Nursing pad
A disposable nursing pad comprising an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween. The inner and outer surfaces are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly which may have a non-circular shape. The absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex. The absorbent pulp material may be formed with a reduced material thickness in at least one slimmer area within the absorbent assembly perimeter that is less than a total area within the absorbent assembly perimeter such that at least two areas having pulp material of differing thickness are defined.
Latest Patents:
1. Technical Field
The present invention relates to an absorbent article, and more particularly, in at least one aspect, to a nursing pad for absorbing fluid from a woman's breast.
2. Description of the Related Art
During lactation, it is common for breast milk to periodically leak from a woman's breasts. To prevent the milk from saturating the woman's clothing, many women utilize pads which absorb the milk which are called nursing pads.
Nursing pads are well known in the art. The pads are typically formed from multiple layers and may be either flat or shaped, such as conical shaped. Known pads are associated with problems such as bulkiness, flatness, inability to change their shape when utilized, failure to fit snugly against the woman's body when used, leakage, and/or puckering.
Accordingly, there remains a need for an improved nursing pad that overcomes one or more or all of the foregoing problems.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTIONThe present invention relates to a disposable absorbent article which in at least one exemplary embodiment is a nursing pad comprising an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween. The inner and outer surfaces are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly with the perimeter having a non-circular shape. The absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly perimeter has an elliptical shape with major and minor axes wherein the ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is approximately 1.19:1.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly perimeter has a shape with an arcuate portion and opposed side portions which taper from the arcuate portion to a point. In such embodiment, the absorbent assembly perimeter may be substantially symmetrical about a plane extending between the point and a midpoint of the arcuate portion.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly perimeter has a generally triangular shape. In such embodiment, the absorbent assembly perimeter may include three equilateral sides and may further define three vertices, each of the vertices having a rounded configuration.
The absorbent article in at least one exemplary embodiment comprises a nursing pad having an absorbent assembly with an inner surface and an outer surface which are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly and an absorbent pulp material provided between the inner and outer surfaces within the absorbent assembly perimeter. The absorbent pulp material is formed with a reduced material thickness in at least one slimmer area within the absorbent assembly perimeter that is less than a total area within the absorbent assembly perimeter such that at least two areas having pulp material of differing thickness are defined.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly has a center area within the absorbent assembly perimeter and the at least one slimmer area extends circumferentially about the center area such that the center area has a pulp thickness which is larger than the pulp thickness of the remainder of the area within the absorbent assembly perimeter.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly has a center area within the absorbent assembly perimeter and at least one embossing line section extends radially about the center area.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the absorbent assembly has first and second substantial hemispheres and wherein the at least one slimmer area is in the first substantial hemisphere such that the first substantial hemisphere has a pulp thickness which is less than the pulp thickness in the second substantial hemisphere. In such an embodiment, the first and second substantial hemispheres may be divided by an arcuate contour line. A plurality of embossing line sections may be provided along the arcuate contour line.
In at least one exemplary embodiment, the article is a nursing pad having an absorbent assembly with an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween. The inner and outer surfaces are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly. In an unfolded condition, the absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex. In a folded condition, the absorbent assembly defines opposed folded sides extending between the perimeter with the opposed folded sides extending at an angle relative to one another in the range of approximately 150° to 175°.
The invention is best understood from the following detailed description when read in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of the drawings are not to scale. On the contrary, the dimensions of the various features may be arbitrarily expanded or reduced for clarity. Included in the drawings are the following figures:
Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims and without departing from the invention.
In the figures, the “rear” is the side of the nursing pad facing the wearer's breast and the “front” is the side facing away from the wearer toward the wearer's garment.
Referring to
In the exemplary embodiment of
Referring to the figures, and most particularly
The outer layer or moisture barrier 16 is disposed over the other side of the absorbent core 14, i.e., on the opposite side from the inner layer 12. In the present embodiment, a tissue layer 15, for example, a 20 gsm tissue paper, is provided between the outer layer 16 and the absorbent core 14. Alternatively, the outer layer 16 may be disposed directly on-top of the absorbent core 14. The outer layer 16 may be of any suitable generally liquid impervious material, for example, a nonwoven material with a polymer film applied thereto.
The core 14 can be made up of any suitable absorbent material, as well as combinations of different types of absorbent materials and may have any desired material weight and density. For example, in one preferred embodiment shown herein the absorbent core 14 is formed of an air-laid absorbent material, such as wood pulp, and a super absorbent polymer powder (SAP) and a binder. Examples of SAP include polyacrylamides, polyvinyl alcohol, polyacrylates, various grafted starches, and the like.
