JPS63252161A - Milker - Google Patents

Abstract

(57) [Summary] This bulletin contains application data before electronic filing, so abstract data is not recorded.

Description

[Detailed Description of the Invention] The present invention relates to a breast pump used to express breast milk, and more specifically, when the breast pump is overturned, the milky liquid in the bottle flows into the suction part. This prevents the

Breast pumps equipped with electric suction devices for sitting while sitting are becoming popular. However, the above-mentioned breast pumps have drawbacks such as uniform suction action and unilateral expression of breast milk, which places too much strain on the breasts and causes discomfort to the mother's body.

For this reason, the present applicant has already developed a breast pump capable of finely adjusting the suction pressure in U.S. Pat.
No. 44]. Hereinafter, the above-mentioned breast pump will be explained with reference to FIGS. 8 and 9.

FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view of the breast pump, and FIG. 9 is an enlarged partially cutaway sectional view of FIG. 8.

A breast pump consists of a bottle (A) that stores expressed breast milk, a milking part (B) that presses against the breast, and an electric suction part (C) that creates negative pressure inside the bottle (A) in the vertical direction. It has a connected structure.

The milking section (B) includes a substantially cylindrical base (1) and the base (
1), a body part (2) horizontally installed integrally on the upper part of the body part (2), and a trumpet-shaped cup part (3) that expands from the tip of the body part (2).
It consists of The lower part of the base (1) of the milking part (B) is a lower connecting part (1a), which is screwed into the upper part of the bottle (A). Further, the upper part of the base (1) is an upper connecting part (1b), and the lower part of the electric suction part (C) is fitted into this upper connecting part (1b). Further, an adapter (4) for reducing the diameter of the body (2) is detachably provided at the boundary between the body (2) and the cup part (3) of the milking section (B).

The adapter (4) improves suction power by making close contact with the areola, and is used to correct small nipples, inverted nipples, and flat nipples.

The electric suction part (C) includes a main body (5) that fits with the upper connecting part (1b), and an upper M (that fits into the upper part of the main body (5)).
6). A battery (7) is built into the case (5a) of the main body (5), and can be replaced each time the top cover (6) is removed from the case (5a) of the main body (5).

A sliding switch (8) is provided on the outer surface of the main body (5), and the upper connecting part (1b) of the milking part (B) is located below it.
) A horizontal hole (9) is bored near the hole (9). A pressure adjustment knob (12) having a pressure release button (11) in the center is fitted into a hollow pressure adjustment screw (10) in the horizontal hole (9).

At the inner end of the pressure release button (11) is a truncated cone-shaped valve stem (
13). The valve stem (13) has an inner surface that is similar to the valve stem (13).
) is formed to be in close contact with the conical outer surface of the valve seat (1).
4), and the inner end has a valve stem (1) in a steady state.
3) is brought into elastic contact with a compression spring (15) that biases the housing in the closing direction. By rotating the pressure adjustment screw (1o) counterclockwise, and when pressing the pressure release button (11), the space between the valve stem (13) and the valve seat (14) is separated and the outside air is released. is introduced into the horizontal hole (9). The insertion part of the compression spring (15) in the horizontal hole (9) communicates with an air suction hole (16) bored from the center of the lower end (5b) of the main body (5) to the inside of the main body (5). . Air intake hole (16)
A diaphragm (17) vibrated by an electric motor (not shown) is housed above the diaphragm (17). When the diaphragm (17) vibrates, the air inside the bottle (A) is pumped into the base (1) of the milking section (B).
) (hereinafter referred to as the small hole in the milking part)
(18), the air is sucked through the filter (19) at the lower end (5b) of the main body of the suction part (C), from the air suction hole (16) through the suction valve (20), and the inside of the bottle (A) becomes negative pressure. It is configured to be.

Note that an annular packing (21) is interposed between the upper end opening of the bottle (A) and the lower connecting part (1a) of the milking part (B) to tightly connect them. In addition, the upper connecting part of the milking part (B) (
1b), a guide ring (22) is provided protrudingly surrounding the small hole (18) of the milking section, so that the milk flows through the small hole (18) of the milking section.
This prevents it from being directly inhaled. Furthermore, the suction part (C
) Fitting the fitting ring (23) to the lower end (5b) of the body of the
The upper connecting part (1b) of the milking part (B) is connected in an elastic manner to be detachably connected.

The breast pump with finely adjustable suction pressure is constructed as described above.
Next, the operation will be explained.

First, place the cup part (3) of the suction part (B) firmly against the breast and slide the switch (8) to turn on the power. Then, the diaphragm (17) vibrates and the air in the bottle (A) is sucked through the small hole (18) in the milking part, through the filter (19), and into the air suction hole (16) in the suction part (C). ,
The inside of the bottle (A) becomes negative pressure. Therefore, breast milk is transferred to the milking area (
The milk is expressed in B), passes through the body part (2) of the sucking part CB) and the guide ring (22), falls into the bottle (A), and accumulates there.

In this case, turn the pressure adjustment screw (10) counterclockwise to separate the valve stem (13) and valve seat (14).
Outside air flows into the air intake hole (16) from the side hole (9).

