Patent ID: 12239243

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

A nursing pillow according to the invention is indicated generally at100inFIG.1. The nursing pillow100is encased by a flexible outer shell102, which preferably is formed by one or more lavers of fabric. In one embodiment, the nursing pillow100is crescent-shaped and is adapted to fit around the torso of the mother or other user. Shell102may be constructed of a top panel104, a bottom panel106, an outer or dorsal panel108, and an inner or ventral panel110. The inner panel110is adapted to be disposed adjacent the front of the torso of the user. The outer panel108is then situated to be remote from the user. A left end134of the inner panel110is connected to a left end of the outer panel108by a seam or other junction302(FIG.3). A right end136of the inner panel110is connected to a right end of the outer panel108by a seam or other junction111. These panels preferably are connected together by stitching, and in the illustrated embodiments, all components of outer shell102are connected together likewise.

Each of the inner panel110and the outer panel108vertically extends from the top panel104to the bottom panel106. Top panel104is connected to inner panel110by a seam113. Inner panel110is connected to the bottom panel106by a seam115. Outer panel108is connected to the bottom panel106by a seam201(FIGS.2and3).

In the illustrated embodiment, all of the panels104-110,208,300of outer shell102have an outer layer made of a stretchable material such as stretch cotton/rayon. The outer layer may be formed, for example, by a fabric composed of 90% polyester/10% spandex. In addition, panels104and108are backed with a nonstretch fabric layer801,803that is positioned inwardly of the outer layer. SeeFIGS.6,14A and14B. This makes panels104and108less stretchable than inner panel110or bottom panel106. The stretchability of panels104and106may be so reduced that they are not stretchable at all, and/or are sufficient to ensure that the dimension of either of the backed panels does not substantially change when placed under tension. The nonstretch backing of panels104,108assures that the overall shape of nursing pillow100does not change. The inner panel110, on the other hand, should be remain sufficiently elastic that the arms116,120can be separated so that the pillow100can be placed around the mother or other user, and the relative stretchability of the bottom panel106means that it will better conform to the legs of the user.

The present invention is principally directed to apparatus to assist nursing mothers and breast-feeding infants, but its utility is not restricted to this situation. The nursing pillow also has application for holding an infant while being fed formula from a bottle, and wherein the caregiver is other than a lactating mother. Hence, the term “user” is used in several instances in this Specification, which should be interpreted to include, but not be limited to, nursing mothers.

The outer shell102encloses and defines a pillow body112. The pillow body112has a middle section114that outwardly extends from inner panel110. A left arm116extends leftwardly from middle section114and terminates in a left tip or end118. A right arm120extends rightwardly from the middle section114and terminates in a right tip or end122. In use, the left arm116is adjacent the left side of the user's torso, and the right arm120is adjacent the right side of the user's torso.

The middle section114is vertically thicker, and horizontally deeper (in a radial direction away from the user), than is either left arm116or right arm120. In the illustrated embodiment, the change in thickness and depth as one proceeds around the torso of the user is continuous, creating a curved crescent shape as shown. The thickness of the inner panel110may vary from about 9 cm at its middle, to about 4.5 cm at either end. Its length, when placed flat and prior to assembly into pillow100, may be about 55-57 cm. A width of the middle section114, taken on a radius across top panel104between inner panel110and outer panel108, can be about 22 cm. A greatest diameter of the nursing pillow, taken from one side of outer panel108to an opposite side of outer panel108, can be about 55 cm.

In one embodiment, a thermal therapy pocket124is joined to the inner panel110so as to be vertically disposed on the ventral or user-facing face of the inner panel110. The thermal therapy pocket124may receive, for example, a heat pack or a cold pack. A representative sample of such a heat pack or cold pack is shown at1500inFIG.15. As so disposed, the contents of the thermal therapy pocket124are optimally arranged to deliver coolness or warmth to the mother or other caregiver. For nursing mothers who have just given birth, a heat therapy pack may be particularly desirable, as a treatment for postpartum uterine contractions or c-section incision soreness. The invention therefore acts as an aid to the overall comfort of a new nursing mother. Further details of the thermal therapy pocket124will be described below. In one embodiment the heat therapy pack1500is a heat pack containing a substance that changes state between solid crystals and liquid, releasing energy to the mother as the liquid crystallizes.

