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`US006758720B2
`
`(12) United States Patent
`Chen
`
`(10) Patent No.:
`(45) Date of Patent:
`
`US 6,758,720 B2
`Jul. 6, 2004
`
`(54) ATTACHABLE BREAST FORM
`ENHANCEMENT SYSTEM
`
`(75)
`
`Inventor: David E. Chen, Walnut, C A (US)
`
`(73) Assignee: Brage) International, Inc., Pomona,
`C A (US)
`
`DE
`FR
`FR
`GB
`GB
`
`FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`0216441
`989453 A
`1092914
`0785851
`2208785 A
`
`7 /1961
`9/1951
`4/1955
`11/1957
`4/1989
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`( *) Notice:
`
`Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this
`patent is extended or adjusted under 35
`U.S.C. 154(b) by 52 days.
`
`(21) Appl. No.: 10/159,251
`May 31, 2002
`
`(22) Filed:
`
`(65)
`
`Prior Publication Data
`
`US 2003/0224700 Al Dec. 4, 2003
`Int. CI.7 .................................................. A41C 3/00
`(51)
`(52) U.S. Cl. ............................. 450/57; 450/54; 450/58;
`2/267
`(58) Field of Search .............................. 450/81, 88, 38,
`450/54--57, 58, 71, 77, 82, 63; 2/267; 623/7,
`8
`
`(56)
`
`References Cited
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`817,020 A *
`2,079,426 A
`2,579,365 A
`2,728,079 A
`2,793,369 A
`2,844,151 A
`2,869,553 A
`2,882,905 A *
`3,196,878 A
`3,280,818 A
`3,297,036 A
`3,556,107 A
`
`4/1906
`5/1937
`12/1951
`12/1955
`5/1957
`7/1958
`1/1959
`4/1959
`7/1965
`10/1966
`1/1967
`1/1971
`
`Thompson .. .. ... ... ... ... .. . 450/54
`Schottenfels ..................... 2/42
`Conde
`Williams ......................... 2/42
`Panighini ......................... 2/42
`Lemons
`D'Or .......................... 128/505
`Barg . ... ... ... .. ... ... ... ... .. . 450/63
`Hedu
`Pankey et al. .. ... ... ... ... 128/505
`Williams .................... 128/505
`Brumfield ................... 128/465
`
`Dr. Leonard's-America's Leading Discount Healthcare
`Catalog, p. 15. Natural Looking Breast Enhancer Pads
`Silicon Covered With Film.*
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`Primary Examiner-Gloria M. Hale
`(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Christie, Parker & Hale,
`LLP
`
`(57)
`
`ABSTRACT
`
`An attachable breast form enhancement system comprising
`a pair of breast forms adjoined by a connector. The breast
`forms have an interior surface with a pressure sensitive
`adhesive layer that adjoins to the user's breasts. The pressure
`sensitive adhesive layer can be a permanently grown pres­
`sure sensitive adhesive that has an adhesion force to the
`breast forms that is greater than a cohesion force to the
`user's breasts. The connector adjoins the separated breast
`forms by attaching to the inner sides of the breast forms and
`pulling the user's breasts together. The connector can be
`either permanently or removably attached to the breast
`forms. Several different configurations of breast forms and
`connectors are available to achieve the benefits of the
`present breast form system. The improved breast form
`system allows a user to eliminate use of traditional bras by
`simply adhering the pair of breast forms to the user's
`breasts/skin, and then adjoining the breast forms with the
`connector. The breast form system provides for enhance­
`ment of breast size and shape, as well as provides for
`customization of breast cleavage and push-up enhancement.
`
`(List continued on next page.)
`
`7 Claims, 7 Drawing Sheets
`
`

`

`US 6,758,720 B2
`Page 2
`
`U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS
`
`7/1973 Wynants ..................... 128/505
`3,749,102 A
`1/1976 Mellinger ................... 128/480
`3,934,593 A
`4,553,550 A
`11/1985 Hattori
`2/1991 Diaz ........................... 450/81
`4,992,074 A
`5,352,307 A * 10/1994 Wild ........................... 156/66
`5,538,502 A * 7/1996 Johnstone .................... 450/63
`5,755,611 A
`5/1998 Noble et al.
