Quick-Drying Lightweight Bra

This application is a divisional application which claims priority of U.S. application Ser. No. 18/373,725 entitled “QUICK-DRYING LIGHTWEIGHT BRA”, filed Sep. 27, 2023, which claims the benefit of U.S. application Ser. No. 17/152,206 entitled “QUICK-DRYING LIGHTWEIGHT BRA,” filed Jan. 19, 2021, issued as U.S. Pat. No. 11,849,775, which claims the benefit of priority of U.S. Prov. App. No. 62/963,809, entitled “QUICK-DRYING LIGHTWEIGHT BRA,” filed Jan. 21, 2020. The entirety of each of the aforementioned applications is incorporated by reference herein.

Aspects herein relate to a quick-drying, lightweight bra formed with different mesh materials in a layered construction.

Conventional materials used for bras, particularly sports bras, typically offer support through heavy-weight materials that are not breathable and are not quick drying. Conversely, conventional bras constructed of lighter-weight, breathable fabrics do not typically offer sufficient support for many activities.

The subject matter of the present invention is described with specificity herein to meet statutory requirements. However, the description itself is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure. Rather, the inventors have contemplated that the claimed or disclosed subject matter might also be embodied in other ways, to include different steps or combinations of steps similar to the ones described in this document, in conjunction with other present or future technologies. Moreover, although the terms “step” and/or “block” might be used herein to identify different elements of methods employed, the terms should not be interpreted as implying any particular order among or between various steps herein disclosed unless and except when the order of individual steps is explicitly stated.

Bras that are worn during athletic activities, such as sport bras, generally need to provide sufficient support for the wearer's breasts. At the same time, because physical activity often causes a wearer's body temperature to rise and the wearer to perspire, it may be desirable for a bra to be breathable and dry quickly. Support is conventionally provided through the use of heavier fabrics that tend to not be very breathable or quick drying. As such, conventional bras often lack either sufficient support or sufficient breathability and the ability to dry quickly. Aspects herein provide for a bra constructed from multiple layers of different materials, such as mesh materials. The mesh materials help provide a lightweight bra with breathability and quick drying properties, while layering mesh materials with different properties, including different stretch properties, provides coverage and support that is desired during physical activity.

At a high level, aspects herein are directed to a bra that includes an interior support panel assembly, an upper support panel, and a lower support panel that collectively form at least a front portion of the bra. The upper support panel and the lower support panel may each be positioned adjacent and external to the interior support panel assembly, creating a multi-layered construction in at least some areas of the front portion of the bra. In various aspects, a combination of spacer mesh material and mesh material (which may also be referred to herein as non-spacer mesh material) forms different panels of the front portion of the bra. For example, the upper support panel may be formed of a spacer mesh material while the lower support panel may be formed of a mesh material.

In example aspects, the upper support panel includes an upper support panel top edge and an upper support panel bottom edge while the lower support panel includes a lower support panel top edge and a lower support panel bottom edge. The upper support panel is arranged generally superior to the lower support panel on the external side of the interior support panel assembly. As such, the upper support panel top edge may form an upper margin of the front portion of the bra while the lower support panel bottom edge may form the lower margin of the front portion. Additionally, at least a portion of the upper support panel bottom edge may be positioned superior to at least a portion of the lower support panel top edge.

In example aspects, at least a portion of the lower support panel top edge is unaffixed from the interior support panel assembly. A pocket opening may be formed from the unaffixed lower support panel top edge, where the pocket opening is in communication with a pocket space formed between the lower support panel and the interior support panel assembly.

In example aspects, the interior support panel assembly includes a first panel and a second panel each extending between a right side and a left side of the front portion. The second panel may be positioned adjacent and external to the first panel. Further, the second panel may include a third panel affixed to a right side of the second panel and configured to at least partially cover a wearer's right breast and a fourth panel affixed to a left side of the second panel and configured to at least partially cover the wearer's left breast. In example aspects, the first panel is formed from a mesh material while the second panel is formed from a spacer mesh material. The spacer mesh material may exhibit less stretch than the mesh material of the first panel in at least the vertical direction. Additionally, in example aspects, the third panel and the fourth panel are formed from material having less stretch relative to the first and second panels.

In example aspects, the bra includes a back portion also formed from at least one panel of mesh material. A pair of shoulder straps may extend between the front and back portions, and each shoulder strap may be at least partially formed of a spacer mesh material.

