Chest pads

Abstract

This chest pad can be washed entirely to keep it clean, dries quickly, is soft, lightweight, highly breathable, and has an easily adjustable cup-shaped bulge. [Solution] The invention comprises a single knitted fabric 5A, which is circular in shape and has gap rings 50 formed by intermittently creating gaps 500, each of which is slightly smaller than the size of the knitted fabric; and a string 6, separate from the knitted fabric, which is alternately passed through the gaps 500 from either the front or back side to form loops 61. By tightening the string 6 to reduce the loop diameter 61d of the loops 61, a bowl-shaped portion 2 is formed in the central part 52 of the knitted fabric surrounded by the loops 61, and a filling portion 3 is formed by folding the outer circumference 53 of the knitted fabric, which is located outside the loops 61 surrounding the central part 52, toward the central part 52 so that it is placed inside the bowl-shaped portion 21, thereby filling and housing the bowl-shaped portion 3, the filling portion 3 maintaining the three-dimensional shape of the bowl-shaped portion 2.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to a chest pad for breast reconstruction, which is useful, for example, after breast resection due to breast cancer.

Background Art

[0002] For chest pads used by people who have lost a breast due to breast cancer to balance both breasts, there are artificial breasts and pads made of silicon, urethane, etc., but they are expensive or heavy. They are inferior in breathability and hygroscopicity, and there is a risk of having a bad influence on the skin due to stuffiness caused by sweat. Furthermore, they cannot be washed and can only be wiped on the surface. Under such circumstances, chest pads for breast cancer patients and breast correction chest pads have been proposed that are lightweight, do not cause shoulder stiffness or stuffiness, and in addition, dry quickly by washing (for example, Patent Documents 1 and 2).

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0003]

Patent Document 1

Patent Document 2

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0004] However, Patent Documents 1 and 2 are inventions that create the outer shape of the breast with knitting or cloth and fill it with low-rebound urethane chips, synthetic resin foam particles such as polystyrene and acrylic, etc. As there is filling, it takes time to completely dry after washing. There is also a case where the cloth or knitting that covers is washed without washing the filling, but many knitwears have designs with clogged meshes and require a long time to dry. In addition, there is a problem that dirt accumulates if the filling is not washed, and cleanliness is impaired.

[0005] The present invention aims to solve the above problems by providing a chest pad that can be washed entirely to keep it clean, dries quickly, is soft, lightweight, highly breathable, and has an easily adjustable cup-shaped portion. [Means for solving the problem]

[0006] To achieve the above objective, a first aspect of the present invention is a breast pad comprising: a circular knitted fabric having gap rings formed by intermittently creating gaps that are slightly smaller than the size of the knitted fabric; and a string separate from the knitted fabric, which is alternately passed through the gaps from the front or back side to form loops, wherein by tightening the string to reduce the loop diameter of the loops, a concave, recessed bowl-shaped portion is formed in the center of the knitted fabric surrounded by the loops, and a filling portion is formed where the outer circumference of the knitted fabric, which is located outside the loops surrounding the center, is folded toward the center so as to be placed inside the bowl-shaped portion, and the filling portion maintains the three-dimensional shape of the bowl-shaped portion. A second aspect of the present invention is a chest pad characterized in that, in the first aspect, a plurality of gap rings are provided concentrically in the knitted fabric, with the ring diameter increasing in stages from the center of the circular knitted fabric outward in a radial direction. A third aspect of the present invention is a chest pad characterized in that, in the first or second aspect, it further comprises a cover cap made of cloth, having a lid portion that covers the bowl opening of the bowl-shaped part, and a cylindrical portion formed in a short cylindrical shape by folding the outer peripheral excess portion extending outward from the lid portion, and circumferentially arranging a reduced diameter portion smaller than the diameter of the lid portion by sewing an elastic member along the outer circumference of the outer peripheral excess portion, wherein the lid portion covers the bowl opening and the cylindrical portion is detachably attached to and integrated with the outer peripheral surface around the bowl opening of the bowl-shaped part. [Effects of the Invention]

