BREAST SUPPORT DEVICE

Abstract

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.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD AND BACKGROUND

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.

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. Pat. 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.

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.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

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.

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.

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.

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.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material coats the entire outer surface of the elongate member.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material forms a plurality of spaced apart ridges extending lengthwise between the opposing ends.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material forms a plurality of spaced apart, raised circular formations.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material includes a silicon compound.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the compound is tacky.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material includes vinyl.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material includes latex.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the material includes jelly rubber.

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

The invention may be best understood by reference to the following description in conjunction with the accompanying drawing figures in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is an end cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a side cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 6 is an end cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 4;

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a breast support device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a side cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 7; and

FIG. 9 is an end cross section of the breast support device of FIG. 7.

DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

FIGS. 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 includes 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 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 3M™ Steri-Strip™ Adhesive Skin Closures, produced by 3M, the corporate office of which is located at 3M Corporate Headquarters, 3M Center, St. Paul, Minn. 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 FIGS. 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.

In an embodiment of the device 10, shown in FIGS. 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.

FIGS. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Claims

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.

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 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.