Breast pads

Abstract

The breast pad is designed to efficiently retain excess milk in its absorbent material. [Solution] A breast pad 1 for absorbing excess milk leaking from the user's nipple, comprising: an outer sheet 2 made of a liquid-impermeable material; an inner sheet 3 made of a liquid-permeable material; and an absorbent body 4 positioned between the outer sheet 2 and the inner sheet 3 so as to be sandwiched between them, absorbing and holding the excess milk, wherein the absorbent body 4 comprises a central portion 11 that constitutes the central part of the absorbent body 4, and an adjacent portion 12 positioned adjacent to the central portion 11, wherein the adjacent portion 12 is configured to have a higher density of absorbent body 4 than the central portion 11.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technology of breast pads.

Background Art

[0002] Conventionally, technologies related to breast pads that absorb the extra milk leaking from the user's nipple are well known. The breast pad includes an outer sheet made of a liquid-impermeable sheet-like material, an inner sheet made of a liquid-permeable material, and an absorber disposed between the outer sheet and the inner sheet so as to be sandwiched between the outer sheet and the inner sheet, and the absorber absorbs and holds the extra milk.

[0003] Also, in Patent Document 1, in a breast pad in which a liquid-permeable sheet, an absorption layer, and a liquid-impermeable sheet are laminated with the absorption layer in the middle, an elastic stretching member is fixed to any one of the liquid-permeable sheet, the absorption layer, and the liquid-impermeable sheet, and the breast pad is three-dimensionally curved by the contraction force of the elastic stretching member.

Prior Art Documents

Patent Documents

[0004]

Patent Document 1

Summary of the Invention

Problems to be Solved by the Invention

[0005] In such a breast pad, generally the central part of the absorber in the up, down, left, and right directions is assumed to be the part where the user's nipple contacts. And the extra milk absorbed by the absorber of the breast pad is absorbed around the central part of the absorber and then diffused to the part adjacent to the central part of the absorber and held by the absorber. However, in the breast pad, the diffusion of the extra milk from the central part of the absorber to the part adjacent to the central part may not be sufficiently performed, and there may be a case where the extra milk cannot be efficiently held in the absorber.

[0006] This invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and aims to provide a breast pad that can efficiently retain excess milk in the absorbent material. [Means for solving the problem]

[0007] The problems that this invention aims to solve are as described above, and the means for solving these problems will now be explained.

[0008] In other words, the breast pad according to the present invention is a breast pad that absorbs excess milk leaking from the user's nipple, comprising: an outer sheet made of a liquid-impermeable material; an inner sheet made of a liquid-permeable material; and an absorbent body that is sandwiched between the outer sheet and the inner sheet and positioned between them to absorb and retain excess milk, wherein the absorbent body comprises a central portion that constitutes the central part of the absorbent body and an adjacent portion positioned adjacent to the central portion, and the adjacent portion is configured to have a higher density of the absorbent body than the central portion. [Effects of the Invention]

[0009] The present invention provides the following effects. Specifically, according to the present invention, excess milk can be efficiently retained in the absorbent material. [Brief explanation of the drawing]

[0010] [Figure 1] A front view showing a breast pad according to one embodiment of the present invention. [Figure 2] The same as the back view showing breast pads. [Figure 3] This is a left-side view showing a breast pad. [Figure 4] A plan view showing breast pads. [Figure 5] Similarly, this is a perspective view showing the disassembled components of a breast pad: the outer sheet, inner sheet, absorbent layer, and tissue. [Figure 6] A magnified cross-sectional view showing a breast pad. [Figure 7] Similarly, this diagram shows the diffusion area of ​​excess milk held by the absorbent material in the breast pad, corresponding to the contraction rate of the adjacent area. [Modes for carrying out the invention]

[0011] Next, a breast pad 1 according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described using Figures 1 to 7. In the following description, the direction of the arrows shown in the figures will be described as the direction of the breast pad 1 when used by a user in a standing position. Also in the following description, the "outside" of the breast pad 1 according to the present invention refers to the front (back) side of the breast pad 1 as seen from the user, that is, the side of the breast pad 1 that comes into contact with clothing such as a bra and does not come into contact with the user's skin (breast). Similarly, the "inside" of the breast pad 1 will be described as the rear (front) side of the breast pad 1 as seen from the user, that is, the side of the breast pad 1 that comes into contact with the user's skin (breast).

[0012] The breast pad 1 absorbs excess milk leaking from the user's nipple. The breast pad 1 is used attached to the user's bra or other clothing. The breast pad 1 is made up of multiple sheets laminated together and has a roughly circular shape when viewed from the front. The breast pad 1 is made up to be symmetrical both vertically and horizontally. The vertical and horizontal lengths of the breast pad 1 are each approximately 12 mm. As shown in Figures 1 to 6, the breast pad 1 is a laminate comprising an outer sheet 2, an inner sheet 3, an absorbent material 4, and tissue 5, which are laminated together.

[0013] The outer sheet 2 is made of a liquid-impermeable sheet material and constitutes the outer part of the breast pad 1. The outer surface of the outer sheet 2 is configured as a non-skin contact surface that does not come into contact with the user's skin (breast). The inner sheet 3 is made of a liquid-permeable sheet material and constitutes the inner part of the breast pad 1. The inner surface of the inner sheet 3 is configured as a skin contact surface that comes into contact with the user's skin (breast). The absorbent material 4 absorbs and retains excess milk. The tissue 5 is configured to guide excess milk that has come into contact with the inner sheet 3 towards the absorbent material 4.

[0014] The absorbent material 4 is placed between the outer sheet 2 and the inner sheet 3, sandwiched between them. The tissue 5 is placed on the outside and inside of the absorbent material 4. The outer tissue 5 is placed between the outer sheet 2 and the absorbent material 4, sandwiched between them. The inner tissue 5 is placed between the inner sheet 3 and the absorbent material 4, sandwiched between them.

[0015] In a front view, the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 are larger than the absorbent material 4 and tissue 50. The edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 form the edges of the breast pad 1. The entire edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 are joined together by a bonding means such as adhesive, and the absorbent material 4 and tissue 5 are held in place, sandwiched between the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3. The edges of the absorbent material 4 and tissue 5 are located slightly towards the center of the breast pad 1 than the edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3. The width between the edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 and the edges of the absorbent material 4 and tissue 5 is approximately 12 mm.

[0016] Furthermore, the breast pad 1 is equipped with multiple (four) adhesive parts 6. The breast pad 1 is attached to clothing such as a bra by the adhesive parts 6 adhering to the clothing. The adhesive parts 6 are provided on the outer surface of the outer sheet 2. The adhesive parts 6 are configured with the left-right direction as the longitudinal direction. The four adhesive parts 6 are arranged symmetrically, two above and two below the center of the breast pad 1. Release paper (not shown) is provided on the outer surface of the adhesive parts 6 when the breast pad 1 is not in use. The release paper is removed from the adhesive parts 6 when the breast pad 1 is used. Note that the number and shape of the multiple adhesive parts 6 are not limited to this and shall be set as appropriate according to the specifications.

[0017] The absorbent body 4 is formed by compressing a predetermined portion. The absorbent body 4 comprises a central portion 11 and a pair of adjacent portions 12, 12 on the left and right sides.

[0018] The central portion 11 of the absorber 4 constitutes the central part (left and right central part) of the absorber 4. The central portion 11 has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction and is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the absorber 4. The upper edge portion of the central portion 11 constitutes a part of the upper edge portion of the absorber 4, and the lower edge portion of the central portion 11 constitutes a part of the lower edge portion of the absorber 4. The upper and lower central portions of the central portion 11 and the vicinity of the upper and lower central portions are assumed to be the portions where the user's nipple contacts. The left and right width of the central portion 11 is configured to be larger than the left and right width of the female nipple. For example, when the main region where the breast pad 1 is used is Japan, the left and right width of the central portion 11 is configured to be 35 mm or more corresponding to the left and right width of the nipple of Japanese women. The left and right width of the central portion 11 is configured to be about 35 mm. Note that the left and right width of the central portion 11 is not limited to being configured to be about 35 mm. The central portion 11 is not compressed. The central portion 11 is configured such that the compression rate of the absorber 4 is lower and the density of the absorber 4 is lower than that of the adjacent portion 12. Note that the central portion 11 of the absorber 4 may be compressed as long as the density of the absorber 4 is configured to be lower than that of the adjacent portion 12.

