GB2496650A

GB2496650A - Breast pump with angularly adjustable funnel

Info

Publication number: GB2496650A
Application number: GB1119882.7A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Paul Walker; Paul Oxley; Gareth Mcneil
Original assignee: Mothercare UK Ltd
Current assignee: Mothercare UK Ltd
Priority date: 2011-11-17
Filing date: 2011-11-17
Publication date: 2013-05-22
Also published as: CN103120809A; GB201119882D0

Abstract

A breast pump assembly 1 comprising: a pump head 2 suitable for gripping in the hand during use which includes a source of below ambient pressure: a connector body 12 which is secured to the pump head 2 and includes a connector for fixing the connector body to a feeding bottle 19. The connector body further 12 further comprising a funnel which in use receives a users breast, the inside of the funnel being in fluidic connection with the bottle 19 through the connector body 12 so that milk expressed from the user passes through the connector body 12 and in to the body 19. The inside of the funnel 14 also being connected directly or indirectly to the pressure source of the pump head 2. Characterised in that the breast pump assembly 1 has at least a first use position and a second use position each of which provides a different angular orientation of the funnel 14 relative to the pump head 2.

Description

BREAST PUMP ASSEMBLY

This invention relates to improvements in breast pumps, in particular electric breast pumps, for use in extracting milk from a breast of a user.

It is well known to use a breast pump to extract milk. There are many good reasons why it is desirable to do so, perhaps because a mother is away from her baby, or if the baby has not proven adept at breast feeding.

Breast pumps are typically either manually operated, or electrically operated. In both types, a pump includes a funnel that receives a users breast. The funnel is connected to a source of below ambient pressure, such as a vacuum pump, and this then operates intermittently to create and then release a partial vacuum within the funnel. This cyclic change in pressure encourages milk to be expressed from the breast. The milk runs down under gravity through an opening in the base of the funnel through a further passageway to a feeding bottle. A valve located between the funnel and bottle closes when the vacuum is applied to the funnel, but opens when it is released to allow milk into the bottle.

An object of the present invention is to provide an improved breast pump which is convenient to use and which may ameliorate some of the problems users sometimes experience with the prior art pumps of thc kind described above.

According to a first aspect the invention a breast punip assembly comprising; a pump head suitable for gripping in the hand during use which includes a source of below ambient pressure; a connector body which is secured to the pump head and includes a connector for fixing the connector body to a feeding bottle; the connector body further comprising a funnel which in use receives a users breast, the inside of the funnel being in fluidic connection with the bottle through the connector body so that milk expressed from the user passes through the connector body and in to the bottle, the inside of the funnel also being connected directly or indirectly to the pressure source of the pump head, characterised in that the breast pump assembly has at least a first use position and a second use position, each of which provides a different angular orientation of the funnel relative to the pump head.

By providing an apparatus which can adopt different positions of use which cach provide a different angular orientation of the funnel relative to the pump head whilst it is operational to extract milk from the breast of a user, it is possible for the user to position the pump head and funnel in a most ergonomic position, perhaps making it easier to both breast feed and express at the same time (baby on one breast and pump on the other). Alternatively, when not breast feeding it can be positioned away from the user or oriented close to the chest where it may be easier to support for some users.

The movement of the assembly between the first use position and the second use position may be achieved manually either prior to, or optionally during, use of the p ump assembly.

The relative position of the funnel and punip head in each of the different positions of use corresponds to a relative pivotal motion or rotation between the two parts about a common axis which is off centre relative to at least one of the pump head and the funnel. This axis may be generally orthogonal with the axis of an attached bottle so that with the funnel held still the head unit and funnel pivot or rotate relative to one another in a generally horizontal plane (if the bottle is held vertically upright). Note that the bottle typically has to be below the base of the funnel for milk to flow down under gravity alone into the bottle.

To enable the different use positions of funnel and pump body to be achieved, the funnel may be rigidly fixed to the connector body and the pump head fixed to the connector body through an adjustable coupling. The funnel may comprisc an integral part of the connector body, or may be releasably connected to each other. The connector body niay comprise an elongate tube having a passageway defined therein that runs from one end to the other, the funnel located at a position along the tube, perhaps midway along the tube, and extending generally orthogonally away from the axis of the tube. The funnel may be connected to the pressure source in the pump head by Ihe passageway.

The assembly may be arranged such that the pump head and the connector body can be released from each other, and then reassembled in a chosen one of the first and second use positions (or any other use position where more than two are achievable). It is not, therefore, essential to pivot or rotaTe the parts to move from first use position to second use position in such an arrangement.

