless bra in accordance with claim 25 wherein
the connector comprises a snap mechanism.
Description BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a strapless and backless bra and, more
particularly, to a strapless and backless closed-cell foam bra with
a swivel snap system that can be adjusted to compensate for anatomical
differences or to enhance the appearance of the breasts of the user,
and that can be efficiently packaged, stored and shipped.
It is desirable in the selection of undergarments to have a strapless,
backless bra that is minimal in size and shape such that it may
be worn with different revealing garments while having a structure
capable of adjusting to conform to its user's shape, providing uniform
support, and enhancing the user's appearance.
Strapless, backless bras are well known in the art. U.S. Pat. No.
6257952 teaches a bra of this type having a first and second cup
directly joined together. In the bra of the '952 patent, an outer
side and inner side of each cup have substantially parallel upper
portions, and the upper portions of the inner sides of each cup
are sewn together. In addition, opposing tabs are positioned proximate
the outer side of each cup for adhering the bra to the outer sides
of the user's body. The fixed state of the cups relative to each
other, and the adhesion of the bra to the user's body using tabs
positioned on the outer side of each cup, precludes any adjustment
or flexibility of the bra. This is disadvantageous in the case of
users who may wear the same bra size but who are shaped differently.
Moreover, unless it is folded (and thereby possibly damaged), the
one-piece structure of this bra does not lend itself to efficient
packaging, storage or shipment.
Another example of a bra of this type is shown in U.S. Pat. No
6257951 for a one-piece, backless, strapless bra. The '951 patent
teaches a single piece bra with two cups, underwire, a foam layer,
and an aluminum layer that enables the user to mold the shape of
the cups to fit the user's personal contours. While the moldability
of the cups of the bra addresses minor variations in chest and body
shape among women who wear the same cup size, it does not permit
movement of the cups relative to each other or to the user's body.
In addition, as with the bra of the '952 patent discussed above,
the one-piece bra of the '951 patent does not lend itself to efficient
packing, shipment or storage.
U.S. Pat. No. 6231424 teaches a backless, strapless bra having
first and second cups with substantially parallel inner and outer
sides, and tabs positioned on the outer sides of the cups. The U-shaped
cups are joined together by a bridge connector once the cups are
attached to the user's body using two-sided tape on the back surface
of each of the tabs. In the '424 patent, the cups may be joined
by any suitable connection device such as a releasable snap-fit
connector as shown and described in the patent. However, the connection
devices taught by this patent do not permit the cups, once connected,
to move or pivot relative to the connector or to each other. Thus,
regardless of the form of connection used to join the cups, once
joined, the cups of the bra are not readily movable. While the combination
taught by the '424 patent of connected U-shaped cups and tabs that
adhere only to the outer sides of the user's breasts may enhance
the lift, support and appearance of the user's breasts, such enhancement
is in reality limited to women of relatively uniform breast and
upper body shape. Among all women who wear the same cup size, many
are shaped differently such that the benefits of this bra cannot
be realized without the ability to adjust the position of the cups
relative to each other or relative to the user.
A variety of closed cell two-piece foam bras sold as "strapless
bras" or "bra cups" are also well known in the art.
One example of such a two-piece bra is Magicups, manufactured by
Brazabra Corporation, the assignee of this application. Such two-piece
bras have adhesive on the inner surface of the separate cups. Although
these cups may be freely adjusted to conform to the user's shape,
disadvantages of two-piece bras include lack of uniformity in lift
and support of the user's breasts, unevenness or distortion in appearance
of the breasts, and difficulty positioning the cups evenly and correctly
on the body, inter alia.
Therefore, a need exists for a backless, strapless bra for wearing
with a variety of revealing clothing that creates symmetrical appearance
of the user's breasts and that provides uniform lift and support
while also permitting adjustment to conform to or enhance the shape
of the user's breasts.
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the present invention to
provide a strapless, backless bra which overcomes the aforesaid
disadvantages.
It is also an object of the present invention to provide a strapless,
backless bra with adjustable cups that can compensate for anatomical
differences among women who wear the same bra size but who are shaped
differently.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a strapless,
backless bra that enhances the appearance and provides uniform support
of the user's breasts.
