Patent Application
20190014829
This disclosure herein resides generally in the art of brassieres, and more particularly, to a brassiere that contains three layers that provide the wearer with a fashionable undergarment that affords the wearer with the ability to use a breast pump or to breast feed an infant without removing the brassiere.
Breast milk offers several advantages over manufactured formula as a food source for infants. It is well known that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends that women breastfeed their infants for at least one year. During this time, it is advantageous for the breastfeeding woman to have garments that facilitate breastfeeding, and breast pumping when a woman cannot nurse her infant. While many women are able to nurse their infants directly from their breast, there are many reasons a woman may need or choose to pump milk for her child.
Many women like to pump their milk to give to their infant if regular breastfeeding is uncomfortable or if the woman is unable to directly nurse her baby. For many reasons, many mothers use a breast pump. Breast pump systems for breast milk expression are well known. They use either electric or mechanical means for creating a vacuum to aid in breast milk expression. Both types conventionally have funnel portions that are held against a woman's breast to both introduce the vacuum to the nipples and to catch the expressed breast milk. The vacuum draws breast milk from a nipple through the funnel portion to a breast milk container for subsequent use.
Several brassieres and other garments have been developed that hold the funnel to the breast so that the mother does not need to hold the funnels while pumping (see U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,094,217, and 8,307,463). However, many of these garments do not effectively hold the pump funnels in place, are uncomfortable, or are impractical for daily wear. Not only are these garments both uncomfortable and impractical, they also do not allow the woman to be able to wear a bra that also mimics and exudes the same style and visual benefits that a normal brassiere would provide for them. There is currently no garment that comfortably allows the wearer both to pump hands-free, and nurse her infant through the use of several detachable layers that cover the breast area in a fashionable way.
Therefore, a need exists for a garment that can allow for a woman to accrue the style and visual benefits that a normal brassiere provides, while at the same time also allows for hands-free pumping and allows the woman to breastfeed, all while providing comfort and discretion and with the woman not having to completely take off the brassiere when pumping and or breastfeeding.
The needs apparent from the deficiencies of the prior art as noted above are satisfied by various embodiments of the disclosure presented directly below and as will become apparent in detail with reference to the drawings and detailed description.
In a first embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra comprising: two shoulder straps; two cup portions, each cup portion comprising: a detachable outer layer connected at a top portion thereof to an associated shoulder strap; an inner layer adapted to be directly positioned over a breast of a wearer of the bra and attached at a top portion thereof to said associated shoulder strap; and a detachable middle layer connected at to portions thereof to the inner layer; and an inelastic hem interconnecting bottom portions of said detachable outer layer, inner layer, and said detachable middle layer of each said cup system.
In a second embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in the first embodiment, wherein the detachable outer layers are made from the material selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, or combinations thereof.
In a third embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in either the first or second embodiment, wherein the inner layers are made from the material selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, or combinations thereof.
In a fourth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through third embodiments, wherein the detachable middle layers are made from the material selected from the group consisting of cotton, nylon, rayon, polyester, or combinations thereof.
In a fifth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through fourth embodiments, wherein each said inner layer contains a large aperture exposing a majority of an associated breast of the wearer when the detachable outer layer and detachable middle layer are detached.
In a sixth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through fifth embodiments, wherein each said inner layer contains a large opening granting access to a majority of an associated breast of the wearer when the detachable outer layer and detachable middle layer are detached.
In a seventh embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through sixth embodiments, wherein each said detachable middle layer contains a small aperture over an associated nipple of the wearer, said small aperture being capable of receiving a funnel portion of a breast pump when the detachable outer layer is detached.
In an eighth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through seventh embodiments, wherein the two shoulder straps are adjustable in length.
In a ninth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through eighth embodiments, wherein the two shoulder straps each contain a detachable clasp.
In a tenth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through ninth embodiments, wherein each of the detachable outer layers contains a detachable clasp which connects to the detachable clasps of the shoulder straps when the detachable outer layers are attached.
In an eleventh embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through tenth embodiments, wherein each inner layer contains a detachable clasp.
In a twelfth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through eleventh embodiments, further comprising each of the middle layers contains a detachable clasp which connects to the detachable clasps of the inner layers when the middle layers are attached.
In a thirteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through twelfth embodiments, wherein further comprising an underwire and wherein bottom portions of said detachable outer layer, the inner layer and the detachable middle layer are connected to the underwire.
In a fourteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through thirteenth embodiments, wherein further comprising at least two side/back portions connected to the inelastic hem and wherein the at least two side/back portions are adapted to attach at the backside of the wearer so as to secure the bra to the wearer.
In a fifteenth embodiment, the present invention provides a pumping and nursing bra as in any of the first through fourteenth embodiments, wherein the shoulder straps terminate and are connected to the at least two side/back portions.
For a complete understanding of the various aspects of the disclosure, reference should be made to the following detailed description and accompanying drawings wherein:
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
Each outer layer 14 is connected to a shoulder strap 12 with a clasp 18, 19 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, hook piece 18 is connected to outer layer 14 and eye piece 19 is attached to shoulder strap 12. Other fastening means that are easily detachable may be used and do not depart from the scope of the invention. Each fastening means 18 and 19 can be open and closed independently, so that either one breast or both may be exposed at a time. When fastening means 18 and 19 are detached, outer layer 14 can then be folded down so as to expose each middle layer 15 of each cup portion 11, as shown in
Underwire 17 also attaches to an inelastic or substantially inelastic hem 20, which as shown in
The side/back pieces 21 connect by means of a clasp 22, 23 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, multiple hook pieces 22 are present in sets of two on one side of bra 10, and a single set of eye pieces 23 are present on the other side of bra 10. The multiple hook pieces 22 allow for the wearer of bra 10 to adjust the overall size of bra 10 as needed.