Example aspects of the present disclosure also include a method of manufacturing a multi-layered bra that includes a front portion having an upper support panel, a lower support panel, and an interior support panel assembly. The method may include forming the front portion of the bra by affixing the upper support panel to the interior support panel assembly at one or more locations such that the upper support panel is positioned adjacent to a first surface of the interior support panel assembly. The front portion of the bra may also be formed by affixing the lower support panel to the interior support panel assembly at one or more locations such that the lower support panel is also positioned adjacent to the first surface of the interior support panel assembly. Additionally, when the upper support panel and the lower support panel are affixed to the interior support panel assembly, at least a portion of a lower support panel top edge may be positioned inferior to at least a portion of the upper support panel bottom edge. Further, in some aspects, the upper support panel may include an upper support panel top edge that forms an upper margin of the front portion of the bra, and the lower support panel may include a lower support panel bottom edge that forms a lower margin of the front portion.

Layering both the upper support panel and the lower support panel over the interior support panel assembly creates additional support to the wearer in the front portion of the bra, at least partly, due to increased layers. The additional layers also provide coverage by decreasing transparency. The front portion of the bra, however, remains breathable and quick drying due to the open structure of the mesh and spacer mesh materials used to form the upper support panel, the lower support panel, and the interior support panel assembly. Additionally, by utilizing different types of mesh material with differing properties, including varying stretch properties, different levels of support may be achieved in the upper portion and the lower portion of the bra. For example, in aspects having the third and fourth panels of a lower stretch material secured to the interior support panel assembly, additional support is provided to particular breast-covering portions of the front portion of the bra.

As used herein, the term “bra” encompasses any structure configured to be worn around a wearer's torso and at least partially cover the wearer's breasts. Although aspects herein are discussed with respect to a bra, it is understood that the disclosed technology is not limited to a bra and may be applied to any upper-torso garment used to support breast tissue, such as camisoles, swimwear, tank tops, or other garments with built-in breast support.

Positional terms used when describing the bra, such as front, sides, back, interior-facing surface, exterior-facing surface, superior, inferior, interior exterior, and the like, are used with respect to the bra being worn as intended with the wearer standing upright such that the lower portion of the bra extends around the wearer's torso and the upper portion of the bra is positioned generally over the wear's chest. As such, the interior-facing surface of the bra is configured to be positioned adjacent to a skin surface of the wearer, and the exterior-facing surface faces away from the skin surface. Additionally, the front portion of the bra is configured to at least partially cover the wearer's breasts while the back portion is configured to at least partially cover the wearer's back. Additionally, shoulder straps are configured to extend over the wearer's shoulder from the front portion to the back portion and at least partly define openings through which the wearer's arms extend and an opening through which the wearer's head and neck extend. It should be understood, however, that use of positional terms do not depend on the actual presence of a human being for interpretative purposes.

The term “mesh” refers to a textile material with a plurality of closely-spaced openings. The mesh material may be knitted (warp knitted or weft knitted) or woven. In example aspects, the term mesh refers to a loosely knit or woven material such that the openings are integrally knit or woven into the material. In other aspects, the openings may be formed in a post-knitting or post-weaving step using, for example, laser cutting, water jet cutting, die cutting, and the like after the textile is knitted or woven.

The term “spacer” mesh refers to a spacer textile formed of a mesh material. Spacer textiles are generally formed by utilizing at least one tie yarn (also known as a spacer yarn) to interconnect first and second layers of textile. Thus, a spacer mesh, as used herein, includes a first textile layer and a second textile layer with at least one of the layers having a mesh construction and also includes a third layer that interconnects the first and second layers. The third layer may include one or more monofilament or multifilament yarns that interknit or interweave the first and second layers. In some aspects, the first layer and the second layer of the spacer mesh each have a mesh construction. In other aspects, only one of the first layer or the second layer have the mesh construction. In knitted spacer mesh textiles, spacer yarns have “loop” portions that extend into each of the first layer and the second layer where the loop portions are interlooped with yarns in the first layer and the second layer to connect the two layers. In general, the longitudinal length of the spacer yarn is oriented perpendicular, or near perpendicular, to the planar surfaces of both the first and second layers for knitted or woven spacer mesh textiles.

