Nursing Cover with Access Openings

Abstract

A nursing cover system includes a body comprising a first end opening defining a first edge perimeter at a first end of the body and a second end opening defining a second edge perimeter at a second opposing end of the body. The body defines an interior and an exterior. The system includes at least one access opening defined within the body between the first and second ends of the body, and at least one panel attached to the body. The panel is configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through at least one access opening.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to, and the benefit of, U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 62/793,892, filed on Jan. 18, 2019 and titled NURSING DEVICE WITH ADDITIONAL OPENINGS under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e).

TECHNICAL FIELD

This disclosure relates generally to nursing covers. More specifically, the disclosure relates to nursing covers that provide greater access between an interior of the cover and an exterior of the cover while providing increased utility.

SUMMARY

A nursing cover system may include a body that includes a first end opening and a second end opening. The end openings define respective perimeters at opposing ends of the body. The body defines an interior and an exterior between the openings at opposing ends of the body. In one embodiment, the nursing cover system includes at least one access opening defined within the body between the first and second ends of the body. The nursing cover system may also include at least one panel attached to the body to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through at least one access opening.

In one embodiment, a plurality of access openings are defined within the body between the first and second ends of the body. In this embodiment, at least one panel is attached to the body for substantially covering the plurality of access openings. In another embodiment a plurality of panels are attached to the body with each panel corresponding to an access opening. The panels in this configuration are each configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through the corresponding access opening. In yet another embodiment a single panel, or drape is configured to simultaneously partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through all of the access openings. At least one of the panels may be removable or detachable from the body. In this configuration, the removable panel may have a separate or additional utility, such as serving as a burp cloth or cleanup rag.

The nursing cover system may also include one or more pockets attached to, or formed within, the exterior or interior of the body. The pockets may be positioned such that a user may easily access the pocket on the interior of the body or on the exterior of the body through an access opening.

In one embodiment the nursing cover system includes means for adjusting the first end opening and/or the second end opening. In one embodiment, the means may include a draw string fed around a perimeter of the end openings through loops or through a hem in the body of the nursing cover system. The adjustment means may also include an elastic. In yet another embodiment, the adjustment means may include a way to reduce a perimeter of either end opening by attaching one point of the perimeter to another point. In this way, the material between these two points can effectively be removed from the perimeter, making the end openings smaller. Without limitation, this may be done by fasteners such at buttons, snaps, hook and loop systems, magnets, latches, clips, passing material through a hole for a friction fit, and other ways.

The nursing cover system may also include means for increasing visibility of the user to the interior of the nursing cover system when a user is wearing the nursing cover system. This would allow the user to better see a baby, for example, that is breast feeding or otherwise being held. These means may include a detachable collar or other piece of material that is stiffer than the material used for the body when the body is in an unextended or natural fit state. These means may also include a more transparent material positioned on the body of the nursing cover system to allow a user to see a baby, for example, through the body of the nursing cover system.

The described features, structures, advantages, and/or characteristics of the subject matter of the present disclosure may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments and/or implementations. In the following description, numerous specific details are provided to impart a thorough understanding of embodiments of the subject matter of the present disclosure. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize that the subject matter of the present disclosure may be practiced without one or more of the specific features, details, components, materials, and/or methods of a particular embodiment or implementation. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments and/or implementations that may not be present in all embodiments or implementations. Further, in some instances, well-known structures, materials, or operations are not shown or described in detail to avoid obscuring aspects of the subject matter of the present disclosure. The features and advantages of the subject matter of the present disclosure will become more fully apparent from the following description and appended claims or may be learned by the practice of the subject matter as set forth hereinafter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In order that the advantages of the subject matter may be more readily understood, a more particular description of the subject matter briefly described above will be rendered by reference to specific embodiments that are illustrated in the appended drawings. Understanding that these drawings depict only typical embodiments of the subject matter and are not therefore to be considered to be limiting of its scope, the subject matter will be described and explained with additional specificity and detail through the use of the drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a cutaway schematic diagram of a nursing cover system showing a front plan view and a back plan view, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 2, is an exploded view of FIG. 1, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a cutaway schematic diagram of another embodiment of a nursing cover system showing a front plan view and a back plan view, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is an exploded view of FIG. 3, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a cutaway schematic diagram of another embodiment of a nursing cover system showing a front plan view and a back plan view, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure;