It is another object of the present invention to provide a strapless,
backless bra that can be adjusted for use with a greater variety
of backless or other revealing clothing.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a bra
that requires much less protective packaging for shipping and much
less space for storage.
It is yet a further object of the present invention to provide
a strapless, backless bra having a connector system that allows
separate closed cell foam bra pads to function as a one-piece bra.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the principles of the present invention, the
above and other objectives are realized in a strapless, backless
bra comprised of first and second cups and a connector for detachably
and pivotally connecting the cups.
In a further aspect of the invention, a strapless, backless bra
is provided including first and second cups, each cup having an
inner surface and an outer surface; a connector for detachably connecting
the two cups, and an adhesive disposed on the inner surface of each
cup.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a strapless, backless bra
is provided with first and second cups, each cup having a peripheral
portion and first and second ends, and a mechanism for connecting
the cups, each cup having a part of the connecting mechanism affixed
thereto, at the first end of the cup, such that the cups, when connected,
can pivot freely relative to the mechanism, and such that the bra,
when adhered to the user, maintains its adjusted shape.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The above and other features and aspects of the present invention
will become more apparent upon reading the following detailed description
in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front view of a strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the manner in which it is worn;
FIG. 2 is a front view of the strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the first and second cups detached;
FIG. 3 is a back view of the strapless, backless bra of the present
invention shown in FIG. 2;
FIG. 4 is a right side view of the strapless, backless bra of the
present invention shown in FIG. 2 the left side view being a mirror
image thereof;
FIG. 5A is a front view of the strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the first and second cups connected
and in a normal position;
FIG. 5B is a front view of the strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the first and second cups connected
and pivoted upwardly;
FIG. 5C is a front view of the strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the first and second cups connected
and pivoted downwardly; and
FIG. 6 is a front view of the strapless, backless bra in accordance
with the present invention showing the right and left cups in a
detached and nested position.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to the accompanying drawings, which are incorporated
in and constitute a part of the specification, FIGS. 1-6 illustrate
a preferred embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 1 shows the
strapless, backless bra 10 with connector 16 in accordance with
the principles of the present invention. The bra 10 comprises at
least one layer of non-toxic and non-irritant flexible foam material,
such as Volara.RTM. or other closed cell polyurethane foam.
Bra 10 is illustrated in greater detail in FIGS. 2 and 3. As shown
in FIGS. 2 and 3 bra 10 includes right cup 12 and left cup 14.
Each of right and left cups 12 14 has an outer surface 40 (shown
in FIG. 2) and an inner surface 50 (shown in FIG. 3). The outer
surface 40 of each cup has a polyester circular knit fabric or similar
knit fabric disposed thereon. The knitted fabric layer is applied
to the outer surface 40 of each cup 12 14 by a flame lamination
process, which is well-known in the art, whereby the foam is heated
to a temperature such that the knit fabric will adhere to it.
Right and left cups 12 14 are symmetrical, and each cup includes
a peripheral portion 30 and upper rim 38. As shown in FIGS. 2 and
3 each cup 12 14 terminates at a first end 32 and second end 34.
In addition, the peripheral portion 30 of each cup 12 14 generally
extends from the vicinity of the first end 32 of the cup, continuing
below the upper rim 38 of each cup, and terminating at the second
end 34 of the cup.
As shown in FIG. 4 the peripheral portion 30 of each cup 12 14
is relatively flat for comfortable placement proximate to the underside
and outer sides of the user's breast. In contrast, the upper rim
38 of each cup 12 14 is convex in shape to conform to the general
shape of the user's breast. It is understood that peripheral portion
30 may be larger or smaller in width, depending on the bra cup size,
than is generally shown in the drawings. It is further understood
that peripheral portion 30 may have a more convex shape such that
it may not be as readily distinguishable from the upper rim 38 as
shown in the figures. Similarly, upper rim 38 of each cup 12 14
may be more or less convex, more rounded or pointed in shape, or
may have a more oval or more circular or semi-circular perimeter
than shown in the drawings to accommodate various breast shapes.
As described above and shown in the drawings, right and left cups
12 14 are symmetrical. They may be substantially oval-shaped, as
shown in FIGS. 1-6 or they may be semi-circular for use with low-cut
garments. It is understood that the shape and overall curvature
of right and left cups 12 14 is not limited to those described
and depicted herein. Rather, it is understood that cups 12 14 may
be of any shape, size and curvature practicable to allow use with
various garments while accommodating the shape and size of the user's
breasts, providing uniform support and enhancing appearance, while
also permitting adjustment of the cups.
