GB2511816A

GB2511816A - Breastfeeding privacy cover

Info

Publication number: GB2511816A
Application number: GB1304617.2A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Thomas Ryan; Aysun Ryan
Original assignee: BABY CARE WORLD Ltd
Current assignee: BABY CARE WORLD Ltd
Priority date: 2013-03-14
Filing date: 2013-03-14
Publication date: 2014-09-17
Also published as: GB201304617D0

Abstract

A breastfeeding privacy cover 10, suitable for use by a mother when breastfeeding a baby, comprises a body portion 12 for covering at least a majority of the chest of the mother, a neck portion 16 for extending around the mother's neck, and an adjustable flap portion 20 interposed between the body portion 12 and the neck portion 16 for at least in part obscuring a cleavage of the mother breastfeeding. A first wing 30 and a second wing 32 extend from respective sides for covering the mother's arms in use. The wings 30, 32 may be hinged to be biased or foldable backwards around the sides of the body. A method of obscuring a mother's cleavage and/or a child from view during breastfeeding using such a privacy cover 10 is also provided.

Description

Breastfeeding Privacy Cover The present invention relates to a breastfeeding pnvacy cover for covering or concealing a mother's chest and/or baby from view during breastfeeding.

Breastfeeding is generally considered to be the healthiest way to feed a new-born baby.

Breastfeeding is beneficial not only to the baby, but also for the mother too, and yet, despite the large number of known benefits, one of the most significant barriers to breastfeeding concerns embarrassment, arising in particular when breastfeeding in public.

In order to address this problem, several different designs of nursing garments have been developed, which allow the mother to cover an exposed breast and baby during feeding. Although the actual designs differ substantially, it will be appreciated that the general concept is in the provision of a cover, drape or the like and means by which the cover or drape can be fastened and held in place for the required duration.

By way of example, US patent 4468816 discloses a reversible nursing mother's garment having a single shoulder strap and a drape for covering the wearer's breast during use.

The drape is shaped so as to curve across the chest of the wearer, thus providing a limited degree of coverage and therefore hiding the breastfeeding baby from view.

A garment providing increased coverage is disclosed in US patent 4712251. There is disclosed a nursing garment in the form of a shoulder bib. The garment is provided with a shoulder strap and an attachable blanket-type drape which provides concealment of the wearer's upper body and the baby's head and upper body, during feeding.

Another example of a known nursing gatment is disclosed in US patent 7114191. This garment is provided in the form of a bib having a plurality of straps for securing the garment in place during use. Once fitted to a user, the garment conceals from view any breastfeeding activity, however also obscures the mother's view of the baby. The garment also fully encloses the chest of the mother and the baby, thus limiting the amount of airflow during use. This can be problematic since breastfeeding can take in the order of twenty to forty minutes, thus giving rise to elevated temperatures within the enclosure. This can in turn increase the baby's core temperature, which can cause distress.

The present invention seeks to provide a solution to these problems.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breastfeeding privacy cover for use by a mother when breastfeeding a baby, the cover comprising a body portion for covering or substantially covering at least a majority of a chest of the mother during breastfeeding, a neck portion for extending at least partially around the mother's neck to maintain a position of the in use body portion, and an adjustable flap portion interposed between the body portion and the neck portion for at least in part obscuring a cleavage of the mother and/or baby when the baby is beneath the body portion during breastfeeding.

Preferable and/or optional features of the first aspect of the invention are set forth in claims 2 to 22, inclusive.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a mother having a child for breastfeeding and a breastfeeding privacy cover in accordance with the first aspect of the invention engaged with a neck of the mother.

According to a third aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of obscuring a mother's cleavage and/or a child from view during breastfeeding using a breastfeeding privacy cover according to the first aspect of the invention, the method comprising the steps of: a] at least in part concealing a mother's exposed breast and infant to be breast fed using a pliantly flexible drape hung from a neck of the mother; and b] utilising an adjustable flap at or adjacent to the neck to further conceal or at least partia'ly reveal the breast and/or child.

The invention will now be more particularly described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure i shows a plan view of a first embodiment of a breastfeeding privacy cover, in accordance with the first aspect of the invention in a first condition with a flap portion closed; Figure 2 shows a plan view of the breastfeeding privacy cover of Figure 1, in a second condition with the flap portion open; Figure 3 shows a plan view of a second embodiment of a breastfeeding privacy cover, in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention and with a flap portion attached to at least part of a body portion and at least part of a neck portion; Figure 4 shows a perspective side view of a third embodiment of a breastfeeding privacy cover, when in use and in accordance with the present invention; and Figure 5 shows a perspective side view from above of a fourth embodiment of a breastfeeding privacy cover, again when in use and in accordance with the present invention.

