Abstract:
A method and system for covering from public view a nursing mother&#39;s breast and child while breast feeding, the system comprising of a particular arrangement of a decorative cover that fits around the front and neck of a mother and over the baby and includes a device that lifts the cover to provide space for the mother to breast feed the baby while maintaining coverage from public view

Description:
[0001]    The present application claims the benefit and priority of and incorporates by this reference U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/466,441 filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on Mar. 22, 2011. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates generally to nursing covers for covering a mother and baby while the baby nurses. More specifically, the present invention is directed to a particular arrangement of a decorative cover that fits around the front and neck of a mother and over the baby and includes a device that lifts the cover to provide space for the mother to breast feed the baby while maintaining coverage from public view. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The statements in this section merely provide background information related to the present disclosure and may not constitute prior art. 
         [0004]    Nursing can be intimidating to a new mom for fear of accidently exposing herself. Having suitable nursing cover products may have an impact on a woman&#39;s choice of whether and when to breastfeed. Moms are generally always looking for products that can help make their life a bit easier. Various nursing covers have been used by mothers tending to their babies. These normally comprise some form of cover over the front of the mother and over the baby. However, they are often difficult to wear and to use. For example, they do not fit properly so that they tend to slip or fall off and they are not flattering. They tend to have insufficient space for the mother to see the baby while feeding. The present invention addresses these and other deficiencies. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    In order to solve these and other needs in the art, the inventor hereof has succeeded in designing a nursing cover that in one exemplary embodiment includes a collar for viewing, a cover or shawl integrated with the collar, a flap for viewing integrated with the cover, pleated fabric in the front, side panels that wrap around the torso, attachments to secure the cover around the torso, an on/off latch system, weighted decorative trim, and other helpful features that aid in giving more confidence to a mother that chooses to breast feed her baby, especially in public. 
         [0006]    In another exemplary embodiment the nursing cover includes a shawl having a neck opening and a flap by the neck opening. At least two straps are connected to the shawl by the neck opening to secure the cover to the neck of the nursing mother. The invention further includes a collar connected to the shawl by the neck opening and flap and also connected to the straps. The collar includes legs, sides and a bill. The legs extend the collar in a first direction, and the sides and bill accordingly extend the shawl in the first direction to form a pocket under the collar and shawl. The baby rests within this pocket. The shawl further includes front pleats by the neck opening, flap and collar, to provide additional spaces between the shawl and collar. The flap opens and closes to expose space between the legs, sides and bill through which the nursing mother can look at the baby. The shawl further includes side panels and fasteners at ends of the side panels that secure the ends to each other, and a weighted trim attached to the shawl to keep the ends of the shawl down. The sides of the shawl are sufficiently wide so that the shawl wraps around the torso of the mother and tucks under the legs of the mother. This provides additional security and privacy. 
         [0007]    Further areas of applicability of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description provided hereinafter. It should be understood that the detailed description and specific examples below, while indicating exemplary embodiments of the invention, are intended for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0008]    The novel features of this invention, as well as the invention itself, both as to its structure and its operation, will be best understood from the accompanying drawings, taken in conjunction with the accompanying description, in which similar reference characters refer to similar parts, and in which: 
           [0009]      FIG. 1  is a perspective view of the present invention; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2  is a front view of material for the present invention; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0012]      FIGS. 4   a,    4   b  and  4   c  are side, bottom and top views of the collar of the present invention; 
           [0013]      FIGS. 4   d,    4   e  and  4   f  are side, bottom and top views of the shell of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIGS. 4   g,    4   h,    4   i , and  4   j  are perspective, top, side, and back views of the shell of the present invention; 
           [0015]      FIG. 5  is a side view of the collar and straps of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 6  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 7  is a side view of the present invention; 
           [0018]      FIG. 8  is a rear view of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 9  is a perspective view of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0020]    The following description of various embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its applications, or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features. 