FIG. 6 is an exploded view of FIG. 5, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of a nursing cover system being used by a user, according to one or more embodiments of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

It will be readily understood that the embodiments as generally described herein could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure but is merely representative of various embodiments. The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

Reference throughout this specification to features, advantages, or similar language does not imply that all of the features and advantages that may be realized with the present invention should be or are in any single embodiment of the invention. Rather, language referring to the features and advantages is understood to mean that a specific feature, advantage, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, discussions of the features and advantages, and similar language, throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, refer to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the described features, advantages, and characteristics of the invention may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments. One skilled in the relevant art will recognize, in light of the description herein, that the invention can be practiced without one or more of the specific features or advantages of a particular embodiment. In other instances, additional features and advantages may be recognized in certain embodiments that may not be present in all embodiments of the invention.

Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” or similar language means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the indicated embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the phrases “in one embodiment,” “in an embodiment,” and similar language throughout this specification may, but do not necessarily, all refer to the same embodiment.

It will be readily understood that the components of the embodiments as generally described herein and illustrated in the appended figures could be arranged and designed in a wide variety of different configurations. Thus, the following more detailed description of various embodiments, as represented in the figures, is not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure but is merely representative of various embodiments. While the various aspects of the embodiments are presented in drawings, the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale unless specifically indicated.

Alternative embodiments of the innovative technology described herein may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the essential characteristics of the technology. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive. The scope of the invention is, therefore, indicated by the appended claims rather than by this detailed description. All changes which come within the meaning and range of equivalency of the claims are to be embraced within their scope.

The term “substantially,” as used herein as a modifier to an adjective, means more of the adjective than less of it, or a significant portion of the characteristics of the adjective. For example, the term “substantially flat” means more flat than not flat, or mostly flat. The term “substantially circular” means mostly circular. The term “substantially tubular” means having a significant amount of the characteristics of a tube. The term “substantially cylindrical” means mostly cylindrical or having a part or portion that is cylindrical. The term “substantially,” as used as an adverb, includes “mostly” and means more of the verb being modified than less of it. For example, the term “substantially covers” or “substantially covering” means that the opening being “substantially covered” is more covered than uncovered.

FIGS. 1-6 depict the nursing cover system 100 oriented for use by a person. Referring specifically to FIG. 1, a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 is shown. The nursing cover system 100 includes a body 102. The body has a first end opening 114 and a second end opening 116. When oriented for use with a person, the first end opening 114 may be one of an upper end opening and a lower end opening. Similarly, the second end opening 116, when oriented for use with a person, may be one of an upper end opening and a lower end opening. The first end opening 114 may be smaller or larger than the second end opening 116 and vice versa. As used in this description, the first end opening 114 has been designated as the upper end opening 114 and the second end opening 116 has been designated as the lower end opening 116. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that first end opening 114 may just as easily serve as the opening at a bottom end of the nursing cover system 100 and the second end opening 116 may just as easily serve as the opening at the top end of the nursing cover system 100. The end openings 114, 116 are configured to facilitate positioning the nursing cover system 100 about the torso of a user with the upper end opening 114 positioned above the user's chest and the lower end opening 116 positioned lower than the upper end opening 114. In one embodiment, this application provides privacy to the user while the user nurses a baby.

It will be appreciated that FIGS. 1-6 show a three dimensional object in two dimensions. Accordingly, as referenced throughout this specification and drawings, the upper edge 114, shown in two dimensions, is the upper end opening 114, and the lower edge 116, shown in two dimensions, is the lower end opening 116. Accordingly, the terms first end opening, upper end opening, first perimeter or first end perimeter, upper perimeter, upper end perimeter, and upper edge may be used interchangeably. Similarly, the terms second end opening, lower end opening, second perimeter, second end perimeter, lower perimeter, lower end perimeter, and lower edge may be used interchangeably.

The body 102 may be formed from a substantially flat material. In one embodiment, the body 102 is made from one or more of a natural fabric and a synthetic fabric. The body 102 may be made of any number of materials or combination of materials. The body 102 may be made by attaching one or materials together to create one discrete piece. When the discrete piece, which may be one piece or several pieces that are joined together, is laid on a substantially flat surface, the discrete piece defines an area that has a first planar edge (not shown) and opposing second planar edge (not shown). The first and second planar edges may be attached to each other to form the body 102. It will be appreciated that in this configuration, the body 102, which may comprise loose material, could be expanded into a tube-like shape, and will have an interior, an exterior, a first or upper end 114 opening and a second or lower end opening 116.

