EP1761289A1

EP1761289A1 - Milk extraction device

Info

Publication number: EP1761289A1
Application number: EP05756519A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Claudia Kirchner
Original assignee: Kaweco GmbH
Current assignee: Kaweco GmbH
Priority date: 2004-06-24
Filing date: 2005-06-04
Publication date: 2007-03-14
Also published as: AU2005256363A1; WO2006000292A1; RU2337717C1; KR20070024673A; US20110098639A1; RU2007102569A; DE102004030692B3

Abstract

The invention relates to a milk extraction device which comprises at least one extraction part (20) with an intermediate piece (22) that is, or can be, detachably fastened on the opening of a receptacle (21) and that is linked with a breast piece (23.1) in a vacuum-tight manner so as to exert a sucking effect on the breast. The device also comprises a cap (24) that is, or can be, linked with said intermediate piece in a vacuum-tight manner. An elastic, liquid-tight separating membrane (30) is inserted in said cap and transmits a varying vacuum from the pump unit (10) to the interior of the intermediate piece (22) and the breast piece (23.1). The cap (24) is detachably connected to an adapted coupling section (22.1) of the intermediate piece (22) by means of a coupling counter-section (24.11), thereby meeting increased hygienic standards and simplifying the use of the milk extraction device.

Description

Milchabsaugvorrichtung

The invention relates to a milk suction device comprising at least one suction part with a detachably attached to the opening of a receptacle or attachable, with a breast lug piece for exerting a suction on the breast vacuum-tight connected intermediate piece and connected to this vacuum-tight connectable or connected essay, in a ela¬ static, a varying vacuum of a pump unit to the interior of Zwi¬ rule piece and the breast lug piece transmitting, liquid-tight Trenn¬ membrane is used. Such a milk suction device for pumping out breast milk of a human breast is shown in DE 690 00 542 T2. In this known Milchabsaugvorrichtung a integrally connected to a funnel-shaped breast appendix spacer is attached to the opening of a receptacle for the milk unscrewed. The intermediate piece is integrally connected in its upper position in the use position with an integrally formed upwardly open cylinder in which a piston for pumping with a manual actuation is mounted in a reciprocating manner. Furthermore, a flexible bellows made of elastomer material, such as, for example, silicone rubber, is provided, which can be inserted into the cylinder when the piston has been removed. The bellows is connected by a flexible hose to an external source for an oscillating vacuum, in particular an electric breast pump. For retooling and cleaning, the piston or bellows must be removed from the cylinder, while the cylinder remains inseparably connected to the intermediate piece. The cylinder is used in this construction both for manual pumping and for automatic operation with a pumping unit, with which a corresponding handling during cleaning and retrofitting is connected.

In a further milk suction device for human breast milk disclosed in EP 0 123 269 B1, a separating membrane movably arranged between an an¬ drivable piston and a lid is clamped in a pump housing, which delimits a suction space together with the lid and can be moved in the suction rhythm is. In this case, the space with the membrane is arranged in a pump unit itself, which may result in difficulties in cleaning. WO01 / 34226 A1 shows a milk suction device with a manually actuatable pump unit, while in DE 102 28 455 A1 a milk suction device with an automatic pump unit is disclosed.

The object of the invention is to provide a milk suction device of the type mentioned at the outset, with which high hygienic requirements are taken into account with the simplest possible handling.

This object is achieved with the features of claim 1. It is vor¬ seen that the attachment is connected by means of a coupling counterpart section releasably attached to a coupling section of the intermediate piece adapted thereto.

With these measures, the separating membrane with the attachment of the Zwi¬ rule piece is removable and cleanable or can be easily provided with another essay.

In this case, there are advantageous measures for the construction and handling da¬ rin that the coupling portion at the intermediate piece and the Koppelgegenab¬ cut on the attachment are each integrally formed and vacuum-tight, releasably plugged into each other.

Furthermore, the operation with reliable coupling of attachment and Zwischen¬ piece is facilitated by the fact that the connector between the coupling portion and coupling counterpart is secured by a rotary joint or locking connection zwi¬'s intermediate piece and essay. The function and handling of the separating membrane are facilitated by the fact that the separating membrane is hollow with respect to the erected receptacle in un¬ loaded resting state down and is releasably pressed with an upper peripheral sealing edge on an upper adapted counter edge of the essay.

In this case, an advantageous embodiment is that the counter edge of the essay is formed on an open-topped connector to which a cover is pressed releasably under Zwi¬ insertion of the sealing edge, and weiter¬ out in that the covering means on the connector by means of a Locking or a twist lock is releasably fixed.

