Single-Piece Bra Pad Insert for Stable Pocket Positioning

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional bra pad inserts are difficult to position correctly, prone to displacement during wear and washing, and are easily lost due to separate designs.

Innovation Solution

A single-piece pad insert for bras with a two-layer construction and elastically deformable material, featuring a central portion and material extensions that securely seat within a pocket space between textile layers, allowing easy insertion and removal through large pocket openings.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If separate components (pad, cup, band) are used to form a bra, then each component can be optimized independently, but the number of parts increases and assembly complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent optimizationVSAvoidnumber of parts
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The pad and cup are merged into a single integrated component where the pad is formed as an integral part of the cup structure. This eliminates the need for separate pad and cup components, reducing the total number of parts while maintaining the ability to optimize the shaping and support functions independently through the integrated design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The integrated pad-cup component performs multiple functions simultaneously: it provides shaping, modesty, and support (pad functions) while also serving as the structural cup element. This multi-functionality reduces the need for additional separate components.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Ease of manufacture

If multiple separate components are used, then each component can be manufactured independently, but the assembly process becomes more complex and time-consuming

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveindependent component manufacturingVSAvoidassembly speed
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSProductivity

Solution Approach 1:

By combining the pad and cup into a single manufacturable component, the patent reduces the number of assembly steps. The integrated component can be manufactured as one piece or in one molding process, eliminating the time required to assemble separate pad and cup components while maintaining the manufacturing benefits of modular design.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Reliability

If a pad is inserted into a bra, then shaping and support are provided, but the pad may shift or move during wear

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveshaping and support functionVSAvoidpad position stability
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The pad is merged with the cup structure through integration, where the pad forms an integral part of the cup. This eliminates the interface between separate pad and cup components, preventing relative movement and ensuring the pad remains in its proper position during wear while maintaining reliable shaping and support functions.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Adaptability or versatility

If separate pad and cup components are used, then customization of each component is possible, but the overall design becomes more complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecomponent customizationVSAvoiddesign complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent integrates the pad and cup into a single component while maintaining customization capabilities through the integrated design. The pad portion and cup portion can be customized independently within the unified structure, allowing for tailored shaping and support characteristics without increasing the number of separate components or overall design complexity.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP4406439B1Single-piece pad insert for bras
Publication Date: 2026.05.20 NIKE INNOVATE CV
  • EP4406439B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4406439B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4406439B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

Aspects herein are directed to a bra system comprising a single-piece pad insert and a bra having a front portion with a pocket in communication with a pocket space formed between two textile layers used to form the front portion of the bra. The single-piece pad insert is used to provide shaping, modesty and support. When desired, a wearer can insert the pad insert into the bra by way of the pocket opening.