In one embodiment, the body 102 is made of one piece of material attached at one seam. In other embodiments, the body 102 includes two pieces of material attached at two or more seams. Some embodiments may include a body 102 comprised of three or more pieces of material attached at multiple seams. In some embodiments, material may be attached via stitching, buttons, snaps, hook and loop systems, zippers, other ways known in the art and combinations of such of the foregoing. Thus the body 102 may be formed by removably attaching opposing ends of a discrete piece of material.

In some embodiments, the body may include additional pieces of material added to the original discrete piece of material. In other words, the body may include additional pieces of material that may not serve to form part of the tubular structure of the body 102, but are add to the interior or exterior of the body 102. Depending upon the configuration, a panel may be considered part of the body 102.

It will be appreciated that depending upon the shape of the original discrete piece and where and how the planar edges are attached, the first and second perimeters may have different shapes defining differently sized areas. For example, the body 102 may be configured such that the perimeter of the first or upper end opening 114 is substantially circular having a diameter that is smaller than a substantially circular lower end opening 116. In another embodiment, the upper and lower end openings 114, 116 may be ovally shaped. The perimeters defined by the upper and lower end openings 114, 116 may be circumferential, contain straight lines, or be a combination of both. For example, the perimeters defined the upper and lower end openings 114, 116 may be scalloped, octagonally shaped, or contain a zig-zag pattern. It will be appreciated that the perimeters defined by the upper and lower end openings 114, 116 may be shaped in an infinite number of configurations. FIGS. 1-6 show a tubular body 102 where the two planar edges of the original discrete piece (not shown) are attached along the line connecting a left end of edge 114 and a left end of edge 116 in the two-dimensional drawings.

In one embodiment, the body 102 of the nursing cover system 100 is substantially cylindrical. In other embodiments the body 102 is substantially tubular. The body may have an hour-glass shape or may taper at one end as shown in FIGS. 1-6. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the body may be configured in a variety of different configurations to allow it to be positioned around a torso area to provide privacy when breast feeding or otherwise holding an infant or small child or pet.

Additionally, in some embodiments, the upper edge 114 or end opening 114 of the nursing cover system 100 may be smaller in circumference or have a shorter length of perimeter than the lower edge 116 or end opening 116 of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, the upper edge 114 or end opening 114 may be the same circumference or length of perimeter than the lower edge 116 or end opening 116. In other embodiments the upper edge 114 or end opening 114 may or larger in circumference than the lower edge 116 or end opening 116 of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, the upper edge 114 or end opening 114 of the nursing cover system 100 may have overlapping fabric for functions including but not limited to increasing ease of placing a caregiver's head through the upper edge 114 or end opening of the nursing cover system 100 and improving privacy while nursing cover system 100 is in use. In some embodiments, the upper edge 114 or end opening 114 of the nursing cover system 100 may be curved, straight, otherwise shaped, and/or any combination of such.

The nursing cover system 100 includes at least one access opening 104. The nursing system 100 may include multiple access openings 104. The access openings may be configured within the body between the first end opening 114 and the second end opening 116. At least one access opening is configured to allow access between an interior of the body 102 and an exterior of the body 102. In one embodiment, an access opening 104a and 104b is positioned on opposing anterior lateral sides of the nursing cover system 100, as it is shown in the two dimensional drawing of FIG. 1. It will be appreciated the references to “sides” herein throughout refer to the two dimensional drawing being described, and not necessarily a “side” of the actual three dimensional object.

The nursing cover system 100, further includes at least one panel 106 or 108. In other embodiments, the nursing cover system 100 includes a plurality of panels 106, 108. In one embodiment, one or more access openings 104 has a corresponding panel to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body 102 to inside the interior of the body 102 through each access opening 104.

The nursing cover system 100 may have fewer panels than access openings. In one embodiment a lesser number of panels are configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through a greater number access openings 104, or all of the access openings 104. As will be discussed in greater detail below, one embodiment of the nursing cover system 100 may include one panel for substantially covering or obstructing a view through all or multiple access openings.

In one embodiment, at least one panel is removably attached to the body 102. The panel may be attached by any of the means discussed for attaching items or material herein throughout. By way of nonlimiting example, these attaching means may include one or more of fasteners such at buttons, snaps, hook and loop systems, magnets, latches, clips, passing material through a hole for a friction fit, and other ways. At least one of the removably attached panels may include, or be used as, a cloth or material having a separate utility or function when removed. In one embodiment, the removably attached panel may be a burp cloth.

