WASHABLE MULTILAYER NURSING PAD

Abstract

A washable multilayer nursing pad, including an edge and successive layers: a knitted mesh layer at least 1.5 mm thick and perforated, including a top face in direct contact with the skin and a bottom face; a layer of non-woven fibres, in contact with the top face, capable of absorbing at least 2.5 L/m2 of water; a microporous layer including an impermeable and breathable structure; and a protective layer covering the entire microporous layer.

Claims

1. A washable multilayer nursing pad, comprising an edge and successive layers: a knitted mesh layer at least 1.5 mm thick and perforated, comprising a top face in direct contact with the skin and a bottom face; a non-woven fibre layer, in contact with the top face, capable of absorbing at least 2.5 L/m.sup.2 of water; a microporous layer comprising an impermeable and breathable structure; and a protective layer covering the entire microporous layer.

2. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the knitted mesh layer comprises: the top face composed of a first textile fibre layer in direct contact with the skin, said first textile fibre layer is composed of a plurality of perforating openings on an outer surface; the bottom face composed of a second textile fibre layer in contact with the non-woven fibre layer; and a monofilament layer at least 1.5 mm thick composed of textile fibre, inserted between the first textile fibre layer and the second textile fibre layer.

3. The pad according to claim 2, wherein the first textile fibre layer is made of antibacterial polyester and the second fibre layer is made of polyester.

4. Pad The pad according to claim 1, wherein the non-woven fibre layer has a thickness between 2.5 mm and 8 mm, preferably between 5 mm and 7 mm.

5. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a substantially triangular shape with rounded angles.

6. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises an ergonomic rounded preformation to mould the shape of the breast.

7. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a welded edge.

8. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a rounded preformation having a spherical cavity positioned substantially at the centre of the pad on the inner face.

9. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises edging forming a return on the edge of the pad, said edging is composed of an impervious strip covering a part of the top face and of the bottom face of the pad and forming an extra thickness on the edge of the pad.

10. The pad according to claim 9, wherein the edging comprises a coating, of silicone or polyurethane type, to apply a non-slip effect.

11. The pad according to claim 1, wherein the pad comprises a coating, of silicone or polyurethane type.

12. A method for manufacturing a washable multilayer nursing pad according to claim 1, wherein the method comprises: a) a step of lamination using the following successive layers: a knitted mesh layer, a non-woven fibre layer, a microporous layer, and a protective layer, said step of lamination forms a multilayer assembly.

13. The method according to claim 12 also comprising a subsequent step, after step a): b) a step of preforming of the pad from the multilayer assembly formed in step a), said step of preforming is configured to render the multilayer assembly convex.

14. The method according to claim 13 also comprising a subsequent step, after step b): c) a step of welding of the edge of the pad.

15. The method according to claim 14 also comprising a subsequent step, after step c): d) a step of edging by thermofusing of the pad forming an impervious extra thickness on the edge of the pad.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] Further advantages, aims and features of the present disclosure emerge from the following description, provided, for explanatory and in no way limitative purposes, with reference to the appended drawings, wherein:

[0065] FIG. 1, represents an exploded view of an aspect of the pad comprising four layers of the nursing pad.

[0066] FIG. 2 represents an external view of the pad.

[0067] FIG. 3 represents an internal view of the pad.

[0068] FIG. 4 represents a side view of the pad.

[0069] FIG. 5 represents a schematic side view of the pad in a cross-section along a longitudinal axis A-A.

[0070] FIG. 6 represents the steps of manufacturing the pad.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0071] In an aspect of the disclosure, the washable nursing pad comprises three successive layers. FIG. 1 represents a further aspect of the disclosure wherein the nursing pad comprises four successive layers. FIG. 1 represents an exploded view of the four layers of the nursing pad.

[0072] FIG. 1 comprises a 3D knitted mesh layer 20, a non-woven fibre layer 21, a microporous layer 22, a protective layer 23, an antibacterial polyester layer 24, a monofilament layer 25 and a polyester layer 26.

[0073] The first layer is a 3D knitted mesh layer 20 made of three dimensions by knitting three different materials. The 3D knitted mesh layer 20 comprises of a bottom face comprising an antibacterial polyester layer 24. The antibacterial polyester layer 24 is in direct contact with the skin. The structure of the antibacterial polyester layer 24 is perforated. The perforated structure of the antibacterial polyester layer 24 allows breast milk to be evacuated in the upper layers. In an aspect of the disclosure, the antibacterial polyester layer 24 has a mass of at least 75 g/m2. In a further aspect of the disclosure, the antibacterial polyester layer 24 has a mass of 100 g/m2. The antibacterial polyester layer, to obtain the antibacterial feature thereof, undergoes a specific treatment. There are different types of antibacterial treatments for textiles. For example, it is possible to use the finishing technique wherein the textile is immersed in a solution comprising an active substance and a binder. The binder enables the active substance to remain bonded to the textile. The 3D knitted mesh 20 is composed of a top face comprising a polyester layer 26. The structure of the polyester layer 26 is structured so as to transfer the liquid to the upper layers. In an aspect of the disclosure, the polyester layer 26 has a mass of at least 100 g/m2. In a further aspect of the disclosure, the polyester layer 26 has a mass of 135 g/m2. The core of the knitted mesh layer 20 is composed of a monofilament layer 25 made of polyester. A monofilament is an extra-long single textile filament, obtained in the manufacture of artificial or synthetic textiles giving this textile a very aerated structure. In an aspect of the disclosure, the monofilament layer 25 has a mass of at least 70 g/m2. In a further aspect of the disclosure, the monofilament layer 25 has a mass of 95 g. The monofilament layer 25 is knitted between the antibacterial polyester layer 24 and the polyester layer 26.

