Note : Les descriptions sont présentées dans la langue officielle dans laquelle elles ont été soumises.
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DEVICE AND METHOD FOR
SUPPORTING A BREAST SHIELD
AND RELATED PUMP EQUIPMENT
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates generally to breast pumps,
and more particularly to a device for supporting a breast
shield, as well as related breast pump equipment, on a
woman's breast.
Breast pumps for expressing and storing breast milk
for later use are well known. Two types of breast pumps
are generally available for use by nursing mothers:
motor-driven pumps and manually-operated pumps.
Typically, these breast pumps include a funnel-shaped
shield or hood that fits over the nipple and a
substantial portion of the breast, some type of vacuum
pump (e.g., manually driven piston cylinder, squeeze bulb
or electrically driven vacuum device) which is connected
to the breast shield for generating an intermittent
vacuum in the breast shield, and a container for the
expressed breast milk. The intermittent suction
generated by the vacuum pump within the breast shield
causes a pulling or pressing of the breast, and is
intended to mimic an infant's suckling action to thereby
express milk from the breast. The expressed milk
typically flows from the breast shield to the collection
container for storage and subsequent use by the infant.
The collection container, such as a small milk bottle, is
ordinarily assembled in the breast shield as though an
intermediate milk-directing channel and valve
arrangement.
Brassieres, halter tops and other garments
specifically designed for nursing mothers are also well
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known. Generally, these nursing brassieres include flaps
which may be unfastened at one side from the brassiere to
expose the breasts for nursing by an infant, or for
enabling breast milk collection through pumping.
When desiring to use a breast pump to collect and
store breast milk while wearing such a nursing brassiere
or otherwise, a mother, after exposing the breast, holds
the breast shield in position on the exposed breast.
Obviously, depending on whether the breast pump is motor-
driven or manually-operated, and further on whether one
or two breast shields are being used at the same time,
one or both of the mother's hands will be needed to
perform the breast pumping operation. As can be readily
seen, the nursing mother, whether at home or at work,
will not have the use of at least one of her hands, such
as to perform other tasks when she is using her breast
pump. Therefore, it would be advantageous to develop a
method and device that will permit a mother to use a
breast pump while also allowing her the free use of her
hands to perform other tasks.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is a principal objective of the present invention
to provide a device that supports a breast shield of a
breast pump upon an exposed breast in a "hands-free"
manner for the user. A related method is also provided.
As hereinafter disclosed, the invention in its broadest
sense contemplates any inanimate means whereby the breast
shield is held in place on the breast without the need of
the user or someone else to hold it in place. The breast
shield support may be carried on the mother's body, or on
a base which is movable to emplace the shield, or into
which the mother can insert her breast(s).
In one aspect of the invention, such a support
method and device contemplates a brassiere or other
similar garment serving as a base, and a means for
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supporting the breast shield on the exposed breast
associated with the base.
In one embodiment, the support means takes the form
of a releasable fastener mechanism having interengaging
fastener elements on a brassiere and on the breast
shield. The brassiere has an aperture in the cup, such
as provided by a flap, to expose the breast for
emplacement of the breast shield of a breast pump.
Corresponding fastener elements on the brassiere and
breast shield are fastened together to support the breast
shield on the exposed breast.
A variety of fastening mechanisms can be employed.
For example, a removably mounted harness for the breast
shield has straps which are releasably fastened to the
brassiere/base, as by hooks, buttons, snaps and the like.
In another embodiment, a band surrounding the perimeter
of the breast shield carries fasteners which attach to
the brassiere. In still another embodiment, part of the
fastening mechanism is integrally formed with the breast
shield.
According to another embodiment of the present
invention, the support means takes the form of a flap and
flap opening found in a brassiere-type garment
specifically adapted to hold the breast shield in place.
For example, the opening provided by the flap is of a
smaller diameter in at least one dimension than the
breast shield. The breast shield is inserted and
slidably received through the opening, such that the
breast shield is supported on the exposed breast between
the breast and inner surface material of the brassiere.
The flap can be reattached for further support of the
shield. Alternatively, an adjustable strap can be
additionally inserted which connects to a brassiere
shoulder strap at one end and to the breast shield at the
other end, to adjust the fit of and support the breast
shield on the breast.
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In a related embodiment, overlapped portions of
material form the brassiere cup. The breast shield is
inserted through the opening provided by the overlap, and
then held in place on the breast by the brassiere cup
material. In another related embodiment, the breast
shield is provided with a teardrop-shaped rim, which
increases the surface area of the breast shield and
functions to better support the breast shield on the
breast. The rim may be made releasably attachable to the
shield. Moreover, the breast cup and the teardrop rim
can further be provided with mating fastener elements to
connect the breast shield to the breast cup.
