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`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`0
`‘E
`SF, E_Ln 1
`“' E
`.
`:3 2
`48370/GTL/B437
`Docket No.
`0:;
`. David E. Chen
`Inventor(s)
`: ATTACHABLE BREAST FORM ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM :3 2
`Title
`;
`EL904746407US
`Ii. E
`Express Mail Label No.
`ADDRESS TO: Assistant Commissioner for Patents
`‘
`Box Patent Application
`Washin ton, D.C. 20231
`Date: Ma 31, 2002
`
`
`as/31/oz
`
`1.
`
`2.
`
`X
`
`FEE TRANSMITTAL FORM (Submit an original, and a duplicate for fee processing).
`
`IF A CONTINUING APPLICATION
`
`This application is a of patent application No. .
`
`Prior application information: Examiner ; Group Art Unit:
`
`This application claims priority pursuant to 35 U.S.C. §119(e) and 37 CFR §1.78(a)(4),
`to provisional Application No. .
`
`3. APPLICATION COMPRISED OF
`
`Specification
`16
`
`Specification, claims and Abstract (total pages)
`
`Drawings
`j_ Sheets of formal drawing(s) (FIGS. 1 to 10)
`
`Declaration and Power of Attorney
`__ Newly executed
`L Unexecuted declaration
`Copy from a prior application (37 CFR 1.63(d))(for continuation and divisional)
`
`4.
`
`5.
`
`Microfiche Computer Program (Appendix)
`
`Nucleotide and/or Amino Acid Sequence Submission (if applicable, all necessary)
`Computer Readable Copy
`: Paper Copy (identical to computer copy)
`Statement verifying identity of above copies
`
`6. APPLICANT(S) STATUS UNDER 37 CFR § 1.27
`X
`Applicant(s) and any others associated with it/them under § 1.27(a) are a SMALL
`ENTITY
`
`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 1 of 26
`
`\ Z
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`
`
`
`
`Ii]!“IITiiiiiIIIIII7’I‘E‘iIi:l'E-II:‘.V‘iI"Ii?III!‘I?
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`
`
`
`
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION TRANSMITTAL
`
`(Only for new nonprovisional applications under 37 CFR 1.53(b))
`
`Docket No.: 48370/GTL/B437
`
`7. ALSO ENCLOSED ARE
`
`Preliminary Amendment
`_ Includes "Cross-Reference to Related Applications"
`A Petition for Extension of Time for the parent application and the required fee are
`enclosed
`
`An Assignment of the invention with the Recordation Cover Sheet and the recordation fee
`are enclosed
`
`This application is owned by pursuant to an Assignment recorded at Reel , Frame
`Information Disclosure Statement (IDS)/PTO-1449
`_ Copies of IDS Citations
`Certified copy of Priority Document(s) (if foreign priority is claimed)
`_ English Translation Document (if applicable)
`L Return Receipt Postcard (MPEP 503) (should be specifically itemized).
`Other
`
`8. CORRESPONDENCEADDRESS
`
`CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP, P.O. BOX 7068, PASADENA, CA 91109-7068
`Customer Number: 23363
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
`
`
`
`
`
`Grant T. Langton
`Reg. No. 39,739
`626/795-9900
`
`GTL/m ac
`
`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 2 of 26
`
`
`
`FEE TRANSMITTAL
`
`UTILITY PATENT APPLICATION
`
`DATE: May 31, 2002
`
`Docket No.
`:
`48370/GTL/B437
`
`Inventor(s) : David E. Chen
`Title
`: ATTACHABLE BREAST FORM ENHANCEMENT SYSTEl\lDuplicate _
`
`
`FEE DETERMINATION
`
`CLAIMS AS FILED
`
`NUMBER
`FILED
`
`NUMBER
`EXTRA
`
`SMALL
`ENTITY RATE
`
`GE
`ENTITY RATE
`
`
`
`TOTAL CLAIMS
`
`21 — 20
`
`. 1
`
`INDEPENDENT CLAIMS
`
`4 — 3
`
`MULTIPLE-DEPENDENT CLAIMS FEE
`
`BASIC FEE
`
`1 1: $9.00
`
`1 X $42.00
`
`$140.00
`
`$370.00
`
`x $18.00
`
`x $84.00
`
`$280.00
`
`$740.00
`
`FEE
`
`$9.00
`
`$42.00
`
`$370.00
`
`$421.00
`
`List lndeendent Claims: 1 9 16 20
`
`METHOD OF PAYMENT
`
`X
`
`X
`
`Payment Enclosed: Check for $421.