[0074] The second layer is a non-woven fibre layer 21 positioned above the top face of the 3D knitted mesh layer 20. The non-woven fibre layer 21 is composed for example of 50% polyester and 50% viscose. The non-woven fibre layer 21 is obtained by processing the fibres using a mechanical needle system. The density of the non-woven fibre layer 21 is at least 75 g/mm of thickness. In an aspect of the disclosure, the density of the non-woven fibre layer 21 is 100 g/mm of thickness. The non-woven fibre layer 21 absorbs for example at least 5 L/m.sup.2 of breast milk and at least 8 L/m.sup.2 of water. In an aspect of the disclosure, the non-woven fibre layer 21 absorbs 6.45 L/m.sup.2 of breast milk and 9.27 L/m.sup.2 of water. The non-woven fibre layer 21 is positioned above the 3D knitted mesh layer 20.

[0075] The third layer is a microporous layer 22. The microporous layer 22 is impervious and breathable. The microporous layer 22 is composed in an aspect of the disclosure of 60% polyester and 40% polyurethane. In a further aspect of the disclosure, the microporous layer is composed of 100% polyester. The structure of the microporous layer 22 gives it the breathability feature while retaining breast milk. The microporous layer 22 gives the nursing pad the imperviousness feature thereof. The microporous layer 22 is positioned above the non-woven fibre layer 21.

[0076] The fourth layer is a protective layer 23. The structure of the protective veil is light and aerated while providing the protective layer 23 with the feature of preventing snagging and scratching. The protective layer 23 is positioned above the microporous layer 22. The protective layer 23 is situated opposite the 3D knitted mesh layer 20.

[0077] FIG. 2 represents an external view of the pad. FIG. 2 comprises the protective layer 23 and the edging 27 by a thermofused strip. The pad has an equilateral triangle shape. The pad has a shape comprising rounded angles. The edges of the pad are slightly rounded.

[0078] FIG. 3 represents an internal view of the pad. FIG. 3 comprises an antibacterial polyester layer 24, the edging 27 by a thermofused strip and the cavity of the preformed nipple 28. The preformed nipple recess 28 is formed to reduce sensations of irritation and discomfort. FIG. 3 has a longitudinal axis A-A used hereinafter for FIG. 5.

[0079] FIG. 4 represents a side view of the pad. FIG. 4 comprises the antibacterial polyester layer 24, the protective layer 23 and the edging 27 by a thermofused strip. The nursing pad is curved so as to mould the shape of the breast.

[0080] FIG. 5 represents a schematic side view of the pad in a longitudinal cross-section along an axis A-A. FIG. 5 comprises the non-woven fibre layer 21, the 3D knitted mesh layer 20 and the cavity of the preformed nipple 28. The depth of the preformed nipple recess 28 is between 0.1 and 0.5 cm. In an aspect of the disclosure, the depth of the preformed nipple recess 28 is 0.3 cm. In the thickest part thereof, the pad has a thickness between 0.2 and 0.9 cm. In an aspect of the disclosure, the thickness of the pad is 0.8 cm. The diameter of the preformed nipple recess 28 is at least 1 cm. In an aspect of the disclosure, the diameter of the recess of the preformed nipple 28 is 1.5 cm.

[0081] FIG. 6 represents an aspect of the washable nursing pad.

[0082] The first step consists of lamination 29. Lamination 29 is an assembly of material by bonding processes. In an aspect of the disclosure, the process of lamination 29 is carried out using the following successive layers: [0083] a knitted mesh layer (20), [0084] a non-woven fibre layer (21), [0085] a microporous layer (22), and [0086] a protective layer (23).

[0087] The process of lamination 29 forms a multilayer assembly. The process of lamination 29 observes the technical features of the different materials forming the successive layers as well as the breathability of the pad.

[0088] The second step consists of a preforming 30 of the pad. The preforming 30 is carried out using the multilayer assembly formed by the process of lamination 29. Preforming 30 consists of giving the pad a rounded shape moulding the shape of the breast. The preforming 30 provides a rounded shape having a spherical cavity positioned substantially at the centre of the pad on the inner face creating a recess for the nipple.

[0089] The third step consists of edging by thermofusing 31. The edging by thermofusing 31 is there to form the edge of the pad. The edge is defined by a side edge and a part of the top face and a part of the bottom face of the pad. The edge of the pad is represented by a strip. The edging 27 is composed of a strip of at least 7 mm covering by 3 mm each side of the pad and by 1 mm the side edge of the pad. In an aspect of the disclosure, the edging 27 comprises a strip of 16 mm covering by 7 mm each side of the pad and by 2 mm the side edge of the pad. The strip used for thermofusing benefits from a non-slip finish.

LIST OF REFERENCES

[0090] 20 Knitted mesh layer

[0091] 21 Non-woven fibre layer

[0092] 22 Microporous layer

[0093] 23 Protective layer

[0094] 24 Antibacterial polyester layer

[0095] 25 Monofilament layer

[0096] 26 Polyester layer

[0097] 27 Edging

[0098] 28 Preformed nipple recess

[0099] 29 Lamination

[0100] 30 Preforming

[0101] 31 Edging by thermofusing