BREASTFEEDING APPAREL WITH CONCEALABLE OPENINGS
A garment comprising an upper bodice layer; and a lower bodice layer connected to the upper bodice layer by at least one seam and having at least one nursing access point, wherein the upper bodice provides substantially full coverage of the at least one nursing access point when the at least one access point is in a normal position. In at least one embodiment, the at least one nursing access point is an armhole in the lower bodice layer with a flexible edge. In some embodiments, the flexible edge may be lined with silicone material.
The present disclosure relates to women's apparel. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to women's apparel capable for use while breastfeeding, nursing of babies, or using a lactation pump or breast pump.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTIONThe background description provided herein is for the purpose of generally presenting the context of the disclosure. Work of the presently named inventors, to the extent it is described in this background section, as well as aspects of the description that may not otherwise qualify as prior art at the time of filing, are neither expressly nor impliedly admitted as prior art against the present disclosure.
Although women have been breastfeeding for centuries, for many new mothers in the modern era, breastfeeding can be uncomfortable, awkward, and intimidating. For many mothers, especially working women, nursing may occur outside of the privacy of one's own home. At the office, a restaurant, a coffee shop, or any other public place, nursing mothers need to transition their wardrobe to clothes that provide easy access to the breasts for nursing. Clothes particularly for nursing have attempted to make this transition less cumbersome and allow for access to the breasts. For instance, low-cut shirts, wrap shirts, tanks, button-down shirts are often used, but they provide minimal coverage. Some nursing tops also have a flap over each of the breasts or form an opening between layers of the shirt that create an opening, but because of their structure these tops can often lead to undesired and unintended exposure. These shirts or dresses with similar openings are often worn when nursing. Nursing bras provide suitable coverage with a flap or other closure, but require the mother to undress from at least the waist upwards in order to expose the bra and may be cumbersome. There is a need in the art for apparel for nursing women that provides easy access to one or both breasts while minimizing the risk of unintended or undesired exposure of the breasts.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe following presents a simplified summary of one or more embodiments of the present disclosure in order to provide a basic understanding of such embodiments. This summary is not an extensive overview of all contemplated embodiments, and is intended to neither identify key or critical elements of all embodiments, nor delineate the scope of any or all embodiments.
The present disclosure, in one embodiment, describes garments adapted for breastfeeding and nursing. A garment comprising: an upper bodice layer; and a lower bodice layer connected to the upper bodice layer by at least one seam and having at least one nursing access point, wherein the upper bodice provides substantially full coverage of the at least one nursing access point when the at least one access point is in a normal position. In one embodiment, the at least one nursing access point is an armhole in the lower bodice layer with a flexible edge. In one embodiment, the flexible edge of the armhole is stretched under tension to a nursing position. When the tension is released, the flexible edge of the armhole returns to the normal position. In some embodiments, the flexible edge may be lined with silicone.
While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter that is regarded as forming the various embodiments of the present disclosure, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following description taken in conjunction with the accompanying Figures, in which:
The present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous garments for breastfeeding women. Particularly, the present disclosure relates to novel and advantageous concealable openings or access points in women's tops, shirts, tunics, dresses, and similar garments.
In some embodiments, such as the one shown in
In at least one embodiment, the lower bodice layer 104 may be the breastfeeding layer. In some embodiments, such as the one shown in
In some embodiments, the first sleeve 106 and the second sleeve 108 are each connected to at least the upper bodice layer 102 at sleeve seams 116. The first sleeve 106 and the second sleeve 108 are also connected to the back layer 110 at sleeve seams 116. The second arm 108 is connected to the first bodice layer 102 and the second bodice layer 104. In at least one embodiment, the first sleeve 106 and the second sleeve 108 may not be directly connected or in a seamed connection to the lower bodice layer 104. Each of the first sleeve 106 and the second sleeve 108 form armholes, which are different from the arm openings 126 of the lower bodice layer.