`
`The Commissioner is hereby authorized to charge any fees under 37 CFR 1.16 and 1.17
`which may be required during the entire pendency of the application to Deposit
`Account No. 03-1728. Please show our docket number with any charge or credit to our
`
`Deposit Account. A duplicate copy of this sheet is enclosed.
`
`Respectfully submitted,
`
`CHRISTIE, PARKER & HALE, LLP
`
`B.
`
`Y.
`
`Grant T. Langton
`Reg. No. 39,739
`626/795-9900
`
`GTL/mac
`MAC PAS43872B.1-‘>5/31/02 3:14 PM
`
`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 3 of 26
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
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`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`48370/GTL/B437 _
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 8 of 26
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`46370/GTL'B437
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`anties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page10of26
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`
`
`1
`
`48370/GTL/B437
`
`ATTACHABLE BREAST FORM ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
`
`5
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an attachable breast form enhancement
`
`system comprising a pair of breast forms adjoined by an enhancement connector.
`
`More specifically, the breast forms have a re—usable pressure sensitive adhesive
`
`layer for adjoining to the user’s skin and are adjustably adjoined together by a
`
`1 o
`
`connector that allows the user to customize the amount of breast cleavage and push-
`
`up enhancement.
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`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`Women Who, for whatever reason, are not satisfied with the size of their own
`breasts and desire larger, more shapely breasts must select among two alternative
`methods for enhancing their breast size, by either using rudimentary externally
`
`worn articles, such as foam pads and the like, or by undergoing a surgical operation
`to be fitted with a breast implant. Opting for use of a surgical breast implant
`carries with it the danger inherent in any surgical operation and can be quite
`expensive. In addition to the dangers inherent with the surgical operation is the
`potential health dangers that may be associated with using a particular type of
`
`breast implant, namely, the silicone breast implant. Accordingly, women wishing
`
`to enhance their physical appearance in a non-permanent and health-risk free
`
`manner opt to use one of the many types of externally worn articles.
`
`2 5
`
`A key feature of such externally worn article is that it look and feel natural
`
`so as to complement and not detract from the existing female breast that it is used
`
`to enhance. In addition to enhancing an existing breast, externally Worn articles
`
`are designed to replace a female human breast that has been surgically removed.
`
`Externally worn articles that can be worn for the purpose of either enhancing or
`
`3 0
`
`replacing human breasts are referred to a breast forms, and include a wide range
`
`of breast enhancers, breast inserts, and breast prostheses. A popular type of bre ast
`
`form has been made from a silicone gel material that is completely encased by
`
`plastic film material. The advantage of this type of breast form is that it looks like
`
`a natural human breast when worn and feels natural to the user, thus enhancing
`
`3 5
`
`the self image and confidence of the user. Other breast forms, such as foam pads,
`
`-1-
`
` wumEL904746407US
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 11 of 26
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`
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`48370/GTLfB437
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`water-filled pads and the like, do not afford the user these important qualities but,
`
`rather, look unnatural and feel foreign.
`
`In addition to the demand for devices and methods for enhancing breast size
`
`and shape, there is also a demand for being able to use those devices and methods
`
`while wearing a full-range of clothing. For example, women wearing a backless
`
`dress or a halter top will not want to wear a traditional bra. As a result, bras have
`
`been developed that are both backless and strapless. Such backless, strapless bras
`
`have used non-permanent adhesives, such as a disposable double-sided tape, to
`
`secure the bra to the user. Known backless, strapless bras, however, have only
`
`provided limited means for enhancing breast size and shape. For example, known
`
`backless, strapless bras having full-sized cups are not designed to easily
`accommodate a breast form and do not use an adhesive that allows the user to
`
`easily remove and re-use the bra.
