Closable Aperture Permits Access To Breast I.e., Nursing Type Patents (Class 450/36)
  • Patent number: 7448936
    Abstract: A nursing bra assembly for securing pads in a nursing bra to inhibit the pads inadvertently falling out includes a bra for covering a pair of breasts and a portion of the torso of a person. The bra includes a pair of cups. Each of the cups has a feeding aperture extending therethrough and at least one nipple of the associated one of the breasts is accessible through the cup to be suckled by an infant. Each of the cups of the bra has one of a pair of covers pivotally coupled thereto. Each of the covers is selectively pivoted over the feeding aperture in the associated one of the cups. Each of the covers has one of a pair of pockets coupled thereto. The pockets are positioned over and adjacent to the feeding aperture of the cups when the covers are positioned over the feeding aperture.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2008
    Inventor: Louise Kemp-Dorsey
  • Patent number: 7445599
    Abstract: A system to aid in ultrasound scanning of breast tissue includes a fabric covering, which is adapted to hold the breast tissue in place during scanning, an ultrasonic coupling agent applied to one of the covering or the breast tissue, and a lenticular-shaped pad to cover the nipple of the breast tissue. The pad is placed beneath and held in place by the fabric covering, and the covering is capable of absorbing the coupling agent and conducting ultrasonic energy with minimal interference.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2008
    Assignee: SonoCine, Inc.
    Inventors: Kevin M. Kelly, Roger Royce
  • Patent number: 7430883
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for providing a nursing garment from a circular knitted fabric tube, where the nursing garment comprises a back portion and a front portion comprising breast cups completely or partly formed from at least a double layer of fabric, forming inner and outer breast cups, wherein said double layer of fabric is knitted integrally in one piece and used in an open or closed loop form, allowing knitting to be continued downwards from below the breasts. The present invention furthermore relates to a garment, preferably for use when nursing, produced by the aforementioned method.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: Tytex A/S
    Inventor: Bettina Balslev Sørensen
  • Patent number: 7396272
    Abstract: A transitional feminine styled garment for use by mastectomy patients immediately following surgery, the garment being sleeveless and having wireless and non-binding pockets for soft molded cups. The garment has inside drainage pockets for drainage receptacles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Inventor: Kim Newlen
  • Patent number: 7364491
    Abstract: A combination sports bra and secure pocket garment has a front mounted three section pocket with a single zipper closure. A cord hole in the pocket and a cord loop on the bra enables a cord to be retained from an electronic device in the closed pocket to a headset on the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2008
    Inventor: Lauren Grace Updyke
  • Publication number: 20080064299
    Abstract: A nursing garment comprising a breast support, a breast covering layer disposed between breasts of a user and the breast support, and a pair of shoulder straps, with each strap connected to the breast covering layer. The breast covering layer has a nursing flap positioned over each breast, with each nursing flap able to be lifted individually to provide access to a breast for nursing an infant. The breast support is releasably detachable from the breast covering layer to enable lifting of the nursing flap and the nursing flap continues to cover the breast from view while nursing the infant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2006
    Publication date: March 13, 2008
    Inventor: Helen La Fontaine
  • Publication number: 20080026676
    Abstract: A woman's garment includes an integral brassiere having improved breast support. The garment includes first and second bra cups in combination with an additional front support panel situated between the outer garment body and said first and second bra cups, said additional front support panel having a shape that substantially covers said first and second bra cups. The bra cups provide the support of a separate fitted brassiere. The additional front support panel provides both support for the bra cups and support for the outer garment body, which creates a smooth flattering appearance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2006
    Publication date: January 31, 2008
    Inventors: LINE ROTHMAN, Michael Rothman
  • Patent number: 7094217
