Breast pump

Abstract

This breast pump may include a tight-contact housing, a storage housing, a flow separation membrane, and an elastic valve. The storage housing may include a concave rear surface configured to be in close contact with the breast of the mother, a front surface opposite to the rear surface, and a protrusion protruding from the center of the front surface and providing an inner space connected to a through-hole provided in the rear surface. The storage housing may be coupled to the tight-contact housing to provide a breast milk storage space on the front surface. The flow separation membrane may be for generating a negative pressure in the inner space. The elastic valve may open and close a breast milk discharge hole provided in the protrusion so as to connect the inner space and the breast milk storage space. The elastic valve may include a first elastic plate, and the first elastic plate may be configured in a cantilever form with a first end coupled to the storage housing, so as to cover the breast milk discharge hole.

Description

breast pump

[0001] The present invention relates to a breast pump, and more particularly, to a breast pump that allows a mother to use both hands freely during the milking process.

[0002] Breast pumps currently on the market are divided into manual and electric types depending on the type of power source.

[0003] Manual breast pumps typically include a suction cup that surrounds the mother's breast, a manual pumping device that generates air pressure in the suction cup, and a bottle in which the milk expressed by the suction cup is stored. These manual breast pumps have the disadvantage of requiring the mother to hold the suction cup or bottle while operating the manual pumping device, leaving both hands free.

[0004] In contrast, electric breast pumps have the convenience of freeing up one hand by using an electric pump instead of a manual pumping device.

[0005] However, even with conventional electric breast pumps, the inconvenience of having to hold a suction device or a bottle in the other hand still existed. Accordingly, the inventor of the present invention has developed an electric breast pump in a structure in which a storage housing for storing expressed breast milk is combined with a close-fitting housing that is in close contact with the mother's breast, as disclosed in Korean Patent Publication No. 10-2019-0116774, and can be inserted between the mother's breast and her bra. In addition, an attachable pump module that can be detachably connected to the storage housing is used, allowing the mother to move or be active freely even during the milk pumping process.

[0006] An embodiment of the present invention provides a breast pump that allows a mother to use both hands freely during the breast pumping process and has improved breast pumping performance.

[0007] A breast milk pump according to one aspect of the present invention may include a sealing housing, a storage housing, a fluid separation membrane, and an elastic valve.

[0008] The storage housing may include a concave rear surface that is in close contact with the mother's breast, a front surface that is opposite the rear surface, and a protrusion that protrudes from the center of the front surface and provides an inner space that is connected to a through hole provided in the rear surface.

[0009] The above storage housing can be combined with the above sealing housing to provide a breast milk storage space on the front surface.

[0010] The above fluid isolation membrane may be for forming negative pressure in the inner space.

[0011] The above elastic valve can open and close a milk discharge hole provided in the above protrusion to connect the inner space and the milk storage space.

[0012] The above elastic valve may include a first elastic plate, and the first elastic plate may be formed in a cantilever shape with a first end coupled to the storage housing to cover the milk discharge hole.

[0013] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the first elastic plate may include a first surface and a second surface.

[0014] The first side may face the breast milk discharge hole, and the second side may be the opposite side of the first side.

[0015] A first gap may be provided between the second surface and the inner surface of the storage housing.

[0016] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the elastic valve may be formed integrally by further including a second elastic plate.

[0017] The second elastic plate may be connected to the first end of the first elastic plate and disposed between the protrusion and the inner surface of the storage housing.

[0018] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the storage housing is separated from the sealing housing and then reconnected with the sealing housing, the second elastic plate can be compressed by being pressed by the protrusion.

[0019] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic plate may be in the form of a cantilever fixed to the first end of the first elastic plate.

[0020] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the second elastic plate may include a third surface and a fourth surface.

[0021] The third side may face the protrusion, and the fourth side may be an opposite side of the third side.

[0022] A second gap may be provided between the fourth surface and the inner surface of the storage housing.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the present invention, when the storage housing is separated from the sealing housing and then reconnected with the sealing housing, the second elastic plate may be pressed by the protrusion so that the distance between the fourth surface and the inner surface of the storage housing may be reduced.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage housing may have a coaming portion.

[0025] The fluid isolation membrane can be combined with the above-mentioned coaming portion, and the above-mentioned coaming portion can be in the shape of a pipe.

[0026] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the storage housing, the fluid isolation membrane, and the elastic valve are formed integrally, and the fluid isolation membrane and the elastic valve are formed of the same material, but may be formed of a different material from the storage housing.

[0027] According to one embodiment of the present invention, the breast pump may further include a sealing member.

