(19) United States
`(12) Patent Application Publication (10) Pub. No.: US 2005/0037687 A1
`(43) Pub. Date:
`Feb. 17, 2005
`Newman
`
`US 20050O37687A1
`
`(54) CUSTOM FIT BRA
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`(76) Inventor: Joanna M. Newman, New York, NY
`(US)
`
`Correspondence Address:
`WILLIAM C. CRUTCHER
`MCCORMICK, PAULDING & HUBER, LLP
`185 ASYLUM STREET, CITY PLACE II, 18TH
`FLOOR
`HARTFORD, CT 06103-4102 (US)
`
`(21) Appl. No.:
`(22) Filed:
`
`10/639,312
`Aug. 12, 2003
`
`Publication Classification
`
`(51) Int. Cl. .................................................... A41C 3/10
`(52) U.S. Cl. ................................................................ 450/54
`
`Abra includes a first portion having a cup of a first Size and
`a back panel attached to the cup of the first size and a Second
`portion that is separable from the first portion, the Second
`portion having a cup of a Second size and a back panel
`attached to the cup of the Second size. The Second portion is
`connectable with the first portion by the connection of the
`cup of the first Size with the cup of the Second size and by
`the connection of the two back panels. In another aspect, a
`cup for a bra has an inner layer and an outer layer connected
`to the inner layer to define a pocket therebetween in which
`a pad can be received, the outer layer being fabricated from
`an elastic material. In another aspect, a bra-half adapted for
`cooperation with a Second bra-half has a cup of a Selected
`size, a back panel attached to the cup, means disposed on the
`cup for effecting the connection of the cup to the Second
`bra-half, and means disposed on the back panel for effecting
`the connection of the back panel to the second bra-half. The
`cup has an inner layer and an Outer layer, the inner layer and
`the outer layer being connected to each other to define a
`pocket.
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`NIKE-1023
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 1 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 2 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 3 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 4 of 5
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`Patent Application Publication Feb. 17, 2005 Sheet 5 of 5
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`US 2005/0037687 A1
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`Feb. 17, 2005
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`CUSTOM FIT BRA
`
`TECHNICAL FIELD
`0001. The present invention relates generally to bras
`Sieres (bras), and, more particularly, to a custom fit bra
`having Separable portions, each portion having a cup that is
`constructed to accommodate different breast sizes and/or
`shapes.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`0002 Bras are typically manufactured as unitary pieces
`having two cups, shoulder Straps, and one closure that
`allows the piece to be closed at either the front or the back
`of the torso of a person wearing the bra. The designers of
`Such bras erroneously assume that a woman's breasts are
`both the same size and shape and that, therefore, the cups of
`these bras need to be manufactured of both the same size and
`shape. Since the breasts of most women differ by about a
`half-cup size or more on each Side, most bras fail to provide
`for the proper fit and Support of the bustline.
`0003. Some bras allow for the insertion and removal of
`pads in the cups to compensate for Visual differences in
`breast sizes. Because of the way in which these pads are
`inserted, however, the breast is simply forced up without
`altering the size of the cup to allow the breast to fit correctly
`or comfortably therein. Furthermore, these pads typically
`create a noticeable change in the bustline. Women aware of
`Such a noticeable change oftentimes feel Self conscious and
`leSS confident in their daily encounters.
`0004 Based on the foregoing, it is the general object of
`the present invention to provide a bra that overcomes or
`improves upon the prior art.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`0005 The present invention is directed in one aspect to a
`bra having a first portion having a cup of a first size and a
`back panel attached to the cup of the first size and a Second
`portion that is separable from the first portion, the Second
`portion having a cup of a Second size and a back panel
`attached to the cup of the Second size. The Second portion is
`connectable with the first portion by the connection of the
`cup of the first Size with the cup of the Second size and by
`the connection of the two back panels.
`0006 The invention is directed in another aspect to a cup
`for a bra wherein the cup has an inner layer and an outer
`layer connected to the inner layer to define a pocket ther
`ebetween in which a pad can be received, the outer layer
`being fabricated from an elastic material.
`0007. In yet another aspect, the invention is directed to a
`bra-half adapted for cooperation with a Second bra-half in
`which the bra-half has a cup of a Selected size, a back panel
`attached to the cup, means disposed on the cup for effecting
`the connection of the cup to the Second bra-half, and means
`disposed on the back panel for effecting the connection of
`the back panel to the Second bra-half. The cup has an inner
`layer and an Outer layer, the inner layer and the outer layer
`being connected to each other to define a pocket.
