# US 2017/0280787 A1 · Funnel support accessory for a breast pumping system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2017/0280787 A1 - Document ID: US20170280787A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 15/470,995 - Filed: 2017-03-28 - Published: 2017-10-05 - Earliest claimed: 2016-03-29 - Assignees: PumpNDo, LLC - Applicants: PumpNDo, LLC - Inventors: Julie Ann Burrell - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20170280787A1 ## CPC - A41C 3/04: for nursing mothers {(nursing clothing in general A41D1/215)} - A41D 1/215: Nursing clothing, e.g. for breastfeeding - A61M 1/062: {Pump accessories} - A61M 1/067: {with means for hands-free operation} - A61M 2202/0014: removed from the body - A61M 2202/04: Liquids - A61M 2209/088: on the body - A41C: CORSETS; BRASSIERES - A41D: OUTERWEAR; PROTECTIVE GARMENTS; ACCESSORIES - A61M: DEVICES FOR INTRODUCING MEDIA INTO, OR ONTO, THE BODY (introducing media into or onto the bodies of animals A61D7/00; means for inserting tampons A61F13/26; devices for administering food or medicines orally A61J; containers for collecting, storing or administering blood or medical fluids A61J1/05); DEVICES FOR TRANSDUCING BODY MEDIA OR FOR TAKING MEDIA FROM THE BODY (surgery A61B; chemical aspects of surgical articles A61L); DEVICES FOR PRODUCING OR ENDING SLEEP OR STUPOR {(Electrotherapy, e.g. producing anaesthesia by the use of alternating or intermittent currents A61N1/36021)} ## Abstract A funnel support accessory attaches to a breastfeeding garment, such as a nursing bra, to support a funnel of a breast pumping system at a nipple area of the wearer's breast, so as to generally conceal the wearer's breasts and allow the wearer to perform other tasks while pumping in a hands-free manner. The funnel support accessory includes a fabric panel having at least one central opening configured to engage the funnel of the breast pumping system. The funnel support accessory also includes an engagement element disposed at an upper portion of the fabric panel to attach to an attachment feature of a breastfeeding garment. The fabric panel supports the engaged funnel of the breast pumping system generally over an exposed nipple area, such that the funnel seals against the nipple area without using a hand to support the funnel. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A combination of a breastfeeding garment and funnel support accessory for a breast pumping system, said combination comprising: a breastfeeding garment having a flap portion configured to conceal a nipple area of a breast, wherein the flap portion is detachably secured at an attachment feature of the breastfeeding garment arranged above the nipple area of the breast; a funnel support accessory comprising a flexible panel and a clip secured at an upper portion of the flexible panel, wherein the flexible panel includes a central opening configured to engage a stem portion of a funnel of the breast pumping system; wherein upon detaching the flap portion of the breastfeeding garment from the attachment feature, the flap portion is movable to expose the nipple area of the breast; and wherein upon moving the flap portion to expose the nipple area, the clip of the funnel support accessory attaches to the attachment feature for supporting a funnel of the breast pumping system at the nipple area of the exposed breast. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein the breastfeeding garment comprises a shoulder strap supporting a breast cup section, the attachment feature for securing the flap portion being located at a front section of the shoulder strap. ### Claim 3 (depends on 2) The combination of claim 2, wherein the breastfeeding garment comprises one of a nursing bra and a nursing tank top. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel includes a fabric sheet, and wherein the funnel support accessory include a pair of clips secured at spaced locations on the upper portion of the flexible panel, such that the clips each attach to a corresponding attachment feature at or near each breast. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein the flexible panel includes two fabric sheets fused together via an adhesive at a region surrounding the central opening to provide a stiffened area of the flexible panel. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The combination of claim 5, wherein the stiffened area of the flexible panel includes at least two intersecting slits that form wedge shaped flaps around the central opening, and wherein the wedge shaped flaps are configured to support the funnel of the breast pumping system against the exposed breast. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein an adjustable strap is attached between the clip and the upper portion of the flexible panel to provide vertical adjustment of the central opening relative to the exposed breast. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The combination of claim 1, wherein an adjustment feature is disposed between two central openings in the flexible panel to provide width adjustment between the two central openings. ### Claim 9 A funnel support accessory for a breast pumping system, said funnel support accessory comprising: a fabric panel having at least one central opening configured to engage a funnel of the breast pumping system; an engagement element disposed at an upper portion of the fabric panel; wherein the engagement element of the funnel support accessory is configured to attach to an attachment feature of a breastfeeding garment; and wherein the fabric panel is configured to align the engaged funnel of the breast pumping system with a nipple area exposed by the breastfeeding garment, thereby supporting the funnel in a sealed manner against the nipple area to allow the wearer to operate the pumping system without using a hand to support the funnel. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein the engagement element attaches to the attachment feature of the breastfeeding garment, when a flap portion of a breastfeeding garment is detached from the attachment feature and moved to expose the nipple area of the wearer's breast. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The funnel support accessory of claim 10, wherein the fabric panel is configured to conceal the nipple area and breast exposed by the flap portion. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein the breastfeeding garment comprises a nursing bra having a shoulder strap supporting a breast cup section, and wherein the attachment feature is disposed at a front section of the shoulder strap above the exposed nipple area. ### Claim 13 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein the funnel support accessory include a pair of clips secured at spaced locations on the upper portion of the fabric panel, such that the clips each attach to a corresponding attachment feature at or near each breast, such that the fabric panel spans over each breast. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein the flexible panel includes two fabric sheets fused together via an adhesive at a region surrounding the central opening to provide a stiffened area of the flexible panel. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The funnel support accessory of claim 14, wherein the stiffened area of the flexible panel includes at least two intersecting slits that form wedge shaped flaps around the central opening, and wherein the wedge shaped flaps are configured to support the funnel of the breast pumping system against the exposed breast. ### Claim 16 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein an adjustable strap is attached between the engagement element and the upper portion of the flexible panel to provide vertical adjustment of the at least one central opening relative to the exposed breast. ### Claim 17 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein an adjustment feature is disposed between two central openings in the flexible panel to provide width adjustment between the two central openings. ### Claim 18 (depends on 9) The funnel support accessory of claim 9, wherein, when attached at the breastfeeding garment, the at least one central opening in the fabric panel is configured to be positioned slightly above the nipple area, so as to support the exposed breast in the engaged funnel in a desired breast feeding position. ### Claim 19 A method of supporting a funnel of a breast pumping system, said method comprising: detaching a flap portion of a breastfeeding garment from an attachment feature; moving the flap portion to expose a nipple area of the wearer's breast; attaching an engagement element of a funnel support accessory to the attachment feature of the breastfeeding garment, the engagement element disposed at an upper portion of a fabric panel of the funnel support accessory, such that the fabric panel conceals the exposed breast; and engaging a funnel of the breast pumping system through a central opening in the fabric panel of the funnel support accessory to align the engaged funnel with the nipple area and support the funnel in a sealed manner against the nipple area, thereby allowing the wearer to operate the pumping system without using a hand to support the funnel.