Referring firstly to Figures 1 and 2, there is provided a breastfeeding privacy cover 10 having a body portion 12 for covering or substantially covering at least a chest of a mother 14 during breastfeeding, a neck portion 16 which extends from the body portion 12 and at least partially around the mother's neck 18 to maintain a position of the in use body portion 12, and a flap portion 20 interposed between the body portion 12 and the neck portion 16 for obscuring a cleavage of the mother 14 and/or a baby when the baby is beneath the body portion 12 during breastfeeding.

The body portion 12. neck portion 16 and flap portion 20 are beneficially al formed from a pliantly flexible material so as to be conformable or substantia'ly conformable to a user's body, and in particular the chest, during use. The materials used may be natural or synthetic, including a variety of pliantly flexible fabnc materials, which may be knitted, woven, non-woven or a combination thereof Typically and beneficially, the body portion 12, neck portion 16 and flap portion 20 are integrally formed together from one blank 22 of material. In this respect, the body portion 12 aid neck portion 16 are formed from the same blank 22, and the flap portion 20 is provided within the neck portion 16 and borders an upper edge 24 of the body portion 12. as will be described in more detail below.

Examples of materials which may be considered and from which the blank 22 may be formed from are preferably polypropylene and viscose. However, the materials may additionally or alternatively include natural and/or synthetic paper, plasticised paper and various forms of cloth. These materials may be reinforced, for example, by the use of webbing. or unreinforced.

Preferably the material selected is capable of receiving ink, or being printed on. so that indicia displaying step-by-step usage instructions may be provided. Additionally or alternatively, branding and/or patterns or designs may be included. One particularly preferable material is tissue paper, which is a lightweight, non-toxic, breathable paper.

Tissue paper advantageously provides excellent absorption properties, such that the cover can absorb spilt liquid, which may result during use. Another particularly preferable material is plasticised paper, which has been found to be particubrly suitable and inexpensive. An example of one such material is Tyvek RTM. The use of Tyvek RTM may be advantageous in that it has an increased resistance to teanng when compared with other materials, but can be easily formed to a required shape.

Furthermore, Tyvek RTM is breathable, providing a higher rate of airflow through the cover, so as to reduce the Ukelihood of excess heat building up within the cavity formed between the chest of the mother 14 and the cover 10.

The body portion 12 is beneficially suitably sized so as to extend from the mother's neck 18 to a position adjacent to the mother's waistline 26. In this respect, the body portion 12 is provided having a suitable length, so as to substantially cover a baby underneath the cover during use. Alternatively, the privacy cover 10 may be provided in a variety of different sizes so as to suit a range of different sizes of wearer. To this end, the body portion 12 may be concertinaed in a lateral direction of the intended user, thereby allowing the user to extend or retract the length of the body portion 12 as required. The entire body portion 12 or only part of the body portion 12 preferably at or adjacent to a lowermost edge 28 of the body portion 12 may thus be concertinaed.

Other length-adjustment means may be considered, such as perforated removable portion or portions.

A first wing 30 and a second wing 32 for at least in part covering respective upper arms 34 of the mother 14 during use extend from respective sides 36 of the body portion 12.

As such, the first and second wings 30, 32 beneficially define lateral regions 38 so as to prevent or reduce the likehhood of the breast and/or baby being seen from a side of the mother 14 during breastfeeding.

In this embodiment, the first and second wings 30, 32 are integrally formed as one-piece with the body portion 12, and may thus be hinged to be biased or foldable backwards relative to a front surface 40 of the body portion 12.

In a possible modification, the first wing and second wing may be provided as separate pails and may thus be loose from the cover to provide a modular configuration. The first and second wings may be releasably attached to the body portion by any suitable releasable fastening means, such as hook and loop fastening devices or press-stud fasteners.

