Abstract:
A dual function, convertible bra garment includes a construction facilitating user-controllable conversion between a nursing bra configuration, readily usable during a conventional infant or young toddler nursing process, and a breast engorgement-inhibiting configuration. During use as a nursing bra, the garment is maintained in a first configuration, or state, providing direct access by a nursing child to a mother&#39;s nipple. Following a relatively simple highly-controllable conversion procedure, the nursing configuration is efficiently and effectively converted, generally based upon a combined elastic band strap-based system, for applying a user-selected uniform breast pressure, coupled with a user-controlled cooling component, and component carrying pocket, for indirectly communicating cooling to the wearer&#39;s breasts, thereby effecting complete conversion of the bra from a nursing configuration to a breast milk engorgement inhibiting configuration.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention relates generally to techniques for suppressing breast milk production and, more particularly, is concerned with a convertible bra garment serving the dual purposes of nursing and inhibiting engorgement of breasts with breast milk. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     A woman&#39;s breasts begin to develop and produce milk during the middle of her pregnancy, sometimes as early as 16 to 18 weeks into the pregnancy. The production of breast milk, commonly referred to as lactation, makes the breasts swell and feel engorged. The body will initiate this process early and it will continue to occur even in the case where a pregnancy ends unsuccessfully and, therefore, lactation is no longer needed or desired. The placenta makes hormones to stop milk production. When the placenta is gone, the hormone levels drop and the breasts start making milk. 
     Normally, suckling at the breast nipples provide signals to the breasts to let down milk already produced, and to continue to produce more milk. Absent suckling, there is no such demand and eventually the breasts will stop making more supply. However, if the milk already produced is not removed from the breasts, this can become very painful because of tightness and soreness associated with fully engorged breasts. 
     Unfortunately, it is not uncommon for a miscarriage to occur during the first or second trimester of a woman&#39;s pregnancy. In some instances when a miscarriage occurs, the woman&#39;s predisposition to produce milk is lost. However, without taking steps to attempt to limit, or altogether prevent milk production a condition commonly referred to as breast engorgement often occurs. In order to cease the production of new milk supply, it is crucial to prevent the very factors that tend to encourage milk production, commonly referred to as the “let-down” reflex or “lactation after loss.” Application of pressure and support for the engorged breasts, and cooling to reduce breast swelling, are key to reducing the let-down reflex. Therefore, women who suffer from lactation after loss typically use a firm and snug bra that prevents the nipples from being stimulated, thereby reducing the lactation process. The constant diffuse pressure of a supportive bra will enable the beginning of signaling pathways in the breasts to inhibit milk production. 
     Therefore, there is a long felt, but as of yet unmet, for a more effective, easy-to-employ method for selectively inhibiting the let-down reflex. In particular, it would be highly desirable to provide a single bra garment that can be easily converted to selectively function as both a nursing bra and, where desired, a breast engorgement-inhibiting bra. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention overcomes the deficiencies of past approaches and the problems that remain unsolved by providing a dual use bra garment for nursing and inhibiting breast engorgement. The bra garment includes a bra that can be employed for use in nursing, and attachments on the bra for use after nursing has ended to enable converting the bra for use in inhibiting breast engorgement by providing the desired breast support, cooling effect and diffuse pressure in a manner that will discourage milk production. 
     In one aspect of the present invention, a dual use bra garment includes:
         a bra configured for use in nursing, the bra including
           a base band being annular in configuration,   a front side attached to and disposed above the base band, the front side including left and right breast cup portions,   a back side attached to and disposed above the base band,   a pair of shoulder straps respectively extending between and attached to the back side and upper parts of the left and right breast cup portions, and   left and right lateral sides attached to and disposed above the base band and interconnecting the front and back sides; and   
           attachments on the bra that enable converting the bra for use in inhibiting breast engorgement, the attachments including
           a pair of loops attached on the front side of the bra adjacent to one another so as to define a pair of slots spaced apart and extending side-by-side one another from between the left and right breast cup portions to proximate the base band, and   left and right connectors each attached proximate a respective one of the left and right lateral sides of the bra such that each of a pair of bands are attachable to one of the left and right connectors and coupleable to one of the loops via the slot thereof and extendible around the front of one of the left and right breast cup portions to convert the bra for use in inhibiting breast engorgement.   
