Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a breast support for humans and, more particularly to a strapless and/or backless brassiere.

Background to the Invention

Many brassieres currently available on the market provide little or limited support, particular for larger breasts. Additionally, brassieres with straps can be detrimental to the aesthetic look of halter neck tops or backless dresses and strapless brassieres often require constant re-adjustment with such outfits to make them more comfortable. Furthermore, strapless brassieres in the marketplace generally adjust the position of the breasts and enhance the cleavage whilst providing insufficient, or no, support or lift. This is particularly the case with adhesive bras that might squash the breasts together without providing support.

A further problem for women with larger than average breasts is that halter neck tops and brassieres with straps often lead to neck ache, back ache and/or shoulder ache because the weight of the breasts is transferred to the neck or back. In the long term, this can cause significant health problems.

Women that have undergone a mastectomy to remove one breast may also have difficulty in finding comfortable support for the remaining breast. Summary of the Invention

Accordingly, the present invention is directed to a breast support device comprising:

a cup section having a convex surface and a concave surface; and a bracing section adjacent an edge and extending radially from the cup section;

wherein the bracing section is substantially inflexible, or stiff.

The device is provided with a cup section that fits around the breast and the use of the bracing section transfers the weight of the breast to the wearer’s ribs and/or sternum, rather than the weight being on the user’s neck, shoulders and back. The substantially inflexible bracing section is sufficiently stiff to be resistant to plastic deformation, or irreversible bending, in normal use, and it may be provided with a degree of resilient yieldability to provide comfort and to absorb mechanical forces during wear.

Preferably, the bracing section is substantially perpendicular to the cup section. This allows the bracing section to be placed against a user’s chest, ribs and/or sternum, whilst the cup section is positioned appropriately to receive and support the breast.

Advantageously, the concave surface and/or at least one side of the bracing section is provided with elastomeric material. Whilst other polymeric materials may be employed, the use of an elastomeric material provides some adhesion to assist with keeping the device in place and reduce the need to readjust once in position. Furthermore, this enables the brassiere to be an adhesive breast support that adheres to the user’s skin to keep it in place. The elastomeric material may be a silicone adhesive to keep the device in position whilst the user moves. Additionally, the use of the elastomeric adhesive material allows for the device to be strapless and backless.

It may be desirable for the cup section to have at least one aperture or cut-out region.

This can be used to reduce the material and/or weight of the device, to provide ventilation to make the device more comfortable and/or to improve the aesthetic appearance of the device.

In one arrangement, the cup section is integrally moulded with the bracing section.

Whilst it is envisaged that the parts may be produced separately and connected to one another, or that they might be releasably connected, having the parts integrally moulded allows for a secure device that is simple to produce.

The device, and particularly the cup section may comprise a skeleton and a textile outer coating. The skeleton provides the required support and allows the forces to be directed through to the bracing section. Such an arrangement provides more flexibility in the shape and aesthetics of the device.

In a preferred embodiment, the device, especially any skeleton, comprises plastics material. Plastics material can be readily moulded into the required shape and may also have the necessary rigidity and strength to allow the device to transmit the weight of the breast through the bracing section, thereby reducing the stresses and strain on the user’s back, neck and shoulders.

The present invention extends to a strapless brassiere comprising:

a first breast support device as described herein; and

a second breast support device as described herein;

wherein the bracing section is common to both the first support device and the second support device.

Thus, the present invention provides a brassiere that is constructed from two breast supporting devices that are connected together by a common element, which is preferably the bracing section. The strapless brassiere allows a user to spread the weight of both breasts through a common bracing section, thereby distributing the load over a larger area. Additionally, the breast can be held at a known separation and the need to adjust is reduced. In one construction the bracing section is a single element connecting both cup sections of the first breast support device and the second breast support device. Alternatively, the bracing section is a two-part element that can be connected together, preferably releasably, in order to change or adjust the parts. There may be a connection member provided that connects the respective bracing sections of the two breast support devices. The separation of the two breast support devices, that is, the distance therebetween, may be adjustable along the common element so that the breast separation can be adjusted to suit the dimensions of a user. This allows a user to adjust the appearance of their cleavage according to their outfit and preference.

The present invention can lift the breasts from the underside and, due to the bracing section being positioned beneath the breasts, employs the rib area of the user’s torso as a balance for the weight of the breasts. There present invention may have an internal support frame or wiring that curves around the front of each breast in order to hold each breasts in position and to shape the same. The support may be coated or cocooned in a padded material, so it is not felt by the wearer in order to improve comfort for the wearer. It may be desirable for liners to be provided for protecting the internal surface of the device when not in use. The liners may be applied and removed as required.

