AU2005100182A4 - Breast feeding garment - Google Patents

Description

AUSTRALIA

Patents Act 1990 COMPLETE SPECIFICATION INNOVATION PATENT Applicant: Mamalicious Pty Ltd A.C.N. 109 654 097 Invention Title: BREAST FEEDING GARMENT The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: -2 Background of the Invention Breastfeeding a baby while in public can be a difficult or embarrassing procedure. Often breastfeeding cI requires exposure of the breast or stomach which can be uncomfortable both for the woman breastfeeding and those c- in her vicinity. Existing breastfeeding garments tend to 00 be large and cumbersome, such as shawls and capes, or to have the appearance of nursing bras. These draw attention A to the fact that the mother is breastfeeding and can look ugly or uncomfortable. In contrast, clothes which are not specifically designed to be worn while breastfeeding are more aesthetically and stylistically pleasing for wear but do not allow a mother to discreetly breastfeed without revealing her stomach or breasts in public. Aesthetically pleasing breastfeeding apparel has been designed but this utilises fastenings such as snaps or buttons which can be insecure, particularly when a woman has enlarged breasts and post-partum stomach. Further such designs are frequently awkward to undo and fasten while holding a baby.

Summary of the Invention A breastfeeding garment comprising an overgarment comprising at least one opening adapted to be positioned over a user's breast to allow the breast to protrude therethrough and, an overlay, the overlay being adapted to attach to the overgarment and extend below the opening such that a user can lift the overlay to uncover the breast for breast feeding.

In one form the opening is tear-shaped.

In one form the overgarment includes a neckline seam and shoulder seams and the overlay is attached to the overgarment at the neckline seam and shoulder seams.

3 In one form the overgarment includes side seams and the overlay is attached to the overgarment along a portion of the side seams.

cI In one form the overgarment is shaped as a conventional style t-shirt, shirt or shoe string singlet.

00 Brief Description of the Drawings V) It is convenient to hereinafter describe embodiments of the present invention with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is to be appreciated that the particularity of the drawing and the related description is to be understood as not superseding the generality of the preceding broad description of the invention.

In the drawings; Fig. 1 is a front elevation view of a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 2 is an internal view of an overlay for a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 3 is an internal view of an overgarment for a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 4 is a front elevation view of a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 5 is a front view of an overgarment for a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 6 is a front elevation view of a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 7 is a front view of an overgarment for a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; n 4 SFig. 8 is a front view of a breastfeeding garment

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according to an embodiment of the invention; SFig. 9 is a front view of an overgarment for a (C1 breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; ci Fig. 10 is a front view of a breastfeeding garment 00 according to an embodiment of the invention; SFig. 11 is a front view of an overgarment for a in breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 12 is a front view of a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention; Fig. 13 is a front view of an overgarment for a breastfeeding garment according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description of Preferred Embodiments Figs. 1 through 13 illustrate a breastfeeding garment. The breastfeeding garment is composed of an overgarment 2 which is shaped as a conventional T-shirt, long sleeved T-shirt, collared T-shirt, V-neck T-shirt, shoestring singlet, singlet top or sleeveless top. The overgarment 2 includes one or more openings 3. Each of the openings 3 is adapted to be positioned over a user's breast to allow the breast to protrude therethrough. The openings 3 are tear-shaped.

The breastfeeding garment 1 further comprises an overlay 6. The overlay 6 is adapted to attach to the overgarment 2 and extend below the opening 3. The overlay 6 attaches to the overgarment at its seams 7 and 8. A user can therefore lift the overlay 6 to allow the breast to protrude through the openings 3. This allows for breastfeeding.

5 O The breastfeeding garment 1 is composed of cotton elastomeric fabric or cotton elastomeric rib fabric, which Sstretches to give a contoured look over the body. The stretch also allows the fabric to shape over the bust area and expands where it is needed around the bust, CI waist, hip etc) 00 In the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 the breastfeeding garment 1 is shaped as a conventional shoestring singlet.