               

     In another aspect of the present invention, the attachments also include another connector attached on the back side of the bra such that a wrap-around strap is attachable to the another connector and extendible around the left and right lateral sides of the bra and across the pair of bands on the front side thereof in opposite directions so as to secure to one another at a pair of free end portions of the wrap-around strap and apply pressure on the pair of bands. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, a bra garment comprises:
         a bra including
           a base band being annular in configuration,   a front side attached to and disposed above the base band, the front side including left and right breast cup portions,   a back side attached to and disposed above the base band,   a pair of shoulder straps respectively extending between and attached to the back side and upper parts of the left and right breast cup portions, and   left and right lateral sides attached to and disposed above the base band and interconnecting the front and back sides; and   
           attachments on the bra that convert the bra to inhibiting breast engorgement, the attachments including left and right pockets formed in front of the left and right breast cup portions and configured to be openable and closable for receiving and retaining breast temperature reducing objects in proximity to the respective breast cup portions of the bra.       

     In another aspect of the present invention, the attachments also include left and right flaps on the front of said left and right breast cup portions that form the left and right pockets, the flaps having upper end portions releasably secured to the respective shoulder straps so as to at least partially open to allow fitting the breast temperature reducing objects into and removing them from the partially open pockets. 
     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the attachments also include a wrap-around strap configured to secure to the back side of the bra and to extend around the opposite lateral sides of the bra and across the front side thereof in opposite directions so as to overlap and secure to one another at a pair of free end portions of the strap and substantially cover and apply pressure on the pair of pockets formed in front of the left and right breast cup portions of the bra. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, a bra garment comprises:
         a bra including:
           a base band being annular in configuration,   a front side attached to and disposed above the base band, the front side including left and right breast cup portions,   a back side attached to and disposed above the base band,   a pair of shoulder straps respectively extending between and attached to the back side and upper parts of the left and right breast cup portions,   left and right lateral sides attached to and disposed above the base band and interconnecting the front and back sides; and   
           structural attachments integrated into the bra that convert the bra to an altered configuration tending to inhibit breast engorgement, the attachments including:
           at least one loop attached on the front side of the bra so as to define a slot extending from between the left and right breast cup portions to proximate the base band, and   at least one band anchored at one end portion to one of the left and right lateral sides of the bra and extending therefrom forwardly around one of the left and right breast cup portions adjacent to the one of the left and right lateral sides and through the slot of the one loop to an opposite free end portion of the one band that is folded back and releasably secured to another portion of the one band adjacent to the one loop and the opposite free end portion such that the at least one band covers and applies pressure on the one of the left and right breast cup portions of the bra.   
               

     In yet another aspect of the present invention, the at least one loop and at least one band are a pair of the loops and a pair of the bands, the one of the loops and one of the bands being applied relative to the one of the left and right lateral sides of the bra and the one of the left and right breast cup portions adjacent thereto and the other of the loops and the other of the bands being applied relative to the other of the left and right lateral sides of the bra and the other of the left and right breast cup portions adjacent thereto. Furthermore, each of the bands may be provided as a pair of narrower bands placed one above the other so that the bands may be individually releasably secured so as to substantially cover, and apply different levels of pressure to, upper and lower sections of the left and right breast cup portions of the bra. 
     In still another aspect of the present invention, the attachments also include a wrap-around strap configured to secure to the back side of the bra and to extend around the left and right lateral sides of the bra and across the front side thereof in opposite directions so as to overlap and secure to one another at a pair of free end portions of the strap and substantially cover and apply pressure on the pairs of narrower bands, and the pair of pockets formed in front of the left and right breast cup portions of the bra. 
     These and other aspects, features, and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the attached drawings and the detailed description of the preferred embodiments, which follow. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The preferred embodiments of the invention will hereinafter be described in conjunction with the appended drawings provided to illustrate and not to limit the invention, in which: 
         FIG. 1  presents a front elevation view of an exemplary embodiment of a bra garment in accordance with an aspect of the present invention, showing a bra that can be used for nursing and also having attachments thereon for converting the bra for use inhibiting breast engorgement; 
         FIG. 2  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment as originally introduced in  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 3  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment of  FIG. 2 , now showing some attachments on the bra garment in the form of left and right flaps, which form left and right pockets, with one of the pockets being shown at least partially opened to selectively receive a temperature-reducing object; 
         FIG. 4  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment of  FIG. 2 , now showing other attachments on the bra garment in the form of one band being detached from the bra garment; 
         FIG. 5  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment of  FIG. 2 , now showing still other attachments on the bra garment in the form of a pair of bands; 
         FIG. 6  presents a back elevation view of the bra garment of  FIG. 1 , now showing yet other attachments on the bra garment in the form of a wrap-around strap shown detached and separated from the bra garment; 
         FIG. 7  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment with the attachments of  FIGS. 5 and 6  being shown together on the bra garment with the wrap-around strap in an opened position; 
         FIG. 8  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment as seen in  FIG. 7 , but now showing the wrap-around strap in a closed position; and 
         FIG. 9  presents a front isometric view of the bra garment similar to  FIG. 4 , but incorporating a pair of bands applied on the bar garment in place of the one band shown in  FIGS. 1-8 . 
