NIPPLE ABSORBENT ELEMENT

Abstract

Nipple absorbent element, including a body having a substantially flat development and having an inner surface configured to be in contact with the nipple and an outer surface; wherein at least said inner surface is made of soft, yieldable and absorbent material to retain liquids exiting the nipple; and wherein the outer surface has a fluorescent graphic representation corresponding to a respective condition of the breast for feeding.

Claims

1. Nipple absorbent element, comprising a body having a substantially flat development and having an inner surface configured to be in contact with the nipple and an outer surface; wherein at least said inner surface is made of soft, yieldable and absorbent material to retain liquids exiting the nipple; and wherein the outer surface has a fluorescent graphic representation corresponding to a respective condition of the breast for feeding.

2. Element according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is made of waterproof material, preferably thermoplastic polyurethane.

3. Element according to claim 1, wherein the fluorescent graphic representation is a design and/or a lettering indicative of the breast that must or must not provide the feeding.

4. Element according to claim 1, wherein said fluorescent graphic representation is made of a material activatable at a predetermined humidity value.

5. Element according to claim 1, wherein said inner surface is at least in part made of vegetable fibre, preferably bamboo.

6. Protective element comprising an inner surface configured to be in contact with the skin of a user at a respective area of the body, and a visible outer surface; wherein the outer surface has a fluorescent graphic representation identifying said area of the body.

7. Element according to claim 6, wherein said inner surface has an adhesive layer for adhering to the skin of the user.

8. Element according to claim 6, wherein the fluorescent graphic representation is a design and/or a lettering.

Description

[0018] Such description will be set forth herein below with reference to the accompanying drawings, provided for merely indicative and therefore non-limiting purposes, wherein:

[0019] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a nipple absorbent element according to the present invention;

[0020] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an inner area of the element of FIG. 1; and

[0021] FIG. 3 shows a front view of two absorbent elements according to the present invention and in a respective condition of use.

[0022] With reference to the accompanying figures, reference numeral 1 globally denotes a nipple absorbent element.

[0023] The element 1 comprises a flat body 2 with circular peripheral development. In addition, the body 2 is made of soft material in order to adapt to the convexity of the breast at the nipple. In this way, the body 2 in use, i.e. applied to the breast, has a slightly spherical cap shape as illustrated by way of example in FIGS. 1 and 2.

[0024] In greater detail, the body 2 has an inner surface 3 configured to be in contact with the nipple of the user “U”.

[0025] Advantageously, the inner surface 3 is made of soft, yieldable and absorbent material, such as a vegetable fibre fabric. In this way, the inner surface 3 can be adapted to the profile of the nipple, giving a comfortable feeling in the contact with the skin. Furthermore, the nature of the material with which the inner surface 3 is made allows the absorption and retention of liquid milk exiting the nipple between one feeding and the other (milk or colostrum).

[0026] Preferably, the material of the inner surface 3 is at least in part of cotton and/or at least in part made of vegetable fibre, preferably bamboo.

[0027] The body 2 further comprises an outer surface 4 opposite the inner surface 3 and configured to remain visible. In use, the outer surface 4 is convex and also configured to be abutted to the garment, typically the bra, in order to keep the body 2 in the position abutted to the nipple.

[0028] In accordance with a main aspect of the present invention, the outer surface 4 has a fluorescent graphic representation 5 corresponding to a respective condition of use or non-use of the breast for feeding.

[0029] In other words, the graphic representation 5, which appears to be visible both with light and in the absence of light thanks to its fluorescent characteristic, gives the user “U” a visual indication of the breast that previously provided the feeding and of the breast ready for a new feeding.

[0030] In the accompanying figures, a graphic representation 5 is illustrated only by way of example and therefore not limiting, showing the letterings “on” and “off” in fluorescence.

[0031] In this way, the user immediately perceives, even in the dark, that she has to provide the feeding with the breast on which the “on” indication is placed.

[0032] In this context, it is important to use two elements 1 that differ between them in the graphic representation 5.

[0033] The fluorescent graphic representation 5 can advantageously be a design and/or a lettering and may be provided with any suitable colouring to be immediately visible, even in the absence of light.

[0034] Furthermore, the fluorescent graphic representation 5 may be made of a material activatable at a predetermined humidity value.

[0035] In this situation, the possible spillage of milk from the breast that is absorbed by the body 2 can increase the humidity of the body 2 itself to activate and make the representation 5 luminescent, thus warning the user “U” of the presence of milk for the subsequent feeding.

[0036] Preferably, the outer surface 4 is made of waterproof material, such as in particular thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU).

[0037] The present invention further refers to a protection element 1, intended for any part of the body and for protection, for example of a laceration or wound.

[0038] In this case, the inner surface 3 is configured to be in contact with the skin of a user at a respective area of the body. Also in this case, the outer visible surface 4 has a fluorescent graphic representation 5 identifying said area of the body.

[0039] For example, in this case the element 1 can consist of a patch adapted to indicate even in the dark the position of the wound that is covered by the patch itself. In this situation, the inner surface 3 has an adhesive layer to adhere to the user's skin.

[0040] Again, the fluorescent graphic representation 5 may be indicative of a date, corresponding to the day of application of the element 1 on the user's body, to provide the same user with a time indication on when to replace the element 1 itself.

[0041] The invention described above therefore brings important advantages and solves the drawbacks of the prior art. In fact, it should be noted that the element 1 is able to provide a visual indication adapted to signal which of the two breasts has provided the last feeding and which is instead ready for a new feeding.

[0042] It should also be noted that thanks to the fluorescent nature 5 of the graphic representation, it is possible to provide such a visual indication at any time, even in the dark, and therefore during night feedings.

[0043] Advantageously, the nipple absorbent element 1 is structurally simple, easy to use, washable and able to provide comfort given the nature of the material in contact with the nipple.

[0044] Again, the invention can also be used as a patch or in general as any skin protection system capable of providing visual indications to the user.

[0045] In this context, the element 1 appears to be extremely versatile precisely because it can be used for different purposes and in any area of the body.