In yet another related embodiment, the flap is
unfastened from the brassiere to expose the breast and to
allow the breast shield to be emplaced on the breast, and
then reattached to the brassiere to support the breast
shield on the breast. The flap may further be provided
with a small aperture to accommodate a tubular extension
of the breast shield, tubing or other breast pump
equipment that extend from the breast shield.
In another aspect of the present invention, the
breast shield support method and device utilizes a strap
arrangement for supporting and holding the breast shield
of a breast pump against the exposed breast. Preferably,
the device is fashioned to hold two breast shields, each
of which is supported by the a strap arrangement on a
respective breast.
In one embodiment, the breast shield support device
comprises a garment having one or more straps adapted to
position the breast shield, and preferably to press it
against the breast. Such a garment, for example,
comprises a harness having a band portion adapted to wrap
around the torso, and at least one strap adapted to
support the breast shield on one of the woman's breasts.
For example, a breast shield is held on the exposed
breast by the strap engaging the breast pump on the
outboard side of the shield, and holding the shield
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against the breast. In one such embodiment, the strap
forms a loop within which the breast pump is supported
with the shield held against the breast. The loop is
attached to a base, such as a shoulder strap, at an upper
part of the loop. Auxiliary straps connect the lower
part of the loop to the torso band, to anchor and press
the pump into position. A three-point adjustable
anchoring arrangement for the harness is advantageously
provided.
In another embodiment, the breast shield support
device is adapted for use in a female athletic-type top,
which has a waist-band portion and a brassiere portion.
A breast shield supporting strap extends from the
shoulder to the area of the breastbone, forming a loop to
receive the breast shield. An auxiliary strap is
advantageously provided to anchor the loop to the waist-
band portion. A flap is formed in the cup of the
brassiere portion to access the breast and the foregoing
strap arrangement -- which is located within the
brassiere portion -- for emplacement of the breast shield
using the strap arrangement.
In yet another aspect of the invention, a device is
provided wherein the breast shields are mounted for use,
but which is not carried on the mother's person. For
example, the breast shields are carried on a pumping
mechanism in a manner whereby the mother simply inserts
a breast into a respective shield. The pumping mechanism
independently supports the shields.
The present invention permits a nursing mother,
whether at home or at work, to use a breast pump to
collect and store breast milk, while also providing her
with free use of her hands. In addition, the present
invention allows for hands-free "double pumping;" that
is, using two breast shields to simultaneously express
breast milk from both breasts. Also, the embodiments
using straps and strap fasteners preferably employ
adjustable straps to allow the mother to adjust the fit
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or tightness of the breast shield on the breast.
Further, the present invention is easy to use and allows
the breast shield to be quickly supported on the exposed
breast.
The present application and invention is directed to
yet another variant on the inventive concept. The
embodiment of the present invention in one form has a
mounting element which fits onto the back of a breast
shield. The mounting element has posts thereon. Fabric
loops are sewn into a brassiere. Bands, such as rubber
bands, are knotted or otherwise attached to the fabric
loops. The bands are then placed around the posts of the
mounting elements in a manner that supports the breast
pump in position against the breast, so that the mother
does not have to use her hands to support the breast
pump.
The foregoing embodiment preferably uses a slip-on,
or snap-on, type mounting element which is contoured to
the shape of the breast shield back (or rearward)
portion. It can therefore be readily attached and
detached. A plurality of posts are further
advantageously provided to permit ease in adjusting and
attaching the bands.
In an alternate form of the present invention, the
posts of the mounting element can be formed integral with
the breast shield.
The mounting element, bands and/or the fabric loops
can be provided in the form of a kit. A mother can
thereby retrofit an existing nursing bra for use with the
present breast pump assembly support.