The back layer 110, as shown in
The lower bodice layer 204 may be positioned underneath the upper bodice layer 202. The lower bodice layer 204 has at least one access point 220, and in a preferred embodiment, two access points. Access points 220 are openings in the lower bodice layer 204 that expose the breast or the nursing bra of the woman. In some embodiments, the upper bodice layer 202 substantially covers the lower bodice layer 204, in particular the at least one access point 220. In at least one embodiment, the upper bodice layer 202 fully covers the at least one access point 220 when the at least one access point is in a normal tucked position. The upper bodice layer 202 may cover the at least one access point when the at least one access point is in a nursing position 220. When the woman wishes to nurse, she can remove the upper bodice layer 202 from the waist panel 208 and stretch the hemline 214 from a normal tucked position to a nursing position to expose the access points 220. In the nursing position, the hemline 214 may be under tension. Otherwise, when the upper bodice layer 202 is in a normal tucked position and tucked into the waist panel 208, the breasts are not exposed. Having the upper bodice layer adjustable from a secured tucked position to a nursing position allows the woman to nurse without having her breasts susceptible to undesired exposure when not nursing.
In some embodiments, such as the one shown in
As shown best in
The garments discussed herein are generally described with respect to tops, shirts, tunics, and dresses. However, it is contemplated by the invention that any of the multi-layered embodiments described herein can be modified for use in jackets, sweatshirts, sweaters, undergarments, loungewear, and other apparel.
As used herein, the terms “substantially” or “generally” refer to the complete or nearly complete extent or degree of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an object that is “substantially” or “generally” enclosed would mean that the object is either completely enclosed or nearly completely enclosed. The exact allowable degree of deviation from absolute completeness may in some cases depend on the specific context. However, generally speaking, the nearness of completion will be so as to have generally the same overall result as if absolute and total completion were obtained. The use of “substantially” or “generally” is equally applicable when used in a negative connotation to refer to the complete or near complete lack of an action, characteristic, property, state, structure, item, or result. For example, an element, combination, embodiment, or composition that is “substantially free of” or “generally free of” an ingredient or element may still actually contain such item as long as there is generally no measurable effect thereof.
In the foregoing description various embodiments of the present disclosure have been presented for the purpose of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Obvious modifications or variations are possible in light of the above teachings. The various embodiments were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principals of the disclosure and their practical application, and to enable one of ordinary skill in the art to utilize the various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the present disclosure as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.
Claims
1. A garment comprising:
- an upper bodice layer; and
- a lower bodice layer connected to the upper bodice layer and having at least one nursing access point,
- wherein the upper bodice provides substantially full coverage of the at least one nursing access point when the at least one access point is in a normal position.
2. The garment of claim 1, wherein the at least one nursing access point is an armhole in the lower bodice layer with a flexible edge.
3. The garment of claim 2, wherein the flexible edge of the armhole is stretched under tension to a nursing position.
4. The garment of claim 3, wherein the tension is released and the flexible edge of the armhole returns to the normal position.
5. The garment of claim 2, wherein the flexible edge is lined with silicone.
6. The garment of claim 1, wherein the lower bodice layer is positioned underneath the upper bodice layer.
7. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a waist panel that overlaps the upper bodice layer and the lower bodice layer.
8. The garment of claim 7, wherein the upper bodice layer has a hemline with a flexible edge.
9. The garment of claim 8, wherein the hemline comprises silicone.
10. The garment of claim 8, wherein the hemline is tucked into the waist panel when the at least one access point is in a normal position.
11. The garment of claim 8, wherein the flexible edge of the hemline is stretched under tension to a nursing position.
12. The garment of claim 11, wherein the tension is released and the hemline is tucked into the waist panel.
13. The garment of claim 1, further comprising a back layer.
14. The garment of claim 13, further comprising at least one side seam connecting the lower bodice layer to at least one of the upper bodice layer or back layer.
15. The garment of claim 1, further comprising at least one sleeve.
16. A garment comprising:
- a bodice portion covering a bust region and extending from a waist to a shoulder seam;
- a skirt extending from the waist to a hemline; and
- at least one access point on the bodice portion, the at least one nursing access point extending from the waist to the bust region, the at least one nursing access point comprising a zipper having an open position and a closed position, wherein when the zipper is in the open position, the at least one nursing access point is in a nursing position.
17. The garment of claim 16, wherein the zipper comprises a zipper pull.
18. The garment of claim 17, wherein when the zipper is in a closed position, the zipper pull is positioned at the waist.
19. The garment of claim 17, wherein the at least one access point is defined by a princess seam, and when the zipper is in an open position, the zipper pull is at the top of the princess seam.
20. The garment of claim 16, comprising two access points on the bodice portion.
Type: Application
Filed: Aug 18, 2017
Publication Date: Feb 22, 2018
Inventor: Heather Shore (Minneapolis, MN)
Application Number: 15/680,376