Spiral-Arm Nursing Pad for Leakage Control and Fit
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current nursing pads and brassieres for breast milk leakage prevention suffer from low moisture absorbency, visibility, bulkiness, poor fit, inability to keep moisture away from skin and clothing, and lack of adaptability to different breast sizes and shapes.
Innovation Solution
A disposable nursing pad with three layers: an outermost moisture-resistant layer, a middle absorbent layer with a spiral pattern, and an innermost wicking layer that becomes cup-shaped for better fit and leakage control, allowing for instant adaptation to various sizes and shapes.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If large pads are used for absorbing liquid, then moisture absorbency is improved, but bulkiness and visibility through clothing increase
Solution Approach 1:
The nursing pad is divided into three functional layers: an outer moisture-resistant layer, a middle absorbent layer with spiral pattern, and an inner wicking layer. This segmentation allows each layer to perform its specific function efficiently, providing high moisture absorbency through the distributed spiral arms while maintaining a thin overall profile that reduces bulkiness and visibility through clothing.
Solution Approach 2:
The middle absorbent layer utilizes porous material with a spiral pattern that provides high surface area and absorbency capacity. The porous structure allows rapid liquid uptake and distribution across the pad area, achieving high moisture absorbency without requiring excessive material thickness, thus reducing bulkiness.
2Quantity of substance
If reusable pads are used, then cost is reduced, but moisture absorbency and ability to keep moisture away from skin and clothing deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
Each layer of the disposable nursing pad is designed with specific local properties: the outer layer is moisture-resistant to prevent clothing contact, the middle layer is highly absorbent with spiral pattern for liquid capture, and the inner layer is wicking material to manage moisture away from skin. This local quality differentiation ensures superior moisture management compared to reusable pads, keeping moisture away from both skin and clothing.
3Shape
If unitary brassieres with absorbent pads are used, then fit is improved, but adaptability to different breast sizes and shapes deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The middle absorbent layer features a dynamic spiral pattern that can flex and adapt to different breast shapes and sizes. The spiral arms are arranged to converge when the pad is applied, allowing the structure to dynamically adjust to various anatomical forms while maintaining proper fit within the brassiere cup.
Solution Approach 2:
The nursing pad design is universal and can be used with different brassiere styles and breast sizes. The spiral pattern configuration and three-layer structure provide adaptability to accommodate various breast anatomies while maintaining functional performance, making it suitable for diverse users.
4Ease of manufacture
If straight arms are used in the absorbent layer, then manufacturing is simplified, but leakage control becomes uneven
Solution Approach 1:
The absorbent middle layer employs asymmetric curved spiral arms instead of straight symmetric lines. This asymmetric configuration creates a converging pattern that provides uniform leakage control in all directions. The curved spiral design ensures even distribution of absorbent material and consistent performance regardless of leakage direction, while remaining manufacturable through standard cutting and forming processes.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The spiral pattern design provides thorough coverage, reduces material usage, ensures even leakage control, and maintains shape, effectively preventing breast milk from seeping through clothing while accommodating different breast sizes and shapes.
Implementation Method 1
The third layer is a wicking layer having wicking material for wicking away moisture into the second, middle absorbent layer
Implementation Method 2
The second, middle layer is absorbent, and absorbs liquids
Implementation Method 3
The first, outermost layer is formed of a moisture resistant layer
Data Source
AI summary
A disposable nursing pad has one embodiment with three layers which before use are flat, and in use become cup-shaped. The first layer is an outermost layer, the second layer is a middle layer, and the third layer is an innermost layer. The outermost layer and the innermost layer are disk-shaped. The middle layer has a central body portion and a plurality of arms extending outwardly in a generally spiral pattern. Regions of the first and third layers between the spiral arms can be folded to allow contouring of the liner to the body of a nursing mother.