[0019] A pair of left and right adjacent portions 12 of the absorber 4 are respectively arranged adjacent to the central portion 11. The left adjacent portion 12 constitutes the left side portion of the absorber 4, and the right adjacent portion 12 constitutes the right side portion of the absorber 4. That is, the central portion 11 and the left and right adjacent portions 12·12 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction in the order of the left adjacent portion 12, the central portion 11, and the right adjacent portion 12 from the left. The right edge portion of the left adjacent portion 12 is connected to the left edge portion of the central portion 1, and the left adjacent portion 12 is arranged to the left of the central portion 11. The left edge portion of the right adjacent portion 12 is connected to the right edge portion of the central portion 11, and the right adjacent portion 12 is arranged to the right of the central portion 11. The left edge portion of the left adjacent portion 12 constitutes the left edge portion of the absorber 4, and the right edge portion of the right adjacent portion 12 constitutes the right edge portion of the absorber 4. The adjacent portion 12 has a longitudinal direction in the vertical direction and is formed from the upper end to the lower end of the absorber 4.

[0020] The adjacent part 12 of the absorber 4 is configured such that when compressed, the thickness of the adjacent part 12 becomes thinner than the thickness of the central part 11. The compression of the adjacent part 12 is performed, for example, by pressing the outer and inner sides of the breast milk pad 1 closer to each other by a compressor or manually. The adjacent part 12 is configured such that the compression rate of the absorber 4 is higher and the density of the absorber 4 is higher than that of the central part 11.

[0021] As described above, the absorber 4 includes a central part 11 that constitutes the central part of the absorber 4 and an adjacent part 12 disposed adjacent to the central part 11. The adjacent part 12 is configured such that the density of the absorber 4 is higher than that of the central part 11. Therefore, the remaining milk absorbed in the central part 11 diffuses to the adjacent part 12 where the density of the absorber 4 is higher than that of the central part 11 by capillary action, and the diffusion of the remaining milk from the central part 11 to the adjacent part 12 is performed relatively smoothly. Thus, the absorber 4 can efficiently hold the remaining milk.

[0022] Here, the remaining milk absorbed in the central part 11 of the absorber 4 mainly tends to diffuse downward according to gravity. In the breast milk pad 1, the adjacent parts 12 of the absorber 4 are respectively disposed on the left and right of the central part 11, and the central part 11 and the adjacent parts 12 are arranged side by side in the left - right direction. Therefore, the remaining milk absorbed in the central part 11 can be diffused relatively more to the left and right sides of the central part 11 where the adjacent parts 12 are disposed by capillary action. Thus, the absorber 4 can hold the remaining milk relatively efficiently.

[0023] The thickness of the portion of the absorbent body 4 where the uncompressed central portion 11 is located is approximately 1.81 mm. However, the thickness of the portion of the absorbent body 4 where the central portion 11 is located is not limited to approximately 1.81 mm, and can be set as appropriate according to the specifications. The adjacent portion 12 is compressed, and it is preferable that the thickness of the portion of the absorbent body 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is 95% or less of the thickness of the portion of the absorbent body 4 where the central portion 11 is located (see Figure 7). In this embodiment, the portion of the absorbent body 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is configured to have a thickness of approximately 1.72 mm or less. With the adjacent portion 12 configured in this way, excess milk absorbed in the central portion 11 can be diffused from the central portion 11 to the left and right sides of the central portion 11 where the adjacent portion 12 is located by capillary action.

[0024] Furthermore, it is preferable that the adjacent portion 12 is compressed so that the thickness of the portion of the absorbent 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is 90% or less of the thickness of the portion of the absorbent 4 where the central portion 11 is located (see Figure 7). In this embodiment, the portion of the absorbent 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is configured to have a thickness of approximately 1.63 mm or less. With the adjacent portion 12 configured in this way, excess milk absorbed in the central portion 11 can be diffused from the central portion 11 to the left and right sides of the central portion 11 where the adjacent portion 12 is located by capillary action.

[0025] Furthermore, it is preferable that the adjacent portion 12 is compressed so that the thickness of the portion of the absorbent 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is 60% or more of the thickness of the portion of the absorbent 4 where the central portion 11 is located (see Figure 7). In this embodiment, the portion of the absorbent 4 where the adjacent portion 12 is located is configured to have a thickness of approximately 1.09 mm or more. By configuring the adjacent portion 12 in this way, it is possible to prevent the adjacent portion 12 from being compressed too much, which would result in insufficient diffusion of excess milk from the central portion 11 to the adjacent portion 12.