The inner layer 12 and the moisture barrier 16 are generally the same size and are disposed coincident with each other. The core 14 is of the same general shape as the inner layer 12 and the moisture barrier 16, but is slightly smaller in size, and is centered within the confines of the coincident peripheries of the inner layer 12 and moisture barrier 16. The marginal portions of the inner layer 12 and the moisture barrier 16 which extend beyond the periphery of the core 14 are secured together along their respective inner surfaces by any suitable means, e.g., thermal or ultrasonic bonding, or by an adhesive (not shown) such that the absorbent article 10 has an absorbent assembly 20 generally defined by the inner layer 12, the absorbent core 14 and the barrier 16.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
The absorbent article 10 of the present embodiment provides a nursing pad which generally fits within a wearer's brassiere and provides a smooth and discrete outer surface. While these aspects are achieved by the cupped core and the given perimeter configuration, the invention is not limited to the specific configuration shown or the aesthetic appearance thereof.
In the present embodiment, a positioning adhesive 18 (shown in phantom in
Referring to
The absorbent article 50 is generally formed of a liquid pervious inner liner or layer 52, a liquid absorbent core 54 (shown in phantom in
As in the previous embodiment, the inner layer 52 and the moisture barrier 56 are generally the same size and are disposed coincident with each other. The core 54 is of the same general shape as the inner layer 52 and the moisture barrier 56, but is slightly smaller in size, and is centered within the confines of the coincident peripheries of the inner layer 52 and moisture barrier 56. The marginal portions of the inner layer 52 and the moisture barrier 56 which extend beyond the periphery of the core 54 are secured together along their respective inner surfaces by any suitable means, e.g., thermal or ultrasonic bonding, or by an adhesive (not is shown) such that the absorbent article 50 has an absorbent assembly 60 generally defined by the inner layer 52, the absorbent core 54 and the barrier 56.
Referring to
Referring to
The present embodiment is not illustrated with a positioning adhesive, but may incorporate such.
The absorbent article 50 of the present embodiment provides a nursing pad which generally fits within a wearer's brassiere and provides a smooth and discrete outer surface. While these aspects are achieved by the cupped core and the given perimeter configuration, the invention is not limited to the specific configuration shown or the aesthetic appearance thereof.
Referring to
The absorbent article 110 is generally formed of a liquid pervious inner liner or layer 112, a liquid absorbent core 114 (shown in phantom in
As in the previous embodiments, the inner layer 112 and the moisture barrier 116 are generally the same size and are disposed coincident with each other. The core 114 is of the same general shape as the inner layer 112 and the moisture barrier 116, but is slightly smaller in size, and is centered within the confines of the coincident peripheries of the inner layer 112 and moisture barrier 116. The marginal portions of the inner layer 112 and the moisture barrier 116 which extend beyond the periphery of the core 114 are secured together along their respective inner surfaces by any suitable means, e.g., thermal or ultrasonic bonding, or by an adhesive (not shown) such that the absorbent article 110 has an absorbent assembly 120 generally defined by the inner layer 112, the absorbent core 114 and the barrier 116.
Referring to
Referring to
The present embodiment is not illustrated with a positioning adhesive, but may incorporate such.
The absorbent article 110 of the present embodiment provides a nursing pad which generally fits within a wearer's brassiere and provides a smooth and discrete outer surface. While these aspects are achieved by the cupped core and the given perimeter configuration, the invention is not limited to the specific configuration shown or the aesthetic appearance thereof.
Referring to
The absorbent article 150 is generally formed of a liquid pervious inner liner or layer 152, a liquid absorbent core 154, and an outer cover or moisture barrier 156 similar to the previous embodiments. The materials and construction are generally the same as in the previous embodiments.
As in the previous embodiments, the inner layer 152 and the moisture barrier 156 are generally the same size and are disposed coincident with each other. The core 154 is of the same general shape as the inner layer 152 and the moisture barrier 156, but is slightly smaller in size, and is centered within the confines of the coincident peripheries of the inner layer 152 and moisture barrier 156. The marginal portions of the inner layer 152 and the moisture barrier 156 which extend beyond the periphery of the core 154 are secured together along their respective inner surfaces by any suitable means, e.g., thermal or ultrasonic bonding, or by an adhesive (not shown) such that the absorbent article 150 has an absorbent assembly 160 generally defined by the inner layer 152, the absorbent core 154 and the barrier 156.
Referring to
In the present embodiment, the compression and/or forming of the core 154 is controlled such that the core 154 defines areas having differing core thicknesses. Referring to
Furthermore, while the slimmer area 171 may be achieved by compressing the core material therein, the invention is not limited to such. For example, the slimmer area 171 may alternatively be achieved by providing less core material within the slimmer area 171. In the illustrated embodiment with a 2:1 core thickness ratio, for example, the slimmer area 171 may be provided with approximately one-half the amount of core material. Other methods of acheiving the different core thicknesses may also be utilized.