`5,792,292 A * 8/1998 Wild ........................... 156/66
`D419,279 S
`1/2000 Marco et al.
`6,200,195 Bl
`3/2001 Furuno et al.
`5/2001 Valentin ...................... 450/81
`6,231,424 Bl
`
`6,257,951 Bl
`6,257,952 Bl
`6,283,820 Bl *
`2001/0021620 Al
`2001/0027079 Al
`
`7/2001
`7/2001
`9/2001
`9/2001
`10/2001
`
`DeMarco .................... .
`Valentin ..................... .
`Huang ........................ .
`DeMarco .................... .
`Valentin ..................... .
`
`450/65
`450/81
`450/57
`450/81
`450/41
`
`OTHER PUBLICATIONS
`
`Figures Only for Italian Patent No. 0521811 (May 1955).
`Abstract and Figures Only for French Patent No. 2505620
`(Nov. 19, 1982).
`
`* cited by examiner
`
`

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`US 6,758,720 B2
`
`1
`ATTACHABLE BREAST FORM
`ENHA NCEMENT SYSTEM
`
`FIELD OF THE INVENTION
`
`The present invention relates to an attachable breast form
`enhancement system comprising a pair of breast forms
`adjoined by an enhancement connector. More specifically,
`the breast forms have a re-usable pressure sensitive adhesive
`layer for adjoining to the user's skin and are adjustably
`adjoined together by a connector that allows the user to
`customize the amount of breast cleavage and push-up
`enhancement.
`
`BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
`
`Women who, for whatever reason, are not satisfied with
`the size of their own breasts and desire larger, more shapely
`breasts must select among two alternative methods for
`enhancing their breast size, by either using rudimentary
`externally worn articles, such as foam pads and the like, or
`by undergoing a surgical operation to be fitted with a breast
`implant. Opting for use of a surgical breast implant carries
`with it the danger inherent in any surgical operation and can
`be quite expensive. In addition to the dangers inherent with
`the surgical operation is the potential health dangers that
`may be associated with using a particular type of breast
`implant, namely, the silicone breast implant. Accordingly,
`women wishing to enhance their physical appearance in a
`non-permanent and health-risk free manner opt to use one of
`the many types of externally worn articles.
`A key feature of such externally worn article is that it look
`and feel natural so as to complement and not detract from the
`existing female breast that it is used to enhance. In addition
`to enhancing an existing breast, externally worn articles are
`designed to replace a female human breast that has been
`surgically removed. Externally worn articles that can be
`worn for the purpose of either enhancing or replacing human
`breasts are referred to a breast forms, and include a wide
`range of breast enhancers, breast inserts, and breast pros-
`theses. A popular type of breast form has been made from a
`silicone gel material that is completely encased by plastic
`film material. The advantage of this type of breast form is
`that it looks like a natural human breast when worn and feels
`natural to the user, thus enhancing the self image and
`confidence of the user. Other breast forms, such as foam
`pads, water-filled pads and the like, do not afford the user
`these important qualities but, rather, look unnatural and feel
`foreign.
`In addition to the demand for devices and methods for
`enhancing breast size and shape, there is also a demand for
`being able to use those devices and methods while wearing
`a full-range of clothing. For example, women wearing a
`backless dress or a halter top will not want to wear a
`traditional bra. As a result, bras have been developed that are
`both backless and strapless. Such backless, strapless bras
`have used non-permanent adhesives, such as a disposable
`double-sided tape, to secure the bra to the user. Known
`backless, strapless bras, however, have only provided lim­
`ited means for enhancing breast size and shape. For
`example, known backless, strapless bras having full-sized
`cups are not designed to easily accommodate a breast form
`and do not use an adhesive that allows the user to easily
`remove and re-use the bra.
`As a result, there exists a need for a breast form enhance­
`ment system that provides the benefits of a breast form, yet
`also the benefits of a backless, strapless bra. Furthermore,
`
`5
`
`10
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`2
`there exists a need for such a system having a permanent and
`re-usable adhesive that allows the user to position the breast
`forms in a desired position without concern of the breast
`forms shifting from that position. Moreover, such a system
`should have means for pushing-up the breasts and enhancing
`breast cleavage.
