NURSING CAPE

Abstract

A nursing cape covers a mother's upper torso and does not expose the feeding child or the mother's breast to public view while the child is breastfeeding. The nursing cape includes a front panel, a back panel, a neck opening formed between the front panel and the back panel, and a collar attached around a perimeter of the neck opening. A first fastening system and a second fastening system are secured to the collar. The first fastening system and the second fastening system are coupled together to adjust the size of the neck opening. A first hand opening is located proximate to the first side seam of the front panel. A second hand opening is located proximate to the second side seam of the front panel. The first hand opening and the second hand opening allow a user to slip the hands through them when wearing the nursing cape.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to garments. More particularly, the present invention relates to garments worn by nursing mothers to facilitate the breastfeeding of babies.

Breastfeeding a new baby in public can be one of the most stressful challenges facing new mothers. Numerous garments have been designed to provide privacy to a nursing mother while in public areas. Unfortunately, the existing nursing garments do not provide a reliable coverage of the mother's breast during the nursing process.

As can be seen, there is a need for a nursing garment that provides a reliable coverage to the mother during the nursing process.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect of the present invention, a nursing cape comprises a front panel having an upper section and a lower section; a back panel having an upper section and a lower section; a neck opening formed between the upper section of the front panel and the upper section of the back panel; a collar attached around a perimeter of the neck opening; a first fastening system and a second fastening system secured to the collar; the first fastening system and the second fastening system coupled together to adjust a size of the neck opening; a first hand opening located proximate to the first side seam of the front panel; a second hand opening located proximate to the second side seam of the front panel; the first hand opening and the second hand opening allow a user to slip the hands through them when wearing the nursing cape.

These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following drawings, description and claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a nursing cape according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention showing the nursing cape in use;

FIG. 2 is a front view of the nursing cape of FIG. 1 showing a mother having one hand exposed through a hand opening;

FIG. 3 is a rear view of the nursing cape of FIG. 1 showing the mother having both hands under the nursing cape;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the nursing cape of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the nursing cape of FIG. 1;

FIG. 6 is a top detailed view of a neck hole of the nursing cape of FIG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a top detailed view of a fastening system of the nursing cape of FIG. 1 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The following detailed description is of the best currently contemplated modes of carrying out exemplary embodiments of the invention. The description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating the general principles of the invention, since the scope of the invention is best defined by the appended claims.

Various inventive features are described below that can each be used independently of one another or in combination with other features.

Broadly, embodiments of the present invention generally provide a nursing cape that covers a mothers upper torso, not exposing the feeding child or the mother's breast to public view while breastfeeding.

FIGS. 1-6 show a nursing cape 10 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The nursing cape 10 may be slipped over an upper torso 32 of a nursing mother 28, providing a reliable coverage to the nursing mother 28 and a baby 30 during the nursing process.

The nursing cape 10 may be made of a material, for example, fabric, cloth, poly cotton, soft plastic, water-resistant material, cotton seersucker, cotton blend washable soft suede, wool, suede, leather, paper, nylon, water-repellant materials, hemp fiber, recyclable material, or combination thereof. The material may have different designs, for example, solid color, multicolor, stripes, dots, stars, flowers, holiday motifs, animals, fish, birds, geometrical figures, letters, or phrases.

In some embodiments, the nursing cape 10 may be made as reversible, with one material and/or design on the outer side and a different material and/or design on the inner side (not shown).

The shape and size of the nursing cape 10 may allow it to cover the upper torso 32 of the nursing mother 28 and the baby 30 during the nursing time. The nursing cape 10 may have, for example, a circular shape with an elongated front panel. The nursing cape 10 may be made, for example, by using approximately 2¾ yards of fabric.

The nursing cape 10 may include a front panel 12 having an upper section 40, a lower section 14, a first side seam 44a, and second side seam 44b; a back panel 13 having an upper section 42 and a lower section 44; and a neck opening 16 formed between the upper section 40 of the front panel 12 and the upper section 44 of the back panel 13. The front panel 12 may have a length longer than the back panel 13 to provide the nursing cape 10 with additional material to further protect the privacy of the nursing mother 28 as the baby 30 increases activity when he/she grows up. The nursing cape 10 may be a one piece cape.

A collar 38 may be attached around the perimeter of the neck opening 16. The collar 38 may be of the same material or different material than the nursing cape 10. In some embodiments, the collar 38 may be made, for example, of an elastic material. The size and width of the collar 38 may depend on the size of the nursing poncho 10.