    Abstract: A brassiere for supporting the breasts of a wearer and for receiving and supporting a funnel for expressing breast milk, comprising a pair of cups, at least one of which includes a first portion and a second portion having at least one elastic band. The first and second portion, and of the cup are expandable to allow a funnel to be selectively inserted between said first portion and said second portion, and under said first portion, and under said second portion, so as to contact said breast for expressing milk.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 1996
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2006
    Assignee: Medela Holding AG
    Inventor: Steven Fialkoff
  • Patent number: 7076809
    Abstract: A form fitting nursing tank top/undershirt made with a stretch fabric includes an invisible built in nursing bra. The invisible nursing bra is partly internal and partly external. The external portion of the built in nursing bra is the left and right shoulder straps, which from outside appearances form an integral part of the tank top/undershirt. The internal portion of the built in nursing bra is formed by a soft cup frame attached at the bottom to an elastic chest band and attached at the top to the front of the shoulder straps. In the back of the garment, the elastic chest band is attached to an internal back piece of fabric on the inside of the tank top. The internal back piece of fabric extends upward from the elastic chest band to the shoulder straps at the back, which shoulder straps each include an adjustable length section. Internal nursing flaps are attached at the bottom to the soft cup frame and at the top to the tank top body which forms external nursing flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Inventor: Line Rothman
  • Patent number: 7077720
    Abstract: This invention provides women's apparel including camisoles, tankinis or dresses, each having a unique and improved maternity and/or nursing breast support and enables the wearer to comfortably unsecure and secure a flap on a bra cup upon completion of nursing. The main inventive feature is a dynamic non-continuous or hanging bra support system made with a plurality of fabric members triangular in shape to allow a sizeable opening in each brassiere cup. The fabric members in each cup are joined at the upper end and create vertically oriented openings for maximum breast exposure that allow access to the breast and at the same time leave room for expansion of the breasts. The upper edges of the triangular cups are diagonally oriented, and the cups are attached only partially, at the lower portion to narrow regions of a stretchable band and/or laterally, to the side, thus providing flexibility, support and comfort for the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Nurture Bra LLC
    Inventors: Loretta Lynn Schneider, Roslyn Harte
  • Patent number: 7033244
    Abstract: The postpartum bra described utilizes a conically formed ice replacement pack laminated between an outer and an inner insulating layer of fabric as each of a pair of thermal bra cups. The bra cups are connected to a horizontal back strap by a pair of shoulder straps. The back strap and a connecting panel between the bra cups are elastic. A pair of adjustable connectors between the back strap and the bra cups allow the bra to be tightened selectively and successively as desired.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 25, 2006
    Inventor: Elliot J. Barton
  • Patent number: 6988930
    Abstract: A disclosed breast milk expression system supports a pair of breast milk collection devices at the breasts of a nursing mother, allowing her to express breast milk while keeping her hands free. No special bra or other garment is required to provide support. The system includes a substantially rigid bar, a strap, and a pair of breast milk collection device connectors at or near opposite ends of the bar. The strap is comprised of a length of slender, flexible support material, significantly longer than the bar. The strap extends from a point at or near one end of the bar to a point at or near another end of the bar and can suspend from a nursing mother's neck, thereby suspending a pair of breast milk collection devices near the nursing mother's breasts to express milk from them. Numerous variations and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2006
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Gillan
  • Patent number: 6983489
    Abstract: A nursing garment and support bra is provided as an outer body covering for a nursing mother suitable as a sleeping garment which provides support for the breasts and access to the breasts by a nursing infant, provides breast pad pockets to hold breast pads to contain flow from leaking breasts, or prostheses, provides two Vneckline breast retention panels easily slipped off the wearer's shoulder or pulled to one side to expose a breast for nursing by a nursing infant, and can function as a support bra for women who have undergone surgery and have use of a prosthesis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Raggle, Inc.
