GB2064961A

GB2064961A - Nursing breast pad

Info

Publication number: GB2064961A
Application number: GB7943299A
Authority: GB
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1979-12-15
Filing date: 1979-12-15
Publication date: 1981-06-24
Also published as: GB2064961B

Abstract

A nursing bread pad is cup- shaped and is provided with one or more moisture-absorbent inner layers (4) made, for example, of muslin, and a moisture impermeable outer layer (1) made, for example, of a plastics material. The outer layer (1) is more extensive than the or each inner layer (4), thus leaving a skirt (9) of moisture- impermeable material at the edge of the pad which in use prevents the moist inner layer or layers (4) from coming into contact with clothes. The shape of the pad prevents movement thereof in use. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Nursing breast pad The present invention relates to a pad to be worn to absorb excess lactation during breast feeding.

The breast pad presently available is made up of tissue paper squares 10 cm x 10 cm, with the back sheet of tissue being lined with a moisture-proof backing and the top sheet made from a protective material.

The problems with the known breast pad are (a) the shape, being flat they tend to move around, (b) the rather poor absorbing capacity, (c) the fact that the inner tissue squares are the same size as the moisture-proof square, therefore, when the tissue squares are saturated these swell and extend beyond the moisture-proof backing thus wetting the clothes, (d) in spite of the protective sheet of material on the top, the poor capacity of the tissue to absorb can result in considerable wetness and cause soreness and cracking of the skin, and (e) their intended disposal after use, which is costly.

The present invention provides a nursing breast pad which is cup-shaped and which has one or more moisture-absorbent inner layer and a moistureimpermeable outer layer more extensive than the or each inner layer.

The present invention overcomes problem (a) by providing a cup-shaped pad which would fit over the nipple area, thereby preventing any movement; problem (b) can be overcome by providing 6 layers of cotton muslin material, which is not uncomfortable to wear even when damp and which is more absorbent than paper tissue; problem (c) is overcome by making the inner absorbent layer(s) smaller than the outer moisture-impermeable layer, thereby leaving a margin of the moisture-impermeable material around the edge, thus preventing the wet inner material coming into contact with the clothes; as regards problem (d) it has been observed on some occasions that the impermeable outer cup and the body warmth act together and result, to some extent, in the moisture being drawn away from the skin towards the outer layer keeping the skin reasonably dry, thus helping to prevent soreness and cracking of the skin. Assuming the pad of the present invention is formed of appropriate material, it can be machine-washable, thus making it reusable, thereby saving on cost.

The present invention preferably comprises an outer cup made from an impermeable plastics material and a smaller inner cup made up of, say, 6 layers of a soft absorbent material.

The pad of the present invention when made up from a strong but soft white plastics material and with a white cotton muslin inner is completely washable and will stand up to very hot water and is unaffected by the heat of a tumble dryer, but can be just as easily dried in the open air. In the washable variety the muslin inner would be over-stitched around the edge to prevent fraying. Treats have shown this washable type to be very tough and long lasting.

The outer layer could be made up from a lighter gauge plastics material and the inner of paper tissue, this then being lined with a protective material to produce a much cheaper disposable pad. The seam and perimeter could be joined by heat welding. The heat-welded margin around the perimeter would be wide enough to help prevent the seepage of moisture to the clothes.

The method by which the pads are made up will be more readily understood from the following description and accompanying drawings, in which, Figure 1, shows a plan view of an outer plastics layer which is 14.5 cm in diameter. A segment of 60 is taken out, leaving a 0.5 cm seam allowance 2 which is then stitched along a stitch line 3 together to form a cone, the weight of which cone is 1.77 g. Figure 2, shows a plan view of the inner muslin layers 4 which are 13 cm in diameter. Again a segment of 60 5 is taken out, leaving a 0.5 cm seam allowance. The muslin 4 has 6 layers which are over stitched 6 around the entire edge to prevent fraying. The segment edges are then joined with a flat seam along stitch lines 7 to form a cone, the weight of which is 2.51 g. Figure 3, shows a perspective view of the two cones stitched together to form the finished article. This is done by pressing the smaller muslin cone 4 into the larger plastics cone 1 with the two seams together for neatness and running a single row of stitches 8 around the inside of the perimeter of the muslin cone and through to the plastics cone. This leaves a 0.75 cm skirt of the plastics material around the edge.

Claims

1. A nursing breast pad which is cup-shaped and which has one or more moisture-absorbent inner layer and a moisture-impermeable outer layer more extensive than the or each inner layer.

2. A nursing breast pad according to claim 1, wherein the outer layer is made of a plastics material.

3. A nursing breast pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each inner layer is made of cotton.

4. A nursing breast pad according to claim 3, wherein the or each inner layer is made of muslin.

5. A nursing breast pad according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the or each inner layer is made of paper tissue.

6. A nursing breast pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each inner layer and the outer layer each comprise a respective substantially circular piece of material from which a sector having an angle of approximately 60 has been removed.

7. A nursing breast pad according to claim 6, wherein two radii of each of the said pieces of material, which radii define the removed sector thereof, are overlapped such that the respective layer has a substantially conical shape.

8. A nursing breast pad according to any preceding claim, wherein the or each inner layer and the outer layer are sewn together.

9. A nursing breast pad substantially as herein described with reference to, and/or as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.