Abstract:
What is described is a sash-style apparatus that can be comprised of two strips of material. The two strips of material can be configured such that in one configuration the first strip of material lies substantially behind the second strip of material and in a second configuration, the two strips of material can be minimally parted to reveal the mother&#39;s nipple and allow an infant to breastfeed. The mother can feed and bond with her infant, without exposing her breast.

Description:
PRIORITY  
       [0001]    This application is related to and claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/888410 filed on Feb. 6, 2007. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    This description relates generally to the area of nursing and more specifically to a nursing cover. 
         [0004]    2. Background 
         [0005]    It is important to the bonding process between mother and child that mothers breastfeed their infants. However, societal norms generally discourage breastfeeding in public without covering the mother&#39;s exposed breast. To accommodate this societal norm, most nursing mothers elect to cover both their exposed breast and the nursing infant with a blanket draped over one shoulder. 
         [0006]    While the draped blanket accomplishes the task of covering the mother&#39;s exposed breast, it detracts from the bonding process between the mother and child, as the nursing infant and mother are unable to easily look at each other and thus bond. 
         [0007]    What is needed is an apparatus that allows the child to nurse while both covering the mother&#39;s breast and allowing the mother and child to view each other during the nursing process. 
       SUMMARY 
       [0008]    What is described is a sash-style apparatus that can be comprised of two strips of material. The two strips of material can be configured such that in one configuration the first strip of material lies substantially behind the second strip of material and in a second configuration, the two strips of material can be minimally parted to reveal the mother&#39;s nipple and allow an infant to breastfeed. In some embodiments, the two strips of material can be bonded together in at least one location and can include a selectively couplable or permanently coupled burping cloth which can be positioned on the shoulder of the nursing mother. Thus, in use, the mother can breastfeed her infant without covering the child&#39;s face or head and can immediately burp the child over her shoulder without having to concern herself with re-covering her breast after nursing the infant. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]      FIG. 1  depicts one embodiment of a nursing cover. 
           [0010]      FIG. 1A  depicts the nursing cover of  FIG. 1  with a detachable cover. 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternate embodiment of the nursing cover shown in  FIG. 1  with a detachable burping cloth. 
           [0012]      FIG. 3  depicts a first configuration of the nursing cover shown in  FIG. 1  as worn by a user. 
           [0013]      FIG. 4  depicts a second configuration of the nursing cover shown in  FIG. 1  as worn by a user. 
           [0014]      FIG. 5  depicts a portion of a strip having an adjusting mechanism. 
           [0015]      FIG. 6  depicts a portion of a strip having complementary fastening components. 
           [0016]      FIG. 7  depicts the nursing cover of  FIG. 1  as worn by a user while nursing an infant. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]      FIG. 1  depicts an embodiment of a sash-style nursing cover  100 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , a cover can be comprised of three sections:a shoulder support  102 , an interior strip  104 , and an exterior strip  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , the two ends of a shoulder support  102  can be coupled with the two ends of both an interior strip  104  and an exterior strip  106 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 1 , an interior strip  104  and an exterior strip  106  can be fixedly coupled with the shoulder support  102  at both ends. However, in alternate embodiments, an interior strip  104 , an exterior strip  106  or both can be detachably coupled with a shoulder support  102  either at one end or at both ends. 
         [0018]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  an interior strip  104  can be slightly shorter than an exterior strip  106  and can have the same width. In alternate embodiments, strips  104  and  106  can have different widths. Still in alternate embodiments, strips  104  and  106  can have any known and/or convenient geometric and/or spatial relationship. 
         [0019]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1  an interior strip  104  and an exterior strip  106  can be comprised of the same material having the same pattern, color, elasticity, or texture. However, in alternate embodiments, an interior strip  104  can be comprised of different material than an exterior strip  106 . An interior strip  104  and/or an exterior strip  106  can be fabric, polymer, elastomeric, or any other known and/or convenient material. In some embodiments, strips  104  and  106  can have different patterns, textures or absorbency properties. 
         [0020]    In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 1 , a shoulder support  102  can be comprised of an absorbent material adapted to at least partially absorb and/or contain any liquids and/or solids which a baby may expel while being burped. In alternate embodiments, a shoulder strap  102  can be comprised of any other known and/or convenient material. 
         [0021]    As shown in  FIG. 1A , in some embodiments a detachable cover  108  can at least partially cover a shoulder support  102  such that a cover  108  can be easily replaced and/or removed and laundered in the event that it becomes soiled. A detachable cover  108  can be removably connected to a shoulder support  102  via at least one set of complementary fastening components  1   10 . Complementary fastening components  110  can be hook-and-loop, snaps, button and slit, or any other known and/or convenient fastening components. In alternate embodiments, a detachable cover  108  can be fabric, polymer, plastic, paper, or any other known and/or convenient at least partially absorbent material. In still further alternate embodiments, a cover  108  can be comprised of disposable material. 
