Holders for brassiere shape retention

Abstract

The present invention is directed to an article for maintaining the shape of a brassiere that includes a shaped continuous rounded portion having a terminating end at the circumference and a shaped peripheral edge portion that is integrally attached to the rounded portion and is generally orthogonal to or at an angle to the rounded portion at its terminating end.

1 . An article for maintaining the shape of a brassiere comprising:
 i. a smooth continuous rounded portion having a terminating end at the circumference, wherein the rounded portion comprises:
 a. an upper side with a radius of curvature being substantially constant; 
 b. a lower side with a radius of curvature that is constantly changing; and 
 c. two distinct and continuous sections, the first section is an annular body that extends from the peripheral edge portion in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the peripheral edge portion, the second section is a conical cap that intersects with the first section to complete the rounded portion; 
   ii. a smooth peripheral edge portion that is integrally attached to the rounded portion and is generally orthogonal to or at an angle to the rounded portion at its terminating end, wherein the peripheral edge is composed of a soft-touch polymer to prevent damage to a brassiere;   wherein the article includes one or more fastening means to attach the article to a brassiere so that the article is securely inserted into a brassiere cup during storage, transport or laundering.   
   
   
       2 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the rounded portion contains one or more perforations to allow for air and water flow. 
   
   
       3 . The article of any of  claim 1 , wherein a second identical article is attached to the article via a permanent or removable connecting means. 
   
   
       4 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the one or more fastening means include one or more attachment sites that are integrally formed with the article. 
   
   
       5 . The article of  claim 3 , wherein the one or more fastening means include one or more attachment sites that are integrally formed with the article. 
   
   
       6 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is substantially rigid so that it maintains its shape during storage, transport, and laundering. 
   
   
       7 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is composed of a textile that wicks moisture. 
   
   
       8 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is composed of recycled materials. 
   
   
       9 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is not attached to any additional articles. 
   
   
       10 . The article of  claim 1 , wherein the article is composed of polypropylene. 
   
   
       11 . A method for maintaining the shape of a brassiere comprising:
 i. providing an article with a thermoformed or molded rounded portion having a terminating end at a circumference, wherein the rounded portion comprises:
 a. an upper side with a radius of curvature being substantially constant; 
 b. a lower side with a radius of curvature that is constantly changing; and 
 c. two distinct and continuous sections, the first section is an annular body that extends from the peripheral edge portion in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the peripheral edge portion, the second section is a conical cap that intersects with the first section to complete the rounded portion; 
   ii providing a thermoformed peripheral edge portion around the article that aligns with and is generally orthogonal to the rounded portion at its terminating end, wherein the article is inserted into a brassiere cup during storage, travel or laundering so that the integrity and shape of the brassiere cup is maintained;   iii. placing at least one article within at least one brassiere cup; and   iv. fastening the at least one article to the at least one brassiere cup via one or more fastening means so that the article is securely inserted into a brassiere cup during storage, transport or laundering.   
   
   
       12 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the peripheral edge is rounded by exposure to heat or composed of a soft-touch polymer to prevent damage to a brassiere. 
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the one or more fastening means include one or more attachment sites that are integrally formed with the article. 
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the rounded portion contains one or more perforations to allow for air and water flow. 
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein a second identical article is attached to the article via a permanent or removable connecting means. 
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the article is substantially rigid so that it maintains its shape during storage, transport, and laundering. 
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the article is composed of a textile that wicks moisture. 
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the article is composed of recycled materials. 
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 11 , wherein the article is not attached to any additional articles. 
   
   
       20 . An article for maintaining the shape of a brassiere comprising:
 i. a smooth continuous rounded portion having a terminating end at the circumference, wherein the rounded portion comprises:
 a. an upper side with a radius of curvature being substantially constant; 
 b. a lower side with a radius of curvature that is constantly changing; and 
 c. two distinct and continuous sections, the first section is an annular body that extends from the peripheral edge portion in a direction that is generally perpendicular to the peripheral edge portion, the second section is a conical cap that intersects with the first section to complete the rounded portion; 
   ii. a smooth peripheral edge portion that is integrally attached to the rounded portion and is generally orthogonal to or at an angle to the rounded portion at its terminating end, wherein the peripheral edge is composed of a soft-touch polypropylene to prevent damage to a brassiere;   wherein the article includes a second identical article attached to the article via a permanent or removable connecting means and one or more fastening means integrally formed with the article to attach the article to a brassiere so that the article is securely inserted into a brassiere cup during storage, transport or laundering.