In the preferred embodiment of the invention, right and left cups
12 14 of the bra 10 are attachable to each other by a connector
16 which may be any mechanism capable of connecting cups 12 and
14 and permitting movement of the cups relative to each other, such
as a snap, as shown. However, it should be understood that alternative
equivalent mechanisms exist that are capable of connecting cups
12 and 14 while permitting free movement of the cups. In a preferred
embodiment, the connector 16 comprises a snap having a female part
16a and a male part 16b. The snap is preferably made of metal and
plastic, but other materials may be used which permit pivotal movement
of the cups 12 14 relative to the snap 16 when the female part
16a and male part 16b are engaged, as described further below.
FIG. 1 shows the right and left cups 12 14 connected by a snap.
FIGS. 2 and 3 illustrate the snap mechanism of FIG. 1 in greater
detail. A female part 16a is affixed to a first end 32 of the right
cup 12 and a male part 16b is affixed to a corresponding first end
32 of the left cup 14. Right cup 12 and left cup 14 may be connected
by engaging the female snap part 16a with male snap part 16b, either
before or after adhering cups 12 14 to the user's body. It is understood
that female part 16a and male part 16b of the connector 16 are interchangeable
with respect to the right and left cups 12 14. In any event, by
engaging female part 16a and male part 16b, a portion of the outside
surface 40 of one of cups 12 14 is in contact with a portion of
the inside surface 50 of the other of cups 12 14.
Once connected, right cup 12 and left cup 14 of the bra 10 are
capable of pivoting relative to the connector 16. As shown in FIGS.
5A-5C, adjustment of the bra 10 by pivoting the cups 12 14 enables
each user of the same bra 10 to conform the bra 10 to the unique
shape of her breasts and permits use of the bra 10 with many different
garments. The cups 12 14 may be swiveled upwardly relative to the
connector 16 as shown in FIG. 5B, or downwardly, as shown in FIG.
5C. Positioning the cups in an upward fashion as illustrated in
FIG. 5B also enhances the appearance of the user's breasts by creating
more cleavage.
As shown in FIG. 3 double-sided adhesive tape 20 may be disposed
on the inside surface 50 of each cup, within the peripheral portion
30 thereof. The adhesive tape 20 includes a bra-side adhesive 24
(not shown) by which the tape 20 adheres to the inside surface 50
of the cups 12 14 and a breast-side medical grade non-sensitizing
adhesive 26 for adhering the bra cups to the user that is non-irritating
to the skin. Such double-sided tape, in which the adhesives on both
sides are preferably hypoallergenic and pressure sensitive, is well
known in the art. It is understood that many equivalent adhesive
materials exist and may be used to adhere cups 12 and 14 of the
bra 10 to the user.
A backing 28 is disposed on the breast-side adhesive 26 to prevent
exposure of the adhesive before use of the bra 10. Once a user has
positioned cups 12 and 14 of the bra 10 and is ready to use the
bra, the backing 28 is peeled off to expose the breast-side adhesive
26 and pressure is applied to the outside surface 40 of each cup
12 14 along the peripheral portion 30 thereof to effect bonding
of the adhesive to the skin of the user. The adhesion of the bra
to the user along the peripheral portion of each cup 12 14 and
along the corresponding underside and outer sides of each of the
user's breasts maintains the adjusted position of cups 12 14 relative
to the connector 16 and to each other. To remove the bra, cups 12
14 can be detached and pulled away from the user's breasts.
As shown in FIG. 6 cups 12 and 14 may be detached and nested.
Such an arrangement reduces the dimensions of the bra by approximately
50% and requires significantly less material for packing and shipping
than a conventional one-piece bra. In addition, the bra 10 in a
nested position requires much less storage space than a one-piece
bra.
In all cases it is understood that the above-described arrangements
are merely illustrative of the many possible specific embodiments
which represent applications of the present invention. Numerous
and varied other arrangements can be readily devised in accordance
with the principles of the present invention without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention, as defined by the accompanying
claims.
|