TW202415413A - Nursing and pumping bra for in-bra pumps - Google Patents

Abstract

A nursing and pumping bra for an in-bra pump includes two supports, each including a sling connected to a bottom band, a clasp connected to the sling, and a strap connected to the clasp. A pumping slider is slidably secured upon each strap to form a pumping loop, and the respective clasp is slidable within the pumping loop. A sizing slider is slidably secured upon a each strap to form a sizing loop, and a fastener is slidably secured within the sizing loop. The sizing sliders are configured to adjust a sizing length of each support between the fastener and the pumping slider. The pumping sliders are configured to adjust a shortest distance between each clasp and the bottom band, thereby adjusting a strain within the respective sling and the force acting on the bottom band.

Description

Nursing and pumping bras for use with in-bra breast pumps

The present invention generally relates to a nursing and pumping bra which, when worn, both enables a nursing woman to directly breastfeed an infant and supports the use of up to two in-bra breast pumps to extract milk for storage and subsequent feeding of the infant.

Many nursing women provide breast milk to their babies through direct breastfeeding and pumping milk for later use. During the day, a nursing woman may choose to breastfeed directly at times and may choose to pump milk at other times. Throughout the day, a nursing woman may experience fluctuations in breast size, depending on how she has recently expressed her milk. Therefore, a nursing woman needs a garment that can accommodate nursing, expressing, and can adjust to accommodate fluctuating breast size while still providing the typical aesthetics and support of a non-nursing, non-pumping bra.

A breast pump system traditionally includes a breast shield, which is a funnel-shaped device with a tapered area that is placed against the breast with the nipple located in the center of the breast shield. When negative pressure is applied, the nipple is drawn toward and often into a tubular portion of the breast shield known as the nipple channel. The nipple channel of the breast shield is connected to other components of the breast pump system, including a pumping unit and a collection container. Pumping bras used in such conventional breast pump systems typically include an aperture in the body of the bra near the nipple area so that the breast shield can be secured to the breast inside the bra and the nipple channel can extend through the aperture to the outside of the bra. A pumping unit and collection container located completely outside the bra can then be connected to the nipple channel.

Recently, in-bra breast pumps have gained popularity. In-bra breast pumps are designed so that all components, including the pumping unit and collection container, can be contained within the bra. Because both the pumping unit and collection container are located within the bra during expression, the bra must be able to accommodate the volume and weight of all pump parts and any expressed milk. After expression, the bra must be able to return to a size that supports the wearer's breasts. Traditional nursing and pumping garments are not designed for in-bra breast pumps.

According to a first aspect, a nursing and pumping bra includes a bottom strap, a first support, a second support and a main body. The first support includes a first sling, a first buckle, a first shoulder strap, a first breast pumping slide, a first sizing slide and a first fastener. The first sling is connected to the bottom strap, and the first buckle is connected to the first sling. The first shoulder strap is connected to the first buckle and has a first front end and a rear end. The first breast pumping slide is connected to the first front end of the first shoulder strap and is slidably fastened to the first shoulder strap to form a first breast pumping ring. The first buckle can slide on the first shoulder strap inside the first breast pumping ring. The first sizing slide is connected to the first rear end of the first shoulder strap and is slidably fastened to the first shoulder strap to form a first sizing ring. The first fastener can be slidably fastened to the first shoulder strap inside the first sizing ring. Similarly, the second support member includes a second sling, a second buckle, a second shoulder strap, a second suction slide, a second sizing slide and a second buckle. The second sling is connected to the bottom strap, and the second buckle is connected to the second sling. The second shoulder strap is connected to the second buckle and has a second front end and a second rear end. The second suction slide is connected to the second front end of the second shoulder strap and is slidably fastened to the second shoulder strap to form a second suction ring. The second buckle can slide on the second shoulder strap inside the second suction ring. The second sizing slide is connected to the second rear end of the second shoulder strap and is slidably fastened to the second shoulder strap to form a second sizing ring. The second buckle can be slidably fastened to the second shoulder strap inside the second sizing ring. The main body is connected to the bottom strap and can be selectively connected to the first buckle and the second buckle. The first sizing slide is configured to adjust the sizing length of the first support member between the first buckle and the first pump slide, and the second sizing slide is configured to adjust the sizing length of the second support member between the second buckle and the second pump slide. The first pump slide is configured to adjust the shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, thereby adjusting the strain in the first sling and the force acting on the bottom strap, and the second pump slide is configured to adjust the shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap, thereby adjusting the strain in the second sling and the force acting on the bottom strap.

