Patent Document

Cross-Reference to Related Applications: This application is a continuation-in-part application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/920,472 filed on Aug. 1, 2001 now abandoned. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   1. Field of the Invention 
   This invention is in the field of breastfeeding, specifically relating to an adjustable “one-size-fits-all” apparatus fitted around a woman&#39;s breasts to aid in the mechanical extraction of breast milk using one or multiple milk extraction suction devices. 
   2. Description of the Related Art 
   For the sake of convenience, this patent specification will focus on simultaneously pumping both breasts using two separate milk extraction devices, but it is understood that the problems addressed and solutions presented by the present invention are also applicable to extracting milk using a single milk extraction device (e.g., nursing a baby on one breast while simultaneously pumping the other breast) or pumping each breast separately. 
   A breast pump includes suction cup devices that are secured to the nipples of the mother&#39;s breasts. Tubes connect the suction devices to the breast pump and a motor in the pump typically creates varying degrees of suction between the suction devices and the breasts. The suction extracts breast milk from the breasts into a pair of bottles attached to the suction devices. The mother maintains the suction by manually pressing the suction devices against the breasts throughout the pumping procedure. This is often a time consuming and frustrating process as the mother must maintain a particular position for a long period of time without any use of her hands. 
   Despite this frustration, it has become increasingly common for working mothers to choose to maintain a breastfeeding relationship with their child by using electric, battery or manual breast pumps to extract milk several times a day while at work. While the breast pumps are able to extract milk, they still are not nearly as efficient as a nursing baby. Therefore, several companies have set up separate rooms and policies to help nursing mothers maintain the breastfeeding relationship with their child. In this regard, one of the keys to maintaining a breastfeeding relationship is the ability of the nursing mother to relax and quickly experience the let-down reflex. This is difficult to achieve while concentrating on maintaining proper suction by using both hands to press each of the suction devices against the breasts. 
   Additionally, nursing mothers often find themselves in situations where they have to pump in front of other people. In this regard, it would be useful to provide the nursing mother with a means to cover her breasts while she is pumping. It would also be useful to provide the nursing mother with a pumping device that is easily adjusted in the front for easy access. To maximize comfort and fit, it would also be useful to provide the nursing mother with a pumping device that adjusts in both the front and the back to accommodate the nursing mother&#39;s varying chest measurement while also accommodating for the placement of the covered slits that align with the mother&#39;s breasts. 
   A device that would allow a breastfeeding mother to have full use of her hands during each of the pumping sessions would allow the mother to relax and even perform other tasks while pumping. It is critical that such a device be capable of providing adequate pressure between the suction device and the breasts to adequately and efficiently empty the breasts. Unfortunately, current devices adapted to allow a nursing mother “hands free” pumping simply do not work, as they are unable to maintain proper suction between the suction devices and the breasts. 
   Moreover, several of these devices require the assembly and disassembly of several complicated attachments to hold the suction devices in place. These devices are typically very expensive and still ineffective at maintaining the proper suction between the devices and the breasts, thereby allowing hands free pumping. Finally, these devices also may require permanent alteration of the nursing brassiere, thereby rendering it ineffective for nursing the baby in that after the attachments are secured to the brassiere, the brassiere can only be used as a pumping aid. 
   SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   Accordingly, one object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting milk extraction devices that includes an elongated band that is adjusted to frictionally engage a woman&#39;s breasts, a pair of slits, a front adjustment and a back adjustment. The pair of slits is formed in the band, and each of the slits is positioned proximate the woman&#39;s breasts and configured to support a milk extraction device therethrough. The front adjustment is located between the pair of slits and the back adjustment is located opposite the front adjustment. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting milk extraction devices including an elongated band that is adjusted to frictionally engage a woman&#39;s breasts, a pair of covered slits, a front adjustment and a back adjustment. The pair of covered slits is formed in the elongated band, and each of the covered slits is positioned proximate the woman&#39;s breasts and configured to support a milk extraction device therethrough. The front adjustment is located between the pair of covered slits, and the back adjustment is located opposite the front adjustment. 
