US20100031418A1 - Nursing Undergarment That Attaches To Bra - Google Patents

Abstract

This invention is an undergarment in the form of a strapless camisole that attaches to the flaps of any top opening nursing bra just below the clasp and opens with the flaps of the bra, staying, attached, when the woman opens the flaps to access the breasts for nursing. This invention therefore allows the woman to wear non-nursing shirts over the invention that is attached to their bra and keeps their lower torso covered when they lift or open their outer shirt to breastfeed.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
• This invention is an undergarment that attaches directly to the flaps of any standard top-opening, nursing bra. It allows the nursing mother a way to keep her sides, back and belly covered when lifting or opening her outer shirt to breastfeed. Because the invention attaches to the flaps of a nursing bra, the mother does not have to open and close additional layers in order to gain access to the breast. She just opens the nursing bra and the invention stays attached and opens with the flap of the bra.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
• Most nursing shirts typically require the woman to go through additional layers, slits or flaps in order to gain access to the breast. This can be very cumbersome. This invention simplifies the process because the invention is attached directly to the flaps of a nursing bra and does not need to be unattached in order to nurse. Therefore, a woman would just open the bra like usual, with the attached invention opening with it as if the bra and invention were one singular garment. It remains attached during usage until the woman detaches it to remove the article altogether.
• Another downside to typical nursing wear is that each shirt is just one shirt requiring a woman who wants to wear a varied wardrobe to purchase a whole new wardrobe to nurse in. Because this invention is an undergarment, it allows the woman to wear her regular (non-nursing) shirts over the invention to use them as if they were nursing shirts. Essentially, this invention makes any shirt become a nursing shirt by wearing it attached to a top opening nursing bra underneath any shirt.
• While wearing the invention as described underneath a regular (non-nursing) shirt, a woman can lift or open her outer shirt, and open the bra flap to access the breast while the attached invention opens with it, and she may nurse discreetly because the invention will keep her lower torso covered while her outer shirt is lifted or opened for the feeding.
• There are many nursing tank tops or undershirts on the market with built in bras. This invention differs from them because it does not have a built in bra but works with practically any standard nursing bra on the market. This is a benefit because many women do not like the typical shelf bra that is in built in bras. They often do not give adequate support or the desired shape to the woman's figure. Finding a bra that fits is personal to each woman. She is free to wear a bra with or without an under-wire and find one with the shape, thickness, color, padding and material that suits her the best. This invention then allows the woman to turn that bra that works for her into a nursing undershirt of various colors and styles. She will then be able to wear her regular (non-nursing) shirts over top, and when she is ready to breastfeed simply lift up or open her outer shirt and unlatch the flap on her nursing bra and the invention, which is attached to the flap opens with it. Therefore, no extra steps are required to nurse.
• While mostly used for nursing mother, this invention can also be used by non-nursing mothers, or continue to be used alter the mother has discontinued nursing. It then can be attached to any bra near or on where the strap attaches to the cup, or the top of tilt cup. This way the invention will continue to serve the purpose of an layering undershirt to wear under a blouse. The buttoned blouse can even be lets open and would be of the same appearance as a regular camisole under the shirt. This is true whether the invention is being used with a nursing bra or regular (non-nursing) bra.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
• This invention basically looks like a camisole with no straps. There is an attaching device (such as a hook) at the location where a strap would normally start in the front of a camisole. It is manufactured out of fitted, stretchy material such as a cotton/spandex blend and has an ample length. The hooks are sewn in the front at the location a strap would normally start at the front top of a camisole. The hooks used are metal coated with nylon. The method of manufacturing is to have a manufacturer produce camisoles in the regular manner, but leave the strap unattached to the back of the camisole. A hook can then be slid onto the strap until it is fitted snugly at the front. The strap is then folded down and the sewn at near the hook right in the area where the front of the strap meets the front of the garment. The remainder of the strap can then be removed (cut off) so you no longer have any remaining strap, just a hook at the place where the strap would have been. The undergarment is attached by putting it on overhead over a top opening nursing bra, then working each hook onto the flap of a top opening nursing bra just under the seam that holds the bottom section of the clasp of the outer flap of the bra.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
• The front of the invention laid out flat, not worn, also not attached to a bra
• 1 a: hooks used to attach the undergarment to the flap of a top-opening nursing bra
• 1 b: top scam of the undergarment
• 1 c: bottom scam of the undergarment
• FIG. 2:
• The back of the invention laid out flat, not worn also not attached to a bra
• 2 a: the inside of the shirt front, as seen from the back while not being worn
• 2 b: the top back scam. This scam goes across the woman's back about the level of her armpits. It stays in place because it is fitted and the hooks in the front hold it up.
• 2 c: the hooks used to attach the invention to the flap of a top-opening nursing bra, as seen from the back while not being worn and not attached to a bra.
• 2 d: where the straps of the camisole were put through the hook and folded over and sewn, then the remainder of the strap was trimmed off.
• FIG. 3:
• The invention being worn by a mannequin torso while attached to a top-opening nursing bra
• 3 a: the straps of the bra
• 3 b: the clasp of the bra that opens the outer flap to access the breast for nursing
• 3 c: the book that attaches the undergarment to the flap of the nursing bra, so that when you open the clasp of the nursing bra to access the breast the invention opens with it, staying attached
• FIG. 4:
• A close-up of the invention attached to the flap of a top-opening nursing bra. The invention attaches just below the clasp of the bra that opens the flap.
• 4 a: the strap of the bra
• 4 b: the closed clasp of the bra that opens the flap to allow access to the breast for nursing
• 4 c: the hook that attaches the undergarment to the outer flap of the nursing bra right under the clasp of the nursing bra
• 4 d: the edge of the bra seen behind the invention
• 4 e: where the material of the undergarment attaches to the hook of the undergarment.
• 4 f: the undergarment which is covering the bra.

Claims (5)

1. A garment in the form of a camisole without straps that attaches to the flap of any standard, top-opening nursing bra.

2. The garment of claim 1 that allows a nursing mother to convert her standard, top-opening nursing bra into a nursing undershirt.

3. The garment of claim 1 that attaches to the upper portion of any standard, top opening nursing bra by method selected from metal hooks, plastic hooks, coated hooks, snaps, clips, magnets, loops, hook and eyes, hook and loop or other methods of attachment.

4. The garment of claim 1 with the top front neckline in the form of a scoop, horizontal, v-neck or other design.

5. A strapless garment that attaches to any bra that together with the bra becomes a camisole or undershirt.

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