GARMENT FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to an article of clothing, in general and, in particular, to an upper body garment which is worn by an adult for holding and carrying a baby.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

In recent years, researches have proven that physical closeness between a mother and a baby improves breastfeeding rates. Based on this research, a number of baby care methods were developed, such as KMC (Kangaroo Mother Care) or Koala Care, which include skin-to-skin contact, exclusive breastfeeding, and support to the dyad. These methods, which were traditionally implemented in a case of premature babies, are now widespread amongst mothers of well developed infants. However, mothers wishing to implement these methods often find it hard to hold the baby throughout the day.

In addition, there are many daily instances where a mother, father or a babysitter must watch a baby while attempting to perform other tasks, such as walking, shopping cleaning, cooking or working at a desk. Usually it is inconvenient or dangerous to perform these tasks while holding a baby, either because of the danger of holding a baby with one hand or because of the difficulty of performing the desired tasks.

Therefore, a number of baby carriers have been developed over the years for conveniently holding babies while performing other tasks. These carriers are usually a separate article which is to be worn over the mother or father's clothes when there is a need to hold a baby.

Typically, conventional carriers include a frame for mounting on an adult's back, or a pouch in which the baby sits on the mother's stomach. There are also

carriers which are slings, including a long strip of fabric which is wound around the body of the adult and the baby, so as to hold the baby against the adult.

One such carrier is shown in US Patent 4079,467 to Baldwin, which teaches a coat for providing an integral covering for a person wearing the coat and for a baby carried by that person, the coat having an expandable portion communicating with the inside of the coat for accommodating the baby.

Another baby carrier device is described in US Patent 6,343,727 to Leach, which discloses a garment to be worn by an adult for carrying an infant comprising a tubular earner portion adapted to encircle the adult wearer from the shoulders to the waist with armholes being provided along sides of the garment to create a hands-free feature of the garment, a drawstring connected along the bottom of the garment to permit the garment to be pulled tight against the waist of the wearer, a second drawstring connected along the top edge of the garment, the rear portion of the garment being gathered, folded and vertically stitched to create a shorter vertical dimension of the garment in the rear as compared with the front, the front portion of the garment constituting a pouch in which a baby can rest, the top drawstring being adjustable for the comfort and safety of the baby.

Accordingly, there is a long felt need for a baby carrier which can be worn instead of clothes and need not be put on and taken off each time it is desired to carry a baby, and it would be particularly desirable if such a baby carrier had an attractive, fashionable appearance, while permitting convenient breast feeding of an infant without removing the carrier.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a shirt, or other upper body garment, that can be worn throughout the day, on a daily basis, with or without a baby inside it. The garment is designed to include at least one panel affixed to the upper body garment so as to form an integral baby carrier, which allows the adult wearing the garment to

spontaneously put a baby inside and carry the baby, while performing other actions. This inventive garment preferably includes one or more breast feeding apertures defined in the upper body garment to allow the mother to breastfeed the baby discreetly and easily, without the necessity of taking off the garment or putting on an additional layer of clothing, in order to provide herself with privacy. According to some embodiments of the invention, enlarged apertures are provided for increased skin to skin contact between a baby in the carrier and the mother wearing it.

According to one embodiment of the invention, the panel is affixed to the upper body garment so as to define leg holes for receiving a baby's legs. There is also provided, according to the invention, a garment including a back panel of an upper body garment; a front panel of the garment, defining at least one breastfeeding aperture, affixed to the back panel; and at least one carrier panel affixed to the front garment panel, forming a baby carrier therebetween.

There is further provided, according to another embodiment of the invention, a method for forming a garment, the method including providing an upper body garment; and affixing at least one panel to the upper body garment so as to form a baby carrier.

