Nursing garment

Abstract

A nursing garment has a rear portion and a front portion, the front portion including an inner layer having a first opening located proximal to the nipple of one of the wearer's breasts. An outer layer superimposed on the inner layer has a second opening, the first and second openings being alignable with each other to allow the nipple to be exposed. A first curtain member disposed between the inner and outer layers is accessible through the second opening and is 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, allowing communication between the first and second openings and permitting 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 positionable against the wearer's breasts, the inner layer having a first breast supporting portion defined therein and a first slit formed in the first breast supporting position 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 first opening defined therein, the first slit and the first opening 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 first 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 slit and obstructs access thereto via the first opening;   when in the revealing position, the first curtain member is drawn out of the way of the first slit and the first opening thereby allowing communication between the first slit and the first opening 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 third and fourth 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 second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         6 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first slit has an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         7 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed above the first breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         8 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the first opening is a second slit disposed below the first breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         9 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed medial to the first breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         10 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the second opening is a second slit disposed lateral to the first breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         11 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the first opening is a second slit having an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         12 . 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. 
     
     
         13 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 5 , 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 the first breast supporting portion and the second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         14 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein:
 the inner layer has a second breast supporting portion and a slit formed in the second breast supporting portion located proximal to the nipple of the other one of the wearer's breasts for providing access thereto;   the outer layer has a second opening defined therein, the second slit and the second 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 second 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 second slit and obstructs access thereto via the second opening;   when in the revealing position, the second curtain member is drawn out of the way of the second slit and the second opening thereby allowing communication between the second slit and the second opening and permitting the nipple of the other one of the wearer's breasts to be exposed for nursing.   
     
     
         15 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second slit has an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical orientation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         16 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is a third slit disposed above the second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         17 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is a third slit disposed below the second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         18 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is a third slit disposed medial to the second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         19 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is a third slit disposed lateral to the second breast supporting portion. 
     
     
         20 . The nursing garment as claimed in  claim 14 , wherein the second opening is a third slit having an orientation selected from the group consisting of: (a) a horizontal orientation; (b) a vertical oreintation; and (c) a slanted orientation. 
     
     
         21 . 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.