Although in this embodiment the first and second wings 30, 32 are integrally formed with the body portion 12, they may be releasable. lii this respect, hinge portions 42 at which the first wing 30 and second wing 32 meet with the body portion 12 may include a plurality of perforations, such that the first and second wings 30, 32 may be more easily separated from the body portion 12 as required. Providing removable first and second wings is advantageous in that one or both of the wings may be separated or removed from the body portion 12, so as to provide a greater degree of freedom of movement to the mother 14, and especially her arms, during breastfeeding.

In this embodiment, the first and second wings 30, 32 are generally trapezoidal and have an upper region 44, which incorporates the lateral region 38. and a lower region 46.

The upper region 44 of each wing 30, 32 has a greater width than the width of the lower region 46, and as such each wing 30, 32 convergingly tapers in a neck portion to body portion direction. It will be appreciated that, by the respective upper regions 44 of the first and second wings 30, 32 having a greater width, a greater surface area of material for covering a lateral side region andlor upper arm 34 of the mother 14 is provided.

A tie for releasably fastening together the first and second wings 30. 32 around a back of a user may be provided. This may be beneficial in certain conditions, for example.

when it is windy. The tie is preferably provided at or adjacent to the upper region 44 of a respective wing 30, 32. Although preferably a tie, other releasable fastening means may be considered, such as a hook and loop fastener, for example, being Velcro RTM.

The privacy cover 10, with first and second wings 30, 32, is generally trapezoidal having an upper cover region 50 and a lower cover region 52. The upper cover region 50 has a width which is greater than the width of the lower cover region 52. The upper width of the privacy cover 10 is preferably of sufficient size to cover or substantially cover the upper front torso or chest of the mother 14 and to extend at east partially around each side of the mother 14, overlapping the mother's back as required.

The neck portion 16 is preferably integrally formed with the body portion 12 and extends from the upper edge 24 of the body portion 12. The neck portion 16 is generally in the form of a ioop 54 which preferably spans or substantially spans the upper region 44 of the body portion 12. The loop 54 is preferably a strip or band of material having sufficient width to support the weight of the body portion 12 during use. The neck portion 16 is generally part-circular and has an inner radius of sufficient size for IS forming an opening 56 for receiving the mother's head 58. The opening 56 is a generally part-circular or semi-circular aperture and is defined by a, in this case flat or substantially flat, portion 60 of the upper edge 24 of the body portion 12 and an arcuate inner edge 62 of the neck portion 16.

In this embodiment, the flap portion 20 is integrally formed with the body portion 12, so as to be hingable therefrom. The flap portion 20 is positioned at or adjacent to the upper edge 24 of the body portion 12. and matches or substantially matches the opening 56 defined at the neck portion 16. Conveniently, the flap portion 20 is preferably formed by providing a cut along at least part of the neck portion 16. The privacy cover 10 may be supplied with the flap portion 20 releasably attached to at least part of the neck portion 16, whereby initially the opening 56 is fully or substantially fully closed by the flap portion 20, as shown in Figure 1. In this arrangement, it is preferable that the flap portion 20 is attached to the arcuate inner edge 62 of the neck portion 16 via perforations, such that the flap portion 20 can be released and hinged from the neck portion 16 to a required position. The flap portion 20 can preferably be fully released from the neck portion 16 so as to be fully open, as shown in Figure 2.

It wit! be appreciated that the provision of an adjustable flap portion 20 is beneficial in that the privacy cover 10 can be fitted to the mother 14 and the flap portion 20 manipulated so as to aflow the mother 14 to see down into her chest area to monitor the breastfeeding of the baby. The flap portion 20 is suitably sized to conceal the breastfeeding activity from view, but still allow the mother 14 to have good visibility when readjusted to a suitable position. Additionally, the flap portion 20 can adjust a size of the opening 56, allowing promotion of airflow to the feeding area and thereby preventing or reducing the likelihood of excess heat building up beneath the privacy cover 10. The provision of an adjustable flap portion 20 further allows the privacy cover 10 to be used by mothers of different sizes, and as such, can be adjusted to suit the bust of the mother using the privacy cover 10 to provide the required size of opening 56.

Referring now to Figure 3, a second embodiment of a privacy cover will now be described. In this embodiment, parts which are similar or identical to those of the first embodiment use the same references, and therefore further detafled description is omitted.

The privacy cover 10 of this second embodiment again comprises the body portion 12, neck portion 16, and first and second wings 30, 32, as described above. h this case, however, an alternative adjustable flap portion 20 is provided, as described below.