`0008 One advantage of a bra having two separable
`portions is that each portion of the bra can be Sold Separately
`and fitted for different cup sizes. Because many women
`
`require cup sizes that differ by a half size or more, use of the
`custom fit bra of the present invention would enable those
`Women to purchase each cup of the bra and to assemble the
`bra based on their own particular needs in order to attain a
`proper fit. Thus, because the fit of the bra would not be
`compromised by the difference in breast sizes, the wearer
`would gain an increased level of confidence from the
`knowledge that her bust is properly Supported. Furthermore,
`the insertion of a pad into a pocket in one or both cups that
`are sized to fit properly and comfortably would enable
`uniformity in size to be established, thereby giving the
`wearer an even greater level of confidence from the knowl
`edge that her bustline has a Symmetrical appearance.
`0009. Another advantage of the two portion bra is that
`one or both cups of the bra can be fitted with prostheses.
`Because the outer layer of each cup is fabricated from an
`elastic material, a prosthetic breast can be disposed in one or
`both of the pockets. Any differences in sizes between the
`breasts can be corrected using pads. Thus, the wearer of the
`bra in which a prosthetic device is fitted can likewise gain an
`increased level of confidence from the knowledge that her
`bust is properly Supported and that her bustline has a
`Symmetrical appearance.
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`0010 FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a bra having two
`Separable portions.
`0011 FIG. 2 is a view of a clasp used to connect
`Separable portions of a bra at the front.
`0012 FIG. 3 is a view of an arrangement of hooks and
`eyelets used to connect Separable portions of a bra at the
`back.
`0013 FIG. 4 is a perspective view of one cup of a
`Separable portion bra showing a pocket in which a pad is
`inserted.
`0014 FIG. 5 is a perspective view of an alternate
`embodiment of one cup of a separable portion bra showing
`a pocket.
`0015 FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a cup of a separable
`portion brain which a pocket is disposed on the inside of the
`Cup.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`0016 Referring to FIG. 1, a bra having separable por
`tions is shown generally at 10. As shown, the bra 10 includes
`a first portion 12 (a first bra-half) and a second portion 14 (a
`Second bra-half), the first portion 12 being connectable and
`adaptable for cooperation with the Second portion 14 Such
`that, when the bra 10 is worn in a conventional fashion on
`the torso of a perSon, the first portion 12 and the Second
`portion 14 are connected to each other at the front, prefer
`ably between the breasts, and in the back, preferably at about
`the center of the perSon's back.
`0017. The first portion 12 includes a cup 16, a back panel
`18 attached to the cup 16, and associated hardware such that
`the second portion 14 can be connected thereto. The first
`portion 12 preferably also includes a shoulder strap 20 that
`extends from the cup 16 to the back panel 18. The second
`portion 14 likewise includes a cup 22, a back panel 24
`attached to the cup 22, (preferably) a shoulder Strap 26, and
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`p. 7
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`US 2005/0037687 A1
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`asSociated receiving hardware that allows for the direct
`connection of the second portion 14 to the first portion 12.
`The shoulder straps 20, 26 are optional, as the cups 16, 22
`may be configured with wire or plastic Substructures that
`allow the breasts of the person wearing the bra 10 to be
`supported from below, thereby enabling the bra 10 to be
`worn with sleeveless garments. The back panels 18, 24 may
`be integrally formed with their respective cups 16, 22 (e.g.,
`as Single piece elements). The cups 16, 22, back panels 18,
`24, and shoulder straps 20, 26 can be fabricated from any
`conventional material that provides comfort to the wearer of
`the bra 10. Furthermore, materials of fabrication can be used
`that provide an aesthetic appeal to the bra 10.
`0.018
`Referring now to FIG. 2, one exemplary embodi
`ment of the hardware associated with the connection of the
`first portion 12 and the second portion 14 at the front of the
`bra 10 is shown. Such hardware is a clasp 28 that includes
`cooperating halves, each half being connected to its respec
`tive first portion 12 or second portion 14. The half connected
`to the first portion 12, which is shown at 30, includes a
`protrusion 32, and the half connected to the Second portion
`14, which is shown at 34, includes a protrusion 36. The
`cooperating halves are “twisted” together Such that Struc
`tures on a front face 38 of the protrusion 32 cooperatively
`engage mating structures on a rear face (not shown) on the
`cooperating half 34 and structures on a front face 40 of the
`protrusion 36 cooperatively engage mating structures on a
`rear face (not shown) on the cooperating half 30. Other
`embodiments of the hardware by which each portion 12, 14
`may be interconnected include, but are not limited to,
`locking tongue-and-eye structures, hooks, hooks and eye
`lets, hook-and-loop material, and the like.
