U.S. patent application number 10/403824 was filed with the patent office on 2004-08-12 for portable breast pump.
Invention is credited to Kerschdorfer, Markus, Pfenninger, Erich, Rollin, Richard, Weber, Beda.
Application Number | 20040158198 10/403824 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 32778519 |
Filed Date | 2004-08-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20040158198 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Pfenninger, Erich ; et
al. |
August 12, 2004 |
Portable breast pump
Abstract
A portable breast pump has a suction unit (1) and a collecting
unit (A) which is connected to this suction unit via a flexible
suction line (5). The collecting unit (A) comprises a breast shield
(2), a milk-receiving container (4) and a coupling element (3)
which connects the breast shield (2) to the milk-receiving
container (4). The suction unit (1) has a housing (10) with an
operating means (14) for operating the pump and a fastening means
(15) for fastening the housing (10) on a carrying means (G, S),
which can be fastened on the mother's body. This breast pump is
easy to operate, allows the milk to be expressed even in confined
areas with no set-down surfaces and, in addition, does not hinder
the mother's mobility.
Inventors: |
Pfenninger, Erich; (Luzern,
CH) ; Weber, Beda; (Sins, CH) ; Rollin,
Richard; (Menzingen, CH) ; Kerschdorfer, Markus;
(Neuheim, CH) |
Correspondence
Address: |
Michael H. Baniak
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Suite 1200
150 N. Wacker Drive
Chicago
IL
60202
US
|
Family ID: |
32778519 |
Appl. No.: |
10/403824 |
Filed: |
March 31, 2003 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/74 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61M 1/06 20130101; A61M
2209/088 20130101; A61M 1/062 20140204 |
Class at
Publication: |
604/074 |
International
Class: |
A61M 001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Feb 10, 2003 |
CH |
2003 0197/03 |
Claims
1. A portable breast pump which has a suction unit, a collecting
unit and a suction line, the suction line connecting the collecting
unit to the suction unit, the collecting unit having a breast
shield, a milk-receiving container and a coupling element, which
connects the breast shield to the milk-receiving container, and the
suction unit having a housing, wherein the housing is provided with
a fastening means for fastening the housing on a carrying means,
which can be fastened on a mother's body.
2. A suction unit for use in a portable breast pump as claimed in
claim 1, the breast pump having a collecting unit with a breast
shield, a milk-receiving container and a coupling element, which
connects the breast shield to the milk-receiving container, the
breast pump also having a flexible suction line, by means of which
the collecting unit can be connected to the suction unit, and the
suction unit having a housing, wherein the housing is provided with
a fastening means for fastening the housing on a carrying means,
which can be fastened on a mother's body.
3. The suction unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening
means is designed for fastening on a belt or on a carrying
loop.
4. The suction unit as claimed claim 2, wherein the fastening means
is designed as a releasable means.
5. The suction unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening
means is arranged on a rear side of the housing.
6. The suction unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the fastening
means is a resilient clip and/or a plug-in closure part.
7. The suction unit as claimed in one of claims 2 to 6, wherein the
housing is of rigid design.
8. The suction unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein there is
provided at least one operating means which is fitted on the
housing and which is arranged on the side of the housing which is
located opposite the fastening means.
9. The suction unit as claimed in claim 2, wherein the housing is
of flat design and has a front side, a rear side and a lateral
surface which connects the two sides.
10. The suction unit as claimed in claim 9, wherein a recess is
provided in the lateral surface for the purpose of accommodating
one end of the suction line.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The invention relates to a portable breast pump and to a
suction unit for use with this portable breast pump.
PRIOR ART
[0002] Portable breast pumps are known. They have the advantage
that a mother can carry them along everywhere and thus maintain a
certain degree of independence even throughout the months she is
breast-feeding. It is not always easy, however, to find a suitable
area in which the mother can express the milk without being
disturbed. Working mothers in particular often have to do this in
the ladies' toilets in the workplace. In such areas, however, it is
usually difficult to find a suitable set-down surface for the
breast pump.