The term “stretch property”, as used herein, refers to a characteristic of a panel of material relating to the ability to stretch in response to a force. A stretch property may refer to a material's capability of stretching under force generally or to a material's capability of stretching so as to return to an original shape or size when the force is released, which may be also referred to as elasticity. A measure of a stretch property herein may be a modulus of elasticity, which is a measure of a material's resistance to being deformed elastically when stress is applied. A modulus of elasticity may be determined in various manners. In some aspects, the modulus of elasticity values described herein were determined according to a test methodology specified by ASTM D 4964. Further, other material properties are described herein that may also be determined in various manners. For example, air permeability scores provided herein may be determined according to a test methodology specified by ASTM D 737, and drying times may be determined according to a test methodology specified by AATCC 201.

Additionally, there are various numerical measurements provided herein. Unless indicated otherwise, the term “about” with respect to a measurement means within ±10% of the indicated value. Further, unless indicated otherwise, all measurements provided herein are with respect to the bra being in a resting state (i.e., a non-stretched) at standard ambient temperature and pressure (298.15 K and 100 kPa).

depict a front perspective view and a front view of an example bra, respectively. In various aspects, the bramay be targeted toward a wearer desiring a high amount of support. The braincludes a front portionthat typically covers at least a portion of the wearer's chest when the brais in an as-worn configuration and a back portionthat typically covers at least a portion of the wearer's back when the brais in the as-worn configuration. The bramay also include a pair of front shoulder straps, each extending between the front portionand the back portion.

The front portionof the braincludes an upper marginincluding a superior edge that at least partially defines a neck opening and a lower marginincluding an inferior edge that at least partially defines a torso opening of the bra. Additionally, the front portionhas a width extending between a right sideand a left sideof the bra. In some aspects, the width of the front portionextends across the wearer's breasts when the brais in the as-worn configuration. Thus, the front portionmay also be referred to, for example, as a breast-covering portion.

In various aspects, the front portionincludes a plurality of mesh panels. For example,depicts the front portionincluding an upper support paneland a lower support panel. The upper support paneland the lower support panelcollectively form an exterior assembly of the front portionof the bra.

The upper support panelextends from the right sideto the left sideof the front portionand is defined, at least partially, by an upper support panel top edgeand an upper support panel bottom edge. Similarly, the lower support panelextends from the right sideto the left sideof the front portionand is defined, at least partially, by a lower support panel top edgeand a lower support panel bottom edge. Both the upper support paneland the lower support panelmay extend seamlessly from the right sideto the left side. As referred to herein, the term “seamlessly” means extending continuously and without interruption. A panel that extends seamlessly between two reference areas is formed of a single panel piece as opposed to multiple panel pieces joined along their edges by seams.

In various aspects, the upper support panel top edgeforms the upper marginof the front portion. Similarly, the lower support panel bottom edgeforms the lower marginof the front portion. As illustrated in, the lower marginof the front portionmay also be the lower margin of the bra. However, it is contemplated that one or more additional panels of material (e.g., underband panels, for example) may be secured to the front portionsuch that the additional panels form the lower margin of the bra.

Although the upper support panelis generally positioned superior to the lower support panel, there may be some overlap between the upper support paneland the lower support panel. In some aspects, at least about 50% of the upper support panelis superior to the lower support panel. In some aspects, at least about 75% to about 95% of the upper support panelis superior to the lower support panel. Partially overlapping the upper support paneland the lower support panelprovides additional layers and, therefore, additional coverage in breast-covering regions when the brais in the as-worn configuration.

As shown in, where the upper support paneland the lower support paneloverlap, at least a portion of the upper support panel bottom edgeis positioned inferior to the lower support panel top edge. Additionally, in some aspects, another portion of the upper support panel bottom edgeis positioned superior to the lower support panel top edge. For example, a middle portionof the upper support panel bottom edgebetween the right sideand the left sideis positioned superior to a middle portionof the lower support panel top edgein. Lateral portions of the lower support panel top edgeproximate to the right sideand left sideare positioned superior to respective lateral portions of the upper support panel bottom edge. In some aspects, at least a portion of the lower support panelmay be positioned external to the upper support panel. For example, at least a portion of the lower support panel top edgemay be positioned external to the upper support panel. However, it is contemplated that, in alternative aspects, the entirety of the lower support panel top edgemay be positioned superior to the upper support panel bottom edge. In other alternative aspects, the entirety of the upper support panel bottom edgemay be superior to the lower support panel top edgesuch that the upper support paneland the lower support paneldo not overlap.

