Bra strap aligner

Abstract

Methods and apparatus relating to a bra strap aligner are described. In an embodiment, an apparatus comprises an outer body and an inside body. The outer body forms a generally spiraled coil with a rounded surface and the inside body is generally round or flat. The spiraled coil is capable to wrap around different thickness of material to conceal or align the material. Other embodiments are also disclosed and claimed.

Description

BRA STRAP ALIGNERFIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates generally to clothing accessories and, more particularly, to concealing bra straps in an embodiment.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] When a person wears thin-strapped outfits such as dresses or tank tops, it is essential to appear well put together when attending public social gatherings, including dinners, parties, and sporting events. However, the fashion choices often lead to the struggle of concealing misaligned and / or unruly bra straps.

[0003] While rudimentary solutions like safety pins, fashion tape or body tape, bra strap tamers, clear bra straps, and strapless bras exist, none of these options are practical for individuals with fuller chests who require the support of a bra and prioritize comfort.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The detailed description is provided with reference to the accompanying figures. In the figures, the left-most digit(s) of a reference number identifies the figure in which the reference number first appears. The use of the same reference numbers in different figures indicates similar or identical items.

[0005] FIG. 1 is a side view of a bra strap aligner according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0006] FIG. 2 is a top or bottom view of an embodiment.

[0007] FIG. 3 is an example of a thin strapped garment shown before and after a set of Brazzle® fasteners were added, in accordance with some embodiments.

[0008] FIG. 4 is an example with a set of Brazzle fasteners added as fashion accessory to a thin strapped outfit in accordance with an embodiment.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0009] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of various embodiments. However, various embodiments may be practiced without the specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the particular embodiments.

[0010] In one embodiment, a bra strap aligner addresses the issues associated with concealing bra straps when wearing thin-strapped outfits. The aligner consists of one or more thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coils that are flexible, comfortable, and durable. Such an embodiment effectively aligns and conceals bra straps, allowing individuals to wear various clothing styles with confidence. The bra strap aligner / fastener may include a frictional impingement mechanism, e.g., a surface area on the inside of the bra strap aligner to provide friction. This frictional surface area may provide sufficient friction when in contact with the bra strap or item of clothing to prevent or at least limit slipping. When people are wearing thin strapped outfits like a dress or tank top, they want to look as put together as possible when going out to in public or to social gatherings like parties, and sporting events for example.

[0011] By contrast, male clothing makes this issue easier because their shirts cover their the top of their bodies, and they will often times wear clothing like a shirt, suit jacket, blazer, or sport coat on top of the rest of their clothing. Female clothing, on the other hand, will find this sort of clean aesthetic more difficult and timing consuming to achieve because female's clothing more often leaves shoulder and back areas exposed. Specifically, some women like wearing clothing with so-called spaghetti straps or thin strapped garments such as dresses and tank tops. Merriam-Webster's Dictionary defines "spaghetti strap" as "a very slender fabric shoulder strap". Straps that are wider than spaghetti straps also present the same problem with peeping bra straps that fail to align under the garment straps.

[0012] As a result of these fashion choices, women are often struggling to conceal misaligned and / or unruly bra straps.

[0013] Some rudimentary solutions exist that allow women to conceal their bra straps, such as safety pins, fashion tape / body tape, bra strap tamers, clear bra straps and strapless bras. None of these options are, however, viable or practical for those who have a fuller chest and need the support of a bra and / or who are looking for comfort. As discussed herein, body tape refers to a doubled-sided tape that is used for remedying various fashion faux-pas. However, body tape is a cumbersome solution to the problem. Body tape requires the user to clean their skinthoroughly, since body tape will not adhere to oily skin. Once the user has cleaned their skin, the user must then re-move both sides of the protective layer, exposing the adhesive, and affix the body tape to the garment on one side and either the skin or the other garment on the other side.2 For concealing bra straps specifically, the user must affix one side of the body tape's adhesive to their dress or shirt, and the other side of the body tape's adhesive to their bra strap. After a few hours, the body's natural oils will rise to the surface, not allowing the tape to properly remain affixed to the skin. The tape is also not strong enough to withstand the friction of putting on a jacket or rubbing up against a chair for instance.

[0014] Clearly, body tape is an inefficient solution to a problem when wearing a thin-strapped tank top or dress. Safety pins are similarly inefficient and tacky. They can also be dangerous if they puncture the skin. Slightly less visually cringe-inducing are so-called bra strap tamers. A bra strap tamer is a hybrid item comprising a traditional safety-pin style pin and a clip. A bra strap tamer works by having the user pin the bra strap concealer to the inside of their clothing's shoulder seam and then insert their bra strap into the clip. However, this is not a solution for articles of clothing incorporating a spaghetti strap style shoulder strap because such spaghetti strap shoulders do not have the area to accommodate the pin. This also has the potential to puncture the skin if not put on properly or if it is worn out and the functionality is diminished.