`
`As a result, there exists a need for a breast form enhancement system that
`
`provides the benefits of a breast form, yet also the benefits of a backless, strapless
`
`bra. Furthermore, there exists a need for such a system having a permanent and
`
`re-usable adhesive that allows the user to position the breast forms in a desired
`
`position without concern of the breast forms shifting from that position. Moreover,
`
`such a system should have means for pushing-up the breasts and enhancing breast
`
`cleavage.
`
`There also exists a need for an improved breast form to be used with an
`
`improved breast
`
`form enhancement system that
`
`is
`
`specially designed to
`
`accommodate women with sagging breasts. Known breast forms have a structure
`
`designed to enhance the lower portion of a user’s breast and, therefore, are thicker
`
`in the regions that cover that portion. As a result, women who have sagging breasts
`
`may not be Well suited to use the known breast forms because the known breast
`
`forms would only further exaggerate the degree of sagging of the breast because the
`
`lower portion of the breast is already larger and rounder than the upper portion of
`
`the breast. Therefore, it is desirable to have a breast enhancement system with a
`
`breast form that is specially adapted to counter-balance the effect of sagging
`b re asts.
`
`
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
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`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 12 of 26
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`
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`48370/GTL/B437
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`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`FIG. 1 is a front view of a breast form system having a pair of breast forms
`
`adjoined by a connector;;
`
`FIG. 2 is a side View of one of the breast forms shown in FIG. 1;
`
`FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional View of a breast form having a fabric layer
`
`adjoined to a thermoplastic film material;
`
`10
`
`FIG. 4 is a side View of a breast form adapted to accommodate sagging
`breasts;
`A
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`FIG. 5a is a front View of the breast form system of FIG. 1 having an
`
`adjustable connector that has not been engaged to adjoin the breast forms;
`
`FIG. 5b is a front view of the breast form system of FIG. 5a wherein the
`
`connector has been engaged to adjoin the breast forms;
`
`FIG. 6 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG. 1 having a single unit
`
`connector;
`
`FIG. 7 is a front View of the breast form system of FIG. 6 having a different
`
`single unit connector;
`
`FIG. 8 is a front View of the breast form system of FIG. 1 having an
`
`adjustable connector assembly;
`
`FIG. 9 is a front View of the breast form system of FIG. 1 wherein the
`
`connector is positioned between the bottom inner portions of the breast forms; and
`
`FIG. 10 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG. 6 wherein the
`
`connector includes a subassembly of connector patches.
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention provides an attachable breast form enhancement
`
`system comprising a pair of breast forms adjoined by a connector. The breast forms
`
`have an interior surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that adjoins to the
`
`user’s breasts. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer can be a permanently grown
`
`pressure sensitive adhesive that has an adhesion force to the breast forms that is
`
`greater than a cohesion force to the user’s breasts. The connector adjoins the
`
`separated breast forms by attaching to the inner sides of the breast forms and
`
`pulling the user’s breasts together. The connector can be either permanently or
`
`-3-
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 13 of 26
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`483 70/GTL/B437
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`removably attached to the breast forms. Several different configurations of breast
`
`forms and connectors are available to achieve the benefits of the present system.
`
`The present breast forms system allows a user to eliminate the use of traditional
`
`bras by simply attaching the pair of breast forms to the user’s breasts/skin, and
`
`then adjoining the breast forms together with the connector.
`
`Thus, the separated breast forms provide the user with the desired amount
`
`of breast size and shape enhancement, and the connector provides the user the
`
`desired amount of breast cleavage and push-up enhancement. Because users can
`
`control the placement of the breast forms on the users’ skin, and can control how
`
`much the breasts are pulled together by the connector, the present invention
`
`provides users with a single system that allows them to customize the shape and
`
`size of their breasts, as well as their breast cleavage and push-up enhancement.
