Behind the Patent: A Female Founder's Story

When I invented Lunnie’s leakproof nursing bra, I knew I was onto something unique. I conducted heavy consumer and patent research to make sure it didn’t exist. The more I got into prototyping and development, the more I believed the Lunnie bra was patentable. 

However, when I spoke to various lawyers I heard the same thing: “What’s the big deal about a leakproof nursing bra? Why are sewn-in pads so special? Is leaking that big of a problem? Doesn’t this already exist?” 

Clearly, these lawyers didn’t have the experience of being a leaky, breastfeeding mom. Even though I knew this product was unique, I started to believe them that maybe the Lunnie bra wasn’t a patentable invention after all. 

Enter Katie Hill. She is a serial entrepreneur, inventor, patent holder, and mom who has lived the pains of frumpy nursing bras. And I had the good fortune of her being assigned as an advisor to Lunnie through the Entrepreneurs’ Center in Dayton, OH.

Katie did not accept no for an answer. When lawyers pushed back, she put them in their place. When I was worried about legal expenses, Katie secured grant funding. When I doubted myself, she gave me the confidence to keep going.

I filed for a utility patent just a few days after giving birth to my third daughter. Two years later, we got the good news: Lunnie was awarded Patent No. US 12,022,891. 

This isn’t just a win for me and Lunnie. This is a win for female entrepreneurs. We face an uphill battle of not being taken seriously, especially when our product is women-centric. Some of it is conscious bias, but a lot of it is unconscious. Simply put, the decision makers - investors, lawyers, patent examiners, etc. - often haven’t been in our shoes. That's why a measly 10.9% of patents are awarded to women, according to the USPTO. 

I’m forever grateful to Katie for encouraging me and standing up for me  to secure this patent. As Katie puts it, “Sometimes you have to yell to make it happen." 

Xx,

Sarah Kallile

Founder & CEO

Lunnie