WO2012160336A1

WO2012160336A1 - An absorbent pad

Info

Publication number: WO2012160336A1
Application number: PCT/GB2012/000466
Authority: WO
Inventors: Tracy Wilson; Emma Brown
Original assignee: Tracy Wilson; Emma Brown
Priority date: 2011-05-25
Filing date: 2012-05-25
Publication date: 2012-11-29
Also published as: GB201108936D0; GB2505385A; GB201323050D0; WO2012160336A8

Abstract

Infants and babies often dribble particularly when their teeth are coming through. Also when an infant has a dummy or comforter in their mouth, frequently the infant will dribble or produce excess saliva. This saliva or dribble falls onto the garments or clothing. Therefore sometimes baby's dribble can soak into their clothes, and through to their skin, which can lead to a rash or discomfort or a chill. According to the present invention there is provided a removable absorbent pad provided with adhesive sections, dimensioned for attachment in or to an infant's top.

Description

AN ABSORBENT PAD

Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to an absorbent pad, more particularly the invention relates to an absorbent pad for use with clothing, particularly but not exclusively, with infant's clothing.

Background

Infants and babies often dribble especially when they are "teething" - that is when their teeth are coming through.

Also when an infant has a dummy or comforter in their mouth, frequently the infant dribbles or produces excess saliva. This saliva or dribble usually drips onto the infant's garments or clothing. Therefore sometimes a baby's dribble can soak into their clothes, and through to their skin, which can lead to soreness or a rash or discomfort.

Prior Art

Attempts have been made in the past to deal with this problem.

United States Patent Application US-A-2010 122 390 (Sender) discloses a one piece garment with a protective covering, comprising: a garment made of fabric material having a front surface and a single layer protective surface that is sewn onto the front surface. The single layer protective surface is made from urethane material and is sufficiently thin so as to be flexible and lightweight for a young child to wear so that the protective surface protects the garment by providing water proofing from spillage. It is easy to clean and prevents dampness of the garment. United States Patent US 7 032 247 (Frieswick) discloses a protective bib- garment system that has: a bib portion, with a broad protective section and two feed through straps; each of said feed through strap has an open end and a base end adjacent said broad protective section of said bib. A garment portion has two sets of pre-cut openings, wherein each set of pre-cut openings has a lower pre-cut lower opening and a higher pre-cut opening.

Each set of said pre-cut openings is positioned on the garment portion substantially at a shoulder section to either side of a neck opening, so that said bib feed through straps can be fastened one to another after passing through a set of said pre-cut lower and upper garment openings. When fastened, the bib portion remains substantially fixed in position relative to said garment portion so as not to rotate about a user's neck.

United States Patent US 6 216 269 (Smith) discloses a combination garment bib system consisting of: a garment portion; and a bib portion attachable to said garment portion. The garment portion includes a shirt garment having a neck opening and is constructed from absorbent garment material.

An impermeable layer is provided only around the front of said neck opening beneath said garment material. A number of hook and pile fastener tabs are spaced and provided around said front of said neck opening on the exterior surface of the garment material. The bib portion having an absorbent top layer backed by a fluid impermeable layer to which a number of bib hook and pile fastener sections are attached. The bib is spaced such that the bib hook and pile fastener sections correspond to, and simultaneously connect with, said garment hook and pile fastener tabs in order to hold the bib portion in place during use.

Although successful to varying degrees, there is still a tendency for dribble to wet an infant's clothing and can cause soreness, discomfort or even lead to the baby developing a chill. An aim of the invention is to provide an easy to use and infant tamper-proof arrangement for preventing dribble or excess saliva bothering an infant, wetting the infant and causing distress and soreness.

Summary of the Invention

According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided an absorbent pad having an adhesive section, the pad being dimensioned and arranged to be attachable to and removable from an article of clothing so as to absorb moisture.

Ideally the pad is contained, in use, within a pocket in an infant's clothing, or garment such as for example a body suit.