According to a second aspect, a nursing and pumping bra includes bra straps connected to a sizing slide, a pumping slide, a fastener, and a buckle. The nursing and pumping bra further includes a bottom strap. The sizing slide is configured to adjust the sizing length between the fastener and the pumping slide, and the pumping slide is configured to adjust the shortest distance between the buckle and the bottom strap.

According to a third aspect, a nursing and pumping bra includes bra straps connected to a sizing slider, a pumping slider, a fastener, and a buckle. The nursing and pumping bra further includes a bottom strap, a suspender connected to the bottom strap and the buckle, and a body connected to the bottom strap and optionally connected to the buckle. The sizing slider is configured to adjust the sizing length between the first fastener and the first pumping slider, and the pumping slider is configured to adjust the strain in the suspender and the body when the body is connected to the buckle.

According to some forms, the main body may include a neckline edge, and the elastic band is sewn into the main body along the neckline edge. The main body may include a first underarm edge and a second underarm edge, and the elastic band is sewn into the main body along the first underarm edge and along the second underarm edge. The main body may include recycled resistant polyester.

According to an additional form, the body may have a first region adjacent to the bottom band having a first elastic modulus and a second region between the first region and the edge of the neckline, the second region having a second elastic modulus less than the first elastic modulus. The first region may have a first concave edge complementary to and adjacent to the first convex edge of the second region, and the first region may have a second concave edge complementary to and adjacent to the second convex edge of the second region.

According to other forms, the body may have a back with a top edge having a first connector and a second connector. The first connector may be configured to interchangeably connect to the first fastener and the second fastener, and the second connector may be configured to interchangeably connect to the first fastener and the second fastener. The top edge may have an elastic band sewn into the body.

According to some forms, the body may have a back with a top edge having a first connector and a second connector. The first connector may be permanently secured to the first fastener and the second connector may be permanently secured to the second fastener.

According to additional forms, the first strap may have an inner edge between the bottom strap and the first buckle, an upper outer edge extending from the first buckle along the first underarm edge of the main body, a lower outer edge extending between the upper outer edge of the first strap and the bottom strap, and a bottom edge extending along the bottom strap. The second strap may have an inner edge between the bottom strap and the second buckle, an upper outer edge extending from the second buckle along the second underarm edge of the main body, a lower outer edge extending between the upper outer edge of the second strap and the bottom strap, and a bottom edge extending along the bottom strap. When the first pumping slide is in the starting position, the length of the inner edge of the first sling may be equal to the shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, and when the second pumping slide is in the starting position, the length of the inner edge of the second sling may be equal to the shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap. When the first buckle is in the pumping position, the length of the inner edge of the first sling may be greater than the shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, and when the second buckle is in the pumping position, the length of the inner edge of the second sling may be greater than the shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap.

According to some embodiments, the body may have a neckline edge, and the neckline edge may have a lowest point offset from the first buckle loop and the second buckle loop by no more than three inches along the vertical axis.

According to additional forms, the first shoulder strap may include a pumping indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap configured for placement of a first pumping slide, and the second shoulder strap may include a pumping indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap configured for placement of a second pumping slide. The first shoulder strap may include a sliding indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap configured for placement of a first sizing slide, and the second shoulder strap may include a sliding indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap configured for placement of a second sizing slide. The sliding indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap may include a first section associated with a first configuration of the first shoulder strap, and the sliding indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap may include a first section associated with the first configuration of the second shoulder strap. The sliding indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap may include a second section associated with the second configuration of the first shoulder strap, and the sliding indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap may include a second section associated with the second configuration of the second shoulder strap.

Cross-references to related applications

This application claims the benefit of the filing date of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/414,298, filed on October 7, 2022. The entire text of U.S. Provisional Application No. 63/414,298 is hereby incorporated by reference.

Generally, a nursing and pumping bra for use with an in-bra breastpump is disclosed. The bra includes two different sliders on each bra strap: a sizing slider and a pumping slider. The sizing slider allows the bra to be adjusted so that the pumping slider is positioned on the front of the wearer's body that is easily accessible when the bra is worn. The position of the pumping slider is important because the wearer may need to access the pumping slider multiple times a day due to the placement and removal of up to two in-bra breastpumps and fluctuations in breast size caused by lactation. The pumping slider allows adjustment of the distance between the buckles and the bottom strap of the bra, to which the bra body is selectively connected. This enables the bra to accommodate one or more in-bra breastpumps or breast size changes in a number of ways. The strain in the bra straps can be adjusted so that the material of the straps can stretch to accommodate the insertion of an in-bra breast pump or swelling of the breasts. This also applies to the body of the bra as it is connected to the buckle. Additionally, as the position of the buckle is changed, the upward force acting on the bottom band via the straps is adjusted to provide a comfortable level of upward support for the breasts and/or up to two in-bra breast pumps.