[0015] A clear bra strap has become its own fashion no-no because the clear straps are still seen and are unsightly. They also pick up the oils of the skin and soon become murky. A strapless bra is not a comfortable option for a full chested person as it fails to stay in place and ends up out of place as well as not providing sufficient / ample support. It is preferred to have the support of a bra with bra straps.

[0016] In at least one embodiment, it is preferable to align the bra straps with an apparatus made from thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material, e.g., chosen for its flexibility, durability, and comfort.

[0017] The production process involves the following steps in accordance with an embodiment:

[0018] 1. Material Selection: High-quality TPU material is selected for its suitability in forming the coils and providing comfort when in use.

[0019] 2. Material Heating: The TPU material is heated to a temperature of approximately220 degrees Celsius (e.g., in a specialized machine) until it becomes liquified.

[0020] 3. Molding: The liquified TPU material is injected into a straight-line mold. As it cools, it takes the form of coils.

[0021] 4. Coil Formation: While the TPU material is cooling, it is wrapped around a specially heated rod. This process further defines the coils' shape.

[0022] 5. Permanent Shape: As the TPU material continues to cool, it solidifies into its permanent coil shape.

[0023] In an embodiment, the resulting bra strap aligner consists of slightly more than six coils (but fewer than seven) measuring 40mm in length. Each coil has an approximately 2.8mm gap with the next adjacent coil, with a diameter of approximately 13.8mm and a width of approximately 4.0mm. The aligner is designed to be highly customizable, allowing for variations in the number of coils, colors, and finishes. It can be produced with fewer or more coils as needed, and each color option can have either a glossy or matte finish, the latter of which may require a special painted coat thus accommodating different thicknesses of bra and garment straps with the flexible material.

[0024] In at least one embodiment, the user is allowed to align and / or conceal each bra strap under the corresponding strap of their thin strapped garment . Such a coil may be worn on the front and / or back straps depending on where the misalignment is. This will not only conceal one's bra strap but may provide a pop of color to make a statement or can be subtle based on the color selected.

[0025] It is thus an object of the present invention to provide an easy to use and aesthetically pleasing method to align bra straps so as to conceal the bra straps while wearing a thin strapped garment, e.g., allowing a fuller chested person or anyone who wants the support of a bra to have more wardrobe options and feel comfortable.

[0026] It is a feature of the present invention to provide a coil or spiral apparatus wherein the user stacks one garment strap on top of the corresponding bra strap and twists the coil around both straps which will hold both in place keeping the bra strap hidden under the garment strap.

[0027] It is a feature of the present invention to provide an accent color, such that when the coil conceals a bra strap and a thin strapped garment it will also provide a stylish fashion accessory. It is also another feature of the invention to be a subtle utility if bra and garment straps are the same color and therefore not as easily noticeable.

[0028] Some embodiments provide a system and method for concealing bra straps while wearing a bra underneath a thin strapped garment such as a tank top or dress. The alignment and concealing apparatus are provided having a resilient thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) coil forming a spiral where the inside will be either round or flat.

[0029] Further objects, features, elements, and advantages of the present invention will become readily apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiment when considered with the attached drawings and the appended claims.

[0030] Referring now to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals indicate the same parts throughout the several views, a bra strap alignment and concealing apparatus is shown according to one or more embodiments of the present invention. The alignment and concealing apparatus is provided in pairs, with each for use in aligning a bra strap beneath as described in greater detail below. Each apparatus within each pair consists essentially of: a spiral sequence of rings or coils. The outer body is round in shape May further allow for assorted and / or different numbers of coils, colors, textures and finishes. Matching apparatus colors, matching garment and bra straps will be less conspicuous while other color options will be more easily seen and added as a fashion accessory and will be more decorative. The apparatus may further be designed for additional fashion or decorative purposes such as to augment the wearer's apparel.

[0031] The inner body can be either flat or round in shape with either a smooth or gripping surface. It can also be produced with a heat tool setting the shape with the addition of a wire element added to the interior for the purpose of maintaining the spiraled shape.

