Seamless bra

Abstract

The present invention provides a bra that is preferably formed of seamless construction and that includes structural components that allow for accommodating changes and variations in bust size. In particular, the inventive bra can be used during times of maternity when breast volume is known to increase over a short time. The bra comprises expansible cups with interchangeable, formed support and shape elements that can be placed into pockets formed in the expansible cups. In certain embodiments, the invention also provides a bra for use when breast feeding, the bra comprising a drop-down panel.

1 . A bra comprising expansible cups, each cup having an open access pocket for receiving a formed support and shape element that substantially corresponds to a particular bra cup size. 
   
   
       2 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is concealed from external view. 
   
   
       3 . The bra of  claim 2 , wherein the pocket is accessible on an inward-facing surface of the expansible cup. 
   
   
       4 . The bra of  claim 1 , comprising backwings extending laterally away from the expansible cups and having a double-folded, textured knit construction. 
   
   
       5 . The bra of  claim 4 , wherein the backwings have a substantially triangular shape. 
   
   
       6 . The bra of  claim 4 , comprising a series of eyelets at an end of one backwing and a series of hooks at an end of the other backwing, and further comprising a separable eye and hook extension piece that effectively expands the overall circumference of the bra. 
   
   
       7 . The bra of  claim 1 , comprising a hemmed lower edge having a double-folded, textured knit construction. 
   
   
       8 . The bra of  claim 1 , comprising a center gore between the expansible cups, the center gore having a reduced stretch ability in relation to the expansible cups and being constructed to form a vertical gathering of the cups near the center gore. 
   
   
       9 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the pocket is a drop-down pocket. 
   
   
       10 . The bra of  claim 9 , wherein at least one cup is formed of an outer material layer and an inner material layer, each layer comprising a top portion that is independently attached to a connecting piece. 
   
   
       11 . The bra of  claim 10 , wherein the connecting piece connects the outer material layer and the inner material to an over-shoulder strap. 
   
   
       12 . The bra of  claim 10 , wherein the inner material layer is permanently attached to connecting piece and the outer material layer is releasably attached to the connecting piece. 
   
   
       13 . The bra of  claim 12 , wherein the inner material layer and the outer material layer are aligned in a sufficiently offset manner such that release of the connection of the outer material layer allows the outer material layer to drop down and expose the underlying breast of a user. 
   
   
       14 . The bra of  claim 10 , wherein the cup inner material layer is a bias cut panel having a slanting stretch direction. 
   
   
       15 . The bra of  claim 1 , wherein the bra comprises a bra body that is formed of a seamless construction. 
   
   
       16 . The bra of  claim 15 , wherein the bra body comprises the expansible cups, backwings, a center gore, and a bottom hem. 
   
   
       17 . The bra of  claim 1 , comprising a support and shape element that is formed to substantially correspond to a particular bra cup size. 
   
   
       18 . A bra kit providing a bra that is adaptable to a variety of breast sizes, the bra kit comprising:
 A) a bra comprising expansible cups, each cup having an open access pocket; and   B) a plurality of pairs of support and shape elements designed for insertion into the open access pocket, each pair of support and shape elements being formed to substantially correspond to different particular bra cup sizes.   
   
   
       19 . The bra kit of  claim 18 , wherein the bra further comprises backwings extending laterally away from the expansible cups and having a double-folded, textured woven construction. 
   
   
       20 . The bra kit of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 C) a separable eye and hook extension piece that effectively expands the overall circumference of the bra.   
   
   
       21 . A method of making a bra with expansible cups, the method comprising:
 A) forming a preliminary bra body having a tubular construction and comprising a material that is elastic in multiple directions;   B) shaping the preliminary bra body to have a top edge and a bottom edge and to define two expansible cups having an inner layer and an outer layer; and   C) trimming the top edge of the preliminary bra body to form a finished bra body, wherein the inner and outer expansible cup layers are joined by the trimming on the top edges of the cups leaving an opening that forms an open access pocket in the expansible cup.