Multiway Nursing Bra Structure for Breast Size Changes
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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 that fail to accommodate breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding, necessitating the purchase of multiple bras in different sizes.
Innovation Solution
An adjustable nursing bra with multiway adjustability, featuring gathered cup seams, removable foam pads, double-layered fabric cups, and Velcro® fasteners on the bottom band for easy adjustment, along with support wings and retaining straps for enhanced comfort and support.
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 the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the bra cannot accommodate breast changes during pregnancy and breastfeeding
Solution Approach 1:
The bra is divided into multiple independently adjustable components: removable foam pads for cup size adjustment, multiple eyelet hooks for band size adjustment, and separate cup and band elements. This segmentation allows each component to be adjusted independently to accommodate changing breast and body dimensions without requiring complete redesign of the entire bra structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra incorporates dynamic adjustment mechanisms including removable foam pads that can be added or removed based on breast volume changes, and eyelet hooks that allow the band to be adjusted to different circumferences. These dynamic elements enable the bra to adapt to the physiological changes that occur during pregnancy and breastfeeding.
2Strength
If rigid foam cups with metal underwires are used, then structural support is improved, but comfort deteriorates due to irritation of sensitive breasts
Solution Approach 1:
The harmful metal underwire and rigid polyurethane foam are completely removed from the bra design. Instead, the patent uses soft, flexible materials including removable foam pads without underwires, and flexible band materials that provide support through elasticity and proper fit rather than rigid structural elements, thereby eliminating irritation to sensitive breast tissue.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra employs flexible materials throughout, including a flexible band made of stretchable fabric, soft cup materials without rigid underwires, and elastic components that conform to the body's contours. These flexible elements provide necessary support while maintaining comfort and avoiding irritation to sensitive areas.
3Adaptability or versatility
If multiple bras in different sizes are purchased to accommodate breast changes, then fit adaptability is improved, but cost and complexity of wardrobe management increase
Solution Approach 1:
The bra is designed as a universal garment that can accommodate multiple breast and body sizes through its adjustment mechanisms. The combination of removable foam pads, adjustable eyelet hooks, and flexible materials allows a single bra to function effectively throughout pregnancy and the breastfeeding period, replacing the need for multiple specialized bras.
4Ease of operation
If seamless knitted bras with high stretch are used, then flexibility is improved, but adjustability is reduced and fit issues occur due to yarn tension
Solution Approach 1:
The bra combines flexible knitted fabric elements with segmented adjustment components including removable foam pads and adjustable eyelet hooks. This segmentation allows the flexible base material to provide comfort and stretch while the discrete adjustable components maintain proper fit and adaptability throughout physiological changes.
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
Provides comfortable and secure fit adjustments to accommodate breast changes, eliminating the need for multiple bras and reducing discomfort and health risks associated with inflexible designs.
Implementation Method 1
Soft Velcro® (hook and loop fastener) is attached to the bottom band and the bottom band belts to allow easy access to opening the vertically oriented bottom band
Implementation Method 2
Three flat elastics are horizontally attached at the inside of the bottom band to provide extra support for the bottom band and make it more secure on the torso
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.