For a simple operation and secure coupling further contribute to the measures that the locking connection between the spacer and the attachment by means of a retaining piece in the form of a resilient latching finger on the attachment and a holding element is formed on the intermediate piece, wherein the latching connection is designed such that it occupies the Rast¬ position when mating the Koppel¬ section and the coupling counter section in its sealing position.

A structure which is advantageous for receiving the separating membrane and handling the attachment is achieved in that a cavity surrounding the separating membrane laterally and on its underside is partitioned off in the attachment, said cavity being provided on its underside with the coupling counterpart section. The handling is further facilitated by the fact that the attachment is provided in its fixed on the intermediate piece state with respect to the longitudinal alignment of the Brustan¬ sentence piece and the transition piece laterally with at least one support portion with which the essay with coupled adapter and ange¬ closed receptacle on a coordinated Carrying element of a Ge housing of the pump unit can be attached.

For a reliable function of the milk suction device further contribute to the measures that at a Milchauslassabschnitt of the intermediate piece to the receptacle an inlet valve is mounted, which is hollow down and has a by gravity of the flowing through the intermediate piece, pumped milk opening slot opening, which closes in the idle state and in particular in vacuum formation in the intermediate piece by its elastic training.

For a simple structure and ease of use further contribute to the measures that the pump unit is connected via a line vacuum-tight and releasably connected to the essay.

An advantageous operation of the milk suction device results from the fact that two suction parts of the structure indicated in the preceding claims are connected to the pumping unit via a respective line, wherein the pumping unit has two connections counteracted with a vacuum in a connection section to which the Lines are connected or connectable. In this case, a reliable function is supported by the fact that the pump unit is designed in such a way that the suction parts can be acted upon countercyclically by pressure via the connections between the vacuum application phases.

Another advantage for the use is achieved in that at least one hand pump attachment is provided, which is provided according to the article with an ange¬ shaped coupling counter section and elements of a rotary connection or Rastver¬ bond to secure to the intermediate piece in the same manner as the essay.

The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to exemplary embodiments with reference to the drawings. Show it:

1 a milk suction device with an automatic pumping unit and two suction parts connected thereto with respective receptacles and breast lugs in a perspective view,

2 is an essay of a suction in perspective view,

3 a hand pumping attachment in a side view,

4 shows a suction part of the milk suction device in a lateral view,

5 shows the attachment according to FIG. 2 in an exploded view in a lateral view, FIG. 6 shows the attachment according to FIG. 5 in a perspective view, FIG.

7 is a Aufnahmebehäitnis in perspective view,

8 shows an intermediate piece with a suction part of a suction part in perspective view,

9 shows a receptacle and an intermediate piece with suction part in a separate representation in perspective view,

FIG. 10 shows the hand pumping attachment according to FIG. 3 in exploded perspective view and FIG

Fig. 1 1 a suction with Handpumpaufsatz in a lateral view.

Fig. 1 shows a Milchabsaugvorrichtung for human breast milk with an automatic, electrically operated pump unit 10 and two suction, which are connected via respective lines 25 to a connection portion 15 of a housing 1 1 of the pumping unit 10. The suction parts each have, as essential components, a receptacle 21, for example in the form of a bottle or a bag for receiving the milk being pumped, an adapter piece 22 attached to its opening and in particular screwed thereto in one piece. closed suction part 23 and a plugged onto the intermediate piece 22 Auf¬ set 24, to which the remote from the pump unit 10 end of the respective line 25 is connected to the inside of the intermediate piece 22 and the suction member 23, a changing vacuum for sucking To generate milk. On the housing 1 1 of the pump unit 10 are adjusting elements 14 angeord¬ net, for example, to adjust the strength of the vacuum and the period of the suction cycles and, if appropriate, the time course of the vacuum strength or the waveform.