Alternatively, they may bc movable from one use position to the other without the need for them to be released and then reassembled, perhaps by rotation.

For example, in one arrangemcnt the top of the connector body may pass through a complimentary opening in the pump head in two different orientations, each corresponding to one of the first and second use positions, and the assembly may include means for fixing the parts together in the first and second use positions. The pump head may be a snap fit onto the top of the connector body in the two use positions, so that it can be repositioned, secured and removed without tools.

A seal may be provided which acts between the top of the connector body and the pump head. Where the pump head can rotate around a part of the connector body to perniit movement between the different use positions, the connector body and pump head may be configured such that they will releasably lock with one another in a limited number of predetermined angular orientations. They may lock in two, three or more orientations, but three is preferred.

A lock means may be provided to lock the assembly in each of its first and second use positions, preventing it from accidentally moving out of position when in use.

For example, the lock means may include one or more detents or slots on one of the pump head and connector body, and one or more labs on the other of the head or body which can be releasably interengaged with the slots or detents.

A release button or knob may be provided which can be depressed or pulled (or twisted or rocked) to release the protrusion(s) from the recess(es) to permit movement of the assembly between the first and second use positions.

In one particular arrangement, the connector body may include a first tab located along the connector body below the funnel and another located along the connector body above the funnel, each tab releasably locking into a respective slot in the pump head, the location of the slots and tabs defining which of the use positions the assembly will be in. Providing tabs on opposing sides of the funnel provides a strong connection which helps resist torque applied to the funnel.

The slots may be provided in a wall of the pump unit which is complimentary in shape to a corresponding part of the connector body.

The relative positions of the funnel in the first and second use positions, relative to a datum taken on the pump head, may differ by an angle of at least 10 degrees, or up to degrees, or 90 degrees relative to an axis of rotation.

Most preferably the first and second use position may differ by the funnel being moved through substantially +1-30 degrees about a neutral position, or up to +/-45 degrees or perhaps up to 180 degrees. This may be especially useful in allowing the pump assenibly to adopt a compact configuration in which the pump head and funnel are aligned or closely aligned with one another.

The assembly may have three or more use positions, a third, neutral, position being located midway between the first and second positions.

In one arrangement, the pump head of the breast punip assembly may be located at the top of the connector body, generally above the bottle when in use, to again help hold it clear of the chest of the user. The pump head may be located on top of the connector body, and may generally extend away from the funnel when in the neutral position. By this we mean that the pump head and funnel are generally located on opposing sides of an axis that passes through the connector body. The funnel may be positioned at different angles in a generally horizontal plane when viewed from above according to which position of use the assembly is in.

This positions the pump head clear of the breast of the user. It may be moved between a use position in which it extends away from the funnel on diametrically opposed sides of the axis of rotation, which may correspond with an axis of an attached bottle.

Thus, when in use with the bottle generally upright and the funnel surrounding a breast of a user, the pump head may extend straight out away from the user in a neutral position, or may be repositioned to the left or right as required to the first or second use positions. Depending on which breast it is attached to, the pump head can therefore be moved away from the central chest area, allowing a baby to feed on the other breast whilst resting his/her head on the central chest area.

To permit the application of below ambient pressure (typically vacuum) from the pressure source to the inside of the funnel a passage may be provided through the connector body. A valve may be provided which sits in the passage between the funnel and the bottle connector, the valve being pulled close as a vacuum is applied to the funnel, and allowed to open when the vacuum is removed so that milk can pass through the valve into the bottle. This stops milk being drawn back from the bottle into the funnel or pressure source, and also removes the need to draw all of the air out of the relatively large bottle.

The source of below ambient pressure may comprise a pump which may be contained within the pump head of the breast pump assembly. It may comprise an electric pump, with the pump assembly forming an elcctric breast pump assembly. The pump may be connected to an electrical lead, terminated in a suitable connector (e.g. a domestic plug socket or a step down transformer) for connection of the pump to a source of electricity.

Alternatively, batteries may be provided in the pump hcad to power the pump. In an alternative, the pump may be located outside of the pump head, so that the pump head only contains the pressure outlet port and connectors. It may comprise a manually operated pump which again may be located inside or outside of the pump head.

A liner or breast shield may be located within the funnel which contacts the breast in use and prevents contact of the breast on the funnel. This liner may be of soft material relative to the harder material of the funnel.

The connector of the connector body may be adapted to connect securely with any bottle which has a fitting at its mouth that is compatible with the connector. The connector may, for example, include a thread that receives a compatible thread on the bottle such that when fully tightened the bottle is oriented in a known position relative to the pump. The bottle may then include recesses on opposing sides that enable it to be readily gripped.

