Patent Publication Number: US-2020288877-A1

Title: Nursing Pillow

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the priority of Taiwanese patent application No. 108108033, filed on Mar. 11, 2019, which is incorporated herewith by reference. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates generally to a pillow, and more particularly to a nursing pillow which is adapted to assist nursing mothers whilst breastfeeding. 
     2. The Prior Arts 
     In recent years, it has become a trend for nursing mothers to breastfeed their babies. Since the World Health Organization recommends breastfeeding as the optimal way of providing young infants with the nutrients they need for healthy growth and development, there are increasing numbers of nursing mothers choosing to breastfeed their newborn babies. There are two common ways mothers feed breastmilk to their babies: the first being to breastfeed directly by attaching the baby to the breast, and secondly by bottle feeding babies with breast milk obtained from the mother. Furthermore, many mothers choose to breastfeed directly because it helps to establish a stronger bond between the mother and child. 
     In general, when a mother is to nurse an infant in a sitting position and chooses to use a support, she first places a conventional nursing pillow on her lap, and then lays the infant on the nursing pillow such that the infant&#39;s mouth could easily be guided by her arms and hands to reach the mother&#39;s chest for attachment and breastfeeding. 
     However, conventional nursing pillows are generally unable to adjust their height. If the nursing mother is tall in stature, it is possible that the height of the nursing pillow is too low for the mother to easily guide the infant&#39;s mouth to reach the height of the mother&#39;s chest for attachment. On the other hand, as the infant grows, the height of the infant&#39;s mouth rises, making it difficult to align to the correct height of the mother&#39;s chest for attachment. In both cases, the nursing mother has to adjust her posture to accommodate the height of the infant&#39;s mouth for breastfeeding, which makes the breastfeeding experience uncomfortable and tiring. 
     In addition, conventional nursing pillows are made by filling a pillow cover with cotton materials, in which case the pillows are easily deformed and collapsed in shape due to the weight of the baby, in effect degrading the user experience. Such nursing pillows may further cause safety concerns to the infant lying thereon if the support of the pillow is not evenly distributed. 
     U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,061,854 and 9,138,072 mentioned nursing pillows with adjustable heights. However, U.S. Pat. No. 6,061,854 requires lots of fastenings and hooks to adjust the pillow case after the removal of its inner pillow cushions, making the manufacture and use of the nursing pillow redundant and complicated. On the other hand, the pillow illustrated by U.S. Pat. No. 9,138,072 is adjusted by filling different numbers of pillow cushions into the elastic pillow cover. The pillow cover has a different tightness depending on the number of the pillow cushions that are inserted and the elastic cover will become loose over time, especially after using the maximum number of pillows for an extended period. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a nursing pillow which is capable of overcoming the defects of the conventional pillows as described above. 
     For achieving the foregoing objective, the present invention provides a nursing pillow including a first abutting unit, a second abutting unit and a cover unit. 
     The first abutting unit has two first abutting faces spaced apart from each other in a first axial direction. The second abutting unit has two second abutting faces spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction, and the second abutting faces are corresponding to the first abutting faces in contour shape. The distance between the second abutting faces along the first axial direction is larger than the distance between the first abutting faces along the first axial direction. 
     The cover unit has a main body and an opening configured on the main body for the first abutting unit and the second abutting unit to pass through. The main body defines an accommodation chamber which is accessed via the opening and in which the first abutting unit and the second abutting unit can be stacked with each other and extended along the first axial direction. The cover unit further has an adjusting assembly disposed to encompass an outer side of the main body, wherein the adjusting assembly is operated in a way such that the main body generates two thickness variations along the first axial direction. The adjusting assembly is preferably a zipper. 
     Accordingly, the present invention is advantageously adapted in that: 
     By configuring the first abutting unit, the second abutting unit and the cover unit, the nursing pillow according to the present invention is able to generate thickness variations. The first abutting unit has a thickness along the first axial direction different from that of the second abutting unit, and the cover unit provides a thickness different from either the first abutting unit or the second abutting unit when the first abutting unit and the second abutting unit are stacked with each other and extended along the first axial direction in the accommodation chamber. 
     By configuring the adjusting assembly, the cover unit is able to generate thickness variations along the first axial direction using a simple configuration that is easy to operate. 
