Passive milk collector

Abstract

The present invention relates to a passive milk collector (10) that is easier to use when introduced into and removed from a bra. The present invention creates a passive milk collector comprising a shell element (40) and a cover element (30), where the shell element (40) and the cover element (30) are adapted to be sealingly connected to each other to define a milk compartment (15), where the cover element (30) has an opening (31) adapted to receive a nipple of a user and provides an abutment surface (32), the passive milk collector (10) has an abutment surface adapted to abut the passive milk collector (10) against the user's breast when the nipple is received within the opening (31), where the passive milk collector (10) has an upper end (11).

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to a passive milk collector. Background Technology

[0002] Such collectors are typically known from WO 2021 / 084283 A1 or WO 2024 / 121439.

[0003] A passive milk collector has a body comprising a shell element and a cover element, wherein the shell element and the cover element are adapted to be sealingly connected to each other to define a milk compartment. The cover element has an opening adapted to receive a user's nipple and provides an abutment surface adapted to press the passive milk collector against the user's breast when the nipple is received within the opening and generally to seal the passive milk collector against the user's breast.

[0004] Known passive milk collectors typically mimic the shape of a woman's breast. In the usage position, the covering element abuts against the user's breast with the nipple inserted, the upper end of the passive milk collector points towards the user's face, and the lower end, arranged opposite to the upper end in the longitudinal direction of the passive milk collector, defines the bottom of the milk compartment.

[0005] Known passive milk collectors typically have a slightly elongated shape when viewed in a top view. In this top view, the outer circumferential surface is circular, preferably elliptical. In a side view, the shell element has a continuous convex shape, which is specifically optimized to provide a milk compartment with maximum volume at the extension of the limited space of the passive milk collector, such that the milk compartment is suitable for the maximum volume of a bra.

[0006] These known passive milk collectors are often difficult to remove from bras and are uncomfortable. Additionally, there is a risk of milk leakage from the passive milk collector if a woman wearing it bends over. Utility Model Content

[0007] The present invention aims to provide a passive milk collector that is easier to use because it is easier to insert into and remove from a bra and eliminates the risk of milk leakage.

[0008] As a solution to this objective, the present invention proposes a passive milk container, which typically comprises two separate elements adapted to be sealingly connected to each other to define a milk compartment between the two separate elements. The passive milk collector is specified to have an upper end that faces the user's face in the use position. The use position is the position where the covering element abuts against the user's breast with the nipple inserted into the opening. The passive milk collector defines a lower end opposite to the upper end, which provides the bottom of the passive milk collector and thus the bottom of the milk compartment. The rear side, opposite to the front side, defines the height of the passive milk collector on the side that protrudes from the user's body in the use position, i.e., the front side of the passive milk collector. In the use position, the front side is typically furthest from the user's body in the sagittal plane.

[0009] According to the invention, a recessed portion is provided in a side view of the passive milk collector, which is distributed at the upper end. The recessed portion may be located between the opening and the upper end. The recessed portion defines a gripping section adapted to grip the passive milk collector when inserting it into or removing it from a bra. Thus, the recessed portion has an outer contour that provides a gripping portion for the user's hand, allowing the passive milk collector to be gripped between the fingers of the hand, wherein at least one finger is located between the body and the covering element, and at least one other finger contacts the recessed portion.

[0010] In contrast to existing technologies where the outer shell is strictly convex, the recessed portion of the passive milk collector created by this invention facilitates handling, manipulating, and positioning of the passive milk collector on the body and, in particular, relative to the bra.

[0011] Furthermore, because the recessed portion reduces the volume of the milk compartment in its upper section, the likelihood of reaching a larger milk volume at the upper end is significantly reduced compared to prior art passive milk collectors. The upper end typically has a pouring opening. The pouring opening is arranged such that, in the use position, it represents the highest point of the passive milk collector. The pouring opening is regularly arranged on a longitudinal axis that extends in the longitudinal direction of the milk container and between the upper and lower ends.