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Breast form enhancement systems constructed according to principles of this
`
`invention, generally comprise a pair of breast forms adjoined by an enhancement
`
`connector. FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a breast form system 10 of this
`
`invention. The breast form system 10 includes a pair of breast forms 12 adjoined
`
`by a connector 14 that is positioned between opposing surfaces of the two breast
`
`forms. The breast forms 12 each have a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that
`
`enables the breast forms to be removably attached to each of a user’s left and right
`
`breasts. The breast forms 12 are separate articles that are independently placed
`
`on a left and right breast of a user. Each of the breast forms 12 has the same
`
`structure, except one is designed to support and enhance the left breast and the
`
`other is designed to support and enhance the right breast. Furthermore, each
`
`breast form is designed to adjoin with a portion of the connector 14, which allows
`
`the connector 14 to adjoin the two breast forms.
`
`Generally, the user of the breast form system 10 positions the pressure
`
`sensitive adhesive layer of each of the breast forms 12 on the left and right breasts,
`
`and then adjoins the breast forms to each other by engaging the connector 14. The
`
`user can create varying degrees of breast cleavage and breast push-up enhancement
`
`depending on where the breast forms are positioned on the user’s breasts and how
`
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`IPR 2017-00044
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`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 14 of 26
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`48370/GTL/B437
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`much the connector 14 pulls the two breast forms towards each other. Furthermore,
`
`the placement of the connector relative to the top and bottom of the breast forms
`
`will impact the degree of cleavage and push-up enhancement. Accordingly, the
`
`breast form system 10 enables the user to position the breast forms at a position
`
`that creates a desired breast shape, and also allows the user to control the amount
`
`of cleavage and push-up enhancement by adjoining the breast forms with the
`connector.
`
`10
`
`15
`
`The breast form system 10 can be formed from several different types of
`
`breast forms 12. The breast forms 12 are intended to include all types of externally
`
`worn articles that can be worn to enhance or replace a user’s breasts. These
`
`include, but are not limited to, breast forms made from a volume of silicone gel
`
`encased by a thermoplastic film material. The breast forms also include any liquid,
`
`air, or gel encased by any foam, plastic, rubber, fabric, or molded unwoven fiber
`
`material, as well as any solid material that is suitable for external breast
`
`enhancement, such as a foam, soft rubber, fabric, molded unwoven fiber, or plastic.
`
`Accordingly, it is understood that a wide range of materials, structures, and sizes
`
`are within the scope of the breast forms 12 for purposes of this invention.
`A front view of the breast forms 12 is shown in FIG. 1. Each breast form 12
`
`20
`
`has a top 16, a bottom 18 opposite the top, an outer side 20, and an inner side 22
`
`opposite the outer side. Each breast form also defines an inner top 24, an inner
`
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`middle 26, and an inner bottom 28. Referring to FIG. 2, each breast form 12 defines
`two surfaces relative to the user,aé£.°ih‘1§e;i:r surface 30 facing towards the user’s
`
`breasts, and an exterior surface 32 facing opposite the interior surface and away
`
`from the user’s breasts. The interior surface 30 includes a pressure sensitive
`
`adhesive layer 33 that adjoins the breast forms to the user’s skin.
`
`The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 can include any type of pressure
`
`sensitive adhesive (PSA) that is suitable for removably attaching a breast form to
`
`a user’s skin, such as various types and forms of double-sided tape and permanently
`
`grown PSAs.. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 allows the user to place each
`
`of the breast forms at a position on the user’s breasts that will create a desired
`
`shape and look of the breasts. The amount and type of PSA comprising the pressure
`
`sensitive adhesive layer 33 can vary, as can the portions of the interior surface that
`
`have the pressure sensitive adhesive layer. Various factors can contribute to the
`
`30
`
`35
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`-5-
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 15 of 26
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`483 70/GTL/B437
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`amount, type, and placement of the pressure sensitive adhesive layer such as the
`
`size, shape, and weight of the breast form.
