Brassiere, brassiere components, and materials for use thereof
View Patent ↗A breathable and moisture permeable bra that is stylish, provides adequate support and is comfortable to wear is provided. Materials, such as wicking materials, for use in the bra, as well as other active wear, are also provided. The brassiere may include breast-supporting pads having a pad component including a perforated, molded foam cup encased by an inner and a first outer cloth layers and a second outer cloth attached to the outside of the pad component. The cloths may include materials that are breathable and may have wicking properties. In addition to the pad, the brassiere may include a wicking layer adapted to lie adjacent a wearer's skin to pull moisture away from the skin. The brassiere may also include an outer layer adapted to lie most distal the user's skin, that may provide an aesthetically pleasing exterior of the brassiere.
1. A breast pad constructed and arranged to be used in a brassiere, the pad comprising:
a breast pad component comprising:
a foam layer including an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of openings that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface;
an inner cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the foam layer;
a first outer cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the foam layer;
a second outer cloth attached to at least a portion of the pad component and adjacent the first outer cloth; and
wherein the foam layer comprises:
an upper portion having an upper thickness; and
a lower portion having a lower thickness, wherein the upper thickness is less than the lower thickness in order to conform to the breast of the wearer.
2. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the foam layer comprises polyurethane.
3. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the foam layer is molded such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
4. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the foam layer comprises a thickness between approximately 1/16 inches and approximately ⅛ inches.
5. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings comprise a circular cross-section.
6. A breast pad according to claim 5 , wherein the plurality of openings have a diameter between approximately 0.05 centimeters and approximately 0.5 centimeters.
7. A breast pad constructed and arranged to be used in a brassiere, the pad comprising:
a breast pad component comprising:
a foam layer including an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of openings that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface;
an inner cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the foam layer;
a first outer cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the foam layer;
a second outer cloth attached to at least a portion of the pad component and adjacent the first outer cloth; and
wherein the plurality of openings comprise an inner cross-section proximate the inner surface of the foam layer and an outer cross-section proximate the outer surface of the foam layer, and wherein an area of the inner cross-section is smaller than an area of the outer cross-section.
8. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein every square centimeter of the inner surface of the foam layer comprises at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of openings.
9. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is spaced between approximately 0.25 centimeters and approximately 2.5 centimeters from at least one other opening.
10. The breast pad according to claim 9 , wherein each opening is spaced approximately 1 centimeter from at least one other opening.
11. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings extend from an inner side of the inner cloth to an outer side of the first outer cloth.
12. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the plurality of openings comprise punched openings.
13. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
14. The breast pad according to claim 13 , wherein the inner cloth comprises polyester.
15. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cloth is breathable.
16. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cloth is wicking.
17. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the inner cloth is adhered to the foam layer.
18. The breast pad according to claim 17 , wherein substantially the entire inner cloth is laminated to the foam layer.
19. The breast pad according to claim 17 , wherein at least a portion of the inner cloth is glued to the foam layer.
20. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the inner cloth is constructed and arranged to be most proximate a wearer's breast.
21. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
22. The breast pad according to claim 21 , wherein the first outer cloth comprises polyester.
23. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer cloth is breathable.
24. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer cloth is wicking.
25. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the first outer cloth and the inner cloth comprise the same material.
26. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of the first outer cloth is adhered to the foam.
27. The breast pad according to claim 26 , wherein substantially the entire first outer cloth is laminated to the foam.
28. The breast pad according to claim 26 , wherein at least a portion of the first outer cloth is glued to the foam.
29. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
30. The breast pad according to claim 29 , wherein the second outer cloth comprises polyester.
31. The breast pad according to claim 30 , wherein the second outer cloth further comprises spandex.
32. The breast pad according to claim 31 , wherein the second outer cloth further comprises approximately 84% polyester and approximately 16% spandex.
33. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth is breathable.
34. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth is wicking.
35. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth is attached to an outer edge area of the pad component.
36. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth is attached to at least a portion of the foam layer, at least a portion of the inner cloth and at least a portion of the first outer cloth.