The lines 25 are seen ver¬ on one or both sides with connection parts 25.1, with which they can be easily and tightly connected on the one hand to the two terminals of the connection portion 15 on the housing 1 1 and on the other hand to the article 24 by simply plugging. The suction part 23 has, at its front portion facing the breast, a funnel-shaped breast attachment piece 23.1 with an output-side central opening, which merges into a transition piece 23.2, which is integrally formed on the intermediate piece 22. Into the funnel-shaped breast appendage piece 23.1, a flexible suction insert 23.3 is inserted, which overlaps the free edge of the breast appendage 23.1 with a peripheral portion and is held vacuum-tight thereon. The flexible suction insert 23.3 consisting of silicone rubber, for example, is elastic and soft for supporting the suction effect by means of spacer structures, eg knobs on its rear side and channel-like structures on the outside of the relatively hard breast appendage 23.1 in the inner region of the funnel-shaped breast appendage 23.1 stored, wherein also the space between the suction insert 23.3 and the inside of the breast appendage 23.1 on the Channel structure with the interior of the intermediate piece 22 and further on to the pump unit 10 for transmitting the vacuum is in communication. The extracted milk passes via a central opening 23.4 of the suction insert 23.3 into the interior of the intermediate piece 22 and via an inlet valve 26 (see also Fig. 9) attached to the intermediate piece 22 at the inlet of the receiving container 21 in its milk receiving space.

The top 24 overhangs the upper portion of the intermediate piece 22 in the manner of a cap and is attached to a socket-shaped coupling section 22.1 formed on the upper side of the intermediate piece 22 with a coupling counterpart 24.1 1 adapted thereto for transmitting the vacuum from the pumping unit 10 to the inner one Between piece 22 and suction part 23 vacuum-tight attached (see also Fig. 6, 8 and 9). In this case, the channel-like coupling section 22.1 is overlapped by the coupling portion 24.1 1 or vice versa, the channel-like Koppelge¬ genabschnitt 24.1 1 of the coupling portion 22.1, wherein at this coupling point a hollow passageway between the interior of the intermediate piece 22 and an interior of the attachment 24 is formed , In order to secure the plug coupling between the attachment 24 and the intermediate piece 22, a rearwardly projecting or recessed retaining element 22.2 is preferably integrally formed on the rear portion of the intermediate piece 22 facing away from the suction part 23 in the region of the outer circumference of the screw portion Attachment 24 engages in a holding engagement 24.5 or retaining projection of a fe¬-reducing, finger-like holding piece 24.4, which is integrally formed on a lower edge region of the attachment 24 and can be brought to cancel the ge formed locking connection out of engagement with the projecting holding element 22.2, such as for example, from Figs. 2, 4, 5, 6 and 8 apparent. Laterally with respect to a vertical central longitudinal plane, which is intended from the front side to the rear side of the suction part 20, the attachment 24 is provided on both sides with support sections 24.3, with which it can be suspended in an upper, adapted support element 13 formed on the housing 11, wherein the Trageab¬ section 24.3 is formed as a recess in the relevant wall portion of the attachment 24, as shown in FIGS. 1, 3 and 6 can be seen. In addition, the cross-sectionally oval, upwardly tapering housing 1 1 below the upwardly ear-shaped projecting support members 13 in cross-section inwardly concave, in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1 1 extending bearing portions 12 are provided, in which the outwardly convex curves of easily inserted hinged suction 20, so that a certain hold in the suspended state of the suction 20 is offered on the housing 1 1, on the other hand, however, the Ab¬ suction 20 are easily removable. To cover the intermediate piece 22 of the article 24 is provided on its front with a downwardly open recess 24.6 of its outer wall, which is penetrated in the mounted state of the Über¬ gangsstück 23.2, in particular Figs. 2, 4 and 6 show.

On its inside, an upwardly open cavity 24.10 is formed in the attachment 24, on whose up to about half projecting bottom side of said Kop¬ pelgegenabschnitt 24.1 1 is introduced, as Fig. 6 reveals. In the longitudinal direction oriented from the bottom to the top longitudinal direction of the cavity 24.10 is surrounded by an outer wall, which merges into an upwardly projecting Anschluß¬ piece 24.7 with an upper edge, such as Figs. 5 and 6 show. In the cavity 24.10 a downwardly hollow separation membrane 30 is removably inserted, the upper sealing edge 30.1 sealingly against the upper edge of the Connecting piece 24.7 applies and is pressed by means of a cover 24.2 in the form of a lid-like element. The covering means 24.2 has for An¬ press a Abdeckinnenrand 24.9 and at least partially overlapping the connecting piece 24.7 a Abdeckaußenrand 24.8, which is provided on its In¬ nenseite with a latching structure to fix the cover 24.2 on the connector 24.7. The latching structure is, for example, designed in such a way that it can be easily lifted by impressing the covering means 24.2 on both sides and thereby achieving ovalization. On the inside of the cover means 24.2 opens a passage of a connection part 24.12, to which the respective end portion of the line 25 is connectable, as is apparent from FIGS. 4, 5 and 6, for example.

