Nursing Garment Overlapping Layers for Hands-Free Pumping
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional nursing garments are uncomfortable, cumbersome, and not designed for extended wear, often requiring partial disrobing to secure breast pumps and do not accommodate both breast pumping and direct infant nursing, nor do they support natural breast expansion and contraction.
Innovation Solution
A seamless, continuous garment with overlapping material layers that allow for hands-free breast pumping without external attachments, enabling engagement and disengagement of breast pump funnels without disrobing, and supporting natural breast changes, while also allowing direct infant nursing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If conventional nursing garments use external attachments (elastic bands, slings, hooks, buttons) to secure breast pump funnels, then the funnel can be attached to the breast, but the garment becomes uncomfortable and cumbersome
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the funnel attachment function directly into the brassiere structure by integrating a funnel receptacle with a latch mechanism that is part of the brassiere body. This eliminates the need for separate external attachments like elastic bands, slings, or hooks, thereby maintaining reliable funnel securing while improving comfort and ease of wear.
Solution Approach 2:
The brassiere is designed to serve multiple functions: it provides standard bra support and simultaneously incorporates a dedicated funnel receptacle with latch mechanism for breast pump attachment. This multi-functionality allows the garment to securely hold funnels while maintaining the comfort and simplicity of a regular brassiere design.
2Reliability
If conventional garments require additional devices or fabric pieces to be added or detached before securing the funnel, then the funnel can be attached, but the process becomes complex and time-consuming
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple attachment components (funnel receptacle, latch mechanism, and integration with brassiere structure) into a single unified system. This eliminates the need for separate additional devices or fabric pieces that would need to be added or detached, thereby reducing complexity while maintaining reliable funnel attachment.
3Ease of manufacture
If conventional nursing brassieres are designed only for brief use during pumping, then they can be simple in design, but they cannot be worn for extended periods and require partial disrobing
Solution Approach 1:
The brassiere is designed with multi-functionality to serve both as a standard support garment for extended wear and as a functional pumping garment with integrated funnel receptacle. This universal design allows the same garment to be worn for extended periods while providing pumping capability, eliminating the need for partial disrobing or separate garments.
4Ease of operation
If conventional garments have permanent openings at the center of each side for funnel insertion, then the funnel can be easily inserted, but the garment cannot accommodate natural breast expansion and contraction
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs a dynamic latch mechanism that can open and close based on the natural movement and expansion of the breast. The latch is positioned to allow funnel insertion when the breast is in a relaxed state and automatically adjusts to accommodate natural expansion and contraction during pumping, maintaining ease of insertion while adapting to dynamic breast changes.
Data Source
AI summary
A garment for a nursing woman includes at least partially overlapping layers of material. The layers extend between lateral sides of the garment. Some edges of the layers may be attached to edges of other layers or components, while at least one edge of each layer is a free edge. Free edges at least partially define nooks into which the funnels of breast pumps may be received. The free edges of the garment provide multi-directional support to the funnels to enable hands-free pumping. In some embodiments, medial edges of components of the garment cross one another and extend to contribute to the support of the funnels during use of the garment.