US1959098A - Pump operating mechanism - Google Patents

Description

y 1934. P. A. FRIMAND PUMP OPERATING MECHANISM Filed July 14, 1931 HE bfi ii- 1!! w W G Ll I h m mm m a 5 meaoe 246 604 m a w 2 5 ma a w: J w y w l. H 9v Hu l w w m j w ////////H//H, a 0 z u I -w Z J J ,1 I .ilwfi Patented May 15, 1934 My invention relates generally to .breast pump apparatus and more particularly to pump apparatus of this design equipped with a pulsator mechanism.

It is one of the objects of my present invention to provide a breast pump apparatus which is of extremely simple and practical construction and which is very efficient in operation.

One of the diificulties presented in using conventional pump mechanisms with which I am familiar is that the accumulation of foreign matter within portions of the machine, as, for example, the tube connecting the milk receptacle with the pump proper is in some instances forced back into the receptacle, and it is one of the important objects of my present invention to overcome these difliculties by providing an apparatus which positively prevents the passage of milk vapor or other foreign matter from the above mentioned tube into the milk container during the compression or return stroke of the pump.

More specifically, my invention contemplates the provision of a breast pump mechanism having a pulsator interposed between the milk receptacle or container and the pump proper.

Another object of my invention is to provide in an apparatus of the type set forth above a pulsator of very economical and durable construction, which is adapted to be connected with a manually or mechanically operated pump mechanism.

A still further object is to provide a portable pump mechanism of simplified construction, which is comprised of relatively few parts and which may be operated by the users hand or foot, said pump mechanism being provided with means for frictionally engaging the sLuface upon which the pump is placed for operation to render the same conveniently operable with a minimum amount of effort and skill.

A further object of my invention is to provide a pump of the reciprocable type having adjustable abutment means to control the stroke of the pump in accordance with the degree-of vacuum required.

These and numerous other objects and advantages will be more apparent from the following detailed description when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein- Figure 1 is a perspective elevational view of my complete breast pump apparatus;

Figure 2 is an enlarged sectional view of the 'pulsator and associated portions of the milk receptacle, said view being shown to more clearly illustrate the structural and functional characteristics of said pulsator; V

Figure 3 is a transverse sectional View of the pulsator taken substantially along the line 3-3 of Figure 2, the inner shiftable sleeve being shown in elevation to more clearly illustrate the structural arrangement of the pulsator;

Figure 4 is an enlarged vertical sectional view of the pump proper taken substantially along the line 4-4 of Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a plan view of the right end of the pump shown in Figure 4; and

Figure 6 is a vertical sectional view of a modified pulsator construction.

Referring now to the drawing more in detail wherein like numerals have been employed to designate similar parts throughout the various figures, it will be seen that one embodiment of my invention, which is clearly shown in Figure 1, includes a milk receptacle or bottle 10, a breast shield 12 mounted within a stopper 14 of the bottle, a pulsator indicated generally by the numeral 16, and a reciprocable pump mechanism 18 which is connected with said pulsator by means of a flexible conduit or tube 20. Heretofore it has been the practice in certain instances to couple a milk receptacle directly with a reciprocable pump. Under such conditions one stroke of the pump serves to subject the receptacle chamber to vacuum conditions so as to draw milk into the shield or breast appliance 12, and on the return or compressing stroke. of the pump pressure relief means has been provided. Attention is directed to the fact that my invention contemplates the use of the pulsator 16 to connect the receptacle chamber with the pump 18.

This pulsator 16 includes an outer section or casing 22, Figures 2 and 3, which is adapted to be received by an aperture 24 in the resilient or rubber stopper 14. A collar 26 surrounding the casing 22 bears against the upper surface of the stopper and thus limits the degree to which the easing 22 may be inserted. Obviously the collar 26 may be formed integral with the casing 22 without departing from the scope of my invention. A pair of oppositely disposed apertures 28 extend through the casing 22 and collar 26, as clearly shown in Figure 2, and these apertures are adapted, when an inner tubular member 30 occupies the position shown in Figure 2, to establish atmospheric communication with the inner passageway 32 of said member through radial ports 34, and an annular passage 35. Secured to the upper end of the outer casing 22 is a coupling or elbow 36, and this elbow is provided with a nipple 38 which is adapted to receive one extremity of the flexible tube 20, the opposite end of said tube being connected with a nipple 40 provided at one end of a cylinder 42 of the pump 18, Figure 4.