37. The breast pad according to claim 36 , wherein the second outer cloth is sewn to an outer edge area of the foam layer, an outer edge area of the inner cloth and an outer edge area of the first outer cloth.
38. The breast pad according to claim 1 , wherein the second outer cloth is sewn to the at least a portion of the pad component.
39. A brassiere comprising:
a front portion;
a back portion; and
at least one breast pad of claim 1 , positioned on the interior of the front portion.
40. The brassiere according to claim 39 , further comprising a second pad wherein the breast pad is constructed and arranged to cover a wearer's first breast area and the second pad is constructed and arranged to cover a wearer's second breast area.
41. A brassiere comprising:
a front portion;
a back portion; and
a breast pad positioned on the interior of the front portion, the pad comprising:
a pad component comprising:
a foam layer including an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of openings that extends from the inner surface to the outer surface;
an inner cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the foam layer;
a first outer cloth attached to at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the foam layer;
a second outer cloth attached to at least a portion of the pad component and adjacent the first outer cloth;
an outer layer constructed and arranged to lie most distal a wearer's skin, wherein the second outer cloth of the breast pad is covered by the outer layer of the brassiere.
42. The brassiere according to claim 41 , further comprising an inner layer constructed and arranged to be attached to at least a portion of the outer layer, wherein the inner layer of the brassiere and the inner cloth of the pad form at least a portion of an inner surface of the brassiere, the inner surface of the brassiere being constructed and arranged to lie most proximate the wearer's skin.
43. The brassiere according to claim 42 , wherein the inner layer comprises a wicking material.
44. The brassiere according to claim 43 , wherein the wicking material comprises at least 1% elastic fibers and wicking fibers and wherein the wicking material is constructed and arranged to move water at least 15 centimeters in at least one direction along the wicking material in approximately 30 minutes.
45. The brassiere according to claim 42 , further comprising an elastic band attached to the inner layer of the brassiere, wherein the elastic band is constructed and arranged to lie below the breasts of the wearer.
46. The brassiere according to claim 39 , wherein the brassiere is a sports bra.
47. A brassiere for covering at least a portion of the breasts of a wearer, the brassiere including a front portion and a back portion configured to extend around the chest of a wearer, wherein a cross-section of at least a portion of the brassiere comprises:
a first layer comprising an inner cloth, the inner cloth being constructed and arranged to contact at least a portion of the breasts of the wearer;
a second layer constructed and arranged to lie more distal the wearer than the first layer, the second layer comprising a layer of foam including an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of openings that extend from the inner surface to the outer surface;
a third layer constructed and arranged to lie more distal the wearer than the second layer, the third layer comprising a first outer cloth;
a fourth layer constructed and arranged to lie more distal the wearer than the third layer, the fourth layer comprising a second outer cloth; and
a fifth layer constructed and arranged to lie more distal the wearer than the fourth layer, the fifth layer comprising an outer layer.
48. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the cross-section comprises a breast cross-section of a portion of the brassiere that is constructed and arranged to cover the wearer's breasts.
49. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein at least one of the second and/or third layers comprises a non-white coloring and wherein the fourth layer is constructed and arranged to obscure the non-white coloring from view when the brassiere is viewed from an outer surface of the fifth layer.
50. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the inner cloth is attached to at least a substantial portion of the inner surface of the foam layer.
51. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first outer cloth is attached to at least a substantial portion of the outer surface of the foam layer.
52. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the foam layer comprises polyurethane.
53. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the foam layer is molded such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
54. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the foam layer comprises a thickness between approximately 1/16 inches and approximately ⅛ inches.
55. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the foam layer comprises:
an upper portion having an upper thickness; and
a lower portion having a lower thickness, wherein the upper thickness is less than the lower thickness.
56. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the plurality of openings comprise a circular cross-section.
57. The brassiere according to claim 56 , wherein the plurality of openings have a diameter between approximately 0.05 centimeters and approximately 0.5 centimeters.
58. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the plurality of openings comprise an inner cross-section proximate the inner surface of the foam layer and an outer cross-section proximate the outer surface of the foam layer, and wherein an area of the inner cross-section is smaller than an area of the outer cross-section.
59. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein every square centimeter of the inner surface of the foam layer comprises at least a portion of at least one of the plurality of openings.
60. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein each opening of the plurality of openings is spaced between approximately 0.25 centimeters and approximately 2.5 centimeters from at least one other opening.
61. The brassiere according to claim 60 , wherein each opening is spaced approximately 1 centimeter from at least one other opening.
62. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the plurality of openings extend from an inner side of the inner cloth to an outer side of the first outer cloth.
63. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the plurality of openings comprise punched openings.
64. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the inner cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
65. The brassiere according to claim 64 , wherein the inner cloth comprises polyester.
66. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the inner cloth is breathable.
67. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the inner cloth is wicking.
68. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein at least a portion of the inner cloth is adhered to the foam layer.
69. The brassiere according to claim 68 , wherein substantially the entire inner cloth is laminated to the foam layer.
70. The brassiere according to claim 68 , wherein at least a portion of the inner cloth is glued to the foam layer.
71. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first outer cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
72. The brassiere according to claim 71 , wherein the first outer cloth comprises polyester.
73. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first outer cloth is breathable.
74. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first outer cloth is wicking.
75. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first outer cloth and the inner cloth comprise the same material.
76. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein at least a portion of the first outer cloth is adhered to the foam.
77. The brassiere according to claim 76 , wherein substantially the entire first outer cloth is laminated to the foam.
78. The brassiere according to claim 76 , wherein at least a portion of the first outer cloth is glued to the foam.
79. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth comprises synthetic fabric.
80. The brassiere according to claim 79 , wherein the second outer cloth comprises polyester.
81. The brassiere according to claim 80 , wherein the second outer cloth further comprises spandex.
82. The brassiere according to claim 81 , wherein the second outer cloth further comprises approximately 84% polyester and approximately 16% spandex.
83. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth is breathable.
84. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth is wicking.
85. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth is attached to an outer edge area of the pad component.
86. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth is attached to at least a portion of the foam layer, at least a portion of the inner cloth and at least a portion of the first outer cloth.
87. The brassiere according to claim 86 , wherein the second outer cloth is sewn to an outer edge area of the foam layer, an outer edge area of the inner cloth and an outer edge area of the first outer cloth.
88. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the second outer cloth is sewn to the at least a portion of the pad component.
89. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the first layer further comprises a wicking material.
90. The brassiere according to claim 89 , wherein the wicking material comprises at least 1% elastic fibers and wicking fibers and wherein the wicking material is constructed and arranged to move water at least 15 centimeters in at least one direction along the wicking material in approximately 30 minutes.
91. The brassiere according to claim 47 , further comprising an elastic band attached to the first layer, wherein the elastic band is constructed and arranged to lie below the breasts of the wearer.
92. The brassiere according to claim 47 , wherein the brassiere is a sports bra.
93. A breast pad component constructed and arranged to be used in a brassiere, the breast pad component comprising:
a layer of foam including an outer surface, an inner surface and a plurality of openings that extend from the inner surface to the outer surface, the plurality of openings comprising at least a first and a second cross-sections;
an inner cloth constructed and arranged to be attached to at least a portion of the inner surface; and
a first outer cloth constructed and arranged to be attached to at least a portion of the outer surface;
wherein the first cross-section is different than the second cross-section.
94. The breast pad component according to claim 93 , wherein the first cross-section is at the inner surface of the foam and the second cross-section is at the outer surface of the foam and wherein the inner cross-section is smaller than the outer cross-section.
95. The breast pad component according to claim 93 , wherein the breast pad component is formed by the method comprising:
creating the plurality of openings in the foam; and
molding the foam such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
96. The breast pad component according to claim 95 , wherein creating the plurality of openings in the foam comprises creating the plurality of openings with a substantially constant cross-section.
97. The breast pad component according to claim 96 , wherein the first cross-section is at the inner surface of the foam and the second cross-section is at the outer surface of the foam and wherein molding the foam further comprises making the inner cross-section smaller than the outer cross-section.