Crossover Maternity and Nursing Garment

Abstract

A maternity and nursing garment is disclosed that is formed from a seamless double layer circular knit tube. The garment is flexible and stretchable throughout. The garment provides support and comfort for a woman's breasts as they change throughout pregnancy and afterwards. The garment also provides convenience and ease of access for nursing a baby.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method for manufacturing a maternity and nursing crossover brassiere, comprising:
 providing a seamless double layer circular knit tube, the double layer circular knit tube comprising an outer layer of fabric with at least two knit structures, an inner layer of fabric with at least two knit structures, and a knitted ribbed band encircling the circumference of the seamless double layer circular knit tube;   removing fabric from one portion of the outer layer of fabric and from one portion of the inner layer of fabric such that an opening for the woman's arms is created on either side of the brassiere;   removing fabric from a middle portion of the outer layer of fabric and an opposite portion from the inner layer of fabric such that the outer layer of fabric and inner layer of fabric form separate cups of the brassiere; and   sewing a top portion of the double layer circular knit tube together to create shoulder straps of the brassiere.   
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the double layer circular knit tube is made from a flexible, stretchable material that pulls in the breasts closer to the woman's body to provide support and lift of the breasts. 
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , further comprising:
 binding the edges of the brassiere at the portions where fabric was removed.   
     
     
         4 . A maternity and nursing crossover garment, comprising:
 an inner layer of fabric composed of at least two knit structures that is configured to be placed diagonally across a chest of a woman, the inner layer covering approximately a first half of the woman's chest and back;   an outer layer of fabric composed of at least two knit structures that is configured to be placed diagonally across the chest of the woman, the outer layer covering approximately a second half of the woman's chest and back; and   a knitted band connecting the inner and outer layers of fabric, configured to fit snugly under the breasts and around the circumference of the body of the woman, wherein the inner layer of fabric and outer layer of fabric are formed from a single seamless double layer circular knit tube formed from a flexible, stretchable material.   
     
     
         5 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the flexible, stretchable material is a knit fabric. 
     
     
         6 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 79-97% nylon and an inversely corresponding percentage of spandex. 
     
     
         7 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 89% nylon and 11% spandex. 
     
     
         8 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the seamless double layer circular knit tube is formed using an electronic circular knitting machine having a cylinder size ranging from  12  inches to  18  inches. 
     
     
         9 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the band is made using a ribbed knit structure. 
     
     
         10 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the fabric density is 210-400 gm/m 2 . 
     
     
         11 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the band has a circumference of 21 inches to 31 inches. 
     
     
         12 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein the height ranges from 9 inches to 13 inches. 
     
     
         13 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 92-95% cotton and an inversely corresponding percentage of spandex. 
     
     
         14 . The garment of  claim 5 , wherein the knit fabric is a blend including 92-95% organic cotton and an inversely corresponding percentage of spandex. 
     
     
         15 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein one of the at least two knit structures is a pique knit structure. 
     
     
         16 . The garment of  claim 4 , wherein one of the at least two knit structures is a jersey knit structure. 
     
     
         17 . The garment of  claim 4  further comprising a midsection portion extending downward from the knitted band and covering a midsection area of the woman, the midsection portion made from a seamless circular knit tube of a flexible and stretchable material. 
     
     
         18 . The garment of  claim 17 , wherein the seamless circular knit tube of the bottom portion is a double layer.