TW201907964A - Breast pump system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a breast pump system for backflow prevention. The breast pump system is particularly relevant, but not limited to a breast pump system comprising: an inner case, for resting against a portion of a breast, connected to an external suction source via a hose; a membrane arranged to enclose the inner case to form a first chamber between the inner case and the membrane; and an outer case arranged to enclose the membrane to form a second chamber between the membrane and the outer case to receive a nipple of the breast, wherein when air exits from the first chamber via the hose by the external suction source, the first chamber collapses and a vacuum is created on the second chamber so as to draw milk from the nipple.

Description

Breast pump system

The present invention relates to a breast pump system for preventing backflow. The breast pump system is particularly relevant but not limited to a portable breast pump system.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION The following discussion of the background of the invention is only intended to facilitate an understanding of the invention. It should be understood that this discussion does not endorse or recognize that any of the referenced materials are disclosed as part of the common general knowledge of those skilled in the art.

In order for a woman to continue to secrete a sufficient volume of milk, it typically empties the breast milk based on the amount of milk the child needs and the feeding schedule. Women can use a breastpump to continue breastfeeding after returning to work. Women can use a breastpump to squeeze the milk and later feed the bottle to their child.

A breast pump is a device that draws milk from breast milk by suction. A conventional breast pump system typically includes a breast shield for resting against a female breast, a suction for providing suction to an internal portion of the breast shield, a hose for A connection between the breast shield and the aspirator, and a storage container for receiving milk. Conventional breast pumps further include an external component as a backflow preventer to prevent backflow of milk along the hose that is connected to the absorber.

Different problems can occur with traditional breast pumps. For example, when using a breast pump, it takes some time for the woman to build, operate, and clean the breast pump. Moreover, due to the volume of the breast pump, in particular the volume of the external components of the backflow preventer, the female should undress at the front or wear a special bra that is adapted for the breast pump when using the breast pump. . In addition, traditional breast pumps require women to hold the breastpump in place with two hands, which prevents the woman from performing other tasks that may be required in the workplace.

In view of the above, it is desirable to develop a breast pump that improves or overcomes the above disadvantages.

The present invention seeks to provide a breast pump that is at least partially directed to the above needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A technical solution is provided in the form of a breast pump system having a film as a backflow preventer. In particular, the breast pump system includes an inner casing for resting against a portion of a breast milk, which is connected to an external source via a hose; a membrane configured to surround the inner casing Forming a first chamber between the sleeve and the film; and an outer sleeve configured to surround the film to form a second chamber between the film and the outer sleeve to receive a nipple of the breast, wherein Upon exiting the first chamber via the hose from the external source, the first chamber collapses and creates a vacuum on the second chamber to draw milk from the nipple.

The presence of the first chamber creates a backflow preventer to minimize milk flow into the hose.

Throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, it will be understood that "comprise" or variants such as "comprises, comprising" are meant to include a stated integer or group of integers, but does not exclude any other integer or integer. Group.

Moreover, throughout the specification, unless the context requires otherwise, it will be understood that the term "include" or "includes", "including", and the like is meant to include a recited integer or group of integers, but does not exclude any other integer or A group of integers.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a breast pump system comprising: an inner casing for resting against a portion of a breast milk, which is connected to an external suction source via a hose; a film, The utility model is configured to surround the inner casing to form a first chamber between the inner casing and the film; and a casing sleeve configured to surround the film to form a second chamber between the film and the casing to receive A nipple of breast milk, wherein when air exits the first chamber via a hose through an external source of suction, the first chamber collapses and creates a vacuum on the second chamber to draw milk from the nipple.

Preferably, when air enters the first chamber via the hose through the external source, the first chamber expands and the second chamber is filled with air.

Preferably, the breast pump system further comprises a storage container for receiving the milk, wherein the outer casing is coupled to the storage container.

Preferably, the breast pump system further comprises a valve for reducing the volume of air required for the external source to generate a vacuum on the second chamber, wherein the valve system is disposed between the outer casing and the storage container.

Preferably, an area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the outer casing is configured to direct the flow of milk from the second chamber to the storage container.

