HK1200065A1 - Suction/nursing bra - Google Patents

Abstract

A pumping/nursing bra provided with elastic loops on either side of the shoulder straps to hook around the breast shield to ensure that the breast shield remains in place while pumping. Additionally, the present invention includes a strap designed to encircle a woman's neck and attach to the top line of the pumping/nursing bra to add another layer of security.

Description

Suction/nursing bra

Cross reference to related applications

This application is a formal application of U.S. provisional application No. 61/832,592, filed on 7.6.2013, the priority of which is claimed and incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention is directed to a device for assisting a woman in pumping breast milk.

Background

When using a breast pump, the mother must hold the breast edge or the bra on the exposed portion of the breast. Because of the length of time required to express milk using a breast pump, women will typically express milk from both breasts simultaneously. To express milk from both breasts, a woman must hold the edge of the breast or bra to her breast with each hand, placing her in an embarrassing situation, making it difficult to do as simple as operating a breast pump. Thus, the nursing mother will not use both hands to perform other tasks. It would be advantageous to develop a device that would enable a mother to use a breast pump while allowing free use of both hands to accomplish other work.

Hands-free breastpumps allow the mother to massage the breast simultaneously to help express breast milk (a process not possible with most breastpumps currently in use), or simply to do something else while pumping. None of the prior art satisfies the combination of features disclosed in the present invention.

Disclosure of Invention

The present invention is directed to a pumping/nursing bra that helps form a tight seal between a woman's breast and the bra of a breast pump. The front of the suction/nursing bra is provided with two pairs of openings, one for each woman's breast in the covering. Each opening of the pair of openings is shielded by two overlapping fabric layers comprised in the suction panel. The suction/nursing bra has a top elastic edge and a bottom elastic edge to prevent the bra from sliding down and to support the woman's breast. Adjustable shoulder straps are attached to both sides of the suction/nursing bra. One embodiment of the invention includes elastic loops provided on each side of the bra that are attached to the shoulder straps and designed to hook around the bra to help support the bra while suctioning. Embodiments of the present invention include providing a napestrap extending around the back of a woman's neck, the napestrap being attached to the top line of a suction/nursing bra. The napestrap comprises a single hook attached to the suction/nursing bra or a plurality of hooks attached to the suction/nursing bra. The top line of the suction/nursing bra will include one or more loops that attach the strap to the suction/nursing bra. The purpose of the neckband is to ensure that the suction/nursing bra remains in a fixed position during a breast pump, particularly when the breast pump bottle is full of milk.

Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a suction/nursing bra containing one or more elastic loops for hooking around the bra.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a suction/nursing bra with a strap that attaches at least one hook to the top line of the suction/nursing bra around the woman's neck to ensure that the suction/nursing bra remains in a fixed position during use of the breast pump on one or both breasts of the woman.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a suction/nursing bra including a top line attached to the bra, allowing the strap to be attached to the top line.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings which illustrate certain embodiments of the invention.

Drawings

FIGS. 1A, 1B, and 1C are views of one embodiment of a suction/nursing bra;

FIGS. 2A, 2B and 2C are views of a second embodiment of a suction/nursing bra;

FIGS. 3A, 3B and 3C are views of a third embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4 is a front view of a variation of the suction/nursing bra illustrated in FIGS. 1, 2, 3, FIGS. 1, 2, 3 having a napestrap attached to the top line of the bra;

FIG. 5 is a view illustrating the bra being worn without the napestrap;

FIG. 6 is a view illustrating the bra being worn with a napestrap attached to the top line of the bra and illustrating the single suction unit attached;

FIG. 7 is a view of a suction/nursing bra with a napestrap attached to the top line of the bra and illustrating two attached suction units;

FIG. 8 is a view of the suction/nursing bra illustrating the attachment of the hook to the band;

FIG. 9 is a view of a band extending around a woman's neck;

FIGS. 10, 11 and 12 are views illustrating a woman inserting a bra between overlapping layers of a suction panel;

FIG. 13 is a view of the overlapping layers of the suction panel;

FIG. 14 is a front view of a suction panel of the suction/nursing bra illustrating attachment of two breast pumps supported by a ring;

fig. 15 is a front view of a variation of the suction panel illustrating the use of a double hook attachment;

fig. 16 is a rear view of the suction panel illustrated in fig. 15.

Detailed Description

Detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which can be embodied in various forms. Therefore, the details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as the basis for teaching one skilled in the art how to make and/or use the invention. The present invention incorporates by reference the entire teachings of U.S. patent nos. 8,192,247 and 8,323,070 owned by the same inventor of the present application.

Fig. 1A, 1B, and 1C illustrate a first embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 1A illustrates a pumping/nursing bra 11 having an outer front face 17. Fig. 1B illustrates the front of the suction panel 19 not obscured by the outer front 17. Fig. 1C illustrates the back 21 of the suction panel 19. The exterior front face 17 comprises a first panel 16 which crosses in front of a second panel 18, wherein the panels 16 and 18 provide a smooth veil above the suction panel 19. The suction panel 19 comprises a first pair of superposed layers 54, 56 and a second pair of superposed layers 58, 60. During suction, the overlapping layers 54 and 56 are separated to expose one of the woman's breasts. Overlapping layers 58 and 60 are separated to expose the other woman's breast. The panels 16, 18 help prevent the breast pump and bra from sliding down the woman's breast. The first shoulder strap 24 is provided at a first end 29 of the suction/nursing bra, with the hook 28 having the first end attached to one end of the fabric stay 64. The second end 25 of the first shoulder strap 24 is attached to the panel 16 by a hook 30. A second end of the fabric stay 64 extends and is attached to the top edge 39 of the suction panel 19. The second end of the hook 28 is attached to one end of the suction panel 19 and one end of the panel 16, preferably by a sewn connection. The first and second ends of the hook 28 are designed to be attached to each other, connecting the first panel 16 to the suction panel 19. Second shoulder strap 26 contains a hook 38, which hook 38 attaches first end 31 to one end of fabric strut 62. A second end of the fabric stay 62 extends and is attached to the bottom edge 39. The second end of the hook 38 is attached to one end of the suction panel 19 and one end of the panel 18. Preferably, the first and second ends of the hook 38 are designed to be attached to each other, thereby attaching the second panel 18 to the suction panel 19. The second shoulder strap 26 contains a hook member 36 that is connected to the suction/nursing bra. The slide member 32 provided on the first shoulder strap 24 and the slide member 34 provided on the second shoulder strap 26 are used to adjust the length of each of the shoulder straps 24, 26. Adjustable back fasteners 20, 22 are used to secure the suction/nursing bra around the female breast.

Fig. 15 and 16 illustrate the use of a double hook 120 in place of hooks 28, 38. The first ends of the double hooks are sewn to the shoulder straps and the second ends of the double hooks are sewn to the fabric stays 62, 64. The outer or outer layer 17 is hooked to the top catch of the double hook 120 and the breast pump holder is hooked to the bottom catch of the double hook. The outer layer 17 and breast pump support panel may be hooked to and removed from the catch.

The fabric stay 62 extends from the double hook 120 to the bottom 39 of the suction panel 19. Similarly, a fabric stay 64 extends from the double hook 120 to the bottom surface 39 of the suction panel 19. These outer layers 17 and breast pump support layers 19 can be removed when the mother is breastfeeding and reattached when the woman is not breastfeeding. Fabric stays 62, 64 keep the shoulder straps stationary while panels 16 and 18 move to allow breastfeeding. The suction panel 19 is provided with a top rectangular stitched panel 53 and a bottom rectangular stitched panel 55 extending through a part of the overlapping portions 54, 56 of the suction panel 19. Similarly, the top and bottom rectangular stitched panels 57, 59 extend through a portion of the overlapping portions 58, 60 of the breast pump support panel 19. As shown in fig. 1B, a first elastic loop 50 is attached to the first shoulder strap 24 or sewn into the support panel 19. In addition, a second elastic loop 52 is attached to second shoulder strap 26 or sewn into support panel 19. The purpose of the elastic loops 50, 52 is to hook around the bra when in use to support the bra, especially when the breast pump is full of breast milk, as shown in fig. 14.