    Inventor: Germaine Caprio
  • Patent number: 6974361
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting milk extraction devices includes an elongated elastic strap that is adjusted to frictionally engage a woman's breasts. A pair of slits is formed in the elastic strip and each of the slits is positioned proximate the woman's breasts. The slits support the milk extraction devices therethrough. Each of the slits is a collapsible opening that alternates between a closed position when the milk extraction device is not supported by the slit and a partially opened position when the milk extraction device is supported by the slit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Inventors: Traci Cravaack, Catherine Luciano, Laurie Zanotti
  • Patent number: 6878034
    Abstract: A breast protection device for a nursing mother for providing absorbent and skin irritant-less material for the breast of a nursing mother. The breast protection device for a nursing mother includes a convexo-concave member being adapted to fit over a breast of a nursing mother; and also includes a pad member being attached to a concave side of the convexo-concave member; and further includes an assembly of covering the pad member; and further includes a fastening member being attached to the convex side of the convexo-concave member for attaching to a bra of the nursing mother.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Inventor: Marika L. Cisneros
  • Patent number: 6866558
    Abstract: An interface jig for removably securing a portable auger to a vehicle includes a carriage guide assembly, a sliding carriage assembly and a receiver assembly. The carriage guide assembly includes a vertical support having an upper portion and a bottom portion. A hitch adapter is affixed to the bottom portion to secure the carriage guide assembly to a vehicle hitch. The sliding carriage assembly includes a horizontal member having a first end opposite a second end. The first end is affixed to a vertical member that slides along the vertical support between the upper portion and the lower portion of the carriage guide. The receiver assembly is attached to the second end of the sliding carriage assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2005
    Assignee: Made by Moms, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine Luciano, Laurie Zanotti
  • Patent number: 6854132
    Abstract: The nursing garment of the present invention includes an outer garment and an inner garment. The outer garment can be any suitable garment which has a tubular body for covering the upper body region. The inner garment is disposed within the tubular body of the outer garment and attached to the outer garment. The inner garment can be any camisole-type garment which includes two chest panels that overlap with one another in criss-cross fashion. The chest panels receive and support the wearer's breasts. A nursing mother may raise the outer garment over her chest and pull either chest panel below her breast to make her breast accessible to her baby.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2003
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Sarah Polzin
  • Patent number: 6855029
    Abstract: A form fitting nursing tank top/undershirt made with a stretch fabric includes an invisible build in nursing bra. The invisible nursing bra is partly internal and partly external. The external portion of the build in nursing bra is the left and right shoulder straps which from outside appearances form an integral part of the tank top/undershirt. The internal portion of the built in nursing bra is formed by a soft cup frame attached at the bottom to an elastic chest band and attached at the top to the front of the shoulder straps. In the back of the garment, the elastic chest band is attached to an internal back piece of fabric on the inside of the tank top. The internal back piece of fabric extends upward from the elastic chest band to the shoulder straps at the back, which shoulder straps each include an adjustable length section. Internal nursing flaps are attached at the bottom to the soft cup frame and at the top to the tank top body which forms external nursing flaps.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2005
    Inventor: Line Rothman
  • Patent number: 6839908
    Abstract: This invention provides women's apparel having a unique and improved maternity and/or nursing breast support and enables the wearer to comfortably unsecure and secure a flap on a bra cup upon completion of nursing. The main inventive feature is a dynamic non-continuous or hanging bra support system made with a plurality of fabric members triangular in shape to allow a sizeable opening in each brassiere cup. The fabric members in each cup are joined at the upper end and create vertically oriented openings for maximum breast exposure that allow access to the breast and at the same time leave room for expansion of the breasts. The upper edges of the triangular cups are diagonally oriented, and the cups are attached only partially, at the lower portion to narrow regions of a stretchable band and/or laterally, to the side, thus providing flexibility, support and comfort for the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2005
    Assignee: NurtureBra LLC
    Inventors: Loretta Lynn Schneider, Roslyn Harte
  • Publication number: 20040242119
    Abstract: A bra for use while pumping breast milk including a slot in the breast section of the bra for use with a breast pump funnel and a padded area surrounding each slot to support the funnel. Optionally, the bra may be provided as part of a kit for pumping breast milk that includes a pump funnel adapted for use in pumping breast milk and a bra. The bra has a slot in the approximate center of each breast section and a padded area surrounding each slot. Each slot is adapted to provide access f:or the breast pump funnel, and each padded area is adapted to provide extra support for the pump funnel while engaged. A method of pumping breast milk includes the steps of wearing the bra having slots and padded breast pump funnel supports; inserting a pump funnel through one slot; and pumping breast milk through the funnel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Publication date: December 2, 2004
    Inventor: Euta D. Francis
  • Patent number: 6821185