The upper support paneland the lower support panelare both formed from mesh materials. In various aspects, the upper support paneland the lower support panelare formed from mesh materials having different properties. For example, the upper support panelmay be constructed from a spacer mesh while the lower support panelmay be constructed from a non-spacer mesh. The spacer mesh of the upper support paneland the non-spacer mesh of the lower support panelmay have different stretch properties.

In various aspects, the upper support panelis formed from a spacer mesh having a first modulus of elasticity. For example, the first modulus of elasticity may be within a range from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.5 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%. In some aspects, the first modulus of elasticity is about 0.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%.

In various aspects, the spacer mesh forming the upper support panelmay have anisotropic stretch properties such that the amount of stretch differs along different axes. For example, the amount of stretch along the widthwise direction corresponding to axisis different than the amount of stretch along the lengthwise direction corresponding to axis. As used herein, “widthwise direction” refers to the direction parallel to the width of the brafrom the right sideto the left side, while “lengthwise direction” refers to the direction parallel to the length of the brafrom the upper marginto the lower margin. In example aspects in which a material disclosed herein, such as the spacer mesh material of the upper support panel, is knitted, widthwise direction may correspond to a course-wise direction parallel to the knit courses, and lengthwise direction may correspond to a wale-wise direction parallel to the knit wales. In various aspects, the upper support panelmay have more stretch in the widthwise direction compared to the lengthwise direction. For instance, the amount of stretch of the upper support panelwithin the widthwise direction may be within a range from about 1.5 to about 3.5 times, within a range from about 2 to about 3 times, or about 2.67 times the amount of stretch within the lengthwise direction.

In one example, the first modulus of elasticity is in the widthwise direction, and a second modulus of elasticity may be in the lengthwise direction. In some aspects, the first modulus of elasticity may be within a range from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.5 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%, while the second modulus of elasticity may be within a range of about 0.5 lb. forces to about 1.5 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 0.8 lb. forces to about 1.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%. In one example aspect, the first modulus of elasticity in the widthwise direction may be about 0.3 lb. forces with a width loop tension of 40% while the second modulus of elasticity in the lengthwise direction may be greater than 0.3 lb. forces with a width loop tension of 40%, thus limiting the stretch in the lengthwise direction.

The open mesh structure of the spacer mesh material also allows for breathability and quick drying properties of the upper support panel, which may provide increased comfort to the wearer. For example, in one aspect, the spacer mesh forming the upper support panelmay have an air permeability score, after three washes, within a range from about 200 cm/s/cmto about 240 cm/s/cm, within a range from about 210 cm/s/cmto about 230 cm/s/cm, within a range from about 215 cm/s/cmto about 225 cm/s/cm, or about 221 cm/s/cm. Further, the spacer mesh material forming the upper support panelmay have an example dry time, after 25 washes, within a range from about 10 minutes to about 15 minutes, within a range from about 11.5 minutes to 13.5 minutes, or about 12.46 minutes.

In contrast to the upper support panel, the lower support panelincludes a non-spacer mesh material having different stretch properties than the spacer mesh material. In some aspects, the lower support panelhas a third modulus of elasticity within a range from about 1.5 lb. forces to about 3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 1.5 lb. forces to about 2.2 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%. In some examples, the third modulus of elasticity may be about 2.2 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%.

In various aspects, the non-spacer mesh forming the lower support panelincludes anisotropic stretch properties such that the amount of stretch along the widthwise direction corresponding to axisis different than the amount of stretch along the lengthwise direction corresponding to axis. As such, the third modulus of elasticity of the lower support panelmay be in the widthwise direction is about 2.2 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%, while a fourth modulus of elasticity of the lower support panelmay be in the lengthwise direction. While the spacer material of the upper support panelmay have more stretch in the widthwise direction compared to the lengthwise direction, examples of the non-spacer material of the lower support panelmay have more stretch in the lengthwise direction than in the widthwise direction.

Additionally, in some aspects, the difference between the amount of stretch of the lower support panelin the widthwise and lengthwise directions is less than the difference between the amount of stretch of the upper support panelin the two directions. For example, the amount of stretch of the lower support panelwithin the lengthwise direction may be within a range from about 1.1 to about 2.5 times, within a range from about 1.5 to about 2 times, or about 1.65 times the amount of stretch within the widthwise direction. In contrast, as previously stated, the amount of stretch of the upper support panelwithin the widthwise direction may be within a range from about 1.5 to about 3.5 times, within a range from about 2 to about 3 times, or about 2.67 times the amount of stretch within the lengthwise direction.

