Abstrict A reusable backless, strapless, one-piece bra. The bra comprises
an underwire, a light-weight aluminum layer and a rubber foam layer,
the light weight aluminum layer being positioned between foam rubber
layers. The aluminum enables the bra to be molded to fit the contours
of each person. The foam is bonded to the skin with double-sided,
disposable dermal adhesive tape. The tape is applied horizontally
across the bottom of the bra and attached to the rib cage just beneath
the breast. A pad may be provided on an inner surface of-the bra
to give the appearance of enhanced breast size.
Claims What is claimed is:
1. A backless breast support apparatus, said apparatus comprising:
at least one foam layer constructed and arranged to form two cups,
said at least one foam layer including an inner surface which abuts
the breasts during use; and
at least one underwire cooperating with said at least one foam
layer to support each breast when that apparatus is worn by a user,
wherein the inner surface of said foam layer is adapted to receive
an adhesive strip for adhering said apparatus to the skin of a user
adjacent the user's rib cage.
2. A method of supporting breasts, said method comprising the steps
of:
positioning a backless bra over the breasts of a user, said backless
bra comprising a shaping mechanism and a foam layer, said shaping
mechanism and said foam layer constructed and arranged to form two
cups;
manually manipulating said backless bra such that each breast is
supported by each cup;
exposing an adhesive material affixed to each cup; and
adhering the adhesive material to the skin of a user adjacent the
rib cage to substantially maintain the position of each cup with
respect to each breast.
Description FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to a bra, and more particularly to a reusable
strapless, backless bra.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Strapless and backless bras are known in the art. However, none
of the presently known strapless and backless bras provide a strapless,
backless, one-piece bra having an underwire for improved support.
Also, known strapless, backless bras are not smooth and create
an obvious appearance beneath clothing, or can give an asymmetrical
appearance (e.g., a lack of conformity between the breasts).
Also, known strapless, backless bras do not provide a mechanism
which allows the user to manipulate the bra to a personalized bra
shape which will be maintained until re-shaping is desired.
Known strapless, backless bras are not properly structured to allow
for freedom to enhance the appearance of breast size and shape.
The problems identified above are not intended to be exhaustive
but rather are among many which tend to illustrate the need for
an improved bra which allows a more aesthetically pleasing appearance.
The above problems demonstrate that currently known solutions are
amenable to worthwhile improvement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is a primary object of the invention to provide
a strapless, backless bra which will obviate or minimize difficulties
of the type previously described. One object of the present invention
is to free a woman's shoulders and back of straps, thereby allowing
women to have more freedom of fashion (e.g., halter tops, backless
dresses, swimwear).
Another object of the invention is to eliminate lines so that beneath
thin garments there is little evidence of an undergarment.
A further object of the invention is to provide conformity between
both breasts, and to allow enhanced appearance of breast size and
shape.
A further object of the invention is to provide at least one shaping
mechanism which allows the user to manipulate the bra to a personalized
bra shape which will be maintained by the shaping mechanism until
re-shaping is desired.
A further object of the invention is to provide breast support
that is firm, comfortable, breathable and pliable.
A further object of the invention is to provide a strapless, backless
bra which is simple and cost-effective to manufacture.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is
provided a pliable, strapless breast support including an integral
member for supporting both breasts. The member comprises at least
one pliable foam layer formed into two cups and having an inner
surface which contacts the breasts during use, and at least one
shaping mechanism in each cup.
The present invention also provides a method of making a pliable
strapless bra which comprises forming a single pliable foam member
into two cups for supporting breasts, and embedding at least one
shaping mechanism into the foam.
The present invention further provides a method of using a pliable
strapless bra having cups for supporting breasts. The method comprises
forming a strapless bra of a pliable foam material, embedding at
least one shaping element in the foam material, manually manipulating
a shape of the bra by applying pressure to the shaping mechanism
to obtain a desired support shape, wherein the shape is generally
retained absent further manipulation, applying an adhesive strip
to an inner surface of the bra, and adhering the bra to the rib
cage such that the breasts fill the cups and are therefore supported
by the strapless bra.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute
a part of the specification, illustrate a presently preferred embodiment
of the invention, and, together with the general description given
above and the detailed description of the preferred embodiment given
below, serve to explain the principles of the invention, wherein:
FIG. 1 is a view of the strapless, backless bra of the present
invention illustrated in the manner in which it is worn;
FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the bra of the present invention;
FIG. 3a is a cross-section of the bra taken along line 3a--3a of
FIG. 2;
FIG. 3b is a close-up of the section indicated in FIG. 3a;
FIG. 4 illustrates a first shaping mechanism in the form of an
underwire for a bra of the present invention;
FIG. 5 is a view of the bra of the present invention which illustrates
a first embodiment of a second shaping mechanism;
FIG. 6 is a view of the bra of the present invention which illustrates
a second embodiment of the second shaping mechanism;
FIG. 7 is a view of the bra of the present invention which illustrates
a third embodiment of the second shaping mechanism;
FIG. 8 is a view of the bra of the present invention which illustrates
a fourth embodiment of the second shaping mechanism;
FIG. 9 is a view of the bra of the present invention which illustrates
a fifth embodiment of the second shaping mechanism; and
FIG. 10 illustrates positioning of a shape-enhancing pad on an
inner surface of the bra of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the figures, like numerals indicate like parts. FIG. 1 shows
the strapless, backless bra 10 of the present invention illustrated
in the manner in which it is worn. The bra includes two cups 20
connected at a bridge 30 and a flattened ridge 40 under the cups
20 which houses an underwire 50 (see FIG. 3a).