[0026] The breast pad 1 is provided with a pair of left and right first recesses 21-21. The first recesses 21 are one embodiment of the "recesses" provided on the left and right edges of the breast pad 1 according to the present invention. The pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 are positioned on the left and right edges of the breast pad 1 (outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3), respectively, and are configured to face each other. The first recesses 21 are formed in a concave shape by cutting out the edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 in a roughly V-shape when viewed from the front. The boundary portion between the first recesses 21 and the periphery of the breast pad 1 is configured to be chamfered, so that the first recesses 21 and the periphery of the breast pad 1 are smoothly continuous. The shape of the first recesses 21 is not limited to this shape and may be other shapes. The deepest part of the cut in the first recesses 21 is configured not to reach the edge of the absorbent material 4. The pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 are formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the breast pad 1. A hypothetical straight line α connecting the pair of first recesses 21-21 on the left and right is located in the vertical center of the breast pad 1.

[0027] As described above, the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 are positioned on the left and right edges of the breast pad 1 (outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3), respectively, and are configured to face each other. Therefore, when forming the breast pad 1 into a bowl shape, closing the first recesses 21 makes it easier to reduce the size of the peripheral edge of the breast pad 1. Consequently, it becomes easier to form the breast pad 1 into a bowl shape when attaching it to the user's bra or other clothing.

[0028] Here, it is conceivable that the breast pad 1 is transported and sold in a folded state. The breast pad 1 is configured so that a pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 face each other, and a virtual straight line α connecting the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 is located in the vertical center of the breast pad 1. Therefore, using the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 as a guide, the breast pad 1 can be folded in half vertically with the straight line α as the center. Thus, the process of folding the breast pad 1 in half can be easily carried out.

[0029] The pair of adjacent portions 12-12 are arranged along the direction in which the pair of first recesses 21-21 are positioned. The pair of first recesses 21-21 are configured to face each other, and the direction in which the pair of adjacent portions 12-12 are positioned is configured to be parallel to a virtual straight line α connecting the pair of first recesses 21-21. With this configuration, the pair of first recesses 21-21 allow the user to recognize the left-right direction of the breast pad 1 (the direction in which the central portion 11 and the side portions 12 of the absorbent body 4 are aligned).

[0030] The longitudinal direction of the adhesive portion 6 is configured to align with the direction in which the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 are positioned. The adhesive portion 6 is configured such that its longitudinal direction is parallel to a hypothetical straight line α connecting the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21. With this configuration, the adhesive portion 6 and the pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 allow the user to recognize the left-right direction of the breast pad 1 (the direction in which the adhesive portion 6 extends, and the direction in which the central part 11 and the side parts 12 of the absorbent body 4 are aligned).

[0031] The four adhesive parts 6 are arranged in pairs, two above and two below, centered on a virtual straight line α connecting the left and right first recesses 21-21. The adhesive parts 6 are positioned so as not to overlap with the virtual straight line α connecting the left and right first recesses 21-21 when viewed from the rear, and are configured not to be positioned on the virtual straight line α connecting the left and right first recesses 21-21. Therefore, the breast pad 1 can be folded in half vertically around the virtual straight line α connecting the left and right first recesses 21-21 without bending the adhesive parts 6 or the release paper provided on the adhesive parts 6. Thus, the process of folding the breast pad 1 in half can be easily performed.

[0032] The breast pad 1 is provided with a pair of upper and lower second recesses 22-22. The second recesses 22 are one embodiment of the "recesses" provided on the upper and lower edges of the breast pad 1 according to the present invention. The pair of upper and lower second recesses 22-22 are arranged on the upper and lower edges of the breast pad 1 (outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3), respectively, and are configured to face each other. The second recesses 22 are configured to have a shape similar to that of the first recess 21. The second recesses 22 are configured to be concave by cutting out the edges of the outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3 in a roughly V-shape when viewed from the front. The boundary portion between the second recesses 22 and the periphery of the breast pad 1 is configured to be chamfered, so that the second recesses 22 and the periphery of the breast pad 1 are smoothly continuous. The shape of the second recesses 22 is not limited to this shape, and other shapes are also possible. Furthermore, the second recesses 22 are not limited to having a shape similar to that of the first recess 21, and may be configured to have a different shape from the first recess 21. The deepest part of the cut in the second recess 22 is configured not to reach the edge of the absorbent material 4. The upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are formed symmetrically around the center of the breast pad 1. A hypothetical straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 is located in the left-right center of the breast pad 1.