The inner tubular member 30 of the pulsator 16 is reciprocable within the casing 22 and is closed at its upper end in any suitable manner, as, for example, by a plug 44. A ball valve 46 is adapted by the force of gravity to seat itself at the upper end of the longitudinal passageway 32, as clearly shown in Figure 2, thereby closing communication between said passageway and a chamber 48 positioned at the upper end thereof. This chamber 48 communicates with oppositely disposed radial ports 50 in the tubular section or member 30, and these ports are adapted to communicate with the chamber or passage 32 within the coupling 36 when the tubular member 30 is shifted to its upper position shown in Figure 3.

The upward movement or shifting of the tubular member 30 is occasioned in response to the force exerted by the pump 18 during the suction stroke of a pump piston 54 (to the right), Figure 4. This suction stroke of the piston 54 serves to shift the tubular member 30 to the position shown in Figure 3, and in this position the ball valve 46 becomes unseated, thereby establishing communication between the chamber 52 and the passageway 32 through the radial ports 50 and the chamber 48. Thus, upon the stroke of the piston 54 to the right, the chamber of the milk receptacle 10 is subjected to a vacuum and the tube 30 is automatically shifted upwardly; Shifting the valve to this position closes the ports 34, and, as stated above, establishes communication between the chamber of the receptacle 10 and the pump cylinder 42 through the ports 50.

Upon the reverse stroke of the pump piston 54, the ball valve instantly seats itself and the tube 30 immediately shifts to the position shown in Figure 2 through the action of gravity and is also assisted by the vacuum conditions Within the container 10. When the tube 30 reaches its lowermost position shown in Figure 2, communication between the chamber of the receptacle 10 and the atmosphere is established through the ports 28, 34 and 35. The seating of the ball valve 46 takes place immediately upon the discontinuance of the vacuum action of the 'pump, and this seating of the ball valve positively insures the return of the tubular section 30 to the position shown in Figure 2. This will be apparent when it is understood that the seating of the valve occurs instantaneously upon the completion of the stroke of the pump piston and before the vacuum within the chamber of the receptacle 10 is disturbed. Hence, said vacuum will eifect the sudden and positive downward movement of the tube 30. This fact is important from a practical standpoint. In some instances milk vapors become lodged between the surfaces of the tube 30 and the casing 22, thereby requiring additional force to shift the tube within the casing. By employing my im proved ball valve and associated pulsator structure, I positively insure the downward shifting of the tube within the casing so as to subject the receptacle chamber to atmospheric conditions. The sudde'n'closirig of the-ba1l valve immediately upon the completion of the suction stroke of the upon the floor.

breast pump apparatus with which I am familiar. Any accumulation of foreign matter within the flexible tube 20 of the pump cylinder is positively prevented from entering the milk container because the ball valve closes instantly upon the completion of the suction stroke of the pump. By preventing the return of foreign matters or milk vapor into the container, the possibility of infection is avoided. The alternate subjection of the chamber within the milk receiving receptacle 10 to vacuum and atmospheric conditions gives the desired pulsating effect within the breast appliance 12. Upon the return or compressing stroke of the pump piston 54 to the left, Figure 4, the air from the advancing side of the piston within the cylinder 42 passes out of said cylinder between the periphery of the piston and the internal wall of the cylinder. Thus during the return or compressing stroke of the pump milk condensation taken into the tube or pump during its suction stroke may pass out of the cylinder without reentering the milk container. The pump is so arranged that a very slight compression takes place upon the movement of the piston to the left. However, on the movement of the piston to the right the desired degree of vacuum may be maintained within the milk receiving receptacle during the movement of said piston.

In Figure 6 I have disclosed a modified pulsator which I have designated by the numeral 16a.

This pulsator is similar in many respects to the pulsator 16, but is not provided with a ball valve, nor is it provided with ports similar to the ports 50 of the pulsator 16. For purposes of conveniently comparing the elements in the pulsator 16a which cor-respond with the elements in the pulsator 16, similar figures with the sufiix a, have been employed. It will be seen that the outer casing 220/, is connected with a coupling 36a, and an inner tubular member 30a is reciprocable within the casing 22a. The tubular member 30a is provided with an internal longitudinal recess 32a which is closed at its upper end by means of a cap 44a. Radial ports 34a and an annular port or passage 35a serve to establish atmospheric communication with the central passage 32a when the tubular member 30a occupies the position shown in Figure 6. When said tubular member is shifted to its uppermost position, the annular passage 35a clears the upper end of the casing 22a and thereby serves to connect the pump for evacuation pur poses with the chamber of the milk receptacle.

