Milk bottle with bottle attachment

Abstract

The invention relates to a device comprising a feeding bottle (2) and a bottle attachment (4) connected to the feeding bottle (2), the bottle attachment having a connector (6) for a breast pump. The device is characterized in that the bottle attachment (4) has a measuring head (8) with a container (10) for breast milk, the measuring head (8) having a sensor device assigned to the volume of the container (10) and enabling the determination of parameters of the milk pumped into the feeding bottle.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The invention relates to a device having the features of the preamble of claim 1. Such a device is known from US 2015 / 0283311 A1. Background Art

[0002] US 2015 / 0283311 A1 discloses a device comprising a feeding bottle and a bottle attachment. The bottle attachment is screwed to the neck of the feeding bottle. In one embodiment, a sensor device detects milk drops falling through the neck of the feeding bottle. In other embodiments, the opening position of a flap valve arranged in the neck of the feeding bottle is measured. In this way, the content of the feeding bottle can be inferred by determining the number of milk drops reaching the feeding bottle or the opening position of the valve. Summary of the invention

[0003] This milk quantity estimation is often inaccurate because the size and shape of the milk drops vary. The object of the present invention is to improve the known devices. In particular, the present invention is to describe a device which enables accurate and continuous detection of the parameters of the milk flowing into the feeding bottle and which is easy to clean and ensures easy maintenance.

[0004] In order to achieve the above object, the present invention proposes a device having the features of claim 1. The device comprises a milk bottle and a bottle attachment connected to the milk bottle. The bottle attachment has a connector to which a breast pump can be connected. A breast pump usually comprises a breast shield that matches the shape of a female breast and can in particular be tightly attached thereto, and the breast shield is suitable for cooperating with a manual pump or an electric pump to generate a negative pressure between the breast shield and the breast. The negative pressure is usually generated at a certain frequency that corresponds to the pump stroke or suction stroke of the pump. In this way, the milk flow is stimulated. The connector usually has a channel that guides the milk collected in the breast shield in the direction of the measuring head of the bottle attachment. The breast shield can also be fixedly integrated in the connector.

[0005] The bottle attachment can be separated from the feeding bottle so that the filled feeding bottle can be connected to a teat for feeding the baby. The bottle attachment is detachably connected to the neck of the feeding bottle, usually screwed on. The device according to the invention is distinguished in that the bottle attachment has a measuring head with a container for breast milk and the measuring head has a sensor device assigned to the container volume. The sensor device does not have to detect the total volume of the container.

[0006] The bottle attachment is arranged on the opening of the milk bottle, which opening is usually formed by the neck of the milk bottle. Usually the bottle bottom is arranged on the end opposite the neck of the milk bottle. Usually the milk bottle is designed so that it can stand freely and vertically on the bottle bottom. Direction specifications such as up, down, vertical, horizontal, etc. in any case refer to the device standing on a flat, horizontal surface with the bottle bottom.

[0007] The feeding bottle according to the invention is usually made of at least partially transparent thermoplastic or of glass. Polypropylene is particularly preferably used. The feeding bottle made of plastic can be made as a disposable bottle or a reusable bottle and usually has a weight of 7.5 to 30 g. The reusable feeding bottle preferably has a wall thickness of about 0.9 mm.

[0008] The rated capacity of the feeding bottle is usually 80 to 250 ml, in particular 80 ml, 150 ml or 250 ml. The maximum volume that the feeding bottle can hold is usually no more than 330 ml.

[0009] The height of the feeding bottle is preferably about 60 to 160 mm, preferably 66 mm, 99.5 mm, 102 mm, 136 mm or 148.5 mm. The diameter of the neck is usually 33 mm. Usually the maximum diameter of the feeding bottle is not more than 50 to 70 mm, preferably not more than 53 mm, 60 mm or 65 mm. All dimensions are allowed to have a tolerance of ±10%, preferably ±5%.

[0010] Usually, a feeding bottle has a substantially cylindrical bottle belly which tapers conically towards the bottle neck. However, the diameter of the bottle belly can also vary over its length. The bottle belly can, for example, have a plurality of cylindrical sections of different diameters which can be connected in particular via one or more cylindrically shaped sections. The bottle neck usually has the smallest diameter. Preferably, the bottle neck is provided with an external thread.