[0007] The breast pad of the present invention offers numerous advantages, including being fully washable, quick drying and hygienic once the strings are untied and the bowl-shaped and filling sections are unfolded, being soft, lightweight, and highly breathable, as well as being easy to adjust the size and shape of the bowl-shaped section, and being offered at a low cost. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0008] [Figure 1] This is an overall perspective view of the chest pad in Embodiment 1. [Figure 2] This is a plan view of the knitted fabric used for the chest pad in Figure 1, showing how strings are alternately passed through the gaps in the loops to form loops. [Figure 3] This is a perspective view showing the state in Figure 2 reversed, with the outer edge of the knitted fabric, located outside the loop, being folded towards the center of the fabric. [Figure 4] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the chest pad from the back side before the binding portion is formed. [Figure 5] This is a magnified partial image of Figure 2. [Figure 6] This image shows the outer edge of the fabric being pushed into the bowl. [Figure 7] This is an image of a different embodiment of the chest pad, as an alternative to Figure 4. [Figure 8] Figure 1 is an image diagram. [Figure 9] Figure 2 is an image diagram. [Figure 10] Figure 3 is an image diagram. [Figure 11] Figure 4 is an image diagram. [Figure 12] This is an image of a different embodiment of the chest pad, as an alternative to Figure 4. [Figure 13] This image shows another embodiment in which a loop is formed in the gap of a different gap ring than in Figure 2. [Figure 14] Figure 13 shows an image of a chest pad formed using the loops. [Figure 15] This is a perspective view of the cover cap in Embodiment 2. [Figure 16] Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the chest pad with the cover cap (Figure 15) attached. [Figure 17] It is an image diagram of FIG. 15. [Figure 18] It is an image diagram of FIG. 16. [Figure 19] It is an image perspective view of the chest pad of Embodiment 2 attached to a bra. [Figure 20] It is an image perspective view of the chest pad of FIG. 1 attached to a bra. [Figure 21] It is an image diagram of the chest pad of FIG. 7 attached to a bra. [Figure 22] It is an image perspective view of buttons for setting the chest pad sewn on a bra. [Figure 23] It is an image perspective view of a looped knitted fabric attached to a bra with the button of FIG. 22 passed through a gap.

Mode for Carrying Out the Invention

[0009] Hereinafter, the chest pad according to the present invention will be described in detail. FIGS. 1 to 23 show one form of the chest pad of the present invention. FIG. 1 is in Embodiment 1 and is a perspective view of the chest pad. FIG. 2 is a plan view of forming loops on the knitted fabric of FIG. 1. FIG. 3 is a perspective view of bending the outer peripheral portion of FIG. 2 toward the central portion. FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the chest pad before forming the binding portion of FIG. 1. FIG. 5 is a partial image diagram of FIG. 2. FIG. 6 is an image diagram of pushing the outer peripheral portion into the bowl. FIG. 7 is an image diagram of a chest pad replacing FIG. 4. FIGS. 8 to 11 are image diagrams of FIGS. 1 to 4. FIGS. 12 and 13 are image diagrams of alternative modes replacing FIGS. 4 and 2. FIG. 14 is an image diagram of a chest pad formed by the loops of FIG. 13. FIG. 15 is in Embodiment 2 and is a perspective view of a cover cap. FIG. 16 is a perspective view of attaching the cover cap of FIG. 15 to the chest pad of FIG. 1. FIGS. 17 and 18 show the image diagrams of FIGS. 15 and 16. FIG. 19 is an image diagram of attaching the chest pad of FIG. 16 to underwear. FIG. 20 is an image diagram of attaching the chest pad of FIG. 1 to underwear. FIG. 21 is an image diagram of attaching the chest pad of FIG. 7 to underwear. FIG. 22 is an image diagram of sewing buttons for setting the chest pad on underwear. FIG. 23 shows an image diagram of passing the button of FIG. 22 through the gap of the looped knitted fabric. In FIGS. 1 to 4, 15, and 16, illustration of the knitting yarns and stitches of the knitted fabric is omitted, and illustration of some gaps is also omitted. For easy understanding, each figure is simplified to emphasize the main part of the invention.