The pump mechanism 18 has certain structural features which render the same very practical, and in this connection it 'will be seen that a reciprocable boxlike member 56 is provided, which is coupled with a piston rod 56 connected at one extremity to the piston 54. The boxlike structure or member 56 is reciproca'ble within a suitable case member 60. The base member '60 includes side walls or guides 60a and end walls 60b. The side wall 60a'cooperates with companion side walls of the member 56 so as to guide said member during the reciprocation thereof. Resilient feet 62 are provided on the underside of the base 60, while similar resilient members 64 are provided on the outer surface of the reciprocable boxlike member 56. These members '62 and'64 serve to set up an increase in frictional resistance with the work piece upon which the pump mechanism is placed so as to prevent one part from slipping when the other part is reciprocated. The base is so'designed that 'it maybe conveniently arranged inltheusers lap, on the bed, chair, or even When placed upon the floor the plates the use of power driven pumps.

user employs foot power by merely placing the foot on the members 34, with the member 62 resting upon the floor. The boxlike structure 56 may be conveniently gripped by the hand and thus manually operated at any desired speed.

I provide an abutment 66 which is adapted to be adjustably secured in various positions along the bottom of the base 60 by means of a screw 68. The length of the stroke of the pump piston will determine the degree of vacuum within the chamber of the milk receptacle 10, and hence by controlling the piston stroke, a predetermined vacuum during each stroke will be obtained. By setting the abutment 66 at the position which aiTords the proper vacuum condition, the pump may be operated without the necessity of employing expensive and complicated gauges. I provide graduations along the surface of the base 60, as clearly shown in Figure 5, so as to facilitate the proper setting of the abutment 66. The pumping mechanism 18 is extremely simple in construction and may be dismantled for purposes of repair or replacement by merely lifting the boxlike member 56 away from the base 60.

From the foregoing it will be apparent that my invention contemplates the provision of a very simple and efiiciently operable breast pump apparatus. All of the mechanical structures may be manufactured by the practice of conventional machine shop methods and the parts thereof are exceedingly few in number. Thus, the entire device can be manufactured at a very small cost. Obviously the invention is not limited to the use of manually operated pumps, but also contem- The invention is not limited to the specific structural features of the pulsator disclosed in the drawing, but is capable of numerous other modifications and changes without departing from the spirit and scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of an elongated base, manually operable means shiftable upon and longitudinally of said base, a cylinder secured to said base, a piston within said cylinder, and means connecting said piston with said manually operable means, said manually operable means being detachably arranged with respect to said base.

2. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the

combination of an elongated base, manually operable means shiftable upon and longitudinally of said base, a cylinder secured to said base, a piston within said cylinder, means connecting said piston with said manually operable means, and means carried by the base and adapted to prevent slippage of the base with respect to the surface against which it may be applied during the shifting of said manually operable member.

3. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of an elongated base, manually operable means shiftable upon and longitudinally of said base, a cylinder secured to said base, a piston within said cylinder, means connecting said piston with said manually operable means, and means carried by the shiftable member adapted to be engaged by the users foot in such a manner as to prevent slippage.

4. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of an elongated base, manually operable means shiftable upon and longitudinally of said base, a piston within said cylinder, means connecting said piston with said manually operable means, and members extending laterally of said base along the margins thereof to provide guides for said manually shiftable means.

5. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of a base, piston operating means shiftable on the base, a cylinder on said base, a piston within said cylinder connected with said shiftable means, and adjustable abutment means for limiting the stroke or the piston in accordance with the degree of vacuum required when the pump is in use.

6. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of a base, piston operating means shiftable on the base, a cylinder on said base, a piston within said cylinder connected with said shiftable means, and adjustable abutment means mounted upon said base and adapted to be shifted therealong into various positions in accordance with the degree of vacuum required when the pump is in use.

'7. In a breast pump operating mechanism, the combination of a base, a fiuid actuator carried by said base, said actuator including a cylinder and piston construction, actuator operating means shiftable upon said base, and means for adjustably limiting the length of stroke of said actuator in accordance with the degree of vacuum required when the pump is in use.

PETER A. FRIMAND.

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