`0019. One exemplary embodiment by which the connec
`tion of the portions 12, 14 may be effected in the back is an
`arrangement of hookS 42 and eyelets 44, as is shown with
`reference to FIG. 3. Hooks 42 are mounted on the back
`panel 18 of the first portion 12, and the corresponding
`eyelets 44 are mounted on the back panel 24 of the second
`portion 14. Although the first portion 12 is shown as having
`two hookS 42 adjacently positioned So as to allow for their
`engagement with two corresponding eyelets 44, it should be
`understood that any number of hooks 42 may be coupled to
`the first portion 12 to be engagable with any number of
`corresponding eyelets 44. Generally, as the size of the bra
`increases, the number of hookS 42 increases. Furthermore, a
`plurality of eyelets 44 are arranged in a row, each eyelet 44
`in the row being positioned So as to allow the bra to be
`adjustably fit to the torso of the person wearing the bra when
`the hookS 42 and the eyelets 44 are interengaged. Although
`five eyelets 44 are shown as being disposed in each row, it
`should be understood that any number of eyelets 44 may be
`disposed in each row to be engagable with a corresponding
`hook 42.
`0020 Referring now to FIG. 4, the first portion 12 and,
`more particularly, the first cup 16 are shown in detail. The
`first cup 16 has an inner layer 46 that contacts the body of
`the person wearing the bra and an Outer layer 48 disposed in
`facial engagement with the inner layer 46 and connected to
`the inner layer 46 (preferably by stitching) substantially
`along a portion of the peripheral edge of each layer 46, 48
`to define a pocket. The outer layer 48 is preferably formed
`of an elastic material So as to conform to the natural shape
`of a breast held by the cup 16 and so as to not alter the fit
`
`of the bra on the wearer. The pocket is configured to receive
`a pad 52 or a prosthesis therein. Exemplary embodiments of
`pads 52 include, but are not limited to, Sealed bags having
`fluids, Semi-fluids, or gels disposed therein or members
`fabricated from elastomeric materials (e.g., Sponge rubbers),
`cloth, felts, plastics, and the like.
`0021. In an alternate embodiment, as is shown with
`reference to FIG. 5, a pocket disposed in a first cup 116 of
`a first portion 112 of a bra may be defined by a first outer
`layer 148 and a second outer layer 149, each being con
`nected to an inner layer 146 So as to form an opening that
`extends substantially across the center of the first cup 116.
`In such an embodiment, an edge 151 of the first outer layer
`148 at which the opening is defined may be disposed under
`the second outer layer 149 such that the second outer layer
`149 can be pulled back to expose the opening through which
`the pad is to be inserted. Such a configuration facilitates the
`retaining of the pad in the pocket and prevents its inadvertent
`removal.
`0022. In another alternate embodiment, as is shown with
`reference to FIG. 6, a pocket disposed in a first cup 216 of
`a first portion 212 of a bra may be defined by a first inner
`layer 246 and a Second inner layer 247, each being con
`nected to an Outer layer 248 So as to form an opening that
`extends substantially across the center of the first cup 216
`but on the inside of the first cup 216. In a manner similar to
`that as described above, an edge 251 of the first inner layer
`246 at which the opening is defined may be disposed under
`the second inner layer 247 such that the second inner layer
`247 can be pulled back to expose the opening through which
`the pad is inserted. Such a configuration, because the open
`ing is held against the breast of the wearer, even further
`facilitates the retaining of the pad in the pocket.
`0023. It should be understood by those of skill in the art
`that the Second cup disposed on the Second portion of the bra
`in any of the above embodiments is of a construction that is
`Substantially identical in Structure to the first cup disposed
`on the first portion. Such Second cups, however, preferably
`vary in Size to accommodate different Size breasts of the
`WCC.
