Patent Application
20160095743
The present invention broadly relates to a device for treating, preventing and relieving breastfeeding conditions, and, more particularly, to a thermal device arranged to be disposed between the inner surface of a bra and a breast of a user.
Thermal devices are well known in the art. Both heating and icing, also known as thermotherapy and cryotherapy, respectively, can be effective remedies for treating various ailments. For example, ice is used to calm damaged tissues that are inflamed, red, hot and swollen as inflammation can be incredibly painful and persistent. Ice is commonly used as part of the initial treatment for sprains and strains, and other injuries. In particular, cold slows down blood flow to an injury, thereby reducing pain and swelling. Cryotherapy slows circulation, reducing inflammation, muscle spasm, and pain. One problem with icing is that putting the ice pack directly on the skin, using it for longer periods, or applying it too often could result in tissue damage, including frostbite.
Conversely, heat is used to ease the pain of muscle spasms and trigger points, or conditions that are often dominated by them, like back and neck pain. Heat is generally recommended for chronic aches and pains, or new and minor muscular pains. Muscles tend to relax under thermotherapy as the heat can help improve circulation, reduce muscle spasms, and increase range of motion. In particular, heat opens up blood vessels, which increases blood flow and supplies oxygen and nutrients to reduce pain in joints and relax sore muscles, ligaments, and tendons. One problem with heating is that too much heat can harm skin and damage tissue.
During breastfeeding, several types of complications can arise, many of which can be at least partially relieved with either heating or icing. Some of the complications include sore or cracked nipples, painful lumps resulting from a clogged milk duct, mastitis that can result in infection, yeast infections, engorged breasts, etc. Some conditions, such as clogged milk ducts, can be treated with heat to unplug the ducts, whereas other conditions, such as engorged breasts, can be treated by icing to reduce the swelling and allow the ducts to open.
One thermal device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,441,534 (MacWinnie et al.), includes a thermal heat pack for heating the female breast during nursing to reduce swelling and irritation. The thermal heat pack has an inner cavity for a heat conductive gel and a cloth layer stitched to a member. One problem with the thermal heat pack disclosed in the '534 patent is that the thermal heat pack is only able to be heated and not cooled, which results in certain breastfeeding conditions not being able to be treated. Another problem is that the cloth layer is stitched to the member, and thus, the cloth layer is not removable, which can result in unsanitary conditions and lead to infection. Yet another problem is that the thermal heat pack lacks any type of attachment means for securing the device to a bra, which could result in the thermal heat pack becoming dislodged during use. Another problem with the thermal heat pack is that the thermal element is not removable, and thus, cannot be heated separately.
Another thermal device, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,507,794 (Allen), includes an elongated support member having two ends, an adjustable securing member for removably securing the support member ends, at least one breast pouch disposed on the support member, a positioning member for removably positioning the breast pouch, and a temperature regulator positioned in the breast pouch for imparting a predetermined temperature to the wearer's breast regions to relieve the discomforts of swelling and tenderness thereof.
However, for a nursing mother, many problems arise if milk leaks from the nipple of her breast while using Allen's patented thermal device. For example, a nursing mother is required to wash the entire removable breast pouch and/or support member if excess milk leaks from the nipple of her breast and onto the thermal device. Further, Allen's device does not protect excess milk from leaking through the breast pouch and onto a bra, outer clothing, and/or material contacting the breast pouch, such as a bed sheet.
United States Patent Application No. 2012/0090072 (Oprandi et al.) discloses a hospital garment with adjustable pockets. The pockets have an inner chamber lined with water proof material (i.e., plastic) to prevent condensation or other wetness from the hot/cold therapy packs from seeping through to the skin of the patient. Even though the inner chamber lined with water proof material may prevent wetness from seeping out of the inner chamber, it does not prevent wetness applied to the rear outer surface of the pocket from seeping to the front outer surface of the pocket. In other words, the configuration disclosed by Oprandi et al. enables the front absorbent outer surface of the pocket to absorb any liquid absorbed by the rear absorbent outer surface of the pocket because both outer surfaces are absorbent and in contact with each other with no intervening hydrophobic material. This is a problem for nursing mothers because excess leakage of milk will seep around to the front of the pouch and onto the outer clothing.
Thus, there is a long-felt need for a thermal device where the thermal element does not directly contact the skin to prevent damage to the skin and surrounding tissue. There is also a long-felt need for a thermal device that can be used for both heating and cooling the breast. Additionally, there is a long-felt need for a thermal device, having a pouch with a removable thermal insert that can be heated separately. Also, there is a long-felt need for a thermal device that prevents liquid to seep from the rear of the device to the front of the device. Furthermore, there is a long-felt need for a thermal device having a barrier member removably secured to the pouch, such that the barrier member, which contacts the breast, is washable to prevent possible infections and can be soaked to provide moist heat therapy or gentle cooling therapy.