As shown in FIG. 1, instead of the covering means 24.2 in the upper side of the attachment 24, for example, an insertion piece 24.1 may be used, into which the relevant conduit 25 is then inserted with the attachment part 25.1, whereas the attachment part 25.1 when using the covering means 24.2 with the connector 24.12 is not needed.

The separating membrane 30 inserted into the cavity 24.10 forms a liquid-tight separation in the vacuum cavity between the pump unit 10 and the interior of the intermediate piece 22 and suction part 23, so that the entry of milk into the lines 25 is reliably avoided. For transferring the vacuum from the pump unit 10 to the suction part 23, the separation membrane 30 is made of flexible soft material, in particular silicone material. The downwardly ra¬ ing cavity of the separation membrane 30 is below of a diaphragm bottom 30.2 and laterally surrounded by a circumferential membrane wall 30.3 and open on its top. In the diaphragm bottom 30.3, a bulge is formed down to improve the function in the central region, as shown in FIGS. 5 and 6 in more detail. The bulge is closed on two sides by an extension of two opposing flat or slightly inwardly into the cavity of the separation membrane 30 vaulted membrane wall sections. Incidentally, the membrane wall 30.3 is curved outwards in cross section between these lateral sections towards the upper edge, so that it has an approximately oval cross section.

The inlet valve 26 is placed tightly against a nozzle-shaped section on the underside of the intermediate piece 22 and projects in a tapered wedge shape into the opening of the receptacle 21 in cross-section, wherein the underside of the inlet valve 26 has a slot formed by contacting sidewalls which opens with flowing milk by their gravity, but at rest and in particular when the vacuum but due to the elasticity of adjoining in the slot area walls of the inlet valve 26 closes, so that the vacuum in the suction chamber of the suction member 23 is formed safely. In order to reliably prevent sticking of the ends of the inlet valve 26 forming the slot, the pumping unit 10 is designed in such a way that it overpressures the lines 25 via a rotary valve arranged in its interior after a vacuum admission, as in the beginning mentioned document DE 102 28 455 A1 explained in more detail. In this way, the inlet valve 26 can be formed reliably closing in the region of the slot, wherein the opening and the inflow of the milk into the receptacle 21 is ensured by the pressurization. In an upper side of the screw section, the intermediate piece 22 is advantageously provided with a ventilation opening 22.3, through which the interior of the receptacle 21 is ventilated.

The automatic, preferably electrically operated pump unit 10 is constructed such that at the two terminals of the connection section 15 alternately or countercyclically creates vacuum and is transmitted via the lines 25 to the referf¬ fenden suction 20. Between the phases of the vacuum generation, the above-mentioned overpressure generation at the two connections of the connecting section 15 can likewise be effected in an anti-cyclic manner, so that the inlet valves 26 can be safely opened and also the suction effect at the breast can be improved. Further adjustment possibilities of the suction effect are achieved via the adjusting elements 14 and optionally further adjusting elements, e.g. to Beiluftregulierung offered.

The milk suction device is further designed such that on the Koppelab¬ section 22.1 and the holding element 22.2 of the intermediate piece 22 corresponding to the attachment 24, a hand pumping attachment 27 according to FIGS. 3, 10 and 1 1 with weni¬ gene handles is placed. For this purpose, the hand pump attachment 27 has a coupling counterpart section 27.6 arranged on its underside, which is coupled to the coupling section 22.1, and is provided on its rear side remote from the suction part 23 with a holding piece 27.3 in the form of a resilient latching finger with a Holding engagement provided so that the plug-in coupling between the coupling portion 22.1 and the coupling counterpart 27.6 by latching between see the locking finger and the retaining element 22.2 is secured, as described in connection with the article 24. Alternatively, a Drehsiche¬ tion may be provided with, for example, two intermeshing projections by turning. The hand pump attachment 27 has, as described in more detail in the aforementioned WO01 / 34226 A1, an upwardly convex cap portion 27.1, under which a curved pump cylinder is designed as a displacement 27.7 for a with a hand-operated portion 27.2 reciprocally movable piston 27.8. The displacement 27.2 is laterally provided with an air-regulating unit 27.9 leading to the atmosphere, via which the suction effect can be regulated. The actuating portion 27.2 is pivotally mounted under the cap portion 27.1 on lateral pivot bearings 27.4 by means of bearing portions 27.5 to move the piston 27.8, wherein a movement direction by spring force and the other direction of movement by hand against the spring force is effected. Alter¬ natively can be placed on the intermediate piece 22 on the coupling portion 22.1 a fest¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬¬ piston section with a coupling counterpart 27.6 over which a movable with a manual operating portion displacement is moved back and forth, the formation of such a Handpumpaufsatzes Übri¬ gene can be carried out similarly as described above.

