Breast Pump Stopper Seal Integrity via Nested Capsule

Resolve Bottlenecks,
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions

Solution Overview

Problem

Manual breast pumps often experience leakage due to dislodgment of the stopper or compression-induced pressure, which can lead to the loss of breast milk and contamination of the pump.

Innovation Solution

A breast milk collection and storage system comprising a manual breast pump with a stopper and a capsule made of stiffer material to maintain the seal, along with a strap for securing the pump during use, preventing leakage and maintaining cleanliness.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a stopper is used to seal the opening of the manual breast pump, then breast milk leakage is prevented, but the stopper may become dislodged due to compression or impact

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveseal integrityVSAvoidstopper position stability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSStability of the object's composition

Solution Approach 1:

The stopper is placed inside a capsule that encloses the manual breast pump. The capsule provides an additional protective layer that prevents the stopper from becoming dislodged due to compression or impact during transport or storage, while still allowing the stopper to perform its sealing function when needed.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The capsule acts as a protective cushion that absorbs external forces before they can affect the stopper. By providing this beforehand cushioning, the system prevents the stopper from being dislodged by compression or impact, maintaining both seal integrity and stopper position stability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

2Ease of operation

If the manual breast pump is made of pliable material for comfort, then ease of operation is improved, but compression during transport can dislodge the stopper causing leakage

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebreast cup comfortVSAvoidleakage prevention

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The manual breast pump made of pliable material is nested inside a rigid capsule. The capsule provides the structural protection needed to prevent compression-induced stopper dislodgment during transport, while the pliable breast pump material maintains its comfort and ease of operation during use.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The rigid capsule provides beforehand cushioning and protection for the pliable breast pump during transport. This external protective layer prevents external compression forces from being transmitted to the pump and stopper, thereby preventing leakage while allowing the pump to remain soft and comfortable for the user.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #11Beforehand cushioning (Prior cushioning)

3Ease of operation

If the breast pump is left open for easy access, then ease of operation is improved, but breast milk can leak and contaminate the pump

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess convenienceVSAvoidmilk leakage and contamination

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The breast pump is nested inside a capsule that can be closed to seal the opening. This allows the pump to remain accessible and easy to operate when needed, while providing a protective enclosed environment during transport or storage that prevents milk leakage and contamination.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #7Nested doll (Nesting)

Solution Approach 2:

The harmful factor (leakage and contamination risk) is extracted from the operational state by providing a separate protective capsule. During operation, the pump is accessed openly for convenience, but during transport or storage, the pump is placed inside the closed capsule that extracts the leakage risk from the system.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

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 system effectively prevents leakage and keeps the pump clean by ensuring the stopper remains sealed and the pump is not compressed, ensuring efficient milk collection and storage.

Implementation Method 1

a capsule configured to enclose the manual breast pump with the stopper and apply a compression force to the stopper to maintain the seal of the opening when the capsule is closed

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCompression force: Compression

Implementation Method 2

compressing and releasing a reservoir of the manual breast pump to create a suction force to extract breast milk from the breast through the opening into the reservoir

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectSuction force: Suction

Data Source

PatentUS11458231B2Breast milk collection and storage system and method of use

Publication Date: 2022.10.04 MILLENNIUM ENTERPRISE PTE LTD

AI summary

A breast milk collection and storage system is disclosed that comprises a manual breast pump. The manual breast pump comprises a breast cup configured to engage with a mother's breast. The breast cup comprises an opening. The manual breast pump also comprises a reservoir at a base of the breast cup configured to receive breast milk through the opening and collect breast milk extracted from the mother's breast. The breast milk collection and storage system also comprises a stopper configured to seal the opening to prevent leakage of breast milk from the reservoir. The breast milk collection and storage system further comprises a capsule configured to enclose the manual breast pump with the stopper and apply a compression force to the stopper to maintain the seal of the opening when the capsule is closed.