The present invention comprises a thermal device having a waterproof pouch including a first member having a first perimeter and an first outer surface, and, a second member having a second perimeter and a waterproof second outer surface, wherein the first and second members are partially joined about the first and second perimeter, respectively, whereby a cavity is formed between the first and second members, an insert arranged to be removably disposed within the cavity, wherein the insert comprises thermal material capable of being heated or cooled, and, a barrier member having an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the barrier member is releasably secured to the first outer surface of the first member via at least one attachment means.
The present invention also comprises a thermal device having a pouch including a first member having a first perimeter and a first waterproof outer surface, a second member having a second perimeter and a second waterproof outer surface, wherein the first and second members are partially joined about the first and second perimeter, respectively, whereby a cavity is formed between the first and second members, an insert removably disposed within the cavity, wherein the insert comprises thermal material capable of being heated or cooled, a barrier member having a third perimeter and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the barrier member is releasably secured to the first outer surface of the first member via at least one attachment means, each perimeter has a corresponding length, and, the length of the third perimeter is substantially the same as the length of the second perimeter.
The present invention also comprises a thermal device having a waterproof pouch including a first member having a first perimeter and a first waterproof outer surface, and, a second member having a second perimeter and a second waterproof outer surface, wherein the first and second members are partially joined about the first and second perimeter, respectively, whereby a cavity is formed between the first and second members, an insert arranged to be removably disposed within the cavity, wherein the insert comprises thermal material capable of being heated or cooled, and, a barrier member having a third perimeter and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the barrier member is releasably secured to the outer surface of the first member via at least one attachment means, and, each perimeter has a corresponding length with the length of the third perimeter substantially the same as the length of the second perimeter.
The present invention also comprises a thermal device having a pouch including a first member having a first perimeter and a first outer surface, and, a second member having a second perimeter and a second outer surface, wherein the first and second members are partially joined about the first and second perimeter, respectively, whereby a cavity is formed between the first and second members, an insert arranged to be removably disposed within the cavity, wherein the insert comprises thermal material capable of being heated or cooled, and, a water proof barrier member having a water proof third outer surface and an inner surface, wherein the inner surface of the water proof barrier member is releasably secured to the first outer surface of the first member via at least one attachment means.
The present invention also comprises a thermal device comprising a pillow having a first member having a first perimeter and a waterproof first outer surface, and, a second member having a second perimeter and a second outer surface, wherein the first and second members are joined about the first and second perimeter, respectively, whereby a chamber is formed between the first and second members, and, thermal material capable of being heated or cooled disposed within the chamber.
A general object of the present invention is to provide a thermal device that can be worn in a bra or without a bra.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal device that protects clothing from any leaking water or milk.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal device that has the option to provide moisture to the skin.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a thermal device that can be placed anywhere on the body.
In one embodiment, the means for securing the thermal device to a bra is a strap, which includes a first end secured to the first member and a second end secured to the second member, where the bra has a strap and the strap of the thermal device is removably secured to the strap of the bra. Additionally, the first end of the strap further comprises at least one attachment means for securing the first end of the strap to the first member. Preferably, the at least one attachment means is a snap fastener. However, it should be appreciated that the attachment means can be any suitable means known in the art, such as a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, removable adhesive, magnets, etc.
Preferably, the portions of the first edge and the second edge are at least partially connected via stitching. However, it should be appreciated that the first edge and the second edge can be secured to one another by any suitable means such as stitching, hook and loop fastener, adhesive, magnets, heat-sealing, etc. Preferably, the barrier member is removably secured to the first member and the attachment means for securing the inner surface of the barrier member to the outer surface of the first member includes at least one hook and loop fastener. However, it should be appreciated that the barrier member can be secured to the first member by any suitable means known in the art, such as hook and loop fastener, removable adhesive, magnets, a snap fastener, etc.
In an embodiment, the pouch is made of a waterproof material, such as a fabric laminated with polyurethane. The waterproof aspect of the pouch is the polyurethane laminate, which is configured on the outside surface of the pouch closest to the bra or clothing. In contrast, the barrier member is made of an absorbent material, such as an absorbent cloth. However, it should be appreciated that any of the components, such as the pouch, the barrier member, the strap, etc., can be made of any suitable material known in the art.
In an embodiment, the pouch is made of absorbent material and the barrier member is made of waterproof material. The barrier member has a waterproof outer surface.
