IP Library Granted Patent US 7,815,487
Granted Patent B2
US 7,815,487 · App. 11/800,278 · Granted Oct 19, 2010

Spot fused foam cup

View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,815,487
App. No.
11/800,278
Granted
Oct 19, 2010
Kind
B2
Abstract

A pad for a brassiere has a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer, the second layer and the intermediate layer are connected at predetermined locations to form a first plurality of depressions on the first layer and a second plurality of depressions on the second layer. The brassiere has a pair of back panels, a pair of shoulder straps, and a pair of breast receiving cups. Each of the pair of breast receiving cups has a first layer; a second layer; and an intermediate layer between the first layer and the second layer. The first layer, the second layer and the intermediate layer are connected to form a first plurality of depressions on said first layer and a second plurality of depressions on said second layer.

Claims (37)

1. A pad for incorporation into a breast receiving cup of a brassiere, comprising:

an inner layer having an outer surface for wear adjacent a breast of a wearer;

an outer layer having an outer surface;

a middle layer between said inner layer and said outer layer,

said inner layer, said outer layer and said middle layer are fused together at spaced-apart locations to form a first plurality of depressions in the outer surface of said inner layer and a second plurality of depressions in the outer surface of said outer layer, the first and second plurality of depressions forming air spaces in the outer surfaces of said inner and outer layers for transporting heat away from the breast of the wearer.

2. The pad of claim 1 , wherein said inner layer, said outer layer and said middle layer are fused together in predetermined locations to impart a quilted appearance to said inner layer and said outer layer.

3. The pad of claim 1 , wherein said middle layer further comprises a lofted material.

4. The pad of claim 3 , wherein said lofted material is a synthetic lofted material.

5. The pad of claim 1 , wherein said inner layer and said outer layer are selected from materials consisting of polyester and nylon.

6. The pad of claim 1 , wherein said first plurality of depressions and said second plurality of depressions lie in registration.

7. The pad of claim 1 , wherein said inner layer, said outer layer and said middle layer form a stretchable pad.

8. A pad for incorporation into a breast receiving cup of a brassiere comprising

an inner layer having an outer surface for wear adjacent a breast of a wearer and a first plurality of depressions formed in the outer surface;

an outer layer having an outer surface and a second plurality of depressions formed in the outer surface;

a middle between said inner layer and said outer layer;

the inner layer, outer layer, and middle layer fused together at spaced-apart locations; and

said each of said first plurality of depressions and each of said second plurality of depressions are in registration to form a pattern on the outer surfaces of said inner layer and said outer layer; the first and second plurality of depressions forming air spaces in the outer surfaces of said inner and outer layers for transporting heat away from the breast of the wearer.

9. The pad of claim 8 , wherein said middle layer further comprises a lofted material.

10. The pad of claim 9 , wherein said lofted material is a synthetic lofted material.

11. The pad of claim 8 , wherein said inner layer and said outer layer are selected from materials consisting of polyester and nylon.

12. A brassiere comprising:

a pair of back panels;

a pair of shoulder straps; and

a pair of breast receiving cups; wherein one of said pair of back panels and one of said pair of shoulder straps are connected to one of said pair of breast receiving cups, and the other of said pair of back panels and the other of said pair of should straps are connected to the other of said pair of breast receiving cups

each of said pair of breast receiving cups comprises an inner layer having an outer surface for wear adjacent a breast of a wearer, an outer layer having an outer surface, and a middle layer between said inner layer and said outer layer;

said inner layer, said outer layer and said middle layer are fused together at spaced-apart locations to form a first plurality of depressions in the outer surface of said inner layer and a second plurality of depressions in the outer surface of said second layer; and

the first and second plurality of depressions forming air spaces in the outer surfaces of said inner and outer layers for transporting heat away from the breast of the wearer.

13. The brassiere of claim 12 , wherein each of said first plurality of depressions and each of said second plurality of depressions lie in registration.

14. The brassiere of claim 12 , further comprising fabric covering at least one of said first plurality of depressions and said second plurality of depressions.

15. A method of making a pad for incorporation into a breast receiving cup of a brassiere using an ultrasonic welding machine having a series of anvils and horns, comprising:

feeding an inner layer of fabric having an outer surface, an outer layer of fabric having an outer surface, and a middle layer of fabric into an ultrasonic welding machine;

activating a series of anvils and horns to fuse said inner layer of fabric, said outer layer of fabric and said middle layer of fabric together at spaced-apart locations to form a laminate having a first plurality of depressions on said outer surface of said inner layer of fabric and a second plurality of depressions on said outer surface of said outer layer of fabric;

molding said laminate to form a brassiere cup shape;

cutting said laminate to form a shaped pad; and

said first plurality of depressions and said second plurality of depressions lie in registration, and form air spaces in the outer surfaces of said inner and outer layers for transporting heat away from the breast of a wearer when saidpad is incorporated into a breast receiving cup.

16. The method of claim 15 , wherein said middle layer comprises a meltable material.

17. The method of claim 16 , wherein said middle layer of fabric comprises a lofted material.

Assignments (8)
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 45029/0132 Recorded Dec 15, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: MAIDENFORM LLC; HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 074166/0114 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 59910/0685 Recorded Dec 15, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: MAIDENFORM LLC; HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 074165/0634 →
RELEASE OF PATENT SECURITY INTEREST RECORDED AT R/F 70521/0523 Recorded Dec 15, 2025
From: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
To: HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 073952/0281 →
PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Mar 14, 2025
From: HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 070521/0523 →
FOURTH AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded May 9, 2022
From: HANESBRANDS INC.; ALTERNATIVE APPAREL, INC.; BA INTERNATIONAL, L.L.C.; CC PRODUCTS LLC; CEIBENA DEL, INC.; EVENT 1 LLC; GEARCO LLC; GFSI HOLDINGS LLC; GFSI LLC; GTM RETAIL, INC.; HANES GLOBAL HOLDINGS U.S. INC.; HANES JIBOA HOLDINGS, LLC; HANES MENSWEAR, LLC; HANESBRANDS DIRECT, LLC; HANESBRANDS EXPORT CANADA LLC; HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES LLC; HBI INTERNATIONAL HOLDINGS U.S., INC.; HBI SOURCING, LLC; INNER SELF LLC; IT'S GREEK TO ME, INC.; KNIGHTS APPAREL, LLC; KNIGHTS HOLDCO, LLC; MAIDENFORM (BANGLADESH) LLC; MAIDENFORM (INDONESIA) LLC; MAIDENFORM BRANDS LLC; MAIDENFORM INTERNATIONAL LLC; MAIDENFORM LLC; MF RETAIL LLC; PLAYTEX DORADO, LLC; PLAYTEX INDUSTRIES, INC.; SEAMLESS TEXTILES LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A.
Reel/Frame 059910/0685 →
SECURITY INTEREST Recorded Jan 9, 2018
From: HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC; IT'S GREEK TO ME, INC.; MAIDENFORM LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 045029/0132 →
AMENDED AND RESTATED PATENT SECURITY AGREEMENT Recorded Dec 15, 2009
From: HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
To: JPMORGAN CHASE BANK, N.A., AS ADMINISTRATIVE AGENT AND COLLATERAL AGENT
Reel/Frame 023649/0812 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jul 30, 2007
From: WARREN, ROGER D.
To: HBI BRANDED APPAREL ENTERPRISES, LLC
Reel/Frame 019693/0983 →