Double-Chamber Breast Milk Vessel for Contamination-Free Cooling

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing breast milk storage containers risk contamination and require refrigeration, leading to inconvenience and waste when traveling or away from home, and lack a safe, reusable, and versatile solution for cooling and maintaining breast milk temperature.

Innovation Solution

A double-chambered vessel with an inner and outer container, featuring complementary couplers and a connector, allows direct pumping and cooling of breast milk, maintaining it at a safe temperature for extended periods without dilution, and can be used as a reusable container for beverage transport and consumption.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If breast milk is stored in hard plastic or glass containers without refrigeration, then the container structure is simple and reusable, but the milk becomes contaminated or spoils after four hours

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk safetyVSAvoidcontainer structure

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The container is divided into an inner chamber for milk storage and an outer chamber for cooling medium, separated by insulating walls. This segmentation allows the milk to be isolated from contaminants while the outer chamber provides active cooling without direct contact between the two

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The inner container holding breast milk is nested within the outer container that holds the cooling medium. The inner container fits inside the outer chamber, creating a nested structure where the cooling medium surrounds the milk container without direct contact, providing passive cooling and protection

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

2Ease of operation

If breast milk is stored in storage bags, then the container is flexible and portable, but the bags may tear, leak, open and become contaminated more easily

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveportabilityVSAvoidcontamination resistance

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The inner container utilizes a flexible, thin-walled structure that can be collapsed as milk is consumed or discarded. This flexible design maintains portability while the rigid outer container provides structural protection and contamination barrier, combining the advantages of both flexible and rigid containers

Inventive Principle:

Principle #30Flexible shells and thin films

3Quantity of substance

If multiple small containers are used for breast milk storage, then the total storage capacity is limited, but refrigeration or portable coolers are required

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk storage capacityVSAvoidcooling system requirement

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges the storage function and cooling function into a single integrated container system. The inner container for milk storage is combined with the outer container that holds the cooling medium, eliminating the need for separate refrigeration units or multiple small containers while providing extended storage capacity and active cooling

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

4Device complexity

If known containers are used for breast milk storage, then the container design is simple, but the milk must be diluted or disposed of when refrigeration is unavailable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecontainer designVSAvoidmilk waste

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSLoss of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The container is pre-filled with a cooling medium in the outer chamber before use. This preliminary preparation ensures that cooling capacity is already in place when the milk is stored, eliminating the need for last-minute refrigeration arrangements and preventing milk waste when refrigeration is temporarily unavailable

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

Enables safe, convenient, and extended storage of breast milk at a chilled temperature, reducing contamination risk and eliminating the need for multiple containers, while being reusable and aesthetically discreet.

Implementation Method 1

The outer chamber is filled with a cooling medium such as ice or gel packs that cool the breast milk through the container walls

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal conduction: Conduction (thermal)

Implementation Method 2

The cooling medium circulates around the inner container, absorbing heat from the breast milk and maintaining a consistent temperature

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal convection: Convection

Implementation Method 3

The outer container includes insulating material such as foam or air gaps that reduce heat transfer from the external environment to the cooling medium and breast milk

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectThermal insulation: Thermal Insulation

Data Source

PatentUS12540019B2Vessel for breast milk collection, preservation, transportation, and delivery

Publication Date: 2026.02.03 CERES CHILL CO

AI summary

A vessel 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 to hold a liquid. The inner container is receivable at least partially within the outer chamber. The connector includes a third coupler that is complementary to the first coupler, and a fourth coupler that is complementary to the second coupler. When both the first coupler is engaged with the third coupler and the second coupler is engaged with the fourth coupler, the outer chamber is entirely enclosed within a liquid-proof barrier.