Apparel – Body garments – Waists
Reexamination Certificate
1999-08-30
2001-12-11
Vanatta, Amy B. (Department: 3741)
Apparel
Body garments
Waists
C002S049100, C002S046000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06327712
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates generally to wearing apparel for nursing mothers and, more particularly, to protective coverings to prevent clothes from being soiled during the process of nursing an infant. Specifically, the present invention relates to an improved combination overwear protective garment for nursing mothers.
2. Description of the Prior Art
During the process of breast feeding or nursing an infant, it is unfortunately common that the infants frequently drool, burp or regurgitate when being held by the nursing mother. Articles designed to prevent the soiling of clothes when an infant is held during nursing are well known in the art. These devices frequently consist of a cloth, dishrag or cloth diaper being placed over a mother's shoulder or lap while holding and nursing the infant. The primary function of these articles is to prevent the soiling of the adult's clothes and skin when an infant regurgitates, drools or burps. Examples of such bib-like devices include those illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 2,857,599, 4,697,287 and 5,459,877. Notwithstanding their common uses, these bib-like devices do have certain limitations. Often, the contents of the infant's mouth will not be entirely retained by the dishrag or diaper, thus soiling nearby clothes. Moreover, these types of devices do not cover the entire front torso of the nursing mother thereby leaving large portions of the nursing mother's clothing unprotected should the child spit-up or drool without warning.
To overcome the limitations of these bib-like devices, an alternate solution has been posed in the prior art wherein entire gowns are provided for the nursing mother to wear. Examples of such garments are illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,458,365 and 5,611,086. Unfortunately, these devices are intended to generally cover the entire body of the nursing mother, not just the front of her torso which is the area requiring protection. Thus, unnecessary cloth material is used in these devices. Moreover, some may even require that the nursing mother disrobe before putting on the garment. Consequently, these particular devices are far more complicated to use as well as being complicated in structure to permit access for the baby to the breast of the nursing mother.
Another one of the unavoidable consequences of pregnancy, childbirth and breast-feeding is postpartum breast engorgement and enlargement as well as breast tenderness from feeding. Women suffering from such conditions experience significant pain and discomfort of the breasts. For women who choose not to breast feed, lactation suppressants can be used to prevent engorgement and, consequently, concomitant discomfort. However, many women choose not to take pharmaceutical drugs to address this problem. Moreover, women who are nursing simply cannot utilize such drugs since this would be counterproductive to nursing. Consequently, doctors generally recommend the use of thermal compresses, such as ice or heat packs. Unfortunately, the use and positioning of such thermal compresses or packs may be difficult or inappropriate under certain circumstances and situations. While bra structures have been designed to accommodate this problem as well as leakage, such as illustrated in U.S. Pat. Nos. 1,989,382 and 5,839,942, these structures do not address the clothing soiling problem resulting from infant nursing previously discussed.
Accordingly, there remains a need to provide an improved device which is designed to protect the front of the outer clothing of a nursing mother without their having to remove their clothing and which is easy to put on and take off. Moreover, there remains a need for such a device which also addresses the problem of breast engorgement and sensitivity resulting from childbirth and breast-feeding.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Accordingly, it is one object of the present invention to provide a protective covering to safeguard the clothing of a nursing mother from being soiled during the process of nursing an infant.
It is another object of the present invention to provide such a protective covering which also provides breast support as well as permits easy access to the breast for nursing.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide such a device which also acts as a modesty protection member during the process of infant nursing.
Still another object of the present invention is to provide a combination nursing bib and thermal compresses carrier which not only protects the clothing of the nursing mother but also permits the easy application of heat or cold packs to the breasts of the nursing mother.
To achieve the foregoing and other objects and in accordance with the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a protective covering is disclosed for safeguarding the clothing of a nursing mother from being soiled during nursing of an infant. The covering includes a first member having an upper portion for positioning about the upper torso of a wearer. A pair of flap members depend from the upper portion and are arranged for selective covering of the breasts of the wearer. A second member is sized and shaped for covering the lower torso and lap of the wearer and has an upper edge adapted for positioning proximate to and beneath the breasts of the wearer. The second member is attached to the first member such that the flap members extend over the second member below the upper edge and downwardly toward the waist area of the wearer to provide ease of access to the breasts of the wearer as well as modesty protection during the nursing of an infant.
In one arrangement of the invention, the second member includes the upper edge, a lower edge and opposing side edges. The second member is then attached to the first member proximate the upper corners of the second member defined by the junction of the upper edge and the opposing side edges. Moreover, the upper edge of the second member may include a reinforced lip for providing comfort as well as support for the breasts of a wearer during nursing. In yet another aspect of the invention, the second member is constructed from an outer layer of soft, absorbent material and an inner layer of firm, liquid impermeable material, while the first member is constructed from soft, absorbent material.
In another arrangement of the invention, the upper portion of the first member includes a top edge having a recess and first attachment members for securing the first member about the neck of a wearer, while the second member includes second attachment members for securing the second member about the torso of the wearer.
In yet another arrangement of the invention, each of the flap members includes a plurality of selectively attachable fastening elements disposed thereon to enable the flap member to form a pocket when folded back onto itself. In one aspect of this arrangement, each of the flap members includes an outer edge, an inner edge, a lower edge, and at least four of the selectively attachable fastening elements. One of the fastening elements is disposed proximate the flap member lower edge, while a second fastening element is disposed at the top of the flap member proximate the junction of the flap member and the first member upper portion. The third and fourth fastening elements are spaced along the flap member outer edge with the first and second fastening elements being adapted for selective attachment with each other and the third and fourth fastening elements being adapted for selective attachment with each other to form the pocket which is accessible through the inner edge of the flap element. In a preferred arrangement, the fastening elements comprise hook and loop fasteners.
A further arrangement of the invention is in the form of a protective and modesty garment with thermal compress carrying capability for use by a woman breast-feeding an infant. The garment includes a bib member sized and shaped for substantially covering the front torso area of a wearer. The bib member has an upper portion w
Armstrong Darci C.
Armstrong Vicki T.
Armstrong Darci C.
Isaac John L.
Isaac & Associates
Vanatta Amy B.
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