`There also exists a need for an improved breast form to be
`used with an improved breast form enhancement system that
`is specially designed to accommodate women with sagging
` breasts. Known breast forms have a structure designed to
`enhance the lower portion of a user's breast and, therefore,
`are thicker in the regions that cover that portion. As a result,
`women who have sagging breasts may not be well suited to
`use the known breast forms because the known breast forms
` would only further exaggerate the degree of sagging of the
`15
`breast because the lower portion of the breast is already
`larger and rounder than the upper portion of the breast.
`Therefore, it is desirable to have a breast enhancement
`system with a breast form that is specially adapted to
` counter-balance the effect of sagging breasts.
`
`20
`
`BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
`
`30
`
`
`35
`
`40
`
`
`
`FIG. 1 is a front view of a breast form system having a
` pair of breast forms adjoined by a connector;
`25
`FIG. 2 is a side view of one of the breast forms shown in
`FIG. 1;
`FIG. 3 is a side cross-sectional view of a breast form
`having a fabric layer adjoined to a thermoplastic film
` material;
`FIG. 4 is a side view of a breast form adapted to
`accommodate sagging breasts;
`FIG. Sa is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`1 having an adjustable connector that has not been engaged
`to adjoin the breast forms;
`FIG. Sb is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`Sa wherein the connector has been engaged to adjoin the
`breast forms;
`FIG. 6 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`1 having a single unit connector;
`FIG. 7 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`6 having a different single unit connector;
`FIG. 8 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
` 1 having an adjustable connector assembly;
`45
`FIG. 9 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`1 wherein the connector is positioned between the bottom
`inner portions of the breast forms; and
`FIG. 10 is a front view of the breast form system of FIG.
`6 wherein the connector includes a subassembly of connec­
`tor patches.
`
`50
`
`
`
`SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
`
`
`55
`
`60
`
`The present invention provides an attachable breast form
`enhancement system comprising a pair of breast forms
`adjoined by a connector. The breast forms have an interior
`surface with a pressure sensitive adhesive layer that adjoins
`to the user's breasts. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer
` can be a permanently grown pressure sensitive adhesive that
`has an adhesion force to the breast forms that is greater than
`a cohesion force to the user's breasts. The connector adjoins
`the separated breast forms by attaching to the inner sides of
`the breast forms and pulling the user's breasts together. The
` connector can be either permanently or removably attached
`65
`to the breast forms. Several different configurations of breast
`forms and connectors are available to achieve the benefits of
`
`

`

`US 6,758,720 B2
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`5
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`10
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`15
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`3
`the present system. The present breast forms system allows
`a user to eliminate the use of traditional bras by simply
`attaching the pair of breast forms to the user's breasts/skin,
`and then adjoining the breast forms together with the con­
`nector.
`Thus, the separated breast forms provide the user with the
`desired amount of breast size and shape enhancement, and
`the connector provides the user the desired amount of breast
`cleavage and push-up enhancement. Because users can
`control the placement of the breast forms on the users' skin,
`and can control how much the breasts are pulled together by
`the connector, the present invention provides users with a
`single system that allows them to customize the shape and
`size of their breasts, as well as their breast cleavage and
`push-up enhancement.
`
`
`
`
`
`4
`top, an outer side 20, and an inner side 22 opposite the outer
`side. Each breast form also defines an inner top 24, an inner
`middle 26, and an inner bottom 28. Referring to FIG. 2, each
`breast form 12 defines two surfaces relative to the user, a
`concave interior surface 30 facing towards the user's breasts,
`and an exterior surface 32 facing opposite the interior
`surface and away from the user's breasts. The interior
`surface 30 includes a pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33
`that adjoins the breast forms to the user's skin.
