Nipple passage insert and breast pump

Abstract

The utility model relates to a nipple passage insert for a breast pump and a breast pump. The breast pump can satisfy the individual needs of the user and thus improve the comfort of the user when using the breast pump. The breast pump has a breast shield with a nipple passage adapted to receive a nipple of a lactating user, a collection piece for providing a cyclical pressure within the nipple passage for expressing milk from the breast of the lactating user, and a milk container defining a reservoir adapted to contain a predetermined amount of expressed milk, and further comprising a nipple passage insert having a tubular section adapted to be received within the nipple passage and defining a first end of the nipple passage insert, an expanded section defining a second end of the nipple passage insert, and a curved intermediate section disposed between the tubular section and the expanded section, wherein an outer peripheral surface of the tubular section is provided with a circumferential sealing lip adapted to sealingly cooperate with an inner peripheral surface of the nipple passage.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention includes a breast pump with a nipple channel suitable for receiving the nipple of a lactating user. Furthermore, the breast pump has an assembly for providing cyclic suction pressure within the nipple channel for expressing milk from the lactating user's breast. Additionally, the breast pump has a milk container defining a reservoir suitable for holding a predetermined amount of expressed milk. Background Technology

[0002] Such breast pumps are known, for example, from WO2022 / 238348A1. In this prior art, a breast pump suitable for mounting inside a bra includes a milk container and a breast shield, while the assembly is positioned away from the unit that can be mounted inside the bra, and is therefore worn by the user as a hands-free breast pump that does not require user support to maintain in the use position. In the use position, the nozzle is located in the upper part of the milk container, typically at its highest point in the vertical direction, making it unlikely that milk contained in the milk container will spill from the nozzle even if the user is moving and, for example, bending forward with the upper part of the body.

[0003] For example, a breast pump at least partially shaped to fit inside a bra is known from WO2018 / 229504A1. This breast pump has a hemispherical housing, wherein the front of the housing is convex and adapted to rest against the bra. This front surface mimics the natural shape of the breast; the rear of the housing is concave and provides a receiving portion for inserting breast shield elements and their nipple channels.

[0004] WO2022 / 268998 describes another breast pump that is at least partially shaped to fit inside a bra. This prior art breast pump has an annular housing sandwiched between a flange of a breast shield element and a milk container connected to a nipple channel of the breast shield element, thereby sandwiching the housing between the flange and the milk container.

[0005] In particular, breast pumps suitable for at least partial mounting inside a bra have a breast shield specifically adapted to mate with a coupling of the breast pump, the coupling being designed to easily allow communication between the nipple channel and the milk container during the assembly of the basic components of the breast pump. This also applies to the operational connection between the nipple channel and the assembly that provides cyclic suction pressure within the nipple channel to express milk.

[0006] For optimal milk production, the nipple needs to be properly positioned within the nipple canal. The nipple must be aligned and centered within the nipple canal, leaving a small space between the nipple and the canal wall. Because different users of breast pumps have varying nipple and breast geometries, the nipple canal of the breast pump may not always be optimally suited to the user's specific physiological characteristics. Breast pumps are known to be available in different sizes with suitable geometries to meet the specific needs of particular users. Utility Model Content

[0007] The purpose of this invention is to provide an economical breast pump that can meet the individual needs of users and thus improve their comfort when using the breast pump.

[0008] As a solution to this objective, the present invention provides an insert suitable for reception within a nipple canal. The nipple canal insert has a first end defined by a tubular section of the nipple canal insert. When a breast pump is used, this first end leads to a protruding front end of the nipple canal away from the user. The nipple canal insert also has an expansion section defining a second end of the nipple canal insert. The expansion section is adapted to mate with a flange section of a breast shield, which is generally adapted to seal against the user's breast. Furthermore, the nipple canal insert has a curved intermediate section disposed between the expansion section and the tubular section. The tubular section may extend along the longitudinal axis of the nipple canal insert. Specifically, the tubular section may be provided with a cylindrical wall section defining an inner peripheral wall extending parallel to the longitudinal axis of the nipple canal insert. The expansion section may be provided with an inner conical surface, which preferably integrates into the inner cylindrical wall with a smooth radius without steps. The inner conical surface is preferably planar. The inner conical surface has an opening angle of approximately 130 to 140 degrees, preferably 120 ± 3 degrees. The inner diameter of the cylindrical wall section can be 15 mm. Naturally, the breast pump can be adapted to mate with nipple channel inserts of various sizes, the nipple channel inserts varying particularly with respect to the inner diameter of the cylindrical wall section provided by the cylindrical wall section. The inner diameter can vary between 15 mm and 24 mm. The tubular section can have an axial length of at least 22 mm, preferably at least 25 mm. However, the axial length of the tubular section can not exceed 40 mm, preferably not exceeding 30 mm. Therefore, even longer nipples can be accommodated within the nipple channel insert when it is used during operation of the breast pump.

