WO2008029220A2 - Brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers - Google Patents
Brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- WO2008029220A2 WO2008029220A2 PCT/IB2007/002420 IB2007002420W WO2008029220A2 WO 2008029220 A2 WO2008029220 A2 WO 2008029220A2 IB 2007002420 W IB2007002420 W IB 2007002420W WO 2008029220 A2 WO2008029220 A2 WO 2008029220A2
- Authority
- WO
- WIPO (PCT)
- Prior art keywords
- membrane
- moisture
- breast receiving
- layer
- cup
- Prior art date
Links
- 239000012528 membrane Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 67
- 210000000481 breast Anatomy 0.000 claims abstract description 45
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 13
- 238000009792 diffusion process Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 238000001704 evaporation Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 7
- 230000008020 evaporation Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000012423 maintenance Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 5
- 238000010521 absorption reaction Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 238000003795 desorption Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 4
- 239000004744 fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 6
- 230000002209 hydrophobic effect Effects 0.000 claims description 4
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 claims description 3
- 239000004745 nonwoven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 239000002759 woven fabric Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 229920000728 polyester Polymers 0.000 description 4
- 230000015572 biosynthetic process Effects 0.000 description 3
- 238000005755 formation reaction Methods 0.000 description 3
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 3
- 239000011148 porous material Substances 0.000 description 3
- JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N Ethyl urethane Chemical compound CCOC(N)=O JOYRKODLDBILNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 2
- 239000004721 Polyphenylene oxide Substances 0.000 description 2
- 230000002745 absorbent Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002250 absorbent Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000000988 bone and bone Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 239000006261 foam material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 2
- 210000002445 nipple Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 229920000570 polyether Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000008569 process Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000003014 reinforcing effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 229920001634 Copolyester Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 230000004888 barrier function Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000002131 composite material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000003467 diminishing effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000001788 irregular Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000005012 migration Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000013508 migration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000000203 mixture Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000465 moulding Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000035699 permeability Effects 0.000 description 1
- 229920002635 polyurethane Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 239000004814 polyurethane Substances 0.000 description 1
- 229920006395 saturated elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
- 229920002725 thermoplastic elastomer Polymers 0.000 description 1
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C3/00—Brassieres
- A41C3/04—Brassieres for nursing mothers
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A41—WEARING APPAREL
- A41C—CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41C3/00—Brassieres
- A41C3/12—Component parts
- A41C3/14—Stiffening or bust-forming inserts
Definitions
- This invention relates to a brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers, and more particularly, to a brassiere and brassiere accessory that are aimed at preventing moisture from coming into contact with a mother's outer clothing to thereby obviate the formation of wet patches in the outer clothing that can be embarrassing, uncomfortable, and unsightly.
- cup is used in a broad sense and includes the pouch formations generally associated with a more elastic type of brassiere typically termed a sports brassiere.
- the brassiere nevertheless had two well defined cups of generally conventional construction with the distinguishing characteristic that the cups are formed of a permeable fabric such as a suitable knit, for example a suitable LycraTM fabric, to the inner face of which is laminated a semi-permeable membrane such as a suitably micro-porous polyether urethane membrane.
- a permeable fabric such as a suitable knit, for example a suitable LycraTM fabric
- a semi-permeable membrane such as a suitably micro-porous polyether urethane membrane.
- the polyether urethane membrane being porous, was selected to allow moisture to migrate through the pores in the membrane whilst forming a barrier to uncontrolled flow of liquid such as would otherwise take place in the absence of the membrane.
- a breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane, the breast receiving cup being characterised in that the membrane is an imperforate monolithic membrane that is selected to provide a transfer mechanism for moisture that includes the steps of absorption of moisture on one side of the membrane where there is a higher humidity, diffusion through the membrane, and desorption of moisture on the other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity.
- a breast receiving cup of multi-layered construction that includes a structural layer for operatively maintaining, or assisting in the maintenance of, the basic shape of the cup, and wherein there is laminated to the structural layer a substantially waterproof membrane that operatively serves to retain moisture on the inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on the outside of the membrane, the breast receiving cup being characterised in that the structural layer is a heat formed moulded foam layer.
