Positionable Nursing Brassiere Cup Segmentation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Nursing brassieres often interfere with the nursing process due to design limitations, such as cups that are difficult to access and provide inadequate support when opened, leading to breast exposure and interference with the baby during feeding.

Innovation Solution

The nursing brassiere features positionable cups that can be easily switched between support and nursing positions using one hand, with a lower edge detaching from the band and coupling members allowing for secure positioning, minimizing breast exposure and interference with the baby, while maintaining breast support.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If the cups are pulled down to access the breasts for nursing, then access to the breasts is enabled, but the opened cups may lie next to or on the baby and interfere with the nursing process, and breast support is reduced

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to breastsVSAvoidinterference with baby and loss of support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The cup is divided into two functional parts: the main cup body that remains attached to the band to provide support, and the lower edge portion that can be detached and moved aside. This segmentation allows the support structure to remain in place while the accessing portion is removed from the nursing area.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The lower edge of the cup is extracted as a separate detachable component that can be removed from the band. This extracted portion can be pulled down for breast access while the main cup body remains secured to the band, preventing interference with the baby during nursing.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

2Ease of operation

If the lower edge of the cup is detached from the band for nursing access, then easy access to breasts is achieved, but the cup may not provide adequate support when opened

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to breastsVSAvoidbreast support

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The cup is segmented into a supported main body and a detachable lower edge. The main body remains attached to the band to maintain structural support strength, while the lower edge can be detached for access without compromising the overall support structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

3Ease of operation

If traditional nursing brassiere access methods are used (raising outer garment from bottom), then access is possible, but cups are difficult to open from such position and multiple hands are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to breastsVSAvoidhands required for operation

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The lower edge of the cup is pre-configured with detachment mechanisms (hooks, eyes, or snap fasteners) that allow it to be easily released from the band. This preliminary preparation enables one-handed operation, as the detachment mechanism is already in place and requires minimal manual dexterity to activate.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

4Strength

If pads are positioned within the cups of the brassiere, then comfort and support are improved, but it is difficult to access and adjust the pads when the brassiere is being worn

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast supportVSAvoidpad adjustment

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The cup is segmented with the lower edge detachable from the band. This segmentation provides access to the interior of the cup where pads are positioned, allowing users to adjust or replace pads by simply detaching the lower edge rather than removing the entire brassiere.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

5Quantity of substance

If nursing pads are positioned in a brassiere sling, then fluid absorption is provided, but pads may move or fall out when the cups are opened for accessing breasts

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorptionVSAvoidpad position

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The cup is segmented into a stable main body attached to the band (which holds the pad in place) and a detachable lower edge (which can be moved for access). This ensures the pad remains secured in the main body while allowing the lower edge to be freely manipulated for nursing access.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentUS10757983B2Nursing brassiere including positionable cups

Publication Date: 2020.09.01 MOOMS BRA LLC

AI summary

A nursing brassiere generally comprises a band, a first cup, a second cup, a bridge, and straps. The cups are positionable between a support position and one or more nursing positions. Each cup includes a lower edge that is at least partially detached from the band when the first cup is in the nursing position. The straps are connected to the first cup and the second cup and the band to form loops sized to fit over shoulders of the wearer. The nursing brassiere also comprises coupling members attached to the cups, the straps, the band, and/or the bridge to allow the cups to be positioned in the support position and one or more nursing positions.