Preferably, the method further includes defining at least one breastfeeding aperture in the upper body garment.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The present invention will be further understood and appreciated from the following detailed description taken in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic front view illustration of a baby carrier shirt, constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, with long sleeves;

Figure 2 is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt of Figure 1; Figures 3a and 3b are schematic illustrations of the baby carrier shirt of Figure 1 with a baby inside, in two different carrying positions;

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier shirt, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

Figures 5a and 5b are schematic illustrations of a baby carrier shirt, constructed and operative in accordance with further embodiments of the present invention, with and without sleeves, respectively;

Figure 6 is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to Figure 5a;

Figure 7 is a schematic illustration of the baby carrier shirt of Figure 5a with a baby inside; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier garment, constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9a is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier garment, constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 9b is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to Figure 9a;

Figure 10 is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to another embodiment of the present invention; Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier garment constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Figures 12a and 12b are schematic illustrations of a baby carrier garment, constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention; with short and long sleeves, respectively;

Figure 13 is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to Figure 12a;

Figure 14 is a schematic illustration of the baby carrier shirt of Figure 12a with a baby inside;

Figure 15 is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier garment constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 16 is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to Figure 15a;

Figures 17a is a schematic illustration of a baby carrier garment constructed and operative in accordance with another alternative embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 17b is an exploded illustration of the baby carrier shirt according to Figure 17a;

Figures 18a and 18b are schematic illustration of the baby carrier shirt of Figure 17a with a baby inside.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a fashionable garment formed of an upper body garment and at least one panel affixed to the upper body garment so as to form an integral baby carrier, which allows the adult wearing the garment to spontaneously put a baby inside and carry the baby. The garment preferably includes one or more breast feeding apertures or skin contact apertures, defined in the upper body garment Figures 1 and 2 are schematic plan view and exploded illustrations, respectively, of a baby carrier shirt 10 constructed and operative in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Baby carrier shirt 10 is a shirt that can be worn throughout the day for daily use, with or without a baby inside it. Baby carrier shirt 10 includes elements forming an integral baby carrier 45 or seat. In this embodiment, baby carrier 45 is formed by a carrier panel and reinforced stitching 42 between the fabric layers of the garment and the carrier panel. The baby carrier is covered by an outer fabric layer, which gives additional protection to the baby in

carrier 45. The outer layer, in this embodiment, is a front panel 50, which can be easily removed or opened, in order to place a baby in the seat. When a baby is in the carrier, a front garment layer 30 of garment 10 (best seen in Figure 2), lies between the baby and the adult wearing the shirt. Layer 30 includes two apertures 35, allowing a breastfeeding mother to discreetly nurse her baby, without having to remove shirt 10. In addition to providing support to carrier 45, the outer layers of the garment serve to cover the baby's head (and the mother's breast) while the baby is feeding.

This embodiment of the invention includes four layers of garment, shown in Figure 2: a back garment panel 20, a front garment panel or support panel 30 separating the body of the baby from the body of the adult wearer, a carrier panel 40, and an outer panel 50. Back garment panel 20 is a shirt back panel having cut away portions 25 at the shoulder, and, in this embodiment, includes two sleeve panels 26, 28.

Support panel 30 may be cut, substantially in its central upper part, in an inverted arcuate shape 36, or any other suitable shape, forming shoulder straps 38 on each of its sides. Shoulder straps 38 preferably extend over the shoulder of the wearer and are sewn to the cut away portions 25 of back panel 20, defining an opening for the neck between straps 38. In this way, when a baby is inside the carrier, his weight will cause the shoulder seams to slide up to the wearer's shoulders and distribute the baby's weight more evenly. The lower parts of the sides of support panel 30 are sewn to the sides of back panel 20. Thus, the upper parts of the sides of support panel 30 define two arm holes, for the adult wearing the shirt. Support panel 30 may further include at least one, and preferably two slits 35, adjacent the mother's breasts, for allowing breastfeeding of the baby. It will be appreciated that the baby can be breast fed while inside the carrier garment or while held by the mother who is wearing the garment, as a nursing shirt. Slits 35 may include a Velcro fastener or other soft fastener, if desired.

Carrier panel 40, here a left side panel, is sewn along its width to the bottom of support panel 30, defining carrier seat 45 for holding the baby. Thus, panel 40

serves to support, carry and cover the baby. The stitching 42, affixing carrier panel 40 to support panel 30, is preferably divided into three portions, defining two leg holes 44 between panel 30 and panel 40, for inserting the baby's legs, permitting carrying in the position shown in Figure 3b. Stitching 42 may be reinforced with an additional layer of elastic material or other known methods of strengthening seams. Two examples of the shirt in use are shown in Figures 3a and 3b. The position of stitching 42 relative to back panel 30 is pre-defined, considering the size and weight of the average baby.