     Preferably, the first abutting unit includes a U-shaped first pillow core which has a first transverse section and two first extending sections connecting to the first transverse section. The second abutting unit includes a U-shaped second pillow core which has a second transverse section and two second extending sections connecting to the second transverse section. An inner distance between the first extending sections of the first pillow core is gradually increased from the first transverse section along a third axial direction, and an inner distance between the second extending sections of the second pillow core is gradually increased from the second transverse section along the third axial direction. Thereby, the present invention is advantageously adapted for nursing mothers with various waist sizes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The present invention will be apparent to those skilled in the art by reading the following detailed description of a preferred embodiment thereof, with reference to the attached drawings, in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a nursing pillow according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a top view of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a top view of a first case according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a top view of a first pillow core according to a preferable embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a sectional view taken along line VI-VI of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic view illustrating a cushion core and a covering member that are placed within a first notch and a second notch so as to constitute a continuous contour with both the first and the second pillow core according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a schematic view illustrating a nursing mother sitting on a chair and laying an infant on the nursing pillow according to the first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the assembly of a cover unit and a storage unit according to the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic view illustrating a nursing mother sitting on a chair and laying an infant on the nursing pillow according to the second embodiment of the present invention for breastfeeding; and 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of a third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     The accompanying drawings are included to provide a further understanding of the invention, and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification. The drawings illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , the nursing pillow according to the first embodiment of the present invention is adapted to be placed on the lap of a nursing mother  11  (see  FIG. 8 ), and an infant  12  (see  FIG. 8 ) is laid on the nursing pillow. The nursing pillow includes a first abutting unit  2 , a second abutting unit  3 , a cover unit  4 , and a back cushion unit  5 . 
     The first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  is relative to an axis A and each forms a U-shape. A first axial direction X is defined to be parallel to the axis A. A second axial direction Y and a third axial direction Z are defined to be perpendicular to the first axial direction X, wherein the second axial direction Y and the third axial direction Z intersects with each other. 
     The first abutting unit  2  includes a U-shaped first pillow core  21 , a first case  22  covering an outer side of the first pillow core  21 , a first opening  23  configured on the first case  22  for the first pillow core  21  to pass through, and a first closing member  24  disposed on the first case  22  adjacent to the first opening  23 , the first closing member  24  can be operated to open and close the first opening  23 . The first pillow core  21  has a first transverse section  211  and two first extending sections  212  connecting to the first transverse section  211 . The first transverse section  211  and the first extending sections  212  together define a first notch  213 . In the present embodiment, the first pillow core  21  is made of polyurethane foam materials. 
     Preferably, as shown in  FIG. 5 , an inner distance D between the two first extending sections  212  of the first pillow core  21  is gradually increased from the first transverse section  211  along the third axial direction Z, such that the first notch  213  has the smallest diameter near the first transverse section  211  and the largest diameter at the end away from the first transverse section  211 . Thereby, the first pillow core  21  is adapted for nursing mothers  11  with various waist sizes. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3 and 4 , the first case  22  is made of fabrics and has two first abutting faces  221  spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction X. Each first abutting face  221  is a flat plane extending along the second axial direction Y and the third axial direction Z and forms a U-shape including a transverse part  222  in correspondence to the first transverse section  211  and two extending parts  223  in correspondence to the first extending sections  212 . The transverse part  222  has an outer region  224  which is relatively away from the axis A and an inner region  225  which is relatively close to the axis A. Each extending part  223  has a distanced region  226  which is relatively away from the axis A, an adjacent region  227  which is relatively close to the axis A and a connecting region  228  connecting the distanced region  226  and the adjacent region  227 . Each connecting region  228  has a first width W 1  extending along the second axial direction Y, and the outer region  224  has a second width W 2  extending along the second axial direction Y, the first width W 1  is not larger than one third of the second width W 2 . A first length L 1  extending along the third axial direction Z is defined between the inner region  225  and each of the connecting regions  228 , and a second length L 2  extending along the third axial direction Z is defined between the outer region  224  and each of the connecting regions  228 . The first length L 1  is not smaller than one third of the second length L 2 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first closing member  24  is a zipper. By configuring the first opening  23  and the first closing member  24 , it is convenient to remove the first pillow core  21  from the first case  22 , allowing the first case  22  to be cleaned or washed. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1, 3, and 6 , the second abutting unit  3  includes a U-shaped second pillow core  31 , a second case  32  covering an outer side of the second pillow core  31 , a second opening  33  configured on the second case  32  for the second pillow core  31  to pass through, and a second closing member  34  disposed on the second case  32  adjacent to the second opening  33 , the second closing member  34  can be operated to open and close the second opening  33 . The second pillow core  31  has a second transverse section  311  and two second extending sections  312  connecting to the second transverse section  311 . The second transverse section  311  and the second extending sections  312  together define a second notch  313 . In the present embodiment, the second pillow core  31  is made of polyurethane foam materials. 