An alternative placement of a heat therapy pack125is shown in dotted line inFIG.1A. In this embodiment, the heat therapy pack is placed inside the cavity defined by outer shell102, rearwardly adjacent to the inner panel110. Further details of thermal therapy packet125will be given in conjunction withFIGS.14A and14B.

In the illustrated embodiments, a strap126is passed around the back of the user to connect the left tip118to the right tip122. The strap126may have a left portion128and a right portion130, the distal ends of which may be releasably connected together by a connector132. In one embodiment, one portion, such as portion128, intentionally may be much longer than the other portion, such as portion130, which will position the connector closer to one arm tip than the other one. This position makes it easier for the user to fasten the pillow100around her torso. In another embodiment, the strap portions128,130may be of more equal length, so that the connector132may be cushioned from contact with the user's back by a cushioned support or back panel1100(FIGS.11-13) The strap126may be passed through aback pad1100, which will be described in more detail below.

The inner panel110has a left end134that is positioned leftwardly and beyond left arm tip118. Similarly, the inner panel110has a right end136that is positioned rightwardly and beyond right arm tip122.

Referring toFIGS.2,3and5, in the illustrated embodiment, the upper margin of outer panel108is joined to the top panel104at or near a junction or seam220by an opening closure, such as a zipper panel206(only the zipper handles are visible here; zipper panel206is schematically shown inFIG.8.) The opening204is hidden beneath a zipper draft flap200, which can be made of a stretchable material and which should not have any nonstretch backing. The opening204permits access to the body cavity, so that one or more of the cushionable inserts (described below) may be inserted into or withdrawn from the cavity by the user, and also so that the user may install or remove a heat pack1500into or out of the thermal therapy pocket125shown inFIG.1A.

Outer panel108may further have one or more pockets which then would form the rear exterior surface of pillow body112. For example, a right pocket210may be formed on a right portion of the outer panel108, a central pocket212may be formed on a rear, central portion of the outer panel108, and a left pocket214may be formed on a left portion of the outer panel108. As seen inFIG.5, the pockets210,212and214are separated from each other by stitch lines216and218. In the areas where the pockets210-214are formed, an extra layer202of fabric is stitched to the panel108. But this extra layer of fabric, which can consist of the same stretchable fabric used to form panels104-110,208,300more generally is not backed by a nonstretch layer. That nonstretch layer (803,FIG.8) is disposed only to the interior of the panel106, which acts as the inner side of the pockets210-214. Pockets210-214may be used to hold accessories such as wipes, formula bottles or toys. In the illustrated embodiments the pocket fabric layer202is horizontally coextensive with outer panel108, and is stitched to the ends of the inner panel110at seams111,302.

As shown inFIGS.6and7, the thermal therapy pocket124may be rectangular in shape when stitched on a flat piece of material that will become inner panel110; as assembled, the therapy pocket124will have a flexible front panel600that is vertical but concavely arcuate with respect to the user. Pocket124may be formed by a rear panel601, positioned adjacent inner panel110and remote from the user, and a front panel602, positioned inwardly from panel601so as to be adjacent to the user. A top margin602of rear panel601may be stitched to the seam113between inner panel110and top panel104(FIG.1). A top margin603of the front panel600may be positioned about 2 cm below top margin602. A top portion of panel600may be folded over and stitched to create top margin603, and so as to lend reinforcement to the top margin602. The panels600,601may be formed of the same material forming inner panel110, such as a stretchable polyester/spandex blend. Bottom ends of pocket panels600,601may be joined at a seam700.