`The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 is preferably a re-jsable PSA that
`"(fl‘1fifl3E£E?w¥f“a"
`is permanently grown to the interior surface 30 of each breast form
`
`adhesives, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 will not readily shift once it is
`
`positioned on the user and can be re-used repeatedly without losing its adhesive
`
`properties. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 has an adhesion force to the
`
`breast forms 12 that is greater than a cohesion force to the user’s skin. The
`
`pressure sensitive adhesive layer is further able to withstand tremendous
`
`movement and pressure from the user without slipping and can even be subjected
`
`to water or sweat without degeneration of the adhesive properties. In fact, if the
`
`pressure sensitive adhesive layer becomes dirty (i.e. collects unwanted particles
`
`such as dust, lint, or debris), it can be cleaned with soap and water to remove the
`
`unwanted particles and fully restore the adhesive properties.
`
`The breast forms 12 are each adapted to accommodate the connector 14. The
`
`connector 14 can have many different forms, but generally will have two or more
`
`separate portions, where a first portion attaches to one breast form and a second
`
`portion attaches to the other breast form. The first and second portions of the
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`connector are designed to engage each other in order to adjoin the two breast forms.
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`Furthermore, the separate portions of the connector 14 can be either permanently
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`or removably attached to the breast forms. It is also possible for the connector 14
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`to be a single unit that removably attaches to both breast forms. The manner in
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`which the connector 14 attaches to the breast forms will vary depending on the
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`particular structures of the breast forms and the connector.
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`The breast form system 10 shown in FIG.
`
`1 can represent various
`
`combinations of breast forms 12 and connectors 14. In one embodiment, each of the
`
`breast forms 12 includes a volume of silicone gel material encased within a flexible
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`thermoplastic film material, such as polyurethane or the like. The thermoplastic
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`film material can be in the form of two separate sheets that are heat sealed together
`
`along a perimeter surface where the interior surface 30 and the exterior surface 32
`
`meet. Additionally, the breast forms can further comprise an optional fabric layer
`
`that is permanently joined to the thermoplastic film material.
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 16 of 26
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`48370/GTL/B437
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`The fabric layer and thermoplastic film material are permanently and
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`inseparably adjoined by heat lamination or other similar processes. Referring to
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`Fig. 3, a side cross-sectional View of the breast form 12 is shown, wherein the breast
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`form has two sheets of thermoplastic film material 34 encasing a volume of silicone
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`gel material 36, and one of the sheets also has an optional fabric layer. The two
`sheets 34 are heat sealed along the perimeter of the breast form along point 38. A
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`fabric layer 40 is permanently adjoined to the sheet 34 that defines the interior
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`itive adhesive layer 33 is permanently grown to the
`p're€fi51é'e{gen
`surface 30. T
`bric layer can be adjoined to the sheet defining the
`f desi ed, t e
`fabric layer 410‘
`exterior surface 32, or can be adjoined to both sheets. The fabric layer 40 can be
`
`made from any suitable material, such as a two-way or four-way stretchable
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`material that allows the breast form to conform to the user’s breast shape.
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`Another embodiment of the breast form system includes one or more of the
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`breast forms being specially designed to accommodate sagging breasts. Known
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`breast forms are not well suited for women with sagging breasts because the breast
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`forms have a greater thickness near the lower portion of the breast form, which
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`would only further accentuate the sag in the user’s breast when the breast form is
`
`positioned over the user’s breast. A side-view of a breast form 120 that is designed
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`to accommodate sagging breasts is shown in FIG. 4.
`
`More specifically, the breast form 120 shown in FIG. 4 has a top 140 and a
`bottom 160 opposite the top. The breast form also defines an apex or center 180,
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`which is approximately the middle distance between the top 140 and the bottom
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`160. The portion of the breast form above the center 180 defines an upper portion
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`200, and the portion below the center portion defines a lower portion 220. The
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`breast form 120 has a greater thickness at the upper portion 200 than a thickness
`
`at the lower portion 220. This design feature is apparent from the side View in Fig.
