Hands-Free Pumping Bra With Overlapping Flaps for Pump Stability
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Nursing mothers face difficulty in using breast pumps as they need to manually hold the breast flange or shield with each hand, limiting their ability to perform other tasks and requiring both hands.
Innovation Solution
A hands-free pumping bra with overlapping flaps designed to securely hold breast pumps in place without manual support, allowing for hands-free operation.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a woman manually holds the breast flange or shield with each hand to use a breast pump, then the breast pump can be operated, but she cannot perform other tasks and both hands are required
Solution Approach 1:
The bra serves as an intermediary device that holds the breast pump components (flange/shield and collection bottle) in place, eliminating the need for manual holding. The bra's structure acts as a mediator between the user and the pump, providing support without requiring hand intervention.
Solution Approach 2:
The breast pump system becomes self-supported through the bra, which automatically holds the flange/shield and collection bottle in the correct positions. The system serves itself by using the bra's structural support to maintain proper alignment and secure the components during pumping operations.
2Productivity
If a woman holds the breast flange or shield with each hand to express milk from both breasts, then milk can be expressed simultaneously, but she is left in an awkward position without full hand use
Solution Approach 1:
The bra acts as an intermediary that simultaneously supports both breast pump components, allowing simultaneous milk expression from both breasts while freeing the hands from the awkward position of manually holding flanges.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra merges the support function for both breast pumps into a single integrated structure, allowing simultaneous operation of both breasts while maintaining hand freedom. The combined design eliminates the need for separate hand-held support for each pump.
3Reliability
If manual hand-held support is used for the breast pump, then the pump can be positioned correctly, but it requires continuous manual intervention
Solution Approach 1:
The bra provides self-service positioning and support for the breast pump components, maintaining correct position without requiring continuous manual intervention. The structural design automatically ensures proper alignment and stability throughout the pumping process.
Solution Approach 2:
The bra is pre-configured with openings and support structures that are positioned to automatically hold the breast pump components in the correct positions when inserted. This preliminary arrangement eliminates the need for continuous manual adjustment during operation.
Data Source
AI summary
A hands-free pumping bra. The hands-free pumping bra may include a first body panel configured to be disposed over a first breast of a wearer, the first body panel may include a first opening; and a first covering coupled to the first body panel to cover the first opening, the first covering may include a first flap attached to the first body panel and covering a first portion of the first opening, a second flap attached to the first body panel and covering a second portion of the first opening, and a third flap attached to the first body panel and covering a third portion of the first opening, the first flap, the second flap, and the third flap at least partially overlap and collectively are required to cover the entire first opening, the first covering providing a first access opening to receive therethrough a portion of a breast pump.