Patent Publication Number: US-2021161308-A1

Title: Nursing sling pillow

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 120 and the Paris Convention from U.S. Patent Application No. 62/595,549, filed on Dec. 6, 2017. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Nursing pillows are cushioned devices used or worn by caretakers when feeding or nursing an infant. Such pillows are generally put on the caretaker&#39;s lap during feeding to support an infant so that the caretaker can rest his or her hands from time to time. Some nursing pillows wrap around a caretaker&#39;s body, but such pillows are large and therefore are not easily portable. Although nursing pillows may support an infant, they don&#39;t orient a baby&#39;s head toward a caretaker&#39;s chest, so the baby needs to be pushed towards the caretaker. 
     Infant sling-type carriers are devices used to carry an infant from birth up until the infant weighs approximately 30 pounds. Such carrier-type slings are typically fabricated from a flexible fabric and comprise a carrier panel terminating at one or both ends in a tail portion, which serves as a sling tie. The sling is formed by securing the ends of the carrier panel. While sling carriers may generally orient an infant toward the chest of a caretaker, an infant&#39;s head and body must be further supported in order for breast feeding to be successful. 
     Considering the fact that an infant may nurse 10 to 15 times every day for sometimes between 15 and 30 minutes, caretakers are faced with the very real possibility that the act of nursing may result in pain and even injury. Wrist and/or back injuries caused at least in part by nursing may persist for years after a child&#39;s infancy, for example. Such injuries are more likely when a pillow is not easily available to support the weight of a nursing infant. The prospect of pain and injury may shorten the time that a child is breast fed by the caretaker, which may be disadvantageous for the child. 
     SUMMARY 
     The present nursing sling pillow addresses shortcomings in prior infant sling carriers by incorporating a cushion, both to support an infant during feeding and to relieve pressure on a caretaker. The cushion supports an infant&#39;s body, relieving weight from the arms and hands of a caretaker, and also orients the infant toward a caretaker&#39;s chest. The nursing sling pillow also addresses shortcomings in prior nursing pillows by incorporating a sling which wraps around an infant to supports the infant in a comfortable, fitted way during feeding. 
     The present nursing sling pillow  10  generally comprises an elongated cushion  100 , which can be curved or longitudinally oriented, and which has a right side  102 , a left side  104 , a proximal end  126 , a distal end  128 , an inner surface  130 , and an outer surface  140 . The cushion includes one or more resilient materials, such as fiber, foam, or aggregate particles, which are retained within a cover  105  formed by one or more panels, in order to provide comfort and protection to an infant user of the sling pillow  10 . The distance between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  can between about 40 cm and about 80 cm for example, between about 50 cm and about 70 cm, or about 60 cm. 
     The nursing sling pillow  10  also includes one or more straps  300 , each strap having an outer surface  301 , an inner surface  303 , a proximal end, and a distal end. The straps  300  are secured to the proximal end  126  and the distal end  128  of the cushion  100 . A fastener  200 , such as a buckle, is further included to the straps  300  and the cushion  100  together, thereby forming a sling. 
     In one embodiment, the nursing sling pillow comprises a first strap  330  having a proximal end  332  and distal end  334  and a second strap  350  having a proximal end  352  and a distal end  354 . The first strap  330  is attached at the proximal end  332  to the proximal end  126  of the cushion  100 , and wherein the second strap  350  is attached at the proximal end  352  to the distal end  128  of the cushion, and wherein the fastener  200  reversibly secures the first strap  330  to the second strap  350 . 
     The cushion  100  can additionally include an arm hole  150  having a right side opening  152 , a left side opening  154 , and a through-hole extending therebetween in order to allow a user to extend a hand and arm portion therethrough. Alternatively, a loop  60  having a proximal end  66  attached to the strap  300  can be provided to help rest the hand of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow. In some embodiments, a cover panel  70  can also be attached to the cushion  100  to provide privacy during feeding of an infant. 
    
    
     
       FIGURES 
         FIG. 1  is a left side perspective view of one embodiment of the present nursing sling pillow. 
         FIG. 2  is a right side perspective view of the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1  to support an infant. 
         FIG. 4  is a left side perspective view of another embodiment of the present nursing sling pillow. 
         FIG. 5  is a right side perspective view of the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 4 . 
         FIG. 6  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 4  to support an infant. 
         FIG. 7  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using an alternative embodiment of the present nursing sling pillow to support an infant. 
         FIG. 8  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using another alternative embodiment of the present nursing sling pillow to support an infant. 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using a further embodiment of the present nursing sling pillow to support an infant. 
         FIG. 10  is a left side perspective view of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1  to support an infant. 
         FIG. 11  is a front elevation view of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1  to support an infant. 
         FIG. 12  is a left side perspective view of a caretaker wearing the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1  around the waist to support an infant. 
         FIG. 13  is an illustration of an infant supported on its back on the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 14  is a left side elevation view of a caretaker using the nursing sling pillow of  FIG. 1  to support the lower back while holding an infant. 
     