- the breast receiving cup to have an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane and a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof wherein the inner moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane and the moisture dissipating layer is optionally the structural layer itself; for the structural layer to be a heat formed moulded foam layer wherein the monolithic membrane is laminated to the inner surface thereof; for the construction to include an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and monolithic membrane; and for the construction to include an innermost liner layer made of a woven or nonwoven fabric that is inherently hydrophobic so as to operatively serve as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry.
- the breast receiving cup defined above may be formed as a brassiere accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere, or it may be built into a brassiere as one of a pair of breast receiving cups thereof.
- the innermost liner could form a part of a brassiere in association with which it is used or the accessory may have its own innermost liner.
- a brassiere accessory comprising a cup as defined above.
- a brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as defined above assembled into, or attached to, a torso encircling band adapted to encircle the torso immediately beneath the breasts of a wearer and support, together with a pair of supporting shoulder straps, the breasts of a wearer.
- the brassiere provided according to this aspect of the invention may be of a type that provides two well defined cups of generally conventional construction that may embody any suitable or conventional structures or reinforcing means, as may be required, such as, wires, bones and the like.
- the brassiere may, in the alternative, be of the type generally referred to as a sports brassiere and may, in that instance, be of the general type that comprises a front panel adapted to operatively extend over a pair of breasts and having a lower edge that is attached to a torso encircling band and an upper edge that terminates in a pair of spaced symmetrically located support zones to each of which is attached a supporting shoulder strap.
- the front panel being the structural layer, may be made of a fabric that has a limited degree of stretch and wherein the lower edge of the front panel has one or more tucks where it attaches to the torso encircling band on each side of a centre thereof so as to define a breast accommodating and supporting pouch serving as a cup on each side of the centre of the panel.
- the differential in humidity on the inside and outside of the membrane that is required to promote diffusion is created not only by evaporation on the outside but also by body heat on the inside.
- Figure 1 is a front elevation of one embodiment of breast receiving cup according to the invention.
- Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation thereof
- Figure 3 is a sectional view illustrating the various layers constituting the laminated moulded cup illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 4 is a sectional view illustrating an alternative arrangement of the various layers constituting a laminated cup illustrated in Figures 1 and 2;
- Figure 5 is a schematic front elevation of a brassiere being a second embodiment of the invention and formed utilising two of the cups illustrated in Figures 1 to 3; and,
- Figure 6 is a perspective illustration of a third embodiment of the invention in the form of a more flexible type of brassiere. DETAILED DESCRIPTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE DRAWINGS
- a breast receiving cup (1) of moulded multi-layered construction includes a structural layer (2) in the form of a layer of foam material of a type widely used in the industry and that is typically a blend of polyester and polyurethane.
- This structural layer operatively maintains, or assists in maintaining, the basic shape of the cup.
- the monolithic membrane is one that is made of copolyesters and thermoplastic elastomers by the British company Skymark Performance Films Ltd of Scunthorpe, North Lincolnshire, United Kingdom and sold under their trademark "SKYAIR".
- SKYAIR a trademark of the thinner of the range of gauges that is available would generally be adequate for the purposes of this invention, such gauge typically having a thickness of about 15 microns.
- Another suitable membrane is that sold under the trade reference Porelle P412 by Porvair International Limited.
- the cup has an inner moisture collecting layer (4) on the inside of the monolithic membrane that is also conveniently laminated to the membrane and, as that is preferably a polyester or a polycotton.
- This layer serves to collect moisture and hold it in contact with the monolithic membrane so that transfer of the moisture through the membrane can take place according to the mechanism indicated above.
- On the inside of the moisture collecting layer is a hydrophobic innermost liner layer (5) that is also preferably of polyester and is typically an eyelet type of fabric. The purpose served by this layer is to "wick" moisture away from the skin and leave it rather dry, a most desirable property.
- This innermost liner being inherently hydrophobic thus operatively serves as a transfer layer between a wearer's breast and the inside of the cup whilst itself remaining substantially dry. It may either be laminated onto the composite laminated structure described above or it could be a loose liner attached to the cup typically around its periphery or at least a part of its periphery.
- the foam structural layer serves also as a moisture dissipating layer on the outside of the monolithic membrane whereby moisture transported through the membrane by diffusion is evaporating off thereby maintaining a lower humidity on the outside of the membrane than exists on the inside.
