ILLUMINATED NIPPLE SHIELD

Abstract

A nipple shield having an attached illuminated element containing a luminescent agent that illuminates for placement of a conventional nipple shield on a breast in darkened conditions. The nipple shield has a nipple portion and a base portion having a convex outer-facing surface and a concave breast-contacting surface, and the attachable illuminated element comprises a transparent silicone resin material, a luminescent agent interspersed within a portion of the resin material, and a binding surface comprising an adhesive material. The luminescent agent is typically a photoluminescent pigment having a mean particle size of less than 2000 m. The attachable illuminated element can either be releasably or permanently attached to the illuminated nipple shield. Methods for illuminating a nipple shield using attachable illuminated elements of the present invention are also provided.

Claims

1.-20. (canceled)

21. An attachable illuminated element that can illuminate for placement of a nipple shield on a breast in darkened conditions, the nipple shield comprising a nipple portion and a base portion having a convex outer-facing surface and a concave breast-contacting surface, the attachable illuminated element comprising: a. a transparent silicone resin material, b. a luminescent agent interspersed within a portion of the resin material and having a mean particle size of at less than about 2000 m, and c. a binding surface comprising an adhesive material, wherein the binding surface is configured for removably affixing the attachable illuminated element to the convex outer-facing surface of the base portion of the nipple shield.

22. The attachable illuminated element according to claim 21, wherein the luminescent agent is a photoluminescent pigment.

23. The attachable illuminated element according to claim 22, wherein the binding surface is formed into a concave shape having a curvature that is complementary to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield.

24. The attachable illuminated element according to claim 22, wherein the attachable illuminated element is in the form of an annular rim having an opening configured to accept the nipple portion of the nipple shield.

25. The attachable illuminated element according to claim 22, wherein the attachable illuminated element further comprises a cover layer releasably affixed to the binding surface, thereby protecting the adhesive material from contamination prior to placement of the attachable illuminated element onto the nipple shield.

26. The attachable illuminated element according to claim 22, wherein the adhesive material is selected from the group selected from a pressure sensitive adhesive, a glue, or an epoxy.

27. A method for illuminating a nipple shield for placement of the nipple shield on a breast in darkened conditions, the method comprising the steps of: a. providing a nipple shield comprising a nipple portion and a base portion, the base portion having a convex outer-facing surface and a concave breast-contacting surface; b. providing an attachable illuminated element comprising: i. a transparent silicone resin material, ii. a luminescent agent interspersed within a portion of the resin material and having a mean particle size of at less than about 2000 m, iii. an external surface, and iv. a binding surface comprising an adhesive material; c. aligning the attachable illuminated element with a portion of the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield; d. contacting a portion of the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element with the aligned portion of the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield; e. applying a force to the external surface of the attachable illuminated element to adhere the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element with the convex-outer facing surface of the nipple shield, thereby illuminating the nipple shield; f. positioning the concave breast-contacting surface of the illuminated nipple shield over the breast so the nipple portion of the illuminated nipple shield is aligned with a nipple on the breast; g. placing the concave-breast contacting surface of the illuminated nipple shield over the nipple and onto the breast, thereby facilitating the breastfeeding of an infant in darkened conditions.

28. The method according to claim 27, wherein the luminescent agent interspersed within a portion of the resin material comprising the attachable illuminated element is a photoluminescent pigment.

29. The method according to claim 28, wherein the attachable illuminated element further comprises a cover layer releasably affixed to the binding surface, and the method further comprises the step of removing the cover layer prior to contacting the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield.

30. The method according to claim 28, wherein the adhesive material for adhering the binding surface to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield is selected from the group selected from a pressure sensitive adhesive, a glue, or an epoxy.

31. The method according to claim 30, wherein the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element is releasably adherable to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield, and the method further comprises the step of detaching the attachable illuminated element from the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield after breastfeeding has been completed.

32. The method according to claim 30, wherein upon adhering the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield, the attachable illuminated element is permanently affixed to the nipple shield.

33. The method according to claim 28, wherein the binding surface is formed into a concave shape having a curvature that is complementary to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield.