Hand openings 18 may be formed on the front panel 12. The hand openings 18 may allow the nursing mother 28 to remove her hands 36 from under the nursing cape 10 to carry on normal activities during the nursing time. The hand openings 18 may be placed on the right and left side seams of the front panel 12 at waist height.

As can be seen from FIGS. 2-6, a first fastening system 20 and a second fastening system 22 may be secured to the collar 38. The first fastening system 20 and the second fastening system 22 may be coupled together to adjust the size of the neck opening 16, depending on the size of the upper torso 32 of the nursing mother 28. In addition, the nursing mother 28 may uncouple the first fastening system 20 and the second fastening system 22 to view the baby 30. The first fastening system 20 and the second fastening system 22 may be located at shoulder height. The first fastening system 20 and the second fastening system 22 may include a snap fastener system, an eye and button fastener system, a zipper fastener system, a hook and loop fastener system, a magnet fastener system, an eye and lace fastening system, a hook and eye fastening system, or a frog closure fastening system.

FIG. 7 shows a fastening system 24, 26 for a nursing cape 34 according to another exemplary embodiment of the present invention. On this embodiment, the fastening system 24, 26 may include at least one button 24 and at least one hook 26 to adjust the size of the neck opening 16.

At least one inside pocket (not shown) and at least one outside pocket (not shown) may be added to the nursing cape 10. The inside pocket and outside pocket may hold small items, for example, baby bibs, pacifiers, snacks, or bottles. The inside pocket and outside pocket may be removable pockets or fixed pockets. The nursing cape 10 may be folded into the inside pocket or the outside pocket for self-storage.

A hood (not shown) may be added to the collar 38 to protect the head 31 of the nursing mother 28. The hood may be attached or removable from the collar.

Handles (not shown) may be added to the nursing cape 10.

The nursing mother 28 may slip the nursing garment 10, 34 over her head 31, covering her upper torso and the baby 30. Then, the nursing mother 28 may prepare both breasts (not shown) for breastfeeding under the nursing cape 10. The nursing mother 28 may position the baby 30 for feeding and adjust the size of the neck opening 16 by coupling the first fastening system 20 and the second fastening system 22 to the desired size. The nursing mother 28 may start nursing the baby 30.

The nursing cape 10 may be used in public places including work, parks, malls, and hospitals without attracting the attention of bystanders. The nursing cape 10 may allow the nursing mother 28 to pump milk with a pump (not shown) without fear of exposure.

The nursing cape 10 may allow working mothers to pump breast milk at the work place without leaving their desk or place of work as the working mother and the pump are completely covered. The working mother may use the breast pump without exposure, which may allow the working mother to attend to e-mails or make phone calls.

It should be understood, of course, that the foregoing relates to exemplary embodiments of the invention and that modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims.

Claims

1. A nursing cape comprising:

a front panel having an upper section, a lower section, a first side seam, and a second side seam;

a back panel having an upper section and a lower section;

a neck opening formed between the upper section of the front panel and the upper section of the back panel;

a collar attached around a perimeter of the neck opening; and

a first fastening system and a second fastening system secured to the collar, the first fastening system and the second fastening system coupled together to reduce the size of the neck opening, and uncoupled to increase the size of the neck opening;

a first hand opening located proximate to the first side seam of the front panel;

a second hand opening located proximate to the second side seam of the front panel;

the first hand opening and the second hand opening disposed to allow a user to slip the hands through them when wearing the nursing cape.

2. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the nursing cape is a one piece cape.

3. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the nursing cape is made of a material selected from the group consisting of fabric, cloth, poly cotton, soft plastic, water-resistant material, cotton seersucker, cotton blend washable soft suede, wool, suede, leather, paper, nylon, water-repellant materials, hemp fiber, recyclable material, or combination thereof.

4. The nursing cape according to claim 3, wherein the material has a design selected from the group consisting of solid color, multicolor, stripes, dots, stars, flowers, holiday motifs, animals, fish, birds, geometrical figures, letters, or phrases.

5. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the collar is made of a different material than the nursing cape.

6. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the collar is made of an elastic material.

7. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the nursing cape is made of a reversible material.

8. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening system and the second fastening system are selected from the group consisting of a snap fastener system, an eye and button fastener system, a zipper fastener system, a hook and loop fastener system, a magnet fastener system, an eye and lace fastening system, a hook and eye fastening system, or a frog closure fastening system.

9. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the first fastening system comprises a male fastener and the second fastening system comprises a female fastener.

10. The nursing cape according to claim 1, wherein the back panel covers a substantial portion of a back side of a wearer's torso.