Vessels for breast milk collection, preservation, transport and delivery

Abstract

A container includes an inner container, an outer container, a connector, a cap, and a lid. The outer container includes a first coupler and an outer chamber. The inner container includes a second coupler and an inner chamber containing a liquid. The inner container is at least partially received within the outer chamber. The connector includes a third coupler complementary to the first coupler and a fourth coupler complementary to the second coupler. When the first coupler is engaged with the third coupler and the second coupler is engaged with the fourth coupler, the outer chamber is completely enclosed within a liquid barrier.

Description

[0001] This application is a divisional application of Chinese invention patent application No. 201980075274.8, filed on November 14, 2019, entitled "A container for collecting, storing, transporting and delivering breast milk". Technical Field

[0002] This disclosure generally relates to food and beverage storage containers, and more specifically to containers for the safe, temperature-controlled, and extended storage of breast milk to enable the uncontaminated transport and use of uncontaminated breast milk. Background Technology

[0003] Known bottles, food storage containers, glass water bottles, and thermos flasks are designed to maintain their contents at cold or hot temperatures. Limited examples of food safety containers allow warm contents to be safely cooled without dilution and then maintained at a safe cooled temperature. Known products incorporate a design that poses a risk of breast milk contamination by inserting a cooling rod into breast milk or surrounding the breast milk container with unsafe chemicals. Other known containers relate to the consumption of alcoholic beverages, coffee, or soft drinks.

[0004] Medical professionals regularly instruct caregivers that expressed breast milk should be stored in clean, covered glass or rigid plastic, BPA-free containers, or in special plastic bags designed for breast milk collection and storage. However, online medical resources also warn that breast milk storage bags may be more prone to tearing, leaking, opening, and contamination than rigid-sided containers. Rigid containers are known to be unsuitable for breast milk storage without refrigeration, and bags present problems for the reasons listed in this article.

[0005] Due to known product defects, women lack a safe container to directly pump and store their breast milk for more than four hours. Therefore, women are forced to pump into multiple small containers that need to be refrigerated or stored in portable coolers. Alternatively, if women are traveling, at work, or in other situations where they cannot directly breastfeed, their milk must be discarded without refrigeration.

[0006] Therefore, it is desirable to provide a new apparatus and related method for collecting, cooling and preserving nutrient-rich breast milk, reducing or preventing the waste of said breast milk, and enabling women and caregivers to overcome many obstacles in pumping, transporting, storing and feeding breast milk. Summary of the Invention

[0007] According to one aspect of this disclosure, a vessel includes an outer container, an inner container, and a connector. The outer container has a first connector and an outer chamber. The inner container has a second connector and an inner chamber for holding liquid, and the inner container is at least partially received within the outer chamber, such that a gap is formed between the inner container and the outer container. The connector has a third connector complementary to the first connector and a fourth connector complementary to the second connector. When the first connector engages with the third connector and the second connector engages with the fourth connector, the outer chamber is completely sealed within a liquid-resistant barrier.

[0008] According to another aspect of the invention, the connector includes a first connector, a second connector, and a third connector. The first connector is complementary to a complementary connector, and the second connector is complementary to the same complementary connector. The third connector differs from the first and second connectors such that the third connector is not complementary to the complementary connectors. The first connector and the second connector are discontinuous, such that the complementary connector cannot transition from engagement with the first connector to engagement with the second connector without first disengaging from the connector.

[0009] According to another aspect of the invention, a method of pumping and storing breast milk includes contacting a breast pump shield with the breast and, while contacting the breast with the breast pump shield, applying suction to the breast to draw breast milk from the breast. The method further includes transferring the milk drawn from the breast to the inner chamber of an inner container, the inner container being coupled to the breast pump shield via a first connector. The method also includes disengaging the inner container from the breast pump shield by disengaging the first connector from the inner container, placing a cooling medium into the outer chamber of an outer container, coupling the inner container to a second connector such that the inner chamber is closed, inserting the inner container into the outer chamber, and, after coupling the inner container to the second connector, coupling the outer container to the second connector such that a gap is formed between the inner container and the outer container, at least a portion of the gap being occupied by the cooling medium. Attached Figure Description

[0010] In the accompanying drawings, the same reference numerals denote similar elements or actions. The dimensions and relative positions of elements in the drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale. For example, the shapes and angles of various elements are not necessarily drawn to scale, and some of these elements may be arbitrarily enlarged and positioned to improve the readability of the drawings. Furthermore, the specific shapes of the elements drawn are not necessarily intended to convey any information about the actual shape of the particular element and may be chosen solely for ease of identification in the drawings.

[0011] Figure 1 This is an isometric view of a container according to one embodiment.

[0012] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 The container shown is a side view.

[0013] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 The exploded isometric view of the container shown.

[0014] Figure 4 According to one embodiment Figure 1 An isometric view of the connector of the container shown.