34. The method according to claim 28, wherein the attachable illuminated element is in the form of an annular rim having a central opening and the step of aligning the attachable illuminated element with a portion of the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield further comprises inserting the nipple portion of the nipple shield through the central opening of the attachable illuminated element.

35. An illuminated nipple shield for placement on a breast in darkened conditions comprising: a. a nipple shield having a nipple portion and a base portion, the base portion having a convex outer-facing surface and a concave breast-contacting surface; and b. an attachable illuminated element comprising: i. a transparent silicone resin material, ii. a luminescent agent interspersed within a portion of the resin material and having a mean particle size of at less than about 2000 m, iii. an external surface, and iv. a binding surface comprising an adhesive material, wherein the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element is affixed to the convex outer-facing surface of the base portion of the nipple shield.

36. The illuminated nipple shield according to claim 35, wherein the luminescent agent is a photoluminescent pigment.

37. The illuminated nipple shield according to claim 36, wherein the attachable illuminated element is in the form of an annular rim having an opening configured to accept the nipple portion of the nipple shield.

38. The illuminated nipple shield according to claim 36, wherein the adhesive material is selected from the group selected from a pressure sensitive adhesive, a glue, or an epoxy.

39. The illuminated nipple shield according to claim 38, wherein the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element is releasably adhered to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield.

40. The illuminated nipple shield according to claim 38, wherein the binding surface of the attachable illuminated element is permanently attached to the convex outer-facing surface of the nipple shield.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] FIG. 1 shows an illuminated nipple shield including a nipple portion and a base portion, made of a material containing a photoluminescent pigment.

[0018] FIG. 2 shows an illuminated nipple shield having a portion of the base portion containing the photoluminescent pigment.

[0019] FIG. 3 shows another embodiment of a conventionally-shaped nipple shield having a cut-out portion in the rim, and made of a material containing a photoluminescent pigment.

[0020] FIG. 4 shows an embodiment of a conventionally-shaped nipple shield having an illuminated strip attached to its base portion.

[0021] FIG. 5 shows the conventionally-shaped nipple shield having an illuminated tag attached to its base portion.

[0022] FIG. 6 shows a separate illuminated rim made of a material containing a photoluminescent pigment.

[0023] FIG. 7 shows the separate illuminated rim of FIG. 6, attached to a base portion of a conventional nipple shield.

[0024] FIG. 8 shows another embodiment of a separate illuminated rim, having an arcuate shape and attached to a portion of the edge of a base portion of the conventional nipple shield of FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Definitions

[0025] As used herein, the phrase a conventional nipple shield means any device commonly referred to as a nipple shield that is placed over a nipple and a portion of the breast surrounding the nipple of a breast-feeding mother for nursing an infant, including a nipple portion with at least one opening in the tip and disposed over the nipple and a base portion at least partially surrounding the nipple portion. Conventional nipple shield includes any and all previously made and marketed nipple shield and any disclosed by publication, regardless of shape, size and features or modifications to the nipple portion of the base portion.

[0026] FIG. 1 shows an illuminated nipple shield 100 of the present invention. The nipple shield 100 includes a base portion 101 extending annularly from a base end of a nipple portion 102 to an outer peripheral edge 105. The base portion 101 includes a sheet having a domed, annular shape, and having an inner-facing concave surface 106 that conforms to the breast of a breastfeeding mother, and an outer-facing surface 107. The nipple portion 102 accepts the mother's nipple, the nipple portion 102 having openings 104 at the tip 103 that allow transfer of the breast milk from the mother to a nursing infant. The illuminated nipple shield is made of an illuminated material 109 containing a luminescent agent. A non-limiting example of a luminescent agent is a photoluminescent agent.

[0027] In an alternative embodiment shown in FIG. 2, an illuminated nipple shield 200 includes a base portion 201 and a nipple portion 202, where the illuminated material 209 is comprised in only an annular segment of the base portion 201 extending from the outer peripheral edge 205 inwardly to an inner boundary 215.