[0010] (1) Embodiment 1 The breast pad 1 comprises a bowl-shaped part 2 that forms an outer skin portion with a three-dimensional protrusion 22 resembling a breast, and a filling part 3 that is packed and contained inside the bowl-shaped part 21 to maintain the shape of the three-dimensional protrusion 22 (Figures 1 to 4). The breast pad 1 is composed of a single knitted fabric 5A and a separate string 6.

[0011] The knitted fabric 5A is a single circular knitted piece 5, as seen in a plan view of its unfolded state as shown in Figure 2, with multiple gaps 500 through which the cord 6 can be passed. The multiple gaps 500 are intermittently arranged to form a gap ring 50, and the gap ring 50 is slightly smaller than the size of the circular knitted piece 5. In this embodiment, the knitted fabric 5A is a circular knitted fabric 5A with a diameter of about 20-30 cm, and multiple gap rings 50 are arranged concentrically from the center 5c of the circle outward in a radial direction, with the diameter of the rings increasing in stages (Figures 2 and 9). The knitted fabric 5A consists of a knitted fabric body 51 and gaps 500, and the gap rings 50 made of gaps 500 are formed as the knitted fabric body 51 is knitted by combining, for example, the chain stitch portion 56 and the double crochet portion 57 shown in Figure 5. Here, each gap 500 is arranged in a staggered pattern as shown in Figures 2 and 5. The gaps 500 are formed in a roughly rectangular shape as shown, but the size of the gap 500 only needs to be large enough to pass a string 6 through. The knitting yarn used to make up the knitted fabric 5A is 100% organic cotton "Paume" (registered trademark) manufactured by Hamanaka Co., Ltd. There are no particular restrictions on the knitting yarn, but soft and moisture-absorbing cotton yarn is more preferable. Here, the circular shape of the circular knitted fabric 5 or circular knitted fabric 5A includes not only circular shapes but also those that form petal-shaped mountain-shaped portions 531 along the outer edge as shown in Figure 2, or those that are flower-shaped (not shown). The function and effect of the present invention can be obtained if the knitted fabric 5A can form a central portion for the bowl-shaped part, a gap ring 50, and an outer peripheral portion 53 for the filling part that constitute the chest pad 1. Incidentally, a single circular knitted fabric 5A can be considered a single unit of motif knitting, which is knitted in a circle using yarn or similar material, making it possible to reduce costs compared to conventional breast pads 1. A single knitted fabric 5A made with motif knitting can be made into a flower shape, or the color, color scheme, and material of the string 6 and knitting yarn can be changed, allowing each piece to have its own unique characteristics and increased added value. The "cute" appearance of the knitted fabric 5A made with motif knitting can also become an invention that can brighten a woman's mood and make her feel more positive.

[0012] The cord 6 is a long, slender, flexible member of length that is alternately passed through the gap 500 of the gap ring 50 from the front or back side of the knitted fabric 5A to form a loop 61 that goes all the way around (Figure 2). Here, the cord 6 is a narrow, tape-like cloth cord with a width of slightly less than 10 mm, as shown in the figure. By tightening the cord 6 to reduce the loop diameter 61d from the unfolded state in Figure 2, the central part 52 of the knitted fabric surrounded by the loop 61 forms a bowl-shaped section 2 with a concave depression. The bowl-shaped section 2 is held in place by binding the joint 621 that forms the loop 61 (Figures 1 and 4). Figure 2 shows only the three gap rings 50 that are arranged concentrically a few centimeters inside the outer circumference of the knitted fabric 5A. The cord 6 is alternately passed through the gap 500 of the middle gap ring 50 to form a circular loop 61. Furthermore, the cord 6 is made into a tie portion 62 and a butterfly wing portion 63 at the joining point 621 of the loop 61, which form a bow knot.

