Nursing pad

Abstract

A nursing breast pad 2 comprises an absorbent core disposed between a liquid-permeable skin-facing inner surface and a liquid-impermeable outer surface. At least one adhesive region 8 near a periphera

Description

The present invention provides a nursing pad which adheres directly to the skin of a nursing parent. The present invention also provides a method of manufacturing a nursing pad which adheres directly to the skin of a user. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION Nursing pads are used by nursing parents to minimise or prevent leakage of milk from their breasts between feeds. Conventional nursing pads are contoured to fit to the breast. The nursing pads absorb excess milk that is expressed between feeds thereby preventing stains on clothing whilst ensuring that the parent is kept dry and comfortable. By absorbing milk, the nursing pads help to keep the nipple area dry and thereby reduce the risk of bacterial or yeast infections (such as mastitis or thrust). The breast pads can help to minimise odour. The breast pads are typically disposable, making them easy to use and dispose of which can be convenient for busy mothers. Conventional nursing pads are typically held in place by a bra which can limit the clothes that a mother can wear during the day and can be inconvenient and uncomfortable at night. There is therefore a need for a nursing pad which is versatile and can be worn without requiring the presence of a bra. SUMMARY OF INVENTION According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided a nursing pad for use by a nursing parent, the pad comprising: an inner surface configured in use to be positioned adjacent skin of a nursing parent, in which the inner surface is composed of a liquid-permeable material; an opposed outer surface composed of liquid-impermeable material; an absorbent core located between the inner surface and outer surface, and configured in use to be positioned adjacent a nipple of a nursing parent; and at least one adhesive portion located at or adjacent a peripheral edge of the inner surface of the pad configured in use to contact skin of a nursing parent The nursing pad is configured in use to be maintained in position by adhering to the skin of the nursing parent. As a result, the nursing pad can be worn throughout the day and night without requiring set items of clothing to be worn in order to maintain the nursing pad in position. The nursing pad may be maintained in position without requiring the use of a bra whilst providing the desired absorption, support and shape. The nursing pad of the present invention provides for increased comfort and convenience as the pads are maintained in position without the need for straps, bands or bras to be worn. The nursing pad is preferably shaped and dimensioned to provide for the same support and shaping as conventional nursing pads worn with bras. The nursing pad is preferably substantially circular in shape. The nursing pad preferably comprises a plurality of adhesive portions spaced apart frAm ooirkh nthar at r\r arliar'ant fha norinhoral arlria nf the innar ciirfar'a rxf the narl 11 vJIII Vsl I LJ LI 1t?I d L LJI dUJdv / tJ11L LI 1t? JJt?11|J1It? I dI t?LJLJ t? UI LI It? Illi I tri O*LJ 11 dv / tJ LJI LI It? |JdLJ • The adhesive portions are preferably evenly spaced apart from each other. The nursing pad is preferably symmetrical in shape. The adhesive portions are preferably symmetrically arranged. The adhesive portion(s) preferably comprise adhesive tape. In one embodiment, the nursing pad further comprises release tape removably engaged to the adhesive portion(s) and configured in use to be removed by the nursing parent prior to use. The adhesive portion(s) preferably comprises a skin-friendly adhesive. The skinfriendly adhesive is therefore gentle on the skin whilst maintaining for a secure contact between the pad and the skin. The nursing pad of the present invention may therefore be held in place without causing irritation or discomfort to the skin of the user. The adhesive portion(s) is preferably configured such that on removal of the pad, no residue of adhesive is left behind on the skin of the user. The adhesive portion(s) is preferably configured for multiple uses of the pad (ie. For attaching and detaching of the pad multiple times). For example, the adhesive portion(s) is preferably configured for the pad to be attached and detached from a skin of a user, multiple times, for example 3 times, enabling the user to efficiently remove the pad to feed their baby, and reattach the pad after the feed. The adhesive portion(s) is preferably hypo-allergenic. The absorbent core may be composed of any suitable material for absorbing liquid, and in particular milk, from the nipple of a nursing parent. For example, the absorbent core preferably comprises superabsorbent polymers. At least a portion of (for example the entirety of) a peripheral edge of the inner surface is preferably adjoined to at least a portion of (for example the entirety of) a peripheral edge of the outer surface, substantially encompassing the absorbent core therebetween. The liquid-permeable material of the inner surface is preferably composed of tissue paper. The liquid-impermeable material of the outer surface is preferably composed of polymeric material. For example, the polymeric material may comprise polyethylene. In one embodiment, the pad comprises a substantially circular portion and at least one tab extending outwardly therefrom. The at least one adhesive portion is preferably located on the inner surface of the at least one tab. The adhesive portion(s) is preferably a self-adhering adhesive. The term “selfadhering adhesive” is used herein to refer to an adhesive which attaches the nursing pad to normal, non-wet skin by means of adhesion and maintains the nursing pad in position and does not fall off due to its own weight. The adhesive should be able to maintain the nursing pad in position when loaded by the force of gravity for at least one hour whilst also being subjected to normal body movements at the same time without failure of the adhesive. The adhesive portion(s) may for example be a dry self-adhering adhesive (i.e. the adhesive does not contain nor require water in order to self adhere). The adhesive portion(s) may be composed of one or more of: solvent-based acrylate adhesive(s), water emulsion-based acrylate adhesive(s), self-adhering hot-melt adhesive(s), self-adhering silicone adhesive(s), or any mixture thereof. The adhesive portion(s) may comprise hydrophilic polymer(s) configured in use to swell on exposure to moisture to thereby increase contact area with skin of a user. The adhesive portion(s) is preferably configured in use to adhere to skin with a force of at least 0.5 N. The adhesive portion is preferably configured in use to adhere to skin with a force of no more than 3 N. The adhesive portion is preferably configured in use to adhere to the skin with a force of between 0.5N and 3 N, preferably between 0.5 N and 2 N, for example between 0.7 N and 1.5 N. In one embodiment, the pad further comprises at least one further adhesive portion located on the outer surface and configured in