Carrier panel 40 is cut along a diagonal, forming a wrap-around shirt and forming one shoulder strap 48 on its upper left side. Both side edges of carrier panel 40 are sewn to the side edges of back panel 20, preferably with reinforced stitching. Strap 48 is sewn to the cutaway portion of back panel 20, while the top right side of carrier panel 40 remains open, allowing the insertion of a baby into seat 45. Carrier panel 40, in this embodiment, includes a sleeve panel 46, complementary to left sleeve panel 26.

Outer panel 50, here a right side panel, provides additional protection and privacy to the mother and the baby. Outer panel 50 is cut on the diagonal extending from its upper part to its left side edge, forming one shoulder strap 58 on its upper right side, opposite to shoulder strap 48. The right side edge of outer panel 50 is sewn to the right side edge of back panel 20, and shoulder strap 58 is sewn to the top part of back panel 20. The left side edge of outer panel 50, is fastened to the left side edge of back panel in a way that outer panel 50 can be easily opened for inserting and removing the baby from seat 45. Outer panel 50, in this embodiment, includes a sleeve panel 56, complementary to right sleeve panel 28. Outer panel 50, together with carrier panel 40, forms the front of the baby carrier shirt 10 in a "wrap-around style".

Figure 4 is a schematic illustration of a different embodiment of an article of clothing. The garment 12 of Figure 4 is substantially similar to that of Figs. 1 and 2, and like elements have like reference numerals. The difference is that garment 12 is

sleeveless, forming a sleeveless shirt or vest. In the illustrated embodiment, sleeveless vest 12 includes an integral baby seat 45 and breastfeeding apertures 35.

Figures 5a and 6 are schematic plan view and exploded illustrations, respectively, of a baby carrier garment 60 constructed and operative in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. Garment 60 includes a back garment panel 62, a front garment panel 64, and two carrier panels 66 and 68. In this embodiment, carrier panels 66 and 68 are criss-crossed over the wearer's waist, and the crossed panels form a seat for a baby, whose legs protrude through two leg holes formed between the carrier panels and the front panel, as shown schematically in Figure 7. Breast-feeding slits 70 may be provided in front panel 64, as described above. According to an alternative embodiment, a single breast-feeding slit may be provided which, according to the flexibility of the fabric, can be moved from one side to the other. If desired, carrier panels 66 and 68 may be formed of a double layer of fabric, so as to be opened out to cover the baby's head while nursing and/or to further cover and warm the baby in the carrier. Figure 5b shows a garment 60', substantially similar to garment 60 of Figure 5a, but without sleeves.

Yet another embodiment is illustrated in Figure 8. In this embodiment, a garment 70 is shown, including a single panel 72 sewn to one shoulder for looping around the back of the adult wearer and tying around the entire body, so as to hold the baby.

Figures 9a and 9b are schematic plan view and exploded illustrations, respectively, of a baby carrier garment 110, here illustrated as a shirt, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Baby carrier shirt 110 is an upper body garment including a rear garment panel 120 and a front garment layer 130. Baby carrier shirt 110 further includes elements forming an integral baby carrier 145, here illustrated as a carrier panel 140 and reinforced stitching 142 between the two fabric layers, i.e., front garment layer 130 and carrier panel 140. The baby carrier 145 is covered by an outer fabric layer, which gives additional strength to carrier 145 and additional protection to the baby therein. The

outer layer, in this embodiment, is a front panel 150, which can be easily removed or opened, in order to place a baby in the carrier.

While the baby in the carrier is carried next to the body of the adult wearing the shirt, front garment layer 130 of garment 110 (best seen in Figure 9b) is provided between them for comfort and to provide an anchor for the carrier panel 140.

Preferably, front garment layer 130 includes two breast feeding apertures 135, substantially the same as apertures 35 of Figure 1.

In this embodiment, rear panel 120 is a shirt back panel having cut away portions 125 at the shoulder. Preferably, rear panel 120 includes a reinforcement and support layer 122 about the back of a wearer's neck, for providing additional support, when a baby is held in carrier 145.

