DESCRIPTION

The following specification particularly describes the invention and the manner in which it is to be performed.

Field of invention:

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.

Background of the invention:

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.

US patent number 6216274 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.

Summary of the invention

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:

-a screen,

-a frame assembly to facilitate fastening of said screen to head of a user mother to create a chamber, wherein said frame assembly comprises:

- a head fixture capable of being worn by the user mother on head,

- an adjusting mechanism movably coupled to said head fixture for adjusting size of said chamber, 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:

- a screen

- a L- shaped frame assembly to facilitate fastening of said screen to thigh and head of a user mother to create a chamber, 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.

Brief description of 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.

Figure 1: shows a front view of an apparatus for cover up according to an embodiment of the invention as worn by a user mother.

Figure 2: shows a side view of the apparatus

Figure 3 shows a top view of a screen

Figure 4 shows a front view of the screen

Figure 5(a) shows a top view of a head band

Figure 5(b) shows a side view of a head cap

Figure 5(c) ) shows a side view of a head helmet

Figure 6 shows a top view of adjusting mechanism

Figure 7 shows a front view of holder

Figure 8(a) shows a top view of fixed frame assembly Figure 8(b) shows a top view of foldable frame assembly

Figure 9 shows a side view of an apparatus for cover up as worn by a user mother according to another embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

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.

Figure 1 and Figure 2 refers to a front view and side view of an apparatus (100) for cover up according to a preferred embodiment as worn on a user mother (M). In the preferred embodiment the apparatus (100) for cover up comprises of a screen (110) and a frame assembly. The frame assembly could be either a fixed frame assembly or a foldable frame assembly. In the preferred embodiment the apparatus (100) for cover up comprises of a fixed frame assembly. The fixed frame assembly facilitates fastening of the screen (110) to head of the user mother (M) creating a chamber (150) that provides complete privacy to the user mother (M) during the process of breast feeding or breast pumping. Complete privacy refers to privacy provided to user mother (M) in which the user mother (M) can privately undress, breast feed an infant or perform breast pumping and dress again. The chamber (150) prevents exposure of breasts of the user mother (M) from being seen in all directions, hence promoting a relaxed, private and safe breast feeding or breast pumping environment. Such chamber (150) is spacious enough to ensure proper ventilation for the user mother (M) during breast feeding and breast pumping and the infant being breast fed. 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).

Figure3 and Figure 4 refers to the top and side view of the screen (110). The screen (110) is comprised of a light weight breathable fabric preferably cotton with plurality of vents (111). Vents (111) ensure visibility for the user mother (M) outside the chamber (150) enabling the user mother (M) to keep a check of the surrounding environment. Said vents (111) also ensure proper ventilation in the chamber (150) for the user mother (M) and the infant being breast fed. The screen (110) comprises of plurality of button fasteners (112) to fasten said screen (110) to band frame (121) of the head band (120a).

Figure 5(a) refers to top view of the head band (120a). The head band comprises of a band frame (121), padding (122), fastening belt (123) and plurality of button holes (124). The 'C- shaped' band frame (121) is preferably made of fiber glass to be worn by the user mother (M) on the head. Padding (121) is attached on the inner portion of said band frame (121) to provide a comfortable wear for the user mother (M). The padding (121) can be of any suitable material preferably of any anti itching material with sweat absorbing properties. The fastening belt (123) facilitates adjustable fixture of the band frame (121) on the head of the user mother (M). The fastening belt (122) could be of any material preferably of stretch fabric. The plurality of button holes (124) provides for fastening of the screen (110) through button fasteners (112).

Figure 5(b) and Figure 5(c) refers to side view of a head cap (120b) and a head helmet (120c) that can be used as a head fixture according to other aspect of the invention.

Figure 6 refers to the top view of the adjusting mechanism (130). The adjusting mechanism is used by the user mother (M) to adjust the size of the said chamber (150). The adjusting mechanism (130) comprises of a first arm (131), a second arm (132) and a stopper (133). The first arm (131) is coupled to the second arm (132) substantially at the centre of the second arm (132) forming a 'T-shape', at the distinct end of the first arm (131) is provided a stopper (133). The front side (133a) of the stopper (133) is attached with the first arm (131). The rear side (133b) of the stopper is provided with padding preferably of a fabric, so as to protect user mother (M)'s head in case of any accidental thrust. The first arm (131), second arm (132) and the stopper could be of any shape, preferably rectangular. The second arm (132) comprises of plurality of button holes (134) for fastening of button fasteners (112). The first arm (131) can be moved to and fro by the user mother (M) to adjust the size of the chamber (150).

Figure 7 refers to a holder (140) to movably attach adjusting mechanism (130) to the band frame (121) of the head band (120a). The holder (140) is of hollow cylindrical shape comprising of two slit (140a and 140b) on outer periphery to allow free passage of the first arm (131) of the adjusting mechanism (130). The holder (140) is further attached to the band frame (121).

Figure 8 (a) refers to the fixed frame assembly, wherein the adjusting mechanism (130) is movably attached to the head cap (120) using a holder (140). Figure 8 (b) refers to a top view of a foldable frame assembly according to a different aspect of the invention. The adjusting mechanism (130) is attached to the head band (120) using a joint (J). Foldable frame assembly provides for convenient packing option of the apparatus (100) for cover up, useful especially during travels.

Figure 9 refers to an apparatus (100) according to another embodiment of the present invention. The apparatus (100) comprises, of a screen (110) and an L- shaped frame assembly, said L-shaped frame assembly (L) is supported by the thighs and the head of the user mother (M). The screen (110) is attached to the frame assembly to create a chamber (150) to provide complete privacy to the mother (M) during breast feeding and breast pumping.

The present invention is now explained using illustrations and non-limiting examples. EXAMPLE 1:

An apparatus (100) for cover up according to present invention can be used by a user mother (M) during breagt 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.

EXAMPLE 2:

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).