FIG. 1 depicts a nursing and pumping bra 100 for use with an in-bra breast pump in an exploded view to highlight the connectivity of the various components of the bra 100. A bottom band 102 that is integral with a body 103 is located at the outer front. The bottom band 102 is configured to wrap around the wearer's body beneath the wearer's breasts. The body 103 is configured to cover the wearer's breasts and cover one or two in-bra breast pumps when such breast pumps are placed against the wearer's breasts.

Inside the body 103 are the first and second supports 104, 106, each of which is a collection of bra components that together allow the bra 100 to be adjusted to accommodate fluctuations in breast size and an in-bra breast pump. The first and second supports 104, 106 include first and second suspenders 108, 110, first and second shoulder straps 112, 114, and first and second buckles 116, 118, respectively. The first shoulder strap 116 has a first front end 120 and a first rear end 122, and the second shoulder strap 118 has a second front end 124 and a second rear end 126. Both the first and second suspenders 108, 110 are connected to the bottom strap 102. When the bra 100 is worn, the first and second suspenders 108, 110 extend upward from the bottom strap 102 over the wearer's body. In some configurations, the first strap 108 and the second strap 110 at least partially cover the wearer's breasts.

The first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118 are connected to the first strap 108 and the second strap 110, respectively. For example, the first buckle 116 may have a hole through which the material of the first strap 108 is fastened, and the second buckle 118 may have a hole through which the material of the second strap 110 is fastened. Other means of connecting the first buckle 116 to the first strap 108 and the second buckle 116 to the second strap 110 are also possible, such as adhesives. The first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118 may include hooks or another fastening mechanism 119a and 119b, and the body 103 is selectively connected to the hooks or another fastening mechanism. For example, the main body 103 can be connected to the hooks 119a, 119b during the wearer's non-nursing and non-pumping period of the day, can be disconnected at one or both of the hooks 119a, 119b when the wearer is breastfeeding facing the baby, can be disconnected at one or both of the hooks 119a, 119b to insert one or two in-bra breast pumps, and can be connected to the hooks 119a, 119b when the wearer is pumping to help hold the in-bra breast pump or pumps in place.

The first support 104 and the second support 106 further include a first pumping slide 128 and a second pumping slide 130, respectively. The first pumping slide 128 is connected to the first front end 120 of the first shoulder strap 112 and is slidably secured to the first shoulder strap 112 to form a first pumping ring 132. The first buckle 116 can slide on the first shoulder strap 112 within the first pumping ring 132. Similarly, the second pumping slide 130 is connected to the second front end 124 of the second shoulder strap 114 and is slidably secured to the second shoulder strap 114 to form a second pumping ring 134. The second buckle 118 can slide on the second shoulder strap 114 within the second pumping ring 134.

The purpose of the first and second breast pump slides 128, 130 is to allow the wearer to adjust the bra 100 for fluctuations in breast size or to accommodate up to two in-bra breast pumps. To this end, the first breast pump slide 128 is configured to adjust the shortest distance D1 (shown in Figures 4 and 5) between the first buckle 116 and the bottom strap 102, thereby adjusting the strain in the first suspender 108 and the force acting on the bottom strap 102. Similarly, the second breast pump slide 130 is configured to adjust the shortest distance D2 (shown in Figures 4 and 5) between the second buckle 118 and the bottom strap 102, thereby adjusting the strain in the second suspender 110 and the force acting on the bottom strap 102.

For example, after breastfeeding when not expressing or when the adjacent breast is not too swollen, the wearer may place the first breast pump slide 128 in a higher position relative to the wearer's body, and may later choose to lower the first breast pump slide 128 for expressing milk or in the event that the adjacent breast becomes swollen. Lowering the first breast pump slide 128 also lowers the first buckle 116 connected to the first strap 108, which in turn reduces the strain in the first strap 108 and the upward force exerted by the first strap 108 on the bottom strap 102. In other words, the first strap 108 transitions from being tighter to being looser, thereby allowing an in-bra breast pump to be inserted under the first strap 108 when needed. If the in-bra breastpump is inserted without the first strap 108 being made looser, the in-bra breastpump may rest on top of the first strap 108, which may interfere with the seal between the in-bra breastpump and the breast and potentially disrupt pumping. Alternatively, the in-bra breastpump may be compressed under the first strap 108, stretching the first strap 108 into an extremely high strain, very tight configuration. In that scenario, the first strap 108 may exert uncomfortable and excessive forces on both the bottom strap 102 and the first shoulder straps 112. Over time, these excessive forces may cause the first strap 108 and other components of the bra 100 to become permanently stretched, rendering the bra 100 unable to provide adequate support during non-pumping wear periods.