As with the first embodiment, the body portion 12, neck portion 16 and flap portion 20 are all formed from a pliantly flexible material, and are preferably all formed as one-piece from a single blank 22 of material.

Unlike the first embodiment, the body portion 12 is generally triangular and is suitably sized so as to extend from the mother's neck 18 to a position adjacent to the mother's waistline 26. The body portion 12 again has an upper region 44 and a lower region 46.

However, in this embodiment, the lower region 46 of the body portion 12 has a width which is greater than the width of the upper region 44, and the body portion 12 has sides 36 which provide a taper to the body portion 12 in a diverging direction away from the neck portion 16.

The first and second wings 30, 32 for covering an upper arm 34 or lateral region of the mother 14 during use are again preferably integrally formed with the body portion 12, so as to extend in a lateral direction from sides 36 of the body portion 12. The same material as the body portion 12, neck portion 16 and flap portion 20 is utilised, and again the wings 30, 32 are contiguous with the body portion 12 by being integral therewith. Thc first and sccond wings 30, 32 may offly extend partway a'ong thc body portion 12, thereby reducing an amount of material used whilst still providing a side covenng for the user around the area of the lateral region and upper arm 34.

The flap portion 20 is joined to the body portion 12 by a releasable connector 66, in this case being a plurality of perforations at or adjacent to the upper edge 24 of the body portion 12.

An upper flap element 68 of the flap portion 20 may be hinged to or foldable relative to a lower flap element 70 of the flap portion 20. Such flap hinge 72 therefore preferably extends horizontally or substantially horizontally in use, spanning the opening 56 and IS interconnecting opposing portions of the arcuate inner edge 62 of the neck portion 16.

In use, the flap portion 20 may either be folded about the hinge 72, so as to partially open the said opening 56 for the user's head 58, or alternatively the flap portion 20 may be at least partially or even fully detached from the arcuate inner edge 62 of the neck portion 16 to selectively increase the size of the opening 56, as necessity dictates. As such, the flap portion 20 can be optionally adjusted to provide a size of opening 56 that suits the mother 14. depending on the size of opening 56 required.

When fully removed, the adjustable flap portion 20 can be conveniently used as a wipe 74 during cleaning of the child following breast feeding and/or the mother's breast before replacing her clothing, without requiring removal of the remainder of the privacy cover 10.

Optionally, the adjustable and removable flap portion 20 of the second embodiment may block or occlude the entire opening 56 defined by the neck portion 16, similarly to the first embodiment.

Referring now to Figure 4 of the drawings, a third embodiment of a privacy cover will now be described. Again, parts which are similar or identical to those of the first and second embodiments use the same references, and therefore thrther detailed description is omitted.

The privacy cover 10 again comprises the body portion 12 and neck portion 16, as described with respect to the first and second embodiments, in this case and for clarity.

the privacy cover 10 is shown with the flap portion 20 fully removed or detached from the neck portion 16 and/or body portion 12, so as to form the opening 56 for the user's head 58.

The privacy cover 10 is again provided with first and second wings 30, 32. However, the wings 30, 32 of this embodiment are folded and more particularly concertinaed along at least a majority of a ongitudinal extent of the wings3O32.

Beneficially, folds 76 increase the stiffness of the wings 3O, 32 such that they better conform to the mother's body when the privacy cover 10 is fitted for use. Increasing the stiffness of the wings 30, 32 is also beneficial in preventing the likelihood of the wings 30, 32 from lifting from the mother's body and as such exposing the mother 14 and breastfeeding baby underneath.

The folds 76 of the wings 30, 32 also enable more specific adjustment and positioning of the wings 30, 32 relative to the user.

Figure 5 shows a fourth embodiment of a privacy cover. As before, identical references are used for parts which have already been described with reference to the previous embodiments, The privacy cover 10 again comprises the body portion 12, neclc portion 16, and adjustable flap portion 20 which is shown fully removed for clarity, so as to foirn the head opening 56. The first and second wings 30, 32 are also provided, and may take the form of any one of the previous embodinients.

A vertical or downwardly oriented dart 78, fold or pinch is provided at or adjacent to each side 36 of the body portion 12, and in the vicinity of the respective wing 30, 32.

Beneficially, providing the darts 78 aid in better conformance of the body portion 12 and wings 30, 32 around the body of the wearer. This prevents or limits the in use wings 30, 32 lifting and thus better encloses the baby and mother's chest, reducing a likelihood of exposure.