[0011] The bottle bottom usually forms a placement surface on which the feeding bottle stands on a flat support surface. The placement surface is usually a substantially flat surface which may have a central curvature inwards in the direction of the container if necessary. The placement surface can also be formed by a downwardly protruding ring.

[0012] The measuring head is usually arranged at the bottom of the connector and collects the milk drops, which are preferably sucked into the connector via a breast pump, in a container. For this purpose, the container is usually configured with an injection port at the upper end. Preferably, the container is open upwards. In addition, the container is usually configured so that milk drops cannot fall directly through the container. Preferably, the lower side wall of the container is fluid-tight. The geometry of the container defines a cavity, which has a certain volume. This volume is usually between 0.5 ml and 4 ml, preferably 0.8 ml to 1.5 ml. The volume is equipped with a sensor mechanism. In other words, the sensor mechanism is aligned with the cavity of the container. The sensor mechanism is particularly designed to determine parameters of the milk in the container, such as the milk filling amount in the container.

[0013] The invention enables the determination of milk parameters before the milk enters the bottle. Compared with the prior art, the accuracy is improved because the milk does not have to be measured during the fall and / or drop by drop. Rather, a number of milk drops can be collected into a portion in the container, which is then determined or measured by the sensor mechanism.

[0014] According to a preferred improvement of the present invention, the container has an outflow opening leading to a milk bottle and a closure element arranged in the outflow opening. Here, the closure element is arranged so that it retains at least a certain amount of milk in the container. Preferably, the closure element is configured as a valve, which in a closed position rests against the outflow opening of the container during dropwise filling. If the fluid pressure in the container exceeds the resistance limit of the closure element, the closure element is pressed into an open position so that a certain amount of milk can flow from the container into the milk bottle. The closure element can be configured, for example, according to the type of flap valve according to WO 2014 / 161099A1 of the applicant or according to US 2015 / 0283311 A1. Usually the container is not completely emptied, because the drop in fluid pressure causes the closure element to be in the closed position again.

[0015] The resistance limit of the closing element is preferably adjustable. If necessary, the closing element is preloaded relative to the outflow opening. Preferably, the filling height is between 15 and 25 mm. Usually, the remaining amount remaining in the container after the closing element is reclosed is usually 0.1 ml to 0.3 ml.

[0016] The fluid pressure of the milk in the container on the closing element is usually a hydrostatic pressure. The valve is preferably designed as a non-return valve. Further preferably, the valve has a valve membrane which, due to its geometry, remains in a rest position in the event of a fluid pressure acting on it from the side of the milk bottle. In the rest position, the valve membrane rests on the outflow opening of the container. The outflow opening is usually arranged on the side wall of the container, so that the valve membrane is pressed from a vertical line, preferably pivoted, into an open position. The valve membrane is preferably made of a flexible plastic, in particular silicone.

[0017] This makes it possible to achieve a flow rhythm caused by the vacuum cycle of the pump in a simple and energy-saving manner, ie the breast milk flows portion by portion into the feeding bottle.

[0018] According to a preferred development of the invention, the container is provided with at least two optical sensors arranged opposite to each other at the same height. The expressions "optical" and "light" in this context are not limited to visible light, but in principle relate to the entire electromagnetic spectrum. Preferably, the optical sensors are adapted to the infrared range. The sensors are usually arranged such that when the volume of the container is filled with milk, at least a part of the milk column in the container is arranged between the sensors. The sensors are usually arranged to detect a different signal depending on whether milk or air is arranged between the sensors. Preferably, the sensors are integrated into the opposite side walls of the container, for example by means of injection molding. As an alternative, the sensors can be mounted on the outside of transparent or translucent side walls of the container.

[0019] In this way it is possible to determine whether or how high the milk column extends in the container between the sensor elements, from which conclusions can be drawn about the milk fill level in the container.