[0015] Figure 5 yes Figure 4 The top view of the connector shown;

[0016] Figure 6 yes Figure 5 The connector shown is a cross-sectional view along line AA.

[0017] Figure 7 yes Figure 4 The connector shown is viewed from below.

[0018] Figure 8 According to one embodiment Figure 1 An isometric view of the inner chamber of the container shown.

[0019] Figure 9 yes Figure 8 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the inner chamber along line BB.

[0020] Figure 10 According to one embodiment Figure 1 An isometric view of the cap of the container shown.

[0021] Figure 11 yes Figure 10 The hat shown is viewed from below.

[0022] Figure 12 yes Figure 11 The cross-sectional view of the brim CC shown.

[0023] Figure 13 According to one embodiment Figure 1 An isometric view of the outer chamber of the container shown.

[0024] Figure 14 yes Figure 13 The diagram shows a cross-sectional view of the outer chamber along line DD.

[0025] Figure 15 According to one embodiment Figure 1 An isometric view of the lid of the container shown.

[0026] Figure 16 yes Figure 15 The image shows a bottom view of the cover.

[0027] Figure 17 yes Figure 16The cross-sectional view of the cover edge line EE is shown.

[0028] Figure 18 yes Figure 1 The cross-sectional view of the container along line FF is shown, which is in a fully assembled configuration.

[0029] Figure 19 yes Figure 1 The front view of a portion of the container shown is in a pumping configuration.

[0030] Figure 20 yes Figure 1 The front view of another part of the container shown is in the pumping configuration.

[0031] Figure 21 yes Figure 1 The front view of a portion of the container shown is in the feeding configuration.

[0032] Figure 22 yes Figure 1 The front view of another part of the container shown is in the feeding configuration. Detailed Implementation

[0033] In the following description, certain specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the various disclosed embodiments. However, those skilled in the art will recognize that implementations can be carried out without one or more of these specific details, or using other methods, components, materials, etc. In other instances, well-known structures associated with liquid containers have not been shown or described in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the description of the implementations.

[0034] Unless the context otherwise requires, throughout the specification and appended claims, the word “comprising” and its variations, such as “including” and “containing”, shall be interpreted in an open, inclusive sense, meaning “including but not limited to”.

[0035] Throughout this specification, references to "an embodiment," "an embodiment," or "an aspect of this disclosure" mean that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment is included in at least one embodiment. Therefore, the phrases "in one embodiment" or "in an embodiment" appearing in various places throughout this specification do not necessarily all refer to the same embodiment. Furthermore, specific features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

[0036] As used in this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include plural referents unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It should also be noted that the term “or” is generally used in its broadest sense, i.e., as meaning “and / or,” unless the context clearly specifies otherwise.

[0037] In this paper, "facing" or "oriented" to refer to two elements means that a straight line can be drawn from one element to the other without contacting the solid structure between them. "Connected" to refer to two elements means that the relative motion of one element with respect to the other is restricted, for example, prevented, in at least one degree of freedom. "Directly connected" to refer to two elements means that the two elements are in physical contact without any intervening structure.

[0038] The direction referred to herein includes the two vectors constituting the direction. For example, a longitudinal direction includes a "far" vector and a "proximal" vector opposite the "far" vector. Referring to an element extending along a direction means that the element extends along one or both of the vectors constituting that direction.

[0039] As used herein, the term "aligned" for two elements along a direction means that a straight line passing through one of the elements and parallel to that direction will also pass through the other of the two elements. As used herein, the term "between" for a first element relative to a direction between a second and a third element means that, when measured along said direction, the first element is closer to the second element than the third element. The term "between" includes, but does not require, alignment of the first, second, and third elements along that direction.

[0040] Unless otherwise stated herein, the descriptions of numerical ranges herein are intended only as a shorthand method for individually indicating each independent numerical value falling within the range including the endpoints of the range, and each independent numerical value is incorporated into the specification as if it were described separately herein.

[0041] The aspects of this disclosure will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein, unless otherwise specified, the same reference numerals always refer to the same elements. Certain terms used in the following description are for convenience only and not for limitation. As used herein, the term "a plurality of" means more than one. The terms "a portion" and "at least a portion" of a structure include the entire structure.

[0042] The titles and abstracts provided herein are for convenience only and do not define the scope or meaning of the embodiments.

[0043] Reference Figures 1 to 22This document discloses a container 10 for the collection, preservation, and transportation of liquids. According to one aspect of this disclosure, the container 10 is used to assist in the collection, preservation, and transportation of pumped breast milk, and in the process of feeding said pumped breast milk to a child. The container 10 offers numerous advantages, including but not limited to: health and wellness; lifestyle; financial; and environmental benefits. While users previously had to make multiple pumping attempts in multiple containers (bottles, bags, sealable containers), the user of the container 10 can pump into a larger container. This allows for a healthy mixture of "foremilk" (i.e., lower fat / calorie milk) and "hindmilk" (higher fat). This ability to provide a more natural feeding mixture is highly beneficial to a child's health.