In the illustrated embodiment, the height of pocket124is about 13.5 cm. This means that in use, a portion of the pocket124may extend below the lower margin of inner panel110. As enclosing a heat pack1500of appreciable thickness, the pocket124may not extend below inner panel110by so much, if at all.

FIGS.7,8,13,14A and14Bare highly schematic not least because they show, for the purpose of clarity adjacent fabric layers spaced from each other. In actuality, the panels making up the outer shell102and pockets joined thereto will be tightly stretched over the cushionable insert(s) filling up the interior and will be adjacent to each other.

FIGS.14A and14Bshow the disposition and use of a thermal therapy pocket125, located to the interior of inner panel110to be in the cavity defined by outer shell102. Pocket125may be constructed of the same material used to make up pocket124. A top end of an inner pocket panel1400is stitched at seam113to inner panel110, top panel104and top backing layer801. Without containing a heat pack1500or the like, the inner pocket panel1400will downwardly extend beyond outer shell seam115. A bottom end of an outer pocket panel1402is stitched at seam1403to the bottom end of panel1400. Pocket panel1402upwardly extends along panel1400to panel1402's upper end1404, where the material is folded back and stitched to itself it a seam1406.

To get access to time pocket125, zipper panel206is unzipped, and the top panel104and backing layer801are peeled toward the front. The user then inserts a heat pack1500into the pocket125from above, or withdraws pack1500from pocket125. As holding a heat pack1500, the walls1400,1402bulge outward, so the height of pocket125decreases (FIG.14B). The presence of heat pack1500inside the pillow cavity will have a tendency to distort the flexible structures around it to various degrees. Stretchy panels1400and110will bulge frontward somewhat; stretchy pocket panel1402will be displaced rearward. Top end1404will have more resistance to displacement, as it has been reinforced by an extra layer of material. This will have a tendency to keep pocket125closed and the heat pack1500contained. The front ends of relatively firm polyurethane foam inserts902and904will be displaced a little, and the front end of the relatively soft, poly-filled insert900will be rearwardly displaced by a larger amount.

As seen in the highly schematicFIG.8, a top edge800of the external panel202making up pockets212-214may be formed by folding over and stitching a top portion of the panel202to itself at seam804. As so joined, the panel202may contain a band802of elastic material which increases the resistance of the pocket edge to stretching, and which enhances its ability to close the pocket(s)212-214and more securely hold any contents. A bottom edge of pocket panel202is joined at seam201to outer panel108, nonstretch backing803and bottom panel106. Top ends of panel108and nonstretch backing803are joined at a seam806to the zipper panel206. Ends of top panel104, nonstretch backing layer801and zipper flap200are joined by seam220.

As seen inFIGS.9and10, the cushionable inserts provided with the nursing pillow include a first, bottom insert900, a second, middle insert902, and a third, top insert904. Each of inserts900-904will occupy the middle portion114and left and right arms116,120of the pillow body112and are substantially coextensive in plan view. Inserts900-904however, can have different degrees of cushionability or firmness. The first insert900is the least film of the three, and may be constituted by an inner shell906filled with a fill which could comprise polyester fill. This insert is meant to be disposed adjacent to and somewhat conform to the lap or legs of the user. Inner shell906may in turn be composed of a top panel907, a bottom panel909, an inner panel912that joins top panel907to bottom panel909at the concavely arcuate front of the insert, and an outer panel914that with panel912forms a continuous peripheral band, and which joins top panel907to bottom panel909at the convexly arcuate, rear of insert900. The inner shell906may be formed of panels of a nonstretch fabric such as 100% cotton in an uncompressed state, insert900may be about 18 cm high at its greatest extent. The thickness of insert900gradually decreases as one approaches the ends916,918of its arms.

The second insert902may be constituted by an elastomeric foam and will be firmer than insert900. Insert902may, for example, be constituted by a medium-density polyurethane foam, and more particularly by one having a density of 50 Kpa and an indention load deflection (ILD) of 70. The second insert902may have a thickness at its greatest extent of about 5 cm. The thickness of second insert902gradually decreases as one approaches the end920of a left arm thereof, and also as one approaches the end922of a right arm thereof. At ends920,922, the thickness of insert902may be about 1.6 cm.