In one embodiment, one or more panels are configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body 102 to inside the interior of the body 102 through one or more access openings 104. In another embodiment, one panel is attached or otherwise connected to the body 102 to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body 102 to inside the interior of the body 102 through each access opening 104 in the body 102. In yet another embodiment, one panel 106 or 108 is attached or otherwise connected to the body 102 to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body 102 to inside the interior of the body 102 through all of the access openings 104 in the body. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the panel may be any type of covering, including without limitation, a sleeve, a drape, a blind, a curtain, a flap, combinations of the forgoing, and the like.

In some embodiments, one or more panels 106, 108 may be implemented as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, panels 106, 108 may inferiorly extend to an inferior level of access openings 104a, 104b, to a lower edge 116 of the nursing cover system 100, to other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or to any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may superiorly extend to a superior level of access openings 104a, 104b, to an upper edge 114 of the nursing cover system 100, to other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or to any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may laterally extend from a lateral seam, from a lateral edge of access openings 104a, 104b, from other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or from any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may medially extend from the anterior middle area of the nursing cover system 100, from a medial edge of access openings 104a-104b, from other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or from any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may be contiguous with other pieces of the nursing cover system 100, including but not limited to material that functions as the back of the nursing cover system 100. It will be appreciated that given the substantially tubular shape of the body 102, the upper edge 114 and the lower edge 116 of the body 102 may be substantially circumferential edges.

In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may horizontally extend from the right side of the nursing cover system 100 to the left side of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may horizontally gird at least a portion of the front and/or back areas of the nursing cover system 100.

In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may horizontally extend from the lateral edge of an access opening 104a, 104b to the medial edge of an access opening 104a, 104b, respectively. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 via stitching, buttons, snaps, other attaching means discussed herein, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels 106, 108 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 at at least a portion of the superior, lateral, medial, and/or inferior borders of the panels 106, 108 and/or any combination of such locations. In some embodiments, one or more snaps, buttons, other materials, and/or any combination of such may be implemented for functions including but not limited to further attaching other areas of the nursing cover system 100 and respective panels 106, 108 as desired by caregivers. In some embodiments, material used to create panels 106, 108 may be removed from or attached to the nursing cover system 100 via snaps, buttons, other means discussed herein, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, material used to create panels 106, 108 may be removed from or attached to the nursing cover system 100 and function as a burp cloth and/or other uses. Panels 106, 108 may be made from the same as and/or different materials than the rest of the nursing cover system 100. For example, panels 106, 108 may be made from flannel and/or other materials for functions including but not limited to assisting in functioning as a burp cloth and/or other uses.

In the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, an access opening 104a is configured in the front right side of the nursing cover system 100 (as a user may be looking out from the page). This access opening is covered by a right panel 106 that exteriorly overlays access opening 104a. An access opening 104b is configured in the front left side of the nursing cover system 100, and a left panel 108 exteriorly overlays access opening 104b.

The illustrated nursing cover system 100 may also include at least one pocket 110 or 112 on the right and left sides of the front interior of the substantially cylindrical body 102, respectively. One or more pockets 110, 112 may be attached to or formed within the exterior and/or interior of the body 102. The pockets 110, 112 may be positioned such that a user may easily access the pocket 110, 112 on the interior of the body 102 or on the exterior of the body 102 through an access opening such as 104 a or 104b.

In some embodiments, one or more pockets 110, 112 may be implemented as shown in FIG. 1. In other embodiments, one or more pockets 110, 112 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 for functions including but not limited to storage of pacifiers or other objects. In some embodiments, pockets 110, 112 may be rounded, triangular, square, and/or otherwise shaped. In some embodiments, the nursing cover system 100 may include zippers, buttons, snaps, additional fabric, other attaching means discussed herein, and/or any combination of such to attach one or more pockets to the body 102 and for functions including but not limited to assisting in closing and/or narrowing access openings to pockets 110, 112. In some embodiments, pockets 110, 112 may be included on the interior and/or exterior of body 102 and/or other parts of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, pockets 110, 112 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 via thread and/or other means discussed herein. In some embodiments, the nursing cover system 100 may include means to allow pockets 110, 112 to be detached from or removably attached to the nursing cover system 100 including but not limited to zippers, buttons, snaps, other means discussed herein throughout, and/or any combination of such.