- the differential between the humidity on the two sides of the membrane will dictate, at least to some extent, the rate at which diffusion takes place.
- a separate moisture dissipating layer (20) may be provided in the event that the structural layer as inappropriate or in a liquid dissipating properties.
- the laminated structure may include an outer aesthetically appealing layer (6) that is also optionally laminated to the structural layer on the side thereof opposite the monolithic membrane.
- This outer layer is also preferably of a complementary material, most typically a polyester.
- this breast receiving cup may be produced as an accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere that could be of any conventional type or especially configured for the purpose.
- the cup may be made as a removable accessory and the innermost liner could form a part of a brassiere in association with which it is used or it may have an innermost liner itself.
- a pair of such cups may be built into a brassiere (7) that may include a torso encircling band (8) adapted to encircle the torso immediately beneath the breasts of a wearer as well as a pair of supporting shoulder straps (9).
- such a construction may embody any required structures or reinforcing means such as, wires, bones and the like.
- the invention may be applied to a brassiere of the type generally referred to as a sports brassiere.
- the relative rigidity of the foam material is absent and the structural layer is provided in the form of a front panel (10) adapted to operatively extend over a pair of breasts.
- a lower edge of the front panel is attached to a torso encircling band (11) and an upper edge terminates in a pair of spaced symmetrically located support zones to each of which is attached a supporting shoulder strap (12).
- the front panel being the structural layer, may be made of a fabric that has a limited degree of stretch and wherein the monolithic membrane is laminated thereto.
- the lower edge of the front panel may have one or more tucks (13) where it attaches to the torso encircling band on each side of a centre thereof so as to define a breast accommodating and supporting pouch serving as a cup on each side of the centre of the panel.
- the monolithic membrane is laminated to the inside surface of the front panel and similar inner and outer layers that are described above can be included in the construction.
- a brassiere and brassiere accessory made as described above overcomes various drawbacks associated with the prior art that is also outlined above. Also, by appropriate selection of the membrane the resultant cup or brassiere as the case may be is more launderable repeatedly and the use of the monolithic membrane has the advantage that it is devoid of any pores that can tend to blind thereby diminishing the effective transfer of moisture through the membrane.
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
ZA200607400 | 2006-09-04 | ||
ZA2006/07400 | 2006-09-04 |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
WO2008029220A2 true WO2008029220A2 (en) | 2008-03-13 |
WO2008029220A3 WO2008029220A3 (en) | 2008-06-26 |
Family
ID=38776369
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
PCT/IB2007/002420 WO2008029220A2 (en) | 2006-09-04 | 2007-08-23 | Brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
CN (1) | CN101511213A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2008029220A2 (en) |
ZA (1) | ZA200901687B (en) |
Cited By (3)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017192049A1 (en) * | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-09 | Rsd Holdings Limited | Launderable, absorbent, leakproof bras |
US20180077972A1 (en) * | 2016-09-20 | 2018-03-22 | Nooni's Llc | Leak-resistant nursing apparel and women's wear |
US11633306B2 (en) | 2019-12-12 | 2023-04-25 | Mas Innovation (Private) Limited | Absorbent component |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9345272B2 (en) * | 2012-05-25 | 2016-05-24 | Nike, Inc. | Sport bra with moisture-transporting molded cups |
Citations (13)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0104049A2 (en) * | 1982-09-17 | 1984-03-28 | Kanebo, Ltd. | Moisture-permeable waterproof fabric |
US4761324A (en) * | 1987-06-24 | 1988-08-02 | Rautenberg Leonard J | Elastic, laminated, water-proof, moisture-permeable fabric |
