Multiway Adjustable Nursing Bra for Changing Breast Size
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional nursing bras lack adjustability and comfort, leading to discomfort and potential health issues due to inflexible designs and materials, necessitating the purchase of multiple sizes to accommodate breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Innovation Solution
A nursing bra with multiway adjustability, featuring gathered cup seams, removable foam pads, double-layered fabric for support, and Velcro® fasteners on the bottom band for easy adjustment, along with support wings and retaining straps for enhanced comfort and fit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If traditional nursing bras are designed with fixed cup sizes and minimal band adjustment, then manufacturing and design are simplified, but the bras cannot accommodate breast size changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Solution Approach 1:
The bra is divided into separate adjustable components: removable foam pads allow independent adjustment of cup volume, while the band features multiple hook positions and elastic sections for independent size adjustment. This segmentation enables each component to be adjusted separately to accommodate changing breast dimensions without requiring complete bra replacement.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including elastic sections in the band that can stretch and compress, removable foam pads that can be added or removed based on breast volume, and multiple hook positions that allow the band circumference to be dynamically changed. These dynamic features enable the bra to adapt to fluctuating breast size during lactation.
2Strength
If rigid polyurethane foam cups with metal underwires are used, then cup shape and support are maintained, but comfort is reduced and sensitivity to breast changes is increased
Solution Approach 1:
The cup construction uses soft foam material instead of rigid polyurethane, changing the material parameter from hard to soft to reduce irritation. The foam density and firmness are adjusted to provide adequate support while maintaining comfort for sensitive breastfeeding breasts. This parameter change eliminates the harmful effects of rigid materials while preserving the necessary support function.
3Ease of operation
If cut-and-sew nursing bras with clipped closures are used, then ease of access for breastfeeding is improved, but adjustability during the day is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The cup system is segmented with removable foam pads that can be independently adjusted. This allows the breastfeeding access function (via clipped closures) to be maintained while adding the capability to adjust cup volume by adding or removing foam pads during the day, thereby resolving the limitation of fixed cup size.
4Ease of operation
If seamless knitted bras with high stretchability are used, then flexibility and comfort are improved, but adjustability and support are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The bra combines stretchable knitted fabric for comfort and flexibility with structured foam cups and elastic band sections for support and adjustability. This composite construction integrates the benefits of both seamless knitted bras (comfort and stretch) and structured bras (support and adjustability), eliminating the trade-off between flexibility and support capability.
Data Source
AI summary
The disclosure relates to garments, specifically adjustable maternity and nursing brassieres and tops having multiway adjustability. The brassieres disclosed herein can be adjusted at the band and straps along with the cup size and cup lining to rapidly accommodate breast changes during and after pregnancy, and particularly during breastfeeding.