VThe overgarment 2 is shaped as a conventional full length shoestring singlet while the overlay 6 is attached at the neckline seam 7 and halfway down the side seams 9 finishing under the openings 3. As shown in Fig. 2, the inside of the overlay 6 of this embodiment of the present invention includes a lining 9 composed of mesh. The lining 11 includes mesh pockets 10 with a top opening 12 to allow breastfeeding pads to be inserted therein. The overlay 6 extends below the openings 3 such that they cannot be seen in ordinary wear. Fig. 3 shows the overgarment 2 without the overlay 6. In Fig. 3 the openings 3 can be seen.

In the embodimentshown in Fig. 4, the breastfeeding garment 1 is shaped as a conventional sleeveless T-shirt.

The overgarment 2 is shaped as a conventional sleeveless T-shirt while the overlay 6 is attached at the neckline seams 7, shoulder seams 8 and along half of the side seams 9. Fig. 5 shows the overgarment 2 with the openings 3. The openings 3 are tear-shaped.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 6, the overgarment 2 is shaped as a conventional T-shirt while the overlay 6 is attached at the neckline seams 7, shoulder seams 8 and along half of the side seams 9.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 8, the breastfeeding garment 1 is shaped as a conventional V-neck three-quarter -6- C length sleeve shirt. The overgarment 2 is shaped as a conventional V-neck three-quarter length sleeve shirt and the overlay 6 is attached at the neckline seams 7, Cl shoulder seams 8 and along half of the side seams 9.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 10, the overgarment 2 c- is shaped as a conventional boat-neck long sleeved shirt.

00 The overlay 6 is attached at the neckline seams 7, Cshoulder seams 8 and along half of the side seams 9 to Vfall below the openings 3.

In the embodiment shown in Fig. 12 the overgarment 2 is a conventional long-sleeved collared shirt while the overlay 6 falls from the neckline seams 7, shoulder seams 8 and along half of the side seams 9 to cover the openings 3.

In use, the mother lifts the overlay 6 to expose the opening 3. It will be apparent that this results in minimal exposure of the breast as the baby's head will tend to cover the openings 3. The fabric can be easily pushed aside with one hand.

The tear-shaped openings 3 are adapted such that a user can make a single action to allow for breastfeeding.

This involves lifting the bottom of the overlay 6 with one hand, undoing her maternity bra fastener clip, pulling it down allowing her to breastfeed her baby.

Previous designs involve having to undo the fastener of the maternity bra by putting her hand in at the neck opening of the shirt, removing her hand from the neck opening and lifting the front overlay section, which frequently finishes at the bottom of a full length garment, pulling aside an opening of some description and pulling down her maternity bra to feed her baby.

n 7-- The shape, positioning, and height of the top of the Sopenings 3 are all adapted to allow the mother to reach her maternity bra fastener clip with this single action.

cI The top of the openings 3 are positioned 1 2cm above a maternity bra fastener clip.

c, The openings 3 are angled to follow the contours of 00 the breast and allow for the positioning of the top of the openings 3 to sit above the maternity bra fastener clip.

t The width between the openings 3 cut outs is designed to sit comfortably in the cleavage between the two breasts.

Pockets 10 in the interior lining 11 of the overlay 6 allow for breastfeeding or nursing pads to combat breast leakage.

It can be seen that the garment could comprise a dress or other item of clothing.

In the claims which follow and in the description of the invention, except where the context requires otherwise by express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" is used in an inclusive sense, ie. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

Variations and/or modifications, specifically in terms of garment style, may be made to the parts previously described without departing from the spirit or ambit of the invention.

Claims (5)

1. A breastfeeding garment comprising: an overgarment comprising at least one opening adapted to be positioned over a user's breast to allow the breast to protrude therethrough; and, an overlay, the overlay being adapted to attach to the overgarment and extend below the opening such that a user can lift the overlay to uncover the breast for breast feeding.

2. A breastfeeding garment as described in claim 1, wherein the opening is tear-shaped.

3. A breast feeding garment as described in claim 1 or 2, wherein the overgarment includes a neckline seam and shoulder seams and the overlay is attached to the overgarment at the neckline seam and shoulder seams.

4. A breast feeding garment as described in any of the above claims, wherein the overgarment includes side seams and the overlay is attached at some portion of the side seams.

5. A breast feeding garment as described in any of the above claims, wherein the overgarment is shaped as a conventional style t-shirt, shirt or shoe string singlet. Dated this 2nd day of March 2005 MAMALICIOUS PTY LTD By its Patent Attorneys GRIFFITH HACK