`The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 can include any
`type of pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) that is suitable for
`removably attaching a breast form to a user's skin, such as
`various types and forms of double-sided tape and perma­
`nently grown PSAs. The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33
`allows the user to place each of the breast forms at a position
`on the user's breasts that will create a desired shape and look
`of the breasts. The amount and type of PSA comprising the
`pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 can vary, as can the
`portions of the interior surface that have the pressure sen-
`sitive adhesive layer. Various factors can contribute to the
`amount, type, and placement of the pressure sensitive adhe­
`sive layer such as the size, shape, and weight of the breast
`form.
`The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 is preferably a
`re-usable PSA that is permanently grown to the interior
`surface 30 of each breast form from edge to edge. Unlike
`known adhesives, the pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33
`will not readily shift once it is positioned on the user and can
`be re-used repeatedly without losing its adhesive properties.
`The pressure sensitive adhesive layer 33 has an adhesion
`force to the breast forms 12 that is greater than a cohesion
`force to the user's skin. The pressure sensitive adhesive
`layer is further able to withstand tremendous movement and
`pressure from the user without slipping and can even be
`subjected to water or sweat without degeneration of the
`adhesive properties. In fact, if the pressure sensitive adhe­
`sive layer becomes dirty (i.e. collects unwanted particles
`such as dust, lint, or debris), it can be cleaned with soap and
`water to remove the unwanted particles and fully restore the
`adhesive properties.
`The breast forms 12 are each adapted to accommodate the
`connector 14. The connector 14 can have many different
`forms, but generally will have two or more separate
`portions, where a first portion attaches to one breast form
`and a second portion attaches to the other breast form. The
`first and second portions of the connector are designed to
`engage each other in order to adjoin the two breast forms.
`Furthermore, the separate portions of the connector 14 can
`be either permanently or removably attached to the breast
`forms. It is also possible for the connector 14 to be a single
`unit that removably attaches to both breast forms. The
`manner in which the connector 14 attaches to the breast
`forms will vary depending on the particular structures of the
`breast forms and the connector.
`The breast form system 10 shown in FIG. 1 can represent
`various combinations of breast forms 12 and connectors 14.
`In one embodiment, each of the breast forms 12 includes a
`volume of silicone gel material encased within a flexible
`thermoplastic film material, such as polyurethane or the like.
`The thermoplastic film material can be in the form of two
`separate sheets that are heat sealed together along a perim-
`eter surface where the interior surface 30 and the exterior
`surface 32 meet. Additionally, the breast forms can further
`comprise an optional fabric layer that is permanently joined
`to the thermoplastic film material.
`The fabric layer and thermoplastic film material are
`permanently and inseparably adjoined by heat lamination or
`
`DETAILED DESCRIPTION
`
`Breast form enhancement systems constructed according
`to principles of this invention, generally comprise a pair of
`breast forms adjoined by an enhancement connector. FIG. 1
`illustrates a front view of a breast form system 10 of this
`invention. The breast form system 10 includes a pair of
`breast forms 12 adjoined by a connector 14 that is positioned
`between opposing surfaces of the two breast forms. The
`breast forms 12 each have a pressure sensitive adhesive
` 25
`
`layer that enables the breast forms to be removably attached
`to each of a user's left and right breasts. The breast forms 12
`are separate articles that are independently placed on a left
`and right breast of a user. Each of the breast forms 12 has the
`same structure, except one is designed to support and
` 30
`enhance the left breast and the other is designed to support
`and enhance the right breast. Furthermore, each breast form
`is designed to adjoin with a portion of the connector 14,
`which allows the connector 14 to adjoin the two breast
`forms.
`Generally, the user of the breast form system 10 positions
`the pressure sensitive adhesive layer of each of the breast
`forms 12 on the left and right breasts, and then adjoins the
`breast forms to each other by engaging the connector 14. The
`user can create varying degrees of breast cleavage and breast
` 40
`push-up enhancement depending on where the breast forms
`are positioned on the user's breasts and how much the
`connector 14 pulls the two breast forms towards each other.
`Furthermore, the placement of the connector relative to the
`top and bottom of the breast forms will impact the degree of
` 45
`cleavage and push-up enhancement. Accordingly, the breast
`form system 10 enables the user to position the breast forms
`at a position that creates a desired breast shape, and also
`allows the user to control the amount of cleavage and
`push-up enhancement by adjoining the breast forms with the
`connector.
