# US 9,517,183 B2 · Nipple abrasion protector > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 9,517,183 B2 - Document ID: US9517183B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/815,103 - Filed: 2013-01-30 - Published: 2013-09-05 - Granted: 2016-12-13 - Earliest claimed: 2012-01-30 - Applicants: Patrick B. Ward - Inventors: Patrick B. Ward - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US9517183B2 ## CPC - A61J 13/00: Breast-nipple shields (breast-pumps A61M1/06) - A61F 13/14: specially adapted for the breast or abdomen (corsets or bandages for support of breast or abdomen A61F5/03) - A61F 2013/15016: {for breast; pads for bras} - A61J: CONTAINERS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR MEDICAL OR PHARMACEUTICAL PURPOSES; DEVICES OR METHODS SPECIALLY ADAPTED FOR BRINGING PHARMACEUTICAL PRODUCTS INTO PARTICULAR PHYSICAL OR ADMINISTERING FORMS; DEVICES FOR ADMINISTERING FOOD OR MEDICINES ORALLY; BABY COMFORTERS; DEVICES FOR RECEIVING SPITTLE - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract A nipple abrasion protector consists of a generally disc-shaped translucent polymeric adhesive film with adhesively affixed to one side of a release paper. The protector is removed from the paper and applied to the nipple to prevent chafing from contact with a shirt or other garment during extended physical activities like running and is semi-transparent or translucent and not readily detectable during activities like swimming or surfing. In addition, the protector is perforated with pores for breathablilty and has a cross-hatched surface texture to improve adhesion and flexibility. Moreover, the removable nipple protector adheres tightly to the areola and is capable of resisting protrusion of the nipple. The protector is free from materials such as latex which may incite an allergic reaction. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A nipple protector for protection from chafing consisting essentially of: a flexible and pliable disc-shaped base member of a selected size for covering a nipple and at least a portion of an areola, said disc-shaped base member including a plurality of spaced apart ridges formed on a bottom surface thereof; said disc-shaped base member including a plurality of perforations formed therein disposed in between said plurality of spaced apart ridges forming air passages there through from a top surface to said bottom surface; an adhesive coating applied to said bottom surface of said disc-shaped base member for removable attachment to a release substrate and removable attachment to and detachment from a skin of a user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The nipple protector defined in claim 1 wherein said base member comprises a polymer selected from a group consisting of a polystyrene, a polyethylene, a silicone, a polyvinyl chloride, a silicone rubber, a polyethylene, a polypropylene, a synthetic rubber elastomer, and combinations thereof. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The nipple protector defined in claim 1 wherein said adhesive is selected from the group consisting of acrylics, epoxies, silicones, and styrene block co-polymers. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The nipple protector of claim 1, wherein said plurality of perforations are formed between a first spaced apart parallel ridges and a second set of spaced apart parallel ridges. ### Claim 5 A nipple protector for protection from chafing comprising: a flexible and pliable disc-shaped base member of a selected size for covering a nipple and an areola, said disc-shaped base member including a plurality of spaced apart ridges formed on a bottom surface thereof; said disc-shaped base member including a plurality of perforations formed therein disposed between said plurality of spaced apart ridges forming air passages there through from a top surface to said bottom surface; an adhesive coating applied to said bottom surface of said disc-shaped base member for removable attachment to a release substrate and removable attachment to and detachment from said nipple and said areola of a user; and a removable cover adhering to an adhesive on said bottom surface of said disc-shaped base member forming a pull tab for removing said nipple protector from said sheet a release paper strip. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The nipple protector of claim 5, wherein said plurality of spaced apart ridges comprise at least a first set of spaced apart parallel ridges and at least a second set of spaced apart parallel ridges. ### Claim 7 (depends on 6) The nipple protector of claim 6, wherein said plurality of perforations are formed between said first set of spaced apart parallel ridges and said second set of spaced apart parallel ridges. ### Claim 8 A nipple protector comprising: a flexible and pliable round base member of a selected size for covering a nipple and at least a portion of an areola, said disc-shaped base member including a plurality of spaced apart ridges formed on a bottom surface thereof; said round base member including a plurality of perforations formed therein disposed in between said plurality of spaced apart ridges forming air passages there through from a top surface to said bottom surface; an adhesive coating applied to said bottom surface of said disc-shaped base member for removable attachment to a release substrate and removable attachment to and detachment from said nipple and said areola of a user; said release substrate comprising a paper coated with a release agent. ### Claim 9 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, wherein said release agent is a wax coating. ### Claim 10 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, wherein said round base member is transparent. ### Claim 11 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, wherein said round base member is air permeable. ### Claim 12 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, including a pull tab covering at least a portion of said round base member for removing said round base member from said release substrate. ### Claim 13 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, wherein said round base member comprises a polymer. ### Claim 14 (depends on 8) The nipple protector of claim 8, wherein said round base member is non-allergenic.