Patent Application
20240277080
This invention relates generally to a type of strapless adhesive breast cover.
Various types of breasts supports and covers have been proposed, including U.S. Pat. No. 7,152,606 B1 (SCHINDLER) 26 Dec. 2006 which discloses a nipple cover gradually tapering to edges thereof so that the periphery of the cover blends smoothly with a curved portion of the breast while concealing a nipple shape.
JP 3152752 U (ITUKO AOYAMA) 13 Aug. 2009 discloses a brassiere that is less likely to cause eczema, sweat, etc. even when directly adhered to a bust.
WO 2013004168 A1 (WEN JINJI & RHEE JE HO) 10 Jan. 2013 seeks to provide a breathable bonded body pad, which comprises a main part of the body pad and a breathable adhesive layer.
EP 1736066 A1 (PERFECT FORM INTERNATIONAL PTY LTD) 27 Dec. 2006 discloses a backless strapless bra has a pair of silicone gel cups, each with a convex outer surface and a concave inner face with a nipple cavity (16) and an annular adhesive layer extending from the cavity to the periphery (10)
US 20060276104 A1 (DAVIS) 7 Dec. 2006 discloses an adhesive bra which includes a shaped cup portion and an upper extension portion extending from an upper end of the cup portion.
U.S. Pat. No. 8,029,332 B2 (NADSADY ET AL.) 4 Oct. 2011 provides a reusable adhesive bra having an adhesive coating adapted to be removably fastened to a respective one of a user's breasts and having the substantially centrally disposed hole surrounding a respective one of the user's nipples.
The present invention seeks to provide a breast cover and method of use thereof, which will overcome or substantially ameliorate at least some of the deficiencies of the prior art, or to at least provide an alternative.
It is to be understood that, if any prior art information is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the information forms part of the common general knowledge in the art, in Australia or any other country.
There is provided herein a method of wearing a pair of breast covers wherein each breast cover forms a cup shape defining a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface.
Each cover defines an ovular cross section having a major axis and a minor axis and each cover is symmetric with respect to the major axis and asymmetric with respect to the minor axis.
Furthermore, each cover has a peripheral adhesive layer on the inner surface thereby defining an adhesive-free central portion at an intersection of the axes.
The method comprises adhering the covers to respective breasts in first orientations generally symmetric with a centre line therebetween for a first type of garment and in second orientations generally symmetric with the centre line therebetween for a second type of garment.
The symmetry along the major axis allows each cover to be worn interchangeably on either breast, and the asymmetry along the minor axis allows the covers to be worn at different orientations depending on the type of garment.
For example, the covers may be worn orientated upwardly for a low V-neck-style dress, inwardly for a halter-neck-style top, outwardly for a racer-style top or further inwardly for a strapless top.
Furthermore, the collocation of the adhesive-free portion at the intersection of the axes allows the covers to be worn in any orientation without painful adhesion of the nipple.
In embodiments, the cover comprises a minimum diameter of 10 cm. As such, the present covers are larger than conventional nipple covers and contour separately around each breast. The covers can be orientated or worn higher or lower depending on the garment and the amount of cover required. The size and shape of the present covers allow for the wearing thereof on the front of the breast and therefore can accommodate breasts of different shapes and sizes.
Furthermore, the present covers preferably minimise adhesive to reduce discomfort. More specifically, the peripheral adhesive layer may occupy less than approximately half the width of the inner surface along the minor axis and less than approximately half the width of the inner surface along the major axis.
The peripheral adhesive layer may have a substantially uniform radial width so that the adhesive-free layer has the same shape of that of a boundary of the inner surface. As such, the present arrangement maximises the size of the adhesive-free layer whilst securely adhering the periphery of the cover to each breast, ensuring adequate purchase. The maximisation of the adhesive-free portion allows movement tolerance without adhering the nipple, especially along the major axis, thereby allowing each cover to be worn higher or lower depending on the garment.
The covers may comprise a stretchable material so that each cover can be stretched along either axis to conform to the size and shape of the breast.
In embodiments, the cover comprises a sponge layer between stretchable fabric cover layers. These layers may taper towards the peripheral edges thereof to blend seamlessly into clothing whilst allowing a minimum thickness at a central region thereof to conceal the contour of the nipple. In embodiments, the adhesive layer comprises perforations therethrough allowing for breathability through the sponge and fabric layers.
Other aspects of the invention are also disclosed.
Notwithstanding any other forms which may fall within the scope of the present invention, preferred embodiments of the disclosure will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:
With reference to
As shown in
The peripheral adhesive layer 105 preferably occupies less than approximately half the width of the inner surface 101 along the minor axis 104. Furthermore, the peripheral adhesive layer 105 also preferably occupies less than approximately half the width of the inner surface 101 along the major axis 103.
In the embodiment shown, the peripheral adhesive layer 105 comprises a substantially uniform radial width. In other words, the peripheral adhesive layer 105 forms a substantially uniform width ovular band around the edge of the inner surface 101. As such, the adhesive-free central portion 106 may have substantially the same shape as a boundary 107 of the inner surface 101 which maximises the length thereof along the major axis 103.
The peripheral adhesive layer 105 preferably comprises a reusable adhesive. Preferably, the reusable adhesive is natural and/or hypoallergenic so as to be suited for the sensitive skin of the breast.
As shown in
The peripheral adhesive layer 105 preferably avoids the boundary 107 of the inner surface 101. Preferably, the peripheral adhesive layer 105 avoids the boundary 107 by between 5 and 10 mm, approximately 5 mm in an embodiment.
The cover 100 may comprise a minimum diameter of 10 cm. The cover 100 may be divided in three sizes comprising a small size having a length of approximately 13 cm and a width of approximately 10.5 cm, a medium-size having a length of approximately 14 cm and a width of approximately 11 cm and a large-size having a length of approximately 15 cm and a width of approximately 12 cm.
The cover 100 preferably comprises a material so that the cover 100 is stretchable along either axis 103, 104.
With reference
The adhesive layer 105 preferably comprises perforations 111 therethrough. Preferably, each perforation 111 is greater than 1 mm in diameter and have a maximum 5 mm apart density. Where the cover 100 comprises the sponge layer 109 and the fabric covering 110, the perforations 100 may allow breathability therethrough.
In embodiments, the cover 100 may have a triaxial symmetry wherein, in a particular embodiment, the cover 100 is the shape of a curved triangle, which may be a Reuleaux triangle having a constant width. In accordance with this embodiment, the cover 100 may be worn with any of the corners aligned in various orientations for different types of dresses. In accordance with this embodiment, the peripheral adhesive layer may yet form a band conform in shape with the edges of the cover 100.
Specifically,
The foregoing description, for purposes of explanation, used specific nomenclature to provide a thorough understanding of the invention. However, it will be apparent to one skilled in the art that specific details are not required in order to practise the invention. Thus, the foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the invention are presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise forms disclosed as obviously many modifications and variations are possible in view of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the invention and its practical applications, thereby enabling others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the following claims and their equivalents define the scope of the invention.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021901836 | Jun 2021 | AU | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/AU2022/050606 | 6/17/2022 | WO |