use for adhesion to an item of clothing, for example a bra. The at least one further adhesive portion may be located at or adjacent a central portion of the outer surface. In one embodiment, the nursing pad further comprises release tape removably engaged to the further adhesive portion(s) and configured in use to be removed by the nursing parent prior to use. The adhesive portion(s) adjacent the inner surface may be composed or the same or different adhesive material(s) to the further adhesive portion(s) adjacent the outer surface of the pad. According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method for manufacturing a nursing pad comprising: obtaining an inner surface configured in use to be positioned adjacent skin of a nursing parent, in which the inner surface is composed of a liquid-permeable material; obtaining an opposed outer surface composed of liquid-impermeable material; positioning an absorbent core between the inner surface and outer surface such that the absorbent core is configured in use to be positioned adjacent a nipple of a nursing parent; and nncitinninn at laact nno aHKaeiwa nArtion at nr aHiar*ant a narinharal aHna nf U Jil LI UI III ILJ dl I I t»d L U11 Cf dLJ 11 IV t? LJI LIU 11 cl L UI dUy d 11L d t»l I |J 11 t»l d I UUvj t* UI the inner surface of the pad configured in use to contact skin of a nursing parent. The method may further comprise positioning at least one further adhesive portion adjacent the outer surface of the pad configured in use to adhere to an item of clothing. Embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail in relation to the accompanying Figures: BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES Figure 1 is a photograph of a front view of a nursing pad according to one embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a photograph of a rear view of the nursing pad of Figure 1; Figure 3 is a photograph of a rear view of a nursing pad according to a further embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a photograph of a front view of the nursing pad of Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic illustration of a rear view of the nursing pad of Figure 3. DETAILED DESCRIPTION With reference to the Figures, the nursing pad 2 comprises an inner surface 4 configured in use to be positioned adjacent skin of a nursing parent. The inner surface 4 is composed of a liquid-permeable material, for example tissue paper. The nursing pad 2 further comprises an opposed outer surface 6 composed of liquid-impermeable material, for example polyethylene. An absorbent core (not shown) is located between the inner surface 4 and outer surface 6. The absorbent core (not shown) is configured in use to be positioned adjacent a nipple of a nursing parent and to absorb liquid expressed therefrom. The absorbent core (not shown) is preferably composed of SAP. A peripheral edge of the inner surface 4 is adjoined to a peripheral edge of the outer surface 6, substantially encompassing the absorbent cnrci fhprphptwppn vUlv LI IC I UUULWvvl I. The nursing pad 2 further comprises four adhesive portions 8 located at or adjacent the peripheral edge 10 of the inner surface 4 of the pad 2. The adhesive portions 8 are configured in use to contact skin of a nursing parent. It is to be understood that the nursing pad 2 may contain any suitable number of adhesive portions at or adjacent the peripheral edge of the inner surface, and in any suitable configuration. For example, the nursing pad 2 may comprise a single adhesive portion, a pair of adhesive portions, more than four adhesive portions, depending on the requirements of the pad 2. As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the adhesive portions 8 are uniformly spaced apart from each other around the peripheral edge 10 of the inner surface 4. It is however to be understood that the adhesive portions 8 may form a single, continuous adhesive portion extending around the peripheral edge 10 of the inner surface 4 (or adjacent thereto). The adhesive portions 8 may be present in any suitable number and configuration. As shown in Figures 3 and 4, the adhesive portions 8 are provided in two pairs of adhesive portions 8, a first pair A provided adjacent a first portion of the peripheral edge 10 and a second pair B provided adjacent a second portion of the peripheral edge, with a line of symmetry extending therebetween X-X’. The nursing pad 2 is substantially circular in shape. The nursing pad has four tabs 12 extending outwardly from the peripheral edge of the pad 2, each tab 12 providing a corresponding adhesive portion 8. It is to be understood that the nursing pad 2 may have any suitable number of tabs 12. The pad may comprise one or more further adhesive portions 16 located on the outer surface 6 of the pad 2. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the further adhesive portion 16 is located substantially centrally. In the illustrated embodiment of Figures 3 and 4, the pad 2 comprises two spaced apart adhesive portions 16. it is however to be understood that the outer surface 6 of the pad 2 may comprise any suitable number of adhesive portions 16 at any suitable location in any suitable arrangement. The adhesive portions 8 each comprise adhesive tape. The pad 2 further comprises release tape 14 removably engaged to the adhesive portions 8, 16 and configured in use to be removed by the nursing parent prior to use. The adhesive portions 8 comprise a skin-friendly adhesive. The adhesive portions 8 comprise a self-adhering adhesive. The adhesive is preferably selected from one or more of: solvent-based acrylate adhesive(s), water emulsion-based acrylate adhesive(s), self-adhering hot-melt adhesive(s), self-adhering silicone adhesive(s), or any mixture thereof. The adhesive portions are each configured in use to adhere to skin with a force of between 0.5 N and 3 N. In use, the nursing parent selects a pad 2, removes the releasable tape 14 from the adhesive portions 8 (and optionally 16), and the adhesive portions 8 adhere directly to the skin of a user to maintain the pad securely in position. As a result, the nursing pad 2 can be worn throughout the day and night without requiring set items of clothing to be worn in order to maintain the nursing pad 2 in position. The nursing pad may be maintained in position without requiring the use of a bra whilst providing the desired absorption, support and shape. The nursing pad of the present invention provides for increased comfort and convenience as the pads are maintained in position without the need for straps, bands or bras to be worn. The nursing pad is shaped and dimensioned to provide for the same support and shaping as conventional nursing pads worn with bras. Between feeds, the pad 2 allows fluid (milk) to pass through the inner surface 4 and to be absorbed by the absorbent core. The parent may then remove the pad 2 when required to feed their baby. Then the parent may reattach the pad 2 securely by adhering the adhesive portions 8 directly to the skin. Alternatively, the parent may Hicnnco nf fho nad O onrl ronlairk0 fho nod u / ith a fra ch nad Q LJ I UvJ I U It? |JdU jcL d1IU 1IdK / t? U I|MrdvJ WI LI I d 11Jjl I |JdL> 4™.■