     Preferably, similar to the first pillow core  21  shown in  FIG. 5 , an inner distance D between the second extending sections  312  of the second pillow core  31  is gradually increased from the second transverse section  311  along the third axial direction Z, such that the second notch  313  has the smallest diameter near the second transverse section  311  and the largest diameter at the end away from the second transverse section  311 . Thereby, the second pillow core  31  is adapted for nursing mothers  11  with various waist sizes. 
     The second case  32  is made of fabrics and has two second abutting faces  321  spaced apart from each other in the first axial direction X. The second abutting faces  321  are corresponding to the first abutting faces  221  in contour shape. The distance between the second abutting faces  321  along the first axial direction X is larger than the distance between the first abutting faces  221  along the first axial direction X. Each second abutting face  321  is a flat plane extending along the second axial direction Y and the third axial direction Z. 
     In the present embodiment, the second closing member  34  is a zipper. By configuring the second opening  33  and the second closing member  34 , it is convenient to remove the second pillow core  31  from the second case  32 , allowing the second case  32  to be cleaned or washed. 
     Preferably, the first case  22  and the second case  32  are made of waterproof cloth, preventing the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  therein from contamination from the baby spitting up milk. 
     The cover unit  4  has a main body  41 , an opening  42  configured on the main body  41  for the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  to pass through, and a zipper assembly  43  disposed on the main body  41  adjacent to the opening  42 , where the zipper assembly  43  can be operated to open and close the opening  42 . The main body  41  defines an accommodation chamber  411  which is accessed via the opening  42  and in which the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  are allowed to be stacked with each other and extended along the first axial direction X. Preferably, the cover unit  4  is made of a breathable fabric which has low elasticity, thereby providing a comfortable nursing experience to both the nursing mother  11  and the infant  12 . 
     The back cushion unit  5  has a rest cushion  51  adapted for the back of the nursing mother  11  (see  FIG. 8 ) to lean against and a belt  52  connecting to the rest cushion  51 . The belt  52  is made of elastic materials that make it extendable. 
     The rest cushion  51  has a cushion core  511  ( FIG. 6 ), a covering member  512  covering an outer side of the cushion core  511 , an assembly  513  configured on the covering member  512  for the belt  52  to pass through, and a securing member  514  disposed on the covering member  512  adjacent to the assembly  513 , where the securing member  514  can be operated to open and close the assembly  513 . The cushion core  511  and the covering member  512  together define a space  515  which is accessed via the assembly  513 . In the present embodiment, the cushion core  511  has a shape corresponding to the second notch  313  and constitutes a continuous contour with the second pillow core  31  (see  FIG. 7 ); but the present invention is not limited thereto. 
     The belt  52  has two connecting end parts  521  at its two ends and a middle part  522  connecting between the connecting end parts  521 . The middle part  522  is disposed in the space  515  such that the connecting end parts  521  expose from two ends of the covering member  512  via the assembly  513 . 
     In the present embodiment, either the first case  22  of the first abutting unit  2 , the second case  32  of the second abutting unit  3  or the cover unit  4  is detachably connected with the belt  52  at the connecting end parts  521  by means of a hook and loop fastener. 
     Since the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  have a different thickness along the first axial direction X, and the cover unit  4  provides an additional thickness different from either the first abutting unit or the second abutting unit when the first abutting unit and the second abutting unit are stacked with each other and extended along the first axial direction X in the accommodation chamber  411 , the nursing pillow of the present invention is capable of generating several thickness variations. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 8 , when using the nursing pillow, the nursing mother  11  may select to lay the infant  12  by using the first abutting unit  2  or the second abutting unit  3  individually, or the cover unit  4  containing the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3 , depending on situations (depending on the stature of the nursing mother  11 , the stature of the infant  12 , the posture of the nursing mother  11 , etc.). 