[0009] The outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel insert typically consists generally only of an annular segment, an expansion segment, and a curved intermediate segment. The corresponding curved intermediate segment on the outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel insert is preferably purely concave. The outer peripheral surface of the expansion segment can be flat and / or concave. Any concave segment of the expansion segment can be incorporated into the expansion segment at the outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel insert, which can be incorporated into the tubular segment, particularly into a flat proximal circumferential end segment at the proximal end of the tubular segment, which is incorporated into the intermediate curved segment.

[0010] At the opposite end, the tubular section is provided with a peripheral tubular end section providing an outer cylindrical surface. This peripheral tubular end section is provided by a distal end section of the tubular section, which provides the first end of the nipple channel insert. The distal end section is chamfered, so that the wall thickness decreases progressively toward the first end of the nipple channel insert. The radius of the peripheral tubular end section may correspond to the total outer radius of the tubular section. This outer radius protrudes radially through at least one circumferential sealing lip adapted to sealably engage with the inner circumferential surface of the nipple channel. In other words, the tubular section provides a seal between the nipple channel insert and the nipple channel of the breast shield. A corresponding seal is provided in the radial direction. Additionally, the expansion section may engage with a flange of the nipple channel to position the nipple channel insert at least axially within the nipple channel. Furthermore, the engagement between the surface provided by the flange and the peripheral surface of the expansion section provides a further seal between the nipple channel and the nipple channel insert.

[0011] Based on conventional design, the tubular segment has more than one circumferential sealing lip. In fact, the tubular segment preferably has multiple circumferential sealing lips spaced apart from each other in the longitudinal direction of the nipple channel insert. When positioned within the nipple channel, the outer peripheral tubular end portion of the tubular segment provides an annular space between the nipple channel and the nipple channel insert. This annular space leads to the rear end of the nipple channel.

[0012] To reduce weight and make the nipple channel insert more flexible, at least two of the circumferential sealing lips are each supported by a circumferential edge segment, wherein at least one circumferentially extending chamber is defined between two adjacent circumferential edge segments. This chamber has an outer radius smaller than the outer circumferential surface provided, for example, by a distal end segment and / or a proximal end segment. In cross-sectional view, the chamber's cross-sectional shape is curved. Multiple chambers may be axially spaced from each other. In cross-sectional view, these multiple chambers and the circumferential edge segments separating these chambers provide a wavy outer cross-sectional surface geometry. Preferably, each of the circumferential edge segments is provided with a circumferential sealing lip. More preferably, and to adjust the stiffness of the nipple channel insert, an annular segment is provided with a longitudinal rib extending between two circumferential edge segments, thereby separating at least two chambers between these two adjacent circumferential edge segments. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Other details, advantages, or features of the present invention will become apparent from the following description of specific embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0014] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the various components and elements of the breast pump according to the first embodiment of the present invention;

[0015] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A perspective side view of the first embodiment of the nipple channel insert;

[0016] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 Top view of the nipple channel insert;

[0017] Figure 4 yes Figures 1 to 3 Side view of the nipple channel insert;

[0018] Figure 5 It is based on Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line VV;

[0019] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 3 A cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV;

[0020] Figure 7 This is a perspective side view of an alternative second embodiment of the nipple channel insert;

[0021] Figure 8 yes Figure 7 A side view of the second embodiment;

[0022] Figure 9 It is along Figure 7and Figure 8 A cross-sectional view of the second embodiment. Detailed Implementation

[0023] Figure 1 This is an exploded view of the various components and elements of an embodiment of a breast pump. According to... Figure 1 The breast pump includes a housing 100, a breast shield element 200, and a milk container 300.

