US20120115395A1

US20120115395A1 - Brassiere Cup Exterior Liner

Info

Publication number: US20120115395A1
Application number: US12/940,690
Authority: US
Inventors: Amylynn Guthinger
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2010-11-05
Filing date: 2010-11-05
Publication date: 2012-05-10

Abstract

A brassiere cup exterior liner for use with a brassiere having a pair of connected brassiere cups includes a liner material having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of each of the pair of brassiere cups. An adhesive element is attached to the interior surface of the material layer by which the liner material interior surface is removably attached to an exterior surface of a respective brassiere cup. The liner material exterior surface is smooth and without seams.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates generally to brassiere cup liners and, more particularly, to liners that may be adhesively attached to the exterior of a brassiere cup for smoothing or covering any seams, lace, or other bumps on the exterior surface of a brassiere cup.
Brassieres are a necessary everyday garment worn by every woman to cover and support her breasts. The most effective style of bra has become one in which the bra cups are sectioned and seamed (also know as a “paneled bra” so as to provide the best support. This style of bra is especially preferred by women who have more ample breast tissue to be supported. Unfortunately, however, this style of bra is sometimes not worn by a woman who could otherwise benefit from its advantages because the seams or lace of the bra noticeably show through the other garments worn over the bra, such as through a shirt or blouse.
Therefore, it would be desirable to have a brassiere cup exterior liner that may be attached to an exterior surface of a bra cup such that bra seams or laces become hidden. Further, it would be desirable to have a brassiere cup exterior liner that does not change the shape, size, or natural contour of the brassiere to which it is applied.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A brassiere cup exterior liner for use with a brassiere having a pair of connected brassiere cups includes a liner material having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of each of the pair of brassiere cups. An adhesive element is attached to the interior surface of the material layer by which the liner material interior surface is removably attached to an exterior surface of a respective brassiere cup. The liner material exterior surface is smooth and without seams.
Therefore, a general object of this invention is to provide a brassiere cup exterior liner that may be adhesively applied to an exterior surface of a brassiere so as to cover seams, laces, or other surface textures.
Another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere cup exterior liner, as aforesaid, that includes adhesive attachment sections on an interior surface for attachment to respectively corresponding exterior surfaces of a brassiere.
Still another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere cup exterior liner, as aforesaid, that has a shape that is complementary to a brassiere to which it is attached so as not to change the general configuration of the brassiere.
Yet another object of this invention is to provide a brassiere cup exterior liner, as aforesaid, that is selectively disposable or reusable.
Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein is set forth by way of illustration and example, embodiments of this invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a pair of brassiere cup liners according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear perspective view of the brassiere cup liners as in FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the pair of brassiere cup liners as in FIG. 1 prior to attachment to corresponding brassiere cups;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a pair of brassiere cup liners according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5 is a rear perspective view of the brassiere cup liners as in FIG. 4; and

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of the pair of brassiere cup liners as in FIG. 4 in an prior to attachment to corresponding brassiere cups.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A brassiere cup exterior liner 10 according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 6 of the accompanying drawings. The exterior liner 10 generally includes a liner material 20 and an adhesive element 30. The exterior liner 10 is preferably used by attaching it to the exterior surface of a brassiere cup as will be understood by the description below and accompanying drawings.
The exterior liner 10 includes an interior surface 22 and an exterior surface 24. The adhesive element 30 is positioned on the interior surface 22 of the exterior liner 10 (FIGS. 2 and 5). The adhesive element 30 may be an adhesive layer 30 a that substantially covers an entirety of the liner interior surface 22 (FIG. 2). Alternatively, the adhesive element 30 may be one or more adhesive strips 30 b positioned on the interior surface 22 of the exterior liner 10 (FIG. 5). The strips of adhesive material may be positioned adjacent peripheral edges of the interior surface 22. In either case, the adhesive element 30 may include a cover (not shown) configured to cover the adhesive material and keep it from drying out before or in between uses. The adhesive element 30 may include an adhesive material that may be used repeatedly or may be a mild adhesive such that the exterior liner 10 would be disposable after each use. Further, the adhesive element 30 preferably includes a hypoallergenic adhesive so as not to expose a user or others to allergens or other impurities. Further, the adhesive element should have a very breathable construction and not cause any harm to the exterior surface of a bra to which it is attached.
The interior 22 and exterior 24 surfaces of the liner material 20 have the same size and dimension such that the liner material 20 as a whole has a single shape and dimension. Preferably, the overall configuration of the liner material 20 is complementary to the shape and size of a brassiere cup 4 to which it is intended to be applied. Accordingly, the exterior liner 10 may be manufactured in various sizes and shapes. For instance, the exterior liner 10 may include the configuration of a full size brassiere cup as shown in FIG. 1-3, a ¾ brassiere cup as shown in FIG. 4-6, a “demi” brassiere cup, or some other brassiere type as would be familiar to one of ordinary skill in the art. In addition, the exterior liner may also be complementary in size, from small to large or based on cup size, such as 34B, 38DD, or some other bra cup size.
In use, a pair of exterior liners 10 may be prepared for attachment to outer surfaces of respective cups 4 of a brassiere 2 (FIG. 3). This may include removal of a cover over respective adhesive elements 30. Then, the uncovered adhesive element 30 may be pressed against a brassiere cup exterior surface to adhere the exterior liner 10 thereto. The exterior surface 24 of each exterior liner 10 is smooth so as to present a substantially or completely smooth appearance through a user's shirt or blouse. An exterior liner 10 may be removed from attachment to a brassiere cup 4 and stored for later usage by replacing a respective cover over the open adhesive element 30 or may be disposed of.
It is understood that while certain forms of this invention have been illustrated and described, it is not limited thereto except insofar as such limitations are included in the following claims and allowable functional equivalents thereof.

Claims

1. A brassiere cup exterior liner for use with a brassiere having a pair of connected brassiere cups, comprising:

a liner material having an interior surface and an exterior surface and having a shape that is complementary to a shape of each of said pair of brassiere cups;

an adhesive element attached to said interior surface of said material layer by which said liner material interior surface is removably attached to an exterior surface of a respective brassiere cup;

wherein said liner material exterior surface is smooth and without seams.

2. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive element covers substantially an entirety of said liner material interior surface.

3. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive element is a strip of an adhesive material positioned adjacent a peripheral edge of said liner material interior surface.

4. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive element is multiple strips of adhesive material spaced apart from one another.

5. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said adhesive element is one of hypoallergenic, breathable, and re-closable.

6. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said liner material includes a configuration complementary to a ¾ cup style brassiere.

7. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said liner material includes a configuration complementary to a full coverage style brassiere.

8. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said liner material includes a configuration complementary to a demi style brassiere.

9. The exterior liner as in claim 1, wherein said interior surface of said liner material is configured so as to conform to the shape of respective cups of said brassiere.