Front garment layer 130 may be cut, substantially in its central upper part, in an inverted arcuate shape 136, or any other suitable shape, to form an opening for the neck and to form shoulder straps 138 on each of its sides. Shoulder straps 138 extend over the shoulder of the wearer and one side of each is sewn to the cut away portions

125 of rear panel 120. The sides of front garment layer 130 are sewn to the sides of rear panel 120. Thus, the outer edges of shoulder straps 138 of front garment layer

130, when sewn, define two arm holes for the adult wearing the shirt. If desired, sleeves 139 may be sewn to the arm holes formed by shoulder straps 138, and may be of any shape and length.

Carrier panel 140, here a left side panel, is sewn along its width to the bottom of front garment layer 130, defining carrier 145 for holding the baby. The stitching

142, affixing carrier panel 140 to front garment layer 130, is preferably divided into three portions, defining two leg holes 144 between layer 130 and panel 140, for inserting the baby's legs.

As can be seen, carrier panel 140 is cut along a diagonal, forming a wraparound shirt and forming one shoulder flap 148 on its upper left side. The left side edge of carrier panel 140 is sewn to the left side edge of rear panel 120, preferably with reinforced stitching. Flap 148 is sewn to the cutaway portion of rear panel 120,

so that, when the carrier moves under the weight of a baby inside the carrier, the shoulder seams will slide up to the wearer's shoulders and distribute the baby's weight more evenly. At the same time, the right side of carrier panel 140, along the diagonal cut, remains open, allowing the insertion of a baby into seat 145. Outer panel 150, here a right side panel, provides additional protection and privacy to the mother and the baby. Outer panel 150 is cut on the diagonal extending from its upper part to its left side edge, forming one shoulder flap 158 on its upper right side, opposite to shoulder flap 148. The right side edge of outer panel 150 is sewn to the right side edge of rear panel 120, and shoulder flap 158 is sewn to the top part of rear panel 120. The left side edge of outer panel 150, is fastened to the left side edge of back panel in a way that outer panel 150 can be easily opened for inserting and removing the baby from carrier 145. Outer panel 150, together with carrier panel 140, form the front of the baby carrier 145, which is designed here in a "wrap-around" style. According to this embodiment, front garment layer 130 extends from the shoulders only to stitching 142, as it only serves to form carrier 145. Carrier panel 140 and outer panel 150, on the other hand, extend from the left and right shoulders, respectively, to the bottom of the garment, having substantially the same length as rear panel 120. This embodiment is particularly useful in the summer, when it is preferred to dispense with any unnecessary layer of fabric.

Outer panel 150 and carrier panel 140 are, preferably, folded along their diagonal cut edges 146, 156, so as to provide additional reinforcement to of carrier 145, and provide additional protection to the baby therein. Folds 146, 156 provide further privacy to the mother while breast feeding a baby in carrier 145, as they can be unfolded to cover the infant's head and/or the mother's breast.

Preferably, the garment is made of a relatively strong, flexible or elastic material. In some preferred embodiments, front garment layer 130 is made of a "next- to-sldn" fabric, for the comfort of the wearer, while rear, carrier and outer panels 120,

140, 150 are made of a relatively strong and elastic material, which need not be as soft.

Figure 10 is an exploded illustration of a baby carrier garment, here illustrated as a shirt HOb, constructed and operative in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Shirt HOb is substantially similar to shirt HOa of Figures 9a and 9b, and includes a rear panel 120b, a front garment layer 130b, a carrier panel 140b and an outer panel 150b. In this embodiment, front garment layer 130b and outer panel 150b extend from the shoulders to the bottom of the garment. Carrier panel 140b, on the other hand, extends from the left shoulder only to stitching 142, as it only serves to form carrier 145. This embodiment is somewhat more light weight, due to the weight and softness of front garment layer 130b.