4 and 7 show an exemplary embodiment of a receptacle 21 in which below a connecting portion 21 .1 in the opening area for safe parking a downwardly widening support portion 21 .2 ange¬ is introduced, whereby the operation is also favored.

The milk suction device described results in a simple operation by easy handling when coupling attachments 24 or hand pumping. 27, whereby increased hygiene requirements are taken into account.

Claims

1 . Milk suction device comprising at least one suction part (20) with a at the opening of a receptacle (21) removably mounted or attachable, with a breast lug piece (23.1) for exerting a suction on the breast vacuum-tight connected intermediate piece (22) and a vacuum-tight connectable or connected thereto Attachment (24), in which an elastic, a varying vacuum of a pump unit (10) on the inside of the intermediate piece (22) and the breast lug piece (23.1) transmitting, liquid-tight separation membrane (30) is inserted, characterized in that the article ( 24) by means of a coupling counter portion (24.1 1) releasably connected to a matching coupling portion (22.1) of the intermediate piece (22) is connected.

2. Milk suction device according to claim 1, characterized in that the coupling portion (22.1) on the intermediate piece (22) and the Kop¬ pelgegenabschnitt (24.1 1) on the attachment (24) each integrally formed ange¬ and vacuum-tight, releasably plugged into each other ,

3. Milk suction device according to claim 2, characterized in that the plug connection between the coupling section (22.1) and Koppelge¬ genabschnitt (24.1 1) by a rotary connection or locking connection zwi¬'s intermediate piece (22) and attachment (24) is secured.

4. Milk suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the separation membrane (30) with respect to the established Aufnahmebehält¬ nisses (21) in the unloaded resting state down hollow and is formed with an upper peripheral sealing edge (30.1) at an upper fitted counter edge of the attachment (24) is pressed releasably.

5. Milk suction device according to claim 4, characterized in that the counter edge of the attachment (24) on an open-top Anschluß¬ piece (24.7) is formed on the interposition of the sealing edge (30.1) a cover (24.2) is releasably pressed.

6. Milchabsaugvorrichtung according to claim 5, characterized in that the covering means (24.2) on the connecting piece (24.7) is releasably fixed by means of a latch or a twist lock.

7. Milk suction device according to one of claims 3 to 6, characterized the latching connection between the intermediate piece (22) and the attachment (24) is formed by means of a holding piece (24.4) in the form of a resilient latching finger on the attachment (24) and of a holding element (22.2) on the intermediate piece (22) , wherein the latching connection is designed such that it occupies the detent position in the sealing position when mating the coupling portion (22.1) and the coupling counter portion (24.1 1).

8. Milk suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the attachment (24) a separation membrane (30) laterally and on the underside surrounding cavity (24.10) is divided, the underside with the coupling counter section (24.1 ) is provided.

9. Milk suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the attachment (24) in its on the intermediate piece (22) fixed Zu¬ with respect to the longitudinal alignment of the breast appendage piece (23.1) and the transition piece (23.2) laterally with at least one support portion ( 24.3) is provided with which the attachment (24) with coupled Zwischen¬ piece (22) and connected receptacle (21) on a abge¬-matched support member (13) of a housing (1 1) of the pump unit (10) is attachable.

A milk suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a inlet valve (26) is attached to a milk outlet section of the intermediate piece (22) for the receiving container (21), which is hollow at the bottom and opens a pumped-milk flowing in through the intermediate piece (22) Slit opening which closes in vacuum formation in the intermediate piece (22).

1 1. Milchabsaugvorrichtung according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in ^'that the pump unit (10) vacuum-tightly via a line (25) and is releasably connected to the attachment (24).

12. Milk suction device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that on the pump unit (10) two suction parts (20) of the construction specified in the vorhergehen¬ claims are closed via a respective line (25) an¬, wherein the pump unit (10 ) has at a connection portion (15) has two anticyclically acted upon with vacuum connections to which the lines are connected or connectable.

13. Milk suction device according to claim 12, characterized in that the pump unit (10) is designed in such a way that the suction parts can be subjected to anticyclic pressure via the connections between the vacuum application phases.

14. Milk suction device according to one of claims 3 to 13, characterized in that at least one hand pump attachment (27) is present, the corre sponding the attachment (24) with an integrally formed coupling counter portion (24.1 1) and elements of a rotary connection or locking connection for securing the intermediate piece (22) is provided in the same manner as the attachment (24).