Surgical bust pad

Jan. 13, 1959

2,867,818

H. G. CREAMER

SURGICAL BUST PAD

Filed April 4, 1955

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2,867,818

Patented Jan. 13, 1959

United States Patent Office position corresponding to the center of gravity of a normal breast.

Another object of the invention is the provision of a surgical bust pad comprised of a single continuous layer 5 of inaterial in the shape of a human breast and having the edges of the layer skinned and shaped to conforrn to the contour of the' chest portion surrounding the area of surgery in the same manner as would the normal human breast so that the pad appears as a continuation of the 10 remaining chest surface.

These and Other objects of the invention not specifically set forth above will become readily apparent from the accompanying description and drawings in which:

Figure .1 is a projected elevational view showing, the 15 back surface of the three sections which' are secured together to form the surgical bust pad.

Figure 2 is a horizontal· section along line 2—2 of Figure 1 showing, the manner in which the weight particles are made integral with each of the lower sections of. 20 the pad..

Figure 3 is a rear.elevational view of the bust pad-with the three, sections secured together to form, a single, continuous layer inthe shape of a human breast.

Figure .4 is a front .elevational view of the bust pad 25 illustrated in .Figure '3 and showing the position of the weight particles, directly below, the nipple.

Figure 5 is a vertical section along line 5—5 of Figure 4 illustrating the flexible protective covering placed completely around the pad.

Figure 6 is a horizontal section along line 6—6 of Figure 4 illustrating the contour of the edges of the bust pad. .

Referring to Figure 1, a surgical bust pad 7 is formed from an upper section 8 and two· lower sections 9 and 35 107 Each of the sections is constructed of foam rubber, but other suitable materials such as foam plastics and synthetic foam can be utilized for this purpose., Before the sections , are assembled, sections 9 and 10 are split; longitudinally over the areas· 11 and 12, respec40 tively. Each of the lofigitudinally split areas has surfaces 13 and 14 which are first coated with a rubber or other suitable flexible cement and a layer of weight particles 15 is placed on the coated surface 14. The surfaces are then pressed together to close the split area ⁴⁵ and the weight particles become an integral part of the wall of the section. In Figure 2, the weight particles are shown as heavy shot but sand or other heavy, finely, divided material can also be used an a second layer 15'. of particles can be applied to the other surface 13 before: 50 the surfaces 13 and 14 are sealed together in the event that additional weight is required. Of course, a single' layer of larger shot could also be Used to increase the weight. The rubber cement serves to grip the weight particles so that they can be applied in an even layer' and 55 also serves to seal the surfaces 13 and 14 around the: weighted-particles.: Because of the manner in which the: ' particles are incorporated, they do not distort· the contour or interfere with the texture of the pad sections' 9 and 10. a ⁶⁰ After the: weight particles are incorporated, the edges 16. and 17 of-sections 9 and 10, respectively, are secured together, by; rubber cement to form a seam 18 and because: these edges-curve away· frem each other the sections 9 and-10,- -when· secured together, assume a shape similar to the,lower-portion of a normal breast. The lower edge 19. of -section .8 is then secured to the: upper edges 20 an&lt;i 21-of .section 9 and 10 respectively, by rubber: cement .to. form a, seam- 22. After, being: thus secured,, the upper γθ section assumes..a shape similar, to the upper portion.of a normal breast. ,

In order that-the bust pad will fit closely , to the body

2,867,818 SURGICAL BUST PAD

Helen G. Creamer, Pasadena, Calif.

Application April 4, 1955, Serial No. 499,141:

Claims. (Cl. 3—36)

This invention relates to a surgical bust pad and more particularly to a surgical bust pad which is to be worn after removal of the normal breast by surgery and which' has the appearance, texture and weight of a normal human breast.

Present types of artificial busts utilize a bust pad filled with a packing such as felt or a liquid, to provide weight and give resiliency to the pad. However, such artificial busts have the disadvantage that the back surface of the bust pad contacts the tender skin remaining after removal of the human breast and causes irritation of this skin. Also, the type of packing used in prior devices results in expensive and complex construction of the breast pad and the packing has a tendency to become contaminated after being worn.