Preferably the pocket is provided on the inside of an infant's suit, such in use the infant is prevented from detaching the pad.

The pocket is additionally intended to be accessible from the infant's crotch area, in a sense that the user can unfastens closure members at an infant body suit's crotch and reach up towards the infant's head to remove and replace the pad.

Fasteners members may be popper connectors, buttons, a zip or hook and loop connections strips.

In further embodiments of suits, such as where the suit is buttoned or fastened at a shoulder, the pocket may be disposed towards an opening or fastener of the suit.

Preferably in all cases the pocket is arranged to be accessible and not easily tampered with by the infant. The invention therefore provides a removable, disposable pad that combats soreness from dribbling by providing a pad adapted to absorb moisture in contact with it, and so prevents moisture soaking through to the wearer's skin. The pad may then be replaced when required. The pad may be disposable or washable, so that it can be re-used.

Alternative embodiments of the invention may have pockets provided in a pad support, that is worn by a baby or infant and which are accessible from different sides, so enabling a parent or carer to be able to access the absorbent pad, remove it and replace it from the left or right side.

In a yet further embodiment pockets may be provided to the outside of the garment in use.

According to another aspect of the invention there is provided a modified article of clothing having a recess arranged to receive a pad so that the combined garment and pad form a waterproof barrier between an external surface of the clothing and the wearer's skin.

Patterns or designs may be printed or formed on the pad and/or the article of clothing that is adapted to receive the pad.

The pad is ideally provided with a plurality of adhesive sections that enable easy attachment to surfaces, wherein interior of a pocket provides at least one face to which the pad is adapted to stick.

Preferably the pocket has an inside face in contact with the infant in use, wherein this inside face is formed from a waterproof material, such as a synthetic plastics material, which prevents pass-through of moisture to the infant chest.

In an alternative arrangement the absorbent pad may be coated with a waterproof material or have a waterproof layer formed there over so as to provide a barrier between the moist or wet clothing and the wearer's skin by preventing moisture from passing through the pad.

Preferably this waterproof layer allows the wearer's skin to perspire or 'breath' naturally, so that perspiration from the chest can pass to the pad whilst preventing moisture to pass through the pad to the skin. In alternative embodiments however the pad may not be waterproof.

In another preferred embodiment the pad is biodegradable. It is envisaged that the pad is formed from an absorbent core and two or more crimped or sealed covers which are water permeable. Various shapes and sizes and thickness of the pad may be envisaged. However pads are all planar format, so as to minimise inconvenience and maximise area of coverage.

In some embodiments, by virtue of adhesive sections used, the pad may be attached to different garments as required. Typically these adhesive sections are located below the wearer's chin. Ideally elongate strips secure the pad in a position where it can absorb dribble.

Closing mechanisms, which close the pocket include: poppers, buttons, press-studs, click or clip-fit, hook and loop (Velcro - Trade Mark), zipper mechanisms or other reversible fastenings.

In embodiments where parts of the pad are in direct contact with an infant, the pads are ideally formed from a breathable, hypoallergenic material especially where in contact with baby's skin.

Ideally the pad is made using biodegradable materials in order that a user is not discouraged from repeated replacement of pads, so as to increase the baby's comfort, whilst being "environmentally friendly".

The pads optionally include designs on front for aesthetic purposes and/or as a visual reminder of which side is adhesive. Furthermore in some embodiments these designs may include a dye which is adapted to change colour upon detection of moisture or when saturated, so that a parent or carer is alerted to replace the pad. A wick arrangement or tab may be arranged to protrude so that it is visible to the parent or carer and alert them as to the state of the pad.

In alternative embodiments pads may be cut to a particular shape or silhouette.

A preferred embodiment will now be discussed with reference to the Figures, in which:

Brief Description of Figures

Figure 1 shows an isometric view of a preferred embodiment of a pad;

Figure 2 shows a preferred embodiment of the garment; and

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the preferred embodiment of the pad in use in the preferred embodiment of the garment.

