Absorbent component

1. An absorbent component for use in a garment, the absorbent component comprising:

a first layer composite comprising a first foam layer and a first liquid impermeable layer;

an absorbent layer composite bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer for absorbing bodily fluids; and

a second liquid impermeable layer bonded to the absorbent layer composite and first layer composite to contain the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent layer composite,

wherein the second liquid impermeable layer forms an opening for receiving the bodily fluids to the absorbent layer composite; and

wherein the first foam layer is moulded to shape the absorbent component, and the absorbent component is washable and reusable.

2. The component according to claim 1 , wherein the first and second liquid impermeable layers are bonded together.

3. The component according to claim 2 , further comprising a second layer composite comprising the second liquid impermeable layer and a second foam layer,

wherein the opening is formed through the second foam layer and second liquid impermeable layer; and

wherein the first and second foam layers are moulded to shape the absorbent component.

4. The component according to claim 3 , wherein the first layer composite further comprises a third foam layer between the first foam layer and first liquid impermeable layer, the third foam layer comprising a space for containing the absorbent layer composite.

5. The component according to claim 4 , wherein the third foam layer comprises bare polyurethane foam.

6. The component according to claim 1 , further comprising at least one outer support layer bonded to the first layer composite, the outer support layer for resisting movement of the component when used in a garment.

7. The component according to claim 1 , wherein one or more of the following apply:

(a) the absorbent layer composite comprises a wicking layer bonded to the second liquid impermeable layer for receiving the bodily fluids;

(b) the absorbent layer composite comprises an outer softening layer; and

(c) the second liquid impermeable layer is bonded to the first foam layer to form a peripheral liquid impermeable barrier around the absorbent component.

8. The component according to claim 1 , wherein the component is useable in a maternity and/or postpartum garment for nursing.

9. A method of forming a washable and reusable absorbent component for use in a garment, the method comprising:

forming an unmoulded layer composite comprising:

a first layer composite comprising a first foam layer and a first liquid impermeable layer; and

an absorbent layer composite bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer for absorbing bodily fluids; and

moulding the unmoulded layer composite to thereby form the absorbent component, the absorbent component comprising a second liquid impermeable layer bonded to the absorbent layer composite and first layer composite to contain the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent layer composite,

wherein the second liquid impermeable layer forms an opening for receiving the bodily fluids to the absorbent layer composite; and

wherein the first foam layer is moulded to shape the absorbent component.

10. The method according to claim 9 , further comprising bonding the second liquid impermeable layer to the absorbent layer composite and first foam layer after moulding the unmoulded layer composite, such that the second liquid impermeable layer forms a peripheral liquid impermeable barrier around the absorbent component.

11. The method according to claim 9 , wherein the unmoulded layer composite further comprises a second layer composite comprising the second liquid impermeable layer and a second foam layer, the opening formed through the second foam layer and second liquid impermeable layer, wherein said forming of the unmoulded layer composite comprises:

bonding the absorbent layer composite to the first layer composite; and

bonding the second liquid impermeable layer to the absorbent layer composite,

wherein after moulding, the first and second liquid impermeable layers are bonded together and the first and second foam layers are moulded to shape the absorbent component.

12. The method according to claim 9 , wherein one or both of the following apply:

(a) the method further comprises forming the absorbent layer composite comprising an absorbent fabric layer and/or an absorbent foam layer for absorbing the bodily fluids; or

(b) the component is useable in a maternity and/or postpartum garment for nursing.

13. The method according to claim 12 , wherein the absorbent layer composite comprises the absorbent fabric layer, absorbent foam layer, and a wicking layer bonded to the second liquid impermeable layer for receiving the bodily fluids.

14. The method according to claim 13 , said forming of the absorbent layer composite comprising:

attaching the absorbent fabric layer to the absorbent foam layer; and

attaching the wicking layer to the absorbent fabric layer, such that the absorbent fabric layer interposes the wicking layer and absorbent foam layer.

15. A garment comprising:

a fabric body configured to be worn by a user; and

an absorbent component for including within the fabric body, the absorbent component comprising:

a first layer composite comprising a first foam layer and a first liquid impermeable layer;

an absorbent layer composite bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer for absorbing bodily fluids; and

a second liquid impermeable layer bonded to the absorbent layer composite and first layer composite to contain the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent layer composite,

wherein the second liquid impermeable layer forms an opening for receiving the bodily fluids to the absorbent layer composite; and

wherein the first foam layer is moulded to shape the absorbent component,

and wherein the absorbent component is washable and reusable.

16. The garment according to claim 15 , wherein the garment is a maternity and/or postpartum garment.

17. The garment according to claim 15 , wherein the garment is a postoperative garment for mastectomy patients.

18. A method of forming a garment, comprising:

forming a fabric body of the garment configured to be worn by a user;

forming a washable and reusable absorbent component for use in the garment, comprising:

forming an unmoulded layer composite comprising:

a first layer composite comprising a first foam layer and a first liquid impermeable layer; and

an absorbent layer composite bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer for absorbing bodily fluids; and

moulding the unmoulded layer composite to thereby form the absorbent component, the absorbent component comprising a second liquid impermeable layer bonded to the absorbent layer composite and first layer composite to contain the bodily fluids absorbed by the absorbent layer composite; and

including the absorbent component within the fabric body,

wherein the second liquid impermeable layer forms an opening for receiving the bodily fluids to the absorbent layer composite; and

wherein the first foam layer is moulded to shape the absorbent component.

19. The method according to claim 18 , wherein the garment is a maternity and/or postpartum garment.

20. An absorbent component for use in a garment, the absorbent component comprising:

a first layer composite comprising a first foam layer and a first liquid impermeable layer, each of the first foam layer and the first liquid impermeable layer comprising one or more edges; and

an absorbent layer composite bonded to the first liquid impermeable layer for absorbing bodily fluids, the absorbent layer composite comprising one or more edges,

wherein the first liquid impermeable layer forms a liquid-impenetrable barrier between the first foam layer and the absorbent layer composite;

wherein none of the edges of the first liquid impermeable layer extends beyond the edges of the first foam layer and the absorbent layer composite to form an edge seal;

wherein the first foam layer is moulded to shape the absorbent component; and

wherein the absorbent component is washable and reusable.