Breast Pump Adapter With Retainer Seal for Contamination Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional breast pump adapters allow air and contaminants to enter the collection bag due to the radially outward and upward positioning of mounting hooks, making it difficult to secure and seal the bag, especially when filled with liquid.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump adapter with a retainer rim and two adapter portions that securely attach to different breast pump sizes, featuring a flow passage and a reclosable seal to minimize contamination and facilitate easy bag removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the bag opening is made larger than the conduit to allow threading of holes onto mounting hooks, then the bag can be easily attached and removed, but air and contaminants can enter the bag and the bag does not closely conform to the conduit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a sealing member as an intermediary element between the bag opening and the conduit. This sealing member allows the bag to be securely attached while maintaining a tight seal that prevents air and contaminant entry, resolving the contradiction between ease of operation and protection from harmful factors
Solution Approach 2:
The patent employs a flexible sealing member that can conform to the conduit surface while allowing the bag opening to be larger than the conduit. This flexible element creates a tight seal around the conduit, preventing contaminant entry while maintaining ease of bag attachment and removal
2Reliability
If mounting hooks extend radially outward and upward from the conduit, then the bag can be securely held during pumping, but removing the filled bag becomes difficult and sealing the bag prior to removal is impossible
Solution Approach 1:
The sealing member acts as an intermediary that decouples the sealing function from the mounting function. This allows the bag to be sealed independently of its attachment to the conduit, enabling easy removal and sealing operations while maintaining secure holding during pumping
Solution Approach 2:
The patent separates the mounting function (performed by mounting hooks) from the sealing function (performed by the sealing member). This segmentation allows independent optimization of each function - secure holding during pumping while enabling easy removal and sealing operations
3Device complexity
If a single adapter design is used for different breast pump sizes, then device complexity is reduced, but adaptability to different pump configurations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The adapter is designed with multiple adapter portions, each configured for different breast pump sizes and connection types. This multi-functionality allows a single adapter design to work with various pump configurations, achieving versatility without requiring multiple specialized adapters
Solution Approach 2:
The adapter incorporates adjustable or interchangeable components that can be configured to match different pump sizes. This dynamic adaptability allows the same adapter structure to accommodate varying pump configurations while maintaining overall design simplicity
Data Source
AI summary
An adapter for connecting a breast milk collection bag to breast milk pump fittings of different sizes. A breast milk collection bag has an end margin configured to conform tightly over the adapter. The bag can have a reclosable seal. An adapter has a first adapter portion and a second adapter portion. The first adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size. The second adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size different from the first size. In another aspect, the adapter further has a retainer and a flow passage. The retainer is configured to engage and hold the end margin of the breast milk collection bag. The flow passage extends through the first adapter portion, the second adapter portion, and the retainer.