Detailed Description of Figures

Referring to the Figures a preferred embodiment of the pad 1 is shown integrated into an infant, child or baby bodysuit/vest 2 with an integrated hidden chest pocket 3 in Figure 3), into which the removable/disposable pad 1 can be placed.

The integrated pocket is ideally sewn right up to the neckline of the garment to protect as much of the skin of the baby as possible, The high neckline ensures maximum coverage by the pad 1. Pad 1 is made from an absorbent material, which is ideally a natural material and is double layered. Ideally both layers are fabricated from cotton so as to absorb as much moisture as possible.

The pocket 3 is designed so as to be as discreet as possible, for example by forming it from a moulding process or by blind stitching, so as not to reveal a seam, thereby ensuring that the pocket 3 is not normally noticeable when in use.

Optionally pads may be sized according to the garment size or they may be cut to suit a particular garment and are slid into the pocket on the garment, so that when in place in a baby garment the pad fits and remains in the pocket of the garment. When the pad and garment are worn the pad is arranged to reach and cover the baby's neckline in order that no dribble passes the pad. In this arrangement it is ensured that when placed on or in clothing, the pad prevents dribble from reaching the clothing or the infant.

Ideally the item of clothing is a bodysuit or vest 2 and is also made from cotton or flannel or linen, so that it is breathable, washable and can be tumble dried. In some embodiments the absorbent pad 1 may be formed from a similar material as the bodysuit or vest 2 and so is also washable and reusable.

Optionally the pad may be modified for use by people who suffer from dribble associated problems, motor control or who are undergoing dental treatment or surgery.

In such instances where pads and articles of clothing are for disabled or elderly people a back opening may be provided in the garment for easy access.

Ideally therefore in such embodiments adhesive strips 10 may be able to withstand repeated use and washing, such as by being composed as hook and loop or Velcro (Trade Mark). Adhesive strips 10 are placed on the top, bottom and/or sides of the pad 1. Adhesive strips 10 to the top, bottom and/or sides of the pad secure the pad when on the exterior of a garment (ensuring the baby does not pull them off).

Instructions regarding how to insert pads (e.g. how protective covers can be removed to reveal adhesive strips before inserting pads and once in place remove bottom strip) are also provided. When used on garment exteriors all strips should be removed, prior to use.

In a particularly preferred embodiment the outer lining of the pad 1 is made from cotton, which is bio degradable. A protective barrier to stop any moisture from reaching the skin is also made from a biodegradable material, such as bio plastic.

The combination of garment 2 and pad 1 as shown in Figure 2 in use, as an infant bodysuit/vest, has an integrated (hidden) chest pocket, into which the removable/disposable pad 1 can be placed. This combats the problem of dribble contacting the baby's chest by absorbing any moisture that it makes contact with and preventing the moisture from soaking through to the baby's delicate skin.

The material used for the pad is breathable ideally. Breathable materials are used so as not to cause infant overheating - which will ensure complete peace of mind to parents, users or carer's that baby will remain safe and dry throughout the day.

It is envisaged that pads 1 may have a range of child-appropriate designs printed on them to make them more appealable to young children. The pads can also be used as an aid when baby has cold related symptoms, such as a mucus or 'runny nose'. It is appreciated that although the pad may be worn on an inner surface of a garment, it may also be worn on the outside of the garment so that mucus and/or saliva/dribble can be absorbed.

Garments for receipt of pads 1 , such as that pictured in Figure 2, may have a popper opening to both shoulders. Having popper openings on both shoulders will enable the neckline to reach maximum coverage and will also give a little extra flexibility to the top part of the garment as having the pocket lining inside this will slightly restrict the elasticity in the garment. Popper or press stud opening on shoulders may allow the garment and pad neckline to be as high as possible to create maximum coverage, thus providing maximum protection of an infant's dribble zone.

In the pictured embodiment in Figure 2 the vest fastens at the garment crotch 20, with poppers or press studs. This allows the user to reach their hand (Figure 3, dotted line) towards the infant's head to access the pocket 3.

