BREAST TAPE AND METHOD OF APPLYING BREAST TAPE

Abstract

A breast tape for supporting and lifting breasts and a method of applying the same are provided. The breast tape includes a body of lace, an adhesive applied to one surface of the lace, and a segmented protective material overlaying the adhesive. The breast tape supports and lifts the breasts by molding thereto and is attractive, easy to apply, has a smooth appearance, does not lose adhesiveness with ongoing wear, is breathable, comfortable and does not require heat activation or a lengthy gripping time. The method includes removing a first segment of protective material attached to a base of the breast tape and applying the base to a bottom of the breast, removing a second segment of the protective material, lifting the breast tape to achieve a desired support and lift, and applying the remainder of the breast tape to the skin and molding to the skin.

Claims

1. A breast tape for lifting and supporting a breast of a user comprising: a breast tape body comprising a lace material; the breast tape body having a front surface and a rear surface; the rear surface having an upper rear portion and a lower rear portion; an adhesive coating applied to substantially a whole of the rear surface, including both the upper rear portion and the lower rear portion; the adhesive coating applied to the lower rear portion adapted to adhere to breast tissue of the user at a first location below a nipple of the user, the adhesive coating applied to the upper rear portion being adapted to adhere to the user's breast tissue at a second location above the user's nipple, and the breast tape body adapted to attach and mold to the breast tissue between the first location and second location, wherein adherence of the breast tape body to the user provides lift and support to the user's breast; and, a peel-away removable protective layer applied substantially over the whole of the adhesive coating to maintain an adhesiveness of the adhesive coating while the protective layer remains in place.

2. The breast tape of claim 1 wherein the lace material comprises a composition of nylon, rayon and cotton.

3. The breast tape of claim 2 wherein the composition comprises substantially about 48% nylon, about 35% rayon and about 17% cotton.

4. The breast tape of claim 1 wherein the adhesive coating comprises an acrylic medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive.

5. The breast tape of claim 4 wherein the acrylic medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive includes a hydrocolloid hotmelt pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA).

6. The breast tape of claim 1 wherein the protective layer comprises a single plastic single-sided silicone paper.

7. The breast tape of claim 6 wherein the protective layer comprises a separate peel-away upper segment and peel-away lower segment, wherein the upper segment overlays at least the upper rear portion and the lower segment overlays at least the lower rear portion and each segment is adapted to be peeled-away individually.

8. The breast tape of claim 1 wherein the breast tape body has a pear-shape.

9. The breast tape of claim 1 further comprising a perforated polyurethane film that is applied to the rear surface between the rear surface and the adhesive coating.

10. A method of applying a breast tape for lifting and supporting a breast of a user comprising the steps of: removing a protective layer overlaying an adhesive coating substantially applied to a whole of a rear surface of a breast tape body thereby exposing an adhesive of the adhesive coating, wherein the breast tape body comprises a lace material; attaching the exposed adhesive on a lower portion of the rear surface of the breast tape body to a first location below the nipple of the user; lifting the breast tape body to lift and support the user's breast; attaching the exposed adhesive on an upper portion of the rear surface of the breast tape body to a second location above the user's nipple; and ensuring that substantially an entire rear surface of the breast tape body is adhesively attached and thereby molds to a skin of the user between the first location and the second location.

11. The method as set forth in claim 10, wherein the protective layer comprises a separate lower segment and upper segment, wherein the lower segment is adapted to be removed prior to attaching the breast tape to the first location and the upper segment is adapted to be separately removed prior to attaching the breast tape to the second location.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0015] The following drawings illustrate examples of various components of the present disclosure disclosed herein, and are for illustrative purposes only. Other embodiments that are substantially similar can use other components that have a different appearance.

[0016] FIG. 1 illustrates an angled view of the top surface of an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0017] FIG. 2 is a cross-section view of an embodiment of the present disclosure cut at its midpoint.