[0012] Along this longitudinal direction, the passive milk collector may have a slightly longer extension. Therefore, in the front view, the shell element may have an avocado shape, with the larger width of the avocado shape allocated to the lower end of the passive milk collector. The front view is perpendicular to the side view and can be assumed to extend perpendicular to the plane containing the covering element. The side view is perpendicular to the front view and extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction connecting the upper and lower ends. In the usage position, the side view of the passive milk collector substantially corresponds to a view parallel to the user's frontal plane.

[0013] In the following description, the top view is another view that extends perpendicularly to the side and front views, extending longitudinally and pointing towards the upper end of the passive milk collector. The bottom view extends in the same direction as the top view, but points towards the bottom of the passive milk collector.

[0014] Finally, the rear view extends in the same direction as the front view and is therefore perpendicular to the cover element and points towards the cover element.

[0015] Preferably, and when viewed in a side view, the recessed portion defines a stepped portion between the recessed front surface defining a portion of the front side and the recessed top surface that causes the recessed front surface to protrude towards the front side. The recessed front surface can be seen in a top view. In the side view, the recessed front surface can be straight or curved, either convex or concave towards the front, or convex towards the front or near the upper end and concave towards the lower end. The recessed portion can have an extension between 20 mm and 30 mm in the longitudinal direction.

[0016] In a side view, the top surface of the recess can be straight or curved, either convex or concave towards the upper end, or both. In such a side view, the top surface of the recess can be inclined towards the lower end. Preferably, this inclination extends at an angle between 25° and 70°, more preferably between 35° and 55°, relative to the edge plane defined by the circumferential edge of the housing element. This circumferential edge typically mates with a cover element to sealably connect the cover element and the housing element.

[0017] In the above configuration, the recessed portion is at a considerable distance from the imaginary convex curve in the height direction. The imaginary convex curve is the tangent to the forward front surface of the shell element and the end surface provided by the shell element at the upper end.

[0018] The front side of the recessed portion may extend completely or at least partially parallel to the edge plane.

[0019] Preferably, the front surface of the recess has a maximum extension between 15% and 40% of the maximum distance between the front side of the shell element and the cover element. In other words, the maximum height of the front surface of the recess is between 15% and 40% of the maximum height of the shell element, i.e., the maximum distance between the front surface of the shell element and the surface of the cover element, which in a side view is the internal distance of the milk compartment, and therefore the distance between the inner surface of the cover element and the corresponding opposing inner surface of the shell element. The height direction is generally perpendicular to the edge plane.

[0020] The center of any opening at the level of the inner surface of the cover element and the shell element should be at least 24 mm to provide space for the nipple within the passive milk collector.

[0021] The recessed portion does not necessarily have a flat front surface. In fact, in a side view, the recessed portion can present a nose-shaped configuration with a raised portion and a valley, wherein, in the longitudinal direction, the raised portion is close to the upper end and the valley is arranged between the raised portion and the lower end, preferably between the upper end and the opening. In the side view of this preferred embodiment, the recessed portion can have a continuously curved configuration with a convex end portion that rises from the upper end and can fully or partially include the end surface and smoothly merge into the valley, which provides the lowest height and is generally recessed into the top surface of the recess. The convex and concave geometries are seen from the outside of the passive milk collector.

[0022] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the passive milk collector is provided with a plug adapted to releasably close the pouring opening, the plug being connected via a hinge to a shell element or a cover element. This plug completely prevents milk from spilling from the user's breast into the milk compartment.

[0023] To allow air circulation through the passive milk collector, it is recommended to provide at least one ventilation hole. The corresponding ventilation hole is preferably located between the opening and the upper end.

[0024] To prevent the cover element from adhering to the user's skin, the cover element has a protrusion that extends outward toward the milk compartment. Preferably, a plurality of protrusions are evenly distributed at least around the opening, and particularly evenly distributed around a portion of the cover element located below the opening and bottom. Alternatively or additionally, and to prevent the cover element from adhering to the user's skin, the exterior of the milk compartment may be modified, for example, by sanding or roughening.

