Bra Cup Rib-Protecting Pad Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing bra cups with underwires cause discomfort due to their rigidity, particularly in larger bust sizes, as the rigid metal contact on the sides is uncomfortable despite attempts to improve comfort through padding and reinforcement, with lace materials providing little support.
Innovation Solution
A bra cup design featuring a textile piece reinforced by an arc-shaped reinforcement in the lower region with a flexible pad covering the underwire end, composed of a thin marginal part and a thicker central part made from materials like foam or non-woven fabrics, attached to the textile surface using gluing, welding, or encasing, to provide localized protection and reduce discomfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If underwires are used to provide support function, then support capability is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to rigid metal contact on the sides
Solution Approach 1:
The pad is designed with non-uniform thickness, featuring a thinner marginal part and a thicker central part. This local variation in padding quality allows the thicker central region to provide cushioning where the underwire contacts the body, while the thinner marginal part maintains flexibility and comfort at the edges, thus resolving the contradiction between support and comfort.
Solution Approach 2:
A pad made of flexible material is introduced as an intermediary element between the rigid underwire and the user's body. This mediator absorbs and distributes the pressure from the underwire, preventing direct rigid metal contact with the skin while maintaining the structural support function of the underwire.
2Object-affected harmful factors
If padding is provided throughout the frame to improve comfort, then comfort is improved, but structural integrity deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of providing uniform padding throughout the entire frame, the invention applies padding locally at the outer upper part of the cup where the underwire makes contact. This localized approach maintains comfort at critical contact points while preserving the structural integrity and rigidity of the rest of the underwire frame.
3Shape
If lace material is used for the cup, then aesthetics are improved, but support capability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention combines lace material with an underwire reinforcement and a padded envelope to create a composite structure. The lace provides aesthetic appeal, while the underwire and pad together provide the necessary mechanical support, thus resolving the contradiction between aesthetics and support capability.
Data Source
Figure 1~2
AI summary
A brassiere cup having at least one textile component reinforced with a stiffener in the lower region of the cup. The stiffener having one end that is covered by a localized protective part. The protective part being a pad having a thin marginal part and a thicker central part surrounded by the thin marginal part.