DISPOSITIF DE SOUTIEN DES SEINS

BREAST SUPPORT DEVICE

Abrégé français

La présente invention concerne un dispositif à placer entre les seins d'un être humain afin d'éviter ou de réduire le plissement de la peau dans la région thoracique de l'utilisateur, ainsi qu'un procédé de soutien du sein en position supérieure d'un être humain couché sur le côté afin d'éviter ou de réduire le plissement de la peau dans la région thoracique.

Abrégé anglais

A device for placement between a human's breasts for reducing and preventing skin wrinkling in the chest region of a user and a method of supporting the upper positioned breast of a side laying human to reduce and prevent skin wrinkling in the chest region.

Revendications

I claim:
1. A device for placement between a human's breasts for reducing and
preventing skin wrinkling in the chest region of a user comprising:
(a) a hollow, elongate member comprising a central body joining opposing
rounded ends to form a continuous outer surface of the elongate member; and
(b) a material fixed to the outer surface of the elongate member to
provide a non-slip interface with the user's skin.
2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material coats the entire outer
surface of the elongate member.
3. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material forms a plurality of
spaced apart ridges extending lengthwise between the opposing ends.
4. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material forms a plurality of
spaced apart, raised circular formations.
7

5. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises a silicon
compound.
6. A device according to claim 5, wherein the compound is tacky.
7. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises vinyl.
8. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises latex.
9. A device according to claim 1, wherein the material comprises jelly rubber.
10. A method of supporting the upper positioned breast of a side laying human
to
reduce and prevent skin wrinkling in the chest region comprising the steps of:
(a) providing a device comprising:
(i) a hollow, elongate member comprising a central body joining
opposing rounded ends to form a continuous outer surface of
the
elongate member; and
(ii) a material fixed to the outer surface of the elongate
8

member to provide a non-slip interface with the human's skin;
and
(b) maintaining the device in position without the need for a support
strap encircling the human's chest.
9

Description

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
BREAST SUPPORT DEVICE
Technical Field and Background
[0001] The present disclosure relates to the fields of medical and personal
care, and more particularly, to a device for preventing or reducing the
formation of
skin wrinkles in the cleavage area of a human caused by gravitational lateral
breast
shifting while the human is in a side laying position.
[0002] Many people find wrinkles in the skin of the cleavage area unsightly or
unattractive, and thus, undesirable. Such wrinkles can be caused by the
gravitational forces that shift an unsupported upper breast laterally while
one is in
the side laying position, such as during sleeping, particularly with large
breasted
people. As such, devices for placement between the breasts to maintain the
upper
breast in the area in front of the chest are known, but, in many cases, these
devices
must be used with a brassiere or garment similar to a brassiere, or at least a
strap
encircling the user's chest, to maintain the device in position between the
breasts.
U.S. Patent No. 7,001,239 to Russell, for example, discloses such a device,
but
Russell advocates the use of a sleeveless top to hold its device in place.
Such a
combination and others can be restrictive and uncomfortable to wear. In
addition,
many of the prior art devices are relatively complex and expensive to
manufacture,
and troublesome to don.
[0003] Accordingly, there is a need for a simple device for preventing or
reducing the formation of skin wrinkles in chest region or cleavage area that
will
remain between a user's breasts without the need for an additional support
member
that encircles the user's body.
1

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
Summary of the Disclosure
[0004] Therefore, it is an object of the invention to provide a simple device
for
preventing or reducing the formation of skin wrinkles in the cleavage area of
a user.
[0005] It is another object of the invention to provide a device that will
remain
between a user's breasts without the need for an additional support member
that
encircles the user's body.
[0006] It is another object of the invention to provide a method of supporting
the upper positioned breast of a side laying human to reduce and prevent skin
wrinkling in the chest region.
[0007] These and other objects of the present invention are achieved in the
preferred embodiments disclosed below by providing a device for placement
between a human's breasts for reducing and preventing skin wrinkling in the
chest
region of a user. The device includes a hollow, elongate member having a
central
body joining opposing rounded ends to form a continuous outer surface of the
elongate member, and a material fixed to the outer surface of the elongate
member
to provide a non-slip interface with the user's skin.
[0008] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material coats the entire outer surface of the elongate member.
[0009] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material forms a plurality of spaced apart ridges extending lengthwise between
the
opposing ends.
[0010] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material forms a plurality of spaced apart, raised circular formations.
2

