AU2009201982A1 - Nursing bra - Google Patents

Description

1 NURSING BRA Field of the Invention 5 The present invention relates generally to bras. More particularly, the invention relates to a nursing bra. Background of the Invention 10 Nursing bras come in a variety of different shapes and styles. However, they often possess one or more undesirable characteristics. For example, some nursing bras have shoulder straps or a halter. These may be unwanted where a user is desirous of wearing apparel that is designed to be worn in conjunction with a bra without shoulder straps or a halter. Alternatively, a nursing bra may require more 15 than one hand to open a bra cup in order to expose the breast for nursing. This may cause inconvenience to a user who is holding their infant and does not wish to lay them down in order to open the bra cup. Another disadvantage is that the cups may be fastened with clips or velcro to the bra which, upon opening in certain environments, may generate unwanted noise. Another undesirable 20 characteristic of some nursing bras is the lack of breast support they provide during general wear and while feeding an infant. The present invention provides an alternative nursing bra that alleviates one or more of these disadvantages. 25 The reference to any prior art in this specification is not, and should not be taken as an acknowledgement or any form of suggestion that the referenced prior art forms part of the common general knowledge in Australia. 30 2 Summary The invention provides a bra for nursing an infant. The bra includes a frame having a lower portion, a pair of side portions, a pair of upper portions and an 5 intermediate portion separating the upper portions. The bra also has a pair of back straps each being connected to a side portion of the frame and a pair of cups each having an upper edge portion, a lower edge portion and a side edge portion, the side edge portion being fixedly connected to the frame. A slide fastener connecting the lower edge portion of each cup to each upper portion of 10 the frame is also included. In use, the slide fastener is adjusted to allow rotation of the cups about a hinge defined by the side edge portion of the cup. Optionally, the bra may include a slide fastener guard that is connected to the upper portions of the frame and located adjacent to the slide fastener. The slide 15 fastener guard protects the skin of the user from damage that may be caused by adjustment of the slide fastener. In addition, the slide fastener guard may add support and / or lift to the breasts during normal wearing of the bra. Preferably, the slide fastener guard remains unmoved when the slide fastener is adjusted thereby adding support for the breast while also nursing an infant. The slide fastener guide 20 may take any suitable shape or form and can be made of any appropriate material. The type of slide fastener used is not particularly limited. For example, the slide fastener may incorporate the Ziploc* system that is used widely to seal certain 25 plastic bags. Preferably however, the slide fastener is a zipper. The zipper is preferably arranged with outward facing teeth so as not to damage the skin (should there be no slide fastener guard present). The side edge portion of each cup may be fixedly connected to any suitable 30 portion of the frame. For example, the side edge portion of each cup may be connected to the intermediate portion of the frame. In that case, adjustment of the slide fastener allows the cups to rotate towards the centre of the frame. Preferably however, the side edge portions of the cups are fixedly connected to the side 3 portions of the frame. Upon adjustment of the slide fastener, the cups rotate towards the periphery of the frame. The hinge defined by the side edge portion of each cup may be of any particular 5 height or length. For instance, the height of the hinge may be more than half the maximum height of the frame. Preferably, the height of the hinge is less than half the maximum height of the frame. The shape of the upper edge portions and lower edge portions of each bra cup 10 may be either straight or curved. Optionally, the upper edge portion may be curved while the lower edge portion is straight. Preferably, both the upper edge portion and the lower edge portion of each bra cup are curved. Similarly, the lower portion of the frame is not intended to be limited to any particular shape. For example, the lower portion may be straight or curved. Preferably, the lower portion 15 is curved. When each bra cup is fully engaged, the upper edge portion of each cup may be higher or lower than the intermediate portion of the frame. Preferably, when fully engaged, the upper edge portion of each cup is higher than the intermediate portion of the frame. Ultimately, the shape of the upper and lower edge portions of each bra cup as well as that of the lower portion of the frame will 20 depend on the user's preference for a particular style or may be dictated by current fashion trends. The back straps may include any compatible fastening member suitable for fastening the back straps together. Such fastening members may include one or 25 more male fastening parts and one or more corresponding female fastening parts. Non-limiting examples of compatible fastening members include clips, hooks (for example, hook-and-eye), rings, velcro and buttons. When a hook-and-eye arrangement is employed, the back straps may include one or more sets of eyes. Preferably, the back straps will include 3 or more sets of eyes and even more 30 preferably, 4, 5 or 6 sets of eyes. Each set of eyes may contain 1, 2, 3, 4 or 5 individual eyes. Preferably, the number of individual hooks will equal the number of individual eyes contained in a set.

