Reusable Breast Milk Container with Collapsible Body
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current breast milk extraction, storage, and feeding processes require multiple containers, leading to inefficiencies and wastage of breast milk due to the lack of a multi-purpose solution that can handle pumping, storage, and feeding effectively.
Innovation Solution
A reusable, flexible container made from food-grade materials that can reconfigure between a closed storage configuration and an open feeding configuration, allowing for direct pumping, storage, and feeding, eliminating the need for multiple containers and reducing waste.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If multiple containers are used for pumping, storage, and feeding breast milk, then each function can be optimized, but the overall system complexity and the number of supplies required increases
Solution Approach 1:
The breast milk container is designed to perform multiple functions: it can be used for pumping (with adapter connection), storage (with clamp closure), and feeding (with nipple attachment). This single container replaces what would traditionally require multiple separate containers, directly resolving the contradiction by making one device universal for all three functions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines the functions of multiple separate containers (pumping container, storage container, feeding container) into a single integrated container. The container body serves as the common element that can be configured for different purposes through attachment of various components (adapter, clamp, nipple), merging what were previously separate devices into one unified system.
2Reliability
If multiple containers are used for breast milk handling, then specific functions can be optimized, but the risk of breast milk wastage increases due to transfer between containers
Solution Approach 1:
By making the container universal for pumping, storage, and feeding functions, breast milk remains in the same container throughout the entire process. This eliminates the need to transfer milk between containers, directly preventing the spillage and wastage that occurs during transfers while maintaining reliable retention through the container's sealed design.
3Device complexity
If a single container is used for all functions, then the number of supplies is reduced, but the container must be highly adaptable to different configurations
Solution Approach 1:
The container achieves universality by incorporating standardized interfaces that can accept different attachments: an adapter for pumping connection, a clamp for storage closure, and a nipple for feeding. This allows one container to replace multiple supplies while maintaining the adaptability needed for different configurations through its modular attachment system.
Solution Approach 2:
The container employs dynamic, adjustable features including a collapsible design that adapts to different volume requirements, and a mouth that can be opened or closed depending on the function. These dynamic characteristics allow the container to flexibly adapt to different configurations (pumping, storage, feeding) while remaining a single supply item.
4Ease of operation
If the container is designed for easy conversion between storage and feeding modes, then ease of operation improves, but the structural design becomes more complex
Solution Approach 1:
The container features a dynamic mouth that can be easily opened or closed by simple user action, and a collapsible body that naturally transitions between expanded (feeding) and compressed (storage) states. These dynamic design elements enable easy conversion between modes while the underlying structure remains relatively simple, using natural material properties rather than complex mechanisms.
Solution Approach 2:
The container's collapsible design allows it to automatically assume appropriate configurations based on its contents and usage state. When milk is added, the container expands; when stored, it collapses to a compact form. This self-adjusting behavior reduces the need for complex manual conversion mechanisms, achieving ease of operation through the container's inherent structural response to usage conditions.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure describes a breast milk and food storage solution that simplifies and reduces the number of items needed to pump, store and/or feed breastmilk to a baby.