         [0021]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , there is shown a nursing cover, generally indicated by reference number  10 , according to one embodiment of the present invention. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the nursing cover  10  includes a shawl  12 . The shawl  12  is preferably made of lightweight material, such as fabric including silk or nylon blend, but can also be made of plastic materials and other flexible, lightweight materials suitable for garments. Such materials are preferably washable and wrinkle-free. The material may come in a variety of patterns that are fun and stylish. For privacy purposes, the material is preferably not transparent or otherwise see-through material. 
         [0022]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , substantial yardage of material is preferably used for the shawl  12 . Enough material is used to cover the nursing mother&#39;s torso in front and in back. For example, the shawl preferably includes between 10 to 20 square feet of material, but may include less or more material depending on the size. Accordingly, in use, the shawl  12  wraps around the mother&#39;s body. The shawl  12  preferably wraps over the shoulder of the mother on the side where she holds the head of the baby  42 . The shawl  12  fits over or under the mother&#39;s other shoulder depending on how she wants to place and use her other hand (e.g., see also  FIG. 7 ). 
         [0023]    The nursing cover  10  includes straps  18  attached to the shawl  12  proximate the neck opening  14  to secure the shawl  12  and nursing cover  10  around the mother&#39;s neck. As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the straps  18  are preferably of different lengths (e.g.,  18   a ,  18   b ). That is, one strap  18   a  is longer than the other strap  18   b  to provide a handle  40  based on its extra length to facilitate fastening the straps  18  together to put the nursing cover  10  on and unfastening the straps  18  to take it off. 
         [0024]    As shown in  FIG. 2 , the overall shape of the shawl  12  is preferably semi-circular. Accordingly, it includes a curved side  13  and a straight side  15 . The shawl  12  also includes a neck opening  14  near the center of the straight side  15 . The shawl  12  preferably comprises three panels or sections, including two side panels  17  and a center panel  19 . Side panels  17   a ,  17   b  have ends  21   a ,  21   b , where, as described further, Suitable Fasteners are included to fasten the ends  21   a ,  21   b  together to secure the shawl  12  and cover  10  around the mother&#39;s torso (e.g., the term “Suitable Fasteners” includes without limitation, Velcro (Velcro strips that fasten and unfasten to each other or to other material), buttons (i.e., buttons and holes), snaps (e.g., male and female snap components that fasten together to close, usually by applying pressure, and unfasten to open, similar to those used on pajamas, nightshirts, for example), clips (e.g., male and female clips that fasten together and unfasten; clips with closing mechanisms such as springs, levers; bent metal to fasten on material or another clip, which can also be unfastened; safety clips; safety pins), hooks (e.g., male and female hook components that fasten together and unfasten, hooks that fasten to other components with holes or other openings and unfasten), magnets (e.g., pairs of magnets, magnets that fasten by attraction to metal or other magnetic material), stitching (e.g., stitched seams, threated seams, sewn seams), zippers, tape and adhesives; and the term “Suitable Fasteners” is used herein to describe various fasteners and connections of components of the invention). The shawl  12  can be formed in different shapes, such as semi-oblong, semi-elliptical, triangular, square, and rectangular. The shawl  12  can also be formed in multiple sizes, e.g., large, medium and small, by varying the amount of material used. Multiple shawls  12  can be made and then used interchangeably (e.g., by connecting a selected shawl  12  to the straps  18  and/or casing  30  of the collar  20  as described further below). 
         [0025]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the two side panels  17   a ,  17   b  connect to the center panel  19  of the shawl  12 . Side panels  17   a ,  17   b  may comprise separate panels connected to center panel  19  or the same continuous material as the center panel  19 . Side panels  17   a ,  17   b  may be connected to the center panel  19  by sewing the panels together or by other Suitable Fasteners. The side panels  17   a ,  17   b  add material and width to the sides of the shawl  12  to cover the nursing mother. This is helpful, for example, if the baby moves around or if the wind is blowing. By further example, the two side panels  17   a ,  17   b  are long enough to tuck under the mother&#39;s legs while she is in a seated position and keep the cover  10  in place without the use of the mother&#39;s hands. For example,  FIG. 8  shows an embodiment where the mother can sit on the side panels  17   a ,  17   b  and/or center panel  19  tucked under the mother&#39;s legs or seat, at least in part. 
         [0026]    As further shown in  FIGS. 3 and 8 , for the security and proper coverage in the standing or sitting position, the ends  21   a ,  21   b  of the side panels  21   a ,  21   b  include fasteners  36 . As noted above, these fasteners  36  include any Suitable Fasteners, including but not limited to Velcro. This allows the mother to attach the nursing cover  10  around the bottom portion of her torso and keep the nursing cover  10  securely in place, so she can use both hands to hold her baby. She does not have to worry about holding the material of the shawl  12  of the nursing cover  10  down. 
         [0027]    As shown in  FIG. 9 , at the center front  37  of the center panel  19 , by the neck opening  14 , the material of the shawl  12  is pleated with pleats  32  which provides for extra material, as opposed to a flat sheet of material. This provides spaces between the material and the collar  20 , which enhances flexibility and movement of the nursing cover  10  and the mother wearing and using it. This also helps provide a more spacious and flexible pocket  41  for the baby nursing below (see also  FIG. 1 ). Again, this is opposed to a flat sheet of material used as a shawl  12  of a nursing cover  10  that does not drape well over the pocket  41  and other space underneath the cover  10 . 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the nursing cover  10  has a decorative weighted trim  38  along the perimeter of curved side  13  of the shawl  12 . The trim  38  is preferably connected to the material of the shawl  12  by any Suitable Fasteners, for example without limitation, by stiches or other sewing materials, adhesives, or other mechanical fasteners such as buttons, zippers and hooks along seam  44 . The trim  38  has weighting elements  43 , including without limitation buttons, metal grommets, ball bearings, disks, washers, buttons, pins, beads and other weighted accessories. The weights  43  act as additional bottom weight for the material of the shawl  12  via the weighted trim  38 . The weights  43  provide additional means and security to keep the shawl  12  and the nursing cover  10  in place, including hanging down and covering the mother and the baby. For example, if it is windy or the baby is moving around underneath, then the nursing cover  10  may otherwise lift or move to expose the mother and baby. The trim  38  may come in different varieties and colors and be fun and stylish. 
         [0029]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , the nursing cover  10  also includes a collar  20 . The collar  20  creates a viewing area  45  for the mother to be able to look down into pocket  41  and easily see her baby nursing. As shown in dashed lines in  FIG. 3 , the collar  20  preferably is comprised of a casing  30  surrounding a shell  31 . The collar  20  is preferably fastened to the shawl  12 . Any Suitable Fasteners may be used. For example, the collar  20  may be sewn to the shawl  12  of the nursing cover  10  along the perimeter of neck opening  14  (see also fasteners  46  in  FIG. 3 ), or any other Suitable Fasteners may be used. The casing  30  is preferably made of fabric, such as canvas, denim, upholstery, corduroy, however other materials can be used (e.g., nylon, leather, plastic). The shell  31  is preferably made of plastic or hard rubber (including but not limited to recycled plastic products and other recycled products), but other materials can be used (e.g., aluminum or other light metals, Styrofoam, cardboard). The collar  20  can be formed in multiple sizes and dimensions, e.g., large, medium and small; variable lengths generally between 5 and 12 inches; and variable widths generally between 5 and 8 inches. 
         [0030]    As shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4   a - 4   c , the shape and components of the collar  20 , including the casing  30  and shell  31  comprising the collar  20 , are similar to a visor shape (e.g., similar to a sun visor or a baseball cap visor) with extended legs  22  ( 22   a ,  22   b ) for resting the collar  20  against the chest plate of the mother. As such, as shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  and  5 , the collar  20  has legs  22  on each side  24  that, along with the bill  28 , define a distance  47  of extension or tenting of the shawl  12  material from approximate the mother&#39;s chest plate to the end of bill  28  and above the nursing baby&#39;s face below (see also, distance  47  shown in  FIGS. 5 and 6 ). The legs  22  rest upon the surface of the mother&#39;s chest to extend the sides  24 , center  26  and bill  28  of the remainder of the collar  20  in a direction generally perpendicular to the vertical plane of the mother&#39;s chest at a distance  47 . This creates a pocket  41  under the collar  20  and shawl  12  for the baby  42  (see also  FIGS. 1 and 6 ). With the collar  20  of the present invention, the material is raised high up off the baby&#39;s face, allowing significant air flow for the baby  42  and eye contact for the mother and child. As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - f , the casing  30  and shell  31  similarly have corresponding legs ( 22   a ,  22   b  for the casing  30 ,  22   c ,  22   d  for the shell  31 ), sides ( 24   a ,  24   b  for the casing  30 ,  24   c ,  24   d  for the shell  31 ), center ( 26  for the casing  30 ,  26   a  for the shell  31 ) and a bill ( 28  for the casing  30 ,  28   a  for the shell  31 ). Another embodiment of the shell  31  in  FIGS. 4   a - f  is shown in  FIGS. 4   g - j . As shown in particular in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c , the smaller shell  31  fits within the casing  30 , both of which comprise the collar  20 . Casing  30  uses fasteners  29 , including any Suitable Fasteners, to connect around shell  31 , including as shown in  FIG. 4   c , snaps around the perimeter of the top of the casing  30 . As such, casing  30  includes a space within which to fit shell  31 , and fasteners  39  secure shell  31  within casing  30 . 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - c  and  5 , the shape of the bill  28  of the collar  20  is curved, which facilitates the extension and tenting of the shawl  12  material to a distance  47  and a width approximate to the width of the collar  20 . The shape of the bill  28 , center  26  and the sides  24  forms a curved opening  48 . This opening  48  provides access to a viewing area  45  for the nursing mother so that she can easily look down at her baby in pocket  41 . This allows for good eye contact with her baby which is an important factor for a mother to have when bonding with her child. As shown in  FIGS. 4   a - 4   f , the casing  30  and shell  31  comprising the collar  20  accordingly form this curved opening  48 . 
         [0032]    The collar  20  preferably includes straps  18  that go around the mother&#39;s neck. The straps  18  are connected to the collar  20  with any Suitable Fasteners. For example, see  FIGS. 3  (fasteners  49 ) and  5 . The collar  20  is also preferably connected with the shawl  12 , using any Suitable Fasteners. For example, casing  30  of the collar  20  may be sewn or otherwise fastened using any Suitable Fasteners to the shawl  12  proximate the neck opening  14  (e.g., fasteners  46  in  FIGS. 3 ,  6 ). Alternatively, the shell  31  may be snapped, taped or otherwise fastened using any Suitable Fasteners to the neck opening  14 , as another example. The casing  30  is configured to allow the collar  20  to be removed for washing material of the shawl  12  and for washing the collar  20  (e.g., the casing  30  and/or the shell  31 ). For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the casing  30  of the collar  20  is fastened to the straps  18  at the ends of the legs  22  and the casing  30  is attached to the shawl  12  around the neck opening  14 . 
         [0033]    The straps  18  can be attached to the collar  20 , explained above, or alternatively to the shawl  12 . In  FIGS. 2 and 9 , the straps  18  are shown attached to the shawl  12 . In  FIG. 3 , the straps  18  are attached to the casing  30 , which is attached to the shawl  12  as part of collar  20 . In  FIGS. 4   a - 4   c  and  5 , the casing  30  is attached to the straps  18  as a component of the collar  20  (e.g., see fasteners  49  (any Suitable Fasteners)). In  FIG. 6 , the straps  18  are attached to the casing  30 , which is attached to the shawl  12  via fasteners  46  (any Suitable Fasteners). 