    
    
     The reference numbers in the figures designate the following components of the present nursing sling pillow: 
     
       
         
           
               
               
               
               
             
               
                   
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                   
                 Reference 
               
               
                   
                 Component 
                 Subcomponent 
                 Number 
               
               
                   
                   
               
             
            
               
                   
               
            
           
           
               
               
               
               
            
               
                   
                 Nursing sling pillow 
                   
                 10 
               
               
                   
                 Adult user, caretaker 
                   
                 20 
               
               
                   
                 Infant user 
                   
                 30 
               
               
                   
                 Loop 
                   
                 60 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Loop inner 
                 61 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Loop outer 
                 63 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Loop proximal 
                 66 
               
               
                   
                   
                 end 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Cover 
                   
                 70 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Outer surface 
                 71 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Panel 
                 75 
               
               
                   
                 Cushion portion 
                   
                 100 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Right side 
                 102 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Left side 
                 104 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Cushion cover 
                 105 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Seam 
                 106 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Medial portion 
                 107 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Side panel 
                 110 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Proximal end 
                 126 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Distal end 
                 128 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Inner surface 
                 130 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Inner panel 
                 131 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Outer surface 
                 140 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Outer panel 
                 143 
               
               
                   
                 Arm hole 
                   
                 150 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Right side 
                 152 
               
               
                   
                   
                 opening 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Left side 
                 154 
               
               
                   
                   
                 opening 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Proximal end 
                 156 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Distal end 
                 158 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Inner surface 
                 151 
               
               
                   
                   
                 First inner 
                 153 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Second inner 
                 155 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                 Fastener 
                   
                 200 
               
               
                   
                 Straps, strap portion 
                   
                 300 
               
               
                   
                   
                 Strap outer 
                 301 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Strap inner 
                 303 
               
               
                   
                   
                 surface 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 First strap 
                 330 
               
               
                   
                   
                 First strap 
                 332 
               
               
                   
                   
                 proximal end 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 First strap 
                 334 
               
               
                   
                   
                 distal end 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 Second strap 
                 350 
               
               
                   
                   
                 First strap 
                 352 
               
               
                   
                   
                 proximal end 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
                 First strap 
                 354 
               
               
                   
                   
                 distal end 
                   
               
               
                   
                   
               
            
           
         
       
     
