U.S. patent application number 11/767213 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-31 for nursing tank top.
Invention is credited to Richard Adelman.
Application Number | 20080022434 11/767213 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38895311 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-31 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080022434 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Adelman; Richard |
January 31, 2008 |
NURSING TANK TOP
Abstract
A nursing garment includes a shoulder strap having front and
back ends. An elastic chest band has front and back sections. An
inner bra layer is fixedly attached at its top to the shoulder
strap and at its bottom to the front end of the chest band. The
inner bra section has an opening to permit nursing. A front flap
has a fastener at its top. The flap is coupled to the front section
of the chest band. The fastener of the flap is detachably
connectable to the front end of the shoulder strap. The flap is
movable to a position in which the opening of the inner bra layer
is exposed. A tank portion is coupled to the back end of the
shoulder strap. The tank portion is coupled to the fastener of the
flap. The tank portion floats freely with respect to the chest
band.
Inventors: |
Adelman; Richard;
(Greensboro, NC) |
Correspondence
Address: |
DUANE MORRIS, LLP;IP DEPARTMENT
30 SOUTH 17TH STREET
PHILADELPHIA
PA
19103-4196
US
|
Family ID: |
38895311 |
Appl. No.: |
11/767213 |
Filed: |
June 22, 2007 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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60806334 |
Jun 30, 2006 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
2/104 ;
450/36 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A41D 1/215 20180101 |
Class at
Publication: |
002/104 ;
450/036 |
International
Class: |
A41D 1/20 20060101
A41D001/20; A41C 3/04 20060101 A41C003/04 |
Claims
1. A nursing garment, comprising: a shoulder strap having front and
back ends; an elastic chest band having front and back sections; an
inner bra layer fixedly attached at a top thereof to the shoulder
strap and at a bottom thereof to the front end of the elastic chest
band, the inner bra layer having an opening therein adapted to
permit nursing therethrough; a front flap having a fastener at a
top thereof, the front flap coupled to the front section of the
elastic chest band, the fastener of the front flap being detachably
connectable to the front end of the shoulder strap, the front flap
being movable to a position in which the opening of the inner bra
layer is exposed; and a tank top portion coupled to the back end of
the shoulder strap, the tank top portion coupled to the fastener of
the front flap, the tank top portion floating freely with respect
to the elastic chest band.
2. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the inner bra layer has
two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the tank top
portion.
3. The nursing garment of claim 2, wherein the inner bra layer has
two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the front
flap.
4. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the back section of the
chest band has two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of
the flap.
5. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the chest band is
fixedly attached to the front flap.
6. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the back section of the
chest band is not connected directly to the shoulder strap.
7. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the front flap includes
an outer bra layer and a part of the tank top portion.
8. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the garment includes a
layer that serves as an outer layer of a nursing bra and as an
inner layer of the front flap.
9. A nursing garment, comprising: a shoulder strap having front and
back ends; an elastic chest band having front and back sections; an
inner bra layer fixedly attached at a top thereof to the shoulder
strap and at a bottom thereof to the front end of the elastic chest
band, the inner bra layer having an opening therein adapted to
permit nursing therethrough; an outer bra layer having a fastener
at a top thereof, the outer bra layer coupled to the front section
of the elastic chest band, the fastener of the outer bra layer
being detachably connectable to the front end of the shoulder
strap, the outer bra layer being movable to a position in which the
opening of the inner bra layer is exposed; and a tank top portion
coupled to the back end of the shoulder strap, the tank top portion
coupled to the fastener of the outer bra layer, the tank top
portion floating freely with respect to the elastic chest band.
10. The nursing garment of claim 9, wherein the inner bra layer has
two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the tank top
portion.
11. The nursing garment of claim 10, wherein the inner bra layer
has two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the front
flap.
12. The nursing garment of claim 9, wherein the back section of the
chest band has two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of
the outer bra layer.
13. The nursing garment of claim 9, wherein the chest band is
fixedly attached to the outer bra layer.
14. The nursing garment of claim 9, wherein the back section of the
chest band is not connected directly to the shoulder strap
15. The nursing garment of claim 1, wherein the outer bra layer and
a part of the tank top portion form a front flap.
Description
[0001] This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Application No. 60/806,334 filed Jun. 30, 2006, which is
incorporated herein in its entirety.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to clothing, and
more specifically to garments for nursing women.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A variety of garments have been developed especially to meet
the needs of women who are nursing. The most common of these
garments is a nursing bra, which typically has a detachable flap or
opening for providing access during nursing. The nursing bra is
worn beneath a blouse.
[0004] Because the nursing bra is underneath a blouse, to prepare
for nursing, the woman must either raise or unbutton the blouse,
and either lower the flap (if present) or move the garment so that
the opening provides access to the breast. These preparations often
must be performed with one hand, while at the same time holding an
anxious infant. Therefore, in practice, the use of a nursing bra
may be clumsy and time consuming.
[0005] A nursing garment is desired which is comfortable to wear,
attractive in appearance, and provides quick and easy access for
nursing.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] FIG. 1 is a front elevation view of a nursing tank top
garment according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
invention.
