Breast pump
First Claim
1. A breast milk pumping and collection system for expressing and collecting human milk, the improvements comprising concealed components wherein at least one nipple cap covers the nipple portion of a human female breast presenting a low external profile to permit inconspicuous use beneath outer garments, said breast milk pumping and collection system including support means to press said nipple cap sealingly against said breast so as to be substantially concealed beneath said outer garments, said nipple cap comprising a hollow cavity having outside and inside surfaces to surround and enclose a nipple drawn out by vacuum without blocking flow from milk ducts at the tip of said nipple, said hollow cavity further including:
- a.) an annular opening through which said nipple is received, b.) a substantially conical flange portion coaxial with said annular opening, said flange portion serving to cushion said breast while stimulating the lactiferous glands beneath the areola of said breast and providing a vacuum seal between said breast and said annular opening;
c.) a milk delivery port communicating with said hollow cavity, said milk delivery port further communicating with a milk collection reservoir;
d.) means to develop a negative pressure in said hollow cavity and e.) said milk collection reservoir.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A concealed apparatus for hands free breast milk pumping and collection includes one or more low profile nipple caps held in place beneath a support brassiere or other minimally conspicuous confinement. The system permits substantially concealed, hands free breast pumping in a public environment without any remarkable change in the user'"'"'s visible appearance. Milk is expressed from the breasts through novel, low profile nipple caps linked to a membranous collection reservoir which is optionally designed for milk storage and delivery to the infant user.
106 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A breast milk pumping and collection system for expressing and collecting human milk, the improvements comprising concealed components wherein at least one nipple cap covers the nipple portion of a human female breast presenting a low external profile to permit inconspicuous use beneath outer garments, said breast milk pumping and collection system including support means to press said nipple cap sealingly against said breast so as to be substantially concealed beneath said outer garments, said nipple cap comprising a hollow cavity having outside and inside surfaces to surround and enclose a nipple drawn out by vacuum without blocking flow from milk ducts at the tip of said nipple, said hollow cavity further including:
- a.) an annular opening through which said nipple is received, b.) a substantially conical flange portion coaxial with said annular opening, said flange portion serving to cushion said breast while stimulating the lactiferous glands beneath the areola of said breast and providing a vacuum seal between said breast and said annular opening;
c.) a milk delivery port communicating with said hollow cavity, said milk delivery port further communicating with a milk collection reservoir;
d.) means to develop a negative pressure in said hollow cavity and e.) said milk collection reservoir. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 14, 15, 16)
- a.) an annular opening through which said nipple is received, b.) a substantially conical flange portion coaxial with said annular opening, said flange portion serving to cushion said breast while stimulating the lactiferous glands beneath the areola of said breast and providing a vacuum seal between said breast and said annular opening;
- 2. An annular nipple cap to cover the fore portion of a human female breast, said nipple cap being of low profile and comprising a hollow cavity having outside and inside surfaces to surround and enclose a nipple providing room in said hollow cavity to permit said nipple to be distended by vacuum without blocking flow from milk ducts at the tip of said nipple, said hollow cavity further including a) an annular opening through which said nipple is received, b) a substantially conical flange portion, said flange portion serving to cushion said breast while stimulating the lactiferous glands beneath the areola of said breast and providing a vacuum seal between said breast and said annular opening, and c. a milk delivery port communicating between said hollow cavity and a breastmilk collection reservoir.
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13. A membranous milk collection bag having a more rigid fill port approximately 12 mm in outside diameter, said fill port being sized to sealingly fit inside the resilient nursing nipple of a breast-type feeding container for direct dispensation to a user infant, said membranous milk collection bag containing a volume of approximately 50 ml to 200 ml consistent with typical breastmilk production.
Specification