GARMENT HAVING INTEGRATED PROSTHETIC BREASTS

Abstract

A garment having integrated prosthetic breasts is disclosed. The garment includes an inner front layer, a middle component which includes at least one, and ideally two prosthetic breast members. The prosthetics are lightweight so that no elastic across the torso is needed. An outer front layer covers the middle component. The middle component is formed of a mesh layer which is sewn to the inner front layer only at the neckline and arms, and has an open bottom edge. The prosthetic breast members are attached to the mesh layer and provide shaping for mastectomy patients or other individuals having a need or desire for natural looking shaping.

Claims

1. A garment having integrated prosthetic breasts comprising: an inner front layer, a middle component comprising at least one prosthetic breast member, an outer front layer covering said middle component.

2. The garment according to claim 1, wherein said middle component comprises a backing layer and said at least one prosthetic breast member attached to said backing layer.

3. The garment according to claim 2, wherein said backing layer is sewn to a portion of said inner front layer and unattached at an open lower edge.

4. The garment according to claim 3, wherein the portion of said inner front layer is adjacent a neck line.

5. The garment according to claim 3, wherein the portion of said inner front layer is adjacent a neck line and sleeve lines.

6. The garment according to claim 3, wherein said at least one prosthetic breast member comprises a back layer, and shaped front layer attached to said back layer, and a filling, and wherein said at least one prosthetic breast member comprises two prosthetic breast members.

7. The garment according to claim 6, wherein said filling comprises microbeads.

8. The garment according to claim 7, wherein said shaped front layer comprises a molded foam bra cup.

9. The garment according to claim 8, wherein said back layer is comprised of foam.

10. The garment according to claim 9, wherein said shaped front layer is fused or sewn to said back layer.

11. The garment according to claim 5, wherein said inner front layer is devoid of seams at a portion which lies behind and encompasses the entire area of said at least one prosthetic breast member.

12. The garment according to claim 11, wherein said outer front layer conceals any seams at an outer portion which lies in front of and encompasses the entire area of said at least one prosthetic breast member.

13. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said inner front layer, said middle component, and said outer front layer are devoid of elastic material across a chest area of the garment.

14. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said at least one prosthetic breast member weighs less than 8.0 ounces.

15. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said at least one prosthetic breast member is not selectively removable.

16. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said garment is a sleeveless garment.

17. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said garment is a sleeved garment.

18. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said garment is an outerwear garment.

19. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said garment is a bathing suit.

20. The garment according to claim 12, wherein said garment is an underwear garment.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a front view of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0018] FIG. 2 illustrates a front view of a garment with the outer front layer removed, in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0019] FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a garment showing multiple layers in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0020] FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of the middle component of a garment in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0021] FIG. 5 illustrates a front view of the prosthetic breast members in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0022] FIG. 6 illustrates a perspective view of the prosthetic breast members in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0023] FIG. 7 illustrates a perspective view of the prosthetic breast members in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

[0024] FIG. 8 illustrates a perspective view of the prosthetic breast members in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0025] While this invention is susceptible of embodiments in many different forms, there are shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail, preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated.

[0026] In various embodiments, the present invention is garment 10 having at least one integrated prosthetic breast 20, and preferably two prosthetic breasts 20.

[0027] In various embodiments, the garment 10 includes an inner front layer 15. The inner front layer 15 is preferably a soft an comfortable material which contacts the skin without any irritating seams or elastic. A middle component 25 is attached to the inner front layer 15. The middle component 25 includes a backing 30. The backing 30 may be a mesh material, or any suitable material.

[0028] The middle component 25 also includes either one or two prosthetic breast members 20 attached to the backing 30. The backing 30 is preferably sewn to the inner front layer 15 only at the top and sides, such as at the neckline and arms. Thus, the bottom edge is preferably left free so that no seam is formed in the portion of the inner front layer 15 which lies behind the prosthetic breast members 20.

[0029] In various embodiments, an outer front layer 35 is sewn to the inner front layer 15. The outer front layer 35 ideally covers the prosthetic breast members 20 without showing any seams. Thus, the garment 10 may be suitably designed as a sleeveless garment, a sleeved garment, a top only, a dress, a bathing suit, or even be worn as an undergarment. Optionally, the garment may include adjustable or stretchable straps.

[0030] The prosthetic breast members 20 of the garment 10 may be formed in any suitable manner. Preferably, they are lightweight, permanent, non-removable prosthetics integral with the garment 10. While the garment 10 can be formed having a single prosthetic breast member 20, the garment 10 is best suited for the unique needs of double mastectomy patients, or individuals having a need or desire to utilize two prosthetic breast members 20.

[0031] In certain embodiments, the prosthetic breast members 20 include a back layer 40, and a shaped front layer 45. The front layer 45 is preferably a molded foam bra cup. The back layer 40 may be a material layer, and an optional interfacing or middle layer 50 may be included to provide structure. Alternatively, the back layer 40 may be a foam layer which holds its shape, and middle layer 50 may be omitted.

[0032] In various embodiments, there is a lightweight filling 55 between back layer 40 and front layer 45. Any suitable lightweight filling which provides a natural look is contemplated. One preferred filling 55 is a lightweight microbead filling, commercially available. Ideally, each prosthetic is lightweight, weighing no more than 8.0 ounces each, but preferably weighing less than 5.0 ounces each, or even lighter, so as to eliminate problematic weight burdens and provide a natural look without the need for elastic or constricting bra straps. Ideally, there is no elastic material across the chest area of the garment 10, although the garment 10 optionally includes shoulder straps which may include elastic material.

[0033] While specific embodiments have been illustrated and described, numerous modifications come to mind without significantly departing from the spirit of the invention and the scope of protection is limited by the scope of the accompanying claims.