BRA CUP FOR INCREASING VISUAL APPEARANCE OF BREAST SIZE, AND BRASSIERE INCORPORATING THE SAME

• US 20100273395A1
• Filed: 12/18/2009
• Published: 10/28/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 04/27/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Maidenform Incorporated (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Maidenform Incorporated (Hanesbrands Incorporated)
• Inventors: Castellano, Steven
• Granted Patent: US 8,262,433 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 450/39
• CPC Class Codes: A41C 3/144 Pads

Abstract

A bra cup includes: an inner cup portion, comprising one or more inner foam layers; and an outer cup portion, attached to the inner cup portion, comprising one or more outer foam layers, the inner cup portion and the outer cup portion together forming the bra cup. The inner foam layers form first and second convex portions with respect to an inner surface of the inner cup portion. The first and second convex portions form, at an intersection therebetween, a channel on the inner surface extending from a lower portion of the cup towards an apex of the bra cup.

Claims

1. A bra cup, comprising:

an inner cup portion, comprising one or more inner foam layers; and

an outer cup portion, attached to the inner cup portion, comprising one or more outer foam layers, the inner cup portion and the outer cup portion together forming the bra cup,

the inner foam layers forming first and second convex portions with respect to an inner surface of the inner cup portion, the first and second convex portions forming, at an intersection therebetween, a channel on the inner surface extending from a lower portion of the cup towards an apex of the bra cup.

2. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein the first and second convex portions and the channel are configured to support a wearer'"'"'s breast of a first cup size, and to uplift and push the breast inwardly towards an opposite breast of the wearer

3. The bra cup according to claim 2, wherein the outer foam layers are dimensioned and arranged to form a projecting portion at the apex of the bra cup.

4. The bra cup according to claim 1, the inner cup portion further comprising a fabric liner fixedly attached to the inner surface of the inner cup portion.

5. The bra cup according to claim 4, wherein the fabric liner is laminated to the inner surface of the inner cup portion.

6. The bra cup according to claim 2, wherein the bra cup and foam layers combine to give an overall outer appearance of a breast of a second cup size at least one size larger than that of the first cup size.

7. The bra cup according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the one or more inner foam layers is a fiberfill foam material.

8. A bra comprising:

(a) two bra cups, adjacent to one another at inner edge portions thereof, each bra cup comprising;

an inner cup portion, comprising one or more inner foam layers; and

an outer cup portion, attached to the inner cup portion, comprising one or more outer foam layers, the inner cup portion and the outer cup portion together forming the bra cup,

the inner foam layers forming first and second convex portions with respect to an inner surface of the inner cup portion, the first and second convex portions forming, at an intersection therebetween, a channel on the inner surface extending from a lower portion of the cup towards an apex of the bra cup; and

(b) at least one bra wing extending from outer edge portions of the bra cups.

9. The bra according to claim 8, wherein the first and second convex portions and the channel are configured to support a wearer'"'"'s breast of a first cup size, and to uplift and push the breast inwardly towards an opposite breast of the wearer

10. The bra according to claim 9, wherein the outer foam layers form a projecting portion at the apex of the bra cup.

11. The bra according to claim 8, the inner cup portion further comprising a fabric liner fixedly attached to the inner surface of the inner cup portion that contacts the breasts of the wearer.

12. The bra according to claim 11, wherein the fabric liner is laminated to the inner surface of the inner cup portion.

13. The bra according to claim 9, wherein the bra cup and foam layers combine to give an overall outer appearance of a breast of a second cup size at least one size larger than that of the first cup size.

14. The bra according to claim 8, wherein at least one of the one or more inner foam layers is a fiberfill foam material.

15. A bra cup, comprising:

an inner cup portion of a first cup size, comprising one or more inner foam layers; and

an outer cup portion of a second cup size, larger than the first cup size, attached to the inner cup portion, comprising one or more outer foam layers, the inner cup portion and the outer cup portion together forming the bra cup,

the inner foam layers forming first and second convex portions with respect to an inner surface of the bra cup, the first and second convex portions forming, at an intersection therebetween, a channel on the inner surface of the bra cup extending from a lower portion of the cup towards an apex of the bra cup, the first and second convex portions and the channel being configured to support a wearer'"'"'s breast of the first cup size, and to uplift and push the breast inwardly towards an opposite breast of the wearer; and

the outer foam layers forming a projecting portion at the apex of the bra cup, the projecting portion causing the bra cup to give the appearance of the second cup size of at least one cup size larger than that of the first cup size.