Therefore, the suction pressure inside the bottle (A) decreases, and the milking power decreases.
The suction power is also reduced, resulting in gentle sucking. Conversely, when the pressure adjustment screw (10) is turned clockwise to the closed state, the valve stem (13) and the valve seat (14) are closed, and outside air does not flow into the air intake hole (16). Therefore, the bottle (
The inside of A) becomes the maximum negative pressure, and milk is strongly sucked from the sucking part (B). In this way, the suction pressure can be changed precisely by changing the degree to which the pressure adjustment screw (10) is turned.

In addition, even if the valve stem (13) and the valve seat (14) are in a closed state, the valve stem (13) can be opened by simply pressing the pressure release button (11).
13) and the valve seat (14) can be separated instantaneously, and by pressing the pressure release button (11), outside air is introduced from the side hole (9) into the air intake hole (16) and the suction pressure is increased. can be lowered. Therefore, pressure release 1] (1
The intermittent pressing motion of 1) gives appropriate stimulation to the nipple, and can produce a milking effect just like a baby's sucking action.

Moreover, since the input pressure adjustment screw (10) and the pressure release button (11) are installed on the lower side of the suction part (C), the suction pressure can be adjusted with one hand. It can massage the outer circumference of the breast and assist in milking.

Problem 1: If the suction pressure of a breast pump equipped with the above-mentioned electric suction device is too strong, the sucked milk will become a mist and the guide ring (
22) and coagulates in the small hole (18) of the milking section.

Then, even if the diaphragm (17) vibrates, the bottle (A
) may not be sucked out and therefore milking may not be possible.

Also, if the breast pump is carelessly turned over, the breast milk collected in the bottle (A) will flow from the small hole (18) in the sucking part to the suction part (C).
If the milk passes through the filter (19) inside and enters the air suction hole (16), the milk will flow into the electric mechanism etc. and cause a malfunction. In particular, milking operations are often carried out in bedrooms or the like, where the breast pump is placed in an unstable place, such as on a futon, and the breast pump often falls over.

An object of the present invention is to provide a breast pump in which breast milk does not enter the suction part (C) under any circumstances.

In order to solve the above-mentioned problems, the first invention provides a bottle for storing expressed breast milk, a milking part that presses against the breast, and a suction device that creates negative pressure in the bottle. In this breast pump, a dome-shaped cup with a flange is interposed between the bolt and the milking part with the zenith facing downward, and the bottle and the milking part are connected to the flange. A second invention includes a bottle for storing expressed breast milk, a milking part for pressing against a breast, and a milking part for pressing the breast against the breast. In a breast pump in which a suction part that creates a negative pressure inside is vertically connected, a dome-shaped cup with a flange is interposed between the bottle and the milking part with the zenith facing downward, and the cup is attached to the flange. A converse in which one or more intake holes are provided to communicate the bottle and the milking section, and a through hole is provided at the top of the bottle, and the communication section between the milking section and the suction section is opened in a steady state. It is equipped with a stop valve.

By using the above solution, the dome-shaped cup narrows the space between the bottle and the milking part so that it recesses into the bottle, so the pumped breast milk sticks to the inner surface of the cup and gets stuck in the bottle. Furthermore, even if the breast pump overturns, the breast milk collected in the bottle will not flow from the bottle into the suction part due to the presence of the dome-shaped cup and the check valve.

An embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. 1 to 7. However, parts that are the same as those described in the related art are designated by the same reference numerals, and explanations thereof will be omitted.

In the figure, (D) is a dome-shaped cup, and FIG. 2 shows a plan view, FIG. 3 shows a left half cross-sectional front part, and FIG. 4 shows a bottom view. The cup (D) has a tsuba (24
) is provided around the bottle, and a collar (24) is interposed between the upper end opening of the bottle (A) and the packing (21). However, cup (D)
If the material is replaced with rubber or soft plastic,
The flange (24) of the cup (D) also serves as the packing (21). E'F (24) is provided with intake holes (25) in contact with the side surfaces of cup (CD), for example, at four locations, and a through hole (26) is provided at the top of cup (D). The intake hole (25) and the through hole (26)
- The inside of the cup (D) is communicated with the inside of the cup (D). cup(
Although the upper end opening of the bottle (A) is narrowed by D), the air inside the bottle (A) is always sucked into the suction part (C) by the intake hole (25) and the through hole (26), and the bottle is closed. Since a negative pressure condition is maintained in bottle (A), breast milk is continuously expressed and dripped into bottle (A).

(E) is a substantially cylindrical check valve made of an elastic body, has a crocodile (27) around the upper end, and has a metal ball (28), for example, which moves up and down, fitted inside; FIG. 6 shows a left half sectional front view, FIG. 6 shows a sectional view taken along the line X--X in FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 shows a bottom view. The check valve (E) consists of a cylindrical body (36) made of, for example, a synthetic resin material, and a ball (28) inserted into the cylindrical body (36). A concave surface (29) is provided inside the upper surface of the part to make contact with the ball (28), and an opening/closing hole (30) is bored in the center. Cylindrical body (36)
For example, four protruding stripes (31) are provided on the inner wall of the hollow portion from the concave surface (29) to the lower end so that the ball (28) can move up and down smoothly, and the ball (28) A gap (32) is created between the bottle and the inner wall so that the air inside the bottle (A) can be inhaled. The lower end of the hollow portion of the cylinder (36) supports the ball (28) with a protruding end (33) extending from the protrusion (31) toward the center.

