Breast Pump Insert with Sealing Chamber to Prevent Milk Leakage
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Solution Overview
Problem
Milk pooling and leakage issues in breast pumps lead to inefficiencies in milk collection and discomfort for users, as milk flows between the insert and the funnel, causing a psychological impact due to lost milk and perceived product failure.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump design featuring a funnel with a passageway formed at its upper end to connect the chamber with the cavity, ensuring that milk is restricted from flowing between the insert and the funnel, and the insert is configured with deformable regions to massage the breast effectively while preventing milk leakage.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a flexible insert with deformable recesses is used to massage the breast, then user comfort and milk expression are improved, but milk can flow between the insert and the funnel wall causing leakage and loss
Solution Approach 1:
A sealing element is introduced as an intermediary component between the flexible insert and the funnel wall. This sealing element prevents milk from leaking through the gap while allowing the insert to maintain contact with the breast for effective massaging action.
Solution Approach 2:
The sealing element is configured as a flexible membrane or thin film that can adapt to the contours of both the insert and the funnel wall, creating an effective seal that prevents milk leakage while maintaining the flexibility needed for breast massage.
2Loss of substance
If the insert is sealed against the funnel wall to prevent milk leakage, then milk loss is reduced, but the insert cannot effectively massage the breast
Solution Approach 1:
The system is segmented into distinct functional zones: the flexible insert with deformable recesses for massaging the breast, and a separate sealing element for preventing leakage. This segmentation allows each component to perform its specific function without compromising the other.
Solution Approach 2:
Different parts of the system have different properties: the insert is made flexible and deformable for massaging, while the sealing element is made more rigid or elastic to create an effective seal. This local differentiation of properties allows both functions to coexist.
3Productivity
If milk pools in the funnel against the insert, then gravity aids milk collection, but milk flows into the channels and reduces massaging effectiveness
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing element acts as an intermediary barrier that prevents milk from the collection area from entering the channels that supply the deformable recesses, thereby protecting the massaging function while allowing gravity-driven collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The milk pooling that would normally be harmful (reducing massaging effectiveness) is converted into a benefit by using gravity to aid milk collection, while the sealing element prevents the harmful effect of milk entering the channels.
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
The design effectively prevents milk from flowing between the insert and the funnel, maintaining hygiene and user comfort by ensuring milk is collected efficiently and reducing emotional distress from milk loss, while enhancing breast massage efficacy.
Implementation Method 1
Breast pumps make use of a negative pressure to induce milk expression from a nursing mother's breast
Implementation Method 2
The vacuum pump unit 4 generates negative pressure in a cavity 27 of the breast pump
Implementation Method 3
the insert 50 has a deformable region which forms a chamber between the insert and the funnel when the insert is received in the funnel, wherein the deformable region is deformed and/or deflected relative to the breast of a user in response to a negative pressure in the chamber
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3~4
Figure 5~6
AI summary
The present invention relates to a breast pump operable to generate a negative pressure comprising a funnel (24) for receiving a breast of a user. The breast pump (24) has an insert (50,70) receivable in the funnel (24) having a deformable region (59a-59e) which forms a chamber between the insert (50,70) and the funnel (24) when the insert (50,70) is received in the funnel (24). A passageway (37) connecting the chamber to the source of negative pressure is formed in the funnel (24) so that, during use, the deformable region (59a- 59e) is deformed and/or deflected relative to the breast of a user in response to a negative pressure in the chamber.