[0028] Alternative embodiments of the invention can include modifications to the design, shape and size of the base portion and the nipple portion of a nipple shield as are known in the nipple shield art and market. FIG. 3 shows a non-limiting example of another conventionally-shaped illuminated nipple shield 300 made of an illuminated material 309 containing a luminescent agent, having a base portion 301 with a peripheral edge 305, and having a concave-shaped indentation 310 extending in from the edge 305 of the base portion 301. Non-limiting examples of conventionally-shaped nipple shields can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos./Patent Publications 2,364,866, D637,726, D381,752, U.S. 2007/0283101, and U.S. 2011/0065360, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties.

[0029] In other aspects of the invention, the material of the illuminated nipple shield comprises a transparent molded resin material that contains a luminescent agent. The entire nipple shield can be made of the illuminated molded resin material. In an alternative embodiment, only a portion of the nipple shield contains the luminescent agent. In an example, the base portion only contains the luminescent agent. In another example, only a part of the sheet of the base portion, such as an outer annular part of the sheet, contains the luminescent agent.

[0030] Non-limiting examples of resin materials processed to contain one or more luminescent agents can be found in U.S. Pat. Nos./Patent Publications 8,852,479, 7,074,345, and U.S. 20070031685, the disclosures of which are incorporated by reference in their entireties. Such non-limiting examples include methyl methacrylate resins, unsaturated polyester resins, epoxy resins, and silicone resins. In some embodiments, the resin material is transparent. In further embodiments, the transparent resin material is a silicone resin.

[0031] In a preferred embodiment, the luminescent agent is a photoluminescent pigment having a relatively small mean particle size dispersed within a resin material, and formed into the shape of the nipple shield or attachable illuminated element or rim. The photoluminescent pigments are protected exceptionally well by the cured silicone material against any liquid media from the outside, including expressed breast milk and the infant's saliva. Those skilled in the art would appreciate that many photoluminescent pigments are insoluble in water and the molten resin material and thus form a suspension within the resin material after it has been cured and formed into the shape of a nipple shield. As disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 7,074,345, the amount of resin material used may be in the range of 7 to 95 wt % based on the total weight of the photoluminescent pigment, although in the case where the resin material is present in concentrations less than 7 wt %, its function as a matrix that disperses, binds, and holds the photoluminescent pigment is decreased or lost. The photoluminescent pigment typically has a mean particle size of less than about 2000 m. Preferably, the mean particle size is less than about 150 m, and particularly preferably less than about 120 m, and more particularly preferably less than about 100 m. A separate encapsulation or other treatment of the silicone matrix to isolate or protect the photoluminescent pigments is not required and is not used.

[0032] The amount of the luminescent agent contained within the molded resin material can be sufficient to be visible in a dark or darkened environment for at least 2 hours, including at least 4 hours, at least 6 hours, at least 8 hours, and at least 12 hours, after exposure to an amount of light sufficient to activate luminescently the luminescent agent. It can be understood that the luminescence or light being emitted from the luminescent agent, when fully or partially activated, contained in the material of the illuminated nipple shield or a portion thereof, is a visible light that can be viewed under darkened conditions, but may not be visible with the unaided eye in daylight, lighted or bright conditions.

[0033] The emitted color of the photoluminescent pigment, and therefore of the nipple shield or attachable rim, can be selected from those available in the industry. If the nipple shield is intended to glow in a different color from that predetermined by the photoluminescent pigment, the silicone carrier material can be separately colored to achieve the desired glow color.

[0034] A non-limiting example of a photoluminescent agent comprises strontium aluminate, which provides sufficient brightness and has sufficiently long persistence. Several commercial pigments containing strontium aluminate, including multiple versions of the Ultra Green V10 photoluminescent pigment, possess a mean particle size of less than 100 microns.

[0035] FIG. 4 shows another embodiment of the invention of an attachable illuminated element 400 attached to the outer-facing surface 17 of the base portion of a conventional nipple shield 10. Optionally, the attachable illuminated element 400 can be attached to the skin-facing surface 16 of the nipple shield 10. The illustrated illuminated element 400 is an arcuate strip 401 containing the illuminated material 409, and includes an adhesive material 450 on an under surface for adhesively attaching the strip 401 to the base portion 11 of the conventional nipple shield 10. The attachable illuminated element 400 can be any other shape and size. FIG. 5 shows, by example, an oval-shaped illuminated tag or label 402 containing the illuminated material 409. The illuminated material can include a silicone resin material containing a photoluminescent agent. The silicone resin material can be the same material from which the conventional nipple shield is made.

