Oval Nipple Shield with Longitudinal Slits for Milk Flow
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nipple protection devices for breastfeeding mothers often hinder milk flow due to their circular cross-section and design, leading to compression of drinking holes, which can cause discomfort and detachment issues during feeding.
Innovation Solution
A nipple protection device with an oval cross-section and longitudinal slits as drinking openings, designed to mimic the natural shape of a nipple, ensuring unimpeded milk flow and comfortable feeding by adapting to the infant's sucking motion and providing a skin-like texture for better attachment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a circular cross-section nipple protection device is used, then the device structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the drinking holes are compressed during sucking and milk flow is impeded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the circular cross-section to an oval cross-section with dimensions 20-30mm in length and 10-20mm in width. This asymmetric shape prevents uniform compression during sucking, ensuring that at least one longitudinal slit remains open to maintain milk flow while adapting to the natural oval shape of the infant's mouth and lips.
2Device complexity
If circular drinking holes are used, then the device design is simple, but the holes are pressed together during sucking and milk cannot flow freely
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces fixed circular holes with longitudinal slits that dynamically adapt to compression forces. During sucking, the oval cross-section deforms but the slit geometry ensures that opening width varies along the length, maintaining at least one open passage for milk flow while responding to the dynamic suction forces applied by the infant.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the drinking openings from circular holes to longitudinal slits with specific dimensional ratios (length significantly greater than width). This parameter change ensures that under compression, the slits maintain open areas whereas circular holes would close completely, thereby improving milk flow during operation.
3Ease of manufacture
If the nipple protection device does not adapt to natural nipple shape, then manufacturing is easier, but attachment security and comfort are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies different surface characteristics to different regions of the nipple portion. The oval cross-section with specific length-to-width ratio mimics the natural nipple geometry, while the front surface incorporates a skin-like texture that enhances attachment security and comfort for the infant, distinguishing it from the simpler cylindrical design.
Data Source
AI summary
A nipple protection device for breast-feeding mothers having a nipple portion projecting upwardly from an arched shield portion. The nipple portion is provided with at least one drinking opening at its front side. The nipple portion is of generally oval cross-section and the at least one drinking opening is formed by at least one longitudinal slit.