Preferably, an edge of the inner casing is bent back and extended.

Preferably, the inner casing includes at least one attachment point for attaching the hose.

Preferably, the attachment point is disposed on an extended surface of the inner casing.

Preferably, the film is attached to the extended surface of the inner casing.

Preferably, the film covers at least a portion of the extended surface except the attachment point.

Preferably, the film is attached to the inner casing by an adhesive.

Preferably, the adhesive is an oxygen based adhesive.

Preferably, the oxygen-based adhesive comprises a sil-poly adhesive.

Preferably, the outer casing is attached to the extended surface of the inner casing.

Preferably, the inner casing includes a first number of holes and the outer casing includes a second number of hooks, and the inner casing and the outer casing are assembled by fitting the holes into the hooks.

Preferably, the first number and the second number are different such that the attachment points can be positioned in various directions in which the milk is dripped.

Preferably, one of the first number and the second number is an integer multiple of the other of the first number and the second number, so that the attachment point can be positioned in various directions dripping from the milk And the holes and hooks are equally spaced.

Preferably, at least one of the inner casing and the outer casing is made of a non-flexible material.

Preferably, the inner casing is shaped as a funnel.

Preferably, the shape of one end of the outer casing is a cone.

Preferably, the film is made of a flexible material.

Preferably, the shape of the film is a truncated cone.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent to those skilled in the <RTIgt;

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS OF THE INVENTION Figures 1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

According to an embodiment of the invention, there is a breast pump system 100 comprising at least one inner casing 110, at least one film 120 and at least one outer casing 130. An inner chamber (hereinafter referred to as "first chamber") 141 is formed by the inner casing 110 and the film 120. An outer chamber (hereinafter referred to as "second chamber") 142 is formed by the film 120 and the outer casing 130.

As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the inner casing 110 is intended to rest against a portion of a female breast. The width and length of the inner casing 110 can be varied to match the nipple size of a female from a large sample group.

The inner casing 110 can be made of a non-flexible material such as plastic (eg, polyether enamel (PES) and polyphenyl hydrazine (PPSU)). The inner casing 110 can be shaped like a funnel. An edge of the inner casing 110 is bent back and extended.

The inner casing 110 includes at least one attachment point 112 for attaching the hose 150. The attachment point 112 can be disposed on the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110. It is understood that the inner casing 110 can include a plurality of attachment points 112 for connection to a plurality of hoses 150.

While one end of the hose 150 is coupled to the inner casing 110, the other end of the hose 150 is coupled to an external source (not shown). The external source is adapted to provide suction to an interior portion of the breast pump system 100 to facilitate milk flow from the breast milk. In various embodiments, the external source of suction can be an electric absorber that causes the breast pump system 100 to be operated by an electric motor. Alternatively, the external source of suction can be a manually operated suction device, i.e., by manually operating the vacuum suction device to generate the negative pressure required for pressurization.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the film 120 is configured to surround the inner casing 110 to form a first chamber 141 between the inner casing 110 and the film 120.

Film 120 can be made of a flexible material such as neon and rubber. The shape of the film 120 can be a truncated cone or a truncated cone. The width and length of the film 120 can be varied such that the film 120 can be fitted to the inner casing 110.

The film 120 is attached to the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110 by an adhesive, and in some embodiments is an oxygen-based adhesive. For example, a sil-poly viscous polymer can be used for attachment. The sil-poly viscous polymer may include one of Smooth-On Sil-Poxy, Dow Corning 736, and 3M Scotch-Weld EC-2216. Please understand that the adhesive is not limited to the oxygen-based adhesive. In some embodiments, any adhesive for permanently bonding the helium oxygen to the plastic may be employed for attachment. The extended surface 111 of the film 120 and the inner casing 110 can thus be permanently attached.

In other embodiments, the extended surface 111 of the film 120 and the inner casing 110 can be attached and detached by a user.