[0020] Further preferably, a light detector is arranged on one side of the container and a light emitter is arranged on the other side of the container. The light detector and the light emitter are arranged at the same height so that the shortest light path between the light detector and the light emitter extends in the horizontal direction. The light emitter is usually aligned with the light detector. When air is between the light emitter and the light detector, the signal received by the light detector has a higher intensity than when milk is between the light emitter and the light detector.

[0021] The light emitter is preferably an LED (light emitting diode) or an LED chip, and the light detector is preferably a phototransistor. Further preferably, a plurality of light detectors are arranged on one side of the container and a plurality of light emitters are arranged on the other side. Here, the light detectors are stacked up and down in the height direction. The same is true for the light emitters. Each light detector is assigned a light emitter arranged opposite to each other at the same height. Preferably, the light emitters and the light detectors are respectively arranged in a straight row extending in the height direction.

[0022] This allows the level of the milk column in the container to be determined more accurately.

[0023] According to a preferred development of the invention, the device has a control unit connected to the light emitters in terms of control, the control unit being configured such that the light emitters can be switched on and off again in a predetermined time period and in a predetermined sequence. The time period is usually a few milliseconds, preferably not more than 2 milliseconds. Since the time period is selected to be short, an image of the milk column in the container at the corresponding time can be plotted by plotting the measured intensity of the light detectors against the height of the corresponding light detectors. The order in which the light emitters are switched on and off again is usually not so important, but preferably takes place in sequence in the height direction.

[0024] Preferably, the control unit generates such an image at periodic time intervals. According to this preferred improvement, the control unit is configured to periodically and repeatedly switch the light emitter on and off. The period is preferably between 10 and 20 milliseconds, further preferably between 13 and 17 milliseconds, particularly preferably about 15 milliseconds.

[0025] This allows the level of the milk column in the container to be continuously tracked.

[0026] According to another preferred development of the invention, the device has a computing unit which is designed to determine parameters of the milk contained in the container using the intensity measured by the light detector. For example, the computing unit can be used to calculate the volume flow into the milk bottle over time using the change in the milk level in the container. This allows direct conclusions to be drawn about the milk production of the breast over time. Another parameter is the filling amount of milk in the container at a certain time, which can be determined via the current height of the milk column and the size of the container.

[0027] Preferably, the central axis of the container is consistent with the central axis of the measuring head. Therefore, the sensor mechanism can be optimally aligned with the container. In addition, the control unit and the computing unit can be arranged between the container and the outer wall of the measuring head.

[0028] Further preferably, the container has a substantially rectangular, in particular square cross section. The cross section in this case extends along a horizontal line, so that in a cross section or a top view of the container a rectangular shape is displayed. If the outflow opening is arranged on the side wall of the container and the closing element is arranged as a flat, small plate-like element, this makes it simple to place the closing element on the outflow opening. Preferably, the container has a length of 8 mm, a width of 8 mm and a height of 20 mm. The discharge opening preferably has a diameter of 5 mm.

[0029] According to a preferred improvement of the present invention, the measuring head comprises an outer shell and an inner shell constituting the container, wherein the outer shell is detachably connected to the inner shell. Usually, the inner shell is coaxially arranged in the outer shell.

[0030] This simplifies the cleaning of the measuring head and the maintenance of the sensor system. The outer housing provides enhanced protection for the container against collisions and for the sensor system against damage.

[0031] Preferably, the outer shell is screwed to the neck of the bottle via a thread. Usually, the neck of the bottle has an external thread, which cooperates with the internal thread of the outer shell. Further preferably, the inner shell can be screwed to the connector via a thread. Usually, the inner shell has an external thread, the outer circumference of which is surrounded by the connector and is threadedly engaged with the connector.

[0032] As a result, the individual components of the bottle attachment can be easily separated from one another, making cleaning and maintenance easier.

[0033] As an alternative, the measuring head can be constructed in one piece and can be detachably connected, preferably screwed, to the neck of the feeding bottle on one side and to the connector on the other side. According to another alternative, the bottle attachment can be constructed as a whole in one piece.

[0034] The container is preferably made of polypropylene (PP), in particular the container should be infrared-transmissive. The inner shell and the outer shell should also be made of polypropylene (PP).