The embodiment shown in fig. 1A includes a band 46 having a single loop 45 joined at the bottom of the band by a hook member 48, the band 46 encircling the neck and then extending down to the suction/nursing bra 11. A hook member 48 is attached to the opening provided in the top line 42, 44 near the center of the suction panel 19. The purpose of the neckband is to keep the pumping/nursing bra 11 in a fixed position when the woman pumps breast milk and to increase the stability of the pumping/nursing bra 11 especially when the breast pump is full of breast milk.

The embodiment shown in fig. 2A, 2B and 2C is similar to the embodiment shown in fig. 1A, 1B and 1C, except that a strap 66 is used instead of the neck strap 46. The neck strap 66 encircles the woman's neck and comprises a single loop 67, said single loop 67 being provided with hooks 68, 70 at its lower end. Each of the hooks 68, 70 is attached to the top line 42, 44 near the center of the suction panel 19. The embodiment shown in fig. 3A, 3B and 3C uses a neck strap 72 in place of the straps 46, 66 shown in the previous two embodiments of the present invention. The belt 72 contains extensions 74, 76, 78, 80, each of the extensions 74, 76, 78, 80 being provided with hooks 92, 90, 96, 98, respectively. Each of the hooks 90, 92, 96, 98 is attached to the top line 42, 44. It can be appreciated that the greater the number of extensions from the band 72, and thus the number of hooks extending from each of the extensions, the greater the stability of the suction/nursing bra during suction.

Fig. 4 illustrates a variation of the embodiment shown in fig. 3A, 3B and 3C, in which a strap 72 is attached to the top lines 42, 44 of the suction/nursing bra. The adjustable slides 82, 84, 86, 88 will adjust the length of the strap 72 to accommodate women of different sizes.

Fig. 5-13 illustrate the manner in which the suction/nursing bra is used. The suction/nursing bra 10 is designed to be worn all day long, as shown in fig. 5. When pumping of breast milk begins, one of the straps 46, 66, 72 will wrap around the woman's neck and attach to the top layer of the pumping panel. As shown in fig. 6, the woman moves the panel 16 slightly downward, allowing the woman to provide an opening between the panels 54, 56 to insert a bra between the panels 54, 56 to connect the woman's breast to the suction bottle 100 through the bra 106.

Fig. 7 illustrates the use of two suction bottles 100, 102 connected to the brassieres 106, 104, respectively.

Fig. 8 illustrates the manner in which the hooks 48 of the strap 46 are attached to the loops provided in the top layer 44.

Fig. 9 illustrates the manner in which the band 46 encircles a woman's neck. A slider 49 is provided to adjust the length of the strap 46.

Fig. 10, 11 and 12 illustrate the manner in which the bra is inserted into the suction/nursing bra 10. As shown in fig. 11 and 14, elastic loop 52 is provided around brassiere 104, and elastic loop 50 is provided around brassiere 106.

Fig. 13 illustrates the suction panel 19, and rectangular stitching 53, 55 provided on a portion of the overlapping panels 54, 56.

It should be noted that, based on the comfort of the woman when pumping breast milk, the woman may choose to hook around the bra using the elastic loops 50, 52 without using any of the straps 46, 66, 72. Alternatively, the woman may use the straps 46, 66 or 72 without the use of the elastic loops 50, 52. Further, the woman may use the elastic loops 50, 52 in conjunction with one of the straps 46, 66, 72.

While preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Fig. 13 illustrates the suction panel 19, and rectangular stitching 53, 55 provided on a portion of the overlapping panels 54, 56.