In some embodiments, the film 120 can be attached to an extended outer surface of the inner casing 110. In an alternate embodiment, the film 120 can be attached to an extended inner surface of the inner casing 110. At least a portion of the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110 is covered with a film 120, but the attachment points 112 are not covered with a film 120 to facilitate air flow. The hose 150 is coupled to the first chamber 141 via an attachment point 112. Once connected, air can enter the first chamber 141 and exit the first chamber 141 via the hose 150.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the outer casing 130 is configured to surround the membrane 120 to form a second chamber 142 between the membrane 120 and the outer casing 130. The second chamber 142 is for receiving a nipple of breast milk. The width and length of the outer casing 130 can be varied to fit the inner casing 110.

The outer casing 130 can be made of a non-flexible material such as plastic (eg, polyether enamel (PES) and polyphenyl hydrazine (PPSU)). An upper portion (also referred to as a "head") of the outer casing 130 may be shaped like a cone. The outer casing 130 is attached to the inner casing 110 that has been attached to the film 120. More specifically, the outer casing 130 can be attached to the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110. Please understand that the assembly procedure for the breast pump system 100 can vary.

When air exits the first chamber 141 via the hose 150 by an external source of suction, the first chamber 141 collapses and a vacuum is created on the second chamber 142 to draw milk from the nipple. Thereafter, when the air supplied from the external source enters the first chamber 141 via the hose 150, the first chamber 141 is enlarged and the second chamber 142 is filled with air. These effects are repeated until the external source is turned off.

Due to the above effects, the milk is pressed from the nipple of the breast milk and moved from the second chamber 142 to a region 140 formed between an outer surface of the film 120 and an inner surface of the outer casing 130. The region 140 is configured to direct the milk flow from the second chamber 142 to a storage container (not shown) due to the slope of the region 140. Since the hose 150 is not connected to the region 140, the breast pump system 100 is capable of preventing the milk from flowing back along the hose 150 connected to the external source.

Therefore, since the film 120 divides the first chamber 141, the second chamber 142, and the region 140, the film 120 functions as a backflow preventer. In view of the above, if there is no film 120 in the breast pump system 100, the breast pump system 100 can still operate, but the milk has a higher probability of running into the hose 150 (especially at the low point of the attachment point 112). The situation is especially good).

The storage container is for receiving milk. The lower portion of the outer casing 130 is coupled to the storage container. The lower portion of the outer casing 130 can be varied to be connected to a conventional feeding bottle. The storage container can be at least one of a bottle and a deformable plastic bag.

Although not shown, the breast pump system 100 can further include a valve for reducing the volume of air required for the external source to create a vacuum on the second chamber 142. The valve system is disposed between the lower portion of the outer casing 130 (eg, the connector 132) and the storage container. The lower portion of the outer casing 130 can be varied to connect to existing valves on the market. It is understood that the valve can be surrounded by the storage container and/or the lower portion of the outer casing 130. The valve alternately opens and closes fluid communication between the outer casing 130 and the storage container.

3, 4 and 5 illustrate exploded views of a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the breast pump system 100 includes an inner casing 110, a film 120, and a casing cover 130.

The edges of the inner casing 110 are bent back and extended. At least one attachment point 112 is disposed on the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110. The attachment point 112 can be connected to a hose 150 that is connected to an external source. For example, the attachment point 112 can be a protruding nipple to fit the hose 150.

The film 120 is attached to the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110. Specifically, the film 120 can be attached to one of the extended outer surface and the extended inner surface of the inner casing 110. Except for the attachment point 112, at least a portion of the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110 is covered with a film 120. Accordingly, the hose 150 is coupled to the first chamber 141 via the attachment point 112. Therefore, air can enter and exit the first chamber 141 via the hose 150.

Also, the outer casing 130 is attached to the inner casing 110. Here, the inner casing 110 has at least one hole 113 and the outer casing 130 has at least one hook 131, and the inner casing 110 and the outer casing 130 are assembled by fitting the hole 113 into the hook 131. Specifically, the first number of holes 113 are disposed on the extended surface 111 of the inner casing 110, and the second number of hooks 131 are disposed on the edges of the outer casing 130.