     
    
    
     Like reference numerals refer to like parts throughout the several views of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     The following detailed description is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the described embodiments or the application and uses of the described embodiments. As used herein, the word “exemplary” or “illustrative” means “serving as an example, instance, or illustration.” Any implementation described herein as “exemplary” or “illustrative” is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other implementations. All of the implementations described below are exemplary implementations provided to enable persons skilled in the art to make or use the embodiments of the disclosure and are not intended to limit the scope of the disclosure, which is defined by the claims. For purposes of description herein, the terms “upper”, “lower”, “left”, “rear”, “right”, “front”, “vertical”, “horizontal”, and derivatives thereof shall relate to the invention as oriented in  FIG. 1 . Furthermore, there is no intention to be bound by any expressed or implied theory presented in the preceding technical field, background, brief summary or the following detailed description. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification, are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 1-3 and 6 , there is illustrated a dual-function bra garment, generally designated by reference numeral  100 , which has a construction enabling conversion between a “nursing” configuration and a “lactation-suppressing” configuration. The bra garment  100  includes a bra portion  102  that may readily be employed as a nursing bra by selectively releasing upper members  112 B, located proximate to upper portions  112 A of the respective left and right breast cups  112 , from the shoulder straps  114  via releasable connector clips  130 , in order to release flaps  128  overlying the breast cups, to selectively expose some or all of a woman&#39;s breast to enable the woman to nurse an infant. Upon completion of the use of the bra  102  during nursing, by employment of a plurality of interengageable components, in accordance with various aspects of the dual function convertible bra garment  100 , the bra garment may be converted from the nursing configuration to a breast milk engorgement-inhibiting configuration. Various structural elements, components, and the like will be described hereinafter with reference to corresponding drawing  FIGS. 1 through 9 . 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 and 6 , the bra portion  102  of the convertible bra garment  100  generally includes a base band  104 , a front side  106 , a rear, or back, side  108 , and left and right lateral sides (together referenced herein as reference numeral  110 ) interconnecting the front and back sides,  106  and  108 , respectively. Base band  104  is contiguous with, and depends downwardly from, respective bottom portions of front side  106 , back side  108  and lateral sides  110 . The front side  106  includes left and right breast cup portions (together denoted by reference numeral  112 ). The base band  104  may have an endless, or contiguous, annular geometry, intended to completely circumscribe the torso of a wearer. The bra portion  102  will typically include a pair of shoulder straps (together denoted as reference numeral  114 ) extending between, and attached to, the back side  108  and upper parts  112 A of the respective left and right breast cup portions  112 . The shoulder straps  114  may include couplers  114 A for facilitating adjustment of the shoulder strap lengths, for providing a comfortable fit and support, as is well known in the art. The various structural components of the bra portion  102  may be constructed of panels of conventional flexible fabric materials sewn or otherwise attached to one another. By way of example, but not of limitation, the fabric material of the base band  104  may be substantially elastic, while the other components may be constructed from fabric materials that are substantially inelastic. 
     Several of the attachments of the bra garment  100 , which enable conversion of the bra  102  for use inhibiting breast engorgement, include a pair of loops (shown generally as reference numeral  116 ), left and right connectors (shown generally as reference numeral  118 ), and another, or third, connector  120  (shown in  FIG. 6 ). The loops  116  may be in the form of strips of a flexible fabric material being attached at their opposite ends on the front side  106  of the bra  102  adjacent to one another. Together with the front side  106  of the bra  102 , the loops  116  each define a band-receiving slot  122 , they may be spaced-apart from one another, and they may extend adjacent, and generally parallel to, one another, preferably from between the left and right breast cup portions  112  to proximate the base band  104 . For facilitating a wearer during the donning and removing the bra  102 , a selectively-closable mechanism  124  (e.g., a conventional zipper, complementary rows of hooks and eyelets, etc.) may be incorporated on the front side  106  of the bra  102  between the pair of spaced-apart loops  116 . 
