Abstract:
A breast milk pump that is easier to disassemble for cleaning and is easier to reassemble. It includes a housing, a cup-like displacement chamber a connection channel and a milk collection container releasably attached. A suction bell is connected to an inlet of the connection channel. It further includes a cup-like membrane element and a coupling element and a lever with rotatable mounting.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to DE 20 2012 008 803.3, filed on Sep. 14, 2012 
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH 
     Not applicable. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The invention relates to a manual breast milk pump. 
     Breast milk pumps serve to pump breast milk. For this, they have at least one suction bell, which is put on the mother&#39;s breast. Negative pressure is supplied to the suction bell in order to draw milk from the breast. The suction bell is connected with a milk collection container, which receives the suctioned breast milk. The negative pressure is repeatedly supplied to and relieved from the suction bell in order to stimulate the flow of milk. The negative pressure is generated by means of a pump, which is actuated manually in the case of a manual breast milk pump. In the case of an electric breast milk pump, the pump is actuated by means of an electric motor. 
     For example, breast milk pumps in which the pumps have a cylinder with a piston that is displaceable in it, which is actuatable by means of a lever, are known e.g. from EP 1 231 955 B1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The disadvantage of such pumps is the complex construction and the considerable cleaning effort. Pumping is tiring, in particular because the friction resistance between the piston and cylinder must be overcome. 
     Furthermore, breast milk pumps are known e.g. from EP 1 515 760 B1, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference, in which the suction bell is connected with a displacement chamber, which is sealed closed by a membrane. The membrane is deflectable by means of a lever, in order to produce negative pressure in the displacement chamber. By returning the membrane to its original position, the negative pressure is relieved. The suction bell is connected with a milk collection container via an outlet valve. The outlet valve closes when there is negative pressure in the displacement chamber so that the milk collects in front of the valve. When the negative pressure is relieved, the outlet valve opens and the milk drains into the milk collection container. Pump work is spared through the outlet valve since the negative pressure is only reached in the suction bell and in the displacement chamber and not in the milk collection container. The disassembly of the breast milk pump for cleaning purposes and the subsequent reassembly of the pump is complicated. 
     Against this background, the object of the invention is to create a manual breast milk pump, which can be disassembled and reassembled with less effort in particular for the purpose of cleaning. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The manual breast milk pump according to the invention comprises
     a housing, which   has a cup-like displacement chamber,   has a connection channel, which has an inlet opening on the top and an outlet opening on the bottom, and is connected in a communicating manner with a bottom part of the displacement chamber between the inlet opening and the outlet opening and   has means for the releasable connection of the housing with an opening edge of a milk collection container upon alignment of the outlet opening with opening of the milk collection container,   a milk collection container connected with the means for releasable connection,   a suction bell, which is designed to receive a part of a breast and is connected with the inlet opening of the connection channel,   a cup-like membrane element made of an elastomer material, which has on its upper edge first means for releasable and sealing connection, which are connