Seamless Nursing Garment with Dynamic Pumping Layer
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Solution Overview
Problem
Nursing women face the inconvenience of having to change between garments for breastfeeding and breast pumping, as existing garments are typically designed to support either function rather than both, leading to discomfort and an unnatural appearance under clothing during non-nursing or non-pumping times.
Innovation Solution
A seamless garment with a unitary exterior layer and a pumping layer, featuring adjustable bra clips and straps that allow for seamless conversion between nursing and pumping positions, providing comfort and a normal appearance under clothing.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If a garment is designed to support breast pumping with a breast shield opening, then pumping functionality is enabled, but the garment provides poor aesthetic appearance and comfort during non-pumping times
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable bra straps that can be connected or disconnected from bra clips, and a two-layer construction with an exterior layer and pumping layer that can be selectively positioned. This allows the garment to transition between a closed, aesthetically pleasing state for non-pumping times and an open state with breast shield access for pumping times.
2Adaptability or versatility
If a garment is designed to support direct breastfeeding with open access, then nursing functionality is enabled, but the garment provides poor aesthetic appearance and support during non-nursing times
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable bra straps that can be connected or disconnected from bra clips, and a two-layer construction with an exterior layer and pumping layer that can be selectively positioned. This allows the garment to transition between a closed, aesthetically pleasing state for non-nursing times and an open state with breast access for nursing times.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides aesthetic coverage and bra support during non-nursing/non-pumping times, enables direct breastfeeding when straps are disconnected, and supports breast pumping when the pumping layer is positioned. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate garments for different nursing activities.
3Reliability
If separate garments are used for nursing and pumping, then each function is optimized, but the woman must constantly change garments which is tedious and burdensome
Solution Approach 1:
The invention merges the functionality of separate nursing garments and pumping garments into a single integrated garment. The two-layer construction with exterior and pumping layers, combined with adjustable straps and clips, consolidates multiple garment functions into one piece, eliminating the need to change garments between nursing and pumping activities.
Solution Approach 2:
The garment is designed to perform multiple functions: it provides aesthetic coverage and bra support during non-nursing/non-pumping times, enables direct breastfeeding when straps are disconnected, and supports breast pumping when the pumping layer is positioned. This multi-functional design eliminates the need for separate garments for different nursing activities.
4Ease of operation
If a garment provides full coverage for aesthetic purposes, then appearance is maintained, but access for breast pumping or nursing is restricted
Solution Approach 1:
The garment incorporates dynamic elements including adjustable bra straps that can be connected or disconnected from bra clips, and a two-layer construction with an exterior layer and pumping layer that can be selectively positioned. This allows the garment to transition between a closed, aesthetically pleasing state for non-pumping times and an open state with breast access for pumping times.
Data Source
AI summary
A nursing and pumping garment includes a unitary exterior layer and a pumping layer seamlessly connected to the unitary exterior layer. The unitary exterior layer includes first and second breast covers, a central portion, and gathers between both the first breast cover and the central portion and the second breast cover and the central portion. The garment may be in one of: (1) a first state in which the unitary exterior layer is completely covering a central pumping edge and the garment is neither in a pumping or a breast feeding position; (2) a second state in which at least one aperture is formed to facilitate breast pumping; and (3) a third state in which the unitary exterior and pumping layers are both disconnected from a first bra strap or a second bra strap to facilitate breast feeding.