     For example, when the cover unit  4  containing the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  as shown in  FIG. 8  is selected, the nursing mother  11  appears in a sitting position and places the cover unit  4  on the lap close to her abdomen, allowing the torso of the nursing mother  11  to be located within the first notch  213  and the second notch  313 . Then, the nursing mother  11  leans her back against the rest cushion  51  of the back cushion unit  5 , and operates the connecting end parts  521  of the belt  52  such that the connecting end parts  521  extends from the lateral sides to be connected with the cover unit  4  and thus encompasses the nursing mother  11 . Finally, the infant  12  is laid on the cover unit  4  for breastfeeding. 
     Since the belt  52  is extendable, the cover unit  4  is constantly maintained at a position close to the abdomen of the nursing mother  11  while the rest cushion  51  is constantly abutted against the back of the nursing mother  11 . In addition, since the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  are made of polyurethane foam materials providing excellent support, they are not easily deformed and collapsed in shape. As a result, the infant  12  can be stably laid on the cover unit  4  with slight sustain from the nursing mother  11 . 
     Moreover, since the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  provide great support, the nursing mother  11  may turn the cover unit  4  to her lateral sides (not shown) instead of placing the nursing pillow entirely on her lap. In this way, the position of the infant  12  can be adjusted to easily reach either side of the chest. 
     Also, by configuring the assembly  513  and the securing member  514  of the back cushion unit  5 , the nursing mother  11  is allowed to remove the rest cushion  51  depending on her usage habits. When the nursing pillow is to be carried or stored, the back cushion unit  5  can be placed within the first notch  213  and the second notch  313  (see  FIG. 2 ) to reduce storage space. As an alternative, the connection between the back cushion unit  5  and the cover unit  4  can be released for separate carriage or storage. 
     It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the shape of the cushion core  511  of the rest cushion  51  is corresponding to the shape of the second notch  313 . Thus, the cushion core  511  and the covering member  512  can be turned so that the cushion core  511  and the covering member  512  are placed within the second notch  313  to constitute a complete contour with the second pillow core  31  as shown in  FIG. 7  for a simple storage solution. In addition, from a manufacturing aspect, the cushion core  511  may be manufactured by the remaining materials of the second pillow core  31 , reducing the required amount of raw materials and manufacturing procedures. 
     When the nursing mother  11  selects to lay the infant  12  on the first abutting unit  2  or the second abutting unit  3 , the cover unit  4  illustrated above is removed and substituted by the first case  22  or the second case  32 . Since the connecting end parts  521  of the belt  52  are detachably connected to the first case  22  of the first abutting unit  2 , the second case  32  of the second abutting unit  3  or the cover unit  4  via the hook and loop fastener, the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  are allowed to cooperate with the back cushion unit  5  even when they are used alone to support the infant  12 . 
     It is noted that, in the present embodiment, the first pillow core  21  of the first abutting unit  2  and the second pillow core  31  of the second abutting unit  3  are made of polyurethane foam materials, thereby providing excellent support, durability, and resistance to deformation. However, in other modified embodiments, the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  can be made of other materials (emulsion, etc.). 
     In the present embodiment, the first abutting unit  2 , the second abutting unit  3  or the cover unit  4  is detachably connected with the belt  52  by means of the hook and loop fastener. However, in other embodiments, the detachable connection may be achieved by other means (button, zipper, etc.). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 , which illustrate a second embodiment of the present invention. The second embodiment differs from the first embodiment in that: 
     The cover unit  4  further includes an adjusting assembly  44  disposed to encompass an outer side of the main body  41 . In the present embodiment, the adjusting assembly  44  is an open end zipper which seamlessly encompasses the main body  41 . 
     The adjusting assembly  44  can be operated in a way to allow the main body  41  to generate two thickness variations along the first axial direction X (as shown in  FIG. 10 , the heights are illustrated by the solid line and the dashed line) such that the cover unit  4  can be firmly fitted on the second abutting unit  3  when it is used alone, and also firmly fitted on the combination of the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3  when they are used together. Thus, when the nursing mother  11  prefers to use a thinner nursing pillow, the adjusting assembly  44  is operated to access a state of the main body  41  as shown by the solid line of  FIG. 10 , and the second pillow core  31  is placed into the accommodation chamber  411  for usage. When the nursing mother  11  prefers to use a thicker nursing pillow, the adjusting assembly  44  is operated to access another state of the main body  41  as shown by the dashed line of  FIG. 10 , and both of the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  are placed into the accommodation chamber  411  for usage. 
