Storage Device for Infant Feed

Abstract

The present invention provides for pressure indication within the vacuum storage container, as well as a way to isolate mother's milk in a container from air. The present invention utilizes sub-atmospheric pressure to reduce, or at least slow down, the oxidation reactions in breastmilk in order to preserve vitamins, lipids, and other important compounds in the milk, and includes means to measure that sub-atmospheric pressure, so as to provide indications to the user that the correct container pressure has been obtained and maintained.

Description

RELATED APPLICATIONS[0001]This application claims priority to U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 61 / 158,058 filed Mar. 6, 2009, entitled “Improved Storage Device for Infant Feed,” the contents of which are fully incorporated by reference.FIELD OF THE INVENTION[0002]This invention relates generally to an improved storage device for infant feed, and most particularly to an improved storage device for the storage of expressed breastmilk.BACKGROUND[0003]It is common for mothers who are away from their babies and cannot directly breastfeed their infants to express breastmilk and store it for feeding at a later time. Common means for storing breastmilk are to keep the breastmilk in a container at room temperature, typically for approximately four hours, or to store the breastmilk in a soft side cooler with an ice pack, typically for approximately twenty-four hours. Alternatively, breastmilk may be kept in the refrigerator for approximately five to seven days, stored in a conventional freeze...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0005]It is the goal of the present invention to help moms provide optimal conditions for milk storage. Specifically, this invention in one aspect utilizes sub-atmospheric pressure to reduce, or at least slow down, the oxidation reactions in breastmilk in order to preserve vitamins, lipids, and other important compounds in the milk, and includes means to measure that sub-atmospheric pressure, so as to provide indications to the user that the correct container pressure has been obtained and maintained.

[0006]Another aspect of the present invention provides for the injection of a layer of gas, such as argon or nitrogen gas, into the milk container. This layer would be in an amount so as to blanket the milk surface, serving to isolate the milk from the atmosphere and thus reduce any harmful oxidation reactions.

[0007]In an exemplary embodiment, a storage container for storing infant feed at a reduced pressure is provided that comprises a pressure indicator. The pressure indicator determines a pressure within the storage container and displays that pressure on the container. Thus, a user can easily observe the pressure value within the container. The container would be able to maintain the reduced pressure for at least a temporary timeframe.

Problems solved by technology

However, other components of breastmilk are affected by these same conditions.

Fatty acids such as these, however, are prone to oxidation over time.

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