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
[0011] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material includes a silicon compound.
[0012] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
compound is tacky.
[0013] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material includes vinyl.
[0014] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material includes latex.
[0015] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the
material includes jelly rubber.
[0016] According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, a method
of supporting the upper positioned breast of a side laying human to reduce and
prevent skin wrinkling in the chest region is disclosed. The method includes
providing a device including a hollow, elongate member comprising a central
body
joining opposing rounded ends to form a continuous outer surface of the
elongate
member and a material fixed to the outer surface of the elongate member to
provide
a non-slip interface with the human's skin. The method also includes
maintaining
the device in position without the need for a support strap encircling the
human's
chest.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] The invention may be best understood by reference to the following
description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:
3

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
[0018] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to
an embodiment of the invention;
[0019] Figure 2 is a side cross section of the breast support device of Figure
1;
[0020] Figure 3 is an end cross section of the breast support device of Figure
1;
[0021] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to
an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0022] Figure 5 is a side cross section of the breast support device of Figure
4;
[0023] Figure 6 is an end cross section of the breast support device of Figure
4;
[0024] Figure 7 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to
an alternative embodiment of the invention;
[0025] Figure 8 is a side cross section of the breast support device of Figure
7; and
[0026] Figure 9 is an end cross section of the breast support device of Figure
7.
Description of Preferred Embodiments
[0027] Figures 1-3 show a device 10 for placement between a human's
breasts for reducing and preventing skin wrinkling in the chest region of a
user. The
device 10 inciudes a hollow, elongate member 18 having a central body 22
joining
opposing ends 30 and 32 that may be rounded. The elongate member 18 has a
4

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
continuous outer surface 26 and a material 36 may be fixed to the surface 26
to
provide a non-slip interface with the user's skin. One material 36 that is
particularly
useful for adhesion to the surface 26 to provide the non-slip interface is
3MTM Steri-
StripTM Adhesive Skin Closures, produced by 3M, the corporate office of which
is
located at 3M Corporate Headquarters, 3M Center, St. Paul, Minnesota 55144-
1000.
The material 36 may also include a tacky or non-tacky silicon composition,
vinyl,
latex, or jelly rubber, or combinations thereof. In the embodiment of the
device 10
shown in Figures 1-3, the material 36 covers substantially the entire member
18,
although it may not be necessary to cover the entireties of the opposing ends
30 and
32 of the device 10 with the material 36.
[0028] In an embodiment of the device 10, shown in Figures 4-6, the material
36 forms a plurality of spaced apart ridges 40 extending lengthwise between
the
opposing ends 30 and 32 of the member 18. Preferably, the ridges are about one
half inch wide, measured circumferentially, and about one half inch apart on
center.
[00291 Figures 7-9 show an embodiment of the device 10 wherein the material
36 takes the form of a plurality of disparate formations 42 spaced about an
inch
apart, on center. Moreover, the formations 42 may be generally ovoid,
elliptical, or
circular at the interface with the member 18 and rise radially from the
longitudinal
axis of the member 18 to form generally hemispherical or dome shaped
structures.
[0030] Advantageously, the material 36 can be provided separately, for later
replacement of spent or worn material on the elongate member 18 by the user
without the need for purchasing a new device. Also, the device 10 can be
manufactured in a variety of sizes, such as Small, Medium, Large and X- Large,
to
accommodate the varying breast proportions of users.

CA 02686335 2009-11-04
WO 2008/137454 PCT/US2008/062009
[00311 To use the device 10, one may simply place the assembly between the
breasts without the need for a strap that encircles the user's chest or neck
to keep
the device in place.
[0032] Embodiments of a device for placement between a human's breasts
for reducing and preventing skin wrinkling in the chest region of a user are
described
above. Various details of the invention may be changed without departing from
its
scope. Furthermore, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of
the
invention and best mode for practicing the invention are provided for the
purpose of
illustration only and not for the purpose of limitation.
6

Dessin représentatif