     Basically, the difference between the two thickness variations generated by the adjusting assembly  44  corresponds to the distance between the first abutting faces  221  of the first abutting unit  2  along the first axial direction X. Preferably, the distance between the first abutting faces  221  of the first abutting unit  2  along the first axial direction X is 2-2.5 cm or 3-3.5 cm; accordingly, the difference between the two thickness variations generated by the adjusting assembly  44  is 2-2.5 cm or 3-3.5 cm. 
     The assembly member  514  of the back cushion unit  5  is a zipper. The rest cushion  51  of the back cushion unit  5  further includes two positioning members  516  connecting to an outer side of the covering member  512 . Each positioning member  516  is connecting to the covering member  512  by two ends, and cooperating with the covering member  512  to define a positioning aperture  517  for the belt  52  to pass through. It is understood that the back cushion unit  5  may include only one positioning member  516 . As long as the positioning member  516  allows the belt  52  to pass through, the same effect can be achieved. 
     The nursing pillow further includes a storage unit  6  connecting to the outer side of main body  41  of the cover unit  4 . In the present embodiment, the storage unit is made of elastic materials and can be operated so as to be adapted to tighten a bottle  13  and secure the bottle at the main body  41 . However, the present invention is not limited thereto; in other embodiments, the storage unit  6  may include a number of pockets, and may be made from inelastic materials. 
     Thus, the second embodiment is capable of generating thickness variations of the cover unit  4  whilst constantly maintaining a firm fit. 
     Referring to  FIG. 12 , which illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment is similar to the second embodiment, but different in the following aspects: 
     The belt  52  is made of inelastic materials. The belt  52  has a first securing section  523  at one end and a second securing section  524  at the other end, where the first securing section  523  and the second securing section  524  are non-detachably connected to the main body  41  of the cover unit  4 ; a connecting section  525  extending from an end of the first securing section  523  on the side of the main body  41  and passing through the positioning aperture  517 ; a first engagement member  526  disposed at an end of the connecting section  525  opposite to the first securing section  523 ; a second engagement member  527  disposed at an end of the second securing section  524  on the side of the main body  41 , where the second engagement member  527  is detachably connected with the first engagement member  526 ; and an adjusting element  528  is disposed on the connecting section  525 , where the adjusting element  528  can be operated to adjust the length of the connecting section  525  such that the length between the first securing section  523  and the first engagement member  526  is adjusted. 
     In the present embodiment, since the belt  52  is made of inelastic materials and the adjusting element  528  is capable of adjusting the length of the connecting section  525 , the cover unit  4  can be constantly maintained at a position close to the abdomen of the nursing mother  11  whilst the rest cushion  51  is constantly abutting against the back of the nursing mother  11 . 
     In the present embodiment, the first engagement member  526  and the second engagement member  527  are complementary to each other and achieved by means of a buckle. However, in other embodiments, they can be achieved by other means (hook and loop fastener, button, etc.). 
     Thus, the third embodiment is capable of achieving the same objectives and effects as the second embodiment. 
     The nursing pillow according to the present invention is therefore advantageously adapted in that: 
     By configuring the adjusting assembly  44 , the main body  41  of the cover unit  4  is capable of generating two thickness variations along the first axial direction X in an easy way and simultaneously stores the excess fabric of the cover unit  4  upon adjustment without requirement of multiple fastenings and hooks. In effect, the fabric of the cover unit  4  is prevented from stretching and loosening due to the extension caused by the combined usage of the first abutting unit  2  and the second abutting unit  3 . 
     In addition, the present invention allows the second abutting unit  3  to be used individually or as a combination with the first abutting unit  2 , thereby allowing the nursing mother  11  to select among variations of thickness depending on her situation. 
     Furthermore, the first extending sections  212  and the second extending sections  312  not only allow the nursing mother  11  to rest her elbows and forearms, but also provides sufficient space for the legs of the infant  12  to rest on, thereby providing both the nursing mother  11  and the infant  12  a comfortable breastfeeding experience. 
     Also, since the first pillow core  21  and the second pillow core  31  are made of polyurethane foam materials providing excellent support, they are not easily deformed and collapsed in shape. Thereby, the nursing pillow according to the present invention has a longer service life. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to the preferred embodiments thereof, it is apparent to those skilled in the art that the components of the embodiments are interchangeable and applicable to each other and that a variety of modifications and changes may be made without departing from the scope of the present invention which is intended to be defined by the appended claims.