    Abstract: A bra for use while pumping breast milk including a slot in the breast section of the bra for use with a breast pump funnel and a padded area surrounding each slot to support the funnel. Optionally, the bra may be provided as part of a kit for pumping breast milk that includes a pump funnel adapted for use in pumping breast milk and a bra. The bra has a slot in the approximate center of each breast section and a padded area surrounding each slot. Each slot is adapted to provide access for the breast pump funnel, and each padded area is adapted to provide extra support for the pump funnel while engaged. A method of pumping breast milk includes the steps of wearing the bra having slots and padded breast pump funnel supports; inserting a pump funnel through one slot; and pumping breast milk through the funnel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2004
    Inventor: Euta D. Francis
  • Publication number: 20040198176
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a two-breasted wearer of a nursing brassiere in determining which breast was most recently used for nursing or which breast should next be used for nursing is disclosed. Some embodiments include a flexible element attached to the brassiere at a first end and coupled at a second end to either of two portions of the brassiere, with the coupled portion reminding the woman to use a particular breast. In other embodiments, attachment of the flexible element to a portion can restrict access to the non-preferred breast. In other embodiments, an indicator attached to the brassiere can be placed in at least two states, each indicating a preference for a particular breast. In other embodiments, an alternating release switch on the brassiere automatically releases a coupling element of a breast cup associated with a preferred breast.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Dutka, Lois R. Fulton, Barry Charles Marin
  • Patent number: 6786798
    Abstract: The Invention is a brassiere to be worn after breast surgery. The fabric of the brassiere includes antimicrobial fibers that control microbes on the skin of the woman's breast area both before and after surgical incisions are healed. The antimicrobial fiber is a synthetic fiber incorporating a silver sodium hydrogen zirconium phosphate ion exchange resin. The antimicrobial fiber contains silver ions in antimicrobial amounts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2004
    Inventor: Kathleen Gendel
  • Publication number: 20040166766
    Abstract: This invention provides women's apparel having a unique and improved maternity and/or nursing breast support and enables the wearer to comfortably and conveniently unsecure a flap on either side of the bra cup to have access to the breast, and resecure the flap upon completion of nursing. The garments may be designed for wear for all occasions and may be adapted to be worn by all women. The main inventive feature is a dynamic non-continuous support system with a plurality of pieces of fabric shaped to allow a sizeable opening in each brassiere cup. Each cup contains vertically oriented openings that allow access to the breast and at the same time leave room for expansion of the breasts. The left and right bra cups are diagonally and may be attached at the lower portion to narrow regions of a stretchable band in the waist region and/or laterally, to the side, thus providing flexibility, support and all the while, ensuring comfort for the wearer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: August 26, 2004
    Inventors: Loretta Lynn Schneider, Roslyn Harte
  • Publication number: 20040143885
    Abstract: A form fitting nursing tank top/undershirt (10) made with a stretch fabric includes an invisible build in nursing bra. The invisible nursing bra is partly internal and partly external. The external portion of the build in nursing bra is the left and right shoulder straps (5), which from outside appearances form an integral part of the tank top/undershirt. The internal portion of the built in nursing bra is formed by a soft cup frame (2) attached at the bottom to an elastic chest band (15) and attached at the top to the front of the shoulder straps. In the back of the garment, the elastic chest band (15) is attached to an internal back piece (8B) of fabric on the inside of the tank top. The internal back piece (8B) of fabric extends upward from the elastic chest band (15) to the shoulder straps (5) at the back, which shoulder straps each include an adjustable length section (9).
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventor: Line Rothman
  • Patent number: 6764377
    Abstract: A disclosed breast milk expression system supports a pair of breast milk collection devices at the breasts of a nursing mother, allowing her to express breast milk while keeping her hands free. No special bra or other garment is required to provide support. The system includes a substantially rigid bar, a strap, and a pair of breast milk collection device connectors at or near opposite ends of the bar. The strap is comprised of a length of slender, flexible support material, significantly longer than the bar. The strap extends from a point at or near one end of the bar to a point at or near another end of the bar and can suspend from a nursing mother's neck, thereby suspending a pair of breast milk collection devices near the nursing mother's breasts to express milk from them. Numerous variations and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2004
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Gillan
  • Patent number: 6705920
    Abstract: A breast milk pump holding strap that includes two elastic bands that are adjustably securable to each other with a pair of companionate hook and pile fasteners along the back and front thereof to form a closed loop and that each include a slit through which a narrow portion of the cone of the breast pump is positioned prior to positioning of the straps in place such that each cone is held over a respective breast of the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 16, 2004
    Inventor: Julie Engel
  • Publication number: 20040038621
    Abstract: This invention is a combination garment, such as a tank top, halter top, a blouse, a dress, a swimsuit top, etc., for women after pregnancy that enables the wearer to conveniently and comfortably nurse her baby by unsecuring a flap on either cup and resecuring upon completion of nursing, without the necessity of dealing with various articles of clothing and putting them on and taking them off. The garment can also be worn during pregnancy for support.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2002