[0044] Multiple pumping sessions and transfers of pumped breast milk between multiple containers also increase the risk of contamination and spillage / volume loss. Many women struggle to produce enough milk when not breastfeeding directly, so any volume loss is problematic and discouraging. The most common containers users can pump into are plastic. Many consumers worry about plastic contaminating the contents. Soft plastics are generally less durable and safer than other materials such as glass, stainless steel, and hard plastics.

[0045] Known breast milk storage containers include coolers, which are inconvenient, difficult to transport, not very compact, and require several parts (cooler, bag, bottle, cooling pack, etc.). Container 10 allows for easy and safe transport. Container 10 can include an attractive aesthetic appearance and may look similar to other water bottles or hot beverage containers. The user of container 10 can keep container 10 on their person, in their office, or elsewhere in sight without others knowing that the user is lactating, pumping, and transporting breast milk. The size and shape of container 10 can be designed for easy transport by carrying it or placing it in a bag, briefcase, or luggage.

[0046] In situations where refrigeration is not possible, caregivers may encounter difficulties and inconveniences when attempting to safely transport breast milk. These difficulties hinder the ability of non-breastfeeding caregivers to take breastfed infants out of the house. Container 10 allows breast milk to be easily carried separately or packaged in a diaper bag / backpack, safely stored for several hours, and then used to feed the child as needed. A separate component for warming and delivering a portion of breast milk for feeding allows the remaining unused portion of the breast milk to be preserved without contamination.

[0047] Known containers require the use of disposable bags and semi-permanent bottles. Almost all bags are not safe to reuse and must be discarded after each use. As a result, breast pump users must continuously purchase bags and then throw them away after each use. Container 10 allows for the transport of breast milk in a large, reusable container that can be used for the transport and consumption of regular (non-breast milk) beverages long after the breast pump user has finished breastfeeding their child. Unlike plastic bags and bottles, according to one embodiment, container 10 can be a universal, attractive, durable, reusable container that is safe for long-term food / beverage transport and consumption.

[0048] The container 10 provides a solution that significantly overcomes the shortcomings of existing devices and methods for storing, transporting, and feeding breast milk. The container 10 disclosed herein is a container configured to allow a user to pump breast milk directly into it, the container being capable of cooling hot breast milk to a safe storage temperature and maintaining it at a safe temperature for several hours without dilution. According to one embodiment, the container 10 may be an insulated double-chamber bottle with a capacity of at least eight ounces. The container 10 may include a removable inner container 12 with a threaded neck compatible with a breast pump attachment to allow milk to be expressed directly into the inner container.

[0049] When the container 10 is not used to collect expressed breast milk, the threaded neck of the inner container 12 can be sealed with a cap 18, which can be attached to the inner container 12 to close the inner chamber 46 of the inner container 12, or removed from the inner container 12 to open the inner chamber 46 to the surrounding environment. The container 10 may include a lid 20 for preventing contamination of the breast milk in the inner chamber and for providing a "portable" bottle.

[0050] One advantage of container 10 is that the size of the inner chamber 12 allows the user to pump out more breast milk than the two to eight ounce limit currently known in breast milk containers. Breast milk can be pumped directly into a container that is a safe storage container for reducing and maintaining the milk at a safe temperature without dilution. The cap 18's lid 20 protects the pouring top and threaded neck from contamination while also serving as a universal, warmable bottle.

[0051] The container 10 may include an outer container 14, which includes a second or outer chamber 96 that can be filled with a coolant such as chilled water. Thus, the container 10 is designed to provide a device for cooling expressed breast milk and maintaining it at a safe, cooled temperature until it can be transported for feeding to a child or kept in refrigeration for a longer period.

[0052] The inner chamber 46 and outer chamber 96 of the container 10 can be configured such that the contents within the inner chamber 46, such as expressed breast milk, are cooled by the freezer-coolable outer chamber 96. The outer chamber 96 can be externally insulated to prevent condensation and heat exchange with the ambient temperature surrounding the container 10. The contents within the inner chamber are able to cool and remain at a cooled storage temperature for more than six hours without dilution.

[0053] According to one embodiment, connector 17 may include a threaded neck to receive a breast pump component. When the breast pump is not in use, cap 18 may be used to close the pouring top opening of inner container 12. Cooled milk may be poured from inner chamber 46 of inner container 12 into cap 20, as will be described in more detail below. Cap 20 may be removed from outer container 14.

[0054] In use, the nipple can be screwed onto the threaded neck of connector 17. Then, by placing the cap 20 in hot water, a certain volume of breast milk poured into the cap 20 can be warmed, and the child can then drink the warmed breast milk from the nipple connected to the cap 20 via connector 17.