The thread may be a fast start thread, of perhaps one whole turn, or two to three whole turns start to finish, or less than one turn. By this we mean the bottle only has to be turned by that amount to move from fully engaged to fully released.

All parts of the pump assembly may be of material suitable for cleaning using a steam steriliser or the like, although typically the pump head may not be suited for this. The funnel and connector body may be substantially rigid.

The parts of the breast pump assembly may be suitable for disassembly and reassembly without tools, to permit cleaning, and as previously mentioned in sonic arrangements this also permits movement between the use positions.

The pump head may include an outer casing which surrounds the pump, where provided. It may also surround one or more batteries that supply electrical power to the pump where the pump is electric. The whole pump head, including the easing, may be arranged at different orientations relative to the funnel depending on the use position.

The outer casing may be shaped to fonn a hand grip portion which is located at an opposite end of the casing to that at which it joins the connector body. Alternatively a discrete grip may be provided, which may be fixed to the outer casing. One or more controls for the pump, such as an on/off switch or button, or speed control, may be located adjacent the hand grip. It may comprise a pistol grip.

According to a second aspect the invention provides a combination of a breast pump assenibly according to the first aspect and a bottle which has at least one grip portion formed into one side, the bottle and pump assembly including complimentary threaded connectors which ensure that the bottle will only connect to the pump assembly in one orientation.

By orientation, we mean the position of the bottle when considered about its axis.

The combination may include a support stand which is shaped to receive the bottle to hold the bottle upright when not in use, even if still connected to the breast pump assembly. It may comprise a base with a recess formed in its upper surface which cradles the lower part of the bottle.

There will now be describcd by way of example only onc embodiment of the present invention with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings of which: Figure 1 is an isometric view of an embodiment of an electric breast pump assembly fitted with a feeding bottle in which the assembly falls within the scope of the first aspect of the present invention; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the funnel/horn and main body of a portion of the assembly of Figure 1 during initial assembly; Figure 3 is a view of the assembled funnel/horn and main body; Figure 4 shows the initial stages of assembling the connector body to the pump head; Figure 5 shows in more detailed the section circled by dashed line in Figure 4; Figure 6 is a view of the pump assembly with the funnel in (a) a position 30 degrees to the right (when viewed from above), a neutral position with the main body in line with the funnel, and (d) a position 30 degrees to the left; Figure 7 is an exploded view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 8 is a schematic elevational view of the pump head showing the key internal parts; and Figure 9 is a schematic elevational view of the connector body and funnel.

A breast pump assembly 1 is shown assembled in Figure 1 of the drawings and in exploded form in Figure 2. It comprises a pump head 2, which comprises an outer housing that houses iii this example an electric pump (not shown in Figures 1 or 2 but marked by dashed line 3 in the schematic of Figure 8). Pumps for use in breast pump assemblies are very well known in the art and so are not described in detail here. The pump head also houses three (optionally rechargeable) AA cell batteries 2a which power the pump. These are located in an internal battery compartment and can be accessed through removable lid 2b towards a front end of the housing. Alternatively power can be supplied from a remote source through a suitable AC to DC transformer as required.

Also at the front of the housing, on an underside, is a cutaway portion 4 which partially embraces an opening 5 of a passageway 6 (not shown in Figures 1 and 2 but visible in the schematic of Figure 8) that is connected within the housing to an outlet port of the pump 3. When the pump 3 is running, a variable vacuum is applied to the passageway and is present at the opening 5. An annular seal 7 is located around an internal wall of the passageway 6 close to the opening 5. The cutaway portion 4 extends downwards from the opening 5 to form a part of a generally cylindrical concave wall 8. The wall 8 carries recesses or slots which, as will be described later, help in assembly of the complete pump assembly.

A rear portion of the housing of the pump head 2 is curved to form a shape which is ergonomically comfortable to hold in the palm of a hand. A power button (ON/OFF) is provided on the top of the housing where it is easy to reach, along with a rotary dial 11 which enables the user to adjust the power output of the pump 3, to increase the strength of the partial vacuum applied to the passageway 6.

The pump assembly 1 also comprises a releasable connector body 1 2, which comprises a generally cylindrical main body part 13. Extending from one side of the main body part 13 is a funnel or horn 14, with the open base of the funnel 14 surrounding a corresponding port in the main body part 13 which connects to an open ended passage 15 that runs internally along the complete length of the main body. This is visible in Figure 8 of the drawings. An optional strengthening rib 16 runs from the base of the funnel along the side of the main body towards each end. The funnel 14 therefore extends substantially orthogonal to the main body and is shaped like a horn, with a wide opening at its free end. The funnel 14 is sized so that it will receive a breast of a user. To make the funnel more comfortable a shaped insert 17 of soft, malleable material, is provided within the funnel.