FIG. 2 depicts an exploded view of several components of the embodiment of FIG. 1. In some embodiments of the nursing cover system 100, the access openings 104 may be implemented as vertical or horizontal slits in the body 102. It will be appreciated that the slits may be in any orientation and need not necessarily be straight. In other embodiments, access openings 104 may be created by one or more sections of material being removed from the body 102. In some embodiments, access openings may have a length or diameter of less than, greater than, or equal to about 6 inches. In some embodiments, access openings 104 may be made in anterior, posterior, and/or lateral areas of the nursing cover system 100. It will be appreciated that the access openings 104 may be configured in other parts of the nursing cover system 100 and may be configured in a variety of ways and in a variety of places to provide access by a user from between an interior of the body 102 and an exterior of the body. The access openings 104 allow a caregiver to extend his or her arms through access openings 104 when the nursing cover system 100 is being used front-ward, back-ward, and/or in any other orientation.

In some embodiments, access openings 104 may be created within material removably attached to the body 102 and/or panels and/or other areas of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, material within which access openings 104 are configured to be fully or partially removed from the body 102 and/or other areas of the nursing cover system 100 via attachment means discussed herein throughout. This configuration allows for the user to customize the access openings 104 of the nursing cover system 100.

In some embodiments, the upper edge 114 of the nursing cover system 100 includes means for adjusting the length of the upper edge 114, or in other words, to adjust the perimeter of the first end opening. Such means may include but are not limited to a draw string fed around a perimeter of the end openings through loops or a hem in the body of the nursing cover system. The adjustment means may also include an elastic. In yet another embodiment, the adjustment means may include a way to reduce a perimeter of either end opening by attaching one point of the perimeter to another point. In this way, the material between these two points can effectively be removed from the perimeter, making the end openings smaller. Without limitation, this may be done by fasteners such at buttons, snaps, hook and loop systems, magnets, latches, clips, passing material through a hole for a friction fit, and other ways.

In some embodiments of the nursing cover system 100 means to increase visibility of the user to the interior of the nursing cover system are included. Such means may include ways for maintaining one or more of the first end opening and the second end opening in an extended position such that a user may look down through the upper end opening 114 or up through a lower end opening 116 to see an infant or object within the nursing cover system 100. In one embodiment, an extender or collar may be used to as means to increase visibility through an end opening 114, 116. In other embodiments, a fully or partially transparent material may allow increased visibility into the interior of the nursing cover system 100 from the exterior.

FIG. 3 depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 with an access opening 104a, 104b on each anterior lateral side of the nursing cover system 100 and material 118 anteriorly draping access openings 104a, 104b and an upper portion of an anterior area of the nursing cover system 100. The illustrated nursing cover system 100 includes a substantially tubular body 102 with an access opening 104a in the front right side of the body 102, an access opening 104b in the front left side of the body 102, and material 118 anteriorly draping access openings 104a, 104b and an upper portion of an anterior area of the nursing cover system 100. The illustrated nursing cover system 100 also includes pockets 110, 112 on the right and left sides of the front interior of the body 102, respectively. Although the nursing cover system 100 is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the nursing cover system 100 may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4, a panel consists of one drape 118 that substantially covers, or obstructs at least part of a view through, access openings 104a and 104b. In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may inferiorly extend to the inferior level of access openings 104a, 104b, to the lower edge 116 of the nursing cover system 100, any other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels such as a drape 118 may superiorly extend to the superior level of access openings 104a, 104b, to the upper edge 116 of the nursing cover system 100, any other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or any combination of such.

In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may laterally extend from a lateral seam, a lateral edge of access openings 104a, 104b, any other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may medially extend from the middle of the nursing cover system 100, the medial edge of access openings 104a, 104b, any other areas of the nursing cover system 100, and/or any combination of such.

In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may be contiguous with other pieces of the nursing cover system 100, including but not limited to material that functions as the body 102 of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may be the same width or wider than access openings 104a, 104b.

