Foundation garments – Breast or chest – e.g. – brassieres – Combined with apparel-type garment
Reexamination Certificate
2000-01-13
2001-05-22
Hale, Gloria M. (Department: 3741)
Foundation garments
Breast or chest, e.g., brassieres
Combined with apparel-type garment
C450S001000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06234867
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The invention relates generally to mastectomy bras. More particularly, the invention relates to fashionable garments, including bras, dresses, bathing suits, nightgowns, etc., which include one or more built-in and non-removable prosthetic devices forming a bra cup in various shapes and sizes, complementing the size and shapes of a mastectomy patient's surgical area, and/or remaining breast portions.
2. Description of the Related Art
Various breast prosthesis are known for use by mastectomy patients. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,195,639 discloses an external breast prosthesis comprising a thin plastic shell of elastomeric material. The external breast prosthesis is contoured to conform to the configuration of the breast of a mastectomy patient and includes a rear peripheral edge for attachment by adhesive to the chest wall of the patient. Adhesive attached mastectomy devices are known to cause irritation to the surgical area of the woman's body to which it is applied. Also known is an artificial breast form, disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,458,635, including contoured, molded breast shape layers that can be sculptured by a user to create a cosmetically acceptable appearance, i.e., fit. Use of such form, however, limits the type of garment which may be worn therewith. Further known is U.S. Pat. No. 5,855,606, which discloses a breast prosthesis comprising an underwire adapted to retain the breast prosthesis, which prosthesis may be removably attached to an unmodified bra. There are particular problems known to those skilled in the art associated with the use of bra-removable mastectomy problems.
Also known are garments constructed for use by mastectomy patients. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 4,100,621, discloses an artificial breast or mastectomy prosthesis and nightgown incorporating same. The prosthesis is constructed as a lightweight substantially breast shaped pad having hook-type fastening means at a plurality of locations about the pad which are fastenable to mating pile attachments means on the inside of a bosom area of a nightgown and readily removable therefrom. As does the '621 patented prosthesis, the '621 patented prosthetic device is constructed to be removed from the garment for storage and maintenance.
Also known is U.S. Pat. No. 4,187,855 which discloses a garment for use after breast surgery. The garment may be described as a prosthesis or bra-type garment for use after breast surgery. The garment includes enlarged arm openings and an elongated bodice portion to fit beyond the wearer's waist and assist in holding the garment in place. The breast substitute is provided in a form of a swimsuit insert, conventional padded bra of other similar device filled with a conventional padding material and attached to the garment.
Also known is U.S. Pat. No. 5,478,278 which discloses an adjustable inner breast cup insert assembly for a women's swimsuit or garment such as a leotard, dancewear, etc. The inner breast cup insert assembly comprises two breast cups connected at midsection, where each contains a vertical and side extension with fastening material such as hooks or loop-type fasteners. The fastening material of the inner breast cup assembly is connected to the fastening material of the swimsuit of garment and provides a proper fit, choice of size, proper support, comfort, shape and desired look for a particular wearer.
Also known is U.S. Pat. No. 4,699,144, which discloses a mastectomy garment including an underbra, a prosthetic breast pad and an outer bra. The underbra has a supporting cup for a normal breast and a substantially flat band portion to fit to the chest of the removed breast, enabling a firm, flat-fitting garment over the remaining chest surface of the removed breast. The prosthesis or false breast is removably adhered to the outer surface of the flat binding portion.
Because of the mental and physical shock associated with breast cancer and mastectomy procedures, it is usually a trying experience for the recovering woman to feel comfortable in prosthetic type bras and clothing available on the market today, some of which are described above. More particularly, prosthetic bras and garments for mastectomy patients available in today's market are limited and rarely provide a women in need of same with the comfort and confidence needed or desired for social interaction when dressed for the world. For that matter, most prosthesis are pre-molded, mass produced for the standard figure, not machine washable, uncomfortable, expensive and most of all, less than esthetically pleasing.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Hence, it is an object of this invention to provide a line of fashionable garments for use by mastectomy patients which overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art.
It is another object of the present invention to provide varied designs of articles of clothing, or lines of clothing which include a specialized bra cup including functioning portions which provide a mastectomy patient wearer with smooth and natural looking body line, and such that her prosthetic chest portion built into the garment has the apparent ability to flow with the other natural portions of her bosom.
And in accordance with the principles of the invention, a line of fashionable garments is provided which comprise a natural-looking and shaped prosthetic breast device permanently inserted in the garment to replace one or both breasts removed, with or without post surgery reconstruction. The garments include various shaped and sized breast cups comprising prosthesis which are permanently affixed to the garment to enable the wearer to merely dress with the garment without having to go through a process of inserting a prosthesis, affixing the prosthesis, adjusting the prosthesis, etc., normally associated with conventional prosthetic devices and garments therefor.
The bra cups, and garments comprising same, preferably comprise low maintenance outer materials, e.g., cotton, and the prosthetic device itself constructed with a semipermeable enclosure material which is not effected by conventional environmental conditions, i.e., cleaning with laundry detergents.
Applicant's invention uses combinations of particular features including a permanently adjusted liquid or filler based prosthetic bra cup, the bra cup constructed to be manufactured in garments which may be worn, washed and stored, as would be a conventional non-prosthetic bra. Prices for garments manufactured in accordance with the principles of this invention, e.g., bras, bathing suits, may fluctuate in accordance with the diversity of the line of garments, and quantity. Because of its built-in placement within the garment in which it is disposed, the bra cup portion of the garment will not cause irritation, shifting or uncomfortability. All of the inventive garments are meant to be manufactured in many styles and cup sizes to provide the woman in need with a variety of fashionable items suiting her taste in clothes.
The bra portion of any of the particular garments envisioned by the inventive concept disclosed herein includes one or both cups filled and permanently filled with a liquid or semi-liquid material, e.g., water, gel, silicone, a mixture of same, a mixture of water, silicone or gel with an additional structural matrix (in the case of larger breast sizes) and permanently sealed in an outer shell. The back of the outer shell may be encased in a comfortable fabric and disposed against the chest without adhesive or fasteners. The garments include, but are not limited to night gowns, bathing suits, evening wear, sweater, athletic wear, bras, etc., the bras including various styles such as underwire, bond style, strapless bras, brazalettes, bustiers, one piece undergarments, etc. meant to be constructed
REFERENCES:
patent: 4024876 (1977-05-01), Penrock
patent: 5098330 (1992-03-01), Greenberg
patent: 5334082 (1994-08-01), Barker
patent: 5782671 (1998-07-01), Suen et al.
patent: 5823852 (1998-10-01), Chu
Hale Gloria M.
Vodopia John F.
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