Breast Pump Shield Lubricant Layer and Hermetic Seal Design
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Solution Overview
Problem
Breast pumps often cause discomfort and pain due to lack of adjustable settings, making it difficult for mothers to express milk outside the home, leading to discouragement in breastfeeding.
Innovation Solution
A breast pump shield with a lubricant layer, support layer, and wiping layer, formed from materials like plastics and metals, providing a hermetic seal and reducing irritation, and allowing for easy cleaning and portability.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a breast pump shield is made disposable with pre-applied lubricant layer, then ease of operation and sanitation are improved, but device complexity and manufacturing cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant is pre-applied to the shield surface during manufacturing before the shield reaches the user. This preliminary action eliminates the need for users to apply lubricant separately, simplifying the operation while maintaining the multi-layer structure's complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The breast pump shield is designed as a disposable article with integrated lubricant layer. After use, the entire shield including lubricant is discarded, eliminating cleaning requirements and simplifying operation. The multi-layer construction (shield body, lubricant layer, support layer, wiping layer) is optimized for single-use convenience
2Object-affected harmful factors
If the lubricant layer is made thin to reduce irritation, then comfort is improved, but the lubricant degrades in high heat environments
Solution Approach 1:
The lubricant layer is constructed as a composite structure combining multiple materials: a base lubricant material (such as silicone or petroleum-based) with reinforcing agents and stabilizing compounds. This composite formulation maintains thinness for comfort while adding thermal stability to prevent degradation in high heat environments
Solution Approach 2:
The lubricant's physical and chemical parameters are modified through formulation adjustments - increasing viscosity modifiers and thermal stabilizers while maintaining adequate thickness. This allows the lubricant to remain thin enough for comfort but stable enough to withstand pumping temperatures without degrading
3Ease of operation
If the shield structure is simplified for easier cleaning, then ease of operation is improved, but the hermetic seal and sterility protection are compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The shield is segmented into distinct functional layers: the shield body, lubricant layer, support layer, and wiping layer. Each layer can be independently manufactured and assembled, allowing the hermetic seal to be optimized at specific interfaces while keeping individual components simple for easy cleaning. The segmented structure enables targeted cleaning of each layer without compromising the overall seal integrity
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 breast pump shield reduces discomfort and pain by lubricating surfaces, maintaining sterility, and allowing for easy cleaning and use on-the-go, enhancing the breastfeeding experience.
Implementation Method 1
The lubricant layer can be included to reduce irritation associated with using the breast pump shield by lubricating surfaces that come into contact with the breasts of the user and/or portions of the breasts of the user
Implementation Method 2
The support layer can be provided to support the adhesive layer and the wiping layer, as well as to provide a hermetic seal for the breast pump shield. By providing a hermetic seal for the breast pump shield, the cover can ensure that the breast pump shield remains sterile, as well as preventing leakage of, oxidation of, and/or degradation of the lubricant layer located within the body portion
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of a breast pump shield are disclosed herein. According to various embodiments, the breast pump shield can include a body portion that has a breast engagement portion and a throat portion. The breast engagement portion can include a ring. The breast engagement portion can receive at least a portion of a breast of a user, and the throat portion can be configured to receive at least a portion of a nipple of the user and to receive milk from the breast. The breast pump shield also can include a suction chamber located adjacent to the throat portion, and a cover located at the ring of the body portion. The cover can include a support layer and a lubricant layer. The cover can provide at least part of a hermetic seal for the breast pump shield prior to use.