`The breast form system 10 can be formed from several
`different types of breast forms 12. The breast forms 12 are
`intended to include all types of externally worn articles that
`can be worn to enhance or replace a user's breasts. These
` 55
`include, but are not limited to, breast forms made from a
`volume of silicone gel encased by a thermoplastic film
`material. The breast forms also include any liquid, air, or gel
`encased by any foam, plastic, rubber, fabric, or molded
`unwoven fiber material, as well as any solid material that is
`suitable for external breast enhancement, such as a foam,
`soft rubber, fabric, molded unwoven fiber, or plastic.
`Accordingly, it is understood that a wide range of materials,
`structures, and sizes are within the scope of the breast forms
`12 for purposes of this invention.
`A front view of the breast forms 12 is shown in FIG. 1.
`Each breast form 12 has a top 16, a bottom 18 opposite the
`
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`US 6,758,720 B2
`
`6
`adjoined the two breast forms 12. The clasp 46 is shown
`engaging the first of the three loops 48 of the second portion.
`Because the connector 14 is adjustable, the user could
`engage the clasp 46 with one of the other loops, which would
`result in the two breast forms being pulled closer towards
`each other, thereby creating more cleavage between the
`user's breasts.
`In FIGS. Sa and Sb, the connector 14 is shown perma­
`nently fixed to the breast forms. More specifically, the first
`portion 42 and second portion 42 are permanently attached
`to the inner sides of the breast forms 12. However, it is
`possible for the first portion and second portion to be
`removably attached to the breast forms. For example, the
`first portion and second portion could attach to the breast
`forms by way of a button type assembly that snaps through
`a small hole in each of the breast forms. This would allows
`both portions of the connector to be removed from the breast
`forms, which would allow the user to wear the breast forms
`without adjoining the breast forms.
`Another embodiment of the breast form system 10 is
`shown in FIG. 6. Again, the breast forms 12 can be any
`suitable type. The connector 14 is a single unit, as opposed
`to having two separate portions that adjoin. In the single unit
`shown, the connector 14 has a body SO with a pair of hooks
`S2 attached at each end of the body. The body can be made
`of any suitable material such as plastic, metal, or various
`fabrics, such as an elastic fabric. The hooks S2 are adapted
`to slide into and engage a pair of loops S4 that are attached
`to the inner sides 22 of each breast forms. The loops S4 are
`shown permanently attached to the inner sides of each breast
`form, and have a size that provides for a snug fit between the
`hooks and the loops. The loops an be made to detach from
`the breast forms and can vary in size. Generally, the user will
`slide one of the hooks S2 into one of the loops S4, and then
`slide the other hook through the other loop, which adjoins
`the two breast forms together.
`Another embodiment of the connector 14 is shown in FIG.
`7. Similar to FIG. 6, the connector 14 is a single unit that
`engages openings that extend from each breast form. The
`connector 14 has a rigid body S6 with a pair of rigid arms
`S8 extending from each end of the body. The arms S8 are
`adapted to snap into receptacles 60 that extend from the
`inner side of each breast form. Once the arms are snapped
`into the receptacles, the two breast forms are engaged.
`The single unit connectors shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 can
`each be made into more than one piece, or configured to
`attach (either permanently or removably) to the one or more
`of the breast forms. For example, in FIG. 6, rather than
`having a pair of hooks S2 attached at both ends of the
`connector body SO, a single hook could be attached at one
`end of the body SO and the other end of the body could be
`fixed to one of the breast forms. In this configuration, one
`breast form would have a loop S4 extending from its inner
`side, and the other breast form would have the body of the
`connector with a hook attached thereto. Therefore, it is
`understood that there are many possible configurations for
`the connector 14 and the manner in which it connects to the
`breast forms.