Although the third arid fourth embodiments describe modifications in isolation, it will be appreciated that both modifications may be provided in combination. As such, a privacy cover may be provided having wings which are provided with a plurality of folds, in addition to a plurality of darts or folds about an intersection between the body portion and a respective wing. In yet a further alternative arrangement, the above-described modifications may also be utilised with the first embodiment.

The breastfeeding privacy cover may conveniently be disposable, and/or may further include indicia, for example, providing step-by-step usage instructions.

Although the privacy cover is described as having first and second wings, these may be dispensed with. In an alternative arrangement, the flap portion may be dispensed in favour of the first and second wings.

It is thus possible to provide a breastfeeding privacy cover which can be used by a mother during breastfeeding to cover or substantially cover her exposed breast and infant during breastfeeding. The breastfeeding privacy cover is beneficially provided with an adjustable flap portion, such that the user can adjust the size of a head opening, thereby obscuring downwards view of the mother's cleavage. The provision of an adjustable flap allows the mother to monitor her baby and chest from above during breastfeeding, whilst then dynamically adjusting the flap portion as required to prevent or limit the view of her baby and breastfeeding activity from above. Adjustment of the head opening by use of the flap portion is also beneficial in controlling or regulating airflow beneath the privacy cover, thereby reducing a build-up of excess heat.

The embodiments described above are provided by way of examples only, and various other modifications will be apparent to persons skilled in the field without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

Claims 1. A breastfeeding privacy cover for use by a mother when breastfeeding a baby, the cover comprising a body portion for covering or substantia'ly covering at least a majority of a chest of the mother during breastfeeding, a neck portion for extending at least partially around the mother's neck to maintain a position of the in use body portion, and an adjustable flap portion interposed between the body portion and the neck portion for at least in part obscuring a cleavage of the mother and/or baby when the baby is beneath the body portion during breastfeeding.
2. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a first wing and a second wing for at least in part covering an upper arm of the mother, wherein the first and second wings extend from respective sides of the body portion.
3. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 2, wherein the first and second wings taper in a converging direction in a direction away from the neck portion.
4. A breastfeeding pnvacy cover as claimed in claim 2 or claim 3, wherein the first and second wings have a plurality of concertinaed folds along at least a majority of their longitudinal extent.
5. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims 2 to 4, further comprising a dart interposed between the body portion and a respective wing for conforming the body portion to the upper body and around a respective side of the mother.
6. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the body portion is generally trapezoidal.
7. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the neck portion is integrally formed with the body portion.
8. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the neck portion is a loop extending contiguously from an upper edge of the body portion.
9. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claimed in claim 8, wherein the loop has a generally part-circular shape.
10. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the loop defines an opening for recciving the mother's head.
11. A breasifeeding pnvacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is integrally formed to extend from the body portion.
12. A breastfeeding pnvacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is at or adjacent to an upper edge of the body portion.
13. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 12, wherein the flap portion is hinged to the body portion.
14. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 13, wherein the flap portion extends between an inner edge of the neck portion.
15. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is generally part-circular.
16. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 15, wherein the flap portion is complimentarily shaped so as to match or substantially match an opening defined by the neck portion.
17. A breastfeeding pnvacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the flap portion is releasably attached to at least part of the neck portion and at least part of the body portion defining a releasable connection.
18 A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim I?, wherein a plurality of perforations are provided along at least part of the releasable connection between the flap portion and the neck portion and/or the body portion.
19. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in claim 17 or claim 18, wherein the flap portion is at least partially detachable from the neck portion and/or the body portion.
20. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 19, wherein the flap portion is hinged to at least part of the body portion.
21. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the flap portion conforms to at least part of an opening defined by the neck portion.
22. A breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the privacy cover is disposable.
23. A breastfeeding privacy cover substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to Figures 1 and 2, Figure 3. Figure 4 or Figure 5 of the accompanying drawings.
24. A mother having a child for breastfeeding and a breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims I to 23 engaged with a neck of the mother.
25. A method of obscuring a mother's cleavage and/or a child from view during breastfeeding using a breastfeeding privacy cover as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 23, the method comprising the steps of: a] at least in part concealing a mother's exposed breast and infant to be breast fed using a pliantly flexible drape hung from a neck of the mother; and b] utilising an adjustable flap at or adjacent to the neck to further conceal or at least partially reveal the breast and/or child.