Abstract:
The invention relates to a nursing apparatus which provides a user to privately nurse an infant. The nursing apparatus comprises: a first portion and second portion. The first portion comprises a front panel, an aperture, a first side, a second side and a waist edge, and is of sufficient size to substantially cover the frontal portion of a user. The second portion comprises a back panel, the aperture, the first side, the second side and the waist edge. The first portion and the second portion are integrally interconnected in a longitudinally aligned relation by the first side and a shoulder overlying portion.

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to an apparatus, which provides a user such as a nursing mother or wet nurse, to privately breast feed an infant in a public environment. More particularly, the invention relates to a nursing blanket. 
     2. Description of the Prior Art 
     Many nursing women, such as a nursing mother or wet nurse, desire to have the option to conveniently nurse a child in public while simultaneously avoiding exposure herself. There exists many types of nursing coverings such as blankets and nursing garments or coverups for a nursing women for use in screening a mother&#39;s breast from view when in public. While traditional blankets and coverups have been used for this purpose, a blanket or coverup draped over a shoulder often will not enable the mother to view the breast feeding infant. Further, conventional blankets or coverups typically lack a way of securing the blanket or coverup to the mother, thus risking the possibility of slipping off, which can result in the exposure of a nursing mother&#39;s breasts. 
     Conventional blankets and coverups have been developed, however there are several disadvantages. Often these coverups can provide only a limited coverage area, and can be difficult to arrange, for example, such as a scarf type blanket and can either fall off or the mother may not have accessible view to the infant being breast fed. Further, holding mechanisms, such as for example, hook-like components, which can be used to secure the cover up to the nursing mother can be often uncomfortable. Additionally, pullover type coverups can make it difficult for the nursing mother to see the infant and the mother&#39;s hair can be messed up. Vest-like type garments can also be deficient in concealing a nursing mother&#39;s breasts from public or covering an infant since these garments often have insufficient material to cover the nursing mother and infant. 
     Thus, there is a present need for an apparatus which discreetly provides a user such as a nursing mother or wet nurse, to privately breast feed a child in a public environment. Further, it would be advantageous for the apparatus to allow the user to view the child while feeding, while preventing others from seeing inside. Still further, it would be advantageous to have the apparatus be easily accessible, versatile, simple in construction, inexpensive, comfortable, lightweight and flexible enough to be folded, yet also will remain in place while the infant is nursing. Still further, it would be advantageous for the apparatus to be fashionably styled, and be conveniently worn over a conventional article of clothing. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to an nursing apparatus which provides a user to privately nurse an infant. The nursing apparatus comprises: a first portion and second portion. The first portion comprises a front panel, an aperture, a first side, a second side and a waist edge, and is of sufficient size to substantially cover the frontal portion of a user. The second portion comprises a back panel, the aperture, the first side, the second side and the waist edge. The first portion and the second portion are integrally interconnected in a longitudinally aligned relation by the first side and a shoulder overlying portion. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     FIG. 1 illustrates a frontal view of the apparatus, which provides a user to privately breast feed a child in a public environment in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 2 is a back view of the apparatus in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
     FIG. 3 is a frontal view of the apparatus as worn by a user in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
     The present invention provides, in a first aspect, an apparatus for covering a user, such as a mother or wet nurse, during nursing to afford sufficient privacy and/or to provide a blanket for the infant. Another aspect of the present invention allows the user to view the child during feeding, while preventing others from seeing inside the apparatus. A further aspect of the present invention is to provide an apparatus that allows the user to wrap the infant in a warm blanket while nursing. Additional aspects of the present invention include an apparatus that will remain in place while the infant is nursing. Still further, the invention provides an apparatus that is simple in construction, inexpensive, lightweight and easily accessible such that, the apparatus is flexible enough to be folded or rolled into a small size to be placed into a diaper bag, purse or a knapsack. The present invention also provides an apparatus which can be quickly and easily attached around the mother. 
