Brassiere for expressing breast milk
AssigneeMedela Holding AG
InventorSTEVEN FIALKOFF
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
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 of the cup are expandable to allow a funnel to be selectively inserted between and under said first portion and said second portion so as to contact said breast for expressing milk.
Claims17
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, said pair of cups dimensioned to substantially cover said breasts, said pair of cups having an upper edge and lower edge;
- a connecting portion for joining said pair of cups;
- a back support affixed to said pair of cups;
- at least one of said pair of cups including at least a first portion and a second portion, said first portion having at least one end attached to said at least one of said pair of cups and at least one free end, said second portion having at least one end attached to said at least one of said pair of cups and at least one free end;
- a first elastic band being affixed to one of said at least one free end of said first portion and said second portion, said first portion and said second portion dimensioned such that at least a portion of one of said at least one free end of said first portion overlaps at least a portion of one of said at least one free end of said second portion;
- whereby said funnel may be selectively inserted between and under said first portion and said second portion so as to contact said breast for expressing milk.
A method of using a brassiere for supporting the breasts of a wearer and for receiving and supporting a funnel for expressing breast milk, said brassiere having a pair of cups, at least one of said pair of cups including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion having at least one free end, at least one of said free ends having an elastic band, comprising the steps of:
- separating at least a portion of said free end of said first portion from at least a portion of said free end of said second portion to from an opening;
- inserting said funnel into said opening and under said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups of said brassiere so as to contact said breast;
- holding said funnel against said breast by means of said elastic band to substantially form a seal between said funnel and said breast;
- activating a pump to create suction at the breast nipple to cause breast milk to be expressed;
- and
- directing said breast milk into a storage container.
A method of using a brassiere for supporting the breasts of a wearer and for receiving and supporting a funnel for expressing breast milk, said brassiere having a pair of cups, at least one of said pair of cups including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion having at least one free end, each of said at least free ends having an elastic band, comprising the steps of:
- separating at least a portion of said free end of said first portion from at least a portion of said free end of said second portion to from an opening;
- inserting said funnel into said opening and under said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups of said brassiere so as to contact said breast;
- holding said funnel against said breast by means of said elastic band to substantially form a seal between said funnel and said breast;
- activating a pump to create suction at the breast nipple to cause breast milk to be expressed;
- and
- directing said breast milk into a storage container.
A method of using a brassiere for supporting the breasts of a wearer and for receiving and supporting a funnel for expressing breast milk, said brassiere having a pair of cups, at least one of said pair of cups including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion having at least one free end, each of said free ends at least partially overlapping one another and at least one of said free ends having an elastic band, comprising the steps of:
- releasing a latch attaching said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups;
- separating at least a portion of said free end of said first portion from at least a portion of said free end of said second portion to from an opening;
- inserting said funnel into said opening and under said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups of said brassiere so as to contact said breast;
- holding said funnel against said breast by means of said elastic band to substantially form a seal between said funnel and said breast;
- activating a pump to create suction at the breast nipple to cause breast milk to be expressed;
- and
- directing said breast milk into a storage container.
A method of using a brassiere for supporting the breasts of a wearer and for receiving and supporting a funnel for expressing breast milk, said brassiere having a pair of cups, at least one of said pair of cups including a first portion and a second portion, said first portion and said second portion having at least one free end, each of said at least free ends having an elastic band, comprising the steps of:
- releasing a latch attaching said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups;
- separating at least a portion of said free end of said first portion from at least a portion of said free end of said second portion to from an opening;
- inserting said funnel into said opening and under said first portion and said second portion of said at least one of said pair of cups of said brassiere so as to contact said breast;
- holding said funnel against said breast by means of said elastic band to substantially form a seal between said funnel and said breast;
- activating a pump to create suction at the breast nipple to cause breast milk to be expressed;
- and
- directing said breast into a storage container.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.