[0013] The bowl-shaped part 2 is a bowl-shaped recess formed in the central part 52 of the knitted fabric 5A surrounded by the loop 61 by tightening the string 61 by holding both ends 64 etc. of the string 6 to reduce the loop diameter 61d (Figure 4). The tightening of the string 6 causes the knitted fabric 5A around the string 6 to contract and converge, and the central part 52 of the knitted fabric 5A becomes a bowl-shaped recess. Here, the side with the butterfly wing portion 63 in Figure 2 is conveniently referred to as the front side. This is then turned inside out, and a knot-like binding portion 62 is made at the joint 621 of the tightened loop 61 to form a bowl-shaped recess. As the filling portion 3 is housed in this recess, the area that was the central portion 52 of the knitted fabric 5A surrounded by the loop 61 is formed into a bowl-shaped portion 2 that bulges out in a hemispherical shape (Figure 1). Incidentally, the outer surface 2a of the hemispherical bowl-shaped portion 2 is significantly less prone to wrinkles than in woven fabrics, etc., because the bowl-shaped portion 2 is made of a highly elastic knitted fabric 5. The bowl-shaped part 2 has a concave recess inside the bowl 21, which houses the filling portion 3 of the outer circumference 53 of the knitted fabric.

[0014] The filling section 3 is the portion of the knitted fabric 5A that has been folded and packed into the bowl-shaped section 2, where the outer peripheral portion 53 of the knitted fabric 5A, which was positioned outside the loop 61 surrounding the central section 52, is positioned inside the bowl 21 (Figures 3 and 4). The filling section 3, formed by packing the outer peripheral portion 53 of the knitted fabric, which was positioned outside the loop 61, into the concave bowl-shaped section 21 of the bowl-shaped section 2, maintains the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the bowl-shaped section 2 as shown in Figure 1. To maintain the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the bowl-shaped part 2 by filling the bowl-shaped part 21 with the filling part 3, for example, as shown in Figure 3, the outer circumference 53 of the knitted fabric is folded towards the central part 52 beforehand, before reducing the loop diameter 61d of the loop 61, and then the loop diameter 61d is reduced by tightening the string 6, thereby maintaining the shape of the bulging bowl-shaped part 2 as shown in Figure 1. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 6, the outer circumference 53 of the knitted fabric is packed into the bowl-shaped recess where the central part 52 of the knitted fabric, surrounded by the loop 61 with a reduced loop diameter 61d created by the tightening, is recessed, and the filling part 3 consisting of the outer circumference 53 can then maintain the three-dimensional bulge of the bowl-shaped part 2 as shown in Figure 1.

[0015] Figure 4 shows the back view of the chest pad 1 just before forming a knot 62 at the joint 621 of the loop 61, which has a reduced loop diameter 61d, while keeping the filling portion 3 of the outer circumference 53 packed and contained inside the bowl-shaped portion 2 2. By forming the knot 62 and shaping it, the desired chest pad 1 shown in Figure 1 when viewed from the front side is completed.

[0016] Reference numeral 2a1 indicates the formation of the bowl-shaped portion 2, specifically the outer surface of the outer surface 2a of the bowl-shaped portion, around the bowl opening 20. In this invention, the bowl-shaped portion 2 is considered to include not only the bowl-shaped portion 2 with the opening 20 of the bowl opening 20 open due to the tightening of the loop 61 as shown in Figure 4, but also the state in which the opening 20 of the bowl opening 20 is closed due to the tightening of the loop 61 (see Figure 7). This is because the same effect as the present invention products in Figures 1 and 4 is obtained. Reference numeral 2a11 indicates the outer surface 2a1 around the bowl opening 20, showing the contracted portion where the outer surface 2a1 of the knitted fabric in the gap 500 near the string 6 is partially gathered together due to the reduction in loop diameter 61d caused by the tightening of the string 6.

[0017] Next, an example of a manufacturing method for the chest pad 1 will be described. First, prepare the aforementioned knitted fabric 5A and string 6. Then, pass the string 6 through the gap 500 of the gap ring 50 of the knitted fabric 5A, alternating between the front side (or back side) and the back side, to form a loop 61 as shown in Figure 2. In Figure 2, the end 64 of the string 6 is formed into a bow knot with a binding part 62 and a butterfly part 63. Leaving it in a bow knot makes it suitable for use as a simple gift.