Figure 11 is a schematic illustration of yet another version of the garment of Figure 9a. In this embodiment, no sleeves are sewn to the shoulder straps, resulting in a sleeveless shirt or vest 112. It will be appreciated that, since sleeves are sewn to front garment layer 130, without forming a weight-bearing part of the carrier 145, the sleeves can be removed and replaced with longer or shorter sleeves, or sleeves of different shapes, as desired. It will be appreciated that the sleeves can be sewn to the upper body garment, or the garment may be provided with a different attaching element, such as zipper, buttons or Velcro, allowing for removably attaching sleeves having a complementary attaching element.

Figures 12a, 12b and 13 are schematic plan view and exploded illustrations, respectively, of a baby carrier garment 160 constructed and operative in accordance with a further embodiment of the present invention. Garment 160 includes an upper body garment formed by a back garment panel 162 and a front garment panel 164, and further includes two carrier panels 166 and 168. In this embodiment, carrier panels 166 and 168 are criss-crossed over the wearer's waist to form the baby carrier. The crossed panels form a seat for a baby, whose legs protrude through two leg holes formed between the carrier panels and the front panel, as shown schematically in Figure 14. A single breast-feeding slit 170 may be provided in front panel 164

which, according to the flexibility of the fabric, can be moved from one side to the other. According to an alternative embodiment, two breast-feeding slits may be provided as described above. If desired, earner panels 166 and 168 may be formed of a folded layer 169 of fabric so as to permit opening out to cover the baby's head while nursing and/or to further cover and warm the baby in the carrier.

As described above, garment 160 can be sleeveless, as shown in Figure 12a, or can be provided with sleeves, as shown in Figure 12b.

Figure 15 and Figure 16 are schematic plan view and exploded illustrations, respectively, of a baby carrier garment 180 according to a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, baby carrier garment 180 includes an upper body garment formed by a back garment panel 182 and a front garment panel 184.

Front panel 184 includes a single breast-feeding slit 192.

A single elongate panel 186 is sewn to one shoulder for wrapping around the back of the adult wearer and tying around the entire body, so as to form a baby carrier and hold the baby. According to one embodiment, panel 186 extends from the right shoulder covering the chest and the abdomen, and under the left armpit and around the left waist, to the wearer's back. Alternatively, panel 186 may extend from the left shoulder over the right waist.

According to this embodiment, elongate panel 186 includes stitching 188 at the waist, coupling panel 186 to one side of waist of front panel 184, here illustrated as the left side, forming a baby seat 190. Stitching 188 further couples panel 186 to the same side of back panel 182. The edge of panel 186 may be coupled to the other waist side of back panel 182, or to any other part of garment 180, in accordance with the contemporary style and the designing requirements of garment 180. Baby seat 190 is adapted to hold a baby in a side-sitting position, substantially the same as in the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8.

It is known that Kangaroo or Koala Care (skin to skin carrying of infants) is particularly useful in neonatal intensive care units, most particularly for low birth weight premature infants. The garment 200 shown in Figures 17a, 17b, 18a, and

18b, according to yet another embodiment of the invention, is particularly designed for premature babies, who require skin to skin contact which, according to studies, may help them thrive. This embodiment is substantially similar to that illustrated in Figure 9, but the breastfeeding apertures in the front panel 202 are substantially enlarged, providing substantial skin to skin contact between the mother or father wearing the shirt and the infant held therein. Thus, in the illustrated embodiment a contact aperture 204 is provided in front panel 202 against which a premature baby would be held by the carrier 206. Preferably, contact aperture 204 includes strengthening strips 208 to maintain its shape, and to prevent the baby from sliding through aperture 204.

While, in the illustrated embodiments, the parts of the garment are sewn to one another, it will be appreciated that, alternatively, the different parts of the garment according to the invention may be affixed to one another by any suitable means, such as gluing or heat sealing, or alternatively, the material can be cut differently than the designs described above. It will further be appreciated that the same baby carrying technique, with breastfeeding apertures, may be applied to any upper article of clothing, such as sleeveless shirt, vest, T-shirt, tunic, undershirt or a blouse, having sleeves of any length or with no sleeves at all.

While the invention has been described with respect to a limited number of embodiments, it will be appreciated that many variations, modifications and other applications of the invention may be made. It will further be appreciated that the invention is not limited to what has been described hereinabove merely by way of example. Rather, the invention is limited solely by the claims which follow.