Nursing Bra Cup with Overlapping Segmented Parts
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nursing bras lack discretion, functionality, and comfort, often exposing the breast during feeding and being difficult to open one-handedly, with breast pads not effectively preventing milk leakage and being cumbersome to handle.
Innovation Solution
A nursing bra design featuring an inner bra with a first part for supporting the breast and a second part that overlaps, allowing central opening for breastfeeding, along with a top part that can store breast pads and has a net structure for easy handling, providing additional support and coverage with a hook and tongue closure mechanism for easy one-handed operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the cup is opened at the top to free the breast for feeding, then breastfeeding functionality is achieved, but the major part of the breast is exposed and discretion is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The cup is divided into a first part for supporting the breast and a second part overlapping with the first part. The second part can be pushed apart from the first part to free the nipple while maintaining coverage of other breast areas, enabling discreet breastfeeding
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the cup have different functions: the first part provides general breast support and coverage, while the second part is designed to be selectively opened to expose only the nipple area needed for breastfeeding, maintaining discretion while enabling feeding functionality
2Ease of manufacture
If a simple closure mechanism is used for opening the bra, then ease of manufacture is improved, but one-handed operation becomes difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The closure mechanism is separated into distinct hook and tongue elements positioned at the center of the bra between the two breasts, allowing the top part to be detached from the inner bra. This segmented design enables easy one-handed operation while maintaining manufacturing simplicity
Solution Approach 2:
The hook and tongue system acts as an intermediary mechanism between the top part and inner bra, providing a simple yet effective connection that can be easily engaged and disengaged with one hand, balancing manufacturing ease with operational convenience
3Object-affected harmful factors
If breast pads are used to collect milk discharge, then milk leakage prevention is achieved, but manipulation becomes impractical when holding the baby
Solution Approach 1:
The breast pad holder is integrated into the cup structure, merging the pad storage function with the bra itself. This allows the pad to be easily accessed and manipulated within the cup structure even when holding the baby, maintaining leakage prevention while improving operational ease
4Object-affected harmful factors
If the top part covers the cup completely, then aesthetic appearance and coverage are improved, but breastfeeding access becomes more difficult
Solution Approach 1:
The cup structure with its first and second parts allows selective opening of only the necessary portion for breastfeeding. The top part can cover the cup completely when closed for aesthetics, but the segmented cup design enables easy access to the nipple area when needed
Solution Approach 2:
The cup parts are designed to be dynamically adjustable - the second part can be pushed apart from the first part to create an opening for breastfeeding. This dynamic structure provides complete coverage when closed for aesthetic purposes while enabling easy access when needed
Data Source
AI summary
Nursing bras with at least one cup (1) for supporting a breast, wherein the cup comprises a first part (2) for supporting of the breast, characterized in that the cup is provided with a second part (4) which at least in part overlaps with the first part (2).