System and method for generating nipple prototypes
AssigneeThe Natural Nipple Corp.
InventorLauren Wright
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A process of 3D scanning lactating women's breasts to generate an AutoCAD model of the maternal nipple is disclosed. The 3D scanning and generation of a plurality of maternal nipple shapes for creation of breastfeeding accessories and molds is intended to closely mimic a specific mother's unique nipple shape, which can vary widely from one woman to another. The embodiments eliminate nipple confusion in infants being introduced to a bottle nipple and pacifier, in order to promote prolonged breastfeeding. Mimicking a mother's unique nipple shape helps create accessories that better fit a mother's unique nipple size and shape and decrease pain (i.e. pump flange and nipple shield).
Claims14
A method of prolonging an infant's capacity to breast feed, comprising:
- performing 3D scanning of a plurality of lactating women's breasts thereby generating a plurality of computer-generated models of a plurality of maternal nipples;
- storing the plurality of computer-generated models into a database;
- designing a plurality of nipple shapes based on the computer-generated models within the database;
- generating a 3D printing algorithm based on the plurality of nipple shapes;
- using the plurality of nipple shapes generated by the 3D printing algorithm, creating a plurality of polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) molds;
- individually casting the plurality of PDMS molds into individual nipple prototypes;
- for each nipple shape, assembling a cast box;
- for each nipple shape, inserting a 3D printed nipple mold into the cast box;
- filling the mold box with silicone polymer so that the entire mold box is completely filled except for where the nipple mold is located;
- inserting the entire combination into a vacuum chamber;
- curing the entire combination for at least 23 hours;
- removing the 3D printed mold, thereby creating a negative mold space in the mold box, the negative mold space being suitable for generating a functioning nipple prototype;
- filling the negative mold space with thermally curable food grade silicone;
- melting polymer pellets until malleable and liquified;
- filling the negative mold space with polymer melt using pressurized injection at a predetermined pressure and for a predetermined time period, thereby creating a thermally cured nipple prototype;
- and
- stamping\molding the thermally cured nipple prototype to be 0.5 mm-2 mm smaller than the negative mold space.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.