`0024. While the invention has been described with ref
`erence to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by
`those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and
`equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without
`departing from the Scope of the invention. In addition, many
`modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or
`material to the teachings of the invention without departing
`from the essential Scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended
`that the invention not be limited to the particular embodi
`ments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying
`out this invention, but that the invention will include all
`embodiments falling within the Scope of the appended
`claims
`
`1. Abra, comprising:
`a first portion having a first cup of a first size and a first
`back panel attached to Said first cup; and
`a Second portion Separable from Said first portion and
`having a Second cup of a Second size and a Second back
`panel attached to Said Second cup;
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`Feb. 17, 2005
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`Said Second portion being connectable with Said first
`portion by the connection of Said first cup with Said
`Second cup and by the connection of Said first back
`panel with Said Second back panel.
`2. The bra of claim 1, further comprising a first shoulder
`Strap attached to Said first cup and Said first back panel and
`a Second shoulder Strap attached to Said Second cup and Said
`Second back panel.
`3. The bra of claim 1, further comprising a clasp for
`effecting the connection of Said first cup with Said Second
`cup, Said clasp comprising cooperating halves having mat
`ingly engagable structures disposed on each half.
`4. The bra of claim 1, further comprising a hook and
`eyelet arrangement for effecting the connection of Said first
`back panel with Said Second back panel, Said hook and eyelet
`arrangement comprising at least one hook disposed on Said
`first back panel and at least one eyelet disposed on Said
`Second back panel.
`5. The bra of claim 1, wherein said first cup comprises a
`first inner layer and a first Outer layer, Said first inner layer
`and Said first outer layer being connected to each other
`Substantially along a portion of the peripheral edge of each
`of Said first inner layer and Said first outer layer to define a
`first pocket, and wherein Said Second cup comprises a
`Second inner layer and a Second outer layer, Said Second
`inner layer and Said Second Outer layer being connected to
`each other Substantially along a portion of the peripheral
`edge of each of Said Second inner layer and Said Second outer
`layer to define a Second pocket.
`6. The bra of claim 5, wherein said first outer layer and
`Said Second outer layer are each fabricated from an elastic
`material.
`7. The bra of claim 5, further comprising a pad inserted in
`at least one of Said first pocket and Said Second pocket.
`8. The bra of claim 1, wherein said first cup comprises a
`first inner layer and two first outer layers connected to Said
`first inner layer Such that a first opening extends Substan
`tially acroSS the center of Said first cup, and wherein Said
`Second cup comprises a Second inner layer and two Second
`outer layers connected to Said Second inner layer Such that
`a Second opening extends Substantially acroSS the center of
`Said Second cup.
`9. The bra of claim 8, wherein said two first outer layers
`and Said two Second Outer layers are each fabricated from an
`elastic material.
`10. The bra of claim 8, further comprising a pad inserted
`in at least one of Said first pocket and Said Second pocket.
`
`11. A cup for a bra, Said cup comprising:
`an inner layer;
`an outer layer connected to Said inner layer to define a
`pocket therebetween in which a pad can be received,
`Said outer layer being fabricated from an elastic mate
`rial; and
`means for attaching Said cup to a Second cup.
`12. (Canceled)
`13. The cup of claim 12, wherein Said means for attaching
`Said cup to Said Second cup comprises a mechanism having
`a first Structure that is matingly engagable with a Second
`Structure.
`14. The cup of claim 12, wherein Said means for attaching
`Said cup to Said Second cup comprises a hook and eyelet
`arrangement.
`15. A bra-half, adapted for cooperation with a second
`bra-half, comprising:
`a cup being of a Selected size, Said cup comprising, an
`inner layer and an outer layer, Said inner layer and Said
`Outer layer being connected to each other to define a
`pocket;
`a back panel attached to Said cup;
`means disposed on Said cup for effecting the connection
`of Said cup to Said Second bra-half; and
`means disposed on Said back panel for effecting the
`connection of Said back panel to said second bra-half.
`16. The bra-half of claim 15, further comprising a pad
`inserted in Said pocket.
`17. The bra-half of claim 15, wherein said inner layer and
`Said outer layer are connected to each other Substantially
`along a portion of a peripheral edge of each of Said inner
`layer and Said outer layer to define Said pocket.
`18. The bra-half of claim 17, wherein said outer layer is
`fabricated from an elastic material.
`19. The bra-half of claim 15, wherein said outer layer
`comprises a fist outer layer and a Second Outer layer, Said
`first outer layer and Said Second outer layer connected to Said
`inner layer Such that an opening extends Substantially acroSS
`the center of Said cup.
`20. The bra-half of claim 19, wherein said first outer layer
`and Said Second outer layer are fabricated from an elastic
`material.
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`p. 9
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