It should be noted that, based on the comfort of the woman when pumping breast milk, the woman may choose to hook around the bra using the elastic loops 50, 52 without using any of the straps 46, 66, 72. Alternatively, the woman may use the straps 46, 66 or 72 without the use of the elastic loops 50, 52. Further, the woman may use the elastic loops 50, 52 in conjunction with one of the straps 46, 66, 72.

While preferred embodiments have been illustrated and described, it will be understood that there is no intent to limit the invention by such disclosure, but rather, is intended to cover all modifications and alternate constructions falling within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims (19)

1. A nursing and suction bra, comprising:

an inner suction panel comprising at least one shield for a wearer's breast, the at least one shield comprising a first fabric layer overlapping a second fabric layer to shield an opening, the at least one shield having stitches extending across a portion of the first fabric layer and a portion of the second fabric layer, and the at least one shield being operative to provide support for at least one wearer's breast and a portion of a breast pump body inserted into the opening during milking; and

an outer face comprising a first fabric panel overlapping at least a portion of a second fabric panel, the first and second panels operative to move to expose the at least one veil of the inner suction panel.

2. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, wherein the breast pump body is located within the opening and is supported by the first and second fabric layers.

3. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, wherein the first and second panels provide support to the breast pump body when the inner suction panel is not occluded.

4. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, wherein the inner suction panel comprises two shields, wherein a second shield comprises a third fabric layer and a fourth fabric layer to shield an opening, the second shield having stitches extending through a portion of the first fabric layer and a portion of the second fabric layer.

5. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, further comprising at least one shoulder strap, fabric stay and strap that is selectively attached to the nursing and suction bra to fit around the wearer's neck and provide support to the portion of the breast pump body.

6. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, further comprising at least one elastic ring attached to the nursing and suction bra to fit around a bra and secure the bra in place within the opening.

7. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, wherein the portion of the breast pump body is a bra.

8. The nursing and suction bra of claim 1, wherein the first panel crosses over the second panel in a closed state to at least partially obscure the inner suction panel.

9. A nursing and suction bra, comprising:

a suction panel of at least one fabric layer, the suction panel having at least one opening and fitting around the wearer's chest; and

at least one fabric loop attached to the suction panel, the at least one loop operative to support at least a portion of a breast pump body located within the opening of the suction panel.

10. The nursing and suction bra of claim 9, wherein the at least one ring is an elastomeric ring sewn into the suction panel.

11. The nursing and suction bra of claim 9, wherein the at least one ring is an elastic ring sewn into a shoulder strap on the suction panel.

12. The nursing and suction bra of claim 9, wherein the at least one ring fits around and secures the breast pump body.

13. The nursing and suction bra of claim 9, wherein the suction panel is an inner panel concealed by a set of outer panels.

14. A nursing and suction bra, comprising:

at least one fabric panel that fits around the wearer's chest;

at least one strap having at least one hook attachment means; and

at least one attachment device on the at least one panel, wherein the at least one respective attachment device on the panel is operative to receive the at least one attachment device on the at least one strap, wherein the at least one respective attachment device is positioned on the nursing and suction breast shield to provide support for a portion of the breast pump body held adjacent at least one breast of a wearer during milking performed by the breast pump body.

15. The nursing and suction bra of claim 14, wherein the at least one band fits around the neck of a wearer.

16. The nursing and suction bra of claim 14, wherein the at least one strap is attachable to a respective attachment device at a center and a left side of the nursing and suction bra to support the breast pump body on the left side of the nursing and suction bra.

17. The nursing and suction bra of claim 14, wherein the at least one strap is a single loop with hook attachment devices attached to a loop corresponding attachment device at the center of the nursing and suction bra.

18. The nursing and suction bra of claim 14, wherein the at least one strap is a single loop with one hook attachment device attached to one loop corresponding attachment device at the center of the nursing and suction bra.

19. The nursing and suction bra of claim 14, wherein the at least one strap is a loop that fits around the neck of the wearer, and the at least one strap has a first hook attachment device that attaches to a first loop corresponding attachment device and a second hook attachment device that attaches to a second loop corresponding attachment device on the nursing and suction bra.