Tailored lift bra cup system and method

Abstract

A bra cup for a brassiere is provided. The bra cup may include a body having an underbust perimeter, an inner surface, and a fabric layer. The bra cup may further include a pad coupled to the fabric layer, the pad including an upper edge, an exterior edge, and an underbust edge. Moreover, the pad may include a protrusion extending outwardly from the inner surface of the pad. The protrusion may be imparted with a first width of at least about 26 mm. Additionally, the protrusion may further include a first edge, a second edge, a first boundary, and a second boundary. The first edge may be proximate to the underbust edge of the pad and opposite the second edge, while the first boundary may be positioned opposite the second boundary.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A bra cup for a brassiere, comprising:
 a body including an underbust perimeter, an inner surface, and a fabric layer; and   a pad coupled to the fabric layer, the pad including:
 an upper edge, an exterior edge, and an underbust edge; and 
 a protrusion extending outwardly and away from the inner surface of the pad, the protrusion comprising:
 a first edge positioned opposite a second edge, wherein the first edge is proximate to the underbust edge of the pad, 
 a first boundary positioned opposite a second boundary, and 
 wherein the protrusion is imparted with a first width of at least about 26 mm. 
 
   
     
     
         2 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the first edge is positioned at least about 2 mm and no more than about 4 mm away from the underbust edge. 
     
     
         3 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the first boundary is proximate to the upper edge of the pad,   the first boundary and the upper edge define a region of the bra cup, the region having a second width, and   the second width is imparted with a value of at least about 8 mm.   
     
     
         4 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein a second width defines a distance between the second boundary and the exterior edge, and the second width is imparted with a value of at least about 8 mm. 
     
     
         5 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein:
 the underbust edge includes a first end positioned opposite a second end,   the first boundary is positioned proximate to the second end of the underbust edge and the upper edge of the pad, and   the second boundary is positioned proximate to the first end of the underbust edge and proximate to the exterior edge of the pad.   
     
     
         6 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein at least a portion of each of the first boundary and the second boundary is positioned proximate to the upper edge of the pad. 
     
     
         7 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are imparted with a substantially arcuate shape. 
     
     
         8 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first boundary is proximate to the upper edge of the pad and the second boundary is proximate to the exterior edge of the pad. 
     
     
         9 . The bra cup of  claim 1 , wherein the first width is a linear distance between a first central point of the first edge and a second central point of the second edge. 
     
     
         10 . A pad for a bra cup, comprising:
 a body imparted with a substantially convex shape, the body having an inner surface and a perimeter, the perimeter including an upper edge and an underbust edge;   a raised portion integrally formed with the inner surface and protruding outwardly therefrom, wherein the raised portion is positioned on a bottom portion of the body; and   a non-raised portion substantially surrounding the raised portion,   wherein the inner surface of the body is imparted with a surface area, and the raised portion occupies about 15% to about 40% of the surface area of the inner surface.   
     
     
         11 . The pad of  claim 10 , wherein the raised portion is proximate to the underbust edge and is defined by at least a first boundary, a first edge, and a second edge. 
     
     
         12 . The pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge and the second edge are each imparted with a first curvature that substantially mirrors a second curvature of the underbust edge. 
     
     
         13 . The pad of  claim 11 , wherein the first edge adjoins the first boundary at a first convergence region, the first boundary adjoins the second edge at a second convergence region, and the first edge and the second edge adjoin at a third convergence region, and wherein the first convergence region, the second convergence region, and the third convergence region are each imparted with a substantially rounded shape. 
     
     
         14 . The pad of  claim 13 , wherein the first convergence region and the third convergence region are proximate an edge of the pad positioned opposite of the underbust edge of the pad. 
     
     
         15 . The pad of  claim 13 , wherein the second convergence region is proximate to the underbust edge. 
     
     
         16 . The pad of  claim 10 , wherein the non-raised portion occupies about 60% to about 85% of the surface area of the inner surface of the pad. 
     
     
         17 . A pad designed to provide lift and support to a breast of a wearer of a brassiere, comprising:
 a substantially convex body designed to receive a breast of a wearer, the substantially convex body including:
 an underbust edge; 
 an outer surface; and 
 an inner surface, the inner surface comprising:
 a first portion, wherein the first portion is substantially smooth; and 
 a raised portion extending outwardly from the inner surface and positioned proximate to the underbust edge, the raised portion including:
 a first curved edge coupled to an opposite, second curved edge; 
 a first convergence region and a second convergence region, wherein the first convergence region and the second convergence region each adjoin the first curved edge and the second curved edge; and 
 an apex region defining a maximum thickness of the raised portion, 
 wherein the first curved edge, the second curved edge, the first convergence region, and the second convergence region define an outer perimeter of the raised portion. 
 
 
   
     
     
         18 . The pad of  claim 17 , wherein a thickness of the raised portion tapers towards the first curved edge and the second curved edge from the apex region. 
     
     
         19 . The pad of  claim 17 , wherein the first portion is imparted with a first hardness and the raised portion is imparted with a second hardness, and the first hardness is greater than the second hardness. 
     
     
         20 . The pad of  claim 17 , wherein a material comprising the pad is selected from a group consisting of an open-celled foam, a closed-cell foam, a silicone material, a rubber material, a gel material, and combinations thereof.