   Yet another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus for supporting milk extraction devices including an elongated band that is adjusted to frictionally engage a woman&#39;s breasts, a pair of slits, a front closure and a back closure. The pair of slits is formed in the elongated band, and each of the slits is positioned proximate the woman&#39;s breasts and configured to support a milk extraction device therethrough. The front closure is formed in the elongated band and located between the pair of slits. The back closure is located opposite the front closure and positioned proximate the woman&#39;s back. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     Preferred exemplary embodiments of the invention are illustrated in the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals represent like parts throughout, and in which: 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a halter apparatus according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 2  is a front view of a pumping band according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a back adjustment strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 4  is a rear view of the back adjustment strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 5  is a front view of a first strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 6  is a rear view of the first strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 7  is a front view of a second strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 8  is a back view of the second strap according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 9  is a front view of the pumping band including the covered slits according to the present invention; 
       FIG. 10  is a front view of the pumping band illustrating uncovered slits according to the present invention; and 
       FIG. 11  is a front view of the pumping band illustrating an open front adjustment area according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
   Referring to  FIG. 1 , an apparatus  10  for supporting a pair of milk extraction devices  12  includes an elongated band  14  that is adjusted to frictionally engage and wrap around a nursing mother&#39;s breasts. A pair of covered slits  16  is formed in elastic band  14  and each of the covered slits is aligned with the nipple portion of each breast. Covered slits  16  support a circular suction cup  18  (dotted lines) of milk extraction device  12 . In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, each slit is approximately 3-6 inches in length (e.g., 4½ inches). Elongated band  14  is manufactured as a “one-size-fits-all” device. In this regard, elongated band  14  is fully adjustable to fit a wide range of chest measurements and cup sizes. 
   Each covered slit  16  is a button-hole type of collapsible opening that alternates between a closed position when milk extraction devices  12  are not supported by covered slits  16  and a partially opened position when milk extraction devices  12  are supported by covered slits  16 . 
   In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, band  14  is an elastic-type band that is approximate 3 to 10 inches in width. In the alternative, band  14  may be constructed by covering a piece of elastic with a stretchable material. In this regard, band  14  may alternatively be manufactured with a non-stretchable woven or non-woven material (e.g., terry cloth, rayon, polyester, etc.). 
   As discussed above, band  14  is configured to adapt to varying chest and cup sizes with a temporary front closure means  20  and a temporary back closure means  38  known in the art (e.g., VELCRO® hook and loop fastener closures, button and button holes, hook and eye closures, snaps, tied fabric extensions, etc.). In the preferred embodiment of the current invention, a first end  22  of band  14  is removably attached to a second end  24  of band  14  using mating strips of VELCRO® hook and loop strips located in front of the nursing mother. In the alternative, band  14  may be manufactured to accommodate varying chest and cup sizes consistent with industry standards (e.g., small, medium, large, extra-large) or custom fit. 
   Temporary front closure means  20  is used to adjust the friction between elongated elastic band  14  and the woman&#39;s breasts. As illustrated in  FIG. 1 , front closure  20  is located between covered slits  16  to provide easy adjustment of band  14  for adequate friction to support milk extraction devices  12  and to align covered slits  16  with the woman&#39;s breasts. 
   In an alternative embodiment of the current invention, band  14  may be manufactured as a single tubular shape having permanently secured ends to form a continuous piece of fabric. The ends may be secured with methods that are well-known in the art (e.g., heat-activated fusible material, fabric adhesive, thread, etc.). 
   Apparatus  10  further includes a halter-type neck strap  26  with a first strap portion  28  and a second strap portion  30 . First strap portion  28  further includes a first end  32  and a second end  34 . First end  32  of first strap portion  28  is attached to elongated band  14  proximate one of covered slits  16 . 
   Halter-type neck strap  26  is constructed by covering an elastic-type band (e.g., 1 to 3 inches in width) with a stretchable material. Alternatively, neck strap  26  may be manufactured with a non-stretchable woven or non-woven material (e.g., terry cloth, rayon, polyester, etc.). Neck strap  26  is approximately 25 to 35 inches in length. 
   In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, first end  32  of first strap portion  28  is permanently attached to elongated band  14  at a top portion  36  of elongated band  14 . Second end  34  of first strap portion  28  is temporarily attached to a first end  37  of second strap portion  30  using adjusting means (e.g., mating strips of VELCRO® hook and loop strips attached to second end  34  and first end  37  ). A second end  39  of second strap portion  30  is permanently attached to elongated band  14  at top portion  36  of elongated band  14  proximate one of covered slits  16 . 