[0018] FIG. 3 illustrates a view of the bottom surface of an embodiment of the present disclosure, including a user peeling back a portion of the embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] A detailed description of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be given in the following disclosure. It will be appreciated that the embodiments provided herein are for illustration only and are not meant to be restrictive. Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily suggest themselves to skilled persons having the benefit of this disclosure.

[0020] The breast tape disclosed herein relates to an adhesive tape that can be used to support and lift human breasts without the drawbacks of existing adhesive tapes or traditional brassieres.

[0021] FIG. 1 and FIG. 2 illustrate an embodiment of the present disclosure. As can be seen, provided is a breast tape that comprises a breast tape body 1 with a top surface 2 and a rear surface 3. The breast tape body 1 may be made of a lace material comprising hollow portions or empty (of material) cavities. The lace material may be composed of nylon, rayon and cotton. In a non-limiting example, the composition is substantially in the range of about 48% nylon, about 35% rayon, and about 17% cotton. This example composition of lace may be desirable for a breast tape as it supports a variety of breast sizes, binds well to adhesives, can be easily cut, and molds seamlessly to the breast. Due to the strength and elasticity of the example composition of the lace material, the breast tape may be suitable and may provide support for a variety of breast shapes and sizes without tearing, while also providing a suitable strength to support those with larger breasts. In some examples, the lace composition may also be flexible and may not be a stiff material that is unattractive and uncomfortable so as to irritate the skin. Flexible material also provides the benefit of molding well to the human breast and so the outline of the breast tape is not visible through the user's clothing, and an undesirable appearance is avoided.

[0022] The breast tape body 1 may have any predetermined shape, which allows the breast tape to be manufactured on scale in a variety of sizes following the predetermined shape. In one example embodiment, the breast tape body 1 may be generally pear- or tear-shaped (as can be seen in FIG. 1), but, in general, may be made into any shape that best accomplishes the goals of supporting and lifting the breasts and molding to them. In a non-limiting example, a height of the breast tape body 1 is about 22.3 centimeters and a width of the breast tape body 1 is about 15.3 centimeters at its widest point, which coincides with a standard size “large”. The example pear-shape of the breast tape body 1 limits the need for a user to cut the breast tape and thereby allows for an easier application and removal as its shape matches that of the breast—a single peel-away of the breast tape is used rather than piece by piece. However, owing to the composition of material used, the user may still easily cut the breast tape body 1 prior to it being employed if so needed. Ease of cutting and forming allows the breast tape body 1 to more easily mold to the user and prevents bunching and ill-fits.

[0023] The top surface 2 of the breast tape body 1 faces away from the human breast tissue and is free from adhesive. The rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1 faces towards, and is meant to be applied to, human breast tissue. The rear surface 3 includes an adhesive coating 4. In some examples, the adhesive coating 4 may include an acrylic medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive that may be applied by any known coating machine to the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1. The acrylic medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive may be applied to the entire surface of the rear surface 3 and thereby creates maximum attachment to the user's breast tissue as no part of the rear surface is adhesive-free.

[0024] In a non-limiting example, the adhesive coating 4 may include a hydrocolloid hotmelt pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA). This type of adhesive is well-suited for applications including, for example, advanced wound dressings, acne treatment, and ostomy care, where the application may include continued contact with human skin. The ability to maintain contact with human skin without irritation makes the adhesive also well-suited for the breast tape of the present disclosure. Further, this type of adhesive coating does not include any waiting time to set and grip, nor does it include heat activation to achieve a desired hold. The adhesive coating 4 may be formed such that it does not lose its adhesive strength during normal wear and further does not lose its adhesive strength when exposed to a user's sweat, for example, when a user is exercising.

[0025] The hydrocolloid formulation delivers an outstanding balance of adhesion and peel strength, and further delivers excellent moisture retention, good breathability and enhanced wearing comfort. The hydrocolloid formulation for the adhesive coating 4 may be supplied, for example, by Henkel AG & Co. KGaA, a German chemical and consumer goods company.