     In general, the present invention provides an apparatus which allows a user, such as a nursing mother or wet nurse, to privately breast feed a child in a public environment. In FIGS. 1-3, one embodiment of the components of the present invention are illustrated. 
     Referring now to FIG. 1, a frontal view of one embodiment of the apparatus  10  is illustrated. As is illustrated in FIG. 1, apparatus  10  provides privacy for a user as well as a covering for an infant. In particular, the apparatus  10  comprises a first portion  12  and a second portion  14 . The first portion  12  comprises a front panel  13 , an aperture surrounding a neck portion  16 , a shoulder  15 , a first side  17  comprising an arm hole edge  18  and an arm hole  20 , a second side  19  and a waist edge  22 . The first portion  12  is generally of rectangular shape, although any shape can be used for the purpose of covering, such that the first portion  12  is of a sufficient size to cover an infant and to prevent the user from being exposed during nursing. In one embodiment, the front panel  13  is of sufficient length such that the user and infant are sufficiently concealed during nursing and can be swaddle the infant. Along the top portion of the first portion  12 , there is an aperture  16  which, in one embodiment, is substantially circular or round peripherally to cover a neck and shoulder  15 . Along the first side of the first portion  12 , there is arm hole  20  extending at the top from the shoulder  15  such that a user&#39;s arm can be slipped through. The waist edge  22  is typically the bottom part of the first portion  12 . In one embodiment, waist edge  22  can be of any length sufficient to cover, conceal and swaddle an infant during nursing. Typically, on the side of the apparatus  10  with the arm hole  20 , the nursing breast is covered, however, the infant can be nursed on the other breast. In one embodiment, the apparatus  10  is worn with the arm hole  20  with the front panel  13  covering the nursing breast such that maximum privacy can be obtained. Those with ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that the size of the arm hole  20  is typically sufficient enough to accommodate a typical user of any size and is generally larger than an average arm hole to alleviate pulling and tugging of the apparatus  10  by both the infant  26  and the user  24 . The front panel  13  forms a continuous piece of a cloth member with the second portion  14  which, in one embodiment, is worn on the back of the user. First portion  12  and second portion  14  are joined at the shoulder  15  and along the sides  17  beneath arm hole  20  to waist edge  22 . 
     The apparatus  10  may be formed of a single piece of material. Alternatively, the apparatus  10  may be formed from two or more pieces of material. In one embodiment, apparatus  10  is made of a cloth member. The cloth member, can be any light weight, soft, supple material (such as, for example, a suitable fabric such as cotton, wool, or a synthetic material). In a further embodiment, the cloth member is a fabric which is substantially soft, inexpensive, comfortable, lightweight and flexible enough to be folded, yet also will remain in place while the infant is nursing. Generally, the edges of the cloth member can be hemmed. 
     Referring now to FIG. 2, a back view of one embodiment of the apparatus  10  is illustrated. In particular, the apparatus comprises a first portion  12  and a second portion  14 . The second portion  14  comprises a back panel  28 , the aperture surrounding a neck portion  16 , the shoulder  15 , the first side  17  comprising the arm hole edge  18  and the arm hole  20 , the second side  19  and a bottom portion  22 . The second portion  14  is of a sufficient size to slip over a users arm and stay on to keep in place and is typically half the size in proportion to the first portion  12 . 
     Referring to FIG. 3, illustrating one use of the apparatus  10  by a user  24  during nursing an infant  26 . In use, the user  24  would insert an arm  28 , intended to be used to cradle the infant  26 , through the arm hole  20  and position the top portion of the arm hole edge  18  on the shoulder  15  of the user  24 . The user&#39;s arm  28  can be bent allowing the elbow to be inserted into an inner cavity  32 . The inner cavity  32  is underside the front panel  13  of the first portion  12 . The front panel  13  can be used as a cover up in front to swaddle infant  26 . Those with ordinary skill in the art can appreciate that when in use, apparatus  10  generally can resemble a vest-like garment worn backwards. The user  24  can then discreetly loosen or unfasten whatever conventional garments  36  beneath the front panel  13  by reaching underside the front panel  13 . Once the user  24  has readied conventional garment  36  for nursing, the infant  26  can be placed underneath front panel  13  for nursing with the user&#39;s breasts completely concealed from public providing maximum non-exposure, maximum coverage and privacy. 