A top surface924of the insert902has formed therein a bean-shaped depression926, sized to receive the body of an infant when third insert904is not being used. The depression926may have a length at its greatest extent of about 24-27 cm, and a front-to-rear width of about 10-14 cm. A depth of the depression may be about 1 cm. An outer edge926is convexly curved white an inner edge930of the depression925is concavely curved, with a length of the outer edge928being greater than a length of the inner edge930. In general, the edges928,930of the depression926are roughly concentric with the arcs made by outer panel108and inner panel110.

The third insert904may be constituted by an elastomeric foam that may have the same firmness as that of the second insert902, or one that has a higher firmness. Insert904may be constituted by a polyurethane foam. Insert904is thinner than insert902, and can have a greatest thickness of about 2.8 to 3 cm, tapering down to a thickness at its arm ends931,933of about 1 cm. In one embodiment, the slope, of the top surface908of insert904relative to the bottom surface932thereof is not as dramatic as the slope between the top surface924of insert902relative to the bottom surface thereof. This difference in slopes is made so that, in those instances in which both inserts902and904are used, the summation of the slopes of stacked inserts902and904is not too much.

A top surface908of the third insert904has formed therein an elongate, bean-shaped depression or trough910. Like depression926, the depression910is sized to receive the torso and head of a nursing infant. The depression is oriented to be transverse to the user, so that the nursing infant will lay across the torso of the user rather than on a radius from the riser. The depression910may have a depth at its greatest extent of about 1 cm. The shape and dimensions of depression910may be similar to the shape and dimensions of second insert depression926. On the other hand, the dimensions of depression910may be chosen to be somewhat smaller than the dimensions of depression926as the nursing infant received thereon may be significantly smaller in size than that of an infant received on depression926; as using only inserts900and902, it is contemplated that the nursing infant received thereon will be older and larger than a younger infant received on a stack of inserts900,902and904.

As seen inFIG.9A, a bottom surface932of the insert904has an eminence or bump934that is the complement in size and shape of depression926. When insert904is used, the hump934will mate with the depression926in insert902, removing any gap that may otherwise occur in the supporting foam and providing resistance to the lateral displacement of insert904relative to insert902.

Returning toFIGS.1,2and3, in use, the bottom panel106of outer shell102will contact the user's legs and as such will be oriented to be horizontal, or slightly downwardly and outwardly slanted. In this orientation, the top panel104will substantially occupy a plane that is downwardly inclined, from rear to front, toward the torso of the user. This will create a tendency for the infant to remain close to the torso of the user and will further reduce the danger of the infant rolling off.

FIG.10is a back devotional view in which the outer shell102has been removed from haft of the body112. In the configuration shown inFIG.10, all three inserts900,902and904are being used, and are stuffed under compression into the cavity defined by the outer shell102. The second insert902may have a cutout1000formed in its rear surface sized to receive the user's fingers of one hand, to aid in pulling out or inserting the middle insert902. A similar cutout (not shown) could be formed at the rear edge of the third insert904.

In those embodiments where inserts902and904are polyurethane or other moldable foam, it is possible to mold them so that their top profiles and their bottom profiles intentionally do not match. Hence, as illustrated inFIG.10, top insert904has a somewhat sloped side1002. Side1002makes a rounded corner1004with top insert surface908, but makes a sharp corner1006with bottom surface932. Similarity a somewhat sloped side1008of middle insert902makes a rounded corner1010with top surface924of middle insert902, but makes a sharp corner1012with the bottom surface1014of middle insert902. This is done because in use, the outer shell102is tautly stretched over such of inserts900-904the user has chosen to use. Where all three inserts900-904are used, the rounded corner1004will make a top rounded corner of the entire pillow100. When only two inserts900,902are used, rounded corner1006will make a top rounded corner of the entire pillow100. But the sharp corners1006,1012aid in keeping the fabric sidewall straight, and in reducing any dimple in the outer shell102which might otherwise occur.

