Graticulate Support Member for Underwire-Free Brassiere
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional brassieres with underwires are uncomfortable and have a short lifespan due to the wire emerging from the channel, leading to wear issues and reduced durability.
Innovation Solution
A brassiere design featuring a graticulate support member between cup covers, which can be customized using additive manufacturing and heat forging to accommodate individual anatomy, eliminating the need for an underwire and allowing for tailored thickness and rigidity gradients for enhanced comfort and support.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Strength
If an underwire is used in the brassiere, then support strength is improved, but comfort deteriorates and the underwire emerges from the channel causing wear and reduced lifespan
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the underwire component from the brassiere design entirely. Instead of using a traditional rigid underwire that causes discomfort and emerges from channels, the patent employs a flexible support structure integrated into the cup construction that provides necessary support without the harmful effects of underwires.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies local quality by varying the thickness and rigidity of the support structure in different regions of the cup. The support material has greater thickness and rigidity where support is needed (lower portions of the cup) and gradually transitions to thinner, more flexible material toward the upper portions, providing localized support without uniform rigidity that would cause discomfort.
2Ease of manufacture
If a standardized brassiere design is used, then manufacturing simplicity is improved, but adaptability to unique user anatomies deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention employs preliminary action through 3D scanning and digital modeling of the user's breast anatomy before manufacturing. The scanning process captures the unique anatomical features, and this digital data is used to create a customized 3D model that guides the additive manufacturing process, ensuring the final product is pre-adapted to the user's specific anatomy.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention applies parameter changes by varying the thickness, density, and structural parameters of the support material throughout the cup based on the user's anatomical data. The additive manufacturing process allows for continuous variation of material parameters (such as infill density and wall thickness) to match the specific support requirements of each user's anatomy, moving from standardized dimensions to customized parameter sets.
3Adaptability or versatility
If additive manufacturing with customized parameters is used, then adaptability to user anatomy is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The invention applies universality by using a single additive manufacturing process that can produce both the support structure and the outer shell of the cup as an integrated component. The 3D printing technology serves multiple functions: it creates the customized geometry, varies the material density, provides structural support, and eliminates the need for separate assembly of multiple components, thereby reducing overall manufacturing complexity despite the customization.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention employs segmentation by dividing the cup into distinct functional zones with different material properties within the single additive manufacturing process. The support structure is segmented into regions of varying density and thickness based on anatomical requirements, allowing the manufacturing process to handle complexity through systematic zoning rather than monolithic design.
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 provides a comfortable, customizable, and durable brassiere that supports breasts without an underwire, accommodating unique anatomies and extending the garment's lifespan through customized production and innovative material use.
Implementation Method 1
a cup of the brassiere or other garment may be formable by forcing and heating to fuse the first cup cover, the graticulate support member, and the second cup cover together
Implementation Method 2
a cup of the brassiere or other garment may be formable by forcing and heating to fuse the first cup cover, the graticulate support member, and the second cup cover together
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure relates to support members for brassieres and other clothing. The support member may be manufactured by additive manufacturing, subtractive manufacturing methods, and injection molding, among others. The support member may include a thickness gradient devised to support a breast or other part of the anatomy. The support member may be customized to the anatomy of a particular user. The support member may include one or more biometric sensors.