IP Library › Granted Patent US 12,201,166
Granted Patent B2
US 12,201,166 · App. 17/343,257 · Granted Jan 21, 2025

Bra with pad insert

Inventors: Tara L. Pennington (Beaverton, OR); Nicole Rendone (Beaverton, OR)
Assignee: NIKE, INC.
A41C3/144A41C3/0035
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 12,201,166
App. No.
17/343,257
Granted
Jan 21, 2025
Kind
B2
Abstract

Aspects herein are directed to a pad insert configured to be removably positioned within a pocket space formed in a breast covering portion of a support garment. The pad insert has a perimeter shape that includes one or more concave edges, and one or more linear edges. The pocket space of the breast covering portion has a perimeter shape that is substantially the same as the perimeter shape of the pad insert. Thus, when the pad insert is positioned within the pocket space the concave edges of the pad insert align with concave edges of the pocket space, and the linear edges of the pad insert align with linear edges of the pocket space. The result of the configuration described is that the pad insert is “locked” into place within the pocket space which prevents the pad insert from shifting and/or rotating during wash and wear.

Claims (30)

1. A bra system comprising:

a bra comprising:

a first breast covering portion formed by at least a first layer of material and a second layer of material opposite the first layer of material to define a pocket space therebetween, wherein the pocket space is defined by a perimeter shape comprising a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and one or more additional edges that extend from the medial concave edge and the lateral concave edge;

a pocket opening in communication with the pocket space; and

a pad insert removably positioned in the pocket space of the first breast covering portion, the pad insert comprising a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and one or more additional edges that extend from the medial concave edge and the lateral concave edge, wherein the medial concave edge of the pad insert aligns with the medial concave edge of the pocket space and the lateral concave edge of the pad insert aligns with the lateral concave edge of the pocket space,

wherein the second layer of material includes a cutout that extends into the first breast covering portion, wherein the one or more additional edges of the pad insert includes an upper concave edge, wherein the pad insert comprises a foam material, and wherein the pad insert further comprises a mesh material laminated to at least a first surface of the pad insert.

2. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional edges of the pad insert align with the one or more additional edges of the pocket space.

3. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the bra further comprises:

a second breast covering portion that together with the first breast covering portion forms a front portion of the bra;

a first shoulder strap extending from the first breast covering portion; and

a second shoulder strap extending from the second breast covering portion.

4. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the one or more additional edges of the pad insert includes a lower linear edge opposite the upper concave edge.

5. The bra system of claim 4 , wherein the lower linear edge of the pad insert aligns with an edge of an underband extending from a lower edge of the bra.

6. The bra system of claim 4 , wherein the lower linear edge of the pad insert directly extends from the medial concave edge of the pad insert.

7. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the first layer of material forms an innermost layer of the first breast covering portion, and wherein the first layer of material comprises a knit mesh material.

8. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the second layer of material forms an outermost layer of the first breast covering portion, and wherein the second layer of material comprises a knit mesh material.

9. The bra system of claim 1 , wherein the cutout is located at a central region of the bra.

10. A bra comprising:

a first breast covering portion comprising at least a first layer of material and a second layer of material opposite, and spaced apart from, the first layer of material, wherein the second layer of material comprises a perimeter shape comprising an upper concave edge, a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and one or more additional edges that extend from the medial concave edge and the lateral concave edge; and

a pad positioned between the first layer of material and the second layer of material, the pad comprising an upper concave edge, a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and a medial linear edge that extends directly from the medial concave edge, wherein the medial concave edge of the pad aligns with the medial concave edge of the second layer of material and the lateral concave edge of the pad aligns with the lateral concave edge of the second layer of material.

11. The bra of claim 10 , wherein the pad further includes a lower linear edge, and wherein the lower linear edge of the pad aligns with the one or more additional edges of the second layer of material.

12. The bra of claim 10 , wherein the pad further includes a lower linear edge, and wherein the lower linear edge of the pad directly extends from the medial concave edge of the pad.

13. The bra of claim 10 , wherein the second layer of material comprises a cutout that extends into the first breast covering portion and forms the medial concave edge of the second material layer.

14. A bra comprising:

a first breast covering portion comprising one or more material layers, which comprise a perimeter shape, wherein the perimeter shape comprises an upper concave edge, a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and one or more additional edges that extend from the medial concave edge and the lateral concave edge; and

a pad comprising an upper concave edge, a medial concave edge, a lateral concave edge opposite the medial concave edge, and a lower linear edge that extends directly from the medial concave edge, wherein the medial concave edge of the pad aligns with the medial concave edge of the one or more material layers and the lateral concave edge of the pad aligns with the lateral concave edge of the one or more material layers,

wherein the one or more material layers comprise a cutout that extends into the first breast covering portion and at least partially forms the medial concave edge of the one or more material layers.

15. The bra of claim 14 , wherein the lower linear edge of the pad aligns with the one or more additional edges of the one or more material layers.

16. The bra of claim 14 , wherein the pad comprises a medial linear edge that extends directly from the medial concave edge.

17. The bra of claim 14 , wherein the lower linear edge of the pad aligns with an edge of an underband of the bra.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Oct 26, 2021
From: PENNINGTON, TARA L.
To: NIKE, INC.
Reel/Frame 057917/0876 →
Continuity (2)
Provisional Application 63063590 · Aug 10, 2020
Related Publication 20220039486A1 · Feb 10, 2022
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