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Inventor: Carol Ann Vera
  • Publication number: 20040016039
    Abstract: A nursing garment and support bra is provided as an outer body covering for a nursing mother suitable as a sleeping garment which provides support for the breasts and access to the breasts by a nursing infant, provides breast pad pockets to hold breast pads to contain flow from leaking breasts, or prostheses, provides two v-neck breast retention panels easily slipped off the wearer's shoulder or pulled to one side to expose a breast for nursing by a nursing infant, and can function as a support bra for women who have undergone surgery and have use of a prosthesis.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2002
    Publication date: January 29, 2004
    Inventor: Germaine Caprio
  • Patent number: 6659841
    Abstract: A pair of bra cups formed as a single, molded layer, each cup having a inner surface and an outer surface. An opening extends between the inner and outer surfaces of each cup at the location of the wearer's nipples. Each cup has a pocket positioned over and secured to the inner surface of the cup. The pocket overlays approximately one-half of the inner surface, but does not cover any part of the opening. An absorbent, replaceable nursing pad is positioned and retained within each pocket. The pad serves to cover the opening when in place in the pocket, but is removable from the pocket when nursing is completed. This nursing bra configuration is readily adaptable for use with a variety of bra to body attachment and support devices. The design obviates the need for flaps attached with snaps or hooks and thus facilitates unobstructed nursing. In addition, backless and strapless designs allow the user to wear the bra with fashionable dresses and blouses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Inventor: Rick A. Raimondo
  • Publication number: 20030211809
    Abstract: A disclosed breast milk expression system supports a pair of breast milk collection devices at the breasts of a nursing mother, allowing her to express breast milk while keeping her hands free. No special bra or other garment is required to provide support. The system includes a substantially rigid bar, a strap, and a pair of breast milk collection device connectors at or near opposite ends of the bar. The strap is comprised of a length of slender, flexible support material, significantly longer than the bar. The strap extends from a point at or near one end of the bar to a point at or near another end of the bar and can suspend from a nursing mother's neck, thereby suspending a pair of breast milk collection devices near the nursing mother's breasts to express milk from them. Numerous variations and methods are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Jonathan C. Gillan
  • Publication number: 20030211810
    Abstract: A nursing bra comprises a pair of bra cups formed as a single, molded layer, each cup having a inner surface and an outer surface. An opening extends between the inner and outer surfaces of each cup at the location of the wearer's nipples. Each cup has a pocket positioned over and secured to the inner surface of the cup. The pocket overlays approximately one-half of the inner surface, but does not cover any part of the opening. An absorbent, replaceable nursing pad is positioned and retained within each pocket. The pad serves to cover the opening when in place in the pocket, but is removable from the pocket when nursing is completed. This nursing bra configuration is readily adaptable for use with a variety of bra to body attachment and support means. The design obviates the need for flaps attached with snaps or hooks and thus facilitates unobstructed nursing. In addition, backless and strapless designs allow the user to wear the bra with fashionable blouses and dresses.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2002
    Publication date: November 13, 2003
    Inventor: Rick A. Raimondo
  • Patent number: 6645041
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a brassiere which is especially suited for women nursing their child and where the brassiere is provided in a double layer and without seams and which allows the women easy access to expose one breast at a time by unfastening a clasp device and, subsequently, pull down the outer layer of the brassiere.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2003
    Assignee: Tytex A/S
    Inventor: Bettina Balslev Sørensen
  • Patent number: 6550067
    Abstract: This invention relates to a brassiere garment for use in nursing. The brassiere garment is constructed as a garment. The brassiere garment portion of the garment has adequate support and is provided with cups which can be opened and closed without having to unfasten a brassiere garment from a wearer. The cups fit snugly enough to hold breast pads in place. The garment portion is aesthetically pleasing. Thus the invention provides a garment which is self sufficient, not requiring a bra.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 22, 2003
    Inventor: Jillaine Bee Force
  • Publication number: 20030027491
    Abstract: An apparatus for supporting milk extraction devices includes an elongated elastic strap that is adjusted to frictionally engage a woman's breasts. A pair of slits is formed in the elastic strip and each of the slits is positioned proximate the woman's breasts. The slits support the milk extraction devices therethrough. Each of the slits is a collapsible opening that alternates between a closed position when the milk extraction device is not supported by the slit and a partially opened position when the milk extraction device is supported by the slit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2001
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Traci Cravaack, Catherine Luciano, Laurie Zanotti
  • Patent number: 6497609
    Abstract: A method of enhancing the tantalizing appearance of a covered female breast by placing a nipple enhancer between the breast and an article of clothing covering the breast in the absence of any adhesive so as to produce the appearance of an erect nipple through the article of clothing covering the breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2002
    Assignee: Bodyperks, Inc.
