Patent Application
20200178620
The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.
The present invention relates to an apparatus for cover up, particularly of the female human breast, and more particularly pertains to an apparatus which attaches to the head of a mother providing privacy during the process of breast feeding and breast pumping.
Mother's breast milk is usually the best source of nourishment for an infant. In recent years, the benefits of breast feeding or nursing an infant, such as enhanced immunity, brain developments and weight loss for the mother, have become known. Therefore, the infants are often breastfed by mothers at regular intervals, which can be an intimate and personal bonding experience between mothers and their infants. Breast pumping by means of breast pump for artificial removal of breast milk is also used by mothers which require the same level of privacy. When breast feeding or breast pumping, a mother typically exposes the upper portion of her torso, by opening their clothes and unhooking her bra which may make her uncomfortable if located in a public or highly trafficked area.
Breast feeding in public has always been a challenge for mothers. Historically, mothers would hide in dark corners or excuse themselves from social gatherings, confining themselves to a private area while breastfeeding their infants. If bold enough to engage in nursing in the company of others, a mother would often cover herself and the infant with a receiving blanket or small cloth draped over her shoulder in order to provide a modicum of privacy. Such efforts at concealment may be hindered or even thwarted, however, if the baby pulls the blanket off the mother's shoulder or pushes it aside, as is often the case. Also, drawback of using blanket or cloth is that adequate breathing space is not created for the infant which may lead to asphyxia, further it is not possible for the mother to look at the infant during the process of breast feeding.
Other options that are available are in the form of nursing cover-ups. Each of these designs, however, has its own limitation. Most of the breast feeding covers available in the market are made of fabrics and cover only the front part of the mother's torso and are generally attached to the shoulder and neck. Most commonly used is an apron-styled cover, in which the mother places the product around her neck and encloses the baby in a small tenting of material. However, such products do allow the mothers to look at the infants through a small pocket but not completely as the hole is quite small and also they do not provide mothers with the desired level of privacy. Specially while unhooking of bra the back of the mother becomes visible which may be embarrassing. Also, many infants do not like the sensation created by this type of covering and struggle to move the material away, making for a very disruptive feeding environment.
U.S. Pat. No. 6,216,274 discloses a nursing cover that covers up mother's breast and maintains air ventilation for infant. It also includes a peek-a-boo pocket enabling the mother to monitor the breast feeding of the infant. However, it can only be used to cover either the left breast or right breast of the mother, also back of the mother remains uncovered. Therefore, it would be desirable to have an apparatus that can provide complete privacy to mothers while breast feeding or breast pumping along with facilitating the mother to look at the infant completely and maintain an environment where the infant can breathe properly.
Accordingly, an object of the invention is to provide an apparatus for cover up to provide complete privacy to mothers while breast feeding or breast pumping. Another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus that facilitates mothers to look at infant while breast feeding. Yet another object of the invention is to provide an apparatus in which the infant being breast fed can breathe properly.
According to the embodiment of the present invention, provided is an apparatus for cover up, comprising:
wherein said chamber provides user mother with complete privacy during breast feeding or breast pumping.
According to said embodiment, said chamber is spacious enough to ensure proper ventilation for the user mother and infant being breastfed.
According to said embodiment, said screen comprises of plurality of vents to facilitate said user mother to look out of said chamber and also to maintain ventilation in said chamber.
According to said embodiment, said screen is comprised of a light weight breathable fabric preferably cotton.
According to said embodiment of the present invention, said head fixture could be selected from a group of head band, head cap, head helmet and the likes.
According to said embodiment of the present invention, said frame assembly could be either a fixed frame assembly or a foldable frame assembly.
According to another embodiment of the present invention, provided is an apparatus, comprising:
wherein said chamber provides user mother with complete privacy during breast feeding and breast pumping.
Other aspects, advantages and salient features of the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art from the following detailed description read in conjunction with the drawings.
The following drawings are illustrative of preferred embodiment for enabling the present invention, are descriptive of some methods, and are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The drawings are not to scale (unless so stated) and are intended for use in conjunction with the explanations in the following detailed description.
The preferred embodiments of the disclosed subject matter are described in more detail hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings. The disclosed subject matter may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the exemplary embodiments set forth herein. Rather, the exemplary embodiments are provided so that this disclosure is thorough and complete, and will convey the scope of the disclosed subject matter to those skilled in the art. It is to be noted that, as used in the specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a”, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally employed in its sense including “and/or”, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. It should also be noted that by the term “substantially” it is meant that the recited characteristic, parameter, or value need not be achieved exactly, but that deviations or variations, including for example, tolerances, measurement error, measurement accuracy limitations and other factors known to those skilled in the art, may occur in amounts that do not preclude the effect the characteristic was intended to provide.
Hereinafter, an apparatus for cover up will be explained in more details. Same reference numerals are given to same parts as those of the aforementioned embodiments and their minute explanation has been omitted.
The fixed frame assembly comprises of a head band (120a) as head fixture (120), adjusting mechanism (130) and a holder (140). The head fixture (120) can be selected from a group of head band (120a), head cap (120b), head helmet (120c) and the like. The head band comprises of a band frame (121), padding (122), fastening belt (123) and plurality of button holes (124). The adjusting mechanism (130) facilitates the user mother (M) to adjust the size of said chamber (150). The holder (140) movably attaches the adjusting mechanism (130) to band frame (121) of the head band (120a).
The present invention is now explained using illustrations and non-limiting examples.
An apparatus (100) for cover up according to present invention can be used by a user mother (M) during breast feeding and breast pumping for privacy. The apparatus (100) for cover up comprises of a screen (110) and a fixed frame assembly. The apparatus (100) for cover up can be used by the user mother for privacy when breast feeding or breast pumping in public, at home in presence of friends or relatives, in social gatherings etc. The apparatus (100) provides complete privacy to the user mother (100) by creating a chamber (150) around her. The chamber (150) facilitates the user mother to undress; breast feed an infant or breast pump and dress again privately. The fixed frame assembly comprises of head fixture (120) and adjusting mechanism (130). The screen (110) has plurality of vents to maintain visibility for the user mother (M) outside the chamber. The vents (111) also provide ventilation for the user mother (M) and the infant being breast fed. The adjusting mechanism (130) is used by the user mother (M) to adjust the size of the chamber (150). The sliding mechanism (130) comprises of a first arm (131), a second arm (132) and a stopper (133). The first arm (131) can be moved back and forth by the user mother (M), the chamber expands when the user mother pulls the first arm (131) of the adjusting mechanism in forth direction and contracts when the first arm (131) is pushed in backward direction.
An apparatus (100) for cover up according to present invention, said apparatus (100) comprises of a screen (110) and a foldable frame assembly. The foldable frame assembly comprises of a head fixture (120), an adjusting mechanism (130) and a joint (J) to fold ably attach said head fixture (120) and adjusting mechanism (130). The apparatus (100) provides for easy packing options for the user mother (M) especially when travelling. The frame assembly folds and the apparatus (100) reduces in size, making it convenient for the user mother to pack or carry the apparatus (100).
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 201611023597 | Jul 2016 | IN | national |
| Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| PCT/IN2017/000109 | 7/10/2017 | WO | 00 |