     The left and right connectors  118  are attached to, and extend vertically on the left and right lateral sides  110  of, the bra  102 , as seen in  FIG. 1 . As shown in  FIG. 6 , the third connector  120  is attached, preferably centrally, on the back side  106  of the bra  102 . By way of example, and not of limitation, the left and right connectors  118  may be in the form of rows of eyelets, patches of selectively attachable and detachable material, conventionally known as “hook-and-loop material,” and the like. The third connector  120 , by way of example and not of limitation, may be a patch of the same attachable and detachable material. 
     As best shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , additional conversion-enabling features of the bra garment  100  preferably include left and right pockets (together, referred to herein by reference numeral  126 ) formed in front of, or otherwise overlaying, the respective left and right breast cup portions  112  on the front side  106  of the bra portion  102 . The left and right pockets  126  are created and defined by respective left and right flaps (together referred to herein by reference numeral  128  partially attached to the exterior surface of the front of the corresponding left and right breast cup portions  112 . The left and right flaps  128  may have upper end portions  128 A that are releasably secured to the respective forward ends of the shoulder straps  114  by clips  130 , such that at least the upper end portions  128 A of the left and right flaps  128  may be selectively released from the respective shoulder straps  114  to at least partially open the respective pockets  126  in order to receive therein, and remove therefrom, a breast temperature-reducing object  131  for maintaining the cooling object  131  in close proximity to, and preferably against, the respective breast cup portions  112  of the bra body  102 . The temperature-reducing object  131  may be any object or material currently in existence or developed in the future, which can be easily cooled and subsequently maintained at a desired cooling temperature, while contained in the pocket. However, it is preferred to use an object, such as a gel-filled or hydrogel-filled breast cooling pad, wherein the cooling material is enveloped or contained within a flexible leak-proof enclosure to prevent seepage of gel or liquid, and wherein the containment material has adequate flexibility to easily adapt or conform to the changing contour of the overlaid breast. As desired, it is contemplated to utilize any convenient cooling object construction or configuration that serves the intended function of the invention. For instance, while the cooling component  131  is shown having a generally circular pad or puck-like geometry, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the specific geometry and construction of the cooling component may take on any of a myriad of variations without departing from the intended scope of the invention. By way of example, but not limitation, it is contemplated to incorporate an annular, or donut-shaped, configuration which, when properly inserted and seated within the pocket, avoids cooling contact with the nipple and surrounding areola, while making indirect cooling contact with the surrounding breast skin 
     Referring now primarily to  FIGS. 4 and 5 , other conversion-enabling and conversion-facilitating components of the convertible bra garment  100  may include at least one (and preferably a pair of) pressure-applying band(s)  132 . Each band  132  is selectively attachable to a respective one of the left and right connectors  118  (shown in  FIG. 1 ). More specifically, each band  132  has a first end portion  132 A incorporating a connector  134  complementary to the left and right connectors  118  disposed along the respective left and right lateral sides (shown generally as reference numeral  110 ) of the bra portion  102 . The complementary connectors  134 , by way of example but not of limitation, may be in the form of a series of hooks as shown) or, alternatively, patches of mateable portions of a hook-and-loop attachment system. The pressure-applying bands  132 , selectively and releasably anchored at the respective left and right lateral sides  110  of the bra portion  102 , are then extended forwardly around the front of the respective left and right breast cup portions  112 , for selective engagement with the respective loops  116  via insertion of corresponding free ends  132 B of the pressure-applying bands  132  through the respective band-receiving slots  122  formed by the loops  116 , in order to convert the bra garment  100  for use inhibiting breast engorgement through application of pressure (in conjunction with application of cooling) to the breasts. More specifically, a second, opposite, free distal end portion  132 B of each pressure-applying band  132  is inserted through the respective slot  122  of a respective one of the loops  116 , and subsequently folded back upon itself, for releasable attachment to another less distal portion  132 C of the band  132  adjacent to the loop  116 , such that the bands cover, and apply the desired pressure to, the left and right breast cup portions  112  and thus, the underlying breasts). As best shown in  FIG. 4 , the distal free end portion  132 B and portion  132 C adjacent thereto have complementary connectors  136 ,  138  thereon, such as mating patches of hook-and-loop material, for selectively releasably attaching the portions  132 B,  132 C of each band  132  to one another. In this manner, each band  132  can be independently