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US-20260123691-A1 - BRA WITH MOISTURE WICKING

US20260123691A1US 20260123691 A1US20260123691 A1US 20260123691A1US-20260123691-A1

Abstract

A moisture barrier for undergarments, particularly bras. The moisture barrier provides moisture absorption and lift, the lift creating spacing to reduce skin on skin contact. A pair of moisture reducing elements are positioned to collect and absorb perspiration while providing spacing to allow airflow. The elements are formed as moisture wicking rolls or tubes which are positioned on the cups of the bra. The positioning of the roll on the cups allows for capturing and wicking moisture while simultaneously lifting the breast.

Inventors

  • JoAnne Hansen

Assignees

  • JoAnne Hansen

Dates

Publication Date
20260507
Application Date
20251230

Claims (7)

  1. 1 . A bra with integrated moisture barrier elements comprising: a. a bra body including a pair of cups configured to support a wearer's breasts; b. a pair of moisture wicking elements each attached to a respective underside region of said cups; c. wherein each moisture wicking element is formed as a roll or tube composed of a moisture absorbing material; d. said moisture wicking elements being positioned to contact the underside of the breasts during wear, thereby absorbing perspiration and providing lift to reduce skin on skin contact and increase airflow.
  2. 2 . The bra of claim 1 , wherein the moisture absorbing material comprises at least one of: polyester, spandex, nylon, bamboo, merino wool, polypropylene, or acrylic.
  3. 3 . The bra of claim 1 , wherein the moisture wicking elements are secured to the bra cups by stitching.
  4. 4 . The bra of claim 1 , wherein the moisture wicking elements are removable and replaceable.
  5. 5 . The bra of claim 1 , wherein the moisture wicking elements comprise multiple fabric layers rolled together to form a voluminous, compression resistant structure.
  6. 6 . The bra of claim 1 , wherein the elements are color coded to match the bra or are white to facilitate visual assessment of saturation or cleanliness.
  7. 7 . A method of reducing moisture and skin irritation in the under bust area, comprising: a. providing a bra with integrated moisture wicking elements attached to the underside of each bra cup; b. positioning the moisture wicking elements to contact the underside of the breasts when the bra is worn; c. absorbing perspiration with the moisture wicking elements while simultaneously elevating the breasts to enhance airflow and reduce skin on skin contact.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS This application is a Continuation-in-Part of, and claims priority to, Non-Provisional patent application Ser. No. 18/742,170 filed on Jun. 13, 2024, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference thereto in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention relates generally to an apparatus for preventing moisture build up beneath the breasts, and more particularly to an undergarment having integrated moisture wicking barrier elements to absorb perspiration and provide lift to increase airflow and reduce skin on skin contact. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Undergarments worn by men and women necessarily contact bare skin and thus are sometimes susceptible to excessive moisture from sweating. Of particular concern are areas of the body where skin contacts or folds onto another part of the skin, creating skin on skin contact. These areas include, but are not limited to, under the breasts, underarms, and between the legs. Often these areas become breeding grounds for bacteria, fungi, and other pathogens. Persistent moisture in such locations may lead to afflictions such as intertrigo, bacterial or fungal infections. The under bust or area below the breasts is especially problematic, particularly for women who have large breasts, but also for women having average sized breasts. Typically, women attempt to overcome this by placing toilet paper, tissues or napkins under the breasts to absorb moisture, with limited success and risk of embarrassment if the material shifts. When bras are worn daily and sweating is exacerbated by heat, motion, or lack of air circulation, skin irritation may occur at the delicate skin under the breast where there is skin on skin contact. This may lead to soreness, redness, rashes, itching and possibly infection. Thus there is a need for an improved undergarment, particularly a bra, that reduces moisture accumulation under the breasts, eliminates friction, improves airflow, and mitigates skin irritation and potential infection. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION An object of the invention is to provide a moisture barrier for undergarments, particularly bras. The moisture barrier provides moisture absorption and lift, the lift creating spacing to reduce skin on skin contact. A pair of moisture reducing elements are positioned to collect and absorb perspiration while providing spacing to allow airflow. The elements are formed as moisture wicking rolls or tubes attached to the cups of the bra. The positioning of the rolls on the bra cups allows for capturing and wicking moisture while simultaneously lifting the breast. In one embodiment, the bra includes a pair of moisture wicking elements attached to the underside of each bra cup. Each element is constructed of moisture absorbing fabric layers (for example blends of polyester and spandex) rolled to form a voluminous tubular or cylindrical structure resisting compression. When the wearer puts on the bra, the elements provide lift of the breasts and simultaneously absorb perspiration in the underside region, promoting airflow between the breast and chest wall to reduce moisture build up and skin irritation. In further embodiments, the moisture wicking elements may be removable, color coded or white to allow visual indication of saturation or cleanliness, and may be incorporated into various bra styles (e.g., sports bras) or other undergarments. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A more complete appreciation of this disclosure and many of the attendant advantages thereof will be readily obtained as the same becomes better understood by reference to the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein: FIG. 1 illustrates a bra configured in accordance with the present invention. FIG. 2 illustrates the bra with moisture barriers attached. FIG. 3 illustrates a detail of the attachment of the moisture barriers. FIG. 4 illustrates a lengthwise detail of the barrier elements. FIG. 5A and B show a perspective views illustrating the configuration of first and second embodiments of the moisture barrier. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The invention provides a bra that is configured to absorb excess moisture from undergarments and skin of the user, and provide more airflow to reduce sweating. The invention is a modified bra but the inventive aspects of it may be adapted to other undergarments. Referring now to FIG. 1-5B, an embodiment of the invention is shown. The invention (10) is applied to a standard bra (20). A pair of moisture wicking elements (30, 32) perform the dual functions of moisture absorption and airflow enhancement. The elements 30, 32 are formed of a moisture wicking material. A number of suitable moisture wicking, absorbing and treating materials may be used for this purpose including polyester, merino wool, nylon, spandex, bamboo, polypropylene and acrylic fabrics, including blends thereof. For example, spandex may be mixed with