At the lower end of the main body part 13 is a bottle connector 1, which enables the body to be connected securely to a feeding bottle 19. The connector 18 comprises a flange which extends around the lower perimeter of the cylindrical body part and a depending peripheral wall 20 which has an internal fast start thread (not shown). The internal diameter of the wall 20, and pitch of the thread, arc complimentary to a feeding bottle neck which also has a fast start thread. The threads are arranged so that the bottle can only be securely connected in one orientation. For comfort the bottle is slightly oval is cross section, with flattened sides forming grip parts. When secured the grip parts are on the sides of the bottle that arc parallel to the sides of the pump head, and to the axis of the funnel 14.

A valve 25 is also located in the lower end of the main body of the connector body.

The valve closes when a vacuum is applied in the connector body, and opens when that is released.

The top part of the main body 13 is shaped so that it will scalingly engage with the annular seal provided in the pump head. Protruding tabs or studs on the side of the main body control the orientation of the body part, and hence funnel, relative to the pump head. One hook shaped stud 22 is provided near the base of the main body 13, and others 21 are provided around the top and engage with corresponding spiral shaped slots (not shown) formed around the edge of the opening 5 in the pump head 2.

As shown in Figures 4 and 5 of the drawings, the lower tab or hook 22 engages in one of three recesses 24 in the concave wall of the head unit, the recesses being located at spaced positions along the wall 8 of the pump head. By positioning the hook 22 in a different one of these recesses 24, the relative position of the funnel and the pump head will be altered when the pump head and connector body are assembled. With three recesses this allows the assembly to be assembled in any one of three use positions. The three recesses arc positioned with one on the diametrically opposite side of the main body to the axis of the funnel, and are offset from each other by around 30 degrees (measured about the long axis of the connector body part). Figure shows how the hook 22 enters one of the recesses 24 as the connector body is moved up towards the pump head 2.

The three positions of use (first use position, second use position and third use position) are shown in Figures 6 (a) to (c) of the accompanying drawings. By providing three use positions (or more in some alternative designs) the user can move the pump head 2 and funnel 14 to the most ergonomically comfortable position for them to use. This is important as the assembly may be held in place for a relatively long period of time whilst milk is being expressed.

Additionally, the pump head 2 can be moved out of the way to permit a baby to breast feed from one breast whilst a mother is expressing milk using the pump from the other breast. This prevents the pump head, which is a relatively heavy part, from striking the baby or from getting in the way of the baby as he/she tries to suckle.

The breast pump assembly I is made of easy to clean materials, and can bc dismantled to separate the connector body from the pump head, the funnel from the main body of the connector body, the bottle from the connector body, the breast pad from the funnel and so on. They can then easily be rinsed out and sterilised using a steriliser apparatus as is known in the art.

The pump assembly shown in the accompanying figures is simple to assemble without any special tools. Assembly of the pump assembly, starting from a dis-asssembled condition, is as follows: Step 1. Insert the horn liner and valve in to the horn. If the fit of the pump on the breast is too tight the horn liner can be removed.

Step 2. Assemble the funnel/Horn to thc pump head.

Step 3. Locate the tag on the back of the body into one of the 3 slots on the concave wall of the pump head. Also ensure that the top of the funnel/horn locates into the top of the pump head to form a seal. Once the horn is located twist it anti clockwise until you hear a click Step 4. The funnel horn can be located in 3 different angular orientations in relation to the pump body. The angle is selected by locating the tag on the back of the funnel/horn into one of the three slots in the green part of the pump head.

Step 5. Screw the bottle on to the bottom of the connector body once it has been attached to the pump head.

Step 6. The pump can be either powdered by 3 AA batteries or a mains adaptor that has been supplied. The plug on the mains adaptor connects to the socket on the base of the pump body.

Once assembled, the pump assembly can be operated as follows: Step 01. The pump is turned by pressing the push button on the top of the pump body. To turn the pump off the button need to be pressed again.

Step 02. The vacuum power of the pump can be adjust by rotating the green wheel on the top of the pump body. To increase the vacuum rotate the wheel to the right. To decrease the vacuum rotate the wheel to the left Step 03. To release the funnel/horn assembly from the pump head, depress the button on the side of the pump head and twist the funnel/horn anti clockwise.

