Lactation Suppression Garment

Abstract

A lactation suppression garment includes a breast coverage section and a wrap section to support and apply a highly adjustable compressive force against a wearer's breast to provide perfect fit and alleviate swelling and pain and other discomforts associated with the lactation suppression process

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority of Provisional Application Ser. No. 61/420,510, filed Dec. 7, 2010.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There are few options available for women who wish to stop nursing or not nurse at all. Women are left to wear uncomfortable ill-fitting sports bras and use ice packs to try and alleviate swelling and pain associated with the lactation suppression process. Sports bras do not help women effectively because as the milk production decreases the breasts become smaller rapidly. To effectively support engorged breasts and to expedite the weaning process, a lactation suppression garment must fit the breasts as tightly as possible while maintaining comfort. Infection due to stasis of milk in the breasts is also a common problem while weaning.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The lactation suppression garment disclosed in the exemplary embodiments herein is designed to be completely adjustable, allowing the perfect fit throughout the weaning process. The lactation suppression garment preferably is covered entirely in a wicking anti-microbial material to discourage bacterial growth thus decreasing risk of infection.

In its preferred exemplary form, the lactation suppression garment disclosed herein is designed to offer adjustability, support, perfect fit, decreased infection, and expedited weaning during lactation suppression.

The exemplary form of the invention disclosed herein compresses the milk glands of the breast, encouraging stasis of milk in the glands. The stasis then discourages further production of milk. As milk production decreases the milk glands involute, leading to smaller glands and milk in the breasts eventually drying up. Breast tissue is very tender during this process. The exemplary embodiment of the lactation suppression garment illustrated in the attached photographs supports the tissue by covering all of the breast tissue and supporting the suspensory ligaments of the breast.

In one preferred from, the lactation suppression garment is covered in anti-microbial moisture wicking bamboo, discouraging moisture build up and infection. The lactation suppression garment also may include, in one exemplary embodiment, two inner pockets that allow insertion of ice packs, to ease natural inflammation associated with the weaning process.

In one form, the lactation suppression garment is made of latex free elastic and thus is completely adjustable. One exemplary embodiment of the lactation suppression garment includes completely adjustable straps for that added support.

In one exemplary embodiment of the invention adjustable non-latex elastic inner core straps are covered in bamboo/spandex fabric.

In another exemplary embodiment, the inner core of the lactation suppression garment consists of 100% latex free 8″ elastic material.

In another exemplary aspect of the invention the lactation suppression garment is covered in 95%/5% un-dyed Bamboo/Spandex jersey fabric.

In another exemplary embodiment the lactation suppression garment contains inner pockets to hold breast ice packs.

In another exemplary embodiment, the lactation suppression garment uses space fabric formed of a lightweight breathable fabric that contours to chest.

In another exemplary embodiment, hook and loop fasteners, such as hook and loop fasteners sold under the trademark Velcro are used to allow maximum adjustability on both the straps and around the chest.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

While the specification concludes with claims which particularly point out and distinctly claim the invention, it is believed the present invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which like reference numbers identify the same elements in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a lactation suppression garment assembly constructed in accordance with the present invention depicting a breast coverage section and a wrap section in side-by-side relationship with the garment in a fully opened position;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the lactation suppression garment assembly shown in FIG. 1 with the wrap section wrapped around the rear and back in front of the breast coverage section;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view similar to FIG. 2 showing the wrap section being stretched in front of the breast coverage section;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the internal surface of the breast coverage section shown in FIGS. 1-3; and

FIG. 5 is a perspective view showing an ice pack being inserted into one of two pockets in the internal surface of the breast coverage section.

Reference will be made in detail to certain exemplary embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

Referring now to the drawings, FIG. 1 shows one form of a lactation suppression garment 10 constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention. In the specific embodiment shown, the garment 10 includes two sections, a breast coverage section 12 and a wrap section 14. The breast coverage section 12 is configured to be worn on and at least partially cover a human breast, as shown in the illustration of FIG. 3. The wrap section 14 has an elongated configuration with at least one end being securable at a fixed location relative to the breast coverage section 12. In the specific embodiment shown in FIG. 1, the wrap section 14 is fixedly secured to a lateral side of the breast coverage section, and extends laterally outwardly therefrom. The wrap section includes at least one free end, the end 14a in the illustration of FIG. 1. The free end 14a of the wrap section 14 includes one component of a hook and loop fastener 14c (see FIG. 3), so as to allow the wrap section 14 to be secured relative to the breast coverage section 14a at a multitude of locations. As shown in the illustrations of FIGS. 2 and 3, the wrap section 14 is wrappably foldable so as to allow wrapping around the rear portion of the breast coverage section 14 (see FIG. 2) and around a wearer's body (see FIG. 3) to be attached relative to the breast coverage section. The free end 14a can be attached to either the breast coverage section, or to itself. As emphasized in the depiction of FIG. 3, the wrap section 14 is resiliently stretchable in at least its elongated direction to allow the free end 14a to be secured relative to the breast coverage section at variable locations, and to apply an adjustable compressive force against the breast coverage section that varies as a function of the location at which the free end of the wrap section is secured. The opposite end of the wrap section, end 14b, is securable at a fixed location relative to the breast coverage section, and in one form of the invention illustrated in FIG. 1, fixedly or permanently secured to one of the lateral side portions of the breast coverage, as for example through a sewn connection as illustrated in FIG. 1.