[0024] The housing 100 has a central opening 102 providing a receiving portion 104. The breast shield element 200 has a flange section 202 integrally formed with the nipple channel 204. The breast shield element 200 is made of a transparent material. The front end of the nipple channel 204 is provided with threads 206 for connecting the breast shield element 200 to the milk container 300 after the nipple channel 204 has advanced through the receiving portion 104, such that the housing 100 is sandwiched between the breast shield element 200 and the milk container 300.

[0025] A two-way valve 208 is provided at the front free end of the nipple channel 204.

[0026] The milk container 300 includes a container shell element 302 and a lid element 304, which can be connected to each other to thereby enclose the milk chamber 306. The lid element 304 is hinged to the container element 302 at its lower end via a hinge 308. Conversely, the upper end 106 is provided with a nozzle closure element 310, which not only secures the lid element 304 against the container shell element 302 to properly enclose the milk chamber 306, but also provides a nozzle 312 to pour milk out of the milk chamber 306 while the container shell element 302 is still connected to the lid element 304.

[0027] exist Figure 1 In the attached drawing, reference numeral 106 identifies the upper end of the housing 100, where a user interface 108 is provided. When the breast pump is assembled and the flange portion 202 of the breast shield element 200 is placed against the user's breast in the use position, the user interface 108 faces the user's face. The user interface 108 is operatively connected to a controller 110 that controls the assembly 112; both are arranged within the housing 100. Operation of the assembly 112 provides cyclic suction pressure within the nipple channel 204.

[0028] Between the housing 100 and the cover element 304 Figure 1 A membrane element 400 is shown, which can be releasably connected to a cap element 304 to enclose the pumping chamber 402 within the milk container 300, as further detailed in EP 4112092 A1.

[0029] The prior art also includes additional information regarding a nipple channel receiving portion 314 protruding from the flat section of the cover element 304 into the milk chamber 306. This nipple channel receiving portion 314 is provided with additional threads 316 adapted to engage with the threads 206 of the nipple channel 204 to secure the breast shield element 200 against the milk container 300. Figure 1 Reference numeral 600 in the figure indicates a first embodiment of a nipple channel insert that can be inserted into the nipple channel 204.

[0030] Figures 2 to 6 Details of the nipple channel insert 600 are shown, which has a tubular section 620, an expansion section 660, and a curved intermediate section 680 located between the tubular section 620 and the expansion section 660.

[0031] The tubular segment 620 has a distal end segment 622 and a distal inner peripheral surface 626. The distal end segment 622 provides a cylindrical distal outer peripheral surface 624. The distal inner peripheral surface 626 is chamfered and thus tapers toward the first end 602 of the nipple channel 600.

[0032] The opposite end of the tubular segment 620 is provided by the proximal end segment 628, which is separated from the middle segment 632 of the tubular segment 620 by a proximal circumferential sealing lip 630.

[0033] Similar to the distal peripheral surface 624, the proximal end segment 628 and the intermediate segment 632 each have a generally cylindrical surface; comparative Figure 5 Furthermore, the tubular segment 620 has a central circumferential sealing lip 636 and a distal circumferential sealing lip 638 disposed between the central segment 632 and the distal end segment 622. (As from...) Figure 2 Of particular notice, these sealing lips 632, 636, and 638 are each disposed on a circumferential edge section 640 having the outer diameter of a distal end section 622. Between these sealing lips 632, 636, and 638, a plurality of longitudinal ribs 642 extend along the longitudinal and axial directions of the nipple channel insert 600, each longitudinal rib 642 dividing a chamber 644. In fact, four chambers 644 are arranged circumferentially spaced between each of the sealing lips 632, 636, and 638, separated by the longitudinal ribs 642. The outermost radius 646 of the longitudinal ribs 642 is the same as the outermost radius 648 of the circumferential edge section 640 and the distal outer peripheral surface 624 of the distal end section 622. The chambers 644 and the longitudinal ribs 642 are similarly disposed in the proximal end section 628.

[0034] The corresponding construction of the tubular section 620 reduces the weight of the nipple channel insert 600 and provides the required flexibility as well as sufficient stiffness in the axial and radial directions.

[0035] As from Figure 5 Clearly, the cylindrical surface depicted at this point in the proximal end section 628 is joined to the curved intermediate section 680 without steps, and the curved intermediate section 680 is joined to the outer peripheral surface 662 of the expansion section 660 without steps.

[0036] Similar to the distal end section 622, the cross-sectional shape of the expansion section 660 is fully chamfered, causing the expansion section 660 to taper toward the second end 604 of the nipple channel insert 600.

[0037] Specifically, no steps are provided on the outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel insert 600 located between the tubular section 620 and the expansion section 660. This outer surface of the nipple channel insert 600 is defined only by the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 620, the purely concave outer peripheral surface of the curved intermediate section 680, and the straight or concave outer peripheral surface of the expansion section 660.

[0038] Figure 5 The message conveyed is that the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section 620 is substantially cylindrical, and this cylindrical surface is interrupted by the circumferentially extending chamber 644 (see...). Figure 2 , Figure 4 The chamber provides a recess within a cylindrical surface defined by the outermost radius 646 of the longitudinal rib 642 and the outermost radius 648 of the circumferential edge segment 640, which protrudes radially through sealing lips 630, 636, 638. In other words, these sealing lips 630, 636, 638 cause the cylindrical surface to protrude radially.

[0039] Figures 7 to 9 A second embodiment of the nipple channel insert 600 is illustrated, wherein the inner and outer peripheral surfaces of the expansion section 660 and the curved intermediate section 680 are identical to those of the first embodiment. The tubular section 620 has an uninterrupted cylindrical outer surface that protrudes radially only through sealing lips 630, 636, and 638. All other details are the same as in the first embodiment.

[0040] List of reference numerals

[0041] 100 housing

[0042] 102 opening

[0043] 104 Reception Department

[0044] 106 upper end

[0045] 108 User Interface

[0046] 110 controller

[0047] 112 assembly components

[0048] 200 breast shield components

[0049] 202 Flange Section

[0050] 204 Nipple Channel

[0051] 206 thread

[0052] 208 Two-way Valve Element

[0053] 300 milk containers

[0054] 302 container shell element

[0055] 304 cover element

[0056] 306 Milk Room

[0057] 308 hinge

[0058] 310 Nozzle Sealing Element

[0059] 312 nozzle

[0060] 314 Nipple Canal Reception Section

[0061] 316 thread

[0062] 400 membrane

[0063] 402 Pumping Room

[0064] 600 nipple channel insert

[0065] 602 First end

[0066] 604 Second End

[0067] 620 Tubular Section

[0068] 622 distal end section

[0069] 624 distal peripheral surface

[0070] 626 distal inner circumferential surface

[0071] 628 Proximal End Section

[0072] 630 Proximal circumferential sealing lip

[0073] 632 Middle Section

[0074] 636 Intermediate Circumferential Sealing Lip

[0075] 638 distal circumferential sealing lip

[0076] 640 circumferential edge section

[0077] 642 longitudinal ribs

[0078] 644 Circumferential Extension Chamber

[0079] The outermost radius of the 646 longitudinal rib section

[0080] The outermost radius of the 648 circumferential edge section

[0081] 660 expansion section

[0082] 662 peripheral surface

[0083] 680-degree bend in the middle section

[0084] 682 concave section

[0085] 684 peripheral surface.

Claims

1. A nipple channel insert (600) for use in a breast pump, the breast pump comprising: A breast shield (200) having a nipple channel (204) adapted to receive the nipple of a breastfeeding user. A collection member (112) for providing circulating pressure within the nipple channel (204) for expressing milk from the breast of a lactating user; and a milk container (300) defining a milk chamber (306) adapted to contain a predetermined amount of expressed milk, characterized in that the nipple channel insert (600) has a tubular section (620) adapted to be received within the nipple channel (204) and defining a first end (602) of the nipple channel insert (600), an expansion section (660) defining a second end (604) of the nipple channel insert (600), and a curved intermediate section (680) disposed between the tubular section (620) and the expansion section (660), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620) is provided with a slit circumferential sealing lip adapted to sealably engage with the inner peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204).

2. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the tubular segment (620) is provided with at least two circumferential sealing lips spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tubular segment (620), each sealing lip being adapted to seal against the inner peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204).

3. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 2, characterized in that, Each of the at least two circumferential sealing lips is supported by a circumferential edge segment (640), wherein at least one circumferential extension chamber (644) is defined between two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640).

4. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 3, characterized in that, At least two circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

5. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 4, characterized in that, The outermost radius (646) of the longitudinal rib (642) is the same as the outermost radius (648) of the circumferential edge segment (640).

6. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 4, characterized in that, At least three circumferential sealing lips are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tubular section (620), wherein each sealing lip is adapted to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the nipple channel (204) and is supported by a circumferential edge section (640), wherein at least two circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between each of two adjacent circumferential edge sections (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

7. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 6, characterized in that, At least three circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between each of two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

8. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tubular section (620) is chamfered toward the first end (602).

9. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The expansion section (660) is chamfered toward the second end (604).

10. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The entire outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204) insert is defined by the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620), the straight or concave outer peripheral surface of the expansion section (660), and the concave outer peripheral surface of the curved intermediate section (680), wherein the concave outer peripheral surface of the curved intermediate section (680) connects the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620) with the straight or concave outer peripheral surface of the expansion section (660).

11. The nipple channel insert (600) according to claim 1, characterized in that, The tubular section (620) has an outer peripheral tubular end section disposed between the first end (602) and the circumferential sealing lip near the first end (602), the tubular end section being adapted to provide an annular space between the nipple channel (204) and the nipple channel insert (600), the annular space leading to the rear end of the nipple channel (204).

12. A breast pump, characterized in that, The breast pump includes: a breast shield (200) having a nipple channel (204) adapted to receive the nipple of a lactating user; a manifold (112) for providing circulating pressure within the nipple channel (204) for expressing milk from the breast of a lactating user; and a milk container (300) defining a milk chamber (306) adapted to contain a predetermined amount of expressed milk, and further including a nipple channel (204) insert. The device has a tubular section (620) adapted to be received within the nipple channel (204) and defining a first end (602) of the nipple channel (204) insert, an expansion section (660) defining a second end (604) of the nipple channel (204) insert, and a curved intermediate section (680) disposed between the tubular section (620) and the expansion section (660), wherein the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620) is provided with a circumferential sealing lip adapted to seally engage with the inner peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204).

13. The breast pump according to claim 12, characterized in that, The outer peripheral surface of the tubular segment (620) is provided with at least two circumferential sealing lips spaced apart in the longitudinal direction of the tubular segment (620), each sealing lip being adapted to seal against the inner peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204).

14. The breast pump according to claim 13, characterized in that, The at least two circumferential sealing lips are each supported by a circumferential edge segment (640), wherein at least one circumferential extension chamber (644) is defined between two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640).

15. The breast pump according to claim 14, characterized in that, At least two circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

16. The breast pump according to claim 15, characterized in that, The outermost radius (646) of the longitudinal rib (642) is the same as the outermost radius (648) of the circumferential edge segment (640).

17. The breast pump according to claim 15, characterized in that, At least three circumferential sealing lips are provided at intervals in the longitudinal direction of the tubular section (620), wherein each sealing lip is adapted to seal against the inner circumferential surface of the nipple channel (204) and is supported by a circumferential edge section (640), wherein at least two circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between each of two adjacent circumferential edge sections (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

18. The breast pump according to claim 15, characterized in that, At least three circumferential extension chambers (644) are defined between each of two adjacent circumferential edge segments (640), each of the circumferential extension chambers (644) being separated from each other by longitudinal ribs (642).

19. The breast pump according to claim 12, characterized in that, The tubular section (620) is chamfered toward the first end (602).

20. The breast pump according to claim 12, characterized in that, The expansion section (660) is chamfered toward the second end (604).

21. The breast pump according to claim 12, characterized in that, The entire outer peripheral surface of the nipple channel (204) insert is defined by the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620), the straight or concave outer peripheral surface of the expansion section (660), and the concave outer peripheral surface of the curved intermediate section (680), wherein the concave outer peripheral surface of the curved intermediate section (680) connects the outer peripheral surface of the tubular section (620) with the straight or concave outer peripheral surface of the expansion section (660).

22. The breast pump according to claim 12, characterized in that, The tubular section (620) has an outer peripheral tubular end section disposed between the first end (602) and the circumferential sealing lip near the first end (602), the tubular end section being adapted to provide an annular space between the nipple channel (204) and the nipple channel insert (600), the annular space leading to the rear end of the nipple channel (204).

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