Bra

Abstract

An adjustable bra having ribs ( 3 ) and a connector ( 4 ), a process for making a bra, and adjustment means for use in a bra, said adjustment means comprising ribs ( 3 ) and a connector ( 4 ).

1 . A bra comprising a pair of bra cups, each bra cup having an outer side portion and inner side portion;
 each bra cup comprises   (i) a rib having a proximal end and a distal end, and   (ii) a connector;   the connector is located at the inner side portion of the bra cup for connecting the pair of bra cups to one another;   the proximal end of the rib is connected to the connector; and   the distal end of the rib is adapted to transfer a force applied to the connector to the outer side portion of the bra cup.   
     
     
         2 . A bra according to  claim 1 , wherein said bra is selected from a backless and strapless bra;
 a bra further comprising a band which connects the outer sides of each bra cup, is adapted to span a wearer's back, and is optionally strapless;   a backless bra comprising a pair of shoulder straps; and   a bra further comprising a band which connects the outer sides of each bra cup and is adapted to span a wearer's back, and one or more straps.   
     
     
         3 - 6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . A bra according to  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are directly connected to the connector and are optionally formed integrally with the connector. 
     
     
         8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A bra according to  claim 1 , wherein the ribs are joined to the connector via an intermediate portion. 
     
     
         10 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the ribs are curved in shape and optionally wherein the curve of the rib extends around substantially the whole underside of the bra cup. 
     
     
         11 . (canceled) 
     
     
         12 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein each rib is wider at its distal end than at its proximal end and is optionally paddle shaped. 
     
     
         13 . A bra according to claim  6  wherein the rib is paddle shaped and a blade portion of the paddle is substantially coplanar with the interior surface of the bra cup. 
     
     
         14 . (canceled) 
     
     
         15 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein an interior facing side of the rib is concave and mirrors the curvature of an interior surface of the bra cup. 
     
     
         16 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein an external surface of the rib is smooth. 
     
     
         17 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the rib is at least partially encapsulated by the bra cup. 
     
     
         18 . (canceled) 
     
     
         19 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the rib is encapsulated by the bra cup and the connector extends out of the bra cup. 
     
     
         20 . A bra according to  claim 1 , wherein the rib is contained in a sleeve or pocket attached to the bra cup. 
     
     
         21 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the rib and/or the connector is formed from polyurethane. 
     
     
         22 . (canceled) 
     
     
         23 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the connector is formed of two or more separate portions which are designed to engage with one another to join the bra cups and where a first portion of the connector is attached to the first bra cup and a second portion of the connector is attached to the second bra cup. 
     
     
         24 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the connector is adjustable and optionally comprises two portions each comprising one or more apertures and a thread which may be laced through the apertures, optionally wherein each portion of the connector is provided with 1 to 5 apertures. 
     
     
         25 - 28 . (canceled) 
     
     
         29 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the bra cup comprises a silicone gel. 
     
     
         30 . A bra according to  claim 1  wherein the interior surface of the bra cup is an adhesive surface, which adhesive surface is optionally an un uncoated surface of the bra cup. 
     
     
         31 - 32 . (canceled) 
     
     
         33 . A bra according to  claim 16  wherein the bra cup is provided with a release liner. 
     
     
         34 - 35 . (canceled) 
     
     
         36 . Adjustment means for use in a bra, said adjustment means comprising a first rib adapted to be included in a first bra cup, a second rib adapted to be included in a second bra cup, and engagement means for joining the bra cups, said engagement means comprising a first connector connected to, linked with, or formed integrally with said first rib, and a second connector connected to, linked with, or formed integrally with said second rib. 
     
     
         37 . A rib for use in a bra, which rib is curved in nature and is generally paddle shaped such that it has a broad blade-like portion at an end intended for placement at an outer-side portion of a bra cup, and a narrower portion at an end intended for placement at an inner-side portion of a bra cup, the blade-like portion oriented in a plane transverse to the plane of the portion of the narrower portion intended for placement at an inner-side of the bra cup. 
     
     
         38 - 39 . (canceled)