Brassiere and brassiere accessory especially for lactating mothers

Abstract

A breast receiving cup ( 1 ) of multi-layered construction is provided that includes a structural layer ( 2, 10 ) 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 ( 3 ) 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 membrane is preferably 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. The structural layer is preferably a heat formed moulded foam layer.

1 . 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, wherein the membrane is an imperforate monolithic membrane that has 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 an other side of the membrane where there is a lower humidity. 
   
   
       2 . 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 an inside thereof and allow transfer of moisture through the membrane and evaporation thereof on an outside of the membrane, wherein the structural layer is a heat formed moulded foam layer. 
   
   
       3 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  in which the breast receiving cup has an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane wherein the moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane. 
   
   
       4 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  in which the breast receiving cup has a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof. 
   
   
       5 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 6  in which the moisture dissipating layer is the structural layer itself. 
   
   
       6 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 6  in which the moisture dissipating layer is a separate layer on the outside of the structural layer. 
   
   
       7 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  in which the membrane is laminated to the inner surface of the structural layer. 
   
   
       8 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  in which the construction includes an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of the structural layer and membrane. 
   
   
       9 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  that includes an innermost liner layer made of a 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. 
   
   
       10 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 1  in which the breast receiving cup assumes the form of a brassiere accessory for removable installation in a supporting brassiere. 
   
   
       11 . A brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as claimed in  claim 1  including 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. 
   
   
       12 . A brassiere embodying a pair of breast receiving cups as claimed in  claim 1  in the form of a sports brassiere comprising 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 wherein the front panel forms the structural layer and is 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. 
   
   
       13 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 2  in which the breast receiving cup has an inner moisture collecting layer on the inside of the membrane wherein the moisture collecting layer is optionally laminated to the laminate of structural layer and membrane. 
   
   
       14 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 2  in which the breast receiving cup has a moisture dissipating layer on the outside thereof. 
   
   
       15 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 2  in which the membrane is laminated to the inner surface of the structural layer. 
   
   
       16 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 2  in which the construction includes an outer aesthetically appealing layer that is also optionally laminated to the laminate of the structural layer and membrane. 
   
   
       17 . A breast receiving cup as claimed in  claim 2  that includes an innermost liner layer made of a 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.