[0007] FIG. 2 is a front elevation view of the nursing tank top
garment of FIG. 1, with one side of the front flap in a nursing
position.
[0008] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the nursing tank top
garment of FIG. 1, with the internal built-in bra shown in
phantom.
[0009] FIG. 4 is a side elevation view of the nursing tank top
garment of FIG. 1, with the internal built-in bra shown in
phantom.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0010] This description of the exemplary embodiments is intended to
be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, which are to
be considered part of the entire written description. In the
description, relative terms such as "lower," "upper," "horizontal,"
"vertical,", "above," "below," "up," "down," "top" and "bottom" as
well as derivative thereof (e.g., "horizontally," "downwardly,"
"upwardly," etc.) should be construed to refer to the orientation
as then described or as shown in the drawing under discussion.
These relative terms are for convenience of description and do not
require that the apparatus be constructed or operated in a
particular orientation. Terms concerning attachments, coupling and
the like, such as "connected" and "interconnected," refer to a
relationship wherein structures are secured or attached to one
another either directly or indirectly through intervening
structures, as well as both movable or rigid attachments or
relationships, unless expressly described otherwise.
[0011] FIGS. 1-4 show an exemplary embodiment of a nursing tank top
100 according to one embodiment of the invention. The exemplary
nursing tank top 100 has a built in nursing shelf bra 110, 114. The
fitted nursing tank top 100 may be comprised of knit stretch fabric
such as cotton and/or spandex. The bra 110, 114 is set inside the
tank top portion 101 and has a plurality of layers 110a, 110b and
includes both internal and external components.
[0012] FIG. 1 is an external front elevation view of an exemplary
nursing tank top 100 in accordance with one embodiment of the
present invention with the nursing flaps 106 of the nursing tank
101/shelf bra 110, 114 closed. In this position, only the outer
tank top 101, straps 102 and fastener clips 104, 118 are visible,
and the bra 110 is concealed, except for the straps 102 and clip
118.
[0013] FIG. 2 is an external front elevation view of the nursing
tank top 100 with the wearer's right side nursing flap 106 of the
nursing tank/shelf bra open. FIG. 2 shows the second (inner) layer
110b of the internal shelf bra 110 and the first (outer) layer 110a
of the bra 110, which also forms the internal surface of the
nursing flap 106. Thus, first layer 110a functions as both the
outer layer of the nursing bra 110 and the inner layer of the
nursing flap 106. The nursing flap 106 attaches to the inner
plastic clip fastener 118, and the outer plastic clip fastener 104
attaches to the inner plastic clip 118.
[0014] The nursing tank 100 is shown in FIG. 2 in an open position,
exposing the inner nursing bra layer 110b with slit 111, the first
shelf bra layer 110a, the outer plastic clip fastener 104, the
straps 102, and the inner plastic clip fastener 118. When the
nursing tank 101/shelf bra 110 and nursing flap 106 are closed, the
outer clip fastener 104 couples with the inner clip fastener 118.
The shelf bra band 114 is set just below the internal shelf bra
layer 110b and nursing flap layer 110a for support.
[0015] As is apparent from FIG. 2, the garment 100 allows the
nursing woman to easily provide access to the breast by releasing
one clip, and lowering a portion of the flap 106. There is no need
to lift up the tank portion 101. The slit design of the inner
nursing bra layer 110b allows the woman to discretely expose only
as much of the breast as is necessary for nursing.
[0016] FIG. 3 is a front elevation view of the nursing tank top 100
of FIG. 1, with the internal construction details shown in phantom.
The internal shelf bra 110 is built into the tank top 101. The
inner layer 110b of the shelf bra 110 is attached to the tank top
101 at armhole 110ah, side seam 101ss (FIG. 4), bottom band 114 and
inner strap joining point 118. In addition the nursing flap 106 is
attached to the shelf bra 110 at side seam, bottom band 114 and at
the outer strap joining point 104.
[0017] FIG. 4 is a left side elevation view of the nursing tank top
100. FIG. 4 shows the back shelf bra portion 120 is attached to the
tank top 101 at side seams 101ss only. In some embodiments, the
back shelf bra portion 120 has a silicone & elastic band 122 at
top edge for stability. The bottom band 114 is attached to the back
shelf bra portion 120 and the front shelf bra 110 at the inside.
The straps 102 have back adjustable sections 112.
[0018] As best seen in FIG. 4, the tank top portion 101 floats
freely from the bottom band 114. The tank top portion 101 is
preferably only directly connected to the bra 110 along a side seam
101ss between the bottom band 114 and the armhole, and along the
side and top seams of the flap 106, where the tank top joins the
outer bra layer 110a to form the front flap.
[0019] The external portion of the nursing bra 110 comprises the
right and left shoulder straps 102 that unfasten via clips 104, 118
to expose the internal portion 110 of the nursing bra. The
exemplary clips are made of plastic, but the clips may be made from
a variety of other materials, such as metal. The external portion
of the nursing bra 110 are visible at all times, including when the
flap 106 is closed during normal wear.
