FR2767678A1 - Absorbent shield for breasts during lactation - Google Patents

Abstract

The shield consists of an impermeable supple support (4) which is inserted between the breast (5) and the brassiere. The shield has self-adhesive elements (8) on its outer surface for attaching to the brassiere cup, while its inner surface has an absorbent pad (7). The inner surface of the pad in contact with the breast has a covering layer of a semi-permeable material which allows liquids to pass from the outside to the inside only. It also has a ring (6) which goes over the nipple (2) to hold it in contact with the edge of the pad. A pad for daytime wear covers the lower half of the breast only and is completely concealed by the brassiere, while one for nighttime wear covers the whole breast. The pads are designed to be used once only and are supplied in pairs in sterile packs.

Description

ABSORBENT BREAST COVER DEVICE
The present invention is intended to protect, between feedings, the breasts of a woman during lactation, and to collect milk flows to prevent them from spilling on the bra, clothes or sheets.

 When breastfeeding, the breasts are generally more sensitive than normal and, in most cases, milk flows from the nipples in more or less quantities both before and after feeding.

 To remedy this state of affairs, many women are content to slip into their bra an element of fabric folded several times, or of spongy material designed or not for this use.

 For example, the utility certificate NO FR 2 483 220 describes an adaptably shaped tampon applicable to the protection of the breasts, and comprising at least two adjacent layers of an essentially absorbent material, these layers, connected at their external periphery. , being cut in order to form tongues which, by sliding relative to each other, can adapt to the configuration of the object placed below.

 This type of protection tends to slip, especially at night. In addition, the skin in contact with the absorbent layer is made moist by the liquid contained in this layer, which leads to a lack of comfort and does not ensure rigorous hygiene.

 I1 also exist absorbent devices formed from a curved shell 1 of rigid material provided with an orifice allowing the introduction of the nipple 2, and containing an absorbent material 3 which must be cleaned periodically (FIG. 1). These systems, in addition to the fact that they do not allow better hygiene than the previous protections, risk, because of their rigidity, of irritating the nipple and the areola of the breast.

 The device according to the present invention eliminates all these drawbacks. Indeed, it makes it possible to absorb, day and night, the milk flows occurring between feedings, while ensuring excellent comfort and perfect hygiene.

 I1 consists of a flexible support made of waterproof material inserted between the breast and the bra and comprising self-adhesive elements on its external face and, on its internal face, a circular bead intended to surround the nipple as well as a pad made of absorbent material, the surface of which in contact with the breast is covered with a layer allowing liquids to pass only from the outside to the inside.

In the accompanying drawings, given by way of nonlimiting examples of embodiments of the subject of the invention:
Figure 1 (already cited) shows in cross section an existing device consisting of a rigid shell containing an absorbent material.
FIG. 2 shows the internal face of a pair of protections according to the invention intended to be worn during the day,
Figure 3 is a section along the arrows
AA of figure 2 showing the position of the device on the breast
and FIG. 4 shows under the same conditions a protection model intended to be worn at night.

 The device, FIGS. 2 to 4, consists of a flexible support 4 capable of adapting to the curve of the breast and provided, on the breast side 5, with an O-ring bead 6 intended to maintain the nipple 2 in a correct position and d 'an absorbent pad 7, the outer face comprising self-adhesive elements 8 for fixing the assembly inside the bra.

 The flexible support 4 is made of a waterproof material capable of being applied to the breast without making folds, and which may consist of waterproofed fabric, or of a sheet of possibly curved synthetic material. The self-adhesive elements 8 will be determined to ensure good attachment to the bra, while allowing easy removal of the support after use.

 The toric bead 6, fixed on the internal face of the support 4, at the location of the nipple 2, aims to keep the latter in contact with the edge of the absorbent pad 7, so that the milk flows penetrate in this last.

 The absorbent pad 8 has a structure similar to that of known panty liners. I1 is formed of a porous and flexible material covered, on the internal face in contact with the breast 5, with a semi-permeable layer allowing the liquid to penetrate into the pad 8 but preventing it from leaving it.

 The breast covers according to the invention are intended for single use and are preferably packaged in symmetrical pairs (see FIG. 2), in sterile packaging in order to ensure perfect hygiene.

 A day model and a night model will be provided. In the first, the absorbent pad 7 will be placed below the nipple and the flexible support 4 will be designed so as to be entirely concealed by the bra, to allow the wearing of low-cut clothing (Figures 2 and 3). In the night model, the absorbent pad will completely surround the nipple 2 (Figure 4).

 The positioning of the various constituent elements gives the object of the invention a maximum of useful effects which had not, to date, been obtained by similar devices.

Claims (2)

CLAIMS 10. Absorbent breast covering device intended to protect, between feedings, the breasts of a woman in lactation period, and to collect milk flows, characterized by the combination of a flexible support (4) made of waterproof material inserted between the breast (5) and the bra, comprising self-adhesive elements (8) on its external face capable of ensuring good attachment to the bra while allowing easy removal and, on its internal face, of on the one hand an absorbent pad (7) whose internal surface in contact with the breast is covered with a semi-permeable layer allowing the liquids to pass only from the outside to the inside and, on the other hand, a bead O-ring (6) surrounding the nipple (2) and determined so as to maintain the latter in contact with the edge of said absorbent pad.  20. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is intended to be worn during the day and that the absorbent pad (7) is disposed below the nipple (2), the flexible support (4) being drawn so to be completely concealed by the bra.  30. Device according to claim 1, characterized in that it is intended to be worn at night and that the absorbent pad (7) completely surrounds the nipple (2).  40. Device according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that it is intended for single use and packaged in symmetrical pairs in sterile packages.