[0028] The above sealing member can be joined along the edge of the outer surface of the storage housing.

[0029] The above-mentioned tight housing may further include a ring portion, and the ring portion may protrude forward from an edge of the front surface.

[0030] The above sealing member can be placed between the outer surface of the storage housing and the inner surface of the ring portion.

[0031] The storage housing, the fluid isolation membrane, the elastic valve, and the sealing member are formed integrally, and the fluid isolation membrane, the elastic valve, and the sealing member are formed of the same material, but may be formed of a different material from the storage housing.

[0032] According to an embodiment of the present invention, the mother can use both hands freely during the breastfeeding process.

[0033] In addition, the milk discharge port can be closed more tightly by an elastic valve aligned with the milk discharge port and coupled to the storage housing, so that the milk pumping performance can be improved.

[0034] Figure 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0035] Figures 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of Figure 1,

[0036] Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 1,

[0037] Figure 5 is an enlarged view of part A of Figure 4,

[0038] Figure 6 is a front view of the storage housing of Figure 2,

[0039] Figure 7 is a drawing showing the fluid isolation membrane, elastic valve, and sealing member of Figure 6 omitted.

[0040] Figure 8 is a drawing showing the storage housing of Figure 7 from a different angle.

[0041] Fig. 9 is a modified example of Fig. 4,

[0042] Figure 10 is an enlarged view of part B of Figure 9.

[0043] Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the attached drawings.

[0044] The attached drawings are not drawn to scale to help understand the invention and the dimensions of some components may be exaggerated.

[0045] The terms used in the specification and claims of the present invention should not be limited to their usual or dictionary meanings, and should be interpreted as meanings and concepts that conform to the technical idea of ​​the present invention, based on the principle that the inventor can appropriately define the concept of the term to explain his or her own invention in the best way.

[0046] In this specification, singular forms will be considered to include plural forms as well, unless otherwise specified.

[0047] Additionally, when a part is described as "including" a certain component, it means that the part may also include other components.

[0048] Additionally, when a component is described as "upper", it means above or below that component, and does not necessarily mean that it is located on the upper side with respect to the direction of gravity.

[0049] Additionally, when a component is described as being "connected" or "coupled" to another component, this may include not only cases where the component is directly connected or coupled to the other component, but also cases where the component is indirectly connected or coupled through another component.

[0050] Additionally, terms such as first, second, etc. may be used to describe certain components, but these terms are only intended to distinguish the components from other components and are not intended to limit the nature, order, or sequence of the components.

[0051] In this specification, the front-to-back orientation may be defined based on a mother wearing a breast pump, unless otherwise specified. For example, the front of a component may be a surface facing the same direction as a mother wearing a breast pump is facing.

[0052] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump according to an embodiment of the present invention, FIGS. 2 and 3 are exploded perspective views of FIG. 1, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of FIG. 1, and FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of part A of FIG. 4.

[0053] Referring to FIGS. 1 to 5, a breast milk pump (10) according to an embodiment of the present invention may include a sealing housing (100), a storage housing (200), a fluid isolation membrane (400), and an elastic valve (500), and may further include a sealing member (600).

[0054] The close-fitting housing (100) is configured to be in close contact with the mother's breast, and may include a rear (101), a front (102), and a protrusion (110), and may further include a funnel portion (120) and / or a ring portion (130).

[0055] The rear (101) may be formed into a concave shape to fit closely to the mother's breast, and the front (102) may be the opposite surface of the rear (101) and define a breast milk storage space (S) together with the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200).

[0056] The protrusion (110) can protrude from the center of the front (102) toward the front of the front (102) and provide a first inner space (S1) connected to a through hole (101-1) provided at the center of the rear (101).

[0057] Additionally, a milk discharge hole (112-1) connecting the first inner space (S1) and the milk storage space (S) may be provided in the protrusion (110).

[0058] Therefore, breast milk expressed from the mother's breast can first flow into the first inner space (S1) and then move to the breast milk storage space (S) through the breast milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0059] The protrusion (110) may include, but is not limited to, a protrusion body (111) and a milk discharge tube (112).

[0060] The protruding body (111) may be a pipe shape with a closed front as a part that provides the first inner space (S1).

[0061] The breast milk discharge tube (112) can extend downward from the front end of the protruding body (111) as a part that provides the breast milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0062] However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the milk discharge tube (112) may be omitted, and the milk discharge hole (112-1) may be formed directly at the lower part of the front end of the protruding body (111).

[0063] The funnel portion (120) can provide a second inner space (S2) connected to the first inner space (S1).

