Breast Milk Collection Device with Integrated Valve Assembly
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast milk collection devices are not hands-free, require frequent disassembly and cleaning, and often necessitate undressing, making them inconvenient and disruptive for working mothers, especially when trying to express milk in public or while caring for multiple infants.
Innovation Solution
A compact, ergonomic breast milk collection device that fits within a standard brassiere, allowing for hands-free operation with a funnel-shaped adaptor and reservoir that can be used with both electric and manual pumps, and includes a valve assembly to prevent backflow into the vacuum lines, enabling passive milk collection and integration with various pump technologies.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional breast pump devices are used, then milk collection function is provided, but frequent disassembly and cleaning is required
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the breast adaptor, reservoir, and valve assembly into a single integrated unit that fits within a brassiere. This consolidation allows the device to be worn continuously without frequent disassembly, while maintaining reliable milk collection function through the integrated valve mechanism that prevents backflow into the vacuum lines.
2Productivity
If traditional breast pump devices are used, then milk expression is achieved, but undressing is required
Solution Approach 1:
The device is segmented into functional components (breast adaptor, reservoir, valve assembly) that can be independently optimized. The breast adaptor is designed to fit within the brassiere cup, allowing milk expression without undressing. The valve assembly is integrated into the reservoir structure, enabling hands-free operation while maintaining productivity.
3Ease of operation
If hands-free operation is implemented, then convenience is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The valve assembly is designed to automatically prevent backflow of milk into the vacuum lines without requiring manual intervention. The valve mechanism self-regulates based on pressure differentials during pumping cycles, enabling hands-free operation. This self-service function is achieved through a relatively simple valve structure integrated into the reservoir, minimizing the increase in device complexity.
4Reliability
If frequent disassembly is required, then cleaning is possible, but time loss increases
Solution Approach 1:
The reservoir is designed as a removable component that can be easily extracted from the breast adaptor for cleaning. This extraction capability allows complete disassembly of the reservoir interior for thorough hygiene maintenance without requiring disassembly of the entire device. The simple extraction mechanism minimizes time loss while ensuring reliable hygiene maintenance.
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
Enables discreet, efficient, and hygienic breast milk collection without the need for frequent disassembly or undressing, reducing milk wastage and improving the feasibility of breastfeeding for working mothers by allowing hands-free operation and passive milk collection.
Implementation Method 1
a valve assembly mounted concentrically on a second end of the breast adaptor. The valve assembly alternately opens and closes communication between the breast adaptor and the reservoir. The valve assembly comprises a valve body, a valve cap mounted concentrically on the valve body, and a valve flap attached to the valve cap. The valve assembly further includes a baffle structure integrally formed with an interior wall of the valve cap and extending substantially into an overflow chamber, to prevent the overflow of milk into the pump and associated vacuum lines before suction is released from a negative pressure cycle of the pump.
Implementation Method 2
can furnish breast milk to the collection device without causing milk to eater the associated vacuum pumping system, thus preventing backflow of milk into the vacuum pumping system
Data Source
Figure 1~2
Figure 3A~3B
Figure 4~5A
AI summary
The present invention is a compact and hands-free human breast milk collection device that fits into a mother's existing nursing or standard brassiere The invention can be attached to a conventional electric or manual pump for active milk collection and also can be used without a pump for passive milk collection Additionally, the invention can be used for collection of handexpressed milk The invention compnses a breast adaptor which, in an embodiment, has at one end a funnel-shaped inlet coupled to a reservoir, wherein when the breast is inserted into the breast adaptor, the breast milk is expressed into the reservoir through a unique valve assembly and the milk is stored in the reservoir until the device is removed and the collected milk emptied into a container In an embodiment, the valve assembly is mounted concentpcally on a second end of the breast adaptor.