[0055] According to one embodiment, the container 10 may be an insulated food container having a threaded neck cap 20 above the two chambers 12, 14. When the disclosed container 10 is provided with the removable cap 20, it allows a user to insert coolant into the second chamber 96 while keeping the coolant separate from the inner chamber 46. When the threaded neck cap 20 is attached to the larger container 14, a user can attach a breast pump assembly to pump milk directly into the inner chamber 46. Alternatively, a user can attach a pouring top to seal the container 10 for transport. The cap 20 can also be removed from the larger container, and a nipple can be placed on the cap 20 to provide a warmable bottle.

[0056] The disclosed container features allow users to pump milk directly into the inner container 12 and cool the milk for safe handling, storage, and feeding.

[0057] Reference Figures 1 to 3 The vessel 10 includes an inner container 12 configured to store a volume of liquid, such as breast milk. The vessel 10 also includes an outer container 14 and a connector 17. The outer container 14 is sized to at least partially enclose the inner container 12 to isolate it from the surrounding environment of the vessel 10 and to facilitate temperature regulation of the inner container 12, as will be explained in further detail below. The connector 17 secures the inner container 12 relative to the outer container 14.

[0058] The vessel 10 may also include a cap 18, which can be attached to the inner container 12, the connector 17, or both the inner container 12 and the connector 17 to seal the liquid stored in the inner container 12. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the vessel 10 may include a lid 20, which can be attached to the connector 17 such that the cap is sealed within the lid 20.

[0059] Reference Figures 4 to 7 The connector 17 has a body 19. The connector 17 includes a plurality of connector couplings that engage with complementary couplings on other components of the vessel 10 to connect the connector 17 to corresponding other components. According to one embodiment, the plurality of connector couplings includes a first connector coupling 22, a second connector coupling 24, a third connector coupling 26, a fourth connector coupling 28, or any combination thereof.

[0060] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the first connector coupler 22 and the second connector coupler 24 are similar, such that a complementary coupler that can be coupled to one of the first connector coupler 22 and the second connector coupler 24 will also be coupled to the other of the first connector coupler 22 and the second connector coupler 24. According to one embodiment, the first connector coupler 22 and the second connector coupler 24 may include corresponding threads 23, 25, and the threads 23, 25 may have the same pitch. As shown, the threads 23, 25 may be similar, such that they have the same major diameter, minor diameter, or both major and minor diameter. The threads 23, 25 may include external threads, as shown. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the threads 23, 25 may alternatively include internal threads.

[0061] According to one embodiment, the first connector 22 and the second connector 24 are discontinuous, such that the complementary connector cannot transition from engagement with the first connector 22 to engagement with the second connector 24 without first disengaging from the connector 17. As shown, the connector 17 may include a threadless portion 27 between the first connector 22 and the second connector 24. The threadless portion 27 may include radial protrusions 30, which facilitate the formation of a seal between the connector 17 and another component of the vessel 10 having a complementary connector.

[0062] According to another embodiment, the first connector connector 22 and the second connector connector 24 may be continuous, such that the complementary connector can transition from engagement with the first connector connector 22 to engagement with the second connector connector 24 without first disengaging from the connector 17. For example, threads 23, 25 may be continuous, uninterrupted threads with a constant pitch.

[0063] According to one embodiment, the third connector connector 26 may differ from the first connector connector 22 and the second connector connector 24, such that a complementary connector that can be connected to one of the first connector connector 22 and the second connector connector 24 cannot be connected to the third connector connector 26. According to one embodiment, the third connector connector 26 may include a thread 29. The thread 29 may have the same pitch as threads 23, 25, or alternatively, the thread 29 may have a different pitch than threads 23, 25. As shown, the cross-sectional dimensions of the thread 29, such as the major diameter, minor diameter, or both major and minor diameters, are smaller than the cross-sectional dimensions of threads 23, 25. The thread 29 may include an internal thread, as shown. However, those skilled in the art will understand that the thread 29 may alternatively include an external thread. The thread 29 may be of the opposite type (internal / external) to threads 23, 25. Alternatively, the thread 29 may be of the same type (internal / external) as threads 23, 25.

[0064] According to one embodiment, the fourth connector 28 may be complementary to the third connector 26. According to one embodiment, the fourth connector 28 may include a thread 31. The thread 31 may have the same pitch as the thread 29. Additionally, the thread 31 may have a major diameter, a minor diameter, or both, to facilitate threaded engagement with the thread 29. To complement the thread 29, the thread 31 may be of the opposite type (internal / external) to the thread 29.

[0065] According to one embodiment, the body 19 of connector 17 is an integral or single-piece continuous body. As shown, connector 17 may define a cross-sectional shape that is radially symmetrical about a central axis 32. As shown, a first connector 22 may be radially centered about the central axis 32, a second connector 24 may be radially centered about the central axis 32, and a third connector 26 may be radially centered about the central axis 32.

[0066] The first connector 22 and the third connector 26 can be arranged such that a plane orthogonal to the central axis 32 intersects both the first connector 22 and the third connector 26. As shown, the third connector 26 may be radially spaced from the central axis 32 by a first distance, and the first connector 22 may be radially spaced from the central axis 32 by a second distance, and the second distance may be greater than the first distance. The connector 17 and any other components of the vessel 10 described herein may be manufactured by, for example, injection molding or additive manufacturing processes.