As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate, the hook and loop fastener component 14c removably interfaces with a compliment component to allow the free end to be adjustably and releasably secured to a multitude of locations on either the breast coverage section or the wrap section itself. This, of course, allows, the wearer to adjustably control the magnitude of the compressive force the wrap section 12 applies against the breast coverage section 12.

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 5, the internal surface of the breast coverage section 12 (the surface intended to interface with the wearer's body) includes a pair of spaced pockets 16, 18 for receiving a removable thermal conditioning insert 20, such as an ice pack. As those skilled in the art will readily appreciate from the depictions of the specific embodiment illustrated in the drawings, the spacing of the pockets 16, 18 is preferably chosen to position each of the thermal conditioning insert in juxtaposition to a breast of the user.

The lactation suppression garment may also be formed with a wicking material for interfacing with the underlying breast of the wearer. This wicking material may be formed from a suitable material such as bamboo/elastane fabric. One preferred material includes a fabric formed of a mixture of undyed Bamboo and Spandex jersey material. At least one of the breast and wrap sections may be formed of a non-latex elastic material. In one preferred from of the invention, the wicking material is anti-microbial.

FIGS. 1-4 further show a pair of shoulder straps 24, 26 extending upwardly from the wrap section 14. As best shown in FIG. 3, these straps 24, 26 interface with a corresponding pair of strap receiving protrusions 24a, 26a extending upwardly from the breast coverage section 12. The straps 24, 26 and protrusions 24a, 26b have complementary hook and loop fasteners, such as the hook and loop fasteners sold under the trademark Velcro, to allow maximum, almost complete, adjustability on both the straps and around the chest. The straps 24, 26, protrusions 24a, 26a and breast coverage section 12 cooperatively function to support the suspensory ligaments of a wearer's breast.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such embodiments and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled. The drawings and preferred embodiments do not and are not intended to limited the ordinary meaning of the claims in their fair and broad interpretation in any way.

Claims

1. A lactation suppression garment assembly, comprising:

a breast coverage section, the breast coverage section being configured to be worn on and at least partially cover a human wearer's breast; a wrap section, the wrap section having an elongated configuration with one end being securable at a fixed location relative to the breast coverage section and at least one free end removably securable at a multitude of locations relative to the breast coverage section, the wrap section being wrappably foldable and so as to allow the wrap section to wrap around a wearer's body and to cover at least a portion of the breast coverage section, the wrap section being resiliently stretchable in at least the elongated direction of the wrap allow the free end of the wrap to be secured relative to the breast coverage section at variable locations and to apply an adjustable compressive force against the breast coverage section that varies as a function of the location at which the free end of the wrap section is secured; a fastening system for removably and adjustably securing the free end of the wrap portion relative to the breast coverage section and controlling the magnitude of compressive force applied against the breast coverage section.

2. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein one end of the wrap section is permanently affixed to the breast coverage section.

3. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein one end of the wrap section is securable to another portion of the wrap section when the wrap section is wrapped around and compressively engaging the breast coverage section.

4. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 further including a shoulder support secured to the breast coverage section.

5. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the breast coverage section includes an internal surface adapted to interface with a human breast, the internal surface having a wicking material for interfacing with an underlying breast.

6. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the wicking material for interfacing with an underlying breast is anti-microbial.

7. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the breast coverage section is configured to support the suspensory ligaments of a human breast when worn by a human.

8. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein the breast coverage section includes an internal surface adapted to interface with a human breast, and the internal surface includes at least one pocket for removably inserting a thermal conditioning insert.

9. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 8 wherein the internal surface the breast coverage section includes a spaced pair of pockets for removably inserting thermal conditioning inserts.

10. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 9 wherein the thermal conditioning inserts are ice packs.

11. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 5 wherein the wicking material for interfacing with an underlying breast in a bamboo/elastane fabric.

12. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 4 wherein the shoulder support includes a pair of adjustable straps.

13. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least the breast coverage section is covered with a mixture of undyed Bamboo and Spandex jersey fabric.

14. A lactation suppression garment assembly as recited in claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the breast coverage and wrap sections is formed of non-latex elastic material.