Portable breast pump

Abstract

A portable breast pump has a suction unit and a collecting unit which is connected to this suction unit via a flexible suction line. The collecting unit comprises a breast shield, a milk-receiving container and a coupling element which connects the breast shield to the milk-receiving container. The suction unit has a housing with an operating means for operating the pump and a fastening means for fastening the housing on a carrying means, which can be fastened on the mother's body. This breast pump is easy to operate, allows the milk to be expressed even in confined areas with no set-down surfaces and, in addition, does not hinder the mother's mobility.

Description

[0001] This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10 / 403,824 filed Mar. 31, 2003 which claims benefit from Switzerland Patent Application No. 2003 0197 / 03 filed Feb. 10, 2003.FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to a portable breast pump and to a suction unit for use with this portable breast pump. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Portable breast pumps are known. They have the advantage that a mother can carry them along everywhere and thus maintain a certain degree of independence even throughout the months she is breast-feeding. It is not always easy, however, to find a suitable area in which the mother can express the milk without being disturbed. Working mothers in particular often have to do this in the ladies' toilets in the workplace. In such areas, however, it is usually difficult to find a suitable set-down surface for the breast pump. [0004] U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,327 discloses a breast-pump system in the case of which the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a portable breast pump which eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages.

[0012] This breast pump with its suction unit allows the mother to move freely even as the milk is being expressed. In addition, the mother can select the location and how she wishes to carry the suction unit.

[0013] If the housing is of flat design, it is more comfortable for the mother to carry. In addition, this prevents the mother from catching herself anywhere on the housing. It is advantageous, furthermore, that the housing may be configured relatively freely in terms of shape, with the result that it can be carried as a fashion accessory without being recognizable at first glance as the suction unit of a breast pump. In addition, the suction unit may be of sufficiently large design to accommodate a sufficiently large electric storage cell and the desired electronics.

[0014] Since the suction unit is carried in an exposed manner, any possible operating buttons are easily accessible. In order to increase the accessibility yet further, they are preferably arranged in a front side of the housing.

Problems solved by technology

It is not always easy, however, to find a suitable area in which the mother can express the milk without being disturbed.

In such areas, however, it is usually difficult to find a suitable set-down surface for the breast pump.

This has the disadvantage that the mother always has to carry the breast pump around with her, which is regarded as being awkward and hinders the mother in doing anything else.

In addition, the suction unit is of a not inconsiderable weight, with the result that the mother will not really want to carry it for a long period of time.

Furthermore, the operating buttons of the breast pump are likewise concealed beneath the clothing and are thus not easily accessible.

The disadvantage, however, is that it is of relatively rigid design, with the result that the mother is hardly able to move as the milk is being expressed.

Small suction units, however, usually also have a low suction capacity and / or have only a rudimentary control means.

Images