    Inventor: Julia Cobbs
  • Patent number: 6364739
    Abstract: An apparatus for assisting a two-breasted wearer of a nursing brassiere in determining which breast was most recently used for nursing or which breast should next be used for nursing. Some embodiments include a flexible element attached to the brassiere at a first end and coupled at a second end to either of two portions of the brassiere, with the coupled portion reminding the woman to use a particular breast. In other embodiments, attachment of the flexible element to a portion can restrict access to the non-preferred breast. In other embodiments, an indicator attached to the brassiere can be placed in at least two states, each indicating a preference for a particular breast. In other embodiments, an alternating release switch on the brassiere uses a toggle to automatically release a coupling element of a breast cup associated with a preferred breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2001
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2002
    Inventors: Michael Dutka, Lois R. Fulton
  • Patent number: 6361398
    Abstract: A bra or garment configured to function at least in part in the manner of a brassiere and usable by a nursing mother for improved ease of nursing an infant child, the invention provides dual exterior bra cup covers releasably fastened about certain peripheral portions thereof to portions of a body-encircling band or foundation garment, which cup covers are permanently fastened along other peripheral portions to the bra or foundation garments, the covers further being disposed on front surfaces of the bra or garment in surmounting relation to the breast of a user when the bra or garment is worn. The cup covers of the garment can each be opened from respective locations substantially under or near the underarms of a user to expose interior cups having a central opening formed in each of said interior cups, thereby to facilitate nursing by an infant such as when the infant is held in the crook of the arm of a user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2002
    Inventor: Christine Knapp
  • Patent number: 6346027
    Abstract: A nursing bra device for preventing breast milk from leaking through a bra. The nursing bra device includes a bra with a pair of cup frames positioned on a torso strap. Each of a pair of shoulder straps extends between one of the cup frames and the torso strap. Each of a pair of bra cups is attached to one of the cup frames such that a portion of each of the bra cups defines a flap for opening and closing an opening defined by the cup frames. Each of the flaps has a hole therein. Each of the bra cups has an inner layer and an outer layer. The inner layer comprises an absorbent material. Each of a pair of hook members is attached to one of the cup frames and selectively holds the flaps in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2001
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2002
    Inventor: Diane Merkovsky
  • Patent number: 6319092
    Abstract: A nursing bra worn by a mother when nursing an infant. The nursing bra allows the mother to change out only a wet section of the bra without having to remove clothing and replace the entire bra. The nursing bra includes broadly a bra frame with shoulder straps and adjustable back straps for holding the bra on the mother. The bra frame includes a first bra cup frame member with a first opening therethrough and a second bra cup frame member with a second opening therethrough. The first and second bra cup frame members include hook and loop fasteners or other types of fasteners for releasably securing a removable first bra cup and a removable second bra cup. The first and second bra cups are made of an absorbent material for absorbing mother's milk that leaks from the mother's breast when wearing the nursing bra. Also, the first and second bra cups come in different cup sizes for different size breasts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2001
    Inventors: Polly A. Leyhe, Kristy D. Warner
  • Patent number: 6264529
    Abstract: An alternating breast nursing system for facilitating nursing from each breast alternately between feedings during breastfeeding of an infant. The alternating breast nursing system includes a pair of fasteners, each coupled to an associated cup of a nursing bra and a indicator couplable alternately to a selectable one of the fasteners to indicate which breast should be used next for feeding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: July 24, 2001
    Inventor: Rita K. Logue
  • Patent number: 6247996
    Abstract: A breast milk pump support harness to be worn by a nursing mother that includes two detachable collection bottle support assemblies and a brassiere assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2001
    Inventor: Angel Fields
  • Patent number: 6227936
    Abstract: A hands free pumping and nursing brassiere that operates similar to a regular nursing bra, yet differs in that it has a detachable hands free pumping panel positioned behind the nursing cup. To nurse, a woman detaches the nursing cup with the pumping panel attached thereto. To perform hand free pumping, the nursing cup is detached from the pumping panel, a breast shield is inserted from the back of the pumping panel through an opening in the pumping panel, so that it can be attached to the pump. The pumping panel is then reattached to the brassiere allowing the woman to pump her breast milk in a hands free manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2001
    Inventor: Amelia Mendoza