`Further embodiments of the breast form system 10 can be
`achieved by making minor alterations to the connector 14
`and the breast forms. For example, referring to FIG. Sa, the
`first portion 42 and the second portion 44 could be mating
`portions for a VELCRO strap, wherein the first portion
`includes a strip of nylon having a plurality of minute hooks
`and the second portion includes a corresponding strip with
`a surface of uncut pile. Also, the receptacles 60 shown in
`
`5
`other similar processes. Referring to FIG. 3, a side cross­
`sectional view of the breast form 12 is shown, wherein the
`breast form has two sheets of thermoplastic film material 34
`encasing a volume of silicone gel material 36, and one of the
`sheets also has an optional fabric layer. The two sheets 34
` 5
`are heat sealed along the perimeter of the breast form along
`point 38. A fabric layer 40 is permanently adjoined to the
`sheet 34 that defines the interior surface 30. The pressure
`sensitive adhesive layer 33 is permanently grown to the
`fabric layer 40 from edge to edge. If desired, the fabric layer
` 10
`can be adjoined to the sheet defining the exterior surface 32,
`
`or can be adjoined to both sheets. The fabric layer 40 can be
`made from any suitable material, such as a two-way or
`four-way stretchable material that allows the breast form to
`conform to the user's breast shape.
`Another embodiment of the breast form system includes
`one or more of the breast forms being specially designed to
`accommodate sagging breasts. Known breast forms are not
`well suited for women with sagging breasts because the
`breast forms have a greater thickness near the lower portion
` 20
`of the breast form, which would only further accentuate the
`sag in the user's breast when the breast form is positioned
`over the user's breast. A side-view of a breast form 120 that
`is designed to accommodate sagging breasts is shown in
`FIG. 4.
`More specifically, the breast form 120 shown in FIG. 4
`has a top 140 and a bottom 160 opposite the top. The breast
`form also defines an apex or center 180, which is approxi­
`mately the middle distance between the top 140 and the
`bottom 160. The portion of the breast form above the center
`180 defines an upper portion 200, and the portion below the
`center portion defines a lower portion 220. The breast form
`120 has a greater thickness at the upper portion 200 than a
`thickness at the lower portion 220. This design feature is
`apparent from the side view in FIG. 4, where the thickness
`of the upper portion 200 is noticeably greater than the
`thickness of the lower portion 220. As a result, the breast
`form 120 will counterbalance the natural effects of gravity
`and sag in the user's breast by enhancing the size of the
`flatter, non-sagging portion of the breast (i.e. where the
` 40
`upper portion 200 will be positioned), thereby creating the
`appearance of a fuller, more evenly distributed breast.
`The connector 14 can be adjoined to the breast form at the
`interior surface 30 or the exterior surface 32, or both
`surfaces. Further, the connector can be adjoined to either the
`thermoplastic film material or the fabric layer, or both.
`Because the particular material used to construct the breast
`forms will vary (i.e. thermoplastic film, rubber, fabric, etc.),
`the material to which the connector is adjoined should be
`able to withstand a number of different pulling forces
` 50
`without separating from the breast forms.
`Referring to FIGS. Sa and Sb, the connector 14 is shown
`as an adjustable clasp assembly. In FIG. Sa the connector 14
`has a first portion 42 attached to the inner side 22 of one of
`the breast forms 12, and a second portion 44 attached to the
`inner side 22 of the other breast form 12. The first portion
`and the second portion are designed to engage each other in
`order to adjoin the two breast forms. It does not matter to
`which of the breast forms the first portion 42 and the second
` 60
`portion 44 are attached, so long as the first and second
`portions are oriented towards each other in a manner that
`allows them to cooperatively engage. The first portion 42 is
`shown having a clasp 46 that is adapted to fit within a
`plurality of loops 48 that are disposed on the second portion
`44. The first portion and second portion are shown prior to
`being engaged. FIG. Sb shows the first portion 42 engaged
`with the second portion 44, such that the connector 14 has
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`15
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`25
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`30
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`35
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` 45
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` 55
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` 65
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`

`

`US 6,758,720 B2
`
`7
`FIG. 7 could be changed in shape to be circular or could be
`made into metal or plastic rings. Further, the connector 14
`could simply be a piece of string, or the like, that passes
`through the rings and allows the user to tie a knot to adjoin
`the two breast forms. An additional embodiment is shown in
`FIG. 8, wherein the connector 14 includes a mounting strap
`62 and a pair of plugs 64. The mounting strap 62 has a
`plurality of holes that are adapted to engagingly receive the
`plugs 64. The breast forms each have a receptacle 60. The
`user adjoins the breast forms by aligning one of the holes on
`the mounting strap with each of the receptacles, and then
`inserting the plugs through the receptacles and mounting
`strap. The user can adjust the amount of breast cleavage by
`adjoining the breast forms closer together on the mounting
`strap.