[0020] While the garment 100 is being worn, the internal portion of
the knit bra 110 is normally only visible when the flap 106 is in
the nursing position. The internal portion may include two layers
110a, 110b of knit fabric. The first (outer) layer 110a is set
closest to the tank 101 and is attached to the tank 101 at the neck
seam 100ns and at the plastic front bottom clip joining point 104
that is attachable to the clip 118 of the front shoulder strap 102.
The first layer 110a of the shelf bra is joined permanently to the
tank 101 at right and left side seams 101ss thereof. (FIG. 4 shows
the left side seam 101ss. The right side seam (not shown) is the
mirror image thereof.) The second (inner) layer 110b of the bra 110
is set closest to the body and is attached as a separate layer to
the plastic front top clip 118. The second layer 110b of the bra
has slit openings 111 at front right and left sides which may be
angled. The slots 111 allow easy access when nursing. The second
layer 110b has elastic 110e (which may be 0.25 inch wide, for
example) at neck edges and along armholes 110ah to create
stability. The second layer 110b is attached permanently at right
and left side seam. In some embodiments, the second layer 110b, the
first layer 110a and the tank layer 101 are all attached together
at the side seams 101ss.
[0021] The bottoms of both of the nursing layers 110a, 110b are
joined to a wide elastic band 114 for comfort. The back of the
shelf bra is a separate piece made of the same knit fabric with a
silicone and elastic band 122 at a top edge thereof to maintain
comfortable placement at the upper back when worn. The back straps
have adjustable length sections 112 at right and left sides. The
tank portion 101 of the body is a continuous stretch knit body that
attaches at front and back straps and gives a single piece
appearance.
[0022] This nursing bra tank can be worn alone or layered with
other shirts/tees. The nursing openings 111 are hidden in the bra
tank construction. The wearer can simply unclasp and release the
fastener clip 104 from the clip 118 open the flap 106 and find the
drop cup.
SUMMARY OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS
[0023] In some embodiments, a nursing garment comprises:
[0024] a shoulder strap having front and back ends;
[0025] an elastic chest band having front and back sections;
[0026] an inner bra layer fixedly attached at a top thereof to the
shoulder strap and at a bottom thereof to the front end of the
elastic chest band, the inner bra layer having an opening therein
adapted to permit nursing therethrough;
[0027] a front flap having a fastener at a top thereof, the front
flap coupled to the front section of the elastic chest band, the
fastener of the front flap being detachably connectable to the
front end of the shoulder strap, the front flap being movable to a
position in which the opening of the inner bra layer is exposed;
and
[0028] a tank top portion coupled to the back end of the shoulder
strap, the tank top portion coupled to the fastener of the front
flap, the tank top portion floating freely with respect to the
elastic chest band.
[0029] In some embodiments, the inner bra layer has two ends
fixedly attached to left and right sides of the tank top
portion.
[0030] In some embodiments, the inner bra layer has two ends
fixedly attached to left and right sides of the front flap.
[0031] In some embodiments, the back section of the chest band has
two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the flap.
[0032] In some embodiments, the chest band is fixedly attached to
the front flap.
[0033] In some embodiments, the back section of the chest band is
not connected directly to the shoulder strap.
[0034] In some embodiments, the front flap includes an outer bra
layer and a part of the tank top portion.
[0035] In some embodiments, the garment includes a layer that
serves as an outer layer of a nursing bra and as an inner layer of
the front flap.
[0036] In some embodiments, a nursing garment, comprises:
[0037] a shoulder strap having front and back ends;
[0038] an elastic chest band having front and back sections;
[0039] an inner bra layer fixedly attached at a top thereof to the
shoulder strap and at a bottom thereof to the front end of the
elastic chest band, the inner bra layer having an opening therein
adapted to permit nursing therethrough;
[0040] an outer bra layer having a fastener at a top thereof, the
outer bra layer coupled to the front section of the elastic chest
band, the fastener of the outer bra layer being detachably
connectable to the front end of the shoulder strap, the outer bra
layer being movable to a position in which the opening of the inner
bra layer is exposed; and
[0041] a tank top portion coupled to the back end of the shoulder
strap, the tank top portion coupled to the fastener of the outer
bra layer, the tank top portion floating freely with respect to the
elastic chest band.
[0042] In some embodiments, the inner bra layer has two ends
fixedly attached to left and right sides of the tank top
portion.
[0043] In some embodiments, the inner bra layer has two ends
fixedly attached to left and right sides of the front flap.
[0044] In some embodiments, the back section of the chest band has
two ends fixedly attached to left and right sides of the outer bra
layer.
[0045] In some embodiments, the chest band is fixedly attached to
the outer bra layer.
[0046] In some embodiments, the back section of the chest band is
not connected directly to the shoulder strap.
[0047] In some embodiments, the outer bra layer and a part of the
tank top portion form a front flap.
[0048] Although the invention has been described in terms of
exemplary embodiments, it is not limited thereto. Rather, the
invention should be construed broadly, to include other variants
and embodiments of the invention, which may be made by those
skilled in the art without departing from the scope and range of
equivalents of the invention.
* * * * *