[0018] Next, turn the fabric inside out as shown in Figure 2 to Figure 3, and fold the outer edge 53 of the knitted fabric towards the center 52. In this way, fold all of the outer edge 53 towards the center 52. Next, the binding portion 62 and the butterfly wing portion 63 are untied and the string 6 is tightened to reduce the loop diameter 61d of the loop 61 (Figure 4). Reducing the loop diameter 61d forms a bowl-shaped portion 2 in which the central portion 52 of the knitted fabric 5A is concave. Then, the bowl-shaped portion 2 and the filling portion 3 of the outer circumference 53, which was previously folded and packed into the bowl-shaped portion 21 of the bowl-shaped portion 2, are used to form the shape of the chest pad 1. Next, the tightened string 6 is tied to reduce the loop diameter 61d, creating a tie section 62 as shown in Figure 1, and the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the bowl-shaped section 2 is adjusted and maintained in the filling section 3 to obtain the desired chest pad 1. Reference numeral 9 denotes the worker's fingers folding the outer periphery 53 into the central part 52, and Figures 8 to 11 show images corresponding to Figures 1 to 4.

[0019] Figure 12 shows an alternative configuration to Figure 4. In the normal configuration of the breast pad 1, as shown in Figure 4, the filling portion 3 of the outer circumference 53, which is filled into the bowl-shaped part 21, is visible through the bowl-shaped opening 20. In contrast, Figure 12 shows a rear side perspective view of the breast pad 1, in which an additional piece of cloth 7, such as gauze, which serves as an additional filling portion 3, has been added to the bowl-shaped part 2, which is already filled into the bowl-shaped part 21 as shown in Figure 4. When the fullness of the breast pad 1 is slightly insufficient in balance with both breasts, the present invention allows for easy adjustment to the required size by filling the bowl-shaped part 21 with an additional piece of cloth 7 as a supplementary filling portion.

[0020] Figure 13 shows an alternative configuration to Figure 2. In Figure 2, the knitted fabric 5A is alternately passed through the gaps 500 of one gap ring 50 from either the front or back side to form a circle. However, here, as shown in the figure, the string 6 is passed over the gaps 500 of one concentric gap ring 50 and through the gaps 500 of a larger gap ring 50 and a smaller gap ring 50 to form an elliptical deformed loop 61. The outer circumference 53 of the knitted fabric 5A, positioned outside the loop 61, is then folded towards the central part 52 so that it fits inside the bowl 21 of the bowl-shaped part 2, creating a filled part 3. The loop 61, the central part 52, and the outer circumference 53 create the chest pad 1 shown in Figure 14, in which the bowl-shaped part 2 has a deformed bulge 22 that is different from the hemispherical bulge 22 in Figure 1. The present invention can smoothly provide a modified breast pad 1, as shown in Figure 14, even in cases where a partial mastectomy has been performed due to breast cancer. The breast pad 1 of the present invention is attached, for example, to a cup-type underwear 8 as shown in Figures 20 to 23. Reference numeral 80 denotes the back surface of the underwear cup, and reference numeral 81 denotes the shoulder strap of the underwear 8.

[0021] (2) Embodiment 2 This embodiment is a chest pad 1 comprising a bowl-shaped part 2, a filling part 3, and a cover cap 4, and is a chest pad 1 in which the cover cap 4 is added to the chest pad 1 of Embodiment 1 (Figures 15 to 18). For example, if the breast pad 1 of Embodiment 1 (Figure 1) is used shortly after breast cancer surgery, the back surface of the breast pad 1 may sometimes come into direct contact with the wound or scar, causing pain. The breast pad 1 of this embodiment is designed so that the lid portion 41 of the cover cap 4, which is made of a soft fabric that soothes pain, comes into contact with the part that comes into direct contact with the wound or scar. Specifically, it is made of 100% cotton fabric, and cotton tape is used for the binding string 45, which will be described later.

[0022] The cover cap 4 is made of cloth and comprises a lid portion 41 that covers the bowl opening 20 of the bowl-shaped portion 2, and a cylindrical portion 43 formed by folding the outer peripheral excess portion 42 that extends outward from the lid portion 41 (Figures 15 and 17). Furthermore, a reduced diameter portion 431 is provided circumferentially along the outer circumference of the outer peripheral excess portion 42 by sewing an elastic member 44 to make it smaller than the diameter of the lid portion 41, thereby forming a short cylindrical cylindrical portion 43. The bowl opening 20, with the loop joint portion 621 in Figure 4 tied with the binding portion 62, is covered by the lid portion 41, and the cylindrical portion 43 is detachably attached and integrated with the outer peripheral surface 2a1 around the bowl opening 20 of the bowl-shaped portion 2, resulting in the desired chest pad 1 as shown in Figures 16 and 18.

