Kathleen A. D. Madden, Calabasas, CA.

Filed: 4/21/17
Issued: 4/28/20

A nursing pad conforming to an interior of a bra cup to prevent leakage during use by a nursing mother, comprising: a liner body composed of a first layer, a further layer, a second layer, and a third layer; said first layer being adjacent to said further layer; said second layer being adjacent to said further layer; and said third layer being adjacent to said second layer; said liner body having an initial flat condition and a folded condition during use; said first layer having an initial flat circular shape, said first layer being composed of a moisture resistant material; and said first layer in use being an outer layer adapted to contact the clothing of a nursing mother; said further layer being a structural member for providing structural support to said second layer; said second layer having an initial flat shape with a central solid region and a plurality of spaced-apart arms extending from said central solid region; each of spaced-apart arms extending in a generally spiral shape in a same spiral direction whereby an initial spacing exists between adjacent ones of said spaced-apart arms, said plurality of spaced-apart arms extending in said generally spiral shape respectively being spiral-shaped arms; said second layer being composed of an absorbent layer adapted to absorb liquids; said initial spacing forming spaces between said spaced apart arms forming a spiral pattern which is substantially equal in size and shape as said spiral shape formed by said spaced apart arms; said third layer having an initial flat circular shape substantially coextensive in size with said first layer; said third layer being composed of a wicking material; and said third layer being adapted for use in contacting the skin of a nursing mother; said second layer being secured between said first layer and said third layer, in which first regions of said first and said third layers are adjacent said spaced-apart arms of said second layer and in which the remaining regions of said first layer and said third layer constitute second regions that are not in contact with said spaced-apart arms; in said folded condition of said liner body during use, said liner body is folded to conform to an interior of a bra cup by bending of said first, said second and said third layers such that said liner body becomes generally cup-shaped; in said folded condition said remaining regions of said first layer and said third layer being folded so as to permit said spacing between said spiral-shaped arms to become reduced in said folded condition of said liner relative to said spacing between said spiral-shaped arms in said flat condition; said central solid region of said second layer having a center point and a first radius from said center point; and wherein said plurality of spaced-apart arms of said second layer extend a fixed distance from said center point which is an arm radius; wherein said first radius of said second layer has a magnitude that is in a range of between 25 percent and 40 percent of said arm radius; wherein said spiral-shaped arms are substantially uniformly spaced, and occupy a first area; and wherein spaces exist between adjacent ones of said spiral-shaped arms which occupy a second area; and wherein said second area has a magnitude in a range between 50 percent of said first area and 100 percent of said first area; whereby said spiral-shaped arms of said liner body when in said folded condition form an absorbent cup-shaped barrier to liquid leakage such that liquid flowing in between adjacent ones of said spiral-shaped arms under the force of gravity will eventually encounter at least one of said second spiral-shaped arms.