Nursing pad

Abstract

A disposable nursing pad comprising an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween. The inner and outer surfaces are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly which may have a non-circular shape. The absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex. The absorbent pulp material may be formed with a reduced material thickness in at least one slimmer area within the absorbent assembly perimeter that is less than a total area within the absorbent assembly perimeter such that at least two areas having pulp material of differing thickness are defined.

1 . A nursing pad comprising:
 an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a non-circular shape and the absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex.   
     
     
         2 . The nursing pad according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has an elliptical shape with a major and minor axis. 
     
     
         3 . The nursing pad according to  claim 2  wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is between approximately 1.05:1 and 1.50:1. 
     
     
         4 . The nursing pad according to  claim 2  wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is approximately 1.19:1. 
     
     
         5 . The nursing pad according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a shape with an arcuate portion and opposed side portions which taper from the arcuate portion to a point. 
     
     
         6 . The nursing pad according to  claim 5  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter is substantially symmetrical about a plane extending between the point and a midpoint of the arcuate portion. 
     
     
         7 . The nursing pad according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has a generally triangular shape. 
     
     
         8 . The nursing pad according to  claim 7  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter includes three equilateral sides. 
     
     
         9 . The nursing pad according to  claim 7  wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter defines three vertices, each of the vertices having a rounded configuration. 
     
     
         10 . The nursing pad according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent assembly is formed to have a cupped configuration with a substantially smooth radial surface after assembly thereof. 
     
     
         11 . The nursing pad according to  claim 1  wherein the absorbent material is formed to have a cupped configuration with a substantially smooth radial surface prior to assembly of the absorbent assembly. 
     
     
         12 . A nursing pad comprising:
 an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface which are connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly; and   an absorbent pulp material provided between the inner and outer surfaces within the absorbent assembly perimeter, the absorbent pulp material having a reduced material thickness in at least one slimmer area within the absorbent assembly perimeter that is less than a total area within the absorbent assembly perimeter such that at least two areas having pulp material of differing thickness are defined.   
     
     
         13 . The nursing pad according to  claim 12  wherein the absorbent assembly has a center area within the absorbent assembly perimeter and the at least one slimmer area extends circumferentially about the center area such that the center area has a pulp thickness which is greater than the pulp thickness of the remainder of the area within the absorbent assembly perimeter. 
     
     
         14 . The nursing pad according to  claim 13  wherein at least one embossing line extends circumferentially about the center area between the center area and the slimmer area. 
     
     
         15 . The nursing pad according to  claim 13  wherein at least two concentric embossing lines extend circumferentially about the center area. 
     
     
         16 . The nursing pad according to  claim 13  wherein at least one embossing line extends radially from the center area toward the absorbent assembly perimeter. 
     
     
         17 . The nursing pad according to  claim 12  wherein the absorbent assembly has first and second substantial hemispheres and wherein the at least one slimmer area is in the first substantial hemisphere such that the first substantial hemisphere has a pulp thickness which is less than the pulp thickness in the second substantial hemisphere. 
     
     
         18 . The nursing pad according to  claim 17  wherein the first and second substantial hemispheres are divided by an arcuate contour line. 
     
     
         19 . The nursing pad according to  claim 18  wherein the first substantial hemisphere has an arcuate outer perimeter which has a radius approximately equal to a radius of the arcuate contour line. 
     
     
         20 . The nursing pad according to  claim 17  wherein at least one embossing line extends along the arcuate contour line between the first and second hemispheres. 
     
     
         21 . The nursing pad according to  claim 12  wherein the slimmer area and the remainder of the absorbent pulp material have a thickness ratio of approximately 1:2. 
     
     
         22 . A nursing pad comprising:
 an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein, in an unfolded condition, the absorbent assembly has a cupped configuration such that the inner surface is concave and the outer surface is convex, and, in a folded condition, the absorbent assembly defines opposed folded sides extending between the perimeter, the opposed folded sides extending at an angle relative to one another in the range of approximately 150° to 175°.   
     
     
         23 . A nursing pad comprising:
 an absorbent assembly having an inner surface and an outer surface with an absorbent material therebetween, the inner and outer surfaces connected about a perimeter of the absorbent assembly, wherein the absorbent assembly perimeter has an elliptical shape with a major and minor axis.   
     
     
         24 . The nursing pad according to  claim 23  wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is between approximately 1.05:1 and 1.50:1. 
     
     
         25 . The nursing pad according to  claim 23  wherein a ratio of the major axis to the minor axis is approximately 1.19:1.