     It can be seen to those of ordinary skill in the art that the amount of the child extending within the inner cavity  32 , is largely dependent on the size of the infant  26  and the positioning of the user  24  during nursing. In one embodiment, the front panel  13 , can be adjusted to be taught or loose around infant  26 . An opening to the inner cavity  32  can be created between the user  24  and the infant  26  by loosening the front panel  13  wrapped around infant  26 , thus enabling the user  24  to view the infant  26  while feeding. The inner cavity  32  underside front panel  13  can provide access for the user  24  to manipulate her nipple or access to the infant if needed. In one embodiment, front panel  13  is wrapped around the infant  26  for support, yet is loose enough to provide ample ventilation for infant  26 . 
     In one embodiment, the first portion  12  is of sufficient size both to cover the infant  26  and to prevent the user  24  from being exposed. The front panel  13  is of sufficient size to support and swaddle infant  26 . During nursing, the user  24  can lift a portion of the front panel  13  to check on the infant  26 . Typically, the user  24  can be a nursing mother, a wet nurse or any person who desires privacy while nursing an infant. 
     According to a one embodiment of the present invention, after the infant  26  has finished feeding, the above steps can be completely reversed and user  24  can rearrange conventional garment  36  beneath front panel  13 . Although not showing, nursing can be permitted from the opposite breast in a similar matter to that illustrated in FIG.  3 . Typically, apparatus  10  is removed and reversed, and the user  24  can place former free arm  30  through now reversed arm hole  20  and wear apparatus  10 . Typically, the above steps are repeated such that the infant  26  can be nursed on the opposite breast of user  24 . 
     According to another embodiment of the present invention, in order to avoid slippage, weights  38  can be utilized on the corners of apparatus  10 , typically in the hem. Additionally, buttons and button holes, hooks and eyes, hook and loop fasteners, commonly known as VELCRO and other similar fastening devices  40  known to those skilled in the art can be incorporated into apparatus  10  to avoid slippage. 
     As will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art, if the infant is being bottle fed and not nursed, the apparatus of the present invention, can function as a blanket or wrap for the infant or a covering for the user. Additionally, in accordance with the present invention, the apparatus can be produced in a one size fits all which can easily be removed or worn. 
     Thus, the present invention provides a highly reliable, lightweight, simple, easy to use, yet economical apparatus that can be used by a user in public. The present invention includes a number of features and advantages. First the present invention provides a nursing apparatus for a user, that provides non-exposure, from the side or back, while the user is nursing. The present invention provides an apparatus that is reversible, versatile and easily transportable in a diaper bag, purse or knapsack. The present invention provides an apparatus that can be worn as a coverup over the user&#39;s clothing such that no special clothing is required. The apparatus of the present invention can be easily manufactured in many different materials of various types of fabric and can be machine washed without the need for dry cleaning. The apparatus of the present invention can be made in an elaborate ornamental material to accommodate a user who prefers wearing the apparatus in a dressy event. The apparatus of the present invention can easily be varied as long as the functional attributes of the present invention are not compromised. The illustrated garment is also easily reversible, so that the infant can be nursed on either side of the user. Additionally, ornamental trim or lining, or pockets, can be incorporated into the garment. Further, when detached, the apparatus can serve as a wrap for the infant or as a changing pad. The apparatus is serviceable to both nursing and non-nursing users. 
     Having now described the invention in accordance with the requirements of the patent statutes, those skilled in the art will understand how to make changes and modifications in the present invention to meet their specific requirements or conditions. Such changes and modifications may be made without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention as set forth in the following claims. 
     Although the present invention has been described in terms of certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art are also within the scope of this invention. Accordingly, the scope of the invention is intended to be defined only by the claims, which follow.