   Alternatively, one or both of first end  32  of first strap portion  28  and second end  39  of second strap portion  30  may be temporarily attached to top portion  36  of elongated strap  14  using adjusting means that are well-known in the art (e.g., mating VELCRO® hook and loop strips). 
   In yet another alternative embodiment of the present invention, neck strap  26  may be manufactured from a single piece of material that having two ends that are attached to top portion  36  proximate each of slits  16  either permanently or temporarily (e.g., using a VELCRO® hook and loop closure). In the preferred and alternative configurations, neck strap  26  wraps behind the neck and is adjusted using adjusting means located in front of the nursing mother. 
   In operation, a nursing mother wraps elongated elastic band  14  around her chest, aligns covered slits  16  with her breasts, and obtains a tight fit using front closure means  20  and back closure means  38 . To provide further comfort, the nursing mother may also place neck strap  26  behind her neck and adjust the position of strap  26  by changing the position of second end  34  in relation to first end  37 . 
   Circular suction cups  18  of milk extraction devices  12  are inserted through covered slits  16  and elongated band  14  may be adjusted to ensure proper friction between cups  18  and the woman&#39;s breasts. Thereafter, the nursing mother turns on the breast pump and is able to maintain a comfortable position while extracting milk and having full use of both of her hands. At the end of the pumping session, the nursing mother turns off the breast pump, easily removes cups  18  from covered slits  16 , and removes elastic band  14  from her breasts. 
     FIG. 2  illustrates a first elastic panel  14   a , a second elastic panel  14   b  and back closure means  38 . Button-hole type slits  48  each include a slit cover  40  having a pair of secured ends  42 , a secured top edge  46  and an unsecured bottom edge  44 . Suction cups  18  of milk extraction devices  12  are placed under slit cover  40  by lifting bottom edge  44  and inserted into slits  16 . 
     FIGS. 3-4  illustrates back closure means  38  having a front surface  39  and a back surface  50 . In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, back surface includes a VELCRO® hook and loop closure that matingly engages VELCRO® hook and loop closure  52  on second panel  14   b  and VELCRO® hook and loop closure  54  on first panel  14   a . Back closure  38  includes a top edge  56 , a bottom edge  57  and ends  58 . Closure  38  is preferably manufactured with a width  58  that is smaller than the width of panels  14   a ,  14   b.    
   In the alternative, the width of closure  38  can be the same or larger than the width of panels  14   a ,  14   b , and one end of closure  38  may be permanently attached to one of the ends of panel  14   a  or  14   b . Back surface  50  is preferably manufactured using material that mates with hook-type material found on closures  52  and  54 . 
     FIGS. 5-6  illustrate both sides of first panel  14   a  and  FIGS. 7-8  illustrate both sides of second panel  14   b . First panel  14   a  includes slit cover  40  over slit  48 , a front surface  60  having closure surface  62 , a front surface  64  of closure  54 , and a finished edge  66 . A back surface  68  of first panel  14   a  includes a fuzzy surface  72  that mates with a hook-type surface  82  of second panel  14   b , and a hook surface  70  that mates with back fuzzy surface  50  of back closure means  38 . Slit  48  is surrounded by a closure stitch  74  to hold slit cover  40  in place and a button-hole finish  76 . 
   Second panel  14   b  includes slit cover  40  over slit  48 , a front surface  78  having a hook closure surface  82  that matingly engages fuzzy surface  72  of panel  14   a , and a front surface  80 . A back surface  84  of second panel  14   b  includes a closure surface  86  and a hook surface  88  that mates with back fuzzy surface  50  of back closure means  38 . 
     FIGS. 9-10  further illustrate slit cover  40  and slit  48 . Front closure  20  is in a closed position  90 .  FIG. 10  illustrates slit  48  with cover  40  removed. Additionally,  FIG. 10  illustrates front surface  60  and front surface  78 .  FIG. 11  illustrates front closure  20  in an open position. 
   Many changes and modifications may be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. The scope of some of these changes has already been discussed in relation to using other attachment and adjusting means for fastening various portions of elastic band  14  to one another. The scope of other changes will become apparent from the attached claims.

Technology Category: 1