These and other features and advantages of the
present invention will be further understood upon
consideration of the following detailed description of
embodiments of the present invention, taken in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
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BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a brassiere in use
showing the flap of the brassiere in an unfastened mode
to expose the breast for nursing or breast pumping;
Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a representative
breast pump assembly;
Fig. 3 is an exploded perspective view of a first
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 4 is an exploded perspective view of a second
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 5 is an exploded perspective view of a third
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view of a fourth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
nvent lon;
Fig. 7 is an exploded perspective view of a fifth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
nvent lon;
Fig. 8 is an exploded perspective view of a sixth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
lnvent lon;
Fig. 9 is an exploded perspective view of a seventh
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 10 is an exploded perspective view of an eighth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 11 is an exploded perspective view of a ninth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 12 is a cross-sectional view of the breast
shield shown in Fig. 11;
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Fig. 13 is an operational view of an tenth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
invention;
Fig. 14 is an elevational view, partially in cutaway
5section, of the tenth embodiment shown in Fig. 13;
Fig. 15 is an operational view of an eleventh
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
nvent lon;
Fig. 16 is an elevational view of the eleventh
embodiment shown in Fig. 15;
Fig. 17 is a perspective view of a twelfth
embodiment of a breast shield support of the present
nvent ion;
Fig. 18 is an exploded perspective view of a
15thirteenth embodiment of a breast shield support of the
present invention;
Fig. 19 is an operational view of the thirteenth
embodiment shown in Fig. 18;
Fig. 20 is a perspective view of an embodiment of a
20breast shield support of the present invention, with the
breast shield assembly removed for clarity;
Fig. 21 is a perspective view of a brassiere showing
loop placement used in an embodiment of the present
invention;
25Fig. 22 is a perspective view of the brassiere of
Fig. 21 showing placement of the bands;
Fig. 23 is a perspective view of a mounting element
made in accordance with the present invention and the
breast pump;
30Fig. 24 is a side view of the mounting element of
Fig. 23;
Fig. 25 is a front view of the mounting element of
Fig. 24 with a band/loop attached;
Fig. 26 is a perspective view of the loop of Fig.
25;
Fig. 27 is a modified embodiment where the mounting
element is formed integral with the breast shield; and
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Fig. 28 is a modified mounting element similar to
that of Fig. 25.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF
PRESENTLY PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
For ease of illustration, the present invention is
generally shown and described below in terms of a single
breast pump used for expressing breast milk from a single
breast. However, as shown in Fig. 15 for example, it is
specifically contemplated that the present invention is
usable to simultaneously support a breast shield on each
of a woman's breasts for breast milk collection. In
addition, like numerals will be used to designate like
elements in the respective embodiments of the present
invention.
Turning now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows a partial
view of a woman 10 wearing a brassiere 12. The brassiere
12 is adapted to conform around the breasts 14, torso 16
and shoulders 18 of the woman 10 to support the breasts
14. The brassiere 12 includes two breast cups 20
interconnected by a connecting band 22, a torso band 24
having two ends (not shown) which extend around and are
connected at the woman's back, and shoulder straps 26
(one of which is not shown) which are disposed between
the respective breast cups 20 and the ends of the torso
band 24. To the foregoing extent, the brassiere 12 is
conventional.
Even though the present invention is shown and
described herein in terms of the brassiere 12 shown in
Fig. 1, it is specifically contemplated that other types
of brassieres, for example strapless brassieres, and
other types of breast support garments, including halter
tops, camisoles, and the like may be used with the
present invention, as will hereinafter be further
understood.
As shown in Fig. 1, each of the breast cups 20
includes a flap 28 connected to the brassiere 12 near the
bottom of the respective breast cup 20. The flap 28 is
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detachably connected to the brassiere 12 at a position
near the respective shoulder straps 26 by a short strap
29. The flap 28 is oriented on the brassiere 12 such
that it exposes the breast 14 for nursing or breast
pumping as it is moved from the shoulder 18 to the torso
16. The flap 28 may be connected to the brassiere 12 in
any suitable manner or orientation to expose the breasts
14.
A representative breast pump 30 for use with the
present invention is shown in Fig. 2. The breast pump 30
includes a breast shield or hood 32 adapted to receive at
least the nipple and some of the adjacent breast. The
breast shield 32 receives the expressed breast milk, and
directs the milk through a channel 34 to the milk
collection container 36.
While the invention is for supporting the breast
shield in place, in many if not most instances this will
also require supporting the entirety of the breast pump
(i.e. parts 32, 34 and 36 and related elements). Since
the container 36 may carry on the order of 5 ounces of
milk when full, the supporting device should be able to
carry the weight of the pump and full container
comfortably and with the breast shield properly
positioned throughout breast pumping.
A vacuum source 38 communicates with the breast
shield 32 and the channel 34 through tubing 39, and
creates the suction action in the breast shield 32 that
expresses the breast milk from the breast 14. The vacuum
source 38 comprises an electric motor-driven breast pump
vacuum source for generating an intermittent vacuum.
Furthermore, two breast shields 32 may be connected to
the vacuum source for simultaneous "double-pumping" of
both breasts 14. Other vacuum sources can of course be
used with the present invention, such as a battery-driven
pump, a manually operated hand-driven piston pump or a
squeeze bulb type pump. The latter two are not
considered to be particularly advantageous with the
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present invention, however, since one or both hands may
be occupied with operating the manual pumps. For a more
detailed description of motor-driven, battery-driven and
manually-operated breast pumps, reference may be had to
U.S. Patent Nos. 4,857,051, 4,964,851 and 5,007,899.
Fig. 3 shows a first embodiment of the present
invention. As shown in Fig. 3, the breast shield support
- includes a brassiere 12 and a breast pump 30. The breast
shield 32 is connected to the brassiere 12 and supported
on the breast 14 by a plurality of fasteners in the
embodiments shown in Fig. 3 through Fig. 7. The
fasteners each include a fastener element disposed on the
breast cup 20 of the brassiere 12 and a corresponding
mating fastener element associated with the breast shield
32. The corresponding fastener elements are fastened
together to attach the breast shield 32 to the brassiere
12 and to thereby support the breast shield 32 on the
breast 14 in a "hands-free" fashion.
In Fig. 3, the fastener elements on the brassiere
cup 20 are shown to comprise buttonholes 158, and the
mating fastener elements 156 on the breast shield 32 are
shown to comprise a harness with a support strap 160
having a number of ad~ustable straps 162 connected to and
extending therefrom. The straps 162 include buttons 164
at their ends for insertion in the buttonholes 158. The
harness is releasably attached to the breast shield 32 by
sliding it over the tubular portion 34 into place or by
fastening the support strap 60 around the tubular portion
(using some commonplace means to interconnect the ends of
the strap 160, not shown herein). No modification of an
existing breast pump would therefore be required for use
of the harness. Alternately, however, a number of
different fasteners may be used to connect the breast
shield 32 to the brassiere 12 and to support the breast
shield 32 on the breast 14, including for example: a
zipper fastener, a slit/double-back strap fastener, a
buckle/strap fastener, a garter belt fastener, a magnetic
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fastener, a snap fastener, a re-usable adhesive tape
fastener, a Velcro (i.e., hook-and-loop) fastener, and a
hook fastener.
Fig. 4 shows a second embodiment of the present
invention. The breast shield support is very similar to
that shown in Fig. 3. The fastener elements 254, 256,
however, are connected to a band 270 disposed around the
peripheral edge of the breast shield 32. The band 270
may be formed from an elastic material. The band 270 is
held in place by friction/interference fit, or as here,
by hooks 26 0. In Fig. 4, the corresponding fastener
elements 254, 256 are shown to comprise mating Velcro
fasteners. As stated above, however, any suitable type
of fastening element may be used.
Fig. 5 shows a third embodiment of the present
invention. Again, the breast shield support shown in
Fig. 5 is very similar in construction to those shown in
Figs. 3 and 4. One difference, however, is that the
fastener elements located on the breast shield 32 are
connected to a middle region 372 of the breast shield 32.
In the embodiment shown in Fig. 5, the fastener elements
comprise studs or rivets 374 formed on or connected to
the breast shield 32 and studs or rivets 354 connected to
the brassiere cup. Adjustable straps 376 complete the
fastener, and each contain a plurality of holes 378 to
fit over the rivets 354, 374 to allow the fit of the
breast shield 32 on the breast 14 to be adjusted.
Fig. 6 shows a fourth embodiment of the present
invention. In this embodiment, the fastener elements on
the brassiere 12 comprise hooks 454, and the fastener
elements located on the breast shield 32 comprise an
elastic band 480 held in place by hooks 460. The elastic
band 480 is disposed around the peripheral edge of the
breast shield 32, and may be manipulated to fit around
the hook fastener elements 454 to support the breast
shield 32 on the breast 14.
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It should be understood that the arrangement of the
fastener elements shown in Figs. 3-6 may be interchanged
on the brassiere 12 and the breast shield 32, and the
number increased or decreased as desired. The kind of
fastener used is not limited, although those described
herein are considered to be the most advantageous. Also,
the fastening elements may be placed at any suitable
location on the brassiere 12 or the breast shield 32.
Furthermore, the fastening elements located on the breast
shield 32 may be connected to any other suitable location
on the breast pump 30.
As shown in Fig. 7, a fifth embodiment of the
present invention includes a breast shield 32 that is
slidably inserted through the flap 28 of the brassiere
12. This breast shield 32 is relatively flexible, such
that it contracts about the breast under vacuum. The
diameters of the breast shield and the flap opening are
sized such that after insertion through the flap 28, the
breast shield 32 is supported on the breast 14 between
the breast 14 and the inside surface of the breast cup 20
of the brassiere 12. That is, a portion of the flap 28
(i.e., near the bottom of the breast 14), the breast cup
20 material surrounding the exposed portion of the breast
14, and the stiffened peripheral edge 590 of the breast
shield 32 cooperate to support the breast shield 32 on
the breast 14.