The base (1) of the milking part (B) is provided with a flange (34) by enlarging the small hole (18) of the milking part in a conventional breast pump, and a flange (34) at the upper end of the check valve (E) is provided around the base (1) of the milking part (B). (27) is engaged.

The base (1) of the milking part (B) is further provided with an outer ring (35) that surrounds the check valve (E) at a distance, so that the mist of breast milk directly adheres to the check valve (E). prevent this from happening.

The breast pump in this embodiment is constructed as described above, and its operation will be explained next.

When the switch (12) is turned on, the diaphragm (11) vibrates. A ball (27) is fitted into the check valve (E), but since a gap (32) is provided by the protrusion (31)'), the air inside the bottle (A) can flow through the cup (D). Air is drawn from the through hole (26) through the gap (32) in the check valve (E) and into the air suction hole (16) in the suction part (C), creating negative pressure in the bottle (A). . Ball inside check valve (E) (
27) is made of metal and is heavy, so the ball (27) has an opening/closing hole (
30) will not be adsorbed. Even if the milking force is strong and the breast milk is expressed in a mist, the cup (D) has a dome-like concave surface, so the mist of breast milk will adhere to the inner surface of the cup (D) and shrink on the inner surface. The liquid becomes drop-shaped and drips into the bottle (A) from the through hole (26) of the cup (D). Even if the amount of milk expressed is large and the breast milk blocks the through hole (26) and accumulates in the cup (D), the air in the bottle (A) will be absorbed into the cup (D).
Since the milk is inhaled through the intake hole (25) provided in the flange (24) of the bottle (A), the inside of the bottle (A) is maintained at a negative pressure and milking continues.

Even if the breast pump were to overturn, the breast milk in the bottle (A) would be dammed up by the curved part of the cup (D) because the upper opening of the bottle (A) is narrowed by the cup CD), and the breast milk in the breast pump (B) would be blocked by the curved part of the cup (D).
) does not flow inwards. In addition, cup (D) 1 (
24) is equipped with an intake hole (25), but because the diameter is small, the breast milk in the bottle (A) flows all at once into the cup (D).
Breast milk will not flow into the suction part (C) unless the breast milk is left in an overturned state for a long time. If the breast milk in the bottle (A) is
Even if a large amount flows into the cup (D) from 6), the check valve (E) is attached to the base (1) of the sucking part (B), and if the breast pump rolls over, the ball (27) will Opening/closing hole (30
) is closed, so breast milk will not flow into the suction part (C).

The above describes one embodiment of the present invention, so the present invention is not limited to this embodiment, and the design can be changed within the gist of the present invention. For example, the check valve (E)
You can also use the cup (D) alone without installing the check valve (D), or conversely, you can use the check valve (
It is also possible to implement only E).

According to the present invention, a dome-shaped cup is interposed between the bottle and the sucking part, and a check valve is installed in the small hole through which the milking part and the suction part communicate. This prevents malfunctions caused by breast milk flowing into the suction part, even if breast milk is pumped in a mist or if the breast pump is overturned, and the breast pump can be kept in good condition for a long time. It is possible to maintain it.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

Fig. 1 is a partially cutaway sectional view of one embodiment of the present invention, Fig. 2 is a plan view of the cup, Fig. 3 is a left half sectional front view of the cup, Fig. 4 is a bottom view of the cup, and Fig. 5 6 is a left half sectional front view of the check valve, FIG. 6 is a sectional view taken along the line X--X of FIG. 5, and FIG. 7 is a bottom view of the check valve. FIG. 8 is an overall perspective view of a general breast pump, and FIG. 9 is a partially cutaway sectional view of a conventional breast pump. (A) - Bottle, (B) - Milking section,
(C) - Suction part, (D) - Cup, (E) -
-・Check valve, (24)・−・Brim, (25)・−・Intake hole, (26)・−・−Through hole.

Claims (2)

[Claims] (1) In a breast pump that vertically connects a bottle that stores expressed breast milk, a milking part that presses against the breast, and a suction part that creates negative pressure inside the bottle, a dome-shaped cup with a flange is attached to the top. The bottle is interposed between the bottle and the milking section with the top facing downward, the brim is provided with one or more intake holes that communicate the bottle and the milking section, and the top portion is provided with a through hole. A breast pump that is characterized by: (2) In a breast pump that vertically connects a bottle that stores expressed breast milk, a milking part that presses against the breast, and a suction part that creates negative pressure inside the bottle, a dome-shaped cup with a flange is attached to the top. The bottle is interposed between the bottle and the milking section with the top facing downward, the brim is provided with one or more intake holes that communicate the bottle and the milking section, and the top portion is provided with a through hole. death,
A breast pump characterized in that a check valve that is open in a steady state is installed in a communication section between the milking section and the suction section.