[0023] In this embodiment, the binding string 45 shown in the figure is fixed to the outer surface of the cylindrical portion 43. Since the string 6 of this breast pad 1 is housed inside the cover cap 4, the breast pad 1 can be attached to a locking ring 83 provided on, for example, a cup-type underwear 8 using the binding string 45 (Figure 19). In addition, at the middle of the length of the short cylindrical portion 43, an elastic rubber thread of the elastic member 44 is sewn in the circumferential direction of the cylindrical portion 43 to provide a reduced diameter portion 431 that is smaller than the diameter of the lid portion 41. By expanding the reduced diameter portion 431 against the elasticity of the rubber and fitting the cylindrical portion 43 onto the outer circumferential surface 2a1 around the bowl opening 20, the cover cap 4 can be attached to the outer circumferential surface 2a1 detachably by the elastic restoring force of the rubber thread (Figure 16). More specifically, the outer edge of a circular piece of fabric is finished with an overlock stitch, and a few millimeters inside from the outer edge, a two-stage elastic shirring stitch is made with the bobbin thread being made of elastic material 44, forming a cover cap 4. The cover cap 4 is then detachably attached to the outer surface 2a1 around the bowl opening 20. If the affected area has not completely healed, the lid portion 41, made of a soft fabric that soothes pain, will rest against the affected area even when the chest pad 1 is attached, making it a desirable chest pad 1 for the user as it reduces pain during attachment. Reference numeral 421 indicates a wrinkle that appears when forming the lid portion 43 with the excess outer peripheral portion 42. The other configurations are the same as in Embodiment 1, and their description is omitted. Reference numerals that are the same as in Embodiment 1 indicate the same or corresponding parts.

[0024] (3) Effects As shown in Figures 1 to 4, the breast pad 1 constructed in this way has a filling section 3 in which the outer periphery 53 of the knitted fabric 5A is packed and contained within the bowl-shaped interior 21, allowing the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the breast-shaped bowl section 2 to be formed using only one piece of knitted fabric 5A and a string 6. Furthermore, by untying the string 6, it can be unfolded into a flat piece of knitted fabric 5A, so after use, the breast pad 1 can be unfolded into a single piece of knitted fabric 5A and washed thoroughly and quickly together with the string 6. Unlike Patent Documents 1 and 2, the present invention allows the three-dimensional breast pad 1 to be unfolded into a flat piece of knitted fabric 5A, and after washing, it can be hung up with the separate string 6 to dry in the wind or sun, drying quickly. The breast pad 1 of the present invention can always be kept clean. In addition, the knitted fabric 5A that makes up the chest pad 1 is a knitted fabric 5, and the gap rings 50 formed by intermittently creating gaps 500 are provided to be slightly smaller than the size of the knitted fabric 5. Therefore, in addition to the good ventilation due to the knit stitches, the ventilation due to the formation of the gap rings 50 is also added. By hanging a flat piece of knitted fabric 5A and exposing it to wind and sunlight, the chest pad 1 becomes exceptionally quick-drying. If the knitted fabric 5A is such that multiple gap rings 50, with gradually increasing ring diameters, are provided in a concentric circle pattern as shown in Figures 2 and 5, extending radially outward from the center 5c of the circular knitted fabric 5, the ventilation becomes even better, resulting in a chest pad 1 with even better quick-drying properties.

[0025] Furthermore, since the bowl-shaped portion 2 that forms the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the chest pad 1 is made of knitted fabric 5, all the characteristics of knitted fabric 5, such as being soft, lightweight, and highly breathable, are fully utilized. It is comfortable to wear and has a good fit. Even when going out wearing clothing with the chest pad 1 attached, it is not heavy and is breathable, so sweating can be avoided. Not only does the appearance from the outside of the clothing with the chest pad 1 attached look good, but the feel of the chest pad 1 when touched from the outside of the clothing is also soft and highly elastic, so there is no particular discomfort. If, for example, a cotton yarn with good moisture absorption as described in the embodiment is used for the knitting yarn 59, the use of the chest pad 1 can be made comfortable even in summer. Skin problems when wearing the chest pad can also be suppressed.

