EP1433392A1

EP1433392A1 - Brassiere for breastfeeding

Info

Publication number: EP1433392A1
Application number: EP03380231A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Castro Carlos Gonzalez
Original assignee: Tricorsel SA
Current assignee: Tricorsel SA
Priority date: 2002-12-26
Filing date: 2003-10-16
Publication date: 2004-06-30
Also published as: ES2241411A1; ES2241411B1

Abstract

It comprises a main body (1) which includes two cups (2) and two rear straps (3), two reinforcing rings (4) attached to the main body, two interior breastfeeding pieces (5) attached to said reinforcing rings (4) that permit part of the cups (2) to be released and secured, and two straps (6) attached to said interior breastfeeding pieces. It is characterised in that the internal surface of the main body (1), the two reinforcing rings (4) and the two interior breastfeeding pieces (5) are made of cotton, while the outer surface of the main body (1) is made of synthetic fibre.

It fits the woman's body perfectly, protecting the skin of the baby and of the mother.

Description

This invention relates to a brassiere for breastfeeding which is seamless and has preformed cups that allow it to be worn in the greatest comfort while offering perfect securing of the breast.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Known in the art are brassieres for wearing during the baby breastfeeding period.
During this period women's breasts are particularly sensitive, so that any slight chafing can be very uncomfortable. That is why the brassiere has to be made of soft fabrics such as cotton, especially in the zone in contact with the nipple. The use of seams is also avoided, as they can be aggressive at any part of the brassiere.
Removal of the breast when the baby is to be breastfed also has to be made easy. Interior breastfeeding rings that surround the breast and permit the cup to be released to reveal the breast are usually used for this purpose.
A brassiere of these characteristics, therefore, usually has more pieces than a normal brassiere. This fact, combined with the advisability of employing the usual seams for joining them together, usually leads to the brassiere being particularly thick, which adversely affects comfort and appearance.
Moreover, the use of soft materials for making the brassiere means that special care has to be taken when washing the garment and means that the garment is less durable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The purpose of the brassiere of this invention is to solve the disadvantages of the brassieres known in the art, while presenting other advantages which will be described below.
The brassiere of this invention is of the type that comprises a main body which includes two cups and two rear straps, two reinforcing rings attached to the main body, two interior breastfeeding pieces attached to said reinforcing rings that permit part of the cups to be released and secured, and two straps attached to said interior breastfeeding pieces, and is characterised in that the internal surface of the main body, the two reinforcing rings and the two interior breastfeeding pieces are made of cotton, while the outer surface of the main body is made of synthetic fibre.
Thanks to these characteristics, the parts of the brassiere which are in contact with the sensitive zones of the skin are always made of cotton, so that they do not give rise to discomfort. The outer surface of synthetic material considerably improves the wash-resistance and consistency of the garment. The brassiere is therefore more durable than the other brassieres made entirely of cotton.
According to one embodiment of this invention the two reinforcing rings include an intermediate layer of elastic synthetic material between two layers of cotton.
This arrangement improves the securing, elasticity and firmness of the brassiere without involving considerably increased thickness in the rings zone. This zone has the necessary elasticity to adapt without discomfort to the woman's body, and the skin is protected from contact with the elastic synthetic material thanks to the external layers of cotton.
In accordance with another embodiment, all the components of the brassiere are attached to each other by thermofusion.
This attachment system avoids the use of ordinary seams throughout the brassiere, which seams are bulkier and harsher on sensitive zones.
Preferably, the elastic synthetic material of the intermediate layer of the two reinforcing rings is polyurethane.
Advantageously, the rear straps include a multiple closure for different sizes which includes a hook and a strip which includes a plurality of adjacent housings in which said hook is placed.
This permits fast and secure adjustment of the brassiere contour to the size used by each woman, thereby avoiding use of the uncomfortable hooks and eyes common to other brassieres. The strip which is in contact with the skin further assures that no chafing or discomfort arises.
According to one embodiment, the interior breastfeeding pieces include a double fastening to adjust the free space in the cup. Thanks to this adjustment device the woman can vary the fit between the cups and the breasts in order to ensure greatest comfort.
According to another embodiment, the internal and external surfaces of the interior breastfeeding pieces are made of cotton.
The skin of the baby and of the mother are thus protected when breastfeeding, since the interior breastfeeding pieces are protected by cotton on both sides.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order to facilitate description of all that is set out above some drawings are attached which, schematically and solely by way of non-restrictive example, show a practical case of embodiment of the brassiere of the invention, in which:
Figure 1 is a view of the front part of the brassiere; and
Figure 2 is a view of the rear part of the brassiere.

DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

As the two figures show, the brassiere comprises a main body 1 which includes two preformed cups 2 and two rear straps 3, two reinforcing rings 4, two interior breastfeeding pieces 5 and two straps 6.
The external surface of the main body 1, shown in Figure 1, is made entirely of synthetic fibre and has a uniform appearance throughout.
Figure 2 shows how the internal surface of the brassiere, which is made entirely of cotton, has two reinforcing rings 4 which are attached at the central part and are prolonged along the exterior perimeter of the cups 2. Attached to the rings 4 are two interior breastfeeding pieces 5 which are in turn attached to another two straps 6 which hold the brassiere on the shoulders.
The main body 1 is prolonged to the sides by two rear straps 3, with a closure device 7 on their ends.
The attachment of the main body 1 to the reinforcing rings 4 is implemented without using seams, by thermofusion of the elastic synthetic material that runs between the main body 1 and the reinforcing rings 4. The internal surface of the main body 1, that of the interior breastfeeding pieces 5 and that of the rings 4 is made of cotton.
The attachment of the other components of the brassiere, such as that of the straps 6 to the interior breastfeeding pieces 5, or that of the straps 6 to the main body, is also implemented by thermofusion by adding a fine sheet of synthetic material between the two surfaces to be attached.
The brassiere is thus seamless at all attachment points, has no rough surfaces, and all the surfaces in contact with the sensitive parts of the woman are made of cotton.
The function of each element will be described below.
The upper part of the interior breastfeeding pieces 5 has a double attachment 8 in which a hook 9 attached to the upper part of the cup 2 is housed. When the baby is to be breastfed, all that need be done is to take the hook 9 out of the attachment 8 to leave the cup hanging down to expose the breast. Thanks to the interior breastfeeding pieces 5 it is not necessary to move the entire cup and the straps 6 aside, as would have to be done with a normal brassiere, as those pieces continue to hold the brassiere when the cup 2 has been unhooked.
The double attachment 8 allows the hook 9 which holds the cup 2 to be housed in two positions to allow for the size variations the breasts undergo during the lactation period, so that the cup capacity can be adjusted to the size of the breasts.
Given that the interior breastfeeding pieces 5 surround the breast when the child is suckling and that there can be contact with the baby's skin, their outer surface is also made of cotton.
The brassiere is attached at the back by means of a multiple closure 7 made of the same fabric situated on both ends of the main body 1. The closure makes different positions available (5 in the embodiment shown in the figures) so that the brassiere can adapt to different body sizes and outlines. Thanks to the particular shape of the housings 13 and of the hook 11, the two elements can be attached to each other quickly. These housings form part of a tape 12, in such a way that the closure 7 is totally flat and ergonomic and does not press on the woman's skin.
For the same purpose, the straps 6 have an adjusting clasp 10 to adjust strap length.

Claims

Brassiere for breastfeeding, that comprises a main body (1) which includes two cups (2) and two rear straps (3), two reinforcing rings (4) attached to the main body (1), two interior breastfeeding pieces (5) attached to said reinforcing rings (4) that permit part of the cups (2) to be released and secured, and two straps (6) attached to said interior breastfeeding pieces (5), characterised in that the internal surface of the main body (1), the two reinforcing rings (4) and the two interior breastfeeding pieces (5) are made of cotton, while the outer surface of the main body (1) is made of synthetic fibre.
Brassiere according to Claim 1, characterised in that the two reinforcing rings (4) include an intermediate layer of elastic synthetic material between two layers of cotton.
Brassiere according to Claim 1, characterised in that all its components are attached to each other by thermofusion.
Brassiere according to Claim 2, characterised in that the elastic synthetic material of the intermediate layer of the two reinforcing rings (4) is polyurethane.
Brassiere according to Claim 1, characterised in that the rear straps (3) include a multiple closure (7) for different sizes which includes a hook (11) and a strip (12) which includes a plurality of adjacent housings (13) in which said hook (11) is placed.
Brassiere according to Claim 1, characterised in that the interior breastfeeding pieces (5) include a double fastening (8) to adjust the free space in the cup (2).
Brassiere according to Claim 1, characterised in that the internal and external surfaces of the interior breastfeeding pieces (5) are made of cotton.