In Fig. 8, which illustrates a variation on the
embodiment of Fig. 7, a flap 628 comprises two
overlapping sections 691, 692 (similar to those found in
mens~ briefs), each of which is connected to the breast
cup 620 of the brassiere 612. The breast shield (not
shown) is supported on the breast 14 by first inserting
the breast shield past one section 691 of the flap 628,
and then sliding it past and beneath the other section
692. The sections 691, 692 of the flap 628, the breast
cup 620 material, and the breast shield (not shown)
cooperate to support the breast shield on the breast 14.
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While the flap 628 shown above is vertically-oriented on
the breast cup 620, the flap 628 may be oriented in any
suitable direction, including horizontally.
Yet another embodiment of the present invention
includes a brassiere 12 having a construction very
similar to that shown in Fig. 7. The brassiere 12 shown
in Fig. 9, however, includes a flange 793 of semi-rigid
material that is disposed at the bottom of the breast cup
20 where the flap 28 connects thereto. When the breast
shield 32 is inserted through the flap 28, as described
above with respect to Fig. 7, the flange 793 functions to
further support the breast shield 32 on the breast 14.
In the embodiments shown in Figs. 7 and 9, the
breast shield 32 of the breast pump 30 may include, as
noted, a substantially rigid peripheral edge 590 and a
substantially flexible (e.g., "condom-like") interior
region 595. The flexible region 595 allows the breast
shield 32 to be easily inserted through the flap 28, and
to readily conform to the shape of the breast 14. The
rigid peripheral edge 590 cooperates with the flap 28 and
the inner surface of the breast cup 20 to provide
improved support for the breast shield 32 on the breast
14. Conversely, the peripheral edge 590 may be
substantially flexible and the interior region 595 may be
substantially rigid to support the breast shield 32 on
the breast 14.
As shown in Fig. 10, an eighth embodiment of the
present invention includes a breast cup 20 that is formed
with a criss-crossed overlap portion 803. The breast
shield 32 is supported on the breast 14 by inserting the
breast shield 32 under the criss-crossed overlap 803 and
the surrounding breast cup 20 material. The criss-
crossed overlap 803, the surrounding breast cup 20
material, and the breast shield 32 cooperate to support
the breast shield 32 on the breast 14. The breast cup 20
also includes an adjustable strap 805 attached thereto
by, for example, hook-and-eye fasteners 809. The strap
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805 is connected to the adjustable shoulder strap 26 via
fastening element 807 to support the breast cup 20
against the breast 14. After the breast shield 32 is
inserted under the criss-crossed overlap 803 of the
5 breast cup 20, the position of the strap 805 on the
breast cup 20 is adjusted via the fasteners 809 to
thereby adjust the fit of the breast shield 32 on the
breast (i.e., to tighten or loosen the fit of the breast
cup 20 on the breast 14).
In Figs. 11 and 12, which illustrate a variation of
the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the breast shield 32
includes a substantially rigid rim 903 disposed around
the periphery thereof. The rim 903 is positioned on the
breast shield 32 such that a teardrop-shaped portion 905
fits under the criss-crossed overlap 803 when the breast
shield 32 is inserted under the criss-crossed overlap 803
and the surrounding breast cup 20 material. The rim 903,
and especially the teardrop portion 905 thereof, provides
the breast shield 32 with additional surface area, which
facilitates supporting the breast shield 32 on the breast
14. The rim 903 is connected to the breast shield 32 by,
for example, a "snap" fit, with a bead 904 around the
perimeter of the shield fitting into a matching annular
recess in the rim 903. In addition, to further support
the breast shield 32 on the breast 14, the teardrop
portion 905 and the breast cup 20 can be provided with,
for example, mating snap-fastening elements (not shown),
which are fastened together after the breast shield 32 is
inserted under the breast cup 20 material.
In a variation of the embodiment shown in Figs. 11
and 12, to further support the breast shield 32 on the
breast 14, the brassiere 12 may include an additional
adjustable support strap 995 connected to the shoulder
strap 26. The support strap 995 may be positioned
underneath the breast cup 20 of the brassiere 12, from
where it may be extracted when needed. The support strap
995 includes a button-hole type opening 996 therein and
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is adjustably connected to the shoulder strap 26 by means
of a buckle 997. A hook 998 may be molded or connected
to the breast shield 32 or the rim 903 in any suitable
fashion. After the breast shield 32 is inserted under
the criss-crossed overlap 803, the support strap 995 may
be attached to the hook 998 to further support the breast
shield 32. Of course, the support strap 995 may then be
adjusted to adjust the fit of the breast shield 32 on the
breast 14.
Figs. 13 and 14 depict a tenth embodiment of the
present invention. A halter top garment 1010 -- such as
a female runner's top -- includes a band 1012 adapted to
fit around a woman's torso, two breast cups 20 connected
to the band 1012 and adapted to conform to a woman's
breasts 14, and two shoulder straps 1018 each connected
between the band 1012 and the breast cups 20, and adapted
to go around the woman's shoulders in brassiere fashion.