[0026] Furthermore, the breast pad 1 of the present invention allows for easy adjustment of the bulge of the bowl-shaped portion 2. If the size of the breast pad 1 is insufficient, it can be easily enlarged by adding an additional piece of cloth 7, such as gauze, to the inside of the bowl 21 through the bowl opening 20 in Figure 4, as shown in Figure 12. While breast pads 1 such as those in Patent No. 7290372 are uniquely determined to be bowl-shaped to mimic a bust, this breast pad 1 can be easily modified to be larger or smaller according to the user's needs. To enlarge the breast pad 1, an additional piece of cloth 7 is added to the inside of the bowl 21 as shown in Figure 12. To reduce the size of the breast pad 1, the entire breast pad 1 can be reduced by closing the bowl opening 20 as shown in Figure 7, and the height of the breast pad 1 can also be increased, offering great flexibility. Also, to lower the height of the breast pad 1, the bowl opening 20 can be opened wider and tied with a string 6 to form a binding portion 62. Furthermore, when forming the loop 61, the position of the string 6 passed through the gap 50 can be changed to create a difference in the amount of filling in the outer circumference 53 that is inserted into the bowl 21, making it possible to adjust the desired height and change the shape of the bowl-shaped part 2. Even for partial defects due to breast cancer, the loops 61 that are alternately passed through the gaps 500 of the knitted fabric 5A with the string 6 can be made into the elliptical loops 61 shown in Figure 13, and a chest pad 1 with a bowl-shaped part 2 that deforms to fit the shape of the wearer's body can be made as shown in Figure 14, making it an excellent product that can smoothly accommodate such cases. Thus, conventional breast pads have often failed to address concerns about correcting the shape of the breasts to suit one's desired position and size when worn. However, the breast pad of the present invention solves these problems all at once. In particular, during the summer months, people wear lighter clothing, and the fullness of the breasts becomes more noticeable. People who have lost a breast due to breast cancer often wish to eliminate the imbalance in the appearance of their breasts. The present invention easily fulfills that wish as well.

[0027] Furthermore, if the breast pad 1 is equipped with the cover cap 4 shown in Figure 15, even if sufficient time has not passed since breast cancer surgery, the lid portion 41, which is made of a fabric that soothes pain in the area that touches the wound or scar, can cover the cup opening 20 of the cup-shaped portion 2, making the breast pad 1 even more convenient to use (Figure 16).

[0028] In addition, by tightening the string 6 to reduce the loop diameter 61d, a bowl-shaped portion 2 is formed in the central part 52 of the knitted fabric, and the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the bowl-shaped portion 2 is maintained in the filling portion 3 to form the chest pad 1. The string 6, which has inevitably become longer due to the tightening, can be tied to the shoulder strap 81 (Figure 20) of the cup-attached underwear 8, etc., to prevent the chest pad 1 from falling or shifting position. Figure 21 shows the chest pad 1 with the bowl opening 20 of Figure 7 closed and made smaller, but in the case of shirt-type garments without shoulder straps 81, the chest pad 1 can also be attached to a locking ring 83 provided on the cup-attached underwear 8 with the string 6. The chest pad 1 with the cover cap 4 of Embodiment 2 can also be attached with the binding string 45, and if a locking ring 83 as shown in Figure 19 is provided on the cup-attached underwear 8, for example, and the binding string 45 is tied to it, the user of the chest cup can live their daily life with peace of mind without the chest pad 1 shifting position or falling out. Furthermore, if the bra has a pocket into which the breast pad 1 can be inserted, the breast pad 1 can be placed in the pocket and used. Furthermore, since the breast pad 1 of the present invention has a gap 500 in the gap ring 50, the breast pad 1 can be stably held by a button 82 sewn to the inside of the cup of the cup-equipped underwear 8, as shown in Figure 22. Specifically, as shown in Figure 23, the button 82 is passed through the gap 500 in the knitted fabric 5A and the button is locked to the knitted fabric 5A. After that, by tightening the string 6 which reduces the loop diameter 61d, a bowl-shaped portion 2 is formed, and the outer circumference 53 is placed inside the bowl 21 of the bowl-shaped portion 2 to maintain the three-dimensional bulge 22 of the bowl-shaped portion 2, the breast pad 1 can be fixed and held very stably by the locking of the button 82. When the breast pad 1 is fixed by hooking the button 82 through the gap 500, it is possible to prevent the breast pad 1 from moving upwards in the underwear 8. Furthermore, the breast pad 1 of the present invention has the advantage of allowing users to continue using their existing bras or bras with cups 8 without having to purchase new, specially designed underwear.