[0025] The cover element and shell element are preferably made of plastic material. Specifically, the cover element is made of an elastic material, most preferably a soft elastomer material, so that the cover element is flexible and conforms to the contour of the user's chest in the use position. Even with such a flexible cover element, the protrusions prevent the cover element from adhering to the skin of the user wearing the passive milk collector in the use position.

[0026] To allow the passive milk collector to rest on a flat surface such as a table or kitchen surface, a flat support surface is arranged on the front of the housing element and thus opposite to the cover element. This flat support surface typically extends in at least one plane parallel to the edge plane. This direction typically extends perpendicular to the longitudinal direction. In the longitudinal direction, the flat support surface is typically inclined relative to the edge plane such that when the passive milk collector is supported on a flat horizontal surface, the upper end, and therefore the pouring opening located on the upper end, represents the highest point of the milk compartment.

[0027] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the cover element is provided with a circumferential groove that is generally open to the front and adapted to sealably receive the circumferential edge of the shell element. The edge of the shell element and the cover element preferably have a form-fitting section at the upper end of the passive milk collector to position the shell element relative to the cover element in the circumferential direction when the shell element is sealed to the cover element. The form-fitting section may be provided by a recess in the outer circumferential portion of the circumferential edge. The recess is preferably positioned close to the pouring opening in the height direction of the passive milk collector. In other words, the recess is preferably positioned below the pouring opening. Corresponding to this recess, the cover element provides a recess. This recess is generally provided within a seat defined by the cover element and is adapted to receive the edge of the cover element. When the cover element and the shell element are sealed together, the fit of the recess and the recess will help the user find the proper position. Attached Figure Description

[0028] The invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. In the drawings:

[0029] Figure 1 This is a perspective side view of an embodiment of the invention.

[0030] Figure 2 yes Figure 1 A three-dimensional rear view of the implementation method;

[0031] Figure 3 yes Figure 1 and Figure 2 A top view of the implementation method;

[0032] Figure 4 This is a side view of the implementation method;

[0033] Figure 5 This is a detailed enlarged view of the top part of this embodiment, in which the cover closes the pouring opening;

[0034] Figure 6 It is based on Figure 5 The view shows the plug being pulled out of the tipping opening; and

[0035] Figure 7 It is an enlarged view of the upper portion of the cover element and shell element, which have been disassembled and are arranged adjacent to each other. Detailed Implementation

[0036] exist Figures 1 to 4 In the accompanying drawings, reference numeral 10 identifies a passive milk collector having an upper end 11 and a lower end 12 located on opposite sides of the passive milk collector in a longitudinal direction 13 indicated by a dashed line. This dashed line intersects the upper end 11 and the lower end 12. Reference numeral 14 identifies the body of the passive milk collector 10, which is defined between a cover element 30 and a shell element 40, and defines a milk compartment 15 between the cover element 30 and the shell element 40. The bottom 16 of the milk compartment 15 is located at the lower end 12.

[0037] The cover element 30 has an opening 31 recessed within an abutment surface 32 adapted to mate with the user's chest to seal the passive milk collector 10 to the user's skin. To allow air circulation through the milk compartment 15, the cover element 30 has a plurality of vents 33 arranged only in the upper portion of the cover element 30 and thus between the opening 31 and the upper end portion 11. These vents 33 are arranged circumferentially around a portion of the circumference of the opening 31. Furthermore, the cover element 30 is provided with a plurality of protrusions 34 projecting outwards and thus away from the milk compartment 15. These protrusions 34 are primarily arranged between the opening 31 and the lower end portion 12 of the passive milk collector 10. Furthermore, and particularly... Figure 2 In this context, some of the protrusions 34 may be identified as being equidistantly spaced in the circumferential direction to completely surround the opening 31 in that direction. These protrusions 34 will prevent the covering element 30 from completely adhering to the user's skin and thus facilitate the sliding of the passive milk collector 10 relative to the body, and thus properly position the passive milk collector 10 so that the user's nipple will be properly received within the opening 31.

[0038] As from Figure 7Of particular noticeable is that the cover element 30 defines a groove 35 on its outer circumference. At the upper end 11, the recess 36 extends into the groove 35 in a direction parallel to the main extension of the cover element, that is, in a direction parallel to the edge plane RP.