Claims

<claim-text>CLAIMS1. A breast pump assembly comprising; a pump head suitable for gripping in the hand during use which includes a source of below ambient pressure; a connector body which is secured to the pump head and includes a connector for fixing the connector body to a feeding bottle; the connector body further comprising a funnel which in use receives a users breast, the inside of the funnel being in fluidic connection with the bottle through the connector body so that milk expressed from the user passes through the connector body and in to the bottle, the inside of the funnel also being connected directly or indirectly to the pressure source of the pump head, characterised in that the breast pump assembly has at least a first use position and a second use position, each of which provides a different angular orientation of the funnel relative to the pump head.</claim-text> <claim-text>2. A breast pump assembly according to claim in which the relative position of the funnel and pump head in each of the different positions of use corresponds to a relative pivotal motion or rotation between the two parts about a common axis which is off centre relative to at least one of the pump head and the funnel.</claim-text> <claim-text>3. A breast pump assembly according to clam 2 in which the axis is generally orthogonal with the axis of an attached bottle so that with thc funnel held still the head unit and funnel pivot or rotate relative to one another in a generally horizontal plane when the bottle is held generally vertically upright.</claim-text> <claim-text>4. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim in which the funnel is rigidly fixed to the connector body and the pump head fixed to the connector body through an adjustable coupling which is configurable to achieve the at least first use position and second use position.</claim-text> <claim-text>A breast pump assembly according to claim 4 in which the connector body comprises an elongate tube having a passageway defined therein that runs from one end to the other, the funnel located at a position along the tube, and extending generally orthogonally away from the axis of the tube, the funnel being connected directly or indirectly to the pressure source in the pump head by the passageway.</claim-text> <claim-text>6. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim in which the pump head and the connector body can be released from each other, and then reassembled in a chosen one of the first and second use positions (or any other use position where more than two are achievable).</claim-text> <claim-text>7. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claini in which the pump head and connector body are movable from one use position to the other without the need for them to be released and then reassembled by rotation.</claim-text> <claim-text>8. A breast pump assembly according to claim 7 in which a top of the connector body passes through a complimentary opening in the pump head in at least two different orientations, each corresponding to one of the first and second use positions, and the assembly includes means for fixing the parts together in the first and second use positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>9. A breast pump assembly according to claim 8 in which a seal or gasket is provided which acts between the top of the connector body and the pump head.</claim-text> <claim-text>10. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim which includes a lock means that comprises one or more detents or slots on one of the pump head and connector body, and one or more tabs on the other of the head or body which can be releasably inter-engaged with the slots or detents to secure the assembly in a chosen use position.</claim-text> <claim-text>11. A breast pump assembly according to claim 10 in which the connector body includes a first tab located along the connector body below the funnel and another located along the connector body above the funnel, each tab releasably locking into a respective slot in the pump head, the location of the slots and tabs defining which of the use positions the assembly will be in.</claim-text> <claim-text>12. A breast PUI11P assembly according to claim 11 in which the slots are provided in a wall of the pump unit which is complimentary in shape to a corresponding part of the connector body.</claim-text> <claim-text>13. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim in which the positions of the funnel in the first and second use positions, relative to a datum taken on the pump head, differ by an angle of at least 10 degrees, or up to 60 degrees, or 90 degrees, or up to and including ISO degrees relative to an axis of rotation.</claim-text> <claim-text>14. A breast pump assembly according to claim 13 in which the positions of the funncl in the first and second use positions, relative to a datum taken on the pump head, differ by substantially +7-30 degrecs about a neutral position, or up to +7-45 degrees or perhaps up to ISO degrees.</claim-text> <claim-text>15. A breast pump assembly according to claim 14 which has at least third, neutral, use position midway between the first and second positions.</claim-text> <claim-text>16. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim in which the pump head is located at the top of the connector body, generally above the bottle when in use with the pump head generally extend away from the funnel when in the neutral position.</claim-text> <claim-text>17. A breast pump assembly according to any preceding claim in which the source of below ambient pressure comprises an electric pump which is contained within the pump head of the breast pump assembly, which optionally also contains one or more batteries.</claim-text> <claim-text>18. A breast pump assembly according to claim 17 in which the pump head includes an outcr casing which surrounds the pump, the outer casing being shaped to form a hand grip portion which is located at an opposite end of the casing to that at which it joins the connector body.</claim-text> <claim-text>19. A combination of a breast punip assembly according to claim I and a bottle which has at least one grip portion formed into one side, the bottle and pump assembly including complimentary threaded connectors which ensure that the bottle will only connect to the pump assembly in one orientation.</claim-text> <claim-text>20. A breast pump assembly substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.</claim-text>