	US 12,232,546 B2
	Bra with intermediary flexible layer and method for manufacturing same
Emily Suess, Fort Myers, FL (US); and Valerie Ann McArdle, Fort Myers, FL (US)
Assigned to Chico's Brands Investments, Inc.
Filed by Chico's Brands Investments, Inc., Fort Myers, FL (US)
Filed on Feb. 12, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/175,110.
Prior Publication US 2022/0256941 A1, Aug. 18, 2022
Int. Cl. A41C 3/00 (2006.01); A41C 3/12 (2006.01); A41C 3/14 (2006.01)

CPC A41C 3/0014 (2013.01) [A41C 3/0021 (2013.01); A41C 3/124 (2013.01); A41C 3/144 (2013.01)]

15 Claims

1. An article of clothing to support breasts of a wearer, comprising:

a first support panel, a second support panel, and a bra portion between the first support panel and the second support panel, the bra portion comprising:

an upper edge portion extending along an entire upper length of the bra portion;

first and second laterally positioned bra cups configured to receive the breasts of the wearer, each bra cup having an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein the inner edges of the bra cups are near a sternum of the wearer when the article of clothing is worn, and the outer edges of the bra cups are near sides of the wearer's body when the article of clothing is worn;

first and second intermediary flexible layers, each intermediary flexible layer having an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein a top portion of the first intermediary flexible layer is connected along a bottom portion of the first bra cup such that the outer edge of the first intermediary flexible layer is spaced apart from the outer edge of the first bra cup, and a top portion of the second intermediary flexible layer is connected along a bottom portion of the second bra cup such that the outer edge of the second intermediary flexible layer is spaced apart from the outer edge of the second bra cup; and

first and second bust support members, each bust support member having an inner edge and an outer edge, wherein a top portion of the first bust support member is connected to a bottom portion of the first intermediary flexible layer and a top portion of the second bust support member is connected to a bottom portion of the second intermediary flexible layer;

wherein proximal ends of the first and second bust support members overlap an entire thickness of the upper edge portion of the bra portion; and

wherein distal ends of the first and second bust support members partially overlap the upper edge portion of the bra portion.