         [0034]    Preferably, the straps  18  are sewn onto the casing  30  and also the material of the shawl  12 , but any Suitable Fasteners could be used. As referenced above, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the straps  18  wrap around the mother&#39;s neck and attach together using Suitable Fasteners (e.g., Velcro shown). This positioning holds the cover  10  around the neck and holds the collar  20  in place and balanced upon the mother&#39;s chest/collarbone area. 
         [0035]    As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the nursing cover  10  also includes a pull away strap or handle  40 . Preferably, this pull away strap  40  is an extension of the longer of two straps  18  ( 18   a  is longer). Accordingly, for the ease of putting the nursing cover  10  on around the mother&#39;s neck and taking it off, the nursing cover  10  includes this neck fastening system  50 . For one strap  18   a  that goes around the neck, the strap  18   a  will be longer in length than the other strap  18   b . Accordingly, it  18   a  will extend further beyond the connection to the other strap  18   b  and then continue to drape onto the mother&#39;s chest or back, depending on her preference. By this strap  18   a  and associated handle or pull away strap  40  being longer, the mother can locate and grab the handle  40  or tail of the strap  18   a  to put on and take off the nursing cover  10 . The other shorter strap  18   b  drapes around the neck for purposes of securing the cover  10  around the mother&#39;s neck by attaching to the longer strap  18   a.    
         [0036]    As also shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , the shawl  12  of the nursing cover  10  also includes a flap  16 . As shown, this is a small piece of material preferably sewn or otherwise connected with any Suitable Fasteners on one of its sides  51  ( 51   a ,  51   b  in  FIG. 6 ) to the center front  37  of the shawl  12  proximate the neck opening  14 . Material similar to the shawl  12  is preferably used. Preferably the flap  16  is rectangular, so that it has four sides  51 . However, other shapes may be used (e.g., semicircle, a triangle and rectangle joined together). At least two opposite sides  51  of the flap  16  are preferably sewn or otherwise attached onto the front of the shawl  12  approximately half of the length of the sides  51   a ,  51   b  of the flap  16  using any Suitable Fasteners, and the rest of the lengths of the sides  51   a ,  51   b  of the flap  16  are attachable via easily removable Suitable Fasteners (e.g., fasteners  52   a ,  52   b , such as snaps or Velcro). On the side  55  of the flap  16  nearest the neck opening  14 , another Suitable Fastener, such as snaps, are attached to the side  55  of the flap  16  and attachable to the shawl  12  to allow the flap  16  to be opened and closed when it is folded back and forth (see  FIG. 6  flap  16  closed,  FIG. 7  flap  16  open). That is, the flap  16  is attachable and detachable via fasteners  52  and  53  to and from the shawl  12  to open and close the flap  16 . The flap  16  preferably covers part of the opening of the collar  20 . As such, the flap  16  can be opened up and down. Accordingly, the flap  16  allows the mother to open and close the curved opening  48  and access to the viewing area  45  under the nursing cover  10  for privacy and security purposes. Any Suitable Fasteners for connecting the flap  16  to the shawl  12  may be used, including without limitation, molds, zippers, buttons and other fasteners and attachment means. 
         [0037]    In alternative embodiments, the nursing cover  10  includes an identifying mark such as the label  54  to instantly show the mother which way to place the cover  10  in the correct position. For example the label  54  may be included on the inside of the front of the shawl  12 . Or, the label  54  may be on the flap  16 . The flap  16  and shawl  12  also provide space for additional labels  54 . 
         [0038]    The description of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, its application, or uses. Thus, variations that do not depart from the substance of the invention are intended to be within the scope of the invention. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the spirit and scope of the invention.