The garment 1010 includes a flap 28 operable to
expose the woman's breast 14 for nursing or breast
pumping. The flap 28 is connected to the garment 1010
along the bottom of the breast cup 20, and is detachably
connected to the garment 1010 at the shoulder strap 1018
(Point A) and at the top of the breast cup 20 (Point B).
In this arrangement, the flap 28 operates to expose the
breast 14 as it is moved from the shoulder strap 1018 to
the bottom of the garment 1010. Alternately, however,
the flap 28 may be oriented on the garment 1010 to expose
the breast 14 in any suitable manner. In this
embodiment, the flap 28 is connected to the garment 1010
by a Velcro fastener. Again, any suitable type of
fastener may be used.
As shown in Fig. 14, the garment 1010 includes a
strap 1022 connected to the inner surface of the garment
1010. The strap 1022 is located substantially behind the
breast cup 20. The strap 1022 includes three legs or
parts 1024a-1024c, each of which is attached to the
garment at different locations.
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When breast pumping is desired, the flap 28 is
unfastened from the garment 1010 to expose the breast 14.
The strap 1022 is withdrawn from the interior of the
garment 1010 such that it extends through the opening
created by the flap 28. The breast pump 30 is placed
near the breast 14, and the strap 1022 is extended and
fitted around the breast pump 30 such that the strap 1022
presses and supports the breast shield 32 against the
breast 14. This is done by taking the loop formed by
strap parts 1024a and 1024b and placing that loop under
the rearward portion of the breast pump 30 and behind the
downwardly extending portion connecting with the bottle
36 (Fig. 13). Strap part 1024c serves to anchor the
foregoing loop in position. The strap parts 1024a-1024c
are then adjusted to ensure that the breast shield 32
fits snugly, but not uncomfortably, against the breast
14. Adjustment may be accomplished by providing an
elastic strap 1022, and/or adjustable extenders at points
of interconnection.
Figs. 15 and 16 depict an eleventh embodiment of the
present invention. This harness garment 1110 includes a
band 1112 adapted to fit around the torso and two
adjustable strap arrangements 1140a, 1140b for each
breast 14. The band 1112 has two ends that are connected
together at the woman's back by, for example, a Velcro
fastener 1138. The straps 1140a, 1140b each have first
ends 1142 connected to the band 1112 and second ends 1144
connectable to each other at hook fastener 1145. As
shown in Fig. 15, the second ends 1144 are connected
together behind the woman's neck. Alternately, the
seconds ends 1144 are connected to brassiere shoulder
straps (not shown). In addition, and as shown in Fig.
16, the first ends 1142 of each strap 1140a, 1140b
include two legs or parts 1146a, 1146b that are connected
to the band 1112, as by sewing. The two legs 1146a,
1146b of the respective ends 1142 are spaced apart on the
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band 1112, and are here formed from a continuous piece of
material in a pair of loops.
The straps 1140a, 1140b-include two closed breast
loops 1148a, 1148b that are adapted to rest or press
against the breast 14. As shown in Fig. 15, the breast
loops 1148a, 1148b are each sized to fit around and to
hold a breast shield 32 on an exposed breast 14. Each
breast loop 1148a, 1148b is connected to a respective
pair of legs 1146a, 1146b (each pair forming a loop) via
a ring connector 1152.
In use, the breast pump 30 is placed near a
respective breast loop, such as loop 1148a, and the loop
1148a is extended and fitted around the breast pump 30 in
the manner previously described with respect to the tenth
embodiment, such that the loop 1148a presses and supports
the breast shield 32 against the breast 14. The strap
1140a, and thus the loop 1148a, is then adjusted, via an
adjusting buckle 1150, to ensure that the breast shield
32 fits tightly against the breast 14. A similar buckle
1154 on each leg 1146a allows adjustment of the loops
formed by legs 1146a, 1146b.
When "double-pumping" is desired, as shown in Fig.
15, each breast loop 1148a, 1148b is extended and fitted
around a separate breast pump 30 to support the breast
shields 32 on the breasts 14.
While the tenth and eleventh embodiments of the
present invention have been shown and described above in
terms of a halter and a harness garment 1010, 1110, it is
specifically contemplated that any suitable type of
garment may be used with the present invention, including
standard brassieres, strapless brassieres, camisoles, and
tank tops, to name a few. Furthermore, the harness and
halter top garments 1010, 1110, including the straps
1022, 1140a, 1140b, may be formed of any suitable elastic
or other material.