`
`The manner in which any of the permanently or remov­
`ably attached portions of the connector are adjoined to the
`breast forms can vary. The same is true with respect to
`portions of the breast form that are adapted to engage the
`connector. The various portions of the connector and the
`breast form could be attached by stitching, heat sealing,
`adhesives, or any other suitable means. For example, the
`connector can be part of a sub-assembly that attaches to the
`breast forms. Referring to FIG. 10, the breast form system
`of FIG. 6 is shown further comprising a pair of connector
`patches 66. The connector patches 66 are each a subassem­
`bly that houses the loops 54, which receive the hooks 52 in
`order to adjoin the breast forms. Accordingly, the loops are
`integrally joined to the connector patches 66, which sepa­
`rately adjoin to the breast forms. The connector patches can
`have many different shapes and sizes, and can be made from
`a number of materials, such as a fabric of film material. For
`example, if the subassembly is made of a thermoplastic film,
`then it can be heat sealed to the interior or exterior surface
`of the breast form, or the connector patch can have a
`permanently grown adhesive that allows the subassembly to
`be removably attached to the breast form. Therefore, many
`options exist for adjoining the connector with the breast
`forms.
`
`The various features of the breast form system 10 allow
`it to serve as a replacement for the traditional bra, yet also
`provide breast size and shape enhancement. Moreover, the
`user is able to customize the amount of breast cleavage and
`push-up enhancement. Unlike traditional bras, the present
`breast form system 10 has no straps or cups that are usually
`necessary to hold the user's breasts or an external breast
`form or enhancement device. The user can wear the present
`breast form system without needing to wear any other type
`of bra. The presence of both the pressure sensitive adhesive
`layer and the connector makes the present breast form
`different than currently available bras and enhancement
`systems. Because the breast forms are positioned directly
`onto the user's breasts, and because of the specially designed
`pressure sensitive adhesive layer, the breast forms will
`remain in the desired position until the user removes them.
`Furthermore, the user can wear the present breast form
`system with nearly all possible types of clothing. The outline
`and structure of the present breast form system is not visible
`under even the tightest articles of clothing. Additionally, the
`breast forms can be made of is silicone gel that makes the
`breast forms so realistic that the breast form system will not
`be detected by others even when hugging the user.
`
`The present breast form enhancement system allows users
`to boost their self-esteem without turning to dangerous, or
`
`8
`cumbersome, alternatives currently available. Moreover, the
`present system is well adapted for post-mastectomy patients
`because the left and right breast forms can be easily made in
`different sizes. Because the breast forms are individual units,
`a user can mix and match different sizes to fit their particular
`needs, and still achieve the full benefits of the enhancement
`system by including the connector.
`
`Once the user adjoins the breast forms to their skin and
`creates the desired look and shape, the user can create
`greater cleavage by pulling the breast forms together to
`engage the connector. Furthermore, if the user wants to
`push-up the breasts, the user can position the breast forms at
`a lower and more outward position on the breasts, and then
`adjoin the breast forms with the connector, or can select a
`breast form system that positions the connector a lower
`region of the breast forms.
`
`The placement of the connector relative to the top 16 and
`bottom 18 of the breast forms will control the amount of
`push-up enhancement. For example, compare the position­
`ing of the connector 14 in FIG. 9 to the positioning of the
`connector 14 in FIG. 1. The connector in FIG. l is positioned
`at the inner middle 26 portion of the breast forms. The
`connector in FIG. 9 is positioned at the inner bottom 28
`portion of the breast forms and, as a result, when the breast
`forms are adjoined by pulling them together to engage the
`connector, the user's breasts are pulled together and pushed
`upward. Therefore, the present breast form system 10 pro­
`vides more or less push-up enhancement by regulating t