Brief Description of the Drawings

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 shows a front view of a breast support device in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the breast support device of Figure 1;

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of the breast support device of Figure 1;

Figure 4 shows a side view of the breast support device of Figure 1, in use; and

Figure 5 shows a perspective view of a brassiere according to the present invention; and Figure 6 shows a perspective view of a brassiere according to the present invention and similar to that shown in Figure 5.

Detailed Description of Exemplary Embodiments Figures 1 to 4 show a breast support device 10 having a cup section 12 that has side portions 14 and a front extension 16. The cup section 12 has a convex outer surface 18 and a concave inner surface 20 and extending radially from the external convex outer surface 18 is a bracing section 22. The bracing section 22 comprises a strip of relatively stiff material and has a front surface adjacent the convex outer surface 18 of the cup section 12, and a rear surface on the rear of the front surface. The inner concave surface 20 and the rear surface of the bracing section 22 are provided with a layer of elastomeric material, such as silicone. The layer of elastomeric material may partially or fully coat the internal surface of the cup section 12.

In use, the breast support device 10 is positioned against the rib section of a user 32 with the user’s breast 34 received within the cup section 12. The weight of the breast 34 is transmitted through the cup section and the bracing section 22 and against the user’s ribs, thereby reducing the forces on the user’s neck, shoulders and back.

Figure 5 shows a strapless brassiere 40 comprising a first breast support device 10a and a second breast support device 10b, each of which is connected to a common bracing section 42.

Figure 6 shows a strapless brassiere 40a similar to that shown in Figure 5, but with the additional feature of a wishbone connector 44 to join the upper parts of the cup sections 10a and 10b, thereby giving enhanced control and support. The wishbone connector 44 may be provided with an adjustment mechanism to adjust the separation between the side portions of the respective two cup sections 10a and 10b.

Although not shown in the figures, the common bracing section 42 may be length adjustable in order to change the distance between the breast support devices 10a and 10b, thereby allowing the user to change the breast separation and appearance of the supported breasts. In use, the rear surface of the bracing section 42 of the strapless brassiere 40 is arranged adjacent the ribs of the user and spans across the user’s sternum to spread the load between both sides of the user’s ribcage.

The breast support device and/or brassiere may be partially or fully coated with a fabric material. If the breast support device or brassiere is fully coated with fabric material, the elastomeric material on the concave surface and the bracing section may be applied thereto.

The cup section 12 and/or the bracing section 22/42 may be provided with cut-outs, recesses or apertures to form a frame, or skeleton, that provides support and transmits the weight of the breast through the bracing section 22/42, but requires less material and so is lighter.

The breast support device 10 and or the brassiere 40 may be injection moulded with the cup sections and the bracing section being integrally moulded as a single piece.

Alternatively, the parts may be made separately and connected together with releasable and/or non-releasable connectors. The parts may be constructed from plastics material, preferably plastics material that is able to resist deformation and that might have an element of resilience to absorb the forces associate with mechanical movement.

The breast support device and/or the brassiere may comprise metal and it might be that the metal is plasticly yieldable to allow it to be bent to conform with the contours of the user. The metal material is sufficiently stiff and resilient to transmit the forces through the bracing section without causing deformation, but can be bent to fit the user to provide a more comfortable device.

The bracing strip 22 may be planar or arcuate in order to conform to body contours.

Additionally, for comfort, the rear surface of the bracing section may be provided with a layer of padding and/or memory material, such as memory foam that deforms to the user’s contours and retains that shape. Each cup may be made with adhesive silicone arranged at least partially along the length thereof, but preferably the adhesive silicone material, or other adhesive material, throughout the full length of the cup, to obtain a large surface area for adhesion of the device to the respective breast. Each cup may be shaped to separate the breasts, rather than adhesive bras that may squash the breasts together. The adhesive silicone may also be located at the bottom of each cup and/or along the bracing section to enhance comfortable and support.

The cups of the brassiere may be connected only be the bracing section, thereby leaving the central space between the cups clear. This allows low-cut tops to be worn without the brassiere showing, whilst also allowing an element of freedom of movement between the two cups to allow for natural variations on position, thereby making the device more comfortable.

The bracing section being an elongate element provides more surface area to contact the user’s torso, thereby distributing the weight of the breast(s) more evenly and more comfortably.

The cup section of the present invention may extend underneath the respective breast and extends upwards to hold the user’s nipple therewithin. This allows more support for larger breasts. Additionally, covering the nipple may assist with maintaining modesty. Furthermore, the shape is more appropriately maintained because the whole of the underside of the breast can be supported, thereby avoiding the risk of the breast sagging over the front edge of the device.

The device may be incorporated into a fabric brassiere, bikini or garment.