In some embodiments, panels such as drape 118 may horizontally extend from the right side of the nursing cover system 100 to the left side of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, a drape or drapes 118 may horizontally gird at least a portion of the front and/or back areas of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, a drape or drapes 118 may horizontally extend from the lateral edge of an access opening 104a, 104b to the medial edge of an access opening 104a, 104b, respectively. In some embodiments, a drape or drapes 118 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 via thread, buttons, snaps, other means, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, drapes or drapes 118 may be attached to the nursing cover system 100 at at least a portion of the superior border of a drape or drapes 118. In some embodiments, a drape or drapes 118 may be attached to the nursing cover system at at least a portion of the superior, lateral, medial, and/or inferior borders of such drape or drapes 118, at any other locations on drapes 118, and/or at any combination of such.

In some embodiments, one or more snaps, buttons, other materials, and/or any combination of such may be implemented for functions including but not limited to further attaching a drape or drapes 118 to other areas of the nursing cover system 100 when a caregiver desires to close or narrow the space between a drape drapes 118 and other areas of the nursing cover system 100. In some embodiments, material used to create a drape 118 may be removed from and/or attached to the nursing cover system 100 and function as a burp cloth and/or other uses. In some embodiments, material used to create drape 118 may be removably attached to the body 102 via snaps, buttons, other attachment means discussed herein, and/or any combination of such. In some embodiments, a drape or drapes 118 may be made from the same as and/or different materials than the rest of the nursing cover system 100. For example, drapes 118 may be made from flannel and/or other materials for functions including but not limited to assisting in functioning as a burp cloth and/or other uses.

FIG. 4 depicts an exploded view of several components of an embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 with an access opening 104a, 104b on each anterior lateral side of the nursing cover system 100 and material 118 anteriorly draping access openings 104a, 104b and an upper portion of an anterior area of the nursing cover system 100.

The embodiments of FIGS. 3 and 4 may have pockets, adjustment means and/or visibility means as discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1 and 2.

FIG. 5 depicts a schematic diagram of one embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 with an access opening 104 in an anterior upper portion of the body 102 and an upper layer of material 120 covering at least a portion of access opening 104 and exteriorly overlapping an anterior lower portion of the body 102 of the nursing cover system 100. The illustrated nursing cover system 100 includes a body 102, an access opening 104 formed by removal and/or alteration of material from an anterior upper portion of the body 102, an anterior upper layer of material 120 covering at least a portion of access opening 104, exteriorly overlapping an anterior lower portion of the body 102, and attached to an anterior lower portion of the body 102 at lines 124, 126, and 128, a pocket 122 located between lines 124 and 128 and formed with an overlap of an upper layer of material 120 and an anterior lower portion of the body 102. Accordingly, in some embodiments, the pocket 122 can be located on a panel, or additional piece of material that may serve as part of a panel or part of the body. It will be appreciated that panels, pockets, extra pieces of material, or the body itself may be detachable and/or have other utility or functionality such as, for example, a burp cloth or cleanup rag.

In one embodiment, at least one access opening includes one or more openings chosen from an opening created by removing material from the body and an opening created by attaching overlapping materials together to create an overlap portion through which a user's arm may pass. In FIG. 5, an upper layer of material 120 overlaps with the body 102. The upper layer is attached to the body at the sides (as depicted in the two-dimensional FIG. 5, but not completely along the front (as depicted in the two-dimensional FIG. 5). Thus, a user has access to the exterior of the nursing cover system 100 by reaching down through the overlapping portion. In this embodiment, the upper layer of material 120 is a panel and the combination of the overlapping material 120 or panel with the body 102 is also considered the body 102.

The illustrated nursing cover system 100 also includes a pocket 110, 112 on the right and left sides of the front interior of the body 102, respectively. Although the nursing cover system 100 is shown and described with certain components and functionality, other embodiments of the nursing cover system 100 may include fewer or more components to implement less or more functionality.

FIG. 6 depicts an exploded view of several components of an embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 with an access opening 104 in an anterior upper portion of the body 102 and an upper layer of material 120 covering at least a portion of access opening 104 and exteriorly overlapping an anterior lower portion of the body 102 of the nursing cover system 100.

The embodiment of FIGS. 5 and 6 may have access openings, panels, pockets, adjustment means and visibility means similar to those discussed in conjunction with FIGS. 1-4 above.

Although the nursing cover system 100 is depicted in the drawings and described with access openings 104a and b, panels 106 and 108, and pockets 110 and 112. A greater or fewer number of access openings, panels and pockets than those shown in the figures may be provided in any number of configurations on or through an interior and/or exterior and still fall within the scope of the claimed invention. Similarly, pockets, adjustment means and visibility means may be provided in any number of configurations on or through an interior and/or exterior and still fall within the scope of the claimed invention.