[0033] As described above, the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are positioned on the upper and lower edges of the breast pad 1 (outer sheet 2 and inner sheet 3), respectively, and are configured to face each other. Therefore, when forming the breast pad 1 into a bowl shape, closing the first recess 21 makes it easier to reduce the size of the peripheral edge of the breast pad 1. Consequently, it becomes easier to form the breast pad 1 into a bowl shape when attaching it to the user's bra or other clothing.

[0034] Furthermore, as described above, the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are configured to face each other, and the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 is located in the left-right center of the breast pad 1. Therefore, using the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 as a guide, the breast pad 1 can be folded in half horizontally with the straight line β as the center. Thus, the process of folding the breast pad 1 in half can be easily performed.

[0035] In the case where the breast pad 1 is folded in half around the straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22, the adhesive portion 6 may be configured such that its vertical direction is the longitudinal direction, along the direction in which the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are positioned, and the longitudinal direction of the adhesive portion 6 is parallel to the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22. In this case, the four adhesive portions 6 are arranged two on each side, centered on the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22. Furthermore, the adhesive portions 6 are positioned so as not to overlap with the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 when viewed from the rear, and are configured not to be positioned on the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22. With this configuration, the breast pad 1 can be folded in half horizontally around the imaginary straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 without bending the adhesive portion 6 or the release paper provided on the adhesive portion 6. Therefore, the process of folding the breast pad 1 in half can be easily performed.

[0036] The left and right pair of adjacent portions 12-12 are positioned so as not to be aligned with the direction in which the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are positioned. The upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 are configured to face each other, and the direction in which the left and right pair of adjacent portions 12-12 are positioned intersects (orthogonal to) a virtual straight line β connecting the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22. With this configuration, the upper and lower pair of second recesses 22-22 can be used to allow the user to recognize the vertical direction of the breast pad 1.

[0037] The breast pad 1 comprises a pair of left and right first recesses 21-21 and a pair of upper and lower second recesses 22-22. A virtual straight line α connecting the left and right first recesses 21-21 and a virtual straight line β connecting the upper and lower second recesses 22-22 are perpendicular to each other. With this configuration, when forming the breast pad 1 into a bowl shape, closing the first recesses 21 and the second recesses 22 makes it easier to reduce the size of the peripheral portion of the breast pad 1. Furthermore, with this configuration, the left and right first recesses 21-21 and the upper and lower second recesses 22-22 allow the user to recognize the left, right, up, and down directions of the breast pad 1. Furthermore, with this configuration, the design of the breast pad 1 can be improved. [Explanation of symbols]

[0038] 1. Breast pads 2. Outer sheet 3. Inner sheet 4 Absorbent 5 tissues 6 Adhesive part 11 Central part 12 Adjacent section 21 First recess 22 Second recess

Claims

1. A breast pad that absorbs excess milk leaking from the user's nipple, An outer sheet made of a liquid-impermeable material, An inner sheet made of a liquid-permeable material, An absorbent body is positioned between the outer sheet and the inner sheet so as to be sandwiched between them, and absorbs and retains excess milk. Equipped with, The absorbent body comprises a central portion that constitutes the central part of the absorbent body, and an adjacent portion that is positioned adjacent to the central portion. The adjacent portion is configured such that the density of the absorbent is higher than that of the central portion. Breast pads.

2. The adjacent portions are located on the left and right sides of the central portion, The central portion and the adjacent portion are arranged side by side in the left-right direction. A breast pad according to claim 1.

3. The adjacent portion is compressed so that the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the adjacent portion is located is 95% or less of the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the central portion is located. The breast pad according to claim 2.

4. The adjacent portion is compressed so that the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the adjacent portion is located is 90% or less of the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the central portion is located. The breast pad according to claim 2.

5. The adjacent portion is compressed so that the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the adjacent portion is located is 60% or more of the thickness of the portion of the absorber in which the central portion is located. The breast pad according to claim 2.

6. The breast pad has recesses on both the left and right edges. A breast pad according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The breast pad has recesses at both its upper and lower edges. A breast pad according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

8. The breast pad is provided with recesses on both the left and right edges and on both the top and bottom edges. A breast pad according to any one of claims 1 to 7.

9. The imaginary straight line connecting the recesses provided on the left and right edges of the breast pad is located in the vertical center of the breast pad. The breast pad according to claim 6.

Images