[0003] U.S. Pat. No. 6,379,327 discloses a breast-pump system in
the case of which the mother can carry all the elements of the
breast pump on her body. This system comprises a bra with an
integrated breast shield and a wide band which is worn around the
stomach and has a first pocket for accommodating a suction unit and
a second pocket for accommodating a milk-receiving container. The
suction unit and the milk-receiving container are connected to the
breast shield, in each case via a dedicated line. The entire system
is worn beneath the clothing. This has the disadvantage that the
mother always has to carry the breast pump around with her, which
is regarded as being awkward and hinders the mother in doing
anything else. In addition, the suction unit is of a not
inconsiderable weight, with the result that the mother will not
really want to carry it for a long period of time. Furthermore, the
operating buttons of the breast pump are likewise concealed beneath
the clothing and are thus not easily accessible.
[0004] A similar breast pump is also disclosed in U.S. Pat. No.
6,440,100, the arrangement of the suction unit not being explained
specifically here.
[0005] GB-A-2,366,732 describes a portable breast pump which is
carried over the shoulder on a support, the support being
length-adjustable. The suction unit is arranged at the bottom front
end of the support. The breast attachment cap and the
milk-receiving container are fastened on the suction unit by a
coupling part. This system can indeed be worn above the clothing,
and thus need only be attached as required. The disadvantage,
however, is that it is of relatively rigid design, with the result
that the mother is hardly able to move as the milk is being
expressed. In addition, the suction unit has to be of relatively
small design in order that the support does not protrude too far.
Small suction units, however, usually also have a low suction
capacity and/or have only a rudimentary control means.
DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] It is an object of the invention to provide a portable
breast pump which eliminates the abovementioned disadvantages.
[0007] This object is achieved by a breast pump and by a suction
unit for use with this breast pump having the features of patent
claims 1 and 2, respectively. The breast pump according to the
invention has a suction unit and a collecting unit which are
connected to one another by means of a flexible suction line. The
suction unit has a housing which is provided with at least one
fastening means. The fastening means serves for fastening the
housing on a carrying element which can be fastened on the mother's
body.
[0008] The connection between the carrying element and fastening
means is preferably releasable. It is preferably possible for the
housing to be fastened on the mother's trouser or dress belt or to
be carried on a loop around the neck.
[0009] This breast pump with its suction unit allows the mother to
move freely even as the milk is being expressed. In addition, the
mother can select the location and how she wishes to carry the
suction unit.
[0010] If the housing is of flat design, it is more comfortable for
the mother to carry. In addition, this prevents the mother from
catching herself anywhere on the housing. It is advantageous,
furthermore, that the housing may be configured relatively freely
in terms of shape, with the result that it can be carried as a
fashion accessory without being recognizable at first glance as the
suction unit of a breast pump. In addition, the suction unit may be
of sufficiently large design to accommodate a sufficiently large
electric storage cell and the desired electronics.
[0011] Since the suction unit is carried in an exposed manner, any
possible operating buttons are easily accessible. In order to
increase the accessibility yet further, they are preferably
arranged in a front side of the housing.
[0012] Further advantageous embodiments can be gathered from the
dependent patent claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[0013] The subject matter of the invention is explained hereinbelow
with reference to a preferred exemplary embodiment which is
illustrated in the attached drawing, in which:
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a portable breast pump according to the
invention with a suction unit, in a first carrying variant;
[0015] FIG. 2 shows a breast pump according to FIG. 1 in a second
carrying variant; and
[0016] FIG. 3 shows the suction unit according to FIG. 1 in a view
from behind.
PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
[0017] FIG. 1 illustrates a portable breast pump according to the
invention. The breast pump has a collecting unit A and a suction
unit 1 which is connected thereto via a suction line 5. The suction
line 5 is usually a flexible plastic tube.