The bra comprises a medium to heavy strength underwire 50 rubber
foam material forming the cups 20 a bridge 30 a fabric cover over
the foam, disposable dermal adhesive tape, and at least one shaping
mechanism (discussed below) in each cup.
The underwire will preferably be of flexible Delrin.TM. plastic
custom-cut to provide moldable cup size and shape. The underwire
50 molds to the rib cage at a point underneath the breast and is
covered with foam rubber to form the flattened ridge 40. In use,
the flattened ridge will be held in place by being adhered to the
rib cage, and will further be held in place by being folded between
the breast and the rib cage.
The cups 20 extend outward and are graduated in thickness with
the thinnest area being at the outer edges of the bra, where the
foam material is feathered. This desirably eliminates visibility
of the bra beneath thin garments so that there is little evidence
of an undergarment.
FIG. 2 shows a bottom view of the bra of the present invention.
FIG. 3a is a cross-sectional view taken along line 3a--3a of FIG.
2. The bra 10 comprises-two layers 1214 of non-irritant and non-toxic
FDA-approved material for primary skin contact, is preferably a
foam material. In a preferred embodiment, a flexible polyethylene
foam is used. In a particularly preferred embodiment, Volara Type
AS.TM. is used. A first shaping mechanism in the form of a standard
underwire 50 is inserted between the two layers 1214. FIG. 3b details
placement of the underwire So between the layers 1214. The underwire
50 preferably has a plastic tip 52 at each end (see FIG. 4). The
layer/underwire assembly is heat pressed, at a temperature and pressure
in accordance with the material used, to create a one-piece integral
member. The edges of the one-piece integral member are feathered.
For Volara Type AS.TM. material, heat pressing of the layers will
occur at approximately 3000 lbs. Other alternatives to heat pressing
include known thermoforming and molding processes.
FIG. 4 discloses an underwire 50 as used in the present invention,
including the plastic tips 52 on each end of the underwire 50.
FIG. 5 shows a bra 10 of the present invention, including a first
embodiment of the second shaping mechanism 60 embedded between the
layers 12 14 in each cup 20. The second shaping mechanism 60 includes
a base 62 and a plurality of strips 64 extending from the base within
the cup 20. Each shaping mechanism 60 covers a substantial portion
of a cup 20 and comprises a material which can be manually manipulated
to obtain a desired support shape for the bra 10 and retain the
desired shape absent further manipulation. In a preferred embodiment,
the shaping mechanisms 60 are formed of a thin aluminum material.
In a particularly preferred embodiment, the material is 40 gauge
aluminum.
FIG. 6 shows a bra 10 of the present invention including a second
embodiment of the second shaping mechanism 70 embedded between the
layers 12 14 in each cup 20. The second shaping mechanism 70 includes
a plurality of strips 72 extending vertically within the cup 20
but may also extend horizontally. Each shaping mechanism 70 covers
a substantial portion of a cup 20 and comprises a material which
can be manually manipulated to obtain a desired support shape for
the bra 10 and retain the desired shape absent further manipulation.
FIG. 7 shows a bra 10 of the present invention including a third
embodiment of the second shaping mechanism 80 embedded between the
layers 12 14 in each cup 20. The second shaping mechanism 80 includes
an arcuate base 82 and a plurality of alternating longer strips
84 and shorter strips 86 extending vertically within the cup 20.
Each shaping mechanism 80 covers a substantial portion of a cup
20 and is formed of a material which can be manually manipulated
to obtain a desired support shape for the bra 10 and retain the
desired shape absent further manipulation. The second shaping mechanism
preferably comprises a thin metal cut to resemble the desired shape.
The second shaping mechanism more preferably comprises a thin aluminum
as discussed above.