In an embodiment, the thermal device is a pillow having a first member made of absorbent material stitched to a second waterproof member made of a waterproof material. The outer surface of the waterproof member is waterproof.
In one embodiment, the first member has a first perimeter, P1, the second member has a second perimeter, P2, the barrier member has a third perimeter, P3, and the insert has a fourth perimeter, P4. Preferably, the length of the first perimeter, P1, the length of the second perimeter, P2, and the length of the third perimeter, P3, are substantially the same. The length of the fourth perimeter, P4, is less than the lengths of the first perimeter, P1, and the second perimeter, P2. Additionally, the first member, the second member, and the barrier member are substantially circular in shape. However, it should be appreciated that any of the elements of the thermal device can vary in size, shape, and configuration.
In another embodiment, the pouch is formed from a single piece of material. Thus, the portion of the first edge and the portion of the second edge are at least partially integral with one another.
These and other objects, advantages and features of the present invention will be better appreciated by those having ordinary skill in the art in view of the following detailed description of the invention in view of the drawings.
The nature and mode of operation of the present invention will now be more fully described in the following detailed description of the invention taken with the accompanying drawing figures, in which:
At the outset, it should be appreciated that like drawing numbers on different drawing views identify identical, or functionally similar, structural root elements of the invention. Moreover, although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of these embodiments, some embodiments of methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Furthermore, it is understood that this invention is not limited to the particular methodology, materials and modifications described and, as such, may, of course, vary. It is also understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particular aspects only, and is not intended to limit the scope of the present invention, which is limited only by the appended claims.
Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood to one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. It should be appreciated that the term “substantially” is synonymous with terms such as “nearly”, “very nearly”, “about”, “approximately”, “around”, “bordering on”, “close to”, “essentially”, “in the neighborhood of”, “in the vicinity of”, etc., and such terms may be used interchangeably as appearing in the specification and claims. Additionally, the term “thermal” is defined as “being or involving a state of matter dependent upon temperature,” and thus, may be used interchangeably with reference to an element that can be “heated” or “cooled,” as appearing in the specification and claims. Although any methods, devices or materials similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the invention, the preferred methods, devices, and materials are now described.
Adverting now to the figures,
The following should be viewed in light of
As shown in
Moreover, barrier member 12 has barrier outer surface 26a and barrier inner surface 26b. Barrier inner surface 26a is secured to first outer surface 18a of first member 15 via at least one attachment means 28a, 28b. Preferably, barrier inner surface 26b of barrier member 12 is removably secured to first outer surface 18a of first member 15 by attachment means 28a, 28b. Preferably, first attachment means 28a includes first hook portion 29a and first loop portion 31a, where first hook portion 29a is disposed on first outer surface 18a and engages first loop portion 31a disposed on barrier inner surface 26b. Similarly, second attachment means 28b includes second hook portion 29b and second loop portion 31b, where second hook portion 29b is disposed on first outer surface 18a and engages second loop portion 31b disposed on barrier inner surface 26b. Preferably, the barrier member is removable, which is important for sanitary purposes since the barrier member directly contacts the breast. Furthermore, the barrier member is disposable or washable to prevent infections caused by mastitis, thrush, etc. However, it should be appreciated that the barrier member can be secured to the first member by any suitable means known in the art, such as hook and loop fastener, removable adhesive, magnets, a snap fastener, etc. Additionally, the barrier member is made of an absorbent material, such as an absorbent cloth. When used by nursing mothers, milk tends to leak from the nipple of the breast, and thus, the barrier member absorbs any excess milk from leaking onto the bra. Moreover, the barrier member can be soaked in a liquid prior to being secured to the pouch in order to provide moist heat therapy. Moist heat therapy involves applying a moist heat to an affected area in order to bring about relief from the pains and aches caused by muscle injury, muscle strain, sore muscles, clogged milk ducts, mastitis, blebs, engorged breasts, etc. However, it should be appreciated that the barrier member can be made of any suitable material known in the art.
As shown in
As shown in
When in use, user 90 removes insert 14 from pouch 11 and uses a heating or cooling apparatus, such as a microwave, freezer, refrigerator, etc., to heat or cool thermal material 39. However, a heating or cooling apparatus is not required if insert 14 is composed of chemicals that initiate a chemical reaction that generate heat or make the insert cold by either mixing chemicals or triggering a crystallization of the liquid instead making the phase transformation give off heat. Then, insert 14 is placed in opening 24 and disposed within cavity 25. After that, device 10 is disposed between first bra cup 93a and first breast 96a. Device 10 adjusts and conforms to the contours of various sized female breasts to therapeutically heat or cool adjacent skin areas of the breast. It is important that the thermal material does not directly contact the skin after it is heated or cooled, before applying it to the breast, so that it does not damage the surrounding tissue. Additionally, strap 13 is looped around first bra strap 92a and secured via first strap attachment means 34a.
