CA2033604A1 - Breast milk collecting device - Google Patents

Abstract

ABSTRACT

The invention relates to a human breast milk collecting device having a breast nipple enclosing and sealing cap with a lower side drain connection and an upper side air release perforation. The drain connection is connected by flat oval tubing to a collecting tank which is adapted to replace the absorbent material, held in place by a plastic liner, in a standard nursing brazier. The collecting tank is provided with removable end plugs so that the tank can be readily cleaned and sanitized and, hence, reusable.

Description

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BREAST MILK COLLECTING DEVICE

FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to milk collecting devices for breast feeding mothers and others who have a problem with breast milk let down.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The problem of inadvertent mother's milk let down is very well known. For instance, it is known that when an infant feeds on one breast of its mother the other breast will, simultaneously, also let milk down. There can also be inadvertent breast milk let down whether or not breast feeding is taking place. There have been and are many devices in the market place which can be used to alleviate the problem of milk let down. For instance, a 'breast feeding brazier' is supplied with absorbent material, usually enclosed in a plastic liner of the brazier, into which the let down milk may flow. Such absorbent devices are not the best solution Eor the problem in that the milk is wasted and, furthermore, the absorbent material must be disposed of, when wet, and this is objectional from an ecological point of view. The brazier itself may become wet and produce objectionable odors. As an example of such a brazier reference may be made to United States patent 4,164,228 issued to Georg Weber-Unger on August 14, 1979.
Devices, provided with collector tanks are also known and comprise a means for encompassing a breast and collecting, by means of a funnel shaped device, the let down milk and feeding it to a reservoir which may be emptied when necessary or disposed of when full. Examples of such devices may be ; found in United States patents; 166,686 issued to T. E. Daniels on August 17, 1985, 4,270,538 issued to Michael K. Murphy on June 2, 1981 and 4,501,585 issued to Laura L. Friedman on .

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February 26, 1985.
All of the collecting devices shown in the patents mentioned immediately above suffer from many defects not the least of which is that the breast contacting part is designed to cover substantially all the breast and thus becomes hot, wet and uncomfortable in use. The device shown in U. S. patent 166,686 uses a remote collector tank to collect milk from two breasts simultaneously. Because of the extended tubing required the device is not readily cleanable and further presents a problem as to how to utilize the device for one breast only.
STATEMENT OF THE INVENTION
The present invention is believed to overcome the disadvantages of the devices of the prior art, described above, and comprises single breast units which include a nipple cover.ing and sealing unit provided with a drain connection, a short length of connecting tubing and a collecting tank which is configured to replace the absorbent material found in the well known 'Nursing Bra".
The parts are designed for low silhouette contour so that they may be worn comfortably and inconspicuously. The individual parts are made of a milk and moisture impervious material such as neoprene, which parts are readily cleanable and can be maintained sanitary. The collecting tank is provided with end stoppers which can be readily removed to allow cleaning by brushing through the tank.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure shows a plan view of the milk collecting device, according to the present invention, in position, on a human breast, to collect milk being let down;

Figure 2 shows a side view of the device as maintained in position by a nursing brazier; and 2(~336~

Figure 3 shows an exploded view of the device according to the invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring now to Figures 1 and 2, the device, according to the invention, is shown mounted in position, on a human breast, to collect milk being let down. The device comprises a nipple covering cap and sealing part 1 provided with a thin flexible sealing flange 8 which, preferably, is pressed against the breast and held in position by a nursing brazier worn by the user of the device. A drain connection 9 is provided in the lower side of the cap to allow gravitational flow of milk therethrough. In the upper part of the cap an air escape vent 5 is provided. A hose 2, preferably ln flattened oval configuration for low silhouette purposes, provides a drain connection to an elongated holding tank 3 which is also of flattened oval configuration and of such a size as to replace the absorbent material in a nursing brazier. Holding tank 3 i~ provided with removable end plugs 4 which may have ears 6 to facilitate removal of the plugs from the tank. When the plugs are removed the tank can be readily cleaned by using a flat cleaning brush. Alternately, the holding tank may be of such a wall thickness that it is sufficiently flexible to allow turning inside for thorough cleaning.
In order to more clearly illustrate the collecting device, according to the invention, an exploded view thereof, in a dismantled state, is shown in Figure 3. For leak prevention purposes the connections are designed so that the upper part of a connection is inserted into the lower part of the connection in each case.
It will now be apparent that the present invention provides a human milk collecting device which is compact, readily maintainable in a sanitary condition and individual 203~4 parts thereof readily replaceable. Variations oE -the invention, which do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention, are covered by the claims appended hereto.

Claims (3)

1. A human milk collecting device comprising, a breast nipple enclosing cap provided with a wide flexible annular skirt for pressing against the human breast to seal the cap thereto, a drain connection outlet on the lower side of the cap, a vent hole in the upper side of the cap to provide means to release air pressure, and a horizontally elongated milk collecting tank adapted to replace the absorbent material and be supported in a nursing brazier, conduit means connecting the cap drain outlet to the tank, removable sealing means for the ends of the elongated tank providing ready access for cleaning the tank, and wherein the connection conduit and the tank are of low silhouette configuration in order to render the device inconspicuous in use.

2. The device as claimed in Claim 1, wherein the tank and the connection conduit are of, vertically oriented, flattened oval configuration.

3. The device as claimed in Claim 1 or 2, wherein the cap, conduit and tank are constructed of a neoprene type material.