[0039] The recess 35 provides a seat for the shell element 40, which, together with the cover element, provides the milk compartment 15 and seals the milk compartment 15 at least below the opening 31. The shell element has an edge 41 that extends in a single plane designated as the edge plane RP.

[0040] Figure 1 In addition to the support surface 42, the shell element 40 of this embodiment is provided with a convex (outward) curved surface. The support surface 42 is flat and extends in the width direction in a relationship parallel to the cover element 30, but is perpendicular to the cover element 30 and slightly inclined upward along the longitudinal direction 13, such that the end of the flat support surface 42 at the lower end 12 is lower than the opposite end of the flat support surface 42 pointing upward 11.

[0041] In the illustrated embodiment, edge 41 provides a flat circumferential edge 44 that extends within the edge plane RP and protrudes radially, i.e., circumferentially, from the outer surface of the housing element 40. This flat circumferential edge 44 has a recess 45 at its upper end 11, see [reference needed]. Figure 7 .

[0042] As from Figure 3 It is obvious from the text. Figure 3 This is a front view of a passive milk collector 10, wherein the shell element 40 is in front and the cover element 30 is behind the shell element 40, and the shell element 40 has an avocado shape. Therefore, the maximum width W of the avocado shape is... MAX It is positioned between the opening 31 and the lower end 12 of the passive milk collector 10.

[0043] exist Figures 1 to 3 In the figure, reference numeral 50 denotes a recessed portion, which defines the... Figure 4 The stepped portion is identified by reference numeral 51 in the accompanying drawings. In the drawings, reference numeral 52 identifies the front surface of the recess pointing towards the front of the passive milk collector 10 and the top surface 53 of the recess pointing towards the upper end 11 of the passive milk collector 10. (See from...) Figure 4 It can be clearly seen that the top surface 53 of the recess is inclined in the rearward direction, such that the inner end 531 of the top surface of the recess is arranged closer to the upper end 11 than the outer end 532. The outer end smoothly merges into the forward front surface 46 of the shell element 40, which extends in a convex manner between the support surface 42 and the top surface 53 of the recess in the side view.

[0044] exist Figure 4 In the accompanying drawing, reference numeral 54 denotes a hypothetical hash convex curve, which is configured to be tangent to the forward front surface 46 and end surface 47 of the shell element, the end surface 47 protruding substantially perpendicular to the edge plane RP. (As shown in the figure...) Figure 4 It is evident that the step portion 51 provides a considerable recess below the convex scattering curve 54.

[0045] In the illustrated embodiment, the recessed portion 50 has a concave ridge with a convex geometry, which is visible from the front and outer sides of the passive milk collector 10. This concave ridge 55 is followed towards the lower end portion 12 by a concave valley 56, which smoothly merges into the top surface 53 of the recess. Figure 4 In the diagram, α indicates the angle of inclination of the top surface 53 of the recess relative to the edge plane RP. Figure 4 In the middle, the concave part is shaped to resemble a nose.

[0046] Due to this specific configuration, the user can grasp the back of the concave ridge 55 and enter the concave valley 56 to capture and manipulate the passive milk collector 10 inside the bra, thereby removing the passive milk collector 10 from the bra or properly positioning the passive milk collector 10 inside the bra if the nipple is properly received in the opening 31.

[0047] Clearly, all the outer circumferential surface portions of the cover element 30 are smoothly curved in an organic manner and incorporated in this way into the flat, rather technically-sounding support surface 42. In fact, this flat support surface 42 and the circumferential edge 44 provide the only flat surface of the shell element 40 in this embodiment.