[0036] FIG. 6 shows another embodiment of the invention of an attachable illuminated element 500 consisting of an illuminated nipple shield rim 501 that can be removably affixed to a conventional nipple shield. The rim 501 has an annular shape having an outer surface 507, defined by an inner edge 515 and outer edge 505, and dimensions and shape for conforming to and attaching along the peripheral edge of the outer-facing surface 17 of the base portion 11 of the conventional nipple shield 10, as shown in FIG. 7. The inner edge 515 defines an opening that is configured in shape and size to accept the nipple portion 12 of the conventional nipple shield. The thickness 520 and the radial depth 522 of the nipple shield rim 501 placed on the base portion 11, can have any effective and sufficient dimension for manufacturability and functionality.

[0037] The illuminated material 509 of the nipple shield rim 501 can comprise the molded resin material containing a luminescent agent. The resin material itself can be transparent, translucent or opaque to light. The molded resin material is configured to conform and adhere, sufficiently and releasably, to the molded resin material of the base portion 11 of the conventional nipple shield 10.

[0038] FIG. 8 shows an alternative embodiment of an illuminated nipple shield rim 601 having an arcuate shape having an outer surface 607, defined by an inner edge 602 and outer edge 605, and opposed ends 606 and 608. The shield rim 601 has a dimension and shape for conforming to the base portion 21 of the conventional nipple shield 20, illustrated as having a shape and design similar to, but limited by, that of the nipple shield shown in FIG. 3. The arcuate-shaped rim 601 extends over an arcuate portion of the top surface 27 of the nipple shield, and extends to the ends 606 and 608 to attach along only a portion of the peripheral edge 25 of the nipple shield 20, and can be attached to leave uncovered the indentation 28 in the base portion 21 of the nipple shield 20. The illuminated material 609 of the nipple shield rim 601 can comprise the molded resin material containing a luminescent agent.

[0039] In an embodiment of the invention, the nipple shield that includes the nipple portion and the base portion can be made as a single unitary formed sheet or film. The formed sheet or film can include a single material layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. In an alternative embodiment, the formed sheet or film can include two or more distinct layers, including at least one resin material layer that contains substantially no luminescent agent, and at least one layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. The breast-contacting surface of the nipple shield can consist of the resin material layer that contains substantially no luminescent agent, or can consist of the layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. The infant-facing surface of the nipple shield can consist of the resin material layer that contains substantially no luminescent agent, or can consist of the layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. In another embodiment, the formed sheet or film can include a middle layer that contains the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent, and a layer of the resin material that contains substantially no luminescent agent on the opposite sides of the middle layer, such that a material that contains the luminescent agent is not directly in contact with their the breast or the infant.

[0040] In such embodiments or in another embodiment of the invention, only a portion of the single unitary formed sheet or film contains the luminescent agent. The luminescent agent-containing portion can include the base portion or the nipple portion. The luminescent agent-containing portion can include a portion only of the base portion, or of the nipple portion.

[0041] In another embodiment of the invention, the nipple shield rim can be made as a single unitary formed sheet or film. The formed sheet or film can include a single material layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. In an alternative embodiment, the formed sheet or film can include two or more distinct layers, including at least one resin material layer that contains substantially no luminescent agent, and at least one layer that comprises the molded resin material containing the luminescent agent. The infant-facing surface of the nipple shield rim can consist of the resin material layer that contains substantially no luminescent agent, while the nipple shield-contacting and connecting surface of the nipple shield rim can consist of the resin material layer containing the luminescent agent.

[0042] The nipple shield and its components, and the nipple shield rim, can be made by any or a combination of conventional processes, including injection molding, extrusion molding, blow molding, coating, dipping spraying, deposition, master-batch manufacturing, and other processes known for the making of nipple shield devices and similar articles.