Zoned Knit Bra Structure for Breathability Without Losing Support
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
Existing nursing and maternity bras fail to provide adequate breathability without compromising support during pregnancy and lactation, as the yarn material used is insufficient to manage increased body temperature and breast weight.
Innovation Solution
A functional bra with different knit structures for zones of varying breathability, featuring a cool zone with a wider mesh and lower elasticity to enhance air passage and support, made from a cotton-free material blend of polyester and elastane or polyamide with spandex, ensuring seamless integration and moisture absorption.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Object-affected harmful factors
If a single yarn material (cotton or cotton blend) is used for the bra fabric, then the material is soft and comfortable against the skin, but the breathability and support are insufficient for pregnant and nursing women
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating different knit structures in different zones of the bra. The cup portion uses a first knit structure with higher breathability to address increased body temperature during pregnancy, while the band portion uses a second knit structure with higher elasticity and support. This allows each region to have optimized properties for its specific function, resolving the contradiction between breathability and support.
2Ease of manufacture
If a single knit structure is used throughout the bra, then the manufacturing is simple and consistent, but the bra cannot provide both high breathability in cup areas and high support in band areas
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the bra into different functional zones with different knit structures. The cup portion is separated from the band portion, with each zone having optimized knit characteristics. This segmentation allows the bra to provide both breathability in the cup area and support in the band area, while still being manufactured as a single integrated piece using continuous knitting technology.
3Quantity of substance
If cotton yarn is used to absorb sweat, then the material is highly absorbent, but it does not provide sufficient breathability for increased body temperature during pregnancy
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the parameters of the knit fabric by using different knit structures with varying mesh sizes and yarn densities. The cup portion uses a knit structure with larger mesh size and lower volumetric mass density to enhance breathability and air passage, allowing heat dissipation for pregnant women with increased body temperature. This parameter change resolves the contradiction between moisture absorption and temperature management.
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 bra provides enhanced breathability and support by maintaining airflow and moisture transfer, addressing the unique needs of pregnant and lactating women without seams or stitching, thus offering comfort and functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The knit structure of the cool zone has a wider or coarser mesh than the support zone, leading to larger meshes for air passage in the cool zone
Implementation Method 2
The selected yarn may absorb humidity, i.e. sweat, and may convey it from the skin to the environment outside the bra
Data Source
Figure 1~6
Figure 7~11
AI summary
The present invention relates to a functional bra (1), in particular a maternity and/or nursing bra, comprising a front section (10) shaped to cover at least a portion of a chest area of a wearer, including a pair of cup portions (5) shaped to accommodate respective ones of breasts of the wearer, and a back section (6) shaped to cover at least a portion of a back of the wearer. In order to ensure breathability without compromising support, at least one of the cup portions (5) and the back section (6) is formed from knit fabric with different knit structures representing zones of different breathability such as at least a cool zone (3) and a support zone (2), wherein the cool zone (3) is adapted to cover a sweat-sensitive area on skin of a wearer, and has a different knit structure than the support zone (2) with a higher breathability.