Referring to
Referring to
Referring to
Each section 182 of each embossing line 180 is produced by applying pressure and/or heat to the portions of the article 150′ along the line to compress and increase the density of the materials along those lines. The compression and/or heat applied to the materials making up the core 154 causes the interstitial space between the individual fibers making up the core to compress or become densified. Such densified areas may inhibit liquid to flow therethrough, and thereby assist in controlling fluid flow within the absorbent article 150′. The uncompressed sections 184 between the embossing line portions 182 may also be provided to further control fluid flow in a desired fashion. The application of pressure and heat can be accomplished using conventional thermal or ultrasonic bonding techniques or by pattern embossing. In some applications the use of pressure alone may be sufficient to produce a dense embossing line which remains after the pressure is removed. Moreover, an adhesive may be used when pressure is applied to create the dense embossing line 180. Since the embossing line 180 remains, the embossing line 180 helps to further define the shape of the assembled absorbent article 150′. While only one embossing line 180 is shown, multiple embossing lines 180 may be provided, for example, along the various contour lines 175.
Referring to
As in the embodiment illustrated in
Referring to
As explained above, each section 232 of embossing line 230 is produced by applying pressure and/or heat to the portions of the article 200′ along the line to compress and increase the density of the materials along those lines. The uncompressed sections 234 between the embossing line portions 232 may be provided to allow fluid to flow from the center area 220 to the slimmer area 221 in a controlled manner if desired. Since the embossing line 230 remains, the embossing line 230 helps to further define the shape of the assembled absorbent article 200′.
Referring to
While preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described herein, it will be understood that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions will occur to those skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of the invention. Accordingly, it is intended that the appended claims cover all such variations as fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.
Claims
1. A nursing pad comprising:
- an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a non-circular shape and the absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.
2. The nursing pad according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has an elliptical shape with a major and minor axis.
3. The nursing pad according to claim 2 wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is between approximately 1.05:1 and 1.50:1.
4. The nursing pad according to claim 2 wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is approximately 1.19:1.
5. The nursing pad according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a shape with an arcuate portion and opposed side portions which taper from the arcuate portion to a point.
6. The nursing pad according to claim 5 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter is substantially symmetrical about a plane extending between the point and a midpoint of the arcuate portion.
7. The nursing pad according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a generally triangular shape.
8. The nursing pad according to claim 7 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter includes three equilateral sides.
9. The nursing pad according to claim 7 wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter defines three vertices, each of the vertices having a rounded configuration.
10. The nursing pad according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent assembly is formed to have a cupped configuration with a substantially smooth radial surface after assembly thereof.
11. The nursing pad according to claim 1 wherein the absorbent material is formed to have a cupped configuration with a substantially smooth radial surface prior to assembly of the absorbent assembly.
12. A nursing pad comprising:
- an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface which are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly; and
- an absorbent pulp material provided between the inner and outer surfaces within the absorbent assembly perimeter, the absorbent pulp material having a reduced material thickness in at least one slimmer area within the absorbent assembly perimeter that is less than a total area within the absorbent assembly perimeter such that at least two areas having pulp material of differing thickness are defined.
13. The nursing pad according to claim 12 wherein the absorbent assembly has a center area within the absorbent assembly perimeter and the at least one slimmer area extends circumferentially about the center area such that the center area has a pulp thickness which is greater than the pulp thickness of the remainder of the area within the absorbent assembly perimeter.
14. The nursing pad according to claim 13 wherein at least one embossing line extends circumferentially about the center area between the center area and the slimmer area.
15. The nursing pad according to claim 13 wherein at least two concentric embossing lines extend circumferentially about the center area.
16. The nursing pad according to claim 13 wherein at least one embossing line extends radially from the center area toward the absorbent assembly perimeter.
17. The nursing pad according to claim 12 wherein the absorbent assembly has first and second substantial hemispheres and wherein the at least one slimmer area is in the first substantial hemisphere such that the first substantial hemisphere has a pulp thickness which is less than the pulp thickness in the second substantial hemisphere.
18. The nursing pad according to claim 17 wherein the first and second substantial hemispheres are divided by an arcuate contour line.
19. The nursing pad according to claim 18 wherein the first substantial hemisphere has an arcuate outer perimeter which has a radius approximately equal to a radius of the arcuate contour line.
20. The nursing pad according to claim 17 wherein at least one embossing line extends along the arcuate contour line between the first and second hemispheres.
21. The nursing pad according to claim 12 wherein the slimmer area and the remainder of the absorbent pulp material have a thickness ratio of approximately 1:2.
22. A nursing pad comprising:
- an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein, in an unfolded condition, the absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex, and, in a folded condition, the absorbent assembly defines opposed folded sides extending between the perimeter, the opposed folded sides extending at an angle relative to one another in the range of approximately 150° to 175°.
23. A nursing pad comprising:
- an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has an elliptical shape with a major and minor axis.
24. The nursing pad according to claim 23 wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is between approximately 1.05:1 and 1.50:1.
25. The nursing pad according to claim 23 wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is approximately 1.19:1.
Type: Application
Filed: Feb 15, 2007
Publication Date: Aug 21, 2008
Applicant:
Inventors: Kelly Thornton (Bensalem, PA), Neal Bhattacharya (Conshohocken, PA), Mariela Muniz (West Chester, PA), Linda Morrell-Schwartz (Bensalem, PA), Arginnys Soto (Yardley, PA)
Application Number: 11/706,688
International Classification: A41C 3/04 (20060101);