Patent Application
20210361473
Not applicable to this application.
Not applicable to this application.
Example embodiments in general relate to a battery powered heating pad for the breast for keeping the breasts of a lactating woman warm while still allowing for access to breastfeeding or pumping without removing or disconnecting the heating pad.
Any discussion of the related art throughout the specification should in no way be considered as an admission that such related art is widely known or forms part of common general knowledge in the field.
Some heating pads require heating in a microwave oven, and thus introduce a time delay, and cannot always be used, such as when there is no access to a microwave oven. In addition, microwave ovens may have cleanliness problems. Other devices may require cords and external batteries, or may be chemically-activated and suitable only for limited uses.
An example embodiment is directed to a Battery Powered (or electrically-powered) Heating Pad for the Breast. The Heating Pad includes a U-shaped body comprising an outer surface, the U-shaped body sized and shaped to be removably positioned within a pocket in a heating pad holder, the heating pad holder adapted for attachment to a maternity bra; a heating element adapted to fit within the U-shaped body, the heating element having a U shape and being positioned in alignment with the U-shaped body such that the heating element provides heat at the outer surface of the U-shaped body; and a power unit adapted to fit within the U-shaped body, the power unit electrically connected to the heating element to provide electrical power to the heating element. An open portion of the U-shaped body allows access to a woman's nipple without removing the electrically-powered heating pad.
In an example embodiment, the U-shaped body may be substantially flat in one dimension, to lay flat against the breast, although it may also be cup-shaped to follow the contour of the breast, and further, the outer surface of the U-shaped body is comprised of a heat conducting material. The U-shaped body may further be comprised of an electrically insulating material.
Some example embodiments may further comprise a power switch operatively connected to the power unit, wherein the power switch is usable to cause the power unit to supply power to the heating element. The power unit may comprise a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery. The power unit may further comprise a control circuit that controls application of power from the battery to the heating element. The control circuit may be operatively connected to a power switch, and the power switch may be usable to cause the power unit to supply power to the heating element.
In embodiments wherein the power unit comprises a rechargeable battery and a control circuit, the control circuit may be usable to control application of power from the battery to the heating element, and may also be usable to control a charging current for the rechargeable battery. The heating pad may further comprise a charging port, and the control circuit can control (e.g., with modulation of the current level, or by switching the current on and oft or any combination of such control) a charging current between the charging port and the rechargeable battery.
Some example embodiments may include a method of using an electrically-powered heating pad, comprising the steps of charging a rechargeable battery by connecting a power source to the charging port, inserting the electrically-powered heating pad into the heating pad holder, and pressing the power switch to cause the control circuit to supply power to the heating element. These steps can of course occur in different orders, and at different times. For example, the charging step can take place immediately before, or well before, the power is switched on to begin heating.
Another example embodiment of an electrically-powered heating pad for heating the breast of a lactating woman may comprise a disk-shaped body comprising an outer surface, the disk-shaped body sized and shaped to be removably positioned in a garment next to a woman's breast; a heating element adapted to fit within the disk-shaped body, the heating element having a disk shape and being positioned in alignment with the disk-shaped body such that the heating element provides heat at the outer surface of the disk-shaped body; and a power unit adapted to fit within the disk-shaped body, the power unit electrically connected to the heating element to provide electrical power to the heating element.
Some example embodiments of the disk-shaped heating pad may further comprise a power switch operatively connected to the power unit, wherein the power switch is usable to cause the power unit to supply power to the heating element. The power unit may comprise a battery, which may be a rechargeable battery. The power unit may further comprise a control circuit that controls application of power from the battery to the heating element. The control circuit may be operatively connected to a power switch, as described generally above, and the power switch may be usable to cause the power unit to supply power to the heating element.
As with other embodiments, the electrically-powered heating pad may comprise a disk-shaped body that is substantially flat. The body may further comprise an outer surface that is a heat conducting material, which may also be electrically insulating.
There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, some of the embodiments of the battery powered heating pad for the breast in order that the detailed description thereof may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional embodiments of the battery powered heating pad for the breast that will be described hereinafter and that will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto. In this respect, before explaining at least one embodiment of the battery powered heating pad for the breast in detail, it is to be understood that the battery powered heating pad for the breast is not limited in its application to the details of construction or to the arrangements of the components set forth in the following description or illustrated in the drawings. The battery powered heating pad for the breast is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of the description and should not be regarded as limiting.
Example embodiments will become more fully understood from the detailed description given herein below and the accompanying drawings, wherein like elements are represented by like reference characters, which are given by way of illustration only and thus are not limitative of the example embodiments herein.
An example battery- or electrically-powered heating pad 10 for the breast generally comprises a U-shaped body 17 having an outer surface 13, the U-shaped body sized and shaped to be removably positioned within a pocket 33 in a heating pad holder 30, the heating pad holder 30 adapted for attachment to a maternity bra 50.
The holder, or cloth sleeve, 30, may be made of cloth or other suitable material, and may comprise a front outer surface 38 and a rear outer surface 39, the latter of which will generally be facing, or touching, a bra or maternity bra 50 of a user. Accordingly, the cloth sleeve 30 may be made of thin, compliant material, selected for both comfort and efficient heat transfer.
