Patent Application
20240365887
Embodiments disclosed herein relate generally to bra pads, and more specifically to removable bra pads incorporating a support structure.
Up to twenty percent of sports bras have detachable breast pads, which customers buy for various reasons. Firstly, they can compensate for uneven breast sizes, secondly, they can help conceal nipples, and thirdly, they provide extra padding during exercise. However, in order for the pads to be removable, they must not be permanently attached to the bra and instead fit into a pocket of material next to the breast. This pocket has a small opening through which the pads can be inserted and removed. Unfortunately, these pads may fall out of the pocket during washing or drying, and even if they remain in the pocket, they can bunch up and require readjustment before wearing.
Therefore, there is a need for removable bra pads that are not prone to falling out or bunching up during washing or drying or other movements, do not require readjustment before wearing, and can be removed and replaced with ease.
The present invention provides removable bra pads that incorporates a heat-resistant support structure for preventing the bra pads from falling out or bunching up during washing or drying or other movements, do not require readjustment before wearing, and can be removed and replaced with ease.
According to an embodiment of the present disclosure, a garment in the form of a removable bra pad incorporating a support structure is disclosed. A garment designed to be placed inside the cups of a bra to provide additional coverage, support, or shaping and to be easily removed and reinserted in the bra includes a bra pad and a support structure having a cord-like material attached to the perimeter of the bra pad.
In some instances, the length of the cord-like material is substantially equal to the perimeter of the pad such that the cord-like material runs on the perimeter of the pad creating a substantially closed loop around the perimeter of the pad. The cord-like material can be attached to the outer surface of the pad, or to the inner surface of the pad. The cord-like material can be placed between a first layer and a second layer of the bra pad.
According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure can include a casing having a channel adapted for enclosing and holding the cord-like material inside. The casing can be attached to the outer surface of the pad or to the inner surface of the pad, or in some instances sandwiched between the first layer and the second layer of the pad. The cord-like material can be a wire substantially round or cylindrical in shape, which can be a heat-resistant plastic or metal wire that possesses spring-like properties, enabling it to return to the shape into which it was originally formed after being subjected to deformation.
Other aspects, embodiments and features of the device and method will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying figures. The accompanying figures are for schematic purposes and are not intended to be drawn to scale. In the figures, each identical or substantially similar component that is illustrated in various figures is represented by a single numeral or notation. For purposes of clarity, not every component is labeled in every figure. Nor is every component of each embodiment of the device and method shown where illustration is not necessary to allow those of ordinary skill in the art to understand the device and method.
The preceding summary, as well as the following detailed description of the disclosed device and method, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the attached drawings. It should be understood, however, that neither the device nor the method is limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown.
The present invention provides a removable bra pads that incorporates a heat-resistant support structure for preventing the bra pads from falling out or bunching up during washing or drying or other movements, do not require readjustment before wearing, and can be removed and replaced with ease.
Referring now to the drawings in detail, and particularly to
In some instances, the length of the cord-like material 120 is substantially equal to the perimeter of the pad such that the cord-like material runs on the perimeter of the pad creating a substantially closed loop around the perimeter of the pad as shown in
According to some embodiments of the present disclosure, the support structure can include a casing 130 having a channel adapted for enclosing and holding the cord-like material 120 inside as illustrated in
The cord-like material 120 can be a wire substantially round or cylindrical in shape as shown in
In some instances, the cord-like material can have a flat shape, for example the metal or plastic wire can be extruded or molded into a flat shape. The thickness of the flat wire can vary from 0.5 mm to 1.2 mm, and in some instances, from 0.6 mm to 0.9 mm.
According to some preferred embodiments of the present disclosure, the cord-like material runs on the perimeter of the pad as one integral continuous piece. And yet, in some instances, the cord-like material can be comprised of plurality of pieces that are not touching each other, thereby forming a set of disconnected cord segments. According to another embodiment of the present disclosure, the length of the cord-like material can vary from 70% to 95% of the perimeter of the pad such that the cord-like material runs on the perimeter of the pad creating a partially closed loop around the perimeter of the pad.
It will be understood by a person skilled in the art that the present invention is applicable to bra insert pads of various shapes, including but not limited to round, teardrop, triangle, half-moon, oval, square, winged and the like.
The manufacturing process can involve a cord-like material of an undetermined length being encased in a tubular cloth casing and placed around a spool device. The resulting support structure can be pulled out and secured to the edges of pads using thread or other methods in a sequential manner on a manufacturing assembly line to produce multiple pads efficiently.
While at least one exemplary embodiment has been presented in the foregoing detailed description of the invention, it should be appreciated that a vast number of variations exist. It should also be appreciated that the exemplary embodiment or exemplary embodiments are only examples, and are not intended to limit the scope, applicability, or configuration of the invention in any way. Rather, the foregoing detailed description will provide those skilled in the art with a convenient road map for implementing an exemplary embodiment of the invention, it being understood that various changes may be made in the function and arrangement of elements described in an exemplary embodiment without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims and their legal equivalents.
Although the invention is described herein with reference to specific embodiments, various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention as set forth in the claims below. Accordingly, the specification and figures are to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention. Any benefits, advantages, or solutions to problems that are described herein with regard to specific embodiments are not intended to be construed as a critical, required, or essential feature or element of any or all the claims.
Unless stated otherwise, terms such as “first” and “second” are used to arbitrarily distinguish between the elements such terms describe. Thus, these terms are not necessarily intended to indicate temporal or other prioritization of such elements.