In operation, the user can freely select which of the inserts900-904should constitute the pillow body112. Bottom insert900, disposed adjacent the user's legs, will usually be selected to make up all or a part of the pillow body. For newborn infants, all three inserts900,902and904can be used. When all three inserts are used, the vertical separation of the infant from the user's legs is at its maximum. As the baby grows, the amount of elevation needed may decrease. In another configuration, only inserts900and902would be used, and, to accommodate further growth of the baby, the user may use a combination of inserts900and904. If the user's torso is short, the user may only select two of the inserts for use, even for newborns. For older infants, the user may use only insert900.

The nursing pillow may be used with a padded back support or panel, an embodiment of which is seen at1100inFIGS.11-13. The panel1100is provided to distribute the force applied by connecting strap126to a larger area of the user's back. InFIG.11, the strap126can be seen passing through a hole or passageway1102, and in between a back portion1104and a front portion1106of the support1100.

A preferred overall construction of the back panel1100is schematically represented inFIG.13. The through-hole or strap passage1102is flanked and defined on the outside by a fabric layer1106and on the inside by another fabric layer1108. Fabric layers1106and1108can be identical in construction and can be constituted by 300D nylon fabric, for example.

Disposed to the inside of layer1108is a foam layer1110. Foam layer1110may be made of polyurethane foam and may be about 2 to about 3 mm thick. Similarly, a foam layer1112is disposed to the exterior of layer1106. This layer1112can also by about 2 to 3 mm thick and be of the same composition as foam layer1110. A general interior surface of back panel1100is formed by fabric layer1114, which may be formed of a stretchable fabric such as polyester/spandex and which can match in composition the fabric making up the exterior surface of all of the panels104—110,208,300of outer shell102. An exterior surface of back panel1100is formed by fabric layer1116, which can match in composition the interior surface layer1114.

Optionally, the back panel1100may have an interior-facing pocket1200, as seen inFIGS.12and13. This pocket1200is sized to receive a thermal therapy pack such as heat pack1500, and is provided to relieve possible back pain of the nursing mother. In one embodiment, two such heat packs1500are provided, so that one of them may be inserted into pocket1200, and the other inserted into pocket124or125. The pocket1200is formed by interior fabric layer1114, on its outer side, and by a mesh layer1202, on its inner side. A top edge1204of the mesh layer1202is bound by a binding layer1206. The pocket1200further has a top flap1208with a bottom edge1210that is folded over and stitched, as shown. There can be, for example, a 15 mm overlap between top edge1204of the pocket and bottom edge1210of the flap. The top flap1208may be composed of the same material making up the exterior surface of outer shell102, such as a stretchable polyester/spandex. As folded over and stitched, the bottom edge1210encases an elastic band1211. Band1211will permit the user to open flap1208to insert an article (such as a heat pack1500) into the pocket1200, but will otherwise act to increase, tensile force when the flap is opened, and will more quickly return the flap1208to the closed position shown.

A binding layer1212is used to stitch the various layers1106,1108,1110,1112,1114,1116and1202together. The binding layer extends around the ends of layers1106,1108,1110,1112,1114,1116and1202and, as seen inFIGS.11and12, forms the lateral periphery of the back panel1100. Further binding layers1214and1216(FIG.11) bind together lateral edges of layers1106,1112and1116, and help protect these lateral edges of the hole1102through which strap126is threaded.

In summary, a novel nursing pillow has been illustrated and described that has first, second and third inserts, with the second and third inserts being of a firmness greater than that of the first insert, and where the inserts are individually selectable by the user for use in supporting the nursing infant. A thermal therapy pocket is disposed on an internal panel so as to permit a heat or cold pack to deliver heat or cold to the torso of the user. A back support may have a similar pocket to contain a thermal therapy pocket for the user's back.

While illustrated embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated in the appended drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto but only by the scope and spirit of the appended claims.