Also included is a heating element 14 adapted (e.g., sized and shaped) to fit within the U-shaped body 17, the heating element 14 also having a U shape and being positioned in alignment with the U-shaped body 17 such that the heating element 14 provides heat at the outer surface 13a, 13b of the U-shaped body 17. The heating pad may also include a power unit 15 adapted to fit within the U-shaped body 17, the power unit 15 electrically connected to the heating element 14 to provide electrical power to the heating element 14. An open portion 22 of the U-shaped body 17 allows access to a woman's nipple without removing the electrically-powered heating pad 10 from a holder, such as a cloth sleeve. The cloth sleeve or other holding device may be designed for attachment to a maternity bra 50.
The U-shaped heating pad body 17 may be substantially flat (e.g., thin), and may also have a cup shape to allow it to have good contact with the breast, and further, the outer surfaces 13a, 13b of the U-shaped body 17 may be comprised of a heat conducting material. The U-shaped body 17 may further be comprised of an electrically insulating material. For example, the outer surfaces 13a, 13b may be made of washable or water-resistance fabric, treated fabric, and may be woven or non-woven. The heating element 14 may be made so that it is close to one or both surfaces 13a and 13b, and particularly close to rear or back surface 13b, which may be the outer surface of the heating pad 10 that is closest to the breast when in use. For example, the surface 13b may be separated from the breast by only one or two layers of cloth, which may be designed and fabricated to be thin and heat conducting, to better conduct heat. The cloth layers may be or comprise the fabric of a cloth sleeve 30 that is made to be clipped or attached to a maternity bra 50, and the upper surface of the maternity bra 50 itself, just above the nipple.
Some example embodiments may further comprise a power switch or on/off switch 20 operatively connected to the power unit 15, wherein the power switch 20 is usable to cause the power unit 15 to supply power to the heating element 14. The power unit may comprise a battery 12, which may be a rechargeable battery, and may be a battery pack comprising more than one battery. The rechargeable batteries may be rechargeable alkaline, Ni-Cad, Lithium polymer, or other types. The power unit/batteries should have sufficient capacity to provide power to the heating element 14. The power unit 15 may further comprise a control circuit 16 that controls application of power from the battery 12 to the heating element 14. The control circuit 16 may be operatively connected to the power switch 20, and the power switch 20 may thus be usable to cause the power unit 15 to supply power to the heating element 14.
In embodiments wherein the power unit 15 comprises a rechargeable battery 12 and a control circuit 16, the control circuit 16 may be usable to control application of power from the battery 12 to the heating element 14, and may also be usable to control a charging current for the rechargeable battery 12. The heating pad 10 may further comprise a charging port 18, and the control circuit 16 can control a charging current between the charging port 18 and the rechargeable battery 12.
Another example battery- or electrically-powered heating pad 60 generally comprises a disk-shaped body 62 comprising an outer surface 64 (comprised, e.g., of front surface 64a and back surface 64b), the disk-shaped body 62 sized and shaped to be removably positioned within a pocket 33 in a heating pad holder 30, the heating pad holder 30 adapted for attachment to a maternity bra 50, such as with attachments 36. This embodiment may also include a heating element 14 adapted to fit within the disk-shaped body 62, the heating element 14 also having a disk shape and being positioned in alignment with the disk-shaped body 62 such that the heating element 14 provides heat at the outer surfaces 64a, 64b of the disk-shaped body 62. The device may further include a power unit 15 adapted to fit within the disk-shaped body 62, the power unit 15 electrically connected to the heating element 14 to provide electrical power to the heating element 14.
The disk-shaped body 62 may be substantially flat (e.g., may have a thin cross section), and may be cup-shaped to fit the breast and have good contact with it. Further, the outer surfaces 64a, 64b of the disk-shaped body 62 may be comprised of a heat conducting material. The disk-shaped body 62 may further be comprised of an electrically insulating material. For example, the outer surfaces 64a, 64b may be made of washable or water-resistance fabric, treated fabric, and may be woven or non-woven. The heating element 14 may be made so that it is close to one or both surfaces 64a and 64b, and particularly, close to rear or back surface 64b, which may be the outer surface of the heating pad 60 that is closest to the breast when in use. For example, the surface 64b may be separated from the breast by only one or two layers of cloth, which may be designed and fabricated to be thin and thermally conductive to better transfer heat. The cloth layers may be or comprise the fabric of a cloth sleeve 30 that is made to be clipped or attached to a maternity bra 50, and the upper surface of the maternity bra 50 itself, just above the nipple.
The disk-shaped embodiment of the heating pad may advantageously be used without a cloth sleeve for holding the device, although such a sleeve/holder is an option. The disk-shaped heating pad may be inserted directly into the cup of a maternity bra or an ordinary bra to provide heat to the breast.