By the present invention, a bust pad is provided in which the structural components of the pad are positioned away from the area of surgical operation to prevent irritation of the tender skin. The bust pad also incorporates novel packing to giye the needed weight and resiliency to the pad. More particularly the bust pad consists of a single continuous layer in the shape of a human breast, which layer is fabricated from foam latex, synthetic foamed plastic material or the like'and is weighted with shot, heavy sand or other finely divided substances attached to said layer. In the preferred -form of the. invention, the pad is weighted by shot which is carried within the interior of the wall of the pad at a position such that the center of gravity of the pad will fall at the portion of the pad lying below the nipple. The pad is covered with - a suitable covering material, such as silk or rayon cloth, and is inserted into the cup of a brassiere. Because of the location of the weight within the pad, the behavior of the pad in the brassiere cup will be essentially that of a normal breast and the pad can be worn after a mastectomy to give a lifelike appearance. In . addition, the· edges of the bust’pad are shaped to conform to: the contour of. the chest portions surrounding the area of surgery so that the pad will fit closely to the body of the .wearer: and will give, the; appearance of a normal breast.

It js therefore an object of the present. invention to provide a surgical bust pad which is weighted with.heavy solid particles secured to the pad.

Another object of the invention is the provision of: a bust pad which is constructed of a single continuous surface in the shape of the human breast and which , is weighted by. heavy solid particles integral with , the bust pad.

A further: object of the. invention is to provide, a surgical bust pad formed of a single continuous layer which is concave so that the pad. does not bear against and. irritate the area of surgery.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a bust pad in the shape of a human breast and comprised of, a single layer which , is weighted , by. heavy particles, integral with the layer and. located within the layer at a

2,887, 3 surface of the wearer, the edge 23 of section 8 and the edge 24 of section 9 are tapered so that these edges will be parallel to and abut the chest of the wearer when the sections are shaped to form the bust pad.. Also,-the edge 25 Of section 10 has a portion'25' which is similarly’ 5 tapered to. abut the chest of the wearer. ..Another portion 25 of edge 25 and edge 26 of section 8 are tapered to a feather edge 27, at the lateral side so that these edges rest flat against the rib. cage. Thus,- the bust pad is shaped to fit against the surface contours of the body, 10 to simulate, the' shape of a normal breast. The complete pad is encased in a cloth cover 28 which conforms to the front surface of the pad and projects across the back of the pad. The covered bust pad can be held loosely in a brassiere cup or the cover 28 can be equipped with 15 hooks or fasteners so that the pad can be secured to the brassiere.......

: When the bust pad is worn in a brassiere the weight particles 15, spread over the areas 11 and 12, have a . center of gravity located below the nipple where the bust 20 bulges naturally, so that the pad gives the appearance of a normal breast. The effect of the pad inserted in a brassiere cup is one of naturalness and tends to balance the brassiere and compensate for the weight of the remaining breast. The total weight of particles 15 added 25 to the pad will normally increase as the size of the pad increases. It is understood that the weighted areas 11 and 12 can be varied in size and position and that the weight particles can be inserted in section 8 as well as in sections 9 and 10. For instance, each of the three sec- 30 tions could be split over substantially the whole area so that the weight particles would cover substantially the whole area of the bust pad. Also, while it is desirable to make the particles integral with the bust pad, the invention contemplates that the weight particles can be 35 assembled in a separate container and attached to a position on the inner surface of the bust pad.

' Since the bust pad is concave on the side next to the body, the pad has only a small area of contact against the body surface around the tender skin resulting from 40 (he surgical operation. The cover 28 is the only portion which touches this tender area and therefore this area is kept clean and cool. While a mastectomy usually leaves the chest flat or somewhat concave, the cover 28 will easily flex to the dashed line position of Figure 5 in the 45 event that the chest emerges from surgery somewhat convex in form. While the surgical pad is primarily designed as a bust replacement, it can equally well be used to fit over a deficient breast. Because of the fact that the bust pad has an abrupt taper to edge 9 and because the edges 50 of the bust pad do not contact the area of surgery, there is less chance of dermatitis developing.

The present invention provides a novel bust pad which behaves in much the same manner as a normal breast. The pad does not contact the tender skin resulting from 55 surgery since the pad is constructed of a single, continuous layer which can be weighted with solid particles attached to the layer. While the pad has been described as constructed of separate sections, the complete pad can be molded with the weight particles in the desired 1'ocation. Also, the invention contemplates the use of one Or more large particles of solid material in place of the finely divided particles. For instance, a single solid particle in any suitable shape, such as in plate form, could _ggbe inserted into the bust pad at a position to give the desired weight effect and the particle could be shaped to the contour of the bust pad at this position if necessary. This particle could also be made flexible in order to give resiliency to the weighted area. Several such large partides could be inserted into the pad at desired locations or could be attached to the interior of the pad and both large particles and finely divided particles could be utilized in the same pad. Various other modifications , are contemplated by those skilled in the art without departing 75

818 , from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter defined by the appended claims.