As stated above,
Each middle layer 15 is connected to each inner layer 16 with a clasp 24, 25 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, hook piece 24 is connected to each middle layer 14 and eye piece 25 is attached to each inner layer 16. Other fastening means that are easily detachable may be used and do not depart from the scope of the invention. Each fastening means 24, 25 can be open and closed independently, so that either one breast or both may be exposed at a time. When fastening means 24 and 25 are detached, each middle layer 15 can then be folded down so as to expose each inner layer 16 of each cup portion 11 of bra 10, as shown in
In one embodiment, each middle layer 15 covers a breast and also includes a small aperture 26 which rests over and around each nipple 51 of the wearer. By use of the term aperture, it is meant to define a hole in middle layer 15 that is surrounded on all sides by the material that makes each middle layer 15. In some embodiments the aperture 26 can be in the shape of a keyhole, such a keyhole shape is shown in
In one embodiment, each inner layer 16 covers the top portion of the breasts and also includes a large aperture 27 which rests over and around the area surrounding the areola of the wearer. By use of the term aperture, it is meant to define a hole in each inner layer 16 that is surrounded on all sides by the material that makes each inner layer 16. Large apertures 27 are capable of exposing a majority of the breast so that the wearer of bra 10 can easily breastfeed her child. Large apertures 27 of the this embodiment are advantageous; as their shape and size are large enough to expose enough of the breast to make breastfeeding easy for both mother and child, while at the same time not exposing more of the breast than is necessary.
The shoulder straps 12, along with the underwire 17, and the material which makes up the outer layers 14, the middle layers 15, and the inner layers 16, combine to provide the support necessary for the breasts of a wearer when a wearer is wearing bra 10, without the need for an elastic band or similar structure running along the bottom of bra 10 to support the breasts.
Referring now to the drawings and more particularly to
Similarly to outer layer 14 of bra 10, outer layer 114 of bra 100 is connected to a shoulder strap 112 with a clasp 118 and 119 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, hook piece 118 is connected to an outer layer 114 and eye piece 119 is attached to a shoulder strap 112. Other fastening means that are easily detachable may be used and do not depart from the scope of the invention. Each fastening means 118 and 119 can be open and closed independently, so that either one breast or both may be exposed at a time. When fastening means 118 and 119 are detached (as shown in
Underwire 117 also attaches to an inelastic or substantially inelastic hem 120, which as shown in
The side/back pieces 121 connect by means of a clasp 122, 123 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, multiple hook pieces 122 are present in sets of two on one side of bra 100, and a single set of eye pieces 123 are present on the other side of bra 100. The multiple hook pieces 122 allow for the wearer of bra 100 to adjust the overall size of bra 100 as needed. Clasps 122 and 123 close in a similar manner of clasp 22 and 23 as shown in
Similarly to middle layer 15 of bra 10, each middle layer 115 of bra 100 is connected to an inner layer 116 with a clasp 124, 125 or other fastening means that are easily detachable by the wearer. In one embodiment, hook piece 124 is connected to a middle layer 114 and eye piece 125 is attached to an inner layer 116. Other fastening means that are easily detachable may be used and do not depart from the scope of the invention. Each fastening means 124, 125 can be open and closed independently, so that either one breast or both may be exposed at a time. When fastening means 124 and 125 are detached, each middle layer 115 can then be folded down so as to expose each inner layer 116 of bra 100, as shown in
In one embodiment, each middle layer 115 covers a breast and also includes a small aperture 126 which rests over and around a nipple 51 of the wearer. By use of the term aperture, it is meant to define a hole in middle layer 115 that is surrounded on all sides by the material that makes each middle layer 115. When a wearer is using a breast pump, bra 100 sits on chest 50 of the woman and aperture 126 rests over and around a nipple 51 of the woman. Apertures 126 are capable of receiving the funnel shaped portion of breast pump 102, and holding it to the breast of the wearer during the pumping process. Apertures 126 of this embodiment are advantageous; as their shape and size are minimal enough to secure the funnels of pump 102 to the breast such that the wearer can pump without the assistance of her hands to hold them in place. Other shapes and sizes of apertures 126 are contemplated and do not depart from the scope of the invention as long as they facilitate hands-free pumping for the wearer.
In one embodiment, each inner layer 116 runs along the outer side of a breast while also supporting the bottom portion of a breast. With this alignment, each inner layer 116 of bra 100 leaves exposed a large portion of the breast with large opening 127. By use of the term opening, it is meant to define an area in each inner layer 116 that is not surrounded on all sides by the material that makes each inner layer 116 and which grants access to a majority of the breast of the wearer. Large openings 127 are capable of exposing a majority of the breast so that the wearer of bra 100 can easily breastfeed their child. Large openings 127 of this embodiment are advantageous; as their shape and size are large enough to expose enough of the breast to make breastfeeding easy for both mother and child. Because each inner layer 116 supports the bottom portion of the breasts, it acts similarly to a sling in holding the breast upright so that the wearer of bra 100 can easily and comfortably pump milk and/or nurse an infant while wearing bra 100.
The shoulder straps 112, along with the underwire 117, and the material which makes up each outer layer 114, each middle layer 115, and each inner layer 116, combine to provide the support necessary for the breasts of a wearer when a wearer is wearing bra 100, without the need for an elastic band or similar structure running along the bottom of bra 100 to support the breasts.
In light of the foregoing, it should be appreciated that the present invention significantly advances the art by providing a pumping and nursing bra that is structurally and functionally improved in a number of ways. While particular embodiments of the invention have been disclosed in detail herein, it should be appreciated that the invention is not limited thereto or thereby inasmuch as variations on the invention herein will be readily appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art. The scope of the invention shall be appreciated from the claims that follow.