     DESCRIPTION 
     Definitions 
     As used herein, the following terms and variations thereof have the meanings given below, unless a different meaning is clearly intended by the context in which such term is used. 
     “About” refers to a quantity within 10% of the stated quantity or amount. 
     “Cushion” refers to a flexible structure formed by one or more panels which form a closed receptacle having a space or cavity which holds a filler material therein, in particular a resilient filler material. A cushion can be called a pillow when used to support a head or other body part of a human. 
     “Fastener” refers to a mechanism for attaching one item or component to another, in particular for attaching two straps together. 
     “Outer” refers to a location or direction which is on or away from the outer surface of a component of the present nursing sling pillow. 
     “Panel” refers to a section or piece of material extending over or covering a predetermined area. Panels are generally flat, i.e. are relatively thin as compared to the extent of their length or width, and can be curved or planar. Materials used to form the panels used in the present disclosure are flexible, such as fabric. 
     “Resilient” refers to a material or component which is reversibly deformable, i.e. it can recoil or spring back into shape after bending, stretching, or being compressed. 
     “Sling” refers to a length of flexible material, such as a strap or belt, used to form a loop to support or raise a weight (i.e., the weight of an infant). 
     “Strap” refers to a length of flexible material used to secure one or more components of the present nursing sling pillow. Preferably, straps are relatively flat and have a length greater than their width, in the manner of a belt. 
     The term “user” will refer to an adult human user of the present nursing sling pillow, generally a caretaker of an infant. An infant or other juvenile supported by the present invention will be referred to as such. 
     The terms “upper,” “lower,” “top”, “bottom, “right,” “left,” “proximal,” “distal,” “inner,” “outer,” and similar terms will be used to designate areas and positions of components or portions of the present nursing sling pillow, but it is to be understood that these terms are relative and are not absolute terms. “Right” and “left” will thus be used to designate opposing lateral sides of components of the nursing sling pillow. 
     The term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and “comprises,” are not intended to exclude other additives, components, integers or steps. The terms “a,” “an,” and “the” and similar referents used herein are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural unless their usage in context indicates otherwise. Ranges which are described as being “between” two values include the indicated values. 
     Nursing Sling Pillow 
     The present nursing sling pillow  10  generally comprises a cushion portion  100  and a strap portion  300 . As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , for example, the cushion  100  comprises a right side  102 , a left side  104 , a proximal end  126 , a distal end  128 , an inner surface  130 , and an outer surface  140 . The exterior surfaces of the cushion  100  (including the inner surface  130  and outer surface  140 ) form a cover  105  which is preferably formed from one or more panels of a flexible material, such as inner panel  131  and outer panel  143 , which can contain and encompass a resilient material or materials in the interior of the cushion  100 . The inner panel  131  and outer panel  143  can be attached directly to each other to form a cover in ways known to the art, such with a seam  106  made by stitching, or can be indirectly connected by further panels of material, such as side panels  110  covering the right side  102  and left side  104  of the cushion. A single panel or piece material can alternatively contain the resilient material of the cushion. 
     The cushion  100  can comprise a continuous body structure which defines a generally elongated shape and/or structure of the cushion  100  and which is configured to comfortably and safely accommodate an infant. The cover  105  of the cushion  100  includes an outer surface  140  facing away from a caretaker when the sling pillow  10  is in use, and an inner surface  130  for contacting an infant which faces toward a caretaker when the sling pillow  10  is in use. The cushion  100  can be fashioned as a curved body structure, as shown in  FIG. 1 , in which case the length of the inner surface  130  between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  is preferably smaller (less than) than the length of the outer surface  140  between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100 . The cushion  100  can alternatively assume an uncurved, generally planar configuration when not in use, as shown in  FIG. 13 , in which case the lengths of the inner surface  130  and outer surface  140  between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  are about the same. In some embodiments, curvilinear shapes such as “C” and “U” shapes can be formed in the cushion in order to better support a caretaker&#39;s back when the cushion  100  is positioned to support the caretaker&#39;s back, for example as shown in  FIG. 14 . 
     The cushion portion  100  comprises a flexible structure made from one or more flexible panels and one or more resilient materials which are reversibly deformable by the weight of an infant, such as a weights of between 6 and 30 pounds. Material forming the cushion should be dense enough to comfortably support the body weight of an infant, but flexible and elastic enough to conform to the body shape of an infant. The cushion portion  100  can comprise a single piece of an appropriate material, such as a piece of memory foam, or can comprise beads, feathers, or other combinations of materials which provide appropriate support, deformability and cushioning. A variety of materials known to the art can be used as the resilient material, such as cotton or polyester fiber, foam rubber, particles of polyester or other aggregate materials, silicone or polyurethane gel, latex, or feathers. Preferably the material is non-allergenic, and is also preferably washable. The cushions can be elastically deformable, such as through the use of an elastically deformable filler material as polyurethane foam (memory foam) or other polymer foam material. 
     The present sling pillow  10  further includes a strap portion. The strap  300  comprises a length of flexible material capable of supporting the weight of an infant user  10  of the nursing sling pillow  10 . The strap portion connects the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  using one or more straps  300  extending between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100 . Each strap comprises an outer surface  301  and an inner surface  303 . In the illustrated embodiments, the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  are joined through the use of a pair of straps, a first strap  330  and second strap  350 . The first strap  330  has a proximal end  332  attached to the proximal end  126  of the cushion in a non-reversible fashion, i.e. such that it cannot be removed without damaging or destroying the attachment means, and also has a distal end  334 . The second strap  350  has a proximal end  352  attached to the distal end of the cushion  100 , also in a non-reversible manner, and a distal end  354 . The distal end  334  of the first strap  330  and the distal end  354  of the second strap  350  are attached to each other in ways known to the art, such as through a fastener  200 , preferably in a reversible manner. The fastener  200  preferably allows the distance between the proximal end  332  of the first strap  330  and the proximal end  352  of the distal strap to be adjusted, such as through a loop mechanism as shown in the illustrated embodiments, in order to be able to change the circumference of the nursing sling pillow  10  to accommodate adult users (caretakers)  20  and infant users  30  of different sizes. Alternatively, the strap portion  300  can comprise a piece of flexible material secured to each longitudinal end of the cushion  100  in order to allow it to stretch over a caretaker when being put on. 
