Nursing garment

Abstract

The present invention relates to a nursing garment having front and rear portions. The front portion includes an inner layer positionable against the wearer's breasts. The inner layer has a first opening defined therein located proximal to the nipple of one of the wearer's breasts for providing access thereto. An outer layer having a second opening is superimposed on the inner layer. The first and second openings are alignable with each other to allow the nipple to be exposed. Also provided is a curtain member disposed between the inner and outer layers. The curtain member is accessible through the second opening and is moveable between a concealing position which obstructs access to the first opening through the second opening, and a revealing position which allows communication between the first and second openings to permit the nipple to be exposed for nursing.

1 . A nursing garment comprising:
 a rear portion for placing against a wearer's back; and   a front portion joined to the rear portion, the front portion Including:
 an inner layer positionabie against the wearer's breasts, the inner layer having a first opening defined therein located proximal to the nipple of one of the wearer's breasts for providing access thereto; 
 an outer layer superimposed on the inner layer, the outer layer having a second opening defined therein, the first and second openings being alignable with each other to allow the nipple to be exposed; and 
 a first curtain member disposed between the inner and outer layers of the front portion, the first curtain member being accessible through the second opening defined in the outer layer and being moveable between a concealing position and a revealing position; 
   when in the concealing position, the first curtain member shrouds the first opening and obstructs access thereto via the second opening;   when in the revealing position, the first curtain member is drawn out of the way of the first and second openings thereby allowing communication between the first and second openings and permitting the nipple to be exposed for nursing.   
     
     
         2 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first curtain member having a plurality of edges, at least one of the plurality of edges being secured to one of the inner and outer layers and at least another one of the plurality of edges being loose. 
     
     
         3 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein the first curtain member has opposed first and second edges, the first edge being secured to the outer layer adjacent the second opening defined therein and the second edge being loose. 
     
     
         4 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the first curtain member further has opposed third and fourth edges adjacent the second edge, the first and second edges being secured to one of the inner layer and the outer layer. 
     
     
         5 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the inner layer defines a first breast receiving portion for receiving the one of the wearer's breasts and a second breast receiving portion for receiving the other one of the wearer's breasts. 
     
     
         6 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the first opening is a first slit formed in the first breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         7 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the first slit has an orientation selected from the group consisting of (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical horizontal orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         8 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed above the first breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         9 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed below the first breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         10 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed medial to the first breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         11 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed lateral to the first breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         12 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein the second opening is a second slit having an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical horizontal orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         13 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has an annular elastic band secured to the inner layer along a lower edge thereof to support the wearer's breast. 
     
     
         14 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the inner layer has an upper edge, a lower edge and an elongated piece of elastic material extending therebetween, the elongated piece of elastic material deforming the inner layer to divide the inner layer of the front portion between a left breast receiving portion and a right breast receiving portion, each cup portion being sized and shaped to receive a respective one of the wearer's breasts. 
     
     
         15 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner layer has a third opening defined therein located proximal to the nipple of the other one of the wearer's breasts for providing access thereto;   the outer layer has a fourth opening defined therein, the third and fourth openings being alignable with each other to allow the nipple of the other one of the wearer's breasts to be exposed; and   the front portion further includes a second curtain member disposed between the inner and outer layers of the front portion, the second curtain member being accessible through the fourth opening defined in the outer layer and being moveable between a concealing position and a revealing position;   when in the concealing position, the second curtain member shrouds the third opening and obstructs access thereto via the fourth opening;   when in the revealing position, the second curtain member is drawn out of the way of the third and fourth openings thereby allowing communication between the third and fourth openings and permitting the nipple of the other one of the wearer's breasts to be exposed for nursing.   
     
     
         16 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein the inner layer defines a first breast receiving portion for receiving the one of the wearer's breasts and a second breast receiving portion for receiving the other one of the wearer's breasts. 
     
     
         17 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the third opening is a first slit formed in the second breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         18 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 17 , wherein the first slit has an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical horizontal orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         19 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the fourth opening is a second slit disposed above the second breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         20 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the fourth opening is a second slit disposed below the second breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         21 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the fourth opening is a second slit disposed medial to the second breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         22 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16  wherein the fourth opening is a second slit disposed lateral to the second breast receiving portion. 
     
     
         23 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 16 , wherein the fourth opening is a second slit having an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical horizontal orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         24 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1  further including a pocket member for receiving a nursing pad. 
     
     
         25 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the pocket member is defined in the inner layer of the front portion, between the inner and outer layers, to allow the nursing pad to be held therebetween. 
     
     
         26 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 24 , wherein the pocket member is defined in the inner layer of the front portion, between the inner layer and the wearer's breasts. 
     
     
         27 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the nursing garment is configured into an upper body garment selected from a group consisting of: (a) a tank top, (b) a camisole, (c) a dress, (d) a sweater, (e) a jacket, (f) a vest, (g) a coat, (h) a tunic, (i) a shirt, (j) a t-shirt, (k) a long-sleeved shirt, (l) a ¾ sleeve shirt, (m) a sleeveless shirt, (n) a sweatshirt, (o) a strapless shirt, (p) a brassiere, (q) a bodysuit, (r) a jumpsuit and (s) a swimsuit.