Patent Grant
8262432
Not applicable.
Not applicable.
The present invention relates to bras. More particularly, the present invention relates to the enhancement of modesty for sports bra cups and improving the material stability of a sports bra.
For professional or serious athletes lightweight athletic attire is very important for optimal performance, particularly for sports such as track and field, running intermediate and long distances, soccer and basketball. Even less serious athletes may desire lightweight attire to improve performance and/or physical comfort. However, lightweight materials might not provide an optimum level of modesty that a user desires. This may be particularly true for sports bras and similar tops worn by female athletes, which may be more revealing than desired during athletic endeavors. Further, as sports bras and similar tops have become lighter in weight, they have not necessarily provided the support desired by some female athletes.
This summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, not is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter.
Embodiments of the present invention relate to the enhancement of sports bra cups with a printed obscuration pattern. In particular, the lightweight enhanced modesty sports bra cup comprises an interior liner layer of the sports bra cup having a skin face and a liner interior face and an exterior shell layer of the sports bra cup having a shell interior face and an exterior face. At least one obscuration pattern is printed between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer. The exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer may be connected so that the liner interior face of the interior liner layer and the shell interior face of the exterior shell layer face each other and the printed obscuration pattern is not visible from the outside. The exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer may be connected in a variety of different ways, such as by sewing a seam, using adhesive(s), using physical joiners, such as rivets, etc.
The present invention is described in detail below with reference to the attached drawing figures, wherein:
Referring now to
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The obscuration pattern may provide modesty for the bra cup apex by obscuring the view of a woman's nipple. For providing modesty for the bra cup apex, only the area of the bra cup apex needs to have a printed obscuration pattern. Once the sports bra 200 is worn by a user, the printed obscuration pattern is not seen through the outside of the sports bra 200. For providing material stability in the bra cup, the printed obscuration pattern 245 may extend beyond the apex of the bra cup, potentially over the entirety of the bra cup area. The printed obscuration pattern 245 printed one of the interior face has less elasticity than the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer without the printed obscuration pattern and therefore, provides material stability to the bra cup. The configuration of the printed obscuration pattern and/or the type of material printed may be varied to provide varying amounts of support.
Referring to
Any of a variety of techniques may be used to print an obscuration pattern onto one of the interior faces, maybe including but not limited to screen printing techniques or silicone printing techniques or a combination of the two. An obscuration pattern may also be printed in layers on the same interior face or on different interior faces. Two different patterns may function in conjunction with each other to further provide modesty and stability. The type of printer that may be used to print the obscuration pattern onto one of the interior faces are enabled to print onto various types of fabric and material, such as the materials described herein.
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Sports bra 500 includes a printed obscuration pattern 545 on the first interior face 555 of the intermediate liner layer 550. Printed obscuration pattern 545 is illustrated in more detail in
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Optionally, an intermediate liner layer with two faces, a first interior face and a second interior face may be prepared in step 1140. The intermediate liner layer may be made of moisture management material. The optional intermediate liner layer may provide extra modesty to the bra cup apex area and further material stability. At least one obscuration pattern is printed on at least one interior face in step 1150. The at least one interior face on which the obscuration pattern is printed on in step 1150 may be the liner interior face of the interior liner layer, the shell interior face of the exterior shell layer, and/or one or both of the interior faces of the optional intermediate liner layer. The printed obscuration pattern printed on one of the interior faces has less elasticity than the material of the exterior shell layer, intermediate liner layer and/or interior liner layer without the printed obscuration pattern and therefore, provides more material stability to the overall assembly.
Next, each layer is assembled in step 1160 so that the liner interior face of the interior liner layer faces the shell interior face of the exterior shell layer and the printed obscuration pattern is not visible from the outside. If the optional intermediate liner layer is included, then it is placed in between the exterior shell layer and the interior liner layer so that the first interior face is facing the shell interior face of the exterior shell layer and the second interior face of the intermediate liner layer is facing the liner interior face of the interior liner layer. The different layers may be connected in a variety of different methods including but not limited being to sewn together, using ultrasonic welding, using adhesive(s), or using physical joiners such as rivets, etc.
The present invention has been described in relation to particular embodiments, which are intended in all respects to be illustrative rather than restrictive. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art to which the present invention pertains without departing from its scope.
From the foregoing, it will be seen that this invention is one well adapted to attain all the ends and objects set forth above, together with other advantages which are obvious and inherent to the system and method. It will be understood that certain features and subcombinations are of utility and may be employed without reference to other features and subcombinations. This is contemplated by and is within the scope of the claims.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 20110143634 A1 | Jun 2011 | US |