US5269720A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1993-12-14 | Moretz Herbert L | Moisture managing brassiere |
FR2715274A1 (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 1995-07-28 | Transparence Form Ind | Lingerie shaping element |
WO2001034080A2 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2001-05-17 | Tri-Sis, Inc. | Launderable, leak-proof, breathable fabric and articles made therefrom |
WO2002054894A1 (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2002-07-18 | Create Suzuki Co., Ltd. | Brassiere cup and clothing |
WO2002080710A1 (en) * | 2001-04-04 | 2002-10-17 | Lee-Anne Kassel | Brassiere especially for lactating mothers |
DE20219974U1 (en) * | 2002-12-24 | 2003-02-20 | Pai Chin Lung | Heat-dissipating cup |
FR2870681A3 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2005-12-02 | Shi Min Wu | Bra cup with heat removal capacity, has foam rubber layer with slits |
EP1626115A1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2006-02-15 | Projectes Baspa, S.L. | Fabric of waterproof breathable microporous membrane |
DE202005018896U1 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2006-02-23 | Chen, Hui-Mei, Snu Un | Bra insert structure, adapted to human skin and giving high level of comfort to wearer, comprising shaped front and back silicone inserts with polyurethane coating and intermediate, foam-filled polyurethane insert |
US7044829B1 (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-05-16 | Victoria's Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc. | Pad with rigid and stretchable foam |
WO2006131774A1 (en) * | 2005-06-07 | 2006-12-14 | Lee-Anne Kassel | Brassiere especially for lactating mothers |
-
2007
- 2007-08-23 WO PCT/IB2007/002420 patent/WO2008029220A2/en active Application Filing
- 2007-08-23 CN CNA2007800327204A patent/CN101511213A/en active Pending
-
2009
- 2009-03-10 ZA ZA200901687A patent/ZA200901687B/en unknown
Patent Citations (14)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
EP0104049A2 (en) * | 1982-09-17 | 1984-03-28 | Kanebo, Ltd. | Moisture-permeable waterproof fabric |
US4761324A (en) * | 1987-06-24 | 1988-08-02 | Rautenberg Leonard J | Elastic, laminated, water-proof, moisture-permeable fabric |
US4761324B1 (en) * | 1987-06-24 | 1991-05-07 | Elastic,laminated,water-proof,moisture-permeable fabric | |
US5269720A (en) * | 1991-11-12 | 1993-12-14 | Moretz Herbert L | Moisture managing brassiere |
FR2715274A1 (en) * | 1994-01-24 | 1995-07-28 | Transparence Form Ind | Lingerie shaping element |
WO2001034080A2 (en) * | 1999-11-10 | 2001-05-17 | Tri-Sis, Inc. | Launderable, leak-proof, breathable fabric and articles made therefrom |
WO2002054894A1 (en) * | 2001-01-09 | 2002-07-18 | Create Suzuki Co., Ltd. | Brassiere cup and clothing |
WO2002080710A1 (en) * | 2001-04-04 | 2002-10-17 | Lee-Anne Kassel | Brassiere especially for lactating mothers |
DE20219974U1 (en) * | 2002-12-24 | 2003-02-20 | Pai Chin Lung | Heat-dissipating cup |
FR2870681A3 (en) * | 2004-05-25 | 2005-12-02 | Shi Min Wu | Bra cup with heat removal capacity, has foam rubber layer with slits |
EP1626115A1 (en) * | 2004-07-30 | 2006-02-15 | Projectes Baspa, S.L. | Fabric of waterproof breathable microporous membrane |
US7044829B1 (en) * | 2005-02-17 | 2006-05-16 | Victoria's Secret Stores Brand Management, Inc. | Pad with rigid and stretchable foam |
WO2006131774A1 (en) * | 2005-06-07 | 2006-12-14 | Lee-Anne Kassel | Brassiere especially for lactating mothers |
DE202005018896U1 (en) * | 2005-12-02 | 2006-02-23 | Chen, Hui-Mei, Snu Un | Bra insert structure, adapted to human skin and giving high level of comfort to wearer, comprising shaped front and back silicone inserts with polyurethane coating and intermediate, foam-filled polyurethane insert |
Cited By (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
WO2017192049A1 (en) * | 2016-05-03 | 2017-11-09 | Rsd Holdings Limited | Launderable, absorbent, leakproof bras |
US20180077972A1 (en) * | 2016-09-20 | 2018-03-22 | Nooni's Llc | Leak-resistant nursing apparel and women's wear |
US10412998B2 (en) | 2016-09-20 | 2019-09-17 | Nooni's Llc | Leak-resistant nursing apparel and women's wear |
US11633306B2 (en) | 2019-12-12 | 2023-04-25 | Mas Innovation (Private) Limited | Absorbent component |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
CN101511213A (en) | 2009-08-19 |
WO2008029220A3 (en) | 2008-06-26 |
ZA200901687B (en) | 2010-07-28 |
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