It is understood that the first number and the second number may be different so that the attachment point 112 can be positioned in various directions in which the milk is dripped.

Please also note that one of the first number and the second number is an integer multiple of the other of the first number and the second number, so that the attachment point 112 can be positioned in the various drops of milk. direction. In some embodiments, the second number can be a multiple of the first number. Here, the holes 113 can be equally spaced. Also, the hooks 131 can be equally spaced. For example, if the first number is three (3) and the second number is six (6), the breast pump system 100 can have six (6) positions.

It is also understood that the first number and the second number can be the same, and the holes 113 can be equally spaced and the hooks 131 can be equally spaced. For example, if the first number is three (3) and the second number is three (3), the breast pump system 100 can have three (3) positions.

The attachment method is not limited to fitting the hole 113 into the hook 131. For example, although not shown, a user can screw the outer casing 130 to the inner casing 110 for assembly.

6 and 7 illustrate examples of the inner casing sleeve and the outer casing sleeve hooks in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The inner casing 110 can have eight (8) holes 113a-113h, and the outer casing 130 can have four (4) hooks 131a-131d. The attachment point 112 for connecting to the hose 150 can be disposed between the first hole 113a and the second hole 113b.

Please understand that the number of holes 113 can be a multiple of the number of hooks 131. For example, the ratio of aperture 113 to hook 131 can be X: 1, where X is any number equal to or greater than one. Here, the holes 113 may be equally spaced. Also, the hooks 131 can be equally spaced. As with the above example, if the number of holes 113 is eight (8) and the number of hooks 131 is four (4), the breast pump system 100 can have eight (8) positions.

Please also be aware that the number of hooks 131 can be a multiple of the number of holes 113. For example, the ratio of the hooks 131 to the apertures 113 can be X: 1, where X is any number equal to or greater than one. Here, the holes 113 may be equally spaced. Also, the hooks 131 can be equally spaced. For example, if the number of holes 113 is four (4) and the number of hooks 131 is eight (8), the breast pump system 100 can have eight (8) positions.

As shown in FIG. 6, in one example, a woman may feel comfortable when the attachment point 112 is positioned in the north-north (NNE) direction. In this example, the first hole 113a is fitted into the first hook 131a, the third hole 113c is fitted into the second hook 131b, the fifth hole 113e is fitted into the third hook 131c, and the seventh hole 113g is fitted to the fourth Hook 131d.

As shown in FIG. 7, in another example, a woman may feel comfortable when the attachment point 112 is positioned in the South-South East (SSE) direction. In this example, the sixth hole 113f is fitted into the first hook 131a, the eighth hole 113h is fitted into the second hook 131b, the second hole 113b is fitted into the third hook 131c, and the fourth hole 113d is fitted to the fourth Hook 131d.

By the same token, there will be eight (8) positions at 45 degree intervals for the attachment points 112, enabling the female to find a comfortable position based on her clothing and/or suction position.

It is to be understood that the inner casing 110 and the outer casing 130 may have more or fewer locations depending on the number and/or position of the holes 113 and/or the hooks 131.

8, 9, and 10 are perspective views of a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

As shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10, the breast pump system 100 can be assembled with the inner casing 110, the membrane 120, and the outer casing 130. As described above, the inner casing 110 and the film 120 may be attached by an oxygen-based adhesive. Also, the inner casing 110 and the outer casing 130 can be attached by fitting the holes 113 into the hooks 131.

More specifically, air is drawn between the inner casing 110 and the film 120. The inner casing 110 and the film 120 are connected at both ends. The inner casing 110 is bent back on itself to provide a location for the film 120 to be joined, and a location to have attachment points 112 for the hose 150 to be attached, and a location for the outer casing 130 to be attached. On the opposite side, the film 120 is molded such that it cups over the end of the inner casing 110, but leaves the attachment point 112 exposed. Once the outer casing 130 is attached to the inner casing 110, a second chamber 142 into which the milk is drawn is formed. As long as the bond at the tip end between the inner casing 110 and the film 120 does not fail, there should be no milk running into the hose 150.