Furthermore, when the first breast slide 128 adjusts the shortest distance D1 between the first buckle 116 and the bottom strap 102 and/or when the second breast slide 130 is configured to adjust the shortest distance D2 between the second buckle 118 and the bottom strap 102, if the main body 103 is connected to the first buckle 116 and/or the second buckle 118, the strain in the main body 103 is also adjusted. In other words, if the main body 103 is connected to the first buckle 116 and/or the second buckle 118, the main body 103 changes from being more tightened to being more relaxed when the first buckle 116 and/or the second buckle 118 are lowered. This allows the main body 103 to more easily accommodate the volume of the breast pump in the bra without placing uncomfortable or excessive force on the bottom strap 102 or the first shoulder strap 112 or the second shoulder strap 114. This adjustment also prevents the main body 103 from becoming overstretched, which allows the main body 103 to continue to provide adequate support during non-pumping wear periods.

As shown in FIG. 1 , the first support member 104 and the second support member 106 further include a first sizing slide 136 and a second sizing slide 138, respectively. The first sizing slide 136 is connected to the first rear end 122 of the first shoulder strap 112 and is slidably fastened to the first shoulder strap 112 to form a first sizing loop 140. The second sizing slide 138 is connected to the second rear end 126 of the second shoulder strap 114 and is slidably fastened to the second shoulder strap 114 to form a second sizing loop 142. The first fastener 144 is slidably fastened to the first shoulder strap 112 within the first sizing loop 140, and the second fastener 146 is slidably fastened to the second shoulder strap 114 within the second sizing loop 142.

The purpose of the first sizing slide 136 and the second sizing slide 138 is to allow the first and second pumping slides 128, 130, respectively, to be placed at optimal positions on the wearer's body, thereby allowing easy adjustment of the first and second pumping slides 128, 130. The first sizing slide 136 is configured to adjust the sizing length L1 (shown in FIG. 9 ) of the first support 104 between the first buckle 144 and the first pumping slide 128, and the second sizing slide 138 is configured to adjust the sizing length L2 (shown in FIG. 9 ) of the second support 106 between the second buckle 146 and the second pumping slide 130. The change in lengths L1 and L2 allows the wearer to adjust so that, independent of the wearer's body size or the configuration of the first and second shoulder straps 112, 114 (e.g., straight or cross-back configuration), the first and second pump slides 128, 130 can be placed adjacent to the wearer's front body where they can be easily grasped by the wearer. Without the first and second sizing slides 136, 138, the first and second pump slides 130 may be positioned on the wearer's back, which may make adjustment difficult for the wearer.

Turning to FIG. 2 , the exterior of the bra 100 is shown in a flat configuration (e.g., an unworn configuration with the back bra fasteners undone) with the body 103 connecting both the first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118. As shown, the body 103 has a neckline edge 150 between the first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118. In the configuration shown, the neckline edge 150 has a spoon or U-shape, but in other configurations, the neckline edge 150 can have a different shape, such as a V-neck. An elastic band 152 is sewn into the body 103 along the neckline edge 150. The body 103 also has a first underarm edge 154 and a second underarm edge 156. A first underarm edge 154 extends downward from the first buckle loop 116, and an elastic band 155 can be sewn into the main body 103 along the first underarm edge 154. A second underarm edge 156 extends downward from the second buckle loop 118, and an elastic band 157 can be sewn into the main body 103 along the second underarm edge 156. Each of the first underarm edge 154 and the second underarm edge 156 is configured to be adjacent to a respective armpit of the wearer when the bra 100 is worn. The elastic bands 152, 155, and 157 can stretch to accommodate, for example, the placement of a breast pump in the bra, while maintaining the shape of the bra 100. Elastic bands 152, 155 and 157 further help keep the in-bra breast pump contained within bra 100 during use.

