US4600551A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Method for producing breast prostheses and supports
Assignee: Individual
•
Filing: 1984-05-21
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Granted: 1986-07-15
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Expires: 2004-05-21
Abstract
Abstract A method for producing an external breast prosthesis or support by forming a mold directly from the subject for whom the prosthesis is being prepared. After a molding material is applied to the subject's breast, the breast is immersed in an isodensity liquid to present the breast to a zero-gravity condition while the molding material cures.
Inventors
- 👤 Robert A. Erb
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 11:09
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F2/00; A61F2/50; A61F2/52; A61F2/5044; A61F2/5046; A61F2002/5053; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S264/00; Y10S264/30
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 27
Claim 1
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for replicating a breast comprising the steps of: applying a molding material to the breast to form a coating which upon hardening will be a mold of the breast; immersing the coated breast in a liquid having essentially the same density as that of the coated breast to present the breast to an essentially zero-gravity condition while said molding material coating cures to form a hardened mold of the breast under a zero-gravity condition; removing the hardened mold from the breast; and forming a casting of the breast in said hardened mold.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
94 words
A method for replicating a breast comprising the steps of: applying a molding material to the breast to form a coating which upon hardening will be a mold of the breast; immersing the coated breast in a liquid having essentially the same density as that of the coated breast to present the breast to an essentially zero-gravity condition while said molding material coating cures to form a hardened mold of the breast under a zero-gravity condition; removing the hardened mold from the breast; and forming a casting of the breast in said hardened mold.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein said molding material is a fast curing silicone elastomer system.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 2 further including the step of modifying the consistency of said elastomer system.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said consistency modifier is added to said elastomer system to provide a yield value.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
A method according to claim 3 wherein said consistency modifier is added to said elastomer system to reduce viscosity.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
11 words
A method according to claim 2 wherein said liquid is water.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
17 words
A method according to claim 6 further including the step of adjusting the density of said liquid.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
28 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of rigidifying said breast mold by applying a molding material to the outside surface of said breast mold.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said breast mold is rigidified by applying a water-activated curing material to the breast mold while it is immersed in said liquid.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
29 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said breast mold is rigidified by applying a plaster material to the breast mold after it has been removed from said liquid.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A method according to claim 8 wherein said breast mold is rigidified by applying a paste of a hardenable substance to the outside of said breast mold while submerged in a liquid having essentially the same density as that of the breast mold and paste assembly, and allowing said paste to harden while submerged in said liquid.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
47 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the steps of: supporting said breast mold in a bed of sand; lining the inside of said breast mold with a a casting material; and immersing said supported, lined breast mold in the liquid while said casting material hardens.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the casting of the breast forms a breast prosthesis.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
23 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the casting of the breast is a master shape for use in forming a breast prosthesis.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 14 further including the step of forming a mirror-image replication of said casting.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
15 words
A method according to claim 15 wherein said mirror-image replicat.oni is formed using reversing pantograph.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
16 words
A method according to claim 16 wherein said casting is formed of a dimensionally stable material.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
32 words
A method according to claim 1 further including the step of forming a thin-walled casting of the breast in said hardened mold for use as an overlay in combination with said casting.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
18 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the casting of the breast forms a cup of a brassiere.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
21 words
A method according to claim 1 wherein the casting of the breast is used in forming a cup of a brassiere.
Claim 22
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for replicating a breast and chest portions adjacent to said breast, comprising the steps of: applying a molding material to the breast and the adjacent chest portions to form a coating which upon hardening will be a mold of the breast and the adjacent chest portions; immersing the coated breast and the adjacent chest portions in a liquid having essentially the same density as that of the coated breast to present the breast and the adjacent chest portions to an essentially zero-gravity condition while said molding material coating cures to form a hardened mold of the breast and the adjacent chest portions under a zero-gravity condition; removing the hardened mold from the breast and the adjacent chest portions; and forming a casting of the breast and the adjacent chest portions in said hardened mold.
Claim 23
Independent Claim
136 words
A method for replicating a breast and chest portions adjacent to said breast, comprising the steps of: applying a molding material to the breast and the adjacent chest portions to form a coating which upon hardening will be a mold of the breast and the adjacent chest portions; immersing the coated breast and the adjacent chest portions in a liquid having essentially the same density as that of the coated breast to present the breast and the adjacent chest portions to an essentially zero-gravity condition while said molding material coating cures to form a hardened mold of the breast and the adjacent chest portions under a zero-gravity condition; removing the hardened mold from the breast and the adjacent chest portions; and forming a casting of the breast and the adjacent chest portions in said hardened mold.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
35 words
A method according to claim 18 wherein breast portions of said casting are used in forming a breast prosthesis, and chest portions of said casting are used in forming a backing for said breast prosthesis.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
15 words
A prosthesis comprising a stress-free casting produced in accordance with the method of claim 1.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
20 words
A prosthesis comprising a shaped member formed from a stress-free casting produced in accordance with the method of claim 1.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
19 words
A brassiere comprising a cup fabricated from a stress-free casting produced in accordance with the method of claim 1.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2580264A
Cited
US4401492A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1989-07-14 | 1990-01-13 | 1990-07-15 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1993-07-14 | 1994-01-13 | 1994-07-15 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1997-07-14 | 1998-01-13 | 1998-07-15 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |