Patent Abstract:
A nursing cover is described, including a sheet having a top edge, a bottom edge, and a first side edge and a second side edge, and a strap coupled to the top edge of the sheet and a plurality of D-rings are coupled using another strap to the top edge of the sheet, and a stiffener stitched into the top edge of the sheet, the stiffener having a first end cap disposed on a first end of the stiffener and a second end cap disposed on a second end of the stiffener, wherein the stiffener, when worn, bows outward to provide a viewing area.

Full Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The present invention relates to clothing and, more specifically, to a nursing cover. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0002]    Newborn babies are often breastfed by mothers, which can be an intimate and personal bonding experience between mothers and their babies. When breastfeeding, a mother typically exposes the upper portions of her torso, which may make her uncomfortable if located in a public or highly trafficked area. Conventional solutions for covering exposed areas (e.g., upper torso, breasts, and the like) of a nursing mother have several limitations and are often bulky, uncomfortable, unsafe, or difficult to handle. 
         [0003]    In some conventional solutions, large towels or small sheets are used, which are bulky and typically made of heavy, non-breathable material. These types of materials are often too warm to wear, increasing the body temperature of the mother and the baby, resulting in difficult or uncomfortable breastfeeding. Further, heavy, bulky, or non-breathable materials may also pose a risk of asphyxiation or cause overheating with a nursing baby. 
         [0004]    Conventional nursing covers are also problematic because they are difficult to wear or secure when worn. Draping or placing a cover, wrap, or sheet over a mother&#39;s shoulder to cover the nursing newborn often blocks visibility of the baby. Further, baby movement may cause the cover, wrap, or sheet to slip in position or completely fall off. With conventional techniques, visibility between a mother and her newborn are obscured, preventing the former from observing or monitoring the latter during breastfeeding. Positioning, latching, and other factors can be inhibited or detrimentally affected by conventional covers, wraps, and sheets. Further, mothers are physically restricted in their ability to manage these factors while securing and maintaining a conventional cover, wrap, or sheet in place. 
         [0005]    Thus, what is required is a solution for covering a baby while nursing without the limitations of conventional techniques. 
     
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0006]    The present invention will be readily understood by the following detailed description in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, and like reference numerals designate like structural elements. 
           [0007]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an exemplary nursing cover; 
           [0008]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a rear view of an exemplary nursing cover; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear view of an alternative exemplary nursing cover; 
           [0010]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative frontal view of an exemplary nursing cover when worn; 
           [0011]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary stiffener; 
           [0012]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary end cap; and 
           [0013]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an exemplary stiffener and end cap. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0014]    Embodiments or examples of the invention may be implemented in numerous ways, including as an apparatus, system, or process. A detailed description of one or more examples is provided below along with accompanying figures. The detailed description is provided in connection with such examples, but is not limited to any particular example. The scope is limited by the claims, but numerous alternatives, modifications, and equivalents are encompassed. Numerous specific details are set forth in the following description in order to provide a thorough understanding. These details are provided for the purpose of example and the descriptions provided may be used for implementation according to the claims without some or all of these specific details. For the purpose of clarity, technical material that is known in the technical fields related to the examples has not been described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description. 
         [0015]    A nursing cover is described, including a cover, wrap, or sheet (“sheet”) having a stiffener sewn or stitched (“stitched”) into an edge, which allows positional securing without inhibiting visibility. Further, end caps provided at each end of the stiffener provides reinforced protection to avoid abrasion between the stiffener and a stitched pocket in which the stiffener is placed. When worn, a nursing cover covers a breastfeeding baby, a mother&#39;s exposed torso, while providing a window for the mother to observe or monitor the baby. A nursing cover, as described in greater detail below, may also protect a baby from other environment factors such as sun, wind, rain, and the like. In some examples, a nursing cover as described below may be used to shield a baby who is not nursing, but instead being carried in a sling or cradle such as a Baby Bjorn® or the like. In other words, a nursing cover as described in the various examples below, may be used to protect a mother and her child from various types of natural and man-made environmental factors and conditions. Various alternative implementations and modifications to the examples provided may be used and are not limited to the descriptions, dimensions, or other exemplary details provided herein. 
         [0016]      FIG. 1  illustrates a front view of an exemplary nursing cover. Here, nursing cover  100  includes sheet  01 , strap  102 , D-ring strap  104 , upper top edge stitch  106 , lower top edge stitch  108 , left edge stitch  110 , right edge stitch  112 , bottom edge stitch  114 , and pocket stitches  116 - 120 . Strap  102  further includes side stitches  122 - 124  and tapered edge  126 . D-ring strap  104  also includes side stitches  128 - 130  and one or more D-rings  132 . In some examples, D-ring strap  104  may be implemented with one or more D-rings  132 , which are used to secure strap  102 . Strap  102  may be secured by tying, slipping, knotting, or otherwise coupling, directly or indirectly, to D-ring strap  104 . In other examples, D-ring strap  104  may be implemented with other types of securing rings or brackets, including O-rings, H-brackets, and the like. Nursing cover  100  also includes stiffener pocket  134  and pocket stitches  136 - 138 . Pocket  134  may be used to hold a stiffener, which is described in greater detail below in connection with  FIGS. 4A-4C . 
         [0017]    Referring back to  FIG. 1 , a stiffener may be a length of material that, when placed within stiffener pocket  134 , extends outward from the wearer of nursing cover  100 . A stiffener may be a flexible, but semi-rigid strip or length of material that “bows outwards” from a top edge of sheet  101 . When bowed, the stiffener holds the top edge of sheet  101  away from the wearer, thus providing an opening or aperture for maintaining visibility between the wearer and a baby underneath. Stiffeners may be made of natural or synthetic materials, including wood, plastic, nylon, metal, composite, or others. Further, a stiffener may be formed with a radius of curvature that allows a top edge of sheet  101  to extend away from the plane of sheet  101  when secured in a resting position. In other words, a stiffener may have a material memory that provides a curving shape that persists without requiring the exertion of force or pressure to achieve the curvature. 
         [0018]    In some examples, sheet  101  may be implemented using any type of fabric made from natural or synthetic fibers, including cotton, wool, silk, denim, polyester, nylon, and various types of blends. Further, various types of designs may be placed on sheet  101  using any type of technique such as silk-screening, embroidery, or forming patterns or designs within the weave of the fabric. Other types of fabrics and designs may be used and nursing cover  100  is not limited to the examples provided. Regardless of the type of material used for sheet  101 , nursing cover  100  may be placed to cover the upper torso of a nursing mother to provide an intimate and non-observable nursing experience for the baby and the mother. Further, a stiffener placed within stiffener pocket  134  and bounded by pocket stitches  136 - 138  may be used to provide a full or partially hemispherical support that projects outward from nursing cover  100  on a plane that is substantially orthogonal to vertical axis  140 . In other words, if nursing cover  100  is worn in an upright position by a mother, a stiffener (not shown) in stiffener pocket  134  may extend a center portion of the top edge outwards and away from the mother. The mother&#39;s upper torso remains covered, a nursing baby is shielded from external view, and sheet  101  provides non-transparent protection from unwanted viewing while nursing. Nursing cover  100  may be implemented differently than described above and is not limited to the examples provided. 
         [0019]      FIG. 2A  illustrates a rear view of an exemplary nursing cover. Here, nursing cover  200  also includes sheet  101 , strap  102 , D-ring strap  104 , upper top edge stitch  106 , lower top edge stitch  108 , left edge stitch  110 , right edge stitch  112 , bottom edge stitch  114 , and pocket stitches  116 - 120 . Strap  102  further includes side stitches  122 - 124  and tapered edge  126 . D-ring strap  104  also includes side stitches  128 - 130  and one or more D-rings  132 . Stiffener pocket  134  is also provided, being bounded by pocket stitches  136 - 138  and upper top edge stitch  106  and lower top edge stitch  108 . A pocket may be provided by using pocket fabric  202 , which may be stitched into a corner of sheet  101 . Pocket fabric  202  may be stitched into place by right edge stitch  112  and bottom edge stitch  114 . A diagonal edge of pocket fabric  202  extending from right edge stitch  112  to bottom edge stitch  114  may also be stitched, but with an unstitched portion left open between pocket stitch  116  and  120 , thus creating a pocket for the wearer to retrieve and store items. Pocket stitches  116 - 120  provide edges for a pocket, which may be used to hold various items for a nursing mother, including a bottle, burp cloth, wipes, pacifier, baby clothing, nursing implements, and the like. Further, the placement of a pocket bounded by pocket stitches  116 - 120  using pocket fabric  202  on the rear or “inside” surface of nursing cover  200  allows a nursing mother to retrieve or store items such as those described above. In other embodiments, pocket fabric  202  may be implemented differently and is not limited to the example shown. 
         [0020]      FIG. 2B  illustrates a rear view of an alternative exemplary nursing cover. Here, nursing cover  210  is shown, also including sheet  101 , strap  102 , D-ring strap  104 , upper top edge stitch  106 , lower top edge stitch  108 , left edge stitch  110 , right edge stitch  112 , bottom edge stitch  114 , and pocket stitches  116 - 120 . Strap  102  further includes side stitches  122 - 124  and tapered edge  126 . D-ring strap  104  also includes side stitches  128 - 130  and one or more D-rings  132 . Stiffener pocket  134  is also provided, being bounded by pocket stitches  136 - 138  and upper top edge stitch  106  and lower top edge stitch  108 . Alternatively, pocket fabric  212  and pocket stitches  214 - 218  are shown, which provide a different-type of pocket from that shown and described above in connection with  FIG. 2A . In some examples, pocket fabric  212  may be formed using the same or a different type of material as sheet  101 . For example, terry cloth material may be used for pocket fabric  212 , which provides a soft material that minimize abrasion with exposed skin of a wearer (i.e., a nursing mother). In other examples, different types of materials may be used for pocket fabric  212  to form a pocket. Further, pocket fabric  212  may be located in a different area or on the outside of sheet  101 . For example, pocket fabric  212  may be located in the inside of sheet  101 , but on a different corner to accommodate left or right-handed mothers. Further, different sizes of pocket fabrics  212  may be stitched into sheet  101 , providing smaller or larger sized pockets for holding items of various sizes. In some examples, pocket fabric  212  may be configured to provide a secure pocket, closed using a clasp or other item that allows the wearer to place items in a secure location while nursing. 
         [0021]    Here, pocket  212  provides a pocket with an opening that is horizontally configured, lying in a plane that is orthogonal to vertical axis  140 . Bounded by pocket stitches  214 - 218  and left open across the top edge of pocket fabric  212 , a pocket is formed that allows the wearer to store and retrieve items such as those described above in connection with  FIG. 2A . In other examples, different types of pockets may be implemented and are not limited to the examples shown and described. Numerous other shapes, sizes, fabric types, and locations may be used with pocket fabric  212  and nursing cover  210  is not limited to the pocket examples shown and provided above. Further, nursing cover  210  and the elements described may be varied and are not limited to the examples provided above. 
         [0022]      FIG. 3  illustrates an alternative frontal view of an exemplary nursing cover when worn. Here, nursing cover  300  is shown, including sheet  101 , strap  102 , D-ring strap  104 , upper top edge stitch  106 , lower top edge stitch  108 , left edge stitch  110 , right edge stitch  112 , bottom edge stitch  114 , and pocket stitches  116 - 120 . Strap  102  further includes side stitches  122 - 124  and tapered edge  126 . D-ring strap  104  also includes side stitches  128 - 130  and one or more D-rings  132 . Stiffener pocket  134  is also provided, being bounded by pocket stitches  136 - 138  and upper top edge stitch  106  and lower top edge stitch  108 . In some examples, strap  102  may be secured to D-ring strap  104  using a knot or by running strap  102  between D-rings  132 , as shown with strap section  302 . In some examples, strap  102  may be threaded through D-rings  132 , which are secured and taut when tension is applied to either tapered edge  126  or strap  102 . Strap  102  may be adjusted in length using D-rings  132  to accommodate a wearer with broad or narrow shoulders, a thick or thin neck, or to compensate for a desired area of coverage provided by nursing cover  300 . In other examples, nursing cover  300  may be secured differently and is not limited to the examples shown and described. 
         [0023]    When worn, nursing cover  300  provides shade and protection from unwanted observers for a nursing mother and her child. Strap  102 , when secured to D-ring strap  104  using D-rings  132 , falls or drapes over a nursing child underneath. A stiffener in stiffener pocket  134  extends nursing cover  300  away from the neck and upper torso of the mother and provides a pocket in which the baby rests and remains visible to the mother. Further, a mother may also wear nursing cover  300  as a sunshade to protect a baby underneath, who may be carried in the mother&#39;s arms while nursing, cradled in a sling (e.g., Baby Bjorn®), or otherwise held in a position that may warrant protection from observation, sun, weather, wind, or other environmental factors that may affect the baby. 
         [0024]      FIG. 4A  illustrates an exemplary stiffener. Here, stiffener  402  is shown with edges  404 - 406 . In some examples, stiffener  402  may be formed using natural materials such as wood, bamboo, and others. In other examples, stiffener  402  may be formed using synthetic materials such as plastic, nylon, steel, metal, composites (e.g., Teflone®, Kevlar®, and others). Materials used for stiffener  402  may be durable, light, waterproof or water-resistant, and formed to prevent moisture accumulation or mildew when placed within stiffener pocket  134  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 A- 2 B,  3 ). Stiffener  402  may be formed from any material that, when placed within pocket  134 , provides a bent or semi-hemispherical shape that is used to bow the upper edge of nursing cover  100  ( FIGS. 1 ,  2 A- 2 B,  3 ) outward from the wearer. In some examples the degree of bend (i.e., radius of curvature) may be adjusted or customized for different wearers, depending upon the amount of visibility desired. In other words, if a larger area of visibility is desired, stiffener  402  may be formed using a greater length and radius of curvature. When formed, stiffener  402  retains a bent or curved shape when in a resting position. Further, when force is applied to bend or curve stiffener  402  in the opposite direction of a formed curve, stiffener  402  may be formed of materials that allow bending without breaking. Here, edges  404 - 406  may expose individual fibers or strands of material within stiffener  402 . When placed in contact with sheet  101  (i.e., when placed within pocket  134 ), edges  404 - 406  may abrade against the fabric of sheet  101 , resulting in tears or cuts in sheet  101 , as well as causing stiffener  402  to slip out of place. By placing end caps (as described below in greater detail in connection with  FIGS. 4B-4C ) on stiffener  402 , abrasion and cutting may be prevented or minimized, resulting in the continuing ability of nursing cover  100  to bend outward along its upper edge away from the wearer. In other examples, stiffener  402  may be formed of different materials with different properties and material characteristics other than those described above. 
         [0025]      FIG. 4B  illustrates an exemplary end cap. Here, end cap  412  is shown with opening  414  and port  416 . In some examples, stiffener  402  ( FIG. 4A ) may be placed into opening  414  and inserted until contact is made with the inside surface of the opposing side of end cap  412 . End cap  412  may be positioned over edges  404 - 406 , providing a non-abrading, substantially smooth surface that, when placed within pocket  134  ( FIG. 1 ) of nursing cover  100 , prevents tears or cuts in sheet  101 . Further, end cap  412  may be used to also prevent edges  404 - 406  from tearing or cutting through pocket  134  and pressing into exposed skin surfaces of the wearer, which may cause pain, injury, or both. Further, end cap  412  may also provide protection to a baby protected underneath by preventing rough edges of stiffener  402  from pressing into the skin, eyes, or extremities of a child. Port  416  provides a window or aperture for viewing within end cap  412 . Port  416  may be used to determine whether stiffener  402  has been fully or partially inserted into end cap  412 . In some examples, port  416  may also be used to relieve overpressure within end cap  412  if the outer edges of stiffener  402  provide a seal by contacting the inner surfaces of opening  414 . In some examples, the shape of end cap  412  is formed to provide smooth, rounded surfaces to prevent abrading, tearing, or cutting into sheet  101 . In other examples, different shapes and sizes may be used for end cap  412  and are not limited to the examples shown above. For example, a rounded or hemispherical shape may be used for end cap  412 . In other examples, a square or substantially rectangular shape may be used for end cap  412 , providing a secure and substantially smooth surface that does not catch, abrade, tear, or cut the inner lining or surface of pocket  134 . End cap  412  may be implemented differently in design, shape, and dimension. Other examples may be used and are not limited to the examples shown and described. 
         [0026]      FIG. 4C  illustrates an exemplary stiffener and end cap. Here, a cross sectional area of stiffener  402  is shown and end cap  412  is placed over edges  404 . In some examples, end cap  412  may be placed over edges  404  to protect fabric (i.e., sheet  101  ( FIG. 1 )) from abrasion, tears, or cuts that may be caused by the rough surfaces of stiffener  402  and edges  404 . Edges  404  may be created when stiffener  402  is cut from an overall longer length of material. Here, stiffener  402  may be inserted into end cap  412  and fully positioned when edges  404  are seen within port  416 . In some examples, edges  404  may be fully inserted into end cap  412 , which provides a smooth end surface that does not abrade, cut, or tear the fabric of sheet  101  and pocket  134 . In other examples, edges  404  may be partially inserted into end cap  412  and the extent of insertion may be controlled by viewing how far stiffener  402  has advanced into end cap  412  using port  416 . In other examples, end cap  412  may be formed as part of stiffener  402 , thus omitting edges  404  and providing a smooth, integrated surface that prevents abrasion, tearing, or cutting of sheet  101 . In still other examples, end cap  412  may be inserted over or onto stiffener  402  differently and is not limited to the examples shown and described. 
         [0027]    Although the foregoing examples have been described in detail for purposes of clarity of understanding, certain changes and modifications may be practiced within the scope of the appended claims. Accordingly, the present examples are to be considered as illustrative and not restrictive, and not limited to the details given herein and may be modified within the scope and equivalents of the appended claims. In the claims, elements and/or steps do not imply any particular order of operation, unless explicitly stated in the claims.

Technology Classification (CPC): 0