The body 103 may include recycled nylon. As shown in FIG. 2 , the body 103 has a first region 158 adjacent to the bottom band 102 and a second region 160 between the first region 158 and the neckline edge 150. The first region 158 may be formed of a ribbed material, while the second region 160 may include a knitted material and a molded cup. The first region 158 may have a first elastic modulus, and the second region 160 may have a second elastic modulus less than the first elastic modulus. In other words, the first region 158 may be less stiff than the second region 160 because, when the bra 100 is worn with the body 103 connected to the first and second buckles 116, 118, the first region 158 must in particular stretch to accommodate the wearer's breast and up to two in-bra breast pumps, as the first region 158 covers the breast (and during use, covers an in-bra breast pump). The first region 158 has a first concave edge 162 that complements and is adjacent to the first convex edge 164 of the second region 160, which may, for example, be configured to be adjacent to the bottom of the wearer's breast and/or the bottom of an in-bra breast pump. Likewise, the first region 158 has a second concave edge 166 that is complementary to and adjacent to the second convex edge 168 of the second region 160, which may, for example, be configured to be adjacent to the bottom of the wearer's other breast and/or the bottom of a breast pump in the bra.

In FIG. 3 , the interior of the bra 100 is shown in a flat configuration (e.g., an unworn configuration with the back bra fasteners undone). The first strap 108 is shown sewn in place in the bra 100, while the second strap 110 is shown slightly displaced from where it would be sewn in order to illustrate the proper placement of the second strap 110. In the configuration shown, the first strap 108 has an inner edge 170 between the bottom strap 102 and the first buckle 116, an upper outer edge 172 extending from the first buckle 116 along the first underarm edge 154 of the body 103, a lower outer edge 174 extending between the upper outer edge 172 of the first strap 108 and the bottom strap 102, and a bottom edge 176 extending along the bottom strap 102. Likewise, the second strap 110 has an inner edge 178 between the bottom strap 102 and the second buckle 118, an upper outer edge 180 extending from the second buckle 118 along the second underarm edge 156 of the body 103, a lower outer edge 182 extending between the upper outer edge 180 of the second strap 110 and the bottom strap 102, and a bottom edge 184 extending along the bottom strap 102. In other configurations not depicted herein, the first strap 108 and the second strap 110 may have different shapes. For example, the first strap 108 and the second strap 110 may not include the upper outer edge 172 or 180, and may instead be simple shoulder straps with two equidistant sides extending from the first buckle 116 or the second buckle 118 to the bottom strap 102. Other shapes and configurations of the first strap 108 and the second strap 110 are also possible.

FIG4 shows two in-bra breast pumps placed under the first and second straps 108, 110 on the bra 100 worn by a wearer. As shown in FIG4, when the first buckle 116 is in the pumping position, the length L3 of the inner edge 170 of the first strap 108 is greater than the shortest distance D1 between the first buckle 116 and the bottom band 102, and when the second buckle 118 is in the pumping position, the length L4 of the inner edge 178 of the second strap 110 is greater than the shortest distance D2 between the second buckle 118 and the bottom band 102. As shown in FIG4, the shortest distances D1 and D2 are the only measurements between the identified bra components that can be determined without considering the wearer's body or the in-bra breast pump. When the bra 100 is worn, the shortest distances D1 and D2 will typically be measured vertically or substantially vertically. In contrast, the lengths L3 and L4 will typically have to extend over the contours of the wearer's body and, where applicable, the contours of the breast pump within the bra, as this is where the first and second straps 108, 110 will typically be located when the bra 100 is worn.

FIG. 5 shows the bra 100 on a wearer without an in-bra breast pump. In FIG. 5 , the first and second pump slides 128, 130 are located above the wearer's breasts at respective starting positions near the wearer's shoulders. In contrast, in FIG. 4 , the first and second pump slides 128, 130 are below their respective starting positions and located closer to the first and second buckle loops 116, 118, respectively. As a result, the first and second pump rings 132, 134 are shorter in FIG. 4 than in FIG. 5 , which means that the first and second supports 104, 106 (discussed with respect to FIG. 1 ) are longer in FIG. 4 than in FIG. 5 . This situation results in that the first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118 are lower in FIG. 4 than in FIG. 5 relative to the wearer's body, and the shortest distances D1 and D2 are larger in FIG. 5 than in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 5 , because the shortest distances D1 and D2 are greater than the shortest distances in FIG. 4 , the lengths L3 and L4 are closer to the shortest distances D1 and D2. In some configurations, when the first pumping slide 128 is in the starting position, the length L3 of the inner edge of the first sling 108 is equal to the shortest distance D1 between the first buckle 116 and the bottom strap 102. Similarly, in some configurations, when the second pumping slide 130 is in the starting position, the length L4 of the inner edge of the second sling 110 is equal to the shortest distance D2 between the second buckle 118 and the bottom strap 102.