adjusted (i.e., tightened or loosened) to selectively apply the desired degree of pressure. Furthermore, the bands  132  preferably have configurations that substantially conform to the corresponding configurations of the left and right breast cup portions  112 , such that the bands will cover substantially all of the breast cup portions  112  and, accordingly, the milk ducts of the wearer&#39;s breasts, in condition for the application of pressure to more effectively cease milk production. Significantly, each pressure-applying band  132  incorporates a band width, along a length of the band that is generally aligned with a corresponding bra cup once the band is tightened, adequate to substantially cover a corresponding bra cup. Furthermore, it will be noted that the bands  132  may be woven through, behind the flaps  128 , through the pockets  126 , to the loops  116 , so as to reduce any bulkiness that might be present when routed in front of the flaps  128 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 6-8 , still another conversion-enabling attachment of the bra garment  100  includes a pressure applying wrap-around strap  140 . The wrap-around strap  140  has a complementary connector  142  centrally located between opposite free end portions  140 A of the wrap-around strap  140 . The complementary connector  142  attaches to the third connector  120  on the back side  108  of the bra  102 . The strap  140  is of sufficient length to extend in opposite directions away from the mated connectors  120 ,  142 , around the left and right lateral sides  110  of the bra  102 , along the bands  132  on the front side  106  of the bra  102 , so as to overlap and secure to one another at the free end portions  140 A of the strap  140 , substantially covering and applying pressure upon the bands  132 , and the left and right flaps  128  forming the left and right pockets  126  on the front of the left and right breast cup portions  112  of the bra  102 . The overlapped opposite free end portions  140 A of the wrap-around strap  140  have connectors  144 ,  146  complementary to one another and attached at respective opposite sides thereof. The connectors  144 ,  146  secure the overlapped free end portions  140 A of the strap  140  to one another. The complementary connectors  144 ,  146 , by way of example but not of limitation, may be complementary patches of hook-and-loop material. 
     Referring now primarily to  FIG. 9 , but in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-8 , in lieu of each band  132  shown in  FIGS. 1-8 , a pair of bands  148 ,  150  ( FIG. 9 ) may be employed. Each one of the pair of bands  148 ,  150  is located directly above or below the respective other band  148 ,  150 , such that each one of the bands  148 ,  150  is independently releasably secured in a manner substantially covering, and adjustable to selectively apply varying degrees of pressure to, upper and lower sections of a respective one of the left and right breast cup portions of the bra. 
     The above-described embodiments are merely exemplary illustrations of implementations set forth for a clear understanding of the principles of the invention. Many variations, combinations, modifications or equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed as the best mode contemplated for carrying out this invention, but that the invention will include all the embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims. For example, although the aforementioned Figures and description primarily illustrate and describe adjustable strap-through-loop type fastening systems, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that, alternatively, a lattice type construction/arrangement could be employed, whereby individual laterally extending straps are interwoven through spaced apart slits forming channels therebetween integrated into, for instance, an exterior layer of the bra  102 , in order to provide the desired uniform pressure application about the breast cup covering a wearer&#39;s breasts. Still further, in lieu of a laterally-disposed strap system, a pair of crisscrossing elastic straps could be disposed extending between two vertically-extending rows of corset style lacing disposed outside of, and thereby bounding, the leftmost and rightmost cup region of the bra, whereby the elastic straps extend around an exterior cup perimeter, crisscrossing at a central medial axis between the cup regions, and wherein a cooling element is provided for selective receipt within pockets formed upon, or otherwise integrated into, cup portions. Various combinations of the exemplary implementations are also contemplated to be employed to achieve the desired invention, which in the broadest sense is comprised of a dual function nursing and engorgement-inhibiting bra garment, providing the wearer with both: (1) direct selective access to the covered breast during use as a nursing bra; and, following a simple conversion process; (2) a combination of selective indirect communication of a cooling temperature from an insertable cooling device to an exterior breast surface, and an adjustable generally uniform pressure application against the exterior breast surface via an elastic strap system, which incorporates a novel and nonobvious construction and configuration that functions to facilitate conversion between the aforementioned conventional nursing bra configuration and a user-deployed adjustable substantially uniform cooling temperature and pressure application against the wearer&#39;s breasts, adequate to effectively minimize, and preferably cease, the so-called letting down reflex.