[0067] Reference Figure 8 and 9The inner container 12 has a body 40 extending from a first end 42 of the inner container 12 to a second end 44 of the inner container 12, such that the body 40 partially encloses an inner chamber 46. The inner container 12 has an opening 48 near the first end 42, the opening 48 providing an entrance to the inner chamber 46. The inner container 12 may include, for example, an inner container connector 50 near the first end 42. According to one embodiment, the inner chamber 46 has a volume of at least 8 ounces (oz), for example, at least 12 oz.

[0068] According to one embodiment, the inner container connector 50 may be complementary to the third connector connector 26. According to one embodiment, the inner container connector 50 may include a thread 52. The thread 52 may have the same pitch as the thread 29. Additionally, the thread 52 may have a major diameter, a minor diameter, or both, to facilitate threaded engagement with the thread 29. To complement the thread 29, the thread 52 may be of the opposite type (internal / external) to the thread 29.

[0069] According to one embodiment, the main body 40 of the inner container 12 is an integral or single-piece continuous body. As shown, the inner container 12 may define a cross-sectional shape that is radially symmetrical about a central axis 54. As shown, the inner container connector 50 may be radially centered about the central axis 54.

[0070] The inner container 12 may include a seal 60, such as an O-ring, positioned between the inner container connector 50 and the third connector connector 26, such that engagement of the inner container connector 50 and the third connector connector 26 traps the seal 60 between the inner container connector 50 and the third connector connector 26, thereby forming a liquid-proof barrier between the inner container connector 50 and the third connector connector 26.

[0071] According to one embodiment, the vessel 10 may include a plurality of seals 60. Each coupling engagement location within the vessel 10 may optionally include a seal 60 to provide or enhance the quality of the barrier formed between the engaged couplings.

[0072] See Figures 10 to 12 The cap 18 has a body 70 extending from a first end 72 of the cap 18 to a second end 74 of the cap 18, such that the body 72 partially encloses the cavity 76. The cap 18 has an opening 78 near the second end 74, the opening 78 providing an entrance into the cavity 76. The cap 18 may include, for example, a cap connector 80 located within the cavity 76.

[0073] As illustrated in the embodiment, the first end 72 of the cap 18 may be closed. Alternatively, the first end 72 of the cap 18 may include a resealable opening, such as a pouring or sucking opening. When open, the resealable opening allows the user to drink the contents of the inner chamber 46 without removing the cap 18, and when closed, it maintains a liquid-proof barrier that seals the inner chamber 46.

[0074] According to one embodiment, the cap connector 80 may be complementary to the fourth connector connector 28, the inner container connector 50, or both. According to one embodiment, the cap connector 80 may include a thread 82. The thread 82 may have the same pitch as the thread 31 and / or the thread 52. Additionally, the thread 82 may have a major diameter, a minor diameter, or both, to facilitate threaded engagement with the threaded parts of the thread 31 and / or the thread 52. To complement the thread 31 and / or the thread 52, the thread 82 may have a type opposite to the thread 31 and / or the thread 52 (internal / external).

[0075] According to one embodiment, the body 70 of the cap 18 is an integral or single-piece continuous body. As shown, the cap 18 may define a cross-sectional shape that is radially symmetrical about a central axis 84. As shown, the cap connector 80 may be radially centered about the central axis 84. The cross-sectional shape of the cap 18 may include one or more planes 86 to facilitate the application of torque by a user to the cap 18, thereby causing the cap 18 to rotate about the central axis 84.

[0076] Reference Figure 13 and 14 The outer container 14 has a body 90 extending from a first end 92 of the outer container 14 to a second end 94 of the outer container 14, such that the body 90 partially encloses the outer chamber 96. The outer container 14 has an opening 98 near the first end 92, which provides an inlet to the outer chamber 96. The outer container 14 may include, for example, an outer container connector 100 near the first end 92.

[0077] According to one embodiment, the outer container connector 100 may be complementary to the first connector connector 22 and the second connector connector 24. According to one embodiment, the outer container connector 100 may include a thread 102. The thread 102 may have the same pitch as threads 23 and 25. Additionally, the thread 102 may have a major diameter, a minor diameter, or both major and minor diameters to facilitate threaded engagement with threads 23 and 25. To complement threads 23 and 25, the thread 102 may be of the opposite type (internal / external) to threads 23 and 25.

[0078] According to one embodiment, the body 90 of the outer container 14 is a double-walled body with a gap 104 between the first wall 106 and the second wall 108 constituting the double-walled body. According to one embodiment, the gap 104 may include a vacuum, thereby improving thermal insulation between the outer chamber 96 and the surrounding environment of the vessel 10. As shown, the outer container 14 may define a cross-sectional shape that is radially symmetrical about a central axis 109. As shown, the outer container connector 100 may be radially centered about the central axis 109. The second wall 108 may define a cylindrical shape, or the second wall 108 may be tapered, as shown.