[0032] The retention mechanism may include a minimum of one coil and up to many spiral coils made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). The TPU material is heated to approximately 220 degrees Celsius in a machine until liquified, then injected into a straight-line mold. It may be wrapped around additional heated rod as it cools to create the permanent shape of a spiral or coil. In an embodiment, the current output is slightly more than 6 coils (but under 7 coils) measuring in 40mm (length) with am approximately 2.8mm gap between each coil. The diameter of the coil itself is approximately 13.8mm and each coil width is approximately 4.0mm. This apparatus is not limited to 6 coils and could be produced with fewer or more coils in any color. Each color may have a glossy or matte finish. If a matte finish is produced, it will entail a special painted coat.

[0033] In operation, the concealing apparatus may be used individually, in pairs or in multiples in order to align undergarment straps beneath an outer garment portion, and retain the alignment during wear. As shown in conjunction with FIG. 3 according to the PRIOR ART, in one exemplary application a user would have an outer garment and an undergarment intended to be aligned, but for the movement of the user or other limitation of style, material, etc. As shown in conjunction with FIG. 3, an embodiment may be used to align the undergarment wornbeneath the outer garment in a twisting fashion so as to maintain the alignment and thereby conceal the undergarment.

[0034] Additionally, the outer garment may include any number of ornamental or aesthetic outer elements in order to further function as a fashion accessory providing a decorative outer appearance.

[0035] References to "one example," "an example," etc., indicate that the example described may include a particular feature, structure, or characteristic, but every example may not necessarily include the particular feature, structure, or characteristic. Moreover, such phrases are not necessarily referring to the same example. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with an example, it is submitted that it is within the knowledge of one skilled in the art to affect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other examples whether or not explicitly described.

[0036] Moreover, in the various examples described above, unless specifically noted otherwise, disjunctive language such as the phrase "at least one of A, B, or C" or "A, B, and / or C" is intended to be understood to mean either A, B, or C, or any combination thereof (i.e. A and B, A and C, B and C, and A, B and C).

[0037] The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded in an illustrative rather than a restrictive sense. It will, however, be evident that various modifications and changes may be made thereunto without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the disclosure as set forth in the claims.

[0038] In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth to provide a more thorough understanding. However, it will be apparent to one of skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without one or more of these specific details. In other instances, well-known features have not been described to avoid obscuring the details of the present embodiments.

[0039] Reference in the specification to "one embodiment" or "an embodiment" means that a particular feature, structure, and / or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment may be included in at least an implementation. The appearances of the phrase "in one embodiment" in various places in the specification may or may not be all referring to the same embodiment.

[0040] Also, in the description and claims, the terms "coupled" and "connected," along with their derivatives, may be used. In some embodiments, "connected" may be used to indicate thattwo or more elements are in direct physical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements may not be in direct contact with each other, but may still cooperate or interact with each other.

[0041] Thus, although embodiments have been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, it is to be understood that claimed subject matter may not be limited to the specific features or acts described. Rather, the specific features and acts are disclosed as sample forms of implementing the claimed subject matter.

Claims

Claims1. An apparatus comprising: an outer body forming a generally spiraled coil with a rounded surface; an inside body generally round or flat, wherein the spiraled coil is capable to wrap around different thickness of material to conceal or align the material.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein said spiraled coil forms a device that is subtle or decorative to augment a wearer's apparel.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the outer body and inside body are to form a retention mechanism comprising one or more coils or one or more spiraled rings to encompass the different thicknesses of material.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein said retention mechanism comprises a resilient and flexible coils made out of thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU) material.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein said resilient and flexible coils remain in shape when encompassing different thicknesses of garment material or bra straps.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein each pair of opposed spiraled coils includes approximately 6 spiraled rings providing a grasping mechanism about which the retention coil grippingly affixes.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising a frictional impingement mechanism.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said frictional impingement mechanism comprises one or more coils with a frictional surface area in contact with a bra or garment straps to maintain alignment to prevent slipping.

9. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein said one or more coils comprises of a resilient material.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein multiple spiraled coils are provided to align perpendicularly to a vertical centerline.

11. A method for concealment of a bra strap, the method comprising: a. selecting an alignment and concealment apparatus having a retaining mechanism; b. aligning a bra strap with and under a section of a garment; c. placing at least one coil around a strap of the garment; d. impinging the retaining mechanism around the bra strap in a manner that frictionally aligns the bra strap and / or the section of the garment.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the retaining mechanism includes a spiraled coil to form a device that is subtle or decorative to augment a wearer's apparel.

3. The method of claim 11, wherein an outer body and an inside body are to form the retention mechanism comprising one or more coils or one or more spiraled rings to encompass different thicknesses of material.

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