         [0022]      FIG. 2  depicts an alternate embodiment of a nursing cover  100  depicted in  FIG. 1 . In the embodiment shown in  FIG. 2 , a nursing cover  100  can be comprised of an interior strip  104  and an exterior strip  106  that can be coupled together at their ends. In the embodiment depicted in  FIG. 2 , strips  104  and  106  are depicted as being fixedly attached not only to each other, but to themselves. However, in alternate embodiments strips  104  and  106  can be individual loops that can be detachably coupled with themselves and/or with each other. 
         [0023]    In alternate embodiments, a nursing cover  100  depicted in  FIG. 2  can include a burping cover  202 . In some embodiments, a burping cover  202  can be a loop of material that can be selectively and/or fixedly, transversely coupled with strips  104  and  106 . In some embodiments, a burping cover  202  can be comprised of an absorbent material adapted to at least partially absorb and/or contain any liquids and/or solids which a baby may expel while being burped. In some embodiments, a burping cover  202  can at least partially cover strips  104  and  106  such that a burping cover  202  can be easily replaced and/or removed and laundered in the event that it becomes soiled. In still further alternate embodiments, a burping cover  202  can be comprised of a disposable material and in still further alternate embodiments, a burping cover  202  can be comprised of any known and/or convenient material. A burping cover  202  can be removably connected to a nursing cover  100  via complementary fastening components  210 . Complementary fastening components  210  can be hook and loop, snaps, button and slit, or any other known and/or convenient fastening components. 
         [0024]      FIGS. 3 and 4  depict a nursing cover  100  depicted in  FIG. 1  in a first configuration ( FIG. 3 ) and a second configuration ( FIG. 4 ). In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 3 , a nursing cover  100  can be draped across an individual&#39;s body and supported on the shoulder of the individual by a shoulder support  102 , such that at least one breast of the individual is covered by at least substantially overlapping strips  104  and  106 . In the configuration depicted in  FIG. 4 , a nursing cover  100  can be draped in substantially the same position as depicted in  FIG. 3 , however strips  104  and  106  no longer need be substantially overlapping. 
         [0025]      FIG. 5  depicts a portion of a strip  104  or  106  of a nursing cover  100 . A strip  104  and/or a strip  106  can have an adjusting mechanism  512  to properly adapt to the shape and size of a user&#39;s body. An adjusting mechanism  512  can shorten or lengthen a strip  104  and/or a strip  106  and can be metal, plastic, or any other known and/or convenient material. An adjusting mechanism  512  can also be a loop-through type, as shown in  FIG. 5 , or any other known and/or convenient mechanism for adjusting a length of material. 
         [0026]    In operation, a user can apply a nursing cover  100  by sliding a nursing cover  100  over the head and shoulders of the user&#39;s body, such that a nursing cover  100  is properly wrapped around one shoulder and the torso of the user&#39;s body. As shown in  FIG. 6 , in an alternate embodiment at least one of strips  104  and  106  can be set in place by complementary fastening components  614 , thus eliminating the need for over-the-head placement.  FIG. 6  depicts a portion of a strip  104  or a strip  106  of a nursing cover  100 . A strip  104  and/or a strip  106  can be split at one or more points along its length, and can have complementary fastening components  614  located at or substantially close to the open ends of the split strip. Complementary fastening components  614  can be hook and loop, snaps, button and slit, or any other known and/or convenient fastening components. 
         [0027]    In operation, a nursing mother can prepare her breast for a nursing infant by exposing her breast behind strips  104  and  106 . Then the nursing mother can expose her nipple between an interior strip  104  and an exterior strip  106  such that the infant can begin nursing and without substantially exposing her breast and while still allowing the mother and child to bond during the nursing process (as shown in  FIG. 7 ). When the infant is finished nursing the mother can easily reconfigure the strips  104  and  106  such that her nipple is covered and immediately begin to burp the infant over her shoulder, which is covered by a shoulder support  102  and/or detachable cover  108  and/or burping cover  202 . When nursing and/or burping is completed, the mother can re-clothe herself beneath strips  104  and  106  and, if desired, reconfigure the strips to be substantially overlapping and/or, if necessary and/or desired, replace a detachable cover  108  and/or burping cover  202 . 
         [0028]    Although the invention has been described in conjunction with specific embodiments thereof, it is evident that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the invention as described and hereinafter claimed is intended to embrace all such alternatives, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and broad scope of the appended claims.