Disc-Shaped Nipple Protector With Perforated Adhesive Film
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nipple protectors often cause discomfort, chafing, and protrusion due to central pads, and fail to provide a seamless, breathable, and water-resistant solution for preventing nipple exposure during exercise and casual wear.
Innovation Solution
A disc-shaped nipple protector made of polymeric material with creased parallel ridges and perforations, coated with a water-resistant adhesive, designed for direct skin application without a central pad, offering flexibility, breathability, and a flat appearance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a central pad is included in the nipple protector, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the device causes protrusion and discomfort
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the central pad component from the nipple protector design. By extracting this element, the invention eliminates the protrusion and discomfort issues while maintaining protection through the adhesive film alone that directly contacts the nipple area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a thin, flexible adhesive film as the primary protective element. This film conforms to the nipple surface without creating bulk or protrusion, providing protection while maintaining comfort and a flat appearance under clothing.
2Shape
If a brassiere is worn to prevent nipple protrusion, then modest appearance is improved, but comfort and breathability deteriorate in hot weather
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the nipple protection function from the brassiere structure. By providing a separate, dedicated nipple protector, the invention eliminates the need to wear a brassiere for modesty purposes alone, thereby improving comfort and breathability in hot weather.
Solution Approach 2:
The nipple protector serves multiple functions: it prevents nipple protrusion for modest appearance, provides protection from chafing during exercise, and eliminates the need for a brassiere in hot weather. This multi-functional design addresses various needs with a single simple device.
3Reliability
If a thick protective layer is used to prevent chafing, then protection effectiveness is improved, but the device causes protrusion and visible appearance issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a thin adhesive film that provides sufficient protection against chafing without creating bulk. The film's flexibility allows it to conform to the nipple surface while remaining thin enough to prevent protrusion and maintain a flat appearance under clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses a composite structure combining an adhesive layer with a protective film layer. This composite material provides chafing protection through the adhesive properties and protective coating while maintaining a thin, flat profile that does not protrude.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The solution effectively prevents chafing and nipple protrusion, providing a comfortable, breathable, and discreet protection that blends with the skin tone, suitable for various activities and clothing types, while being easy to use and manufacture.
Implementation Method 1
The lower surface of the base member is coated with an adhesive layer which is appropriate for removably adhering the base member to a user's skin
Implementation Method 2
The base member has perforations passing from the upper surface through to the lower surface thereof
Implementation Method 3
The adhesive is water resistant
Data Source
AI summary
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.