Fig. 17 depicts a twelfth embodiment of the present
invention. The breast shield support 1210 includes a
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base member 1212 to which two breast shields 32 are
connected by air tubes 1214, each of which has a flexible
portion 1216 and a rigid portion 1218. The rigid
portions 1218 of the air tubes 1214 hold the breast
shields 32 up and away from the base member 1212, and the
flexible portions 1216 allow a woman to adjust the breast
shields 32 on her breasts to insure a tight yet
comfortable fit.
The air tube 1214 of each breast shield 32 is
connected via a conventional coupling arrangement to a
milk collection container 1220 located externally of the
base member 1212. Alternately, the collection containers
1220 may be located inside of the base member 1212.
As explained below, the air tubes 1214 connect a
vacuum source 1222 located in the base member 1212 to the
breast shields 32 to produce the suction action in the
breast shields 32. The breast milk expressed from the
breasts during breast pumping is collected in the
collection containers 1220. After breast pumping is
completed, the collection containers 1220 are
disconnected from the air tubes 1214, and the breast milk
is removed for storage.
As described in U.S. Patent No. 4,929,229, the
breast shields 32 each include an internal baffle and a
valve. The baffle and valve cooperate to direct breast
milk through the air tube 1214 and into the collection
container 1220, thus preventing the breast milk from
being drawn into that portion of the air tube 1214
extending past the collection container 1220 and into the
base member 1212.
A coupling 1219 connects the rigid portion 1218 of
each air tube 1214 to the base member 1212 to hold the
breast shields 32 in place. The air tubes 1214 pass
through a front wall 1221 of the base member 1212 and
terminate at a vacuum source 1222. The air tubes 1214
are connected to the vacuum source 1222 by conventional
connectors 1223. The couplings 1219 and the connectors
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1223 allow a user to disconnect the air tubes 1214 and
the breast shields 32 from the breast shield support 1210
for cleaning, repair and/or replacement. Access to the
interior of the breast shield support 1210 is provided by
5 a panel 1211.
Each of the air tubes 1214 includes a liquid and/or
bacterial filter 1225. The liquid filter prevents breast
milk or other liquid from passing through the air tubes
1214 and damaging the vacuum source 1222. The bacterial
filter prevents the expressed breast milk from being
contaminated by bacteria that may be present in the air
tubes 1214 and the vacuum source 1222.
The breast shield support 1210 includes an
electrical power cord 1227 connected to the vacuum source
1222. The power cord 1227 is connected to a power source
(not shown) to drive the vacuum source 1222. The breast
shield support 1210 may also include a battery for
powering the vacuum source when an external electrical
power source is not readily available or when the power
supply has been interrupted.
The base member 1212 includes two vacuum control
knobs 1231 associated with the vacuum source 1222. The
control knobs 1231 may be manipulated to increase or
decrease the suction produced in the respective breast
shields 32 by the vacuum source 1222.
In an alternate embodiment, a cradle-like device
(not shown) may be attached to the base member 1212 by a
flexible and/or pivotable support arm (not shown). A
breast shield 32 and tubing as shown in Fig. 13 may be
held in the cradle-like device and supported against a
woman's breasts for breast pumping.
The base member 1212 may be supported atop a table
1224, and a woman may sit or stand next to the base
member 1212 and position the breast shields 32 against
her breasts for hands-free "double pumping."
A lap support 1226 having recessed areas 1228 to
accommodate a user's legs may be used instead of the
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table 1224 to support the breast shield support 1210. A
woman who desires to breast pump while sitting may
position the lap support 1226 on her lap, and rest the
breast shield support 1210 on the lap support 1226. The
breast shields 32 are then manipulated into position on
the breasts for breast pumping.
Figs. 18 and 19 depict a thirteenth embodiment of
the present invention, which is a variation of the
embodiment shown in Figs. 11 and 12. As shown, the
brassiere 12 may include an adjustable support strap 1372
connected to the shoulder strap 26. The support strap
1372 may be positioned underneath the breast cup 20 of
the brassiere 12, from where it may be extracted when
needed. The support strap 1372 includes a button 1374
and a button-hole type opening 1376 spaced therealong,
and is adjustably connected to the shoulder strap 26 by
means of a buckle 1378. After the breast shield 32 is
inserted under the breast cup 20, the support strap 1372
is extended around the breast shield channel 34 and
attached to itself (via the button 1374 and button hole
1376) to support the breast shield 32 on the breast 14.
Of course, as shown in Fig. 19, the support strap 1372
may then be adjusted (via the buckle 1378) to adjust the
fit of the breast shield 32 on the breast 14.
In an alternate embodiment, the support strap 1372
may be formed into a loop, thereby eliminating the need
for the button 1374 and the button hole 1376. Further,
the support strap 1372 may be elasticized. Additionally,
instead of the button 1374 and button hole 1376
arrangement, any other suitable types of fasteners may be
used.