4 The style of bra cups utilised in the bra may be moulded or seamless. Preferably, the bra cups are seamless. An advantage of seamless bra cups is that they impart a smooth finish to clinging garments worn over the bra. The size of the cups is not particularly limited. Therefore, the bra may be constructed utilising cups of various 5 sizes in order to cater for different user sizes. Additionally, the interior of the cups may be shaped or styled to accommodate breast pads. Optionally, the frame includes under wires for providing improved uplift to the breasts. Furthermore, the frame and / or the back straps may have gripper elastic 10 or silicone beading to minimise slippage. Each back strap may also include at least one gusset member to provide further support for the bra. It will be appreciated that any combination of under wires, gripper elastic, silicone or gusset members may be incorporated into the bra. 15 The bra is preferably constructed so that when the cups are fully engaged, the cups and frame form a first perimeter, wherein after disengagement of the cups, the first perimeter is incomplete. This generally results in full exposure of the upper part of the breast after disengagement of the cup. 20 Optionally, the bra may include a first connector member on each back strap and a second connector member on each cup for connecting a shoulder strap or a halter between the first and second connector members. While this may advantageously provide the user with extra support, the range of apparel that may be worn over the bra may be reduced. Alternatively, the bra does not include the 25 first or second connector members and is therefore devoid of shoulder straps and a halter. In this case, the cups are only attached to the frame by the hinge and slide fastener and the bra is configured with straps that only go around the sides and fasten together at the back.