     The fastener  200  preferably allows for reversibly securing the first strap  330  to the second strap  350 , so that the two strap portions can be separated. A variety of fasteners known to the art can be used in the present nursing sling pillow  10 . For example, a clasp, latch, button, hook-and-eye, tie or hook-and-loop closure (such as Velcro) can be used. In one embodiment, the fastener is a loop buckle, as shown in the illustrated embodiments. Alternatively, the buckle can be a plastic clip buckle, which typically comprises a male portion having a projection on each lateral end and female portion having an opening for receiving the projections. The projections have a wider, laterally extending shape at their distal ends, and when the male portion is inserted into the receptacle, the distal ends of each of the projections is urged into a respective lateral slot of the female portion, thereby securing the male portion to the female portion. The buckle can then be released by squeezing the lateral sides of the female portion and pulling out the male portion of the buckle. 
     In other embodiments, a single strap  300  can be used. In these embodiments, a fastener or a mating portion of a fastener are attached directly to the proximal end  126  or distal end  128  of the cushion, and a proximal end of the strap  300  is attached to the other end of the cushion  100 . The distal end of the strap  300  is then adapted to be attached to the cushion  100  with the fastener  200 . 
     In the embodiments of  FIGS. 4-6 , the cushion  100  additionally includes an arm hole  150  having a proximal end  156 , a distal end  158 , an arm hole inner surface  151 , a right side opening  152 , a left side opening  154 , and a through-hole extending between the right side opening  152  and left side opening  154 . The through-hole can be a gap or hole, but preferably is configured to include a first inner surface  153  and a second inner surface  155  which faces the first inner surface  153 . The two inner surfaces of the through-passage preferably are in contact when the sling pillow  10  is not in use. In the embodiment of  FIG. 7 , a sling or loop of material  60  is provided on or adjacent to the outer surface  140  of the cushion  100 . The loop  60  comprises an inner surface  61 , outer surface  63 , and proximal end  66 . The proximal end  66  of the loop  60  is attached to the sling pillow  10 , preferably to the strap portion  300 . Use of the through-passage  50  and loop  60  can help to prevent or ameliorate conditions such as Quervain&#39;s tendonitis, which involves inflammation of the wrist. 
     The embodiment of  FIG. 8  includes a nursing cover  70  for privacy. The cover  70  comprises a panel of material  75  having an outer surface  71  facing outward (toward the public) and an inner surface facing inwardly (toward the caretaker  20 ) when in use. The cover  70  should be generally wide and long enough to cover a nursing caretaker&#39;s chest, in order to provide a desired amount of privacy for nursing, and can preferably be wide enough to extend across a user&#39;s shoulders and at least as long as a user&#39;s waist. The panel  75  can be made from a variety of flexible, opaque materials, preferably from fabric, and can be attached to the inner surface  130  or outer surface  140  of the cushion. 
     In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 9 , the cushion  100  has an ergonomic shape to support a baby&#39;s head, neck and shoulder. In this embodiment, a medial portion  107  of the cushion, i.e. between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion, is wider than the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion 
     Methods of Using a Nursing Sling Pillow 
       FIGS. 10-14  illustrate ways of using the present nursing sling pillow  10 . The adult user&#39;s arm closest to an infant&#39;s head can be placed either outside the sling pillow  10  as shown in  FIG. 10 , when the infant&#39;s head and upper torso is securely retained by the cushion  100 , or alternatively can be placed in between the cushion  100  and an infant&#39;s head and neck as shown in  FIG. 11 . In another alternative for use when the caretaker  20  is seated, the sling pillow  10  can be worn around a torso of the user, as shown in  FIG. 12 . The torso of the user may include a chest, an abdomen, a hip, a pelvis, and/or other general body portions of the user associated with the torso. As shown in  FIG. 12 , the cushion  100  can be placed in the front of the user  20 , for example, so that the user&#39;s arms and/or an infant can be supported by the cushion  100 . In another embodiment, shown in  FIG. 14 , the sling pillow  10  can be placed against the lower back of the user, to provide back support. 
     The cushion  100  is preferably sized to accommodate the uses described herein. For example, the distance between the proximal end  126  and distal end  128  of the cushion  100  can be approximately the distance between the hips of a user as shown in  FIG. 12 , such as between about 40 cm and 80 cm, or about 50 cm to 70 cm, or about 55 cm to 65 cm, or about 60 cm. Alternatively, for other embodiments of the present nursing sling pillow, the cushion  100  can be between about 20 cm and 60 cm, or about 30 and 50 cm, or about 35 and 45 cm. 
     The present sling pillow  10  is adapted to support an infant while feeding, but it can also be used when an infant is not feeding, to support the infant in a proper resting position. As shown in  FIG. 13 , the sling pillow  10  can also be placed on a support surface, such as a floor or bassinet, and an infant can be placed on the nursing sling pillow  100 . The head of the infant is preferably placed on the outer surface  140  of the cushion  100 . 
     Although the present invention has been described in considerable detail with reference to certain preferred embodiments, other embodiments are possible. The steps disclosed for the present methods, for example, are not intended to be limiting nor are they intended to indicate that each step is necessarily essential to the method, but instead are exemplary steps only. Therefore, the scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the description of preferred embodiments contained in this disclosure. 
     Recitation of value ranges herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method for referring individually to each separate value falling within the range. Unless otherwise indicated herein, each individual value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All references cited herein, including U.S. Patent Application No. 62/595,549, are incorporated by reference in their entirety.