Claims

1. A nursing pad for use by a nursing parent, the pad comprising:an inner surface configured in use to be positioned adjacent skin of a nursing parent, in which the inner surface is composed of a liquid-permeable material;an opposed outer surface composed of liquid-impermeable material;an absorbent core located between the inner surface and outer surface, and configured in use to be positioned adjacent a nipple of a nursing parent; andat least one adhesive portion located at or adjacent a peripheral edge of the inner surface of the pad configured in use to directly contact and adhere to the skin of a nursing parent.

2. A nursing pad as claimed in claim 1, in which the pad is substantially circular in shape.

3. A nursing pad as claimed in either of claims 1 and 2, in which the pad comprises a plurality of adhesive portions spaced apart from each other at or adjacent the peripheral edge of the inner surface of the pad.

4. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) comprises adhesive tape.

5. A nursing pad as claimed in claim 4, further comprising release tape removably engaged to the adhesive portion(s) and configured in use to be removed by the nursing parent prior to use.

6. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) comprises a skin-friendly adhesive.

7. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the absorbent core comprises superabsorbent polymer (SAP).

8. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which a peripheral edge of the inner surface is adjoined to a peripheral edge of the outer surface, substantially encompassing the absorbent core therebetween.

9. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the inner surface is composed of tissue paper.

10. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the outer surface is composed of polymeric material.

11. A nursing pad as claimed in claim 10, in which the outer surface is composed of polyethylene.

12. A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the pad comprises a substantially circular portion and at least one tab extending outwardly therefrom, in which the at least one adhesive portion is located on the inner cnrfana rrF then at laaef nna tah wUl LJI LI It? d L ItJcUiL UI It? LdL / -13.A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) is a self-adhering adhesive.

14. A nursing pad as claimed in claim 13, in which the adhesive portion(s) is a dry self-adhering adhesive (does not contain or need water to self adhere)15.A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) is composed of one or more of: solvent-based acrylate adhesive(s), water emulsion-based acrylate adhesive(s), self-adhering hot-melt adhesive(s), self-adhering silicone adhesive(s), or any mixture thereof.16.A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) comprises hydrophilic polymer(s) configured in use to swell on exposure to moisture to thereby increase contact area with skin of a user.17.A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion(s) is configured in use to adhere to skin with a force of at least 0.5 N.18.A nursing pad as claimed in any preceding claim, in which the adhesive portion is configured in use to adhere to skin with a force of no more than 3 N.

19. A method for manufacturing a nursing pad comprising:obtaining an inner surface configured in use to be positioned adjacent skin of a nursing parent, in which the inner surface is composed of a liquid-permeable material;obtaining an opposed outer surface composed of liquid-impermeable material;positioning an absorbent core between the inner surface and outer surface such that the absorbent core is configured in use to be positioned adjacent a nipple of a nursing parent; andpositioning at least one adhesive portion at or adjacent a peripheral edge of the inner surface of the pad configured in use to contact skin of a nursing parent.11

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