5 Brief Description of the Figures Figure 1 is a front view of a nursing bra with fully engaged bra cups in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention. 5 Figure 2 is a rear view of the nursing bra shown in figure 1 with one bra cup partially disengaged. Figure 3 is a rear view of the nursing bra shown in figure 1 with the back straps 10 fully straightened out. Figure 4 is a partial perspective view of a slide fastener and a slide fastener guard of a nursing bra in accordance with one preferred embodiment of the invention. 15 Figure 5 is a perspective view of a user wearing a nursing bra with one disengaged bra cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention. Figure 6 is a perspective view of a user nursing an infant while wearing a nursing bra with one disengaged bra cup in accordance with a preferred embodiment of 20 the invention. Detailed Description of the Drawings Alternative embodiments of the invention will be apparent to those skilled in the 25 art from consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and example be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the invention being indicated by the claims which follow. Wherever possible, like numbers will refer to like parts. 30 An example of a nursing bra in accordance with the present invention is shown in figures 1 to 3. The nursing bra 10 has a frame 12 with an intermediate portion 14, a lower portion 20, upper portions 18 and side portions 16. The bra also has a pair of cups 24, a pair of back straps 22, a slide fastener 30 and a slide fastener guard 6 34. The slide fastener 30 includes a sliding element 36 and a tab 38 as will be described further in relation to figure 4 below. Each cup 24 has an upper edge portion 25, a lower edge portion 27 and a side 5 edge portion 29. The side edge portion 29 is fixedly connected to the side portion 16 of the frame. When the user is not nursing an infant, the cups are fully engaged with the frame by way of slide fastener 30 which connects the upper portion 18 of the frame with the lower edge portion 27 of each cup as shown in figures 2 and 3. 10 Each back strap 22 is connected to a side portion 16 of the frame and is provided with compatible fastening members for fastening the straps around the back of a user. Preferably, the fastening members are hooks 26 and eyes 28. As illustrated in figure 2, the bra includes more than one set of eyes 28 to allow fastening of the 15 straps at a suitable tightness to the user. As depicted in figure 3, gusset members 40 may be included on each back strap 22 for strengthening support. Optionally, connector members 42 and 44 may be provided on each back strap 22 and cup 24 for the removable connection of shoulder straps or a halter (not shown). Preferably, the connector members 42 and 44 are in the form of loops. It will be 20 appreciated that the inclusion of connector members for shoulder straps or a halter will depend on the user's personal preference for additional support and the choice of apparel to be worn over the bra. The cups 24 are seamless moulded cups. While not shown, it will be understood 25 that gripper elastic may be employed to minimise slippage down the body. Under wires can also be incorporated into the frame 12 to assist in shaping the bra and also add support for the breasts. Figure 4 illustrates a partial perspective view of a slide fastener 30 and slide 30 fastener guard 34. Although any suitable slide fastener will suffice, preferably the slide fastener is a zipper. The slide fastener 30 is composed of sliding element 36 and tab 38. The tab 38 is held by the user to assist in adjusting the slide fastener so as to engage and disengage the cup and the frame. Teeth 32 are attached to 7 the lower edge portion 27 of the cup 24 and the upper portion 18 of the frame 12. Slide fastener guard 34 lies adjacent to the slide fastener 30 and prevents damage to the skin that may result from adjustment of the slide fastener. The slide fastener guard 34 may also provide additional support for the breasts. 5 Figure 5 illustrates a user wearing a nursing bra in accordance with the present invention. In use, the slide fastener 30 is adjusted to disengage cup 24 from the upper portion 18 of the frame 12. The cup is then rotated about a hinge defined by the side edge portion 29 of the cup 24 in order to expose the breast of the user 10 thereby allowing an infant to be nursed (figure 6). It will of course be realised that the above has been given only by way of illustrative example of the invention and that all such modifications and variations thereto as would be apparent to persons skilled in the art are deemed to fall within 15 the broad scope and ambit of the invention as herein set forth.

Claims (17)

1. A bra for nursing an infant including: a frame having a lower portion, a pair of side portions, a pair of upper portions and 5 an intermediate portion separating the upper portions; a pair of back straps each being connected to a side portion of the frame; a pair of cups each having an upper edge portion, a lower edge portion and a side edge portion, the side edge portion fixedly connected to the frame; a slide fastener connecting the lower edge portion of each cup to each upper 10 portion of the frame; and in use the slide fastener is adjusted to allow rotation of the cups about a hinge defined by the side edge portion of the cup.

2. The bra of claim 1, further including a slide fastener guard connected to the 15 upper portions of the frame and located adjacent to the slide fastener.

3. The bra of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the slide fastener is a zipper.

4. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the side edge portions of the cups 20 are fixedly connected to the side portions of the frame.

5. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the lower edge portion of each cup is curved. 25

6. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein when fully engaged, the upper edge portion of each cup is higher than the intermediate portion of the frame.

7. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the lower portion of the frame is curved. 30

8. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 7, further including compatible fastening members on each back strap for fastening the back straps together. 9

9. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the cups are seamless.

10. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 9, further including under wires in the frame. 5

11. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 10, further including at least one gusset member on each back strap.

12. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein when fully engaged, the cups and frame form a first perimeter, wherein after disengagement of the cups, the 10 first perimeter is incomplete.

13. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the hinge has a height, the height being less than half the maximum height of the frame. 15

14. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein the cups are attached to the frame only by the hinge and the slide fastener.

15. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 14, wherein the bra is configured with straps that only go around the sides and fasten together at the back. 20

16. The bra of any one of claims 1 to 14, further including a first connector member on each back strap and a second connector member on each cup for connecting a shoulder strap or a halter between the first and second connector members. 25

17. A bra for nursing an infant substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.