6, the neckline edge 150 is high, providing adequate coverage even when an in-bra breast pump or two in-bra breast pumps are inserted into the bra 100. For example, the neckline edge 150 has a lowest point 186 that is offset no more than three inches from the first buckle 116 and the second buckle 118 along the vertical axis A. The offset can be adjusted based on the size of the bra 100. For example, a small size can have an offset of no more than 2 3/8 inches, a medium size can have an offset of no more than 2 1/2 inches, a large size can have an offset of no more than 2 5/8 inches, an extra large size can have an offset of no more than 2 3/4 inches, and an extra large size can have an offset of no more than 2 7/8 inches. The lowest point 186 of the neckline edge 150 can be determined along the vertical axis A. In addition, the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114 can be wider than a typical nursing bra to provide the additional support necessary to support the weight of a breast pump in the bra.

Figures 7 and 8 illustrate the values of the first sizing slide 136 and the second sizing slide 138. Figure 7 shows the first and second breast pump slides 128, 130 inconveniently positioned on the wearer's back, which makes it difficult to make adjustments to accommodate breast size fluctuations and in-bra breast pumps. In Figure 8, the first and second sizing slides 136, 138 have been moved upward compared to their respective positions in Figure 7 to increase the length of the first and second sizing rings 140, 142. As a result, the lengths of the first and second support members 104, 106 are increased, and the first and second breast pump slides 128, 130 can be positioned at their respective starting positions. This facilitates easy adjustment using the first and second breast pump slides 128, 130. The first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114 may each have a total shoulder strap length of approximately ten inches. The typical distance between the first pumping slide 128 and the first sizing slide 136 (as shown in FIG. 8 ) is approximately five inches, and the typical distance between the second pumping slide 130 and the second sizing slide 138 is also approximately five inches.

In some configurations, as shown in FIG. 8 , to help the user estimate where to place the first pumping slide 128, the second pumping slide 130, the first sizing slide 136, and the second sizing slide 138 before putting on the bra 100, indicators may be provided along the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114. The indicators may be visual (e.g., a change in color or pattern) or tactile (e.g., a bump or ridge). The first shoulder strap 112 may include a pumping indicator 188 along the length of the first shoulder strap 112 configured for placement of the first pumping slide 128, and the second shoulder strap 114 may include a pumping indicator 190 along the length of the second shoulder strap 114 configured for placement of the second pumping slide 130. Additionally, the first shoulder strap 112 may include a slide indicator 192 along the length of the first shoulder strap 112 configured for placement of the first sizing slide 136, and the second shoulder strap 114 may include a slide indicator 194 along the length of the second shoulder strap 114 configured for placement of the second sizing slide 138. The indicators may be the same (e.g., same color, pattern, or tactile feature) or may be different and specific to the slide type (e.g., red pumping indicators 188 and 190, and blue slide indicators 192 and 194).

As shown in FIG. 9 , the body 103 has a back 196 having a top edge 198 having a first connector 200 and a second connector 202. The top edge 198 has an elastic band 204 sewn into the body 103 to provide increased stretch and support the shape of the bra 100. In some configurations, the first connector 200 is permanently fastened to the first fastener 144 and the second connector 202 is permanently fastened to the second fastener 146.

In other configurations, the bra 100 may have the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114 connected in different ways to allow the bra 100 to be worn under different styles of tops without exposing the first shoulder strap 112 or the second shoulder strap 114. FIG. 9 shows the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114 in a straight configuration, and FIG. 10 shows the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114 in a cross configuration. The first connector 200 is configured to interchangeably connect to the first fastener 144 and the second fastener 146, and the second connector 202 is configured to interchangeably connect to the first fastener 144 and the second fastener 146. The sizing lengths L1 and L2 must be longer to accommodate, for example, a cross configuration.

When the bra 100 enables different configurations of the first shoulder strap 112 and the second shoulder strap 114, additional indicators may be used to help the wearer estimate where to position the first sizing slider 136 and the second sizing slider 138 in the different configurations before putting on the bra 100. To this end, the sliding indicator 192 along the length of the first shoulder strap 112 may include a first section 206 associated with the first configuration of the first shoulder strap 112, and the sliding indicator 194 along the length of the second shoulder strap 114 may include a first section 208 associated with the first configuration of the second shoulder strap 114. The sliding indicator 192 along the length of the first shoulder strap 112 may further include a second section 210 associated with the second configuration of the first shoulder strap 112, and the sliding indicator 194 along the length of the second shoulder strap 114 may further include a second section 212 associated with the second configuration of the second shoulder strap 114. Each section may have the same indicator (e.g., the same color, pattern, or tactile feature), or the indicator may be different to indicate a particular configuration (e.g., the first sections 206 and 208 may be striped, while the second sections 210 and 212 may be solid).