[0064] The funnel portion (120) can be placed on the protrusion (110) and coupled to the protrusion (110).

[0065] The funnel portion (120) may be, for example, a funnel shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0066] The ring portion (130) extends along the edge of the front surface (102) and can protrude from the front surface (102) to the front of the front surface (102).

[0067] The ring portion (130) may be a complete ring shape, but is not necessarily limited thereto, and one or more cut areas may be provided along the circumference of the ring portion (130).

[0068] The storage housing (200) can be combined with the sealing housing (100) to provide a breast milk storage space (S) on the front (102) of the sealing housing (100).

[0069] The storage housing (200) may be hemispherical so that it can be stably supported by the bra.

[0070] Accordingly, the close-fitting housing (100) can be inserted between the mother's breast and the bra while being combined with the storage housing (200), and the mother does not need to use her hands to close the close-fitting housing (100) to the breast or to hold the storage housing (200).

[0071] An air passage (301) may be provided in the storage housing (200) in a portion corresponding to the second inner space (S2).

[0072] For example, a joint hole (210) may be provided in a portion corresponding to the second inner space (S2) of the storage housing (200), and an air passage (301) may be provided in a cover (300) that is detachably coupled to the joint hole (210).

[0073] That is, the breast milk pump (10) may further include a cover (300) that is detachably coupled to the storage housing (200).

[0074] However, it is not necessarily limited to this, and the joint hole (210) and the cover (300) may be omitted, and the air passage (301) may be formed directly in the storage housing (200).

[0075] The fluid isolation membrane (400) may be configured to form negative pressure and positive pressure in the first inner space (S1).

[0076] The fluid isolation membrane (400) may be made of a flexible material, and may isolate the second inner space (S2) by dividing it into a first part (S2-1) and a second part (S2-2). Here, the first part (S2-1) may be a part connected to the first inner space (S1), and the second part (S2-2) may be a part connected to the air passage (301).

[0077] Accordingly, when the air of the second part (S2-2) is discharged to the outside through the air passage (301), the fluid isolation membrane (400) can be deformed so that the volume of the first part (S2-1) expands. As a result, negative pressure can be formed in the first inner space (S1) connected to the first part (S2-1). As a result, breast milk can be expressed from the mother's breast, and the expressed breast milk can flow into the first inner space (S1).

[0078] In addition, when air is supplied to the second part (S2-2) through the air passage (301), the fluid separation membrane (400) can be deformed so that the volume of the first part (S2-1) is reduced. As a result, a positive pressure can be formed in the first inner space (S1) connected to the first part (S2-1). As a result, the elastic valve (500) can be elastically deformed and the milk discharge hole (112-1) can be opened. As a result, the milk in the first inner space (S1) can be discharged into the milk storage space (S) through the milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0079] Meanwhile, the supply and discharge of air through the air passage (301) may be performed through a pump module (not shown) directly connected to the storage housing (200) or through a hose, but is not necessarily limited thereto.

[0080] The elastic valve (500) is coupled to the storage housing (200) and can close the milk discharge port (112-1) and open the milk discharge port (112-1) by elastic deformation as described above.

[0081] The elastic valve (500) may include a first elastic plate (510) and may further include a second elastic plate (520) and / or a first support plate (530).

[0082] The first elastic plate (510) may be formed in a cantilever shape in which the first end (510-1) of the first elastic plate (510) is coupled to the storage housing (200), and may cover the milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0083] The first elastic plate (510) may include a first surface (511) and a second surface (512). The first surface (511) may face the milk discharge hole (112-1), and the second surface (512) may be an opposite surface of the first surface (511). A first gap (G1) may be provided between the second surface (512) and the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200).

[0084] Accordingly, a space can be provided in which the first elastic plate (510) can be bent and deformed toward the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200).

[0085] The second elastic plate (520) can be connected to the first end (510-1) of the first elastic plate (510) and formed integrally with the first elastic plate (510).

[0086] The second elastic plate (520) can be placed between the protrusion (110) and the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200).

[0087] The second elastic plate (520) may include a third surface (521) and a fourth surface (522). The third surface (521) may face the protrusion (110), and the fourth surface (522) may be an opposite surface of the third surface (521). The fourth surface (522) may be attached to an inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200), as a non-limiting example.