Since the breast pump system 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention has a backflow preventer built into the head of the breast pump system 100, its volume is smaller than that of a conventional breast pump. To this end, a woman can place the head of the breast pump system 100 under the bodice without the need for a special bra. Also, since the head of the breast pump system 100 remains in place under the bodice, the female can use both hands while using the breast pump system 100.

Moreover, since the breast pump system 100 according to various embodiments of the present invention does not have an external component as a backflow preventer, there is no need to clean the external components.

It is to be understood by those skilled in the art that <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt; </ RTI> <RTIgt;

100‧‧‧ breast pump system

110‧‧‧ inner casing

111‧‧‧Extended surface

112‧‧‧ Attachment

113,113a-113h‧‧ hole

120‧‧‧film

130‧‧‧Outer casing

131,131a-131d‧‧‧ hook

132‧‧‧Connector

140‧‧‧Area

141‧‧‧Internal chamber/first chamber

142‧‧‧outer chamber/second chamber

150‧‧‧Hose

The invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

1 and 2 are cross-sectional views showing a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

3, 4 and 5 are exploded views of a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

6 and 7 illustrate an example of a hole of an inner casing and a hook of an outer casing according to an embodiment of the present invention;

8, 9, and 10 are perspective views of a breast pump system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

The invention is susceptible to other configurations and thus the drawings are not to be construed as a

Claims (22)

A breast pump system comprising: an inner casing for resting against a portion of a breast milk, connected to an external suction source via a hose; a film configured to surround the inner casing to Forming a first chamber between the inner casing and the film; and an outer casing configured to surround the film to form a second chamber between the film and the outer casing to receive the breast a nipple, wherein when the air exits the first chamber through the hose by the external suction source, the first chamber collapses and a vacuum is generated on the second chamber to extract milk from the nipple . The breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the first chamber is enlarged and the second chamber is filled with the air when the air enters the first chamber via the hose through the external suction source. The breast pump system of claim 1, further comprising a storage container for receiving the milk, wherein the outer casing is coupled to the storage container. The breast pump system of claim 3, further comprising a valve for reducing a volume of air required for the external source to generate a vacuum on the second chamber, wherein the valve is disposed on the outer casing Between storage containers. The breast pump system of claim 3, wherein an area between an outer surface of the film and an inner surface of the outer casing is configured to direct the flow of milk from the second chamber to the storage container. A breast pump system according to claim 1, wherein an edge of the inner casing is bent back and extended. The breast pump system of claim 6, wherein the inner casing includes at least one attachment point for attaching the hose. The breast pump system of claim 7, wherein the attachment point is disposed on an extended surface of the inner casing. The breast pump system of claim 8, wherein the film is attached to an extended surface of the inner casing. The breast pump system of claim 9, wherein the film covers at least a portion of the extended surface except the attachment point. The breast pump system of claim 9, wherein the film is attached to the inner casing by an adhesive. The breast pump system of claim 11, wherein the adhesive is an oxygen-based adhesive. The breast pump system of claim 12, wherein the oxygen-based adhesive comprises a sil-poly adhesive. The breast pump system of claim 8, wherein the outer casing is attached to an extended surface of the inner casing. The breast pump system of claim 14, wherein the inner casing includes a first number of holes and the outer casing includes a second number of hooks, and the inner casing and the outer casing are fitted by the holes Assemble into the hooks. The breast pump system of claim 15, wherein the first number and the second number are different such that the attachment point can be positioned in various directions in which the milk is dripped. The breast pump system of claim 15, wherein one of the first number and the second number is an integer multiple of the other of the first number and the second number, such that the attachment point is It can be positioned in various directions that the milk is dripping, and the holes and the hooks are equally spaced. The breast pump system of claim 1, wherein at least one of the inner casing and the outer casing is made of a non-flexible material. The breast pump system of claim 18, wherein the inner casing is shaped as a funnel. The breast pump system of claim 18, wherein the shape of one end of the outer casing is a cone. The breast pump system of claim 1, wherein the film is made of a flexible material. The breast pump system of claim 21, wherein the film is in the shape of a truncated cone.