[0026] The body 1 of the breast tape desirably includes sufficient surface area for the adhesive coating 4 to bind to in order to support the breast; however, it may also be desirable for the body 1 of the breast tape to be breathable for the user. A lace composition that is hollow as mentioned above may be desirable in order to maintain enough surface area while also maintaining structural integrity. In some examples, a structural integrity may be maintained by using a composition of substantially about 48% nylon, about 35% rayon, and about 17% cotton. In some examples a high surface area may be achieved by using hollow lace with patterns in the lace to which the adhesive may to bind to. In one embodiment, the hollow lace may contain a floral-styled pattern. Due to the flexible composition of the hollow lace and the adhesive coating 4, the breast tape of the present disclosure offers increased breathability and comfort to the wearer.

[0027] A protective layer 5 may be affixed over the rear surface 3 and directly atop the adhesive coating 4 to cover the adhesive coating 4 and prevent it from sticking prematurely, and prior to use. The protective layer 5 may be composed of an upper segment 6 and a lower segment 7 with a cut line to separate the sections, allowing a user to peel one section at a time while leaving the other section in place to maintain protection of the underlying adhesive.

[0028] FIG. 3 illustrates the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1, including the adhesive coating 4 and the protective layer 5 that covers the adhesive coating 4. As noted above, the protective layer 5 may further comprise an upper segment 6 and a lower segment 7. The upper segment 6 of the protective layer 5 covers an upper portion 8 of the rear surface 3 and the lower segment 7 of the protective layer covers a lower portion 9 (shown underneath lower segment 7 in FIG. 3) of the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1.

[0029] In a non-limiting example, a height of the lower segment 7 of the protective layer 5 is about 5 inches and a height of the upper segment 6 of the protective layer 5 is about 4.5 inches. In one embodiment, the protective layer 5 may comprise a single plastic single-sided silicone paper.

[0030] In some examples, a layer of polyurethane film (not shown in the figures) may be applied using any known coating machine onto the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body. The adhesive coating 4 is then applied onto the layer of polyurethane film instead of directly onto the rear surface 3. The polyurethane film may increase the surface area available for the adhesive coating to bind to as it fills the spaces created by the cavities of the hollow lace material. Increasing the available surface area strengthens the hold of the breast tape to the user's body. Breathability is maintained as the polyurethane film is perforated, thereby maintaining multiple closely packed holes, which allow for the flow of air.

[0031] The polyurethane film may further improve water resistance and may allow the breast tape to maintain its hold of the user's breast despite exposure to water or to the user's sweat.

[0032] An example method of applying a breast tape of the present disclosure is now described.

[0033] First, the user may ensure that their skin is clean and dry, free from powders, oils and lotions. Next, the user may wish to apply any nipple covering to protect the nipple and areola as the full rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1 is covered with an acrylic medical grade pressure sensitive adhesive. However, this nipple covering is not strictly necessary and need not be used as the adhesive itself is sensitive and should not irritate the nipple during use. Next, the lower segment 7 of the protective layer 5 may be removed, exposing the adhesive coating 4 of the lower portion 9 of the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1. The now exposed lower portion 9 of the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1 may now be applied and secured to the user's clean and dry skin at the bottom of the user's breast. Next, the upper segment 6 of the protective layer 5 may be removed exposing the adhesive coating 4 of the upper portion 8 of the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1. The breast tape body 1 may now be stretched and lifted and, as it is lifted, the breast tissue to which it has been applied is also lifted and the support and lift desired by the user may be achieved. The exposed upper portion 8 of the rear surface 3 of the breast tape body 1 may now be applied and secured to the user's skin above the breast as desired. The breast tape body 1 then molds to the breast from the first location to the second location.

[0034] While embodiments and applications of the present disclosure have been shown and described herein, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art having the benefit of the present disclosure that numerous modifications, variations and other embodiments other than those mentioned above are possible without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.