As shown in the various figures, the means for securing device 10 to a bra is strap 13, which includes first end 32 secured to first member 15 and second end 33 secured to second member 16. As mentioned above, strap 13 is removably secured to first bra strap 92a. First end 32 includes first strap attachment means 34a for securing first end 32 of strap 13 to first member 15. Similarly, second end 33 includes second strap attachment means 34b for securing second end 33 of strap 13 to second member 16. Preferably, first strap attachment means 34a removably secures first end 32 to first member 15, while second strap attachment means 34b fixedly secured second end 33 to second member 16. Preferably, first strap attachment means 34a is a snap fastener and includes male part 35a and female part 35b, which matingly engage one another to secure device 10 once strap 13 is looped around first bra strap 92a. Conversely, second strap attachment means 34b fixedly secures second end 33 to second member 16 via stitching. In another embodiment, the second strap attachment means may also removably secure the second end to the second member in order for the strap to be completely removable from the pouch. However, it should be appreciated that the attachment means can be any suitable means known in the art, such as a snap fastener, hook and loop fastener, removable adhesive, magnets, etc.
In one embodiment, first member 15 has a first perimeter, P1, second member 16 has second perimeter, P2, barrier member 12 has third perimeter, P3, and insert 14 has a fourth perimeter, P4. Preferably, the length of first perimeter, P1, the length of second perimeter, P2, and the length of third perimeter, P3, are substantially the same. The length of fourth perimeter, P4, is less than the lengths of first perimeter, P1, and second perimeter, P2. It is important for the length of fourth perimeter, P4, to be less than the lengths of the first and second perimeters, P1, P2, in order for insert 14 to fit within pouch 11. Preferably, first member 15, second member 16, barrier member 12, and insert 14 are substantially circular in shape. However, it should be appreciated that any of these elements can vary in size, shape, and configuration.
Pouch 102 has front member 110 and rear member 118. Rear member 118 is secured to barrier member 106 via hook and loop fasteners 108. Front member 110 is shown as a continuous piece of the same material, however front member 110 can be a separate piece of material stitched to rear member 118. In an example embodiment, front member 110 is made of fabric 114 with polyurethane laminate 112 on the outer surface of the front member. Pouch 102 is water proof due to laminate 112 lining the outer surface of the pouch. Preferably, inner surface 116 of front member 110 is absorbent. Similarly, rear member 118 is made of fabric 122 with polyurethane laminate 120 on the outer surface of the rear member. Preferably, inner surface 124 of rear member 118 is absorbent. Inner surface 116 of the front member and inner surface 124 of the rear member create a cavity to hold insert 104.
Pouch 201 has front member 202 and rear member 204. Rear member 204 is configured to contact the skin of the patient, and front member 202 is configured to be secured to water proof barrier member 214 via hook and loop fasteners 210. Front member 202 is shown as a separate piece of material secured to rear member 204 via stitching 206, however it should be appreciated that the front member can be made of the same continuous piece of material as the rear member or that heat-sealing is used instead of stitching. Preferably, thermal device 200 has front member 202 and rear member 204 made of absorbent material, insert 206 disposed between inner surfaces 212 and 224 of the front and rear members, and removable barrier member 214 made of water proof material. Pouch 201 can also be a pillow in that the front and rear members are sewn together to form a chamber such that material 206 is completely encased by the front and rear members.
Barrier member 214 is secured to the front of pouch 201 via hook and loop fasteners 210 disposed on surface 220 of the barrier member. Barrier member 214 is to provide a waterproof barrier between the absorbent members of the pouch and any outer clothing or a bra. This prevents liquid from the surfaces of the pouch from seeping through to any outer clothing or a bra. Preferably, barrier member 214 is made of fabric 216 with polyurethane laminate 218 on the outer surface of the barrier member. Device 200 has a water proof aspect due to laminate 218 lining the outer surface of the barrier member. In an embodiment, front member 202 is water proof as well as barrier member 214, and rear member 202 is absorbent.
Thus, it is seen that the objects of the present invention are efficiently obtained, although modifications and changes to the invention should be readily apparent to those having ordinary skill in the art, which modifications are intended to be within the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed. It also is understood that the foregoing description is illustrative of the present invention and should not be considered as limiting. Therefore, other embodiments of the present invention are possible without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.
This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §120 as a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/506,318 filed Oct. 3, 2014, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Parent | 14506318 | Oct 2014 | US |
| Child | 14874372 | US |