The different mesh materials of the upper support paneland the lower support panelmay be used to create increased support while still allowing for a bra that is breathable, lightweight, and quick drying. For example, the upper support panelbeing formed from a material with less stretch in the lengthwise direction allows the upper support panelto reduce vertical upward movement of the wearer's breasts during physical activity. At the same time, more stretch in the widthwise direction can provide for increased comfort and ease when donning and doffing the bra.

Additionally, the open mesh structures of both the spacer mesh material of the upper support paneland the non-spacer mesh material of the lower support panelhelp to maintain the lightweight characteristic of the bra. For example, in one aspect, the material of the lower support panelhas a weight from about 15 grams per square meter to about 200 grams per square meter. In another aspect, the material has a weight within a range from about 25 grams per square meter to about 180 grams per square meter. In one example aspect, the non-spacer mesh material of the lower support panelmay have a weight from about 25 grams per square meter to about 150 grams per square meter, or about 100 grams per square meter. In some aspects, the spacer mesh material of the upper support panelmay have a greater weight than the non-spacer mesh material of the lower support panel. For example, the upper support panelmay have a weight within a range from about 100 grams per square meter to about 450 grams per square meter, within a range from about 200 grams to about 375 grams per square meter, or about 300 grams per square meter.

In some aspects, the front portionof the bramay include one or more additional layers to provide support and coverage. While the upper support paneland the lower support panelform an exterior portion of the front portion, the front portionmay also include an interior support panel assemblypositioned interior to the upper support paneland the lower support panel.

depict a front view and an exploded view, respectively, of an example interior support panel assembly. The interior support panel assemblyincludes a plurality of panels of mesh materials, including a first panelextending seamlessly from the right sideto the left sideof the front portion. Adjacent to and external to the first panelis a second panelthat also extends from the right sideto the left sideof the front portion. Specifically, the second panelmay be positioned adjacent to and external to at least a portion of the exterior-facing surfaceof the first panelsuch that the second paneloverlays at least a portion of the first panel.

The first paneland the second paneleach extend from the right sideto the left sideof the front portionof the bra. Thus, the first and second panelsandmay have the same or substantially the same width. The first paneland the second panelmay also each extend from a top edgeto a bottom edgeof the front portionof the bra. Thus, the first and second panelsandmay have the same or substantially the same length. In other words, the first paneland the second panelmay have substantially the same size and shape. As used herein, “substantially” refers to +0.5 inch with reference to length, width, and size.

In various aspects, all or at least most of the first panelis positioned underneath or interior to the second panel. A right-side lateral edgeof the second panelmay align with a right-side lateral edgeof the first panel, and a left-side lateral edgeof the second panelmay align with a left-side lateral edgeof the first panelwhen the brais assembled. Further, the top edgeof the second panelmay align with the top edgeof the first panelwhile the bottom edgeof the second panelmay align with the bottom edgeof the first panelwhen the brais assembled. The first paneland the second panelmay be joined together while maintaining their seamless constructions. For example, in some aspects, the first paneland the second panelare affixed along their respective perimeters while the surfaces of the panelsandremain uncoupled. In this way, the first paneland the second panelhave a greater range of motion relative to each other, providing more comfort to the wearer.

The first paneland the second panelof the interior support panel assemblyare both formed from mesh materials. In various aspects, the first paneland the second panelmay be formed from mesh materials having different properties. For example, the first panelmay be formed from a non-spacer mesh material while the second panelmay be formed from a spacer mesh material having different properties, including different stretch properties, compared to the first panel.

In various aspects, the non-spacer mesh material of the first panelhas anisotropic stretch properties such that the amount of stretch along the widthwise direction corresponding to axisis different than the amount of stretch along the lengthwise direction corresponding to axis. In other words, the first panelmay have a fifth modulus of elasticity in the widthwise direction and a sixth modulus of elasticity in the lengthwise direction that is less than the fifth modulus of elasticity. In example aspects, the first panelincludes the same non-spacer mesh material as the lower support panelsuch that the first panelmay have the same stretch and weight properties describes with respect to the lower support panel.