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`4, where the thickness of the upper portion 200 is noticeably greater than the
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`thickness of the lower portion 220. As a result, the breast form 120 will counter-
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`balance the natural effects of gravity and sag in the user’s breast by enhancing the
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`size of the flatter, non-sagging portion of the breast (i.e. where the upper portion
`
`200 will be positioned), thereby creating the appearance of a fuller, more evenly
`distributed breast.
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 17 of 26
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`483 70/GTL/B437
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`The connector 14 can be adjoined to the breast form at the interior surface 30
`
`or the exterior surface 32, or both surfaces. Further, the connector can be adjoined
`
`to either the thermoplastic film material or the fabric layer, or both. Because the
`
`particular material used to construct the breast forms will vary (i.e. thermoplastic
`
`film, rubber, fabric, etc.), the material to which the connector is adjoined should be
`
`able to withstand a number of different pulling forces without separating from the
`breast forms.
`
`Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the connector 14 is shown as an adjustable
`
`clasp assembly. In FIG. 5a the connector 14 has a first portion 42 attached to the
`
`inner side 22 of one of the breast forms 12, and a second portion 44 attached to the
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`inner side 22 of the other breast form 12. The first portion and the second portion
`
`are designed to engage each other in order to adjoin the two breast forms. It does
`
`not matter to which of the breast forms the first portion 42 and the second portion
`
`44 are attached, so long as the first and second portions are oriented towards each
`
`other in a manner that allows them to cooperatively engage. The first portion 42
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`is shown having a clasp 46 that is adapted to fit within a plurality of loops 48 that
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`are disposed on the second portion 44. The first portion and second portion are
`
`shown prior to being engaged. FIG. 5b shows the first portion 42 engaged with the
`
`second portion 44, such that the connector 14 has adjoined the two breast forms 12.
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`The clasp 46 is shown engaging the first of the three loops 48 of the second portion.
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`Because the connector 14 is adjustable, the user could engage the clasp 46 with one
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`of the other loops, which would result in the two breast forms being pulled closer
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`towards each other, thereby creating more cleavage between the user’s breasts.
`
`In FIGS. 5a and 5b, the connector 14 is shown permanently fixed to the breast
`
`forms. More specifically, the first portion 42 and second portion 42 are permanently
`
`attached to the inner sides of the breast forms 12. However, it is possible for the
`
`first portion and second portion to be removably attached to the breast forms. For
`
`example, the first portion and second portion could attach to the breast forms by
`
`way of a button type assembly that snaps through a small hole in each of the breast
`
`forms. This would allows both portions of the connector to be removed from the
`
`breast forms, which would allow the user to wear the breast forms without
`
`adjoining the breast forms.
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`"ITIE5:IE1:EiiiIEII‘E
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`m:'.‘[II"III?E"121:III
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
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`Page 18 of 26
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`483 70/GTL/B437
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`Another embodiment of the breast form system 10 is shown in FIG. 6. Again,
`
`the breast forms 12 can be any suitable type. The connector 14 is a single unit, as
`
`opposed to having two separate portions that adjoin. In the single unit shown, the
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`connector 14 has a body 50 with a pair of hooks 52 attached at each end of the body.
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`The body can be made of any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or various
`
`fabrics, such as an elastic fabric. The hooks 52 are adapted to slide into and engage
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`‘ETIEII“III?
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`"III?EEEIIfjiahis
`Emfiflfiu“
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`a pair of loops 54 that are attached to the inner sides 22 of each breast forms. The
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`10
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`loops 54 are shown permanently attached to the inner sides of each breast form, and
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`have a size that provides for a snug fit between the hooks and the loops. The loops
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`an be made to detach from the breast forms and can vary in size. Generally, the
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`user will slide one of the hooks 52 into one of the loops 54, and then slide the other
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`hook through the other loop, which adjoins the two breast forms together.
`Another embodiment of the connector 14 is shown in FIG. 7. Similar to FIG.