[0035] The invention further describes a bottle attachment for a feeding bottle. The bottle attachment has a measuring head with a container. The measuring head has a sensor mechanism assigned to the volume of the container. In most cases, the bottle attachment has a connector for a breast pump. The bottle attachment is preferably designed according to one or more of the above-mentioned improvements. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0036] Further details of the present invention are obtained from the following description of embodiments of the present invention in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0037] Figure 1 is a side view according to an embodiment of the present invention;

[0038] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A cross-sectional view of the measuring head shown;

[0039] Figure 3 yes Figure 2 The inner housing of the measuring head shown is Figure 2 Cross-sectional view rotated 90°;

[0040] Figure 4 The inner shell of the measuring head is Figure 3 Cross-sectional view rotated 180°;

[0041] Figure 5 It is a partial cross-sectional view of the embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0042] Figure 1 An embodiment of the device according to the present invention is shown, which comprises a feeding bottle 2 and a bottle attachment 4 connected to the feeding bottle 2. The bottle attachment 4 has a connector 6 and a measuring head 8 arranged between the feeding bottle 2 and the connector 6. The measuring head 8 is screwed to the feeding bottle 2 and the connector 6. The connector 6 generally has an interface for a breast pump. Figure 1 Only a breast shield 9 of this breast pump is shown, which can be placed against a female breast and can, in cooperation with a pump connectable to the connector 6, generate a negative pressure on the breast. The feeding bottle 2 according to this embodiment is rotationally symmetrical about a vertical axis of symmetry, which coincides with the central axis of the measuring head. The feeding bottle 2 is made of transparent plastic or glass.

[0043] Figure 2 A cross-sectional view of a measuring head 8 is shown, around which a container 10 is arranged, around a central axis A (see Figure 4) is provided. The container 10 has a square cross section according to the present embodiment. At the lower end of the side wall of the container 10 on the left side in the figure, the container has an outflow opening 12. The lower bottom of the container 10 is configured to drop in the direction of the discharge opening 12. The closing element 14 is in contact with the discharge opening. The closing element 14 is configured as a valve diaphragm in the present embodiment. When sufficient fluid pressure of the breast milk in the container acts on the valve diaphragm, the valve diaphragm can be lifted laterally from the discharge opening 12 and at least partially release the discharge opening. The discharge opening 12 is configured to be flush with the lowest point of the container 10.

[0044] like Figure 3 As shown, the container is equipped with light detectors 16 and light emitters 18 arranged opposite each other at the same height. The light detectors 16 are arranged on one side 20 of the container in a vertical row one above the other in the height direction. The light emitters 18 are correspondingly arranged on the opposite side 22 of the container 10 in a vertical row one above the other in the height direction. Figure 3 Shown as a substantially circular opening.

[0045] The measuring head 8 has an outer housing 24 and an inner housing 26 forming the container 10 (see Figure 2 The measuring head 8 is screwed to the external thread on the neck of the feeding bottle 2 via the internal thread 28 on the lower end of the outer shell 24. The external thread 30 is configured on the inner shell 26 of the measuring head 8, and the measuring head 8 is screwed to the connector 6 via the external thread.

[0046] Figure 4 It is illustrated that the light detector 16 and the light emitter 18 are arranged at the same height on both sides of the vertical symmetry axis A of the measuring head 8. According to this embodiment, a total of 14 light detectors 16a to 16n and 14 light emitters 18a to 18n are arranged. These light detectors and light emitters are respectively arranged in a vertical row in a linear manner parallel to the central axis A and overlapped up and down. The light detector 16 and the light emitter 18 are respectively fastened in a side wall of the container 10. The container 10 is made of a transparent material.

[0047] like Figure 5 As shown, a ramp 32 which slopes downwards in the direction of the outer shell 24 is connected to the discharge opening 12 of the container 10. The outer shell 24 has a flange 34 surrounding the opening in the neck of the bottle, which flange serves as a milk dripping collar.

[0048] The breast milk collected in the breast shield 9 is introduced into the connector 6 via a connecting pipe integrally formed with the breast shield. The connecting pipe extends obliquely downward from the breast shield 9 toward the connector 6. A channel in the connector 6 is formed below the lower end of the connecting pipe. The channel ends directly above the container open upward. The milk collected in the breast shield 9 thus flows into the container 10 due to the above-mentioned geometric structure and gravity. The downwardly inclined bottom of the container (see Figure 2 ) causes the milk to first accumulate in front of the outflow opening 12. The closure element 14 withstands the fluid pressure of the milk caused by gravity. A milk column is formed in the container 10. If the fluid pressure of the milk column is great enough to press the closure element 14 away from the outflow opening 12, a part of the milk column can flow out of the container 10 through the outflow opening 12. Here, the part flows via the inclined surface 32 to the inner wall of the outer shell. From this inner wall, the part flows downward to the flange 34, on which the part finally drips into the feeding bottle 2. If the closure element then moves into the closed position, the milk column in the container rises again until the closure element is pressed into the open position again.

[0049] According to the exemplary embodiment described, the milk column in the container 10 is checked for illumination by the sensor device 16, 18 every 15 milliseconds. The sensor device 16, 18 requires no more than 2 milliseconds for this illumination check. This results in an instantaneous record of the height extension of the milk column every 15 milliseconds. In this case, the light detector 16 arranged at the top of the milk column measures a higher intensity than the light detector 16 in which the milk column extends, because milk absorbs and / or scatters more light than air. The light detector 16 and the light emitter 18 according to the exemplary embodiment described are adapted in the infrared range in the meantime.

[0050] In this way, the height of the milk column in the container 10 is continuously monitored. In each open position of the closure element 14, the height of the milk column or the milk level drops. From this drop, the amount of milk or the portion of milk that flows into the milk bottle via the vacuum cycle of the suction pump can be calculated. Since the monitoring is continuous, the volume flow into the milk bottle, that is, the amount of milk per unit time, can be determined. If the volume flow is high, more milk is pumped out. If the volume flow is low, less milk is pumped out.

[0051] Reference numerals list

[0052] 2 bottles

[0053] 4 Bottle Accessories

[0054] 6 Connectors

[0055] 8 Measuring head

[0056] 10 Container

[0057] 12 Outlet

[0058] 14 Closing element

[0059] 16 Photodetector

[0060] 18 Optical Transmitter

[0061] 20, 22 Opposite sides of the container

[0062] 24 Outer shell

[0063] 26 Inner shell

[0064] 28 Internal thread

[0065] 30 External thread

[0066] 32 Downward Slope

[0067] 34 Milk eaves

[0068] A Central axis

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising a feeding bottle (2) and a bottle attachment (4) connected to the feeding bottle (2), the bottle attachment having a connector (6) for a breast pump, characterized in that: The bottle attachment (4) has a measuring head (8) with a container (10) for breast milk, and the measuring head (8) has a sensor mechanism configured to determine the liquid level of breast milk in the container (10), the container (10) is configured with at least two optical sensor devices (16, 18) arranged opposite to each other at the same height, a light detector (16) is arranged on a side (20) of the container (10), and a light emitter (18) is arranged on another side (22) of the container (10), and a plurality of light detectors (16) on the side (20) of the container (10) and a plurality of light emitters (18) on the other side (22) of the container (10) are respectively arranged along the height The bottle attachment (4) is stacked up and down in a certain direction, and the bottle attachment (4) further comprises a control unit connected to the light emitter (18), the control unit being configured to turn the light emitter (18) on and off again in sequence at a predetermined time period and in a predetermined order, wherein the container (10) has an outflow opening (12) leading to the milk bottle (2) and a closing element (14) arranged in the outflow opening (12), the closing element (14) being configured to retain at least a certain amount of milk in the container (10), and further comprising a computing unit, the computing unit being configured to determine the volume of milk contained in the container (10) by means of the intensity measured by the light detector (16).

2. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The closure element (14) is a valve which, in a closed position, rests against an outflow opening (12) of the container (10) and is pressed into an open position by the weight of the breast milk contained in the container (10).

3. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The control unit is configured to periodically and repeatedly switch the light emitter (18) on and off.

4. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The central axis (A) of the container coincides with the central axis (A) of the measuring head.

5. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The container (10) has a rectangular cross section.

6. The device according to claim 1, characterized in that: The measuring head (8) comprises an outer shell (24) and an inner shell (26) constituting the container (10), and the outer shell (24) is detachably connected to the inner shell (26).

7. The device according to claim 6, characterized in that: The outer shell (24) can be screwed onto the neck of a feeding bottle (2) via a thread (28).

8. The device according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that: The inner housing (26) can be screwed to the connector via a thread (30).

9. The device according to claim 5, characterized in that: The container (10) has a square cross-section.

10. A bottle attachment (4) for a feeding bottle (2), characterized in that: The bottle attachment (4) has a measuring head (8) with a container (10), and the measuring head (8) has a sensor mechanism configured to determine the liquid level of breast milk in the container (10), the container (10) is configured with at least two optical sensor devices (16, 18) arranged opposite to each other at the same height, a light detector (16) is arranged on the side (20) of the container (10), and a light emitter (18) is arranged on the other side (22) of the container (10), and a plurality of light detectors (16) on the side (20) of the container (10) and a plurality of light emitters (18) on the other side (22) of the container (10) are respectively arranged along the height direction. The bottle attachment (4) is stacked one above the other, and the bottle attachment (4) further comprises a control unit connected to the light emitter (18), the control unit being configured to turn the light emitter (18) on and off again in sequence at predetermined time periods and in predetermined sequences, wherein the container (10) comprises an outflow opening (12) leading to the milk bottle (2) and a closing element (14) arranged in the outflow opening (12), the closing element (14) being configured to retain at least a certain amount of milk in the container (10), and further comprising a computing unit, the computing unit being configured to determine the volume of milk contained in the container (10) by means of the intensity measured by the light detector (16).

11. The bottle attachment (4) for a feeding bottle (2) according to claim 10, characterized in that: The closure element (14) is a valve, and in a closed position the valve rests against an outflow opening (12) of the container (10) and is pressed into an open position by the weight of the breast milk contained in the container (10).

12. A device comprising a milk bottle (2) and a bottle attachment (4) connected to the milk bottle (2), the bottle attachment (4) having a measuring head (8) detachably connected to the milk bottle (2) and a connector (6) detachably connected to the measuring head (8), characterized in that: The connector (6) can be connected to a breast pump and has an opening, which is connected to the pipe of the breast shield so that breast milk can flow into the connector (6), wherein the measuring head (8) includes a container (10) for breast milk and a sensor unit for measuring the volume of the container (10), and the connector (6) has a channel for discharging the breast milk collected in the breast shield into the container (10), the measuring head (8) has a sensor mechanism configured to determine the liquid level of the breast milk in the container (10), the container (10) is configured with at least two optical sensor devices (16, 18) arranged opposite to each other at the same height, a light detector (16) is arranged on a side (20) of the container (10), and a light emitter (18) is arranged on another side (22) of the container (10), and the plurality of light detectors (16) are arranged on the side (20) of the container (10). 6) A plurality of light emitters (18) are stacked up and down on a side surface (20) of the container (10) and on another side surface (22) of the container (10), respectively, in a height direction, and the device further comprises a control unit connected to the light emitters (18), the control unit being configured to turn the light emitters (18) on and off in sequence at predetermined time periods and in a predetermined order, wherein the container (10) has an outflow opening (12) leading to a milk bottle (2) and a closing element (14) arranged in the outflow opening (12), the closing element (14) being configured to retain at least a certain amount of milk in the container (10), and further comprising a computing unit, the computing unit being configured to determine the volume of milk contained in the container (10) by means of the intensity measured by the light detector (16).

13. The device according to claim 12, characterized in that: The measuring head (8) comprises an outer shell (24) and an inner shell (26) which are detachably connected to each other and constitute the container (10), wherein the outer shell (24) can be screwed to the neck of the feeding bottle (2) via a thread (28), and the inner shell (26) can be screwed to the connector (6) via a thread (30).

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