100: Nursing and pumping bra 102: Bottom strap 103: Main body 104: First support 106: Second support 108: First sling 110: Second sling 112: First shoulder strap 114: Second shoulder strap 116: First buckle 118: Second buckle 119a: Fastening mechanism/hook 119b: Fastening mechanism/hook 120: First front end 122: First rear end 124: Second front end 126: Second rear end 128: First pumping slide 130: Second pumping slide 132: First pumping ring 134: Second pumping ring 136: First sizing slide 138: Second sizing slide 140: first sizing ring 142: second sizing ring 144: first fastener 146: second fastener 150: collar edge 152: elastic band 154: first underarm edge 155: elastic band 156: second underarm edge 157: elastic band 158: first region 160: second region 162: first concave edge 164: first convex edge 166: second concave edge 168: second convex edge 170: inner edge 172: upper outer edge 174: lower outer edge 176: bottom edge 178: inner edge 180: Upper outer edge 182: Lower outer edge 184: Bottom edge 186: Lowest point 188: Red pumping indicator 190: Red pumping indicator 192: Blue slide indicator 194: Blue slide indicator 196: Back 198: Top edge 200: First connector 202: Second connector 204: Elastic band 206: First section 208: First section 210: Second section 212: Second section D1: Shortest distance D2: Shortest distance L1: Fixed size length L2: Fixed size length L3: Length L4: Length

[Figure 1] is an exploded 3D diagram of a nursing bra used with an in-bra breast pump;

[Figure 2] is a front exterior view of the nursing bra of Figure 1 in a flat configuration, wherein the main body of the bra is connected to the first buckle and the second buckle;

[Figure 3] is a front view of the interior of the nursing bra of Figures 1 and 2 in a flat configuration, wherein the main body of the bra is connected to the first buckle and the second buckle;

[Figure 4] is a front perspective view of the bra of Figures 1 to 3 on a wearer, wherein the breast pump in the bra is placed on the wearer's breast and the main body of the bra is disconnected from the first buckle and the second buckle;

[Figure 5] is a front perspective view of the bra of Figures 1 to 4 on a wearer, wherein the breast pump in the bra of Figure 4 is removed and the main body of the bra is disconnected from the first buckle and the second buckle;

[Figure 6] is a front view of the bra of Figures 1 to 5 in a wearing configuration, wherein the main body of the bra is connected to the first buckle and the second buckle;

[Figure 7] is a rear perspective view of the bra of Figures 1 to 6 on a wearer, showing the incorrect positioning of the first and second sizing slides and the first and second breast pumping slides;

[Figure 8] is a rear perspective view of the bra of Figures 1 to 7 on a wearer, showing the correct positioning of the first and second sizing slides and the first and second breast pumping slides;

[Figure 9] is a rear view of the bra of Figures 1 to 8, wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are in a straight configuration; and

[FIG. 10] is a rear view of the bra of FIGS. 1 to 9, wherein the first shoulder strap and the second shoulder strap are in a cross configuration.

Claims (20)