FIG. 8 shows a bra 10 of the present invention including a fourth
embodiment of the second shaping mechanism 90 embedded between the
layers 12 14 in each cup 20. The second shaping mechanism 90 includes
an arcuate base 92 and a pair of strips 94 extending vertically
within the cup 20. Each end of the second shaping mechanism 90 is
wedge-shaped and comes to a point 96. Within the wedge-shape is
a cut-out portion 98. Each shaping mechanism 90 covers a substantial
portion of a cup 20 and is formed of a material which can be manually
manipulated to obtain a desired support shape for the bra 10 and
retain the desired shape absent further manipulation. The second
shaping mechanism preferably comprises a thin metal cut to resemble
the desired shape and is preferably made of a thin aluminum as described
above.
FIG. 9 shows a bra 10 of the present invention including a fifth
embodiment of the second shaping mechanism 100 embedded between
the layers 12 14 in each cup 20. The second shaping mechanism 100
includes a semi-circular piece of thin metal which has been cut
in a mesh-like pattern by cutting out alternating squares. The mesh-like
pattern may also be achieved by cutting out a plurality of circles
over the entire surface of a semi-circular piece of thin metal.
The second shaping mechanism preferably is made of a thin aluminum
as discussed above.
The second shaping mechanisms 60 70 80 90 100 ensure that the
bra 10 whether or not it is on the wearer, will maintain its desired
shape. Each wearer need only shape the bra 10 once and it will maintain
its correct shape until the it is manipulated to another desired
shape.
The second shaping mechanisms 60 70 80 90 100 are embedded
between the layers 1214 in much the same way as the underwire 50.
Prior to heat-pressing the layers 1214 together, the second shaping
mechanism is inserted between the layers. After heat-pressing, both
the second shaping mechanism and the underwire 50 are permanently
embedded in the one-piece integral member. The second shaping mechanism
allow the invention to be manipulated to fit the wearer's individual
form.
A fabric cover (not shown) is laminated over the outer and inner
exposed surfaces of the heat pressed layers 12 14 of the bra 10
in order to create a more aesthetically pleasing appearance and
to increase wearer comfort. The fabric cover can comprise any material
suitable for undergarments, bathing suits and other types of clothing,
and is preferably Lycra.TM. or cotton tricot and is flame laminated
to the foam layers.
A dermal surgical pressure-sensitive adhesive is used to attach
the bra to the body. A preferred embodiment of the pressure-sensitive
adhesive includes a mixture of dioctyl phthalate, dibutyl succinate,
diethyl azelate and Blenderm.TM.. Blenderm.TM. is produced by 3M
Corporation.
The pressure-sensitive adhesive is preferably a double-sided adhesive
tape which is applied directly along an inside surface of at least
the flattened ridge 40 of the bra 10. Depending on the preference
of the wearer, the adhesive can also be applied to the inner surface
of each cup as needed. The double-sided adhesive will preferably
have tape backing on both sides and will be sold in pre-measured
shapes to fit the curve of the base and the interior of each cup.
To apply the adhesive, a first backing is removed and the tape is
smoothed onto the base of the bra. The second backing is then removed
and the bra with its exposed adhesive is placed on the wearer's
rib cage directly beneath the breast (and on the wearer's breasts
if adhesive is placed in the cups) as the wearer leans forward slightly.
The bra is then held in place for approximately 10-15 seconds to
allow the adhesive to satisfactorily bond with the skin. Additional
layers of adhesive can be applied for subsequent uses of the bra.
FIG. 10 discloses placement of optional shape-enhancing pads 110
on a lower inner surface of each cup 20 of the bra 10 of the present
invention. The pads do not cover the entire cup, but rather fill
the area beneath the nipple. The pads are therefore undetectable.
The pads increase comfort by allowing air to remain between the
breast and the foam rubber.
The shape-enhancing pads 110 are preferably cut in a semi-circular
shape. The thickness of the shape-enhancing pads 110 can vary depending
on the amount of shape enhancement desired by the wearer. The thicker
the shape-enhancing pad, the larger and fuller the wearer's breast
will appear upon placement of the pad onto the inner surface of
the bra 10. Each shape-enhancing pad 110 comprises a soft and absorbent
material, preferably paper, foam, or a nylon blend.
The shape-enhancing pads 110 can be held in place on the lower,
inner surface of each cup 20 by using an adhesive, by creating pockets
in the fabric cover to accommodate the pads, or by an other suitable
means to hold them in place.
Other embodiments of the reusable strapless, backless bra will
be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the
specification disclosed herein. For example, the bra can be used
as swimwear, thus allowing the wearer to avoid unwanted tan lines.
It is intended that the specification be considered as exemplary
only, with the true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated
by the following claims.
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