GB2268687A - Absorbent breast pad - Google Patents

Abstract

A breast pad for absorbing leakage of breast milk, comprising at least one layer which contains an absorbent gelling material, able to absorb many times its own weight in fluid. The absorbent material is a mixture comprising sodium acrylate polymer in the form of granules together with cellulose pulp. The breast pad is disposable. <IMAGE>

Description

Disposable Absorbent Breast Pad.

This invention relates to a disposable absorbent breast pad.

Breast pads are used to absorb leakage of breast milk from pregnant and lactating women. They attempt to protect clothes fron soiling and prevent possible emotional embarrassment. Traditionally they have been constructed of tissue and cellulose pulp. They can be re - useable or disposable. They are relatively inexpensive. However they are not effective in holding the milk,due to the properties of tissue and as the tissue stays wet it causes chaffing of the nipple area.

In accordance with this invention, there is provided a breast pad which comprises of at least one layer of an absorbant gelling material.

This will now be described by way of example, with reference to the accompaning drawings.

Several factors are considered.

1. Protection of clothes, 2. Prevention of emotional embarrassment.

3. Skin, nipple care.

4. Comfort, 5. Privacy.

The design See Fig.l - 3 utilizes the properties of an Absorbent Gelling Material ( ACM ) also known as Super Absorbent Powder ( SAP ) and Supersorber.

This is a material that is able to absorb up to 28 times its own weight in water, as compared to cellulose pulp which holds 4 times its weight. The compound consists of long polymer chains which attract water. When water bonds to these chains the gelling material turns into a gel. These bonds cannot be broken under normal wearing conditions, thus leakage of milk from the pad is prevented.

Breastmilk passes through a porous topsheet and is spread over the core of the pad by the tissue layer. The core of the pad as stated, is made up of a mixture of cellulose pulp and supersorber and it is here that the milk is stored. ( See Figure 1. and description above.) Thus, as a consequence, clothes are protected from varying amounts of milk leakage, and emotional embarrassment is spared.

Cont....

As the absorbant gelling material effectively ' locks away the milk the nipple and surrounding skin is kept dry, preventing chapping and chafing which could lead to discontinuation of breast feeding. Extensive research has shown sore nipples to be a major factor in giving up breastfeeding.

In addition, the increased absorbancy of a mix-ture of gelling material and cellulose pulp, over cellulose pulp only, allows the design to be thinner and more flexible.

This with the circular, cupped shape provides the woman with extra comfort and privacy. See Figure 2 + 3.

Disposal of Breast Pad.

The used pad can be easily placed in a small bag and disposed of along with other household waste.

Components of an Absorbent Disposable Breast Pad.

Component Material Function Topsheet Porous Polypropylene Acts as an envelope for other materials Tissue Cellulose Pulp Spreads moisture over Pulp core Pulp Cellulose Pulp Absorbs and distri butes moisture Absorbant Sodium Acrylate Absorbs and stores Gelling Polymer Granules many times its own Material weight in liquid, which cannot even under pressure flow out again.

Backsheet Polypropylene/ Prevents leakage / Polyethylene acts as an envelope for other materials

Claims (1)

1. Claims 1. An Absorbent Breast Pad which comprises at least one layer which contains an absorbant gelling material.