[0029] Moreover, this chest pad 1 has a small number of parts, uses cheaper materials compared to conventional products, and has fewer manufacturing steps, thus achieving the objectives of the present invention at an unprecedented low cost. Furthermore, even if the user of the chest pad 1 of the present invention places it in a bag or the like as a spare in an unfolded state, as shown in Figures 2 and 9, with the loop 61 formed on the knitted fabric 5A, it remains lightweight and convenient to carry around without taking up much space. Moreover, if the chest pad 1 being used becomes sweaty, for example due to extreme heat, it can be easily replaced with a spare chest pad 1 kept in the bag, such as in a restroom. This makes the chest pad 1 extremely user-friendly. Thus, the chest pad 1 of the present invention exhibits the numerous excellent effects described above and is extremely beneficial.

[0030] Incidentally, based on the configuration, function, and effects described above, the breast pad 1 of the present invention is not limited to use after breast cancer surgery. For example, in cases where a girl's breasts become hypersensitive during her growth spurt, the breast pad 1 of the present invention can be used to gently cover the area around the breasts to reduce pain from external stimuli. It can also be used to enhance the appearance of the breasts, lift the breasts, and maintain their shape, thereby improving the overall shape of the breasts and body. These applications also fall within the scope of the present invention.

[0031] Furthermore, the present invention is not limited to the embodiments shown above, and can be modified in various ways within the scope of the present invention depending on the purpose and application. The shape, size, number, material, etc. of the chest pad 1, bowl-shaped part 2, filling part 3, cover cap 4, knitted fabric 5A, string 6, additional fabric piece 7, etc. can be appropriately selected according to the application. [Explanation of symbols]

[0032] 1. Chest pad 2 Bowl-shaped part 2a Outer peripheral surface (bowl-shaped part outer peripheral surface) 20 Bowl opening 21 Owanai 3. Filling section 4 Cover caps 41 Lid 43 Cylinder part 5 Knitting 5A Knitted fabric 50 gap ring 500 gap 51 Knitted fabric body 52. Center (center of the knitted fabric) 53 Outer perimeter (outer perimeter of knitted fabric) 6 strings 61 loops

Claims

1. A circular knitted fabric comprising a single knitted piece in which gaps formed by intermittently creating gaps are provided, and a cord separate from the knitted fabric, which is passed alternately through the gaps from the front or back side to form loops, By tightening the string to reduce the loop diameter of the aforementioned loop, a concave, bowl-shaped portion is formed in the central part of the knitted fabric surrounded by the loop, The outer periphery of the knitted fabric, which is positioned outside the loop surrounding the central part, is folded toward the central part so as to be placed inside the bowl of the bowl-shaped part, and is packed and contained in a filling section, A breast pad characterized in that the filling portion maintains the three-dimensional shape of the bowl-shaped portion.

2. The chest pad according to claim 1, wherein the knitted fabric has a plurality of gap rings arranged concentrically, with the ring diameter increasing in stages from the center of the circular knitted fabric outward in a radial direction.

3. The cover cap further comprises a lid made of cloth that covers the opening of the bowl-shaped part, and a cylindrical part formed in a short cylindrical shape by folding the outer peripheral excess portion extending outward from the lid portion, and by circumferentially arranging a reduced diameter portion smaller than the diameter of the lid portion by sewing an elastic member along the outer circumference of the outer peripheral excess portion, The chest pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the lid portion covers the bowl opening, and the cylindrical portion is detachably attached to and integrated with the outer circumferential surface around the bowl opening related to the bowl-shaped portion.

Images