[0088] Accordingly, when the storage housing (200) is separated from the seal housing (100) and then reconnected with the seal housing (100), if the third surface (521) of the second elastic plate (520) is pressed by the protrusion (110) of the seal housing (100), the second elastic plate (520) can be compressed. As a result, the first elastic plate (510) formed integrally with the second elastic plate (520) can be pressed against the protrusion (110) to more airtightly close the milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0089] The first support plate (530) can be connected to the first end (510-1) of the first elastic plate (510) and extend in the opposite direction of the second elastic plate (520), and can be attached to the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200). As a result, the airtightness by the first elastic plate (510) can be further improved.

[0090] The sealing member (600) can extend along the edge of the outer surface (202) of the storage housing (200) and can be placed between the outer surface (202) of the storage housing (200) and the inner surface of the ring portion (130). As a result, airtightness between the sealing housing (100) and the storage housing (200) can be ensured.

[0091] Meanwhile, the sealing housing (100) and the storage housing (200) may be provided with a position alignment structure so that the breast milk discharge hole (112-1) and the elastic valve (500) can be aligned to correspond to each other when they are coupled to each other.

[0092] For example, in the process of the fluid isolation membrane (400) coupled to the storage housing (200) and the funnel portion (120) of the sealing housing (100) being coupled to each other, the milk discharge hole (112-1) and the elastic valve (500) can be aligned to correspond to each other.

[0093] As another example, the sealing housing (100) may be provided with a first position alignment part (140), and the storage housing (200) may be provided with a second position alignment part (220) coupled to the first position alignment part (140). The first position alignment part (140) may be provided in the form of a through hole in the ring part (130), and the second position alignment part (220) may be provided in the form of a protrusion provided on the outer surface (202) of the storage housing (200) so as to be coupled to the through hole provided in the ring part (130). As a result, in the process of the first position alignment part (140) and the second position alignment part (220) being coupled to each other, the milk discharge hole (112-1) and the elastic valve (500) may be aligned to correspond to each other. In this example, the first position alignment part (140) and the second position alignment part (220) may be provided to prevent arbitrary separation between the sealing housing (100) and the storage housing (200). However, this is not necessarily limited to this, and the first position alignment part (140) may be provided in the form of a protrusion, and the second position alignment part (220) may be provided in the form of a through hole.

[0094] Meanwhile, the lower surface of the milk discharge tube (112) defining the outlet of the milk discharge hole (112-1) may extend downwardly from the front end to the rear end. That is, the angle between the first surface (511) of the first elastic plate (510) and the third surface (521) of the second elastic plate (520) may form an obtuse angle. As a result, the airtightness by the first elastic plate (510) may be further improved.

[0095] Fig. 6 is a front view of the storage housing of Fig. 2, Fig. 7 is a drawing showing the fluid isolation membrane, elastic valve, and sealing member of Fig. 6 omitted, and Fig. 8 is a drawing showing the storage housing of Fig. 7 from a different angle.

[0096] Referring to FIG. 4, FIG. 6 to FIG. 8, the storage housing (200) may have a coaming portion (230), and the fluid isolation membrane (400) may be coupled to the coaming portion (230).

[0097] The coaming portion (230) can protrude from the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200) into the breast milk storage space (S).

[0098] The coaming portion (230) may be pipe-shaped and may define or provide a joining hole (210).

[0099] The fluid isolation membrane (400) can be combined to surround the lower edge of the combing portion (230).

[0100] Meanwhile, the storage housing (200), fluid isolation membrane (400), elastic valve (500), and sealing member (600) may be formed integrally.

[0101] For example, the storage housing (200), the fluid isolation membrane (400), the elastic valve (500), and the sealing member (600) can be integrally molded using a heterogeneous injection molding method. In this case, the fluid isolation membrane (400), the elastic valve (500), and the sealing member (600) can be formed of the same material, for example, an elastic material such as silicone. In contrast, the storage housing (200) can be formed of a material having higher rigidity than the fluid isolation membrane (400), the elastic valve (500), and the sealing member (600).

[0102] Additionally, the breast milk pump (10) may further include a strip (700) connecting the elastic valve (500) and the sealing member (600).

[0103] The strip (700) can extend from the elastic valve (500) along the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200) and can be connected to the sealing member (600) through a through hole (203) provided in the storage housing (200). For example, one end of the strip (700) can be connected to the first support plate (530).

[0104] A through hole (203) may be provided to connect the inner surface (201) and the outer surface (202) of the storage housing (200).

[0105] The through hole (203) may be provided on the sealing member (600) and may be covered by the sealing member (600).

[0106] As a result, when integrally forming the storage housing (200), the fluid isolation membrane (400), the elastic valve (500), and the sealing member (600), it can be easy to inject material to form the elastic valve (500).