Fig. 20 shows a first embodiment of the present
invention of this application. The breast shield and
assembly support includes a brassiere 12, a mounting
element 1400 and attachments for the mounting element.
As shown in Fig. 23, the mounting element 1400 is
connected or attached to the breast shield 32 by fitting
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the mounting element 1400 snugly around the breast shield
32. This is accomplished in this embodiment with a
tubular partial-cylinder portion 1401 of the mounting
element which fits around the channel part 34 of the
breast shield assembly in a slip-on or snap fit. The
mounting element 1400 further has a shell portion 1402
which is contained to match that of the back of the
breast shield 32. A cut-out 1404 accommodates the snap-
fit for the mounting element over the cylindrical channel
part 34. The mounting element is made of a rigid
plastic, with sufficient flexibility to widen the split
tubular portion 1401 to pass over and then embrace the
breast pump cylinder portion 34. The mounting element
1400 is connected to the brassiere 12 and supported on
the breast 14 by a plurality of loops and bands as will
be more clearly shown hereafter.
Referring to Fig. 21, loops 1406 are connected to
the breast cups 20 of the brassiere 12. The loops 1406
are made of fabric and sewn into the breast cups 20.
Bands 1408 (Fig. 22) may be permanently attached to
the loops 1406, or as presently preferred, the bands 1408
may be removably attached to the loops 1406. In the
embodiment where the bands 1408 are removably attached to
the loops 1406, a band 1408 is inserted through the loop
1406 and then the end of the band 1408 that has been
inserted through the loop 1406 is then inserted through
the opening of the other end of the band 1408, thereby
removably tieing the band 1408 to the loop 1406. The
bands 1408 are of an elastic material, such as rubber
bands.
As best shown in Fig. 24, the mounting element 1400
has a plurality of posts 1410, preferentially situated
around the perimeter of the shell portion 1402 of the
mounting element in regular spacing thereabout. The
parts 1410 extend rearwardly relative to the shell
portion 1402. With the mounting element in place (Fig.
20), the bands 1408 are placed around the posts 1410 in
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a manner that supports the breast pump 30 against the
breast 14 so that the woman 10 does not have to use her
hands to support the breast pump 30. The number of posts
1410 provided enables ready and various attachments of
the bands 1408. The bands 1408 are anchored by the loops
1406.
In addition to the two points of attachments via the
sewn loops 1406, the mounting element has a further
attachment point via hook 1412.
. Hook 1412 is provided to orient the mounting element
1400 and attached breast pump, with the hook 1412 being
upward, i.e., above the breast. This provides a more
sure point of attachment where the majority of the
weight/torque will be applied, particularly as the bottle
36 fills during breast pumping. As seen in Fig. 20,
posts 1410 may additionally be used in conjunction with
the hook 1412 to secure the mounting element in place.
A fabric loop 1406' is associated with the band 1408
that is attached to the hook 1412. That loop 1406 ' may
be removably attached to this band in the manner
previously described. However, the loop 1406' that is to
be secured to the shoulder strap 26 may be permanently
attached to its band 1408, as shown in these FigS., as by
sewing the loop together about the band. The loop 1406
is removably attached to the shoulder strap 26 using a
hook fastener 1414, as shown in Fig. 26. The shoulder
strap 26 has corresponding eye fasteners 1415. The hook
fastener 1414 and the corresponding eye fasteners 1415
allow the fabric loop 1406 ' to thereby be removably and
adjustably attached to the shoulder strap 26.
In another embodiment shown in Fig. 27, the mounting
element may be eliminated by constructing the breast
shield 32 with the posts 1410 and hook 1412 formed
integral with breast shield 32. Fig. 28 shows a modified
version of the mounting element 1400, where the hook 1412
has been replaced in function by a pair of parallel slots
1416, which define a rib 1417 therebetween. Band 1406 '
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can be removably tied to the rib 1417 in the manner
described with respect to the fabric loops. Rib 1417 is
in essence a hook.
As stated above, the present invention permits a
nursing mother to use a breast pump to collect and store
breast milk, while also providing her with free use of
her hands to perform other job tasks or chores. In
addition, the present invention allows for hands-free
"double pumping." Further, the present invention is
simple to use and allows the breast shield to be quickly
supported on the exposed breast.
It should be appreciated that the present invention
may be modified or configured as appropriate for the
application. The embodiments described above are to be
considered in all respects only as illustrative and not
restrictive. Changes may be made without departing from
the spirit of the invention. The scope of the invention
is indicated by the following claims rather than by the
foregoing description. All changes which come within the
literal meaning as well as the range of equivalency of
the claims are to be embraced within their scope.