[0018] In this preferred example, the collecting unit A comprises a
breast shield 2, a coupling element 3 and a milk-receiving
container 4. The coupling element 3 connects the breast shield 2 to
the milk-receiving container 4 to form a rigid unit which can be
attached to the mother's breast and can be held in the hand as the
milk is being expressed. However, it is also possible for the
connection between the milk-receiving container 4 and breast shield
2 to be a flexible configuration and for these to be connected to
one another by means of a further connecting tube. It is thus
possible for the breast shield 2 to be retained on the breast or
integrated in a bra. In this variant, the container 4 may be
provided with a fastening means in order to attach it, for example,
to a belt. It is also possible, however, for it to be held in one
hand or positioned on a set-down surface. The embodiment with the
rigid unit, however, is the preferred solution in respect of
mobility and handling.
[0019] The suction unit 1 comprises the elements, which are known
in the prior art, for producing a negative pressure in the breast
shield 2 which is sufficient for expressing the milk. These
elements comprise a suction pump (not illustrated), control
electronics and an electric storage element, for example a battery.
All of these elements are arranged in a common housing 10. This
preferably consists of plastic and is of rigid design. Either it
has connection openings for a plug-in connection for connection to
an electric charging device for the storage element or it may be
opened at least in the region of the battery, in order for the
battery to be exchanged.
[0020] The housing 10 is preferably of flat design, with a front
side 11, a rear side 12 and a lateral surface 13 which connects the
two sides. The cross section of the housing 10 may be selected as
desired. It may be, in particular, of round, oval or polygonal
design. A recess 13' is preferably provided on the housing 10, for
example in the lateral surface 13, for the purpose of accommodating
one end of the suction line 5. This suction line 5 can preferably
be plugged in a releasable manner into this recess 13'.
[0021] At least one operating means 14 for actuating the suction
pump is provided on the housing 10. In this example, this means is
constituted by buttons which are incorporated in the front side 11
of the housing 10.
[0022] A fastening means 15, furthermore, is arranged on the
housing 10, in order to fasten the housing 10 on a carrying
element. In this example, the carrying element is a belt G. The
fastening means 15 is preferably arranged on that side of the
housing 10 which is located opposite the operating means 14, so in
this case on the rear side 12, as can be seen in FIG. 3. In this
example, the fastening means 15 comprises a resilient clip 15', in
particular made of metal or plastic, and a plug-in closure part
15", in this case made of plug-in pins 150 which are provided, in
part, with retaining hooks 151. It is also possible, however, for
the housing 10 to be provided just with the clip 15' or just with
the plug-in closure part 15". In addition, it is possible to use
other known fastening means, for example a touch-and-close
fastener.
[0023] The suction unit 1 according to the invention can easily be
hooked onto a belt G by means of the clip 15'. This belt need not
be as special belt, but, rather, may be any belt selected
individually by the mother.
[0024] In the embodiment according to FIG. 2, the suction unit 1 is
carried by way of a loop S around the neck. The loop S may be
firmly connected to the housing 10, but it is preferable to select
a releasable connection. For example, the bottom end of the loop S
may be provided with an associated plug-in closure part 6 for
connection to the plug-in closure part 15", as is illustrated in
FIG. 3.
[0025] It is also possible, however, for the suction unit 1 to be
carried in other ways, for example on the arm or hung over the
shoulder.
[0026] The breast pump according to the invention is easy to
operate, allows the milk to be expressed even in confined areas
with no set-down surfaces and, in addition, does not hinder the
mother's mobility even as the milk is being expressed.
LIST OF DESIGNATIONS
[0027] G Belt
[0028] S Loop
[0029] A Collecting Unit
[0030] 1 Suction Unit
[0031] 10 Housing
[0032] 11 Front Side
[0033] 12 Rear Side
[0034] 13 Lateral Surface
[0035] 13' Recess
[0036] -Operating Means
[0037] .Fastening Means
[0038] 15' Clip
[0039] 15" Clip-on Closure Part
[0040] 150 Plug-in Pin
[0041] 151 Retaining Hook
[0042] 2 Breast Shield
[0043] 3 Coupling Element
[0044] 4 Milk-receiving Container
[0045] 5 Suction Line
[0046] 6 Plug-in Closure Part
* * * * *