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`6, the connector 14 is a single unit that engages openings that extend from each
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`breast form. The connector 14 has a rigid body 56 with a pair of rigid arms 58
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`extending from each end of the body. The arms 58 are adapted to snap into
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`receptacles 60 that extend from the inner side of each breast form. Once the arms
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`are snapped into the receptacles, the two breast forms are engaged.
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`The single unit connectors shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can each be made into
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`more than one piece, or configured to attach (either permanently or removably) to
`
`the one or more of the breast forms. For example, in FIG. 6, rather than having a
`
`pair of hooks 52 attached at both ends of the connector body 50, a single hook could
`
`be attached at one end of the body 50 and the other end of the body could be fixed
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`to one of the breast forms. In this configuration, one breast form would have a loop
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`54 extending from its inner side, and the other breast form would have the body of
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`the connector with a hook attached thereto. Therefore, it is understood that there
`
`are many possible configurations for the connector 14 and the manner in which it
`connects to the breast forms.
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`30
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`Iflaking minor alterations to the connector 14 a o the breast forms. For example,
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`Further embodiments of the breast for system 10 can be achieved by
`
`referring to FIG. 5a, the first portion 42 an
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`a seco (1 portion 44 could be mating
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`portions for a Velcro strap. Also, the ecept cles 60 shown in FIG. 7 could be
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`35
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`changed in shape to be circular or culd b made into metal or plastic rings.
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`
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page19of26
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`‘I
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`.)
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`48370/GTL/B437
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`Further, the connector 14 could simply be a piece of string, 0 r the like, that passes
`
`through the rings and allows the user to tie a knot to adjoi o the two breast forms.
`
`An additional embodiment is shown in FIG. 8, wherein t
`
`- connector 14 includes
`
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`a mounting strap 62 and a pair of plugs 64. The mounti - ~
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`strap 62 has a plurality
`
`of holes that are adapted to engagingly receive the pl gs 0 4. The breast forms each
`
`have a receptacle 60. The user adjoins the breast fo In
`
`
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`on the mounting strap with each of the receptacls .a (1 then inserting the plugs
`
`through the receptacles and mounting strap. The u -
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`
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`adjust the amount of
`
`breast cleavage by adjoining the breast forms closer t gether on the mounting strap.
`
`The manner in which any of the permanently or removably attached portions
`
`of the connector are adjoined to the breast forms can vary. The same is true with
`
`respect to portions of the breast form that are adapted to engage the connector. The
`
`various portions of the connector and the breast form could be attached by stitching,
`
`heat sealing, adhesives, or any other suitable means. For example, the connector
`
`can be part of a sub—assembly that attaches to the breast forms. Referring to FIG.
`
`10, the breast form system of FIG. 6 is shown further comprising a pair of connector
`
`patches 66. The connector patches 66 are each a subassembly that houses the loops
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`54, which receive the hooks 52 in order to adjoin the breast forms. Accordingly, the
`
`loops are integrally joined to the connector patches 66, which separately adjoin to
`
`the breast forms. The connector patches can have many different shapes and sizes,
`
`and can be made from a number of materials, such as a fabric of film material. For
`
`example, if the subassembly is made of a thermoplastic film, then it can be heat
`
`sealed to the interior or exterior surface of the breast form, or the connector patch
`
`can have a permanently grown adhesive that allows the subassembly to be
`
`removably attached to the breast form. Therefore, many options exist for adjoining
`the connector with the breast forms.
`
`The various features of the breast form system 10 allow it to serve as a
`
`replacement for the traditional bra, yet also provide breast size and shape
`
`enhancement. Moreover, the user is able to customize the amount of breast
`
`cleavage and push-up enhancement. Unlike traditional bras, the present breast
`
`form system 10 has no straps or cups that are usually necessary to hold the user’s
`breasts or an external breast form or enhancement device. The user can wear the
`
`present breast form system without needing to wear any other type of bra. The
`
`""iii!"5E251‘IliiuIEI"II-
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`Panties Plus, Inc. v. Bragel International, Inc.
`IPR 2017-00044
`
`Patent Owner Exhibit 2026
`
`Page 20 of 26
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