A nursing and pumping bra for use with an in-bra breast pump, comprising: a bottom strap; a first support member, comprising a first suspender strap connected to the bottom strap, a first buckle strap connected to the first suspender strap, a first shoulder strap connected to the first buckle strap and having a first front end and a first rear end, a first pumping slide connected to the first front end of the first shoulder strap and slidably secured to the first shoulder strap to form a first pumping loop, the first buckle strap being slidable on the first shoulder strap within the first pumping loop, and a first sizing slide connected to the first rear end of the first shoulder strap and slidably secured to the first shoulder strap to form a first sizing loop; a first fastener slidably secured to the first shoulder strap within the first sizing loop; a second support member comprising a second suspender strap connected to the bottom strap, a second buckle connected to the second suspender strap, a second shoulder strap connected to the second buckle and having a second front end and a second rear end, a second pumping slide connected to the second front end of the second shoulder strap and slidably secured to the second shoulder strap to form a second pumping loop, the second buckle being slidable on the second shoulder strap within the second loop, and a second sizing slide connected to the second rear end of the second shoulder strap and slidably secured to the second shoulder strap to form a second sizing loop, a second fastener slidably secured to the second shoulder strap within the second sizing loop; a body connected to the bottom strap and optionally connected to the first buckle and the second buckle; the first sizing slide is configured to adjust the first support member to a certain length between the first fastener and the first pump slide, and the second sizing slide is configured to adjust the second support member to a certain length between the second fastener and the second pump slide; and The first breast slide is configured to adjust a shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, thereby adjusting a strain in the first sling and a force acting on the bottom strap, and the second breast slide is configured to adjust a shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap, thereby adjusting a strain in the second sling and a force acting on the bottom strap. As in the nursing and pumping bra of claim 1, the main body includes a neckline edge, and an elastic band is sewn to the main body along the neckline edge. As in the nursing and pumping bra of claim 1 or 2, the main body includes a first underarm edge and a second underarm edge, and an elastic band is sewn to the main body along the first underarm edge and along the second underarm edge. A nursing or pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the body comprises recycled nylon. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the body has a first area adjacent to the bottom band having a first elastic modulus, and a second area between the first area and a neckline edge, the second area having a second elastic modulus less than the first elastic modulus. In the nursing and pumping bra of claim 4, the first region has a first concave edge that complements and is adjacent to a first convex edge of the second region, and the first region has a second concave edge that complements and is adjacent to a second convex edge of the second region. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the main body has a back having a top edge, the top edge having a first connector and a second connector, the first connector being configured to be interchangeably connected to the first fastener and the second fastener, and the second connector being configured to be interchangeably connected to the first fastener and the second fastener. As in the nursing and pumping bra of claim 7, the top edge has an elastic band sewn to the main body. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the body has a back having a top edge, the top edge having a first connector and a second connector, the first connector being permanently fastened to the first fastener, and the second connector being permanently fastened to the second fastener. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein the first strap has an inner edge between the bottom strap and the first buckle, an upper outer edge extending from the first buckle along a first underarm edge of the main body, a lower outer edge extending between the upper outer edge of the first strap and the bottom strap, and a bottom edge extending along the bottom strap, and the second strap has an inner edge between the bottom strap and the second buckle, an upper outer edge extending from the second buckle along a second underarm edge of the main body, a lower outer edge extending between the upper outer edge of the second strap and the bottom strap, and a bottom edge extending along the bottom strap. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the first breast pumping slide is in a starting position, a length of the inner edge of the first strap is equal to the shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, and when the second breast pumping slide is in a starting position, a length of the inner edge of the second strap is equal to the shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in claim 10, wherein when the first buckle is in a breast pumping position, a length of the inner edge of the first strap is greater than the shortest distance between the first buckle and the bottom strap, and when the second buckle is in a breast pumping position, a length of the inner edge of the second strap is greater than the shortest distance between the second buckle and the bottom strap. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the body has a neckline edge having a lowest point offset from the first buckle and the second buckle by no more than three inches along a vertical axis. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the offset between the lowest point and the first buckle and the second buckle along the vertical axis depends on a size of the nursing and pumping bra. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the first shoulder strap includes a pumping indicator along a length of the first shoulder strap configured for placement of the first pumping slide, and the second shoulder strap includes a pumping indicator along a length of the second shoulder strap configured for placement of the second pumping slide. A nursing and pumping bra as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the first shoulder strap includes a sliding indicator along a length of the first shoulder strap configured for placement of the first sizing slider, and the second shoulder strap includes a sliding indicator along a length of the second shoulder strap configured for placement of the second sizing slider. In the nursing and pumping bra of claim 16, the sliding indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap includes a first section associated with a first configuration of the first shoulder strap, and the sliding indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap includes a first section associated with a first configuration of the second shoulder strap. In the nursing and pumping bra of claim 17, the sliding indicator along the length of the first shoulder strap includes a second section associated with a second configuration of the first shoulder strap, and the sliding indicator along the length of the second shoulder strap includes a second section associated with a second configuration of the second shoulder strap. A nursing and pumping bra for use with an in-bra breast pump, comprising: a bra strap connected to a sizing slider, a pumping slider, a buckle and a loop; and a bottom strap; the sizing slider is configured to adjust a sizing length between the buckle and the pumping slider, and the pumping slider is configured to adjust a minimum distance between the loop and the bottom strap. A nursing and pumping bra for use with an in-bra breast pump, comprising: a bra strap connected to a sizing slider, a pumping slider, a buckle and a buckle; a bottom strap; a suspender connected to the bottom strap and the buckle; and a body connected to the bottom strap and optionally to the buckle; the sizing slider is configured to adjust a sizing length between the buckle and the pumping slider, and the pumping slider is configured to adjust a strain in the suspender and the body when the body is connected to the buckle.