[0048] In the following text, specifically regarding Figure 4 Some components of the passive milk collector created in this invention are discussed. Figure 4 In the diagram, B denotes the rear side of the passive milk collector 10, while F denotes the front side. HM denotes the height of the milk compartment 15, which is measured from both the inner surface provided by the cover element 30 and the opposing inner surface on the front side F provided by the shell element 40, and HM is perpendicular to the edge plane RP. In this embodiment, the maximum height HR of the recessed portion is... MAX The maximum height HM of the milk compartment MAX Approximately 25%. Minimum height HR of the recessed portion. MIN Selected as the maximum height HM corresponding to the milk compartment MAX 15% of the minimum height HR. MINThis creates an obstacle to the flow of milk toward the upper end 11 of the passive milk collector 10. Therefore, the milk contained in the milk compartment 15 has difficulty reaching the pouring opening 43. MIN It can be selected to essentially reach the level of the pouring opening 43, wherein only a small channel or gap is left on the left to connect the pouring opening 43 to the milk compartment 15.

[0049] Furthermore, and as from Figure 5 and Figure 6 Clearly, the shell element 40 is provided with a plug 48, which is adapted to be releasably attached to the pouring opening 43 for sealingly closing the groove. The plug 48 is connected to the remaining shell element via a hinge 49, thereby allowing the plug 48 to be removed from the pouring opening 43 while still forming part of the shell element 40, and thus preventing loss of milk contained in the milk compartment 15 when poured out through the pouring opening 43. Reference numeral 491 identifies a retaining hole adapted to receive the plug 48 to prevent the milk flow from contacting the plug 48 when pouring milk through the pouring opening 43.

[0050] The passive milk collector 10 is particularly suitable for collecting milk dripping from the nipple received in the opening 31. The passive milk collector 10 has a cover element 30 that is flexible so that the abutment surface 32 conforms to the external shape of the woman's breast when the passive milk collector 10 is received within a bra and thus pressed against the user's breast. However, the passive milk collector is not intended to actively pump milk by reducing or increasing the volume of the milk compartment 15.

[0051] To assemble the passive milk collector 10 by sealingly engaging the cover element 30 with the shell element 40, the recess 45 typically receives the protrusion 34 in a form-fitting manner with the shell element 40 slightly inclined relative to the cover element 30. With the recess 36 protruding into the recess 45, the element 40 descends toward the cover element 30. After the element 40 descends toward the cover element 30 to insert its entire edge 41 into the recess 35, the cover element 30 and the shell element 40 sealably surround the milk compartment 15.

[0052] List of reference numerals

[0053] 10 Passive Milk Collector

[0054] 11. Upper end

[0055] 12 Lower end

[0056] 13. Vertical direction

[0057] 14 body

[0058] 15 Milk compartments

[0059] 16 Bottom

[0060] 30 Covering elements

[0061] 31 Opening

[0062] 32 contact surface

[0063] 33 Ventilation holes

[0064] 34. Protrusion

[0065] 35 Grooves

[0066] 36 recess

[0067] 40 housing components

[0068] 41 Edge

[0069] 42 Support surface

[0070] 43 Pour-out opening

[0071] 44 Circumferential edge

[0072] 45 recess

[0073] 46 Forward-facing front surface

[0074] 47 End Surface

[0075] 48.

[0076] 49. Hinge

[0077] 491 Fixing hole

[0078] 50 Recessed portion

[0079] 51 Step section

[0080] 52 Front surface of recess

[0081] 53. Top surface of the concave portion

[0082] 531 Inner end

[0083] 532 outer end

[0084] 54 Convex Curve

[0085] 55 Concave and raised parts

[0086] 56 concave valley

[0087] α angle

[0088] B Rear Side

[0089] F Front

[0090] HR MAX Maximum height of the recessed part

[0091] HM MAX Maximum height of the milk compartment

[0092] RP edge plane

[0093] W MAX Maximum width

Claims

1. A passive milk collector, characterized in that, The passive milk collector (10) has a body (14) for defining a milk compartment (15), wherein the body (14) has a rear side (B) and an abutment surface (32), the rear side (B) having an opening (31) adapted to receive a user's nipple, the abutment surface (32) being adapted to allow the passive milk collector (10) to abut against the user's breast when the nipple is received in the opening (31), wherein the body (14) defines a front side (F) of the passive milk collector (10), the front side (F) being opposite to the rear side (B) of the passive milk collector (10), wherein, in a side view of the passive milk collector (10), the body (14) has a recessed portion (50) at the front side (F) of the passive milk collector (10).