The invention has been described by way of examples only and it will be appreciated that variation may be made to the above-mentioned embodiments without departing from the scope of invention.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realised that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of the invention, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by the present invention.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention.

Variation to the above-mentioned embodiments include: modification of the pad into larger garments and articles of clothing which are worn by disabled and elderly people as well as patients in intensive care. For example the pad could also be incorporated into garments suitable for people who suffer from dribble associated problems, motor control or who are undergoing dental treatment or surgery.

In such instances where pads and articles of clothing are for disabled or elderly people a back opening may be provided in the garment for easy access, removal and even for accepting lines and feeding tubes.

A very fine elastic could be incorporated into the neckline of the garment or a modified pad so as to ensure that the garment is retained in contact with the skin and so prevent moisture escaping past the pad and onto the chest of the wearer.

Although reference has been made to the garment being a vest, it is understood that the garment may be, for example: a T-shirt, a romper suit, a night garment such as pyjama top or nightdress, a shirt or a dress. Any of these garment may be modified to include a pocket modified to receive a pad that covers the chest area of the wearer.

Optionally a sensor may be included in the garment to detect moisture levels. Ideally the sensor is an electronic sensor and includes a low voltage cell and an alert means, such as a lamp or an audible alarm.

The pad may be infused with essential oils to help aid certain ailments for example eucalyptus oil to aid decongestion and/or lavender oil to aid sleep.

Claims

1. An absorbent pad has an adhesive section, the pad being dimensioned and arranged to be attachable to and removable from a garment or an article of clothing so as to absorb moisture.

2. An absorbent pad according to claim 1 is adapted to be contained, in use, within a pocket in an item of clothing or garment.

3. An absorbent pad according to claim 2 is adapted to be contained in a pocket provided on an inside surface of the garment.

4. An absorbent pad according to claim 3 wherein the pocket is adapted to prevent inadvertent removal of the pad.

5. An absorbent pad according to claim 2 or 3 wherein the pocket is, accessible from the crotch area of the garment.

6. An absorbent pad according to any of claims 2 to 5 wherein fasteners are provided to close the pocket.

7. An absorbent pad according to claim 6 wherein fasteners are from the group comprising: popper connectors, buttons, zip fattener and hook and loop connections.

8. An absorbent pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is biodegradable.

9. An absorbent pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad includes a waterproof barrier.

10. An absorbent pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad has adhesive regions. n . An absorbent pad according to any preceding claim wherein different absorbency zones are provided.

12. A pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is disposable.

13. A pad according to any of claims 1 to 12 wherein the pad is washable.

14. A pad according to claim 13 wherein the pad is composed of materials allowing rapid biodegradation.

15. A pad according to any preceding claim has patterns and/or designs printed or formed thereon.

16. A pad according to any preceding claim wherein adhesive sections enable attachment to a surface of the garment.

17. A pad according to any preceding claim wherein the pad is formed from a breathable, hypoallergenic material.

18. A pad according to any preceding claim wherein a wick is arranged to protrude from the garment in order to indicate the state of the pad.

19. A pad according to any preceding claim is impregnated or infused with an essential oil.

20. A modified garment has a recess arranged to receive a pad according to any of claims 1 to 19 so that, in use, the combined garment and pad form a waterproof barrier between an external surface of clothing and the wearer's skin.

21. A modified garment according to claim 20 has patterns and/or designs printed or formed thereon.

22. A modified garment according to either claim 20 or 21 wherein a portion of the garment includes a means to ensure that the pad is retained in contact with the skin, so as to prevent moisture escaping past the pad and onto the chest of the wearer.

23. A modified garment according to any of claims 20 to 22 includes a bio- plastic (waterproof) layer.

24. A pad according to any of claims 1 to 19 and substantially as herein defined and with reference to the Figures.

25. A modified garment according to any of claims 20 to 23 and substantially as herein defined and with reference to the Figures.