  • Patent number: 6213840
    Abstract: A hands-free breast pump support bra and system allow simple and effective breast milk expression from a lactating woman's breasts without the need of additional support, such as straps, bands, posts and mounting elements to support the weight of breast pump apparatuses. The support bra independently and as part of the system is made of a material of sufficient elasticity and strength that when worn firmly and frictionally holds against each breast the funnel-like portion of a breast pump during the complete breast milk expression operation. Slits are strategically located in both nipple areas of the bra's cups through which the funnel-like portions of breast pumps engage the breasts. Because of the elastic property of the bra's fabric, the fabric around the slits securely and simultaneously hold against each breast in a hands-free manner a funnel portion with a conventional breast milk bottle filled with milk and attached thereto.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1997
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2001
    Inventor: Bonnifant Heeja Han
  • Patent number: 6083079
    Abstract: The invention described in the specification relates to an ergonomically designed support garment for use in supporting the breast of a woman. The support garment contains an inverted Y-shaped portion having an apex, a lateral side and a medial side attached to a support means having a bottom portion, a lateral arm and a medial arm for uplifting support of a woman's breast wherein the lateral side of the Y-shaped portion is connected to the lateral arm at an angle ranging from about 120 to about 140 degrees therebetween and the medial side is attached to the medial arm at an angle ranging from about 65 to about 85 degrees therebetween. Because of the design of the Y-shaped portion and the connection angle to the support means, a bra containing Y-shaped portion and support means provides enhanced support of a woman's breast for a variety of activities without the need for wires or stiffeners which are conventionally used to support woman's breast.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2000
    Inventor: Cynthia K. Pearson
  • Patent number: 6027396
    Abstract: A brassier for reducing breast cancer includes cups for holding the mammary glands. Each of the cups has a slot formed therein for accommodating a papilla. Each slot is longitudinally elongated to accommodate for variances in the longitudinal location of the papilla from woman to woman. By positioning the papilla within the slots, the papillae are not subject to pressure and compression which inflict trauma on the breasts. The brassier for reducing trauma may include cup linings disposed within the cups. Each lining has an opening formed therein for accommodating a papilla. Each lining may also have protective material disposed about the opening to provide protection for the papilla when received within the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2000
  • Patent number: 6004186
    Abstract: An apparatus for securing the milk intake components of a suction device to the nipples of a nursing mother's breasts is configured as a bandeau or tube top. Alternatively, the apparatus may be configured as a halter top. The apparatus includes a chest piece for positioning around a nursing mother's chest and two openings formed in the front of the chest piece for receiving the milk intake components of the suction device. Optional closures such as Velcro.RTM. strips, snaps, hooks and eyes or buttons/button holes located on the chest piece permit adjusting the fit of the apparatus around the mother's chest. The halter top configuration may include a neck strap for adjusting the fit around the nursing mother's neck. Optional closures located on the neck strap permit adjusting the fit of the neck strap around the nursing mother's neck.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 1998
    Date of Patent: December 21, 1999
    Inventor: Gretchen M. Penny
  • Patent number: 5957748
    Abstract: Women's clothing has a slidable adjuster A provided between left and right breast cup portions (1, 1'). The adjuster A comprises an outer casing (10) and sliding portions (20). The wearer can change the positions of engagement between first engaging portions (12) provided in the outer casing (10) and second engaging portions (20) provided in the sliding portions (20) by operating the sliding portions (20), so that the distance between the breast cup portions (1, 1') can be adjusted to a desired level either when the clothing is being put on or after the clothing is put on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 1997
    Date of Patent: September 28, 1999
    Assignee: Triumph International (Japan), Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideki Ichiha
  • Patent number: 5873768
    Abstract: The present invention provides an active-wear garment which comfortably provides support to the chest and back areas of the physically-active wearer, while wicking away moisture from the skin of the wearer. The active-wear garment of the present invention provides support such that the breasts of the wearer are comfortably supported and effectively immobilized when worn during physical activity of the wearer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 1998
    Date of Patent: February 23, 1999
    Assignee: Edie Fleischman-Ament
    Inventors: Edie Fleischman-Ament, Susan K. Krueger
  • Patent number: D505243
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2005
    Inventor: Anna Thunstedt