An example battery or electrically powered heating pad 10 may comprise a U-shaped body 17 as shown in
The U-shaped body 17 comprises a downward-facing opening or open portion 22, as shown in
The heating pad 10 may be designed and manufactured to be a complete, self-contained unit, so that it fits entirely within a pocket 33 of a cloth sleeve or holder 30, with no wires or other elements extending out of the pocket 33. Such placement is perhaps best shown, for example, in
As mentioned above, the heating pad 10 may also include a heating element 14 adapted to fit within the U-shaped body 17, the heating element 14 also having a U shape and being positioned and aligned with the U-shaped body 17 such that the heating element 14 provides heat at the outer surface 13a, 13b of the U-shaped body 17. The U-shaped body 17 may be substantially flat, and further, the outer surface 13a, 13b of the U-shaped body 17 may be comprised of a heat conducting material. The U-shaped body 17 may further be comprised of an electrically insulating material, such that the body 17 is in essence a self-contained envelope. For example, the outer surfaces 13a, 13b may be made of washable or water-resistance fabric or material, or treated fabric, and may be woven or non-woven.
The heating pad 10 may also include a power unit 15 adapted to fit within the U-shaped body 17, the power unit 15 electrically connected to the heating element 14 to provide electrical power to the heating element 14. The power unit may comprise a battery 12, which may be a rechargeable battery, and may be a battery pack comprising more than one battery. The rechargeable batteries may be rechargeable alkaline, Ni-Cad, Lithium polymer, Nickel-Metal Hydride, Lithium-Ion, or other types. The power unit/batteries should have sufficient capacity to provide power to the heating element 14. The power unit 15 may further comprise a control circuit 16, and the control circuit 16 may be usable to control application of power from the battery 12 to the heating element 14, and may also be usable to control a charging current for the rechargeable battery 12. The charging current may be supplied through a charging port 18, and the control circuit 16 can control a charging current between the charging port 18 and the rechargeable battery 12. As shown in
The control circuit 16 may be operatively connected to the charging port 18 and the power switch 20, and the power switch 20 may thus be usable to cause the power unit 15 to supply power to the heating element 14. The control circuit may include temperature control circuitry to maintain a given power level or closed-loop temperature of the heating element 14, which may be controlled using a temperature sensor, such as a thermistor or a thermocouple. The output of such a temperature sensor may also be applied to control circuit 16 so that temperature, as well as the input from switch 20, may be used to control the heating pad. The temperature set point may be preselected and integrated into the control circuit, or the heating pad may also include a temperature control, with a set point that is selectable by the user, such as with a linear control or predetermined levels (e.g., low, medium, and high). The control circuit 16 may thus include an output device, such as a power transistor or switch, that supplies power from one or more batteries to the heating element 14. A physical representation of these components is shown in
The power switch 20 provides an input to control circuit 16 to cause the power unit 15 to supply power to the heating element 14. The power may be supplied on a time-limited basis, or may simply stay on until the switch is used to turn the heating pad 10 off. The power switch 20 may be a membrane-type switch, and thus provide tactile feedback, so that it can be used even while the heating pad 10 is positioned within cloth sleeve 30, by allowing a user to feel and press the switch through the material of sleeve 30.
The heating element 14 may be made so that it is close to one or both surfaces 13a and 13b, and particularly rear or back surface 13b, which may be the outer surface of the heating pad 10 that is closest to the breast when in use. For example, the surface 13b may be separated from the breast by only one or two layers of cloth, which may be designed and fabricated to be thin to better conduct heat. The cloth layers may be or comprise the fabric of a cloth sleeve 30 that is made to be clipped or attached to a maternity bra 50, and the upper surface of the maternity bra 50 itself, just above the nipple.
In addition to the substantially U-shaped embodiment of the heating pad 10 shown in
The heating pad 60 may also include a heating element 14 adapted (e.g., sized and shaped) to fit within the circular body 62, the heating element 14 in this alternative embodiment having a circular shape (as shown in
As also shown in
The control circuit 16, charging port 18 and power switch 20 as used in the circular embodiment of heating pad 60 typically function as described above in detail with regard to the U-shaped embodiment of the heating pad.
As shown in
A battery-powered heating pad has advantages not present in some other heating devices. For example, the example embodiments do not need to be heated before use, such as in an unsanitary microwave oven. Working women, for example, need heating devices that can be used and available quickly, without cords (although a corded version of the example embodiments is possible, and the embodiments herein are also capable of being charged while in use).
In use, an example embodiment may have a U-shape that allows access to the nipple with a breast pump or a baby. As shown in
Typically, the heating pads 10 or 60 will be charged (see
Thus activated, the heating pads heat the breasts, which helps breastfeeding women let down more milk, as the heat promotes more blood flow to the breasts. Lactating women can also wear heating pads 10 or 60 during the day (e.g., when not breast feeding or pumping) to keep the breasts and nipples warm to decrease vasospasms.
Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this invention belongs. Although methods and materials similar to or equivalent to those described herein can be used in the practice or testing of the battery powered heating pad for the breast, suitable methods and materials are described above. All publications, patent applications, patents, and other references mentioned herein are incorporated by reference in their entirety to the extent allowed by applicable law and regulations. The battery powered heating pad for the breast may be embodied in other specific forms without departing from the spirit or essential attributes thereof, and it is therefore desired that the present embodiment be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive. Any headings utilized within the description are for convenience only and have no legal or limiting effect.