FIG. 7 illustrates a functional view of an embodiment of a nursing cover system 100 covering at least a portion of a caregiver's anterior and posterior upper body with caregiver's arm placed through an access opening 104b. Accordingly, the nursing cover system 100 of the present invention allows a caregiver to place his or her arms to the exterior of the nursing cover system 100 while maintaining greater privacy than is provided with conventional nursing covers. The embodiments of the disclosed invention also allow for added utility and functionality of the privacy panels by allowing them to be detached from the body of the nursing cover system 100.

Accordingly, embodiments of the nursing cover system can be configured to at least partially cover breastfeeding infants and/or caregiver's anterior and posterior body while providing one or more access openings in the material of the body of the nursing cover system through which a caregiver can place his or her arms.

In some embodiments of the nursing cover system 100 can also be used to cover some car seats. In some embodiments of the nursing cover system, panels 106-108, drapes 118, upper layer of material 120, other components, and/or any combination of such may be able to be removed and reattached to parts of the nursing cover system 100 for functions including but not limited to providing increased viewing ability for caregiver and/or infants, providing improved ventilation for caregiver and/or infants, achieving other advantages while the nursing cover system is being used to cover a car seat or in other uses, and/or any combination of such.

The present subject matter may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from its spirit or essential characteristics. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects only as illustrative and not restrictive.

In the above description, specific details of various embodiments are provided. However, some embodiments may be practiced with less than all of these specific details. In other instances, certain methods, procedures, components, structures, and/or functions are described in no more detail than to enable the various embodiments of the invention, for the sake of brevity and clarity.

Claims

1. A nursing cover system, comprising:

a body comprising a first end opening defining a first edge perimeter at a first end of the body and a second end opening defining a second edge perimeter at a second opposing end of the body, the body defining an interior and an exterior;

at least one access opening defined within the body between the first and second ends of the body; and

at least one panel attached to the body, said panel configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through at least one access opening.

2. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein the body comprises a single piece of material have opposing edges attached together to form a substantially tubular body comprising the interior, the exterior, the first end opening and the second end opening.

3. The nursing cover system of claim 1, where in the body is substantially cylindrical.

4. The nursing cover system of claim 1, further comprising at least one pocket formed within one of an exterior and an interior of the body.

5. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein at least one access opening is a slit within the body configured to allow access by a user between the interior to the exterior of the body.

6. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein the slit is less than or equal to about 6 inches.

7. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein the slit is greater than about 6 inches.

8. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein at least one access opening comprises one or more openings chosen from an opening created by removing material from the body and an opening created by attaching overlapping materials together to create an overlap portion through which a user's arm may pass.

9. The nursing cover system of claim 1, further comprising a plurality of access openings.

10. The nursing cover system of claim 9, further comprising a plurality of panels, wherein each access opening has a corresponding panel to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through each access opening.

11. The nursing cover system of claim 9, further comprising fewer panels than access openings, wherein the panels are configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through all of the access openings.

12. The nursing cover system of claim 1, wherein at least one panel is removably attached to the body.

13. The nursing cover system of claim 12, wherein at least one removably attached panel comprises a burp cloth.

14. The nursing cover system of claim 1, further comprising means for adjusting the perimeter of one or more of the first end opening and the second end opening.

15. The nursing cover system of claim 14, wherein the means for adjusting the perimeter of one or more of the first end opening and the second end opening comprises a draw string.

16. The nursing cover system of claim 1, further comprising means for increasing the visibility of a user into the interior of the nursing cover system.

17. A nursing cover system, comprising:

a body comprising a first end opening defining a first edge perimeter at a first end of the body and a second end opening defining a second edge perimeter at a second opposing end of the body, the body defining an interior and an exterior;

a plurality of access openings defined within the body between the first and second ends of the body;

at least one panel attached to the body, the panel configured to at least partially obstruct a view from outside the exterior of the body to inside the interior of the body through the plurality of access openings; and

at least one pocket formed within one of an exterior and an interior of the body.

18. The nursing cover system of claim 17, wherein at least one panel is removably attached to the body.

19. The nursing cover system of claim 17, further comprising means for adjusting the perimeter of one or more of the first end opening and the second end opening.

20. The nursing cover system of claim 17, further comprising means for increasing the visibility of the user into the interior of the nursing cover system.