# US 5,385,502 A · Moisture managing brassiere for sports and general wear

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- Number: US 5,385,502 A
- Document ID: US5385502A
- Status: Granted
- Kind: A
- Application number: 08/072,522
- Filed: 1993-06-04
- Granted: 1995-01-31
- Earliest claimed: 1991-11-12
- Assignees: Intelpro Corporation
- Inventors: Herbert L. Moretz; Daniel L. Brier
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US5385502A

## CPC

- D04B 21/14: Fabrics characterised by the incorporation by knitting, in one or more thread, fleece, or fabric layers, of reinforcing, binding, or decorative threads; Fabrics incorporating small auxiliary elements, e.g. for decorative purposes (pile fabrics D04B21/02; non-woven fabrics in general D04H)
- A41B 9/004: {characterized by the crotch}
- A41B 9/02: Drawers or underpants for men, with or without inserted crotch or seat parts
- A41B 9/14: Waistbands forming part of the undergarments; Closures therefor
- A41C 3/0014: {made from one piece with one or several layers}
- A41C 3/0071: {with interchangeable or detachable cups}
- A41C 3/04: for nursing mothers {(nursing clothing in general A41D1/215)}
- A41D 20/00: Wristbands or headbands, e.g. for absorbing sweat
- A41D 31/125: {Moisture handling or wicking function through layered materials}
- A41D 31/185: {using layered materials}
- A61F 5/44: Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge (absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, A61F13/15; drainage appliances for wounds A61M27/00); Colostomy devices
- A61F 5/4401: {with absorbent pads (diapers A61F13/49)}
- A61F 13/141: {Milk breast pads}
- B32B 5/26: another layer {next to it} also being fibrous or filamentary {(relative arrangement of fibres or filaments of different layers B32B5/12)}
- A41B 2400/20: Air permeability; Ventilation
- A41B 2400/34: antimicrobial or antibacterial
- A61F 2013/00238: {characterised by way of knitting or weaving}
- A61F 2013/15121: {for mild incontinence}
- Y10S 2/11: Headband
- D04B: KNITTING
- A41B: SHIRTS; UNDERWEAR; BABY LINEN; HANDKERCHIEFS
- A41C: CORSETS; BRASSIERES
- A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES
- A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C)
- B32B: LAYERED PRODUCTS, i.e. PRODUCTS BUILT-UP OF STRATA OF FLAT OR NON-FLAT, e.g. CELLULAR OR HONEYCOMB, FORM
- Y10S: TECHNICAL SUBJECTS COVERED BY FORMER USPC CROSS-REFERENCE ART COLLECTIONS [XRACs] AND DIGESTS

## Abstract

A moisture managing brassiere for sports wear and general wear includes a front portion, a back portion connected to the front portion, and a pair of shoulder straps connected respectively at one end to the front portion and at respective opposite ends to the back portion. The brassiere is constructed of a composite stretch fabric including an inner fabric layer, and intermediate fabric layer, and an outer shell fabric layer. The inner fabric layer is constructed of hydrophobic moisture wicking fibers for residing in skin contact during garment wear. The intermediate fabric layer resides adjacent to the inner fabric layer for receiving, dispersing, and transporting moisture outwardly away from the inner fabric layer. The outer fabric layer resides adjacent to the intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from the inner and intermediate fabric layers.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A moisture managing brassiere having a breast supporting front portion, a back portion connected to said front portion, and a pair of shoulder straps connected respectively at one end to said front portion and at respective opposite ends to said back portion, said brassiere constructed of a composite stretch fabric comprising:
(a) an inner fabric layer constructed of hydrophobic moisture wicking fibers for residing in skin contact during garment wear and for wicking moisture away from the skin of the wearer;
(b) an intermediate fabric layer residing adjacent to said inner fabric layer for receiving, dispersing, and transporting moisture outwardly away from said inner fabric layer; and
(c) an outer fabric layer residing adjacent said intermediate fabric layer for receiving and dispersing moisture wicked outwardly from said inner and intermediate fabric layers, said outer fabric layer comprising the outer shell fabric of said brassiere.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

A brassiere according to claim 1, wherein said inner fabric layer comprises a single-component fabric constructed of hydrophobic polyester yarns formed of fibers having a high surface area in relation to volume.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

A brassiere according to claim 1, wherein the hydrophobic yarn of said inner fabric layer is chosen from the fiber group consisting of polyester and polypropylene.

### Claim 4 (depends on 1)

A brassiere according to claim 1, wherein said intermediate fabric layer is constructed of yarns chosen from the fiber group consisting of rayon, polyester, cotton, and a blend of polyester and cotton.

### Claim 5 (depends on 1)

A brassiere according to claim 1, wherein said outer fabric layer includes elastic yarns incorporated therein for providing added stretch and support strength to the brassiere.

### Claim 6 (depends on 1)

A brassiere according to claim 1, wherein the front portion of said brassiere includes a pair of brassiere cups for holding and supporting the breasts of the wearer.