In other aspects, the first panelmay include a non-spacer mesh that has a lesser amount of stretch than the lower support panel. For example, the non-spacer mesh material may include a warp knit mesh formed with polyester yarns and elastomeric yarns such as, for example SPANDEX® or elastane. In various aspects, the non-spacer mesh may include a combination of polyester and elastane. The amount of polyester forming the non-spacer mesh may be within a range from about 70% to about 85% or within a range from about 75% to about 80%, while the amount of elastane may be within a range from about 30% to about 15% or within a range from about 25% to about 20%. For example, in one aspect, the non-spacer mesh has a composition of about 78% polyester and about 22% elastane.

In contrast to the first panel, the second panelmay be formed from a spacer mesh that may also have different amounts of stretch along different axes. For example, the second panelmay have more stretch in the widthwise direction corresponding to axiscompared to the lengthwise direction corresponding to axis. In an example aspect, the spacer mesh forming the second panelis the same material used to form the upper support panelsuch that a seventh modulus of elasticity of the second panelalong the widthwise direction may be the same as the first modulus of elasticity of the upper support panel. In some example aspects, the seventh modulus of elasticity along the widthwise direction may be within a range from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.5 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 0.1 lb. forces to about 0.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%, while an eighth modulus of elasticity along the lengthwise direction may be within a range of about 0.5 lb. forces to about 1.5 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40% or from about 0.8 lb. forces to about 1.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension of 40%. In one aspect, the seventh modulus of elasticity along the widthwise direction may be about 0.3 lb. forces at a width loop tension at 40%, while the eighth modulus of elasticity along the lengthwise direction may be greater than 0.3 lb. forces with a width loop tension of 40%, thus limiting the stretch in the lengthwise direction. Additional properties, including stretch and weight, described with respect to the spacer mesh material of the upper support panelmay be applicable to the second panel.

Layering the first paneland the second panelprovides additional support and coverage of the wearer's breasts while still allowing the interior support panel assemblyto be breathable and quick drying due to the open mesh structures of the first paneland the second panel.

In various aspects, the interior support panel assemblyalso includes a third paneland a fourth panelthat are positioned adjacent to and external to the second panel. Specifically, each of the third paneland the fourth panelmay be positioned adjacent to at least a portion of the exterior-facing surfaceof the second panelsuch that the third paneland the fourth paneleach overlay at least a portion of the second panel.

In example aspects, the third paneland the fourth paneleach include a warp-knit tricot material. In one aspect, the tricot material is formed of nylon yarns. The tricot material of the third paneland the fourth panelmay include a low stretch characteristic. For example, the tricot material may have minimal to zero stretch in at least one direction. As such, the third paneland the fourth paneleach have a ninth modulus of elasticity that is greater than at least the seventh modulus of elasticity of the second panel. The higher modulus of elasticity (and, thus, less stretch) of the third paneland the fourth panelprovides additional support and durability to breast-covering regions of the front portionof the bra.

The third paneland the fourth panelmay be configured to cover a majority of or all of the wearer's breast tissue such that the decreased stretch provided by the third paneland the fourth panelprovides additional support directly to the wearer's breasts. For example, the third panelmay be positioned towards the right sideof the front portionto cover a wearer's right breast while the fourth panelmay be positioned towards the left sideto cover a wearer's left breast. In various aspects, the third panelincludes a right-side lateral edgethat aligns with the right-side lateral edgeof the second panel, and the fourth panelincludes a left-side lateral edgethat aligns with the left-side lateral edgeof the second panel.

The third paneland the fourth panelmay be the same or substantially the same size and shape. For example, the third paneland the fourth panelmay be mirror-images of each other. In aspects where the third paneland the fourth panelare secured to the second panel, the third paneland the fourth panelmay be spaced apart so they do not directly contact one another. As such, there may be a minimum spacingbetween the third paneland the fourth panelto allow for space between the low stretch material in a medial area of the interior support panel assembly. This medial area may align with an area between the wearer's breasts in which undesirable perspiration may collect during physical activity. The minimum spacingat this medial area allows for easier donning and doffing of the bra, as well as increased breathability between the breasts.

In various aspects, the third paneland the fourth panelare coupled to the second panelby stitching. For example, the third paneland the fourth paneleach may be coupled to the second panelwith one or more lines of interlocking stitchesthat also add support within a breast-contacting region by limiting stretch at the seam lines.

depicts a partially exploded view of the front portionof the bra. The interior support panel assembly(as depicted in the view in) is positioned interior to the upper support paneland the lower support panel. In aspects in which the upper support paneland the lower support paneloverlap, at least a portion of the upper support panelmay be positioned interior to the lower support panel.