[0107] Meanwhile, the elastic valve (500) is connected to the sealing member (600) via the strip (700), while being separated from the fluid isolation membrane (400). As a result, the alignment of the elastic valve (500) can be prevented from being misaligned by the fluid isolation membrane (400).

[0108] Fig. 9 is a modified example of Fig. 4, and Fig. 10 is an enlarged view of part B of Fig. 9.

[0109] Referring to FIGS. 9 and 10, the second elastic plate (520) disposed between the protrusion (110) and the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200) may be in the form of a cantilever fixed to the first end (510-1) of the first elastic plate (510), and a second gap (G2) may be provided between the fourth surface (522) of the second elastic plate (520) and the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200). Accordingly, a space may be provided in which the second elastic plate (520) can be deformed or moved toward the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200).

[0110] According to this modified example, when the storage housing (200) is separated from the seal housing (100) and then reconnected with the seal housing (100), if the third surface (521) of the second elastic plate (520) is pressed by the protrusion (110) of the seal housing (100), the second elastic plate (520) can be deformed or moved.

[0111] As a result, the first elastic plate (510) formed integrally with the second elastic plate (520) can be in close contact with the protrusion (110) to more airtightly close the milk discharge hole (112-1).

[0112] Meanwhile, the elastic valve (500) may further include a second support plate (540). The second support plate (540) may be connected to the first end (510-1) of the first elastic plate (510) and may extend parallel to the second elastic plate (520), and may be attached to the inner surface (201) of the storage housing (200). In this case, a second gap (G2) may be provided between the fourth surface (522) of the second elastic plate (520) and the second support plate (540). As a result, the airtightness by the first elastic plate (510) may be further improved.

[0113] While the above description focuses on preferred embodiments of the present invention, these are merely examples and are not intended to limit the present invention. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and variations of the embodiments can be made by adding, modifying, deleting, or adding components, without departing from the technical spirit of the present invention as defined in the claims. Such modifications and variations are also considered to fall within the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A close-fitting housing including a concave rear surface that is in close contact with the mother's breast, a front surface that is opposite to the rear surface, and a protrusion that protrudes from the center of the front surface and provides an inner space that is connected to a through hole provided in the rear surface; A storage housing that is combined with the above-mentioned sealing housing and provides a breast milk storage space on the front surface; A fluid separation membrane for forming negative pressure in the inner space; and Including an elastic valve for opening and closing a milk discharge hole provided to connect the inner space and the milk storage space in the above protrusion, A breast pump comprising a first elastic plate that covers the milk discharge hole and has a cantilever shape in which the elastic valve is connected to the storage housing at a first end.

2. In paragraph 1, The first elastic plate includes a first surface facing the breast milk discharge hole and a second surface opposite the first surface, A breast pump, wherein a first gap is provided between the second surface and the inner surface of the storage housing.

3. In paragraph 2, A breast pump, wherein the elastic valve is formed integrally by further including a second elastic plate connected to the first end of the first elastic plate and arranged between the protrusion and the inner surface of the storage housing.

4. In paragraph 3, A breast pump in which the second elastic plate is compressed by being pressed by the protrusion when the storage housing is separated from the sealing housing and then reconnected with the sealing housing.

5. In paragraph 3, A breast pump in which the second elastic plate is a cantilever-shaped breast pump fixed to the first end of the first elastic plate.

6. In paragraph 5, The second elastic plate includes a third surface facing the protrusion, and a fourth surface opposite the third surface, A breast pump, wherein a second gap is provided between the fourth surface and the inner surface of the storage housing.

7. In paragraph 6, A breast pump in which, when the storage housing is separated from the sealing housing and then reconnected with the sealing housing, the second elastic plate is pressed by the protrusion so that the distance between the fourth surface and the inner surface of the storage housing decreases.

8. In paragraph 1, A breast milk pump having a pipe-shaped coaming portion to which the above storage housing is coupled.

9. In paragraph 8, A breast milk pump in which the storage housing, the fluid isolation membrane, and the elastic valve are formed integrally, and the fluid isolation membrane and the elastic valve are made of the same material as each other but are made of a different material from the storage housing.

10. In paragraph 8, Further comprising a sealing member coupled along the edge of the outer surface of the storage housing, The above-mentioned sealing housing further includes a ring portion protruding forward from the edge of the front surface, The above sealing member is arranged between the outer surface of the storage housing and the inner surface of the ring portion, A breast milk pump in which the storage housing, the fluid isolation membrane, the elastic valve, and the sealing member are formed as one piece, and the fluid isolation membrane, the elastic valve, and the sealing member are made of the same material as each other but are made of a different material from the storage housing.

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