Breast Pump Leak Guard with Flexible Adhesive Seal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Breast pumps often experience liquid leakage from the suction flange during and after use, leading to embarrassing stains and discomfort, particularly due to improper fitting and detachment issues, which are exacerbated by the limited options for finding a suitable flange size.

Innovation Solution

A leak guard device that includes a flexible body with a liquid extraction port and a liquid collection region, made of impermeable and absorbent materials, designed to conform to the breast pump suction flange and adhere to the skin, capturing and containing any leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Productivity

If a breast pump suction flange is used to extract liquid from the breast, then milk extraction is achieved, but liquid leakage occurs onto skin and clothing during letdown and detachment

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemilk extraction efficiencyVSAvoidliquid leakage onto skin and clothing

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The leak guard is positioned within the suction flange assembly, with the flange inserting through the leak guard's opening. The leak guard acts as an inner protective layer nested within the outer flange structure, capturing leakage that escapes from between the flange and breast while maintaining the flange's milk extraction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The leak guard serves as an intermediary component between the suction flange and the breast/skin. It intercepts liquid leakage that escapes from the flange-breast interface and prevents it from reaching the skin and clothing, while still allowing the flange to perform its primary milk extraction function.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Loss of time

If the suction flange is detached abruptly after pumping, then the pumping process is completed quickly, but milk slides down the flange onto clothing causing stains

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetime to complete pumpingVSAvoidmilk sliding onto clothing during detachment

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of timeVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The leak guard captures the harmful liquid leakage that would otherwise stain clothing, and converts it into a contained substance within the guard's collection region. The adhesive material then secures this collected milk, preventing it from sliding down onto clothing during abrupt detachment, thus turning a staining hazard into a controlled containment system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #22Blessing in disguise (Convert harm into benefit)

Solution Approach 2:

The adhesive material in the leak guard performs preliminary action by securing and holding the collected milk in place before detachment occurs. This preliminary containment prevents the milk from sliding down during the subsequent abrupt detachment, solving the staining problem without requiring slow, careful removal.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

3Loss of energy

If women use provided breast pumps without experimentation, then cost is reduced, but ability to identify properly fitting flange is limited leading to leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvecost of breast pumpVSAvoidability to find properly fitting flange

Core Design Contradiction:

Loss of energyVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The leak guard is designed as a universal accessory that can be used with conventional breast pump suction flanges of different sizes and brands. It provides a standardized solution that works across multiple flange types, enabling women to achieve proper leakage prevention without needing to experiment with different expensive pump systems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

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

Effectively prevents liquid leakage during and after breast pumping, promoting comfort and convenience by creating a secure seal that allows for upright positioning and easy removal without spills, thus enhancing the breast pumping experience.

Implementation Method 1

The adhesive perimeter adheres the body to the breast pump suction flange and skin of the wearer and forms a liquid tight seal.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAdhesive: Adhesive

Implementation Method 2

The flexible body may include a liquid absorbent material capable of absorbing the liquid leakage.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectAbsorption: Absorption (physical)

Implementation Method 3

The flexible body may include a liquid impermeable material in the liquid collection region.

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectImpermeability: Semipermeable Membrane

Data Source

PatentUS20230256144A1Breast Pump Leak Guard

Publication Date: 2023.08.17 ASO LLC

AI summary

A leak guard for use with a breast pump suction flange having a liquid extraction port through which liquid from a wearer's breast flows when the breast pump suction flange is worn by a wearer includes a flexible body defining an outer perimeter of the flexible body. The flexible body is configured to contact an exterior of the breast pump suction flange and substantially conform to an exterior contour thereof when worn. A liquid collection region defined by the flexible body within the outer perimeter is positioned beneath a bottom perimeter of the breast pump suction flange when the flexible body is worn to collect liquid leakage from the bottom perimeter.