2. The passive milk collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The passive milk collector (10) has an upper end (11) and a lower end (12), the upper end (11) being intended to point toward the user's face in the use position, in which the passive milk collector abuts against the user's breast with the nipple inserted into the opening (31), the lower end (12) being arranged opposite to the upper end (11) in the longitudinal direction (13) of the passive milk collector (10) and defining the bottom (16) of the milk compartment (15), wherein the recessed portion (50) is provided between the opening (31) and the upper end (11).

3. The passive milk collector according to claim 1, characterized in that, The body (14) includes a shell element (40) and a cover element (30).

4. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The opening (31) and the abutting surface (32) are disposed at the covering element (30), wherein the covering element (30) defines the rear side (B) of the passive milk collector (10).

5. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, When viewed in a side view, the recessed portion (50) defines a stepped portion (51) between a recessed front surface (52) defining a portion of the front side (F) and a recessed top surface (53) that causes the recessed front surface (52) to protrude toward the front side (F), the recessed top surface (53) being inclined toward the bottom (16) in the side view and extending at an angle (α) between 50° and 70° relative to the edge plane (RP) defined by the circumferential edge (44) of the shell element (40).

6. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, When viewed in a side view, the recessed portion (50) defines a stepped portion (51) between a recessed front surface (52) defining a portion of the front side (F) and a recessed top surface (53) that causes the recessed front surface (52) to protrude toward the front side (F), and wherein the maximum height of the recessed front surface is between 15% and 40% of the maximum height of the milk compartment between the cover element (30) and the front side (F) of the shell element (40).

7. The passive milk collector according to claim 2, characterized in that, When viewed in a side view, the recessed portion (50) has a recessed ridge (55) and a recessed valley (56), wherein, in the longitudinal direction (13), the recessed ridge (55) is close to the upper end portion (11), and the recessed valley (56) is arranged between the recessed ridge (55) and the lower end portion (12).

8. The passive milk collector according to claim 7, characterized in that, The upper end (11) is provided with a tilting opening (43), which is open toward the upper end (11).

9. The passive milk collector according to claim 8, characterized in that, The body (14) includes a shell element (40) and a cover element (30), and the passive milk collector (10) also includes a plug (48) adapted to releasably close the pouring opening (43), the plug (48) being connected to the shell element (40) or the cover element (30) via a hinge (49).

10. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The covering element (30) has at least one vent (33) arranged between the opening (31) and the upper end (11), which is intended to point toward the user's face in the use position, in which the passive milk collector abuts against the user's breast with the nipple inserted into the opening (31).

11. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The covering element (30) has at least one protrusion (34) that protrudes outward toward the milk compartment (15).

12. The passive milk collector according to claim 11, characterized in that, The covering element (30) has a plurality of protrusions (34) distributed to the opening (31).

13. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The front side (F) of the shell element (40), which is arranged opposite to the cover element (30), has a flat support surface (42).

14. The passive milk collector according to claim 13, characterized in that, The circumferential edge (44) of the shell element (40) defines an edge plane (RP) that is inclined relative to the flat support surface (42) such that the pouring opening (43) presents the highest point of the milk compartment (15) relative to the flat horizontal surface on which the support surface (42) rests.

15. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, In the front view, the shell element (40) has an avocado shape, wherein the maximum width (WMAX) of the avocado shape is arranged between the opening (31) and the lower end (12) of the passive milk collector (10).

16. The passive milk collector according to claim 3, characterized in that, The cover element (30) provides a circumferential groove (35) adapted to sealably receive the circumferential edge (44) of the shell element (40).

17. The passive milk collector according to claim 16, characterized in that, The circumferential edge (44) and the circumferential groove (35) are provided with a form-fitting section at the upper end (11) of the passive milk collector (10) to position the shell element (40) relative to the cover element (30) in the circumferential direction of the circumferential edge (44) when the shell element (40) is sealed to the cover element (30).

18. The passive milk collector according to claim 17, characterized in that, The circumferential edge (44) has a recess (36), and the circumferential groove (35) has a recess (45) adapted to receive the recess (36).

Images