Device For Holding A Portion Of A Shirt In A Lifted Position, And Methods Of Using Same

Abstract

A device for extending around and securing a portion of a shirt in a lifted position is disclosed. The device can include a sleeve having a length along a longitudinal axis. The sleeve can define a slot that extends along an entirety of the length of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis. The sleeve can have opposed longitudinally extending edges on opposed sides of the slot. The sleeve can be resiliently elastically compressible about and between an open configuration and a closed configuration. In the open configuration, the opposed longitudinally extending edges can be spaced along a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. In the closed configuration, the opposed longitudinally extending edges can be drawn inwardly toward or past each other along the transverse axis. A fastener that can be configured to secure the sleeve in the closed configuration.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A device for extending around and securing a portion of a shirt in a lifted position, the device comprising:
 a sleeve having a length along a longitudinal axis, the sleeve defining a slot that extends along an entirety of the length of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis, wherein the sleeve comprises opposed longitudinally extending edges on opposed sides of the slot, wherein the sleeve is elastically compressible about and between an open configuration and a closed configuration, wherein, in the open configuration, the opposed longitudinally extending edges are spaced along a transverse axis that is perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, and, in the closed configuration, the opposed longitudinally extending edges are drawn inwardly toward or past each other along the transverse axis, wherein the sleeve has a length along the longitudinal axis that is sufficient to lift the shirt away from both breasts of a user; and   a fastener that is configured to secure the sleeve in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis is from about 5 inches to about 6 inches. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve is elongate along the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the fastener comprises a strap and a buckle that is configured to retain the strap in a looped configuration. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the strap is mechanically coupled to the sleeve. 
     
     
         6 . (canceled) 
     
     
         7 . (canceled) 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 4 , wherein the buckle comprises metal. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in an uncompressed resting state, the slot has a width along the transverse axis from between ½ inch and 1 inch. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has an outer surface and an opposed inner surface, wherein the sleeve defines a thickness between the outer surface and the inner surface, wherein the thickness is substantially consistent throughout the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has an outer surface that is cylindrical or generally cylindrical. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the sleeve has an inner surface that is cylindrical or generally cylindrical, wherein the inner sleeve has a diameter from about 1.5 inches to about 2 inches in cross sectional planes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in cross sectional planes that are perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, the sleeve has a C-shaped profile. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the closed configuration, the opposed edges are configured to extend past each other along the transverse axis. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein, in the closed configuration, the opposed edges are not configured to extend past each other along the transverse axis. 
     
     
         16 . A method of using the device as in  claim 1 , the method comprising:
 positioning a portion of a shirt within the sleeve so that both breasts are exposed beneath the shirt; and   securing, with the fastener, the sleeve in the closed configuration.   
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising expressing breastmilk with the portion of the shirt within the sleeve. 
     
     
         18 . The method of  claim 17 , further comprising:
 releasing the fastener; and   removing the portion of the shirt from the sleeve.   
     
     
         19 . The method of  claim 16 , further comprising breastfeeding with the portion of the shirt within the sleeve. 
     
     
         20 . The method of  claim 19 , further comprising:
 releasing the fastener; and   removing the portion of the shirt from the sleeve.   
     
     
         21 . The device of  claim 1 , wherein the length of the sleeve along the longitudinal axis is from about 3 inches to about 5 inches.