Foundation garments – Breast or chest – e.g. – brassieres – With inflatable or liquid-containing chambers
Reexamination Certificate
2000-06-20
2001-06-05
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3765)
Foundation garments
Breast or chest, e.g., brassieres
With inflatable or liquid-containing chambers
C450S057000, C002S069000, C224S148100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06241575
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The brassiere (hereinafter referred to simply as “bra”) has existed, in one form or another, for centuries. However, to the knowledge of the within inventor, there has never existed, nor otherwise been suggested, a bra having, integrated into the cup portions thereof, bladders, or the like, capable of holding a comestible liquid such as water, juice, Power-aid or an alcoholic beverage. That is, all known enhancements or modifications of cup portion of a bra have related to means of improving either or both the comfort thereof to the wearer or furnishing a cosmetically desirable appearance thereto. Sealed packets of non-comestible gels have been sewn into bra cups for purpose of comfort and appearance.
While it may appear self-evident that a comestible liquid such as water, juice, Power-aid or an alcoholic beverage should, if desired, be contained within a cup, bottle, flask or the like, there exist social situations in which it is simply inappropriate for one to carry within one's possession, upon one's person, or within a handbag such a container. Particularly if the same comprises a container/flask of an alcoholic beverage. Also, at certain events, for example, athletic events, the level of activity and excitement is often such that it is impractical to hold or use a conventional cup, container, or flask. Thereby, a need has arisen in the art for a means of intergration into an article of clothing containment means for a comestible liquid. More particularly, it has been determined by the inventor that limited amounts of such liquid may be practically stored within the structure of an otherwise conventional bra to thereby avoid the inconvenience and potential embarrassment (in the case of an alcoholic beverage) that would otherwise be involved if one were to openly carry about such a container, particularly within various socially sensitive environments.
The instant invention may therefore be viewed as a response to the above set forth long existing need in the art.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention is directed to a bra having integrated into the cups thereof flexible bladders formed of a medical grade material having sufficient fluid integrity to hold a comestible liquid. The bladders may include a fabric sleeve. In a first embodiment thereof, each bladder is provided with an inlet, for purposes of filling, and an outlet for purposes of consumption. In a second embodiment, bladders having an appropriate geometry are filled by a manufacturer of the comestible liquid such that only an outlet is necessary. In all embodiments, the outlet communicates with a flexible narrow straw having a cross section which is preferably flat and elliptical. The bladder inlet is typically located at a portion of the bladder facing closest to the vertical axis of the body, while the outlet is advantageously positioned at the lowestmost point of the bladder to gain the fullest benefit of gravity on fluid flow through the outlet tube which, during periods of non-use, may be hidden in a number of ways, these including wrapping about the periphery of the bra cup itself, placing the tube underneath a bra strap, and placing the tube along the back of the user where one is wearing an article of clothing, such as a blouse, tank top, or bikini top which will hide such tube. A variety of accessories are provided to facilitate filling the bladders and drinking of the contents thereof.
It is accordingly an object of the present invention to provide an improved bra capable of holding, internally therewith, a comestible liquid such as water, juice, Power-aid or an alcoholic beverage.
It is a further object to provide a means of holding a liquid, the appearance within which a conventional container would not be considered socially appropriate.
It is another object of the invention to provide a pre-filled bladder for adapted for selectable attachment to an inner surface of a bra cup.
It is a yet further object to provide a bra-related accessory of the above type for use in the containment of a medicinal liquid.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a bladder for insertion into a cup of a bra in which different liquids may be held in different cups of bladders thereof.
It is a further object to provide a bra of the above type in which drinking tubes thereof may be effectively camouflaged during periods of non-use of the system.
The above and yet other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent for the hereinafter set forth Brief Description of the Drawings, Detailed Description of the Invention, and Claims appended herewith.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2684787 (1954-07-01), Charpiat
patent: 4139130 (1979-02-01), Glusker et al.
patent: 5060833 (1991-10-01), Edison et al.
patent: 5823852 (1998-10-01), Chu
patent: 5864880 (1999-02-01), Adam
patent: 5940880 (1999-08-01), Phillips
patent: 6132288 (2000-10-01), Aerts
BoobieFlask, Inc.
Hale Gloria M.
Silverman Melvin K.
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