[0079] See Figures 15 to 17 The cover 20 has a body 110 extending from a first end 112 of the cover 20 to a second end 114 of the cover 20, such that the body 110 partially encloses a cavity 116. The cover 20 has an opening 118 near the second end 114, the opening 118 providing an entrance to the cavity 116. The cover 20 may include, for example, a cover connector 120 located within the cavity 116.

[0080] According to one embodiment, the cover connector 120 may be complementary to the first connector connector 22 and the second connector connector 24. According to one embodiment, the cover connector 120 may include a thread 122. The thread 122 may have the same pitch as threads 23, 25. Additionally, the thread 122 may have a major diameter, a minor diameter, or both major and minor diameters to facilitate threaded engagement with threads 23, 25. To complement threads 23, 25, the thread 122 may be of the opposite type (internal / external) to threads 23, 25.

[0081] According to one embodiment, the body 110 of the cover 20 is an integral or single-piece continuous body. As shown, the cover 20 may define a cross-sectional shape that is radially symmetrical about a central axis 124. As shown, the cover connector 120 may be radially centered about the central axis 124. The cross-sectional shape of the cover 120 may include one or more planes 126 to allow a user to apply torque to the cover 20, thereby causing the cover 20 to rotate about the central axis 124.

[0082] Reference Figures 1 to 18 The vessel 10 may have an assembly structure (such as...) Figure 18 As shown, the inner container 12 is connected to the connector 17 via the inner container connector 50 and the third connector connector 26. For example, the inner container 12 can be connected to the connector 17 via a threaded engagement of thread 52 and thread 29. In the assembly configuration, the cap 18 is connected to the connector 17 via the cap connector 80 and the fourth connector connector 28. For example, the cap 18 can be connected to the connector 17 via a threaded engagement of thread 82 and thread 31. When the connector 17 is connected to the inner container 12 and the cap 18 as described above, the inner chamber 46 is completely sealed within a liquid-proof barrier.

[0083] In the assembly configuration, the outer container 14 is connected to the connector 17 via the outer container connector 100 and the first connector connector 22. For example, the outer container 14 can be connected to the connector 17 by threaded engagement of thread 102 and thread 23. When the connector 17 is connected to the inner container 12 and the outer container 14 as described above, the outer chamber 96 is completely sealed within the liquid-proof barrier.

[0084] In the assembly configuration, cover 20 is connected to connector 17 via cover connector 120 and second connector connector 24. For example, cover 20 can be connected to connector 17 via threaded engagement of thread 122 and thread 25. As shown, in the assembly configuration, one or more, for example all, of central axes 32, 54, 84, 109, and 124 can be parallel, for example collinear.

[0085] Reference Figures 1 to 20 The vessel 10 may have a pumping structure (such as...) Figure 19 and 20 As shown). Figure 19 As shown, in the pumping configuration, the first part of the vessel 10, such as the inner container 12, is connected to the breast shield 130 via the inner container connector 50 and the breast shield connector 132. According to one embodiment, the inner container 12 can be connected to the breast shield 130 by threading the thread 52 into the complementary thread (not shown) of the breast shield connector 132.

[0086] In use, for example, suction is applied via the breast shield 130 by the pump 136 while the breast shield 130 is in contact with the breast. The suction draws milk from the breast, and the drawn milk is transferred through the breast shield 130, through the breast shield connector 132, and into the inner chamber 46. After pumping is complete, the inner container 12 is detached from the breast shield 130. A cooling medium 138, such as ice, may be located within the outer chamber 96. The inner container 12, outer container 14, connector 17, and cap 18 can then be connected as described with reference to the assembly configuration, such as... Figure 18 As shown, the extracted milk is isolated in an inner chamber 46 enclosed in a liquid-proof barrier, wherein a cooling medium 138 is in contact with the inner container 12 to reduce the temperature of the extracted milk.

[0087] According to another embodiment, the vessel 10 can be used as a brewer. The inner container 12 can be a mesh material (or other material that allows liquid to pass through the body 40 of the inner chamber 12). The inner chamber 46 can be filled with a brewing material such as tea leaves or coffee grounds. Liquid, such as hot water, can be poured into the outer chamber 96, and the hot water passes through the body 40 of the inner chamber 12 to interact with the brewing material, while the brewing material is contained within the inner chamber 46. The brewed liquid in the outer chamber 96 can then be drunk or poured into a separate container, such as the lid 20, for drinking.

[0088] like Figure 20 As shown, in the pumping configuration, the second part of the vessel 10 (e.g., the cap 20 and connector 17), which is connected by the threaded engagement of threads 122 and 23, is connected to the breast shield 130 via the breast shield connector 132. According to one embodiment, the second part of the vessel 10 can be connected to the breast shield 130 by threading the thread 31 to the complementary thread (not shown) of the breast shield connector 132.

[0089] In use, for example, suction is applied via the breast pump 136 through the breast pump 130 while the breast shield 130 is in contact with the breast. The suction draws milk from the breast, and the drawn milk is transferred through the breast pump 130, through the breast pump connector 132, and into the cavity 116. After pumping is complete, the second part of the container 10 is detached from the breast pump 130. The drawn milk can then be transferred to the inner chamber 46. The inner container 12, outer container 14, connector 17, and cap 18 can then be connected as described with reference to the assembly configuration, such as... Figure 18 As shown, the extracted milk is isolated in an inner chamber 46 enclosed in a liquid-proof barrier, wherein a cooling medium 138 is in contact with the inner container 12 to reduce the temperature of the extracted milk.

[0090] According to one embodiment, the first and second portions of the vessel 10 can be coupled to a corresponding breast shield in the breast shield 130, allowing milk to be drawn from both breasts simultaneously. For example, if the ice has melted, the cooling medium 138 can be refilled / replaced by detaching the outer container 14 from the connector 17, removing the "old" cooling medium 138 from the outer chamber 96, and replacing / refilling at least a portion of the outer chamber 96 with the "new" cooling medium 138.

[0091] Reference Figures 1 to 17 And 21 to 22, the vessel 10 may have a feeding structure (such as...) Figure 21 and 22 As shown). Figure 21As shown, in the feeding configuration, the second part of the vessel 10 is connected to the feeding nipple 140 via a feeding nipple connector 142. According to one embodiment, the second part of the vessel 10 can be connected to the feeding nipple 140 by engaging the thread 31 with the complementary thread (not shown) of the feeding nipple connector 142.

[0092] During use, before the second part of the container 10 and the feeding nipple 140 are connected, a portion of the milk sucked in the inner chamber 46 is transferred to the cavity 116. (As...) Figure 22 As shown, during feeding, the cap 18 can be connected to the inner container 12, for example, via a threaded engagement of thread 52 and thread 82, such that the milk drawn into the inner chamber 46 is isolated within the inner chamber 46 and sealed within a liquid-proof barrier. The inner container 12 can be placed within the outer chamber 96, for example, such that the inner chamber 12 rests on the cooling medium 138 instead of being supported by the connector 17. Alternatively, a second feeding nipple 140 can be connected to the inner container 12 (instead of...). Figure 22 The hat shown (18) allows for feeding two children at the same time.

[0093] The above description of the embodiments, including those described in the abstract, is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the embodiments to the precise forms disclosed. Although specific embodiments and examples have been described herein for illustrative purposes, as those skilled in the art will recognize, various equivalent modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of this disclosure.

[0094] Many of the methods described herein can be implemented in different ways. For example, many methods may include additional actions, omission of some actions, and / or execution of actions in a different order than those illustrated or described. The various embodiments described above can be combined to provide further embodiments.

[0095] Based on the detailed description above, these and other changes can be made to the embodiments. Generally, the terminology used in the appended claims should not be construed as limiting the claims to the specific embodiments disclosed in the specification and claims, but should be interpreted to include all possible embodiments and the full scope of equivalents granted by these claims. Therefore, the claims are not limited to this disclosure.

Claims

1. A method of pumping and storing breast milk, the method comprising: contacting a breast shield with a breast; applying a suction to the breast while the breast is in contact with the breast shield, thereby drawing milk from the breast; transferring the milk drawn from the breast to an inner cavity of a cap, the cap being coupled to a first connector coupler of a connector coupled to the breast shield by a first breast shield connector; decoupling the cap from the breast shield by decoupling the first breast shield connector from a second connector coupler of the connector, and decoupling the cap from the connector by decoupling a cap connector from the first connector coupler of the connector; transferring breast milk from the inner cavity of the cap to an inner chamber of an inner container; placing a cooling medium into an outer chamber of an outer container; coupling the inner container to the first connector coupler of the connector; inserting the inner container into the outer chamber; and after coupling the inner container to a third connector coupler of the connector, coupling the outer container to the first connector coupler of the connector such that a gap is formed between the inner container and the outer container, at least a portion of the gap being occupied by the cooling medium, and coupling the cap to a fourth connector coupler of the connector such that the cap covers the inner container and the outer container, wherein the third connector coupler is spaced apart from the first connector coupler and the second connector coupler, and wherein the fourth connector coupler is laterally spaced apart from the first connector coupler along an outer surface of the connector. the breast is a first breast and the breast shield is a first breast shield, the method further comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, contacting a second breast shield with a second breast while the first breast shield is in contact with the first breast; applying a suction to the second breast while the second breast is in contact with the second breast shield, thereby drawing milk from the second breast; transferring the milk drawn from the second breast to the inner chamber of the inner container, the inner container being coupled to the second breast shield by a second breast shield connector.

3. The method of claim 1, further comprising: decoupling the outer container from the first connector coupler of the connector; decoupling the inner container from the third connector coupler of the connector; transferring at least a portion of the milk drawn from the inner chamber to the inner cavity of the cap; coupling the cap to the first connector coupler of the connector; while the cap is coupled to the connector, coupling a feeding nipple to the second connector coupler of the connector such that a suction applied to the feeding nipple draws a portion of the milk drawn into the inner cavity of the cap.

4. The method of claim 1, further comprising: storing a cooling medium in the outer chamber of the outer container such that at least a portion of the gap between the inner container and the outer container is occupied by the cooling medium. ​ 5. The method of claim 1, further comprising: wherein the first connector coupler is discontinuous with the fourth connector coupler.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein: the first connector coupler of the connector is complementary to an outer container coupler of the outer container and a cap coupler of the cap; and the fourth connector coupler of the connector is complementary to the outer container coupler and the cap coupler.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein: the first, third, and fourth connector couplers of the connector are disposed radially about an axis; and the third connector coupler of the connector is radially spaced apart from the central axis by a first distance, and the first and fourth connector couplers of the connector are radially spaced apart from the central axis by a second distance; wherein the second distance is greater than the first distance.

8. A method of storing a liquid, the method comprising: transferring a liquid to an inner chamber of an inner container; coupling an inner container coupler of the inner container to a third connector coupler of a connector; inserting the inner container into an outer chamber of an outer container; coupling an outer container coupler of the outer container to a first connector coupler of the connector such that the connector defines a gap between the inner container and the outer container; and providing a second connector coupler of the connector for coupling to a cap coupler of a cap, wherein the second connector coupler of the connector is complementary to an outer container coupler of the outer container, wherein the third connector coupler is spaced apart from the first and second connector couplers.

9. The method of claim 8, further comprising: coupling a fourth connector coupler of the connector to a cap coupler of a cap to completely enclose the inner container.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein the cap coupler comprises a first thread that is complementary to a second thread of the inner container coupler.

11. The method of claim 9, when each of 1) the inner container coupler is engaged with the third connector coupler of the connector; 2) the outer container coupler engages the first connector coupler of the connector; and 3) the cap coupler engages the fourth connector coupler of the connector, the inner chamber is completely enclosed within a liquid barrier.

12. The method of claim 8, further comprising: directly coupling an accessory of a breast pump to the inner container coupler to allow milk to be directly transferred into the inner container.

13. The method of claim 8, further comprising: storing a cooling medium into the outer chamber of the outer container such that at least a portion of the gap between the inner container and the outer container is occupied by the cooling medium.

14. The method of claim 8, wherein, the outer chamber is a double-walled body having a vacuum-sealed gap between a first wall and a second wall of the double-walled body.

15. The method of claim 8, wherein: inserting the inner container into the outer chamber of the outer container comprises inserting the inner chamber into an opening near a first end of the outer container; and the first end of the outer container is a first end of a double-walled body of the outer container. The method further includes delivering a cooling fluid to an opening in a gap between the inner container and the outer chamber.

16. The method of claim 8, wherein, The third connector coupler is positioned radially inward relative to the first connector coupler, such that coupling the inner container coupler to the third connector coupler includes positioning the inner container radially inward relative to the first connector coupler.

17. A method of connecting a container, comprising: coupling a first connector coupler of a connector to an outer container coupler, wherein the first connector coupler of the connector is discontinuous with a second connector coupler of the connector, such that the outer container coupler cannot transition from engagement with the first connector coupler to engagement with the second connector coupler without first disengaging from the first connector coupler, and the first and second connector couplers have a first pitch and a first diameter; and coupling a third connector coupler of the connector to an inner container coupler, wherein the third connector coupler is different from the first and second connector couplers, and the third connector coupler is radially inward relative to the first and second connector couplers; and coupling a fourth connector coupler of the connector to a cap coupler of a cap, wherein the third connector coupler of the connector and the fourth connector coupler of the connector have a second pitch and a second diameter different from the first diameter, wherein the third connector coupler is spaced apart from the first and second connector couplers, and wherein the fourth connector coupler is laterally spaced apart from the first connector coupler along an outer surface of the connector.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising: wherein the fourth connector coupler includes a feature complementary to the inner container coupler.

19. The method of claim 17, wherein, the first and second connector couplers are outer threads on the connector.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising: disengaging the third connector coupler of the connector from the inner container coupler; and coupling the inner container coupler to a cap coupler, wherein coupling the inner container coupler to the cap coupler covers the inner container.

21. The method of claim 17, wherein, Coupling the first connector coupler of the connector to the outer container coupler and coupling the third connector coupler of the connector to the inner container coupler forms a gap between the inner container and the outer container.

22. The method of claim 21, wherein: when 1) the first connector coupler of the connector is engaged with the outer container coupler, and 2) the third connector coupler of the connector is engaged with the inner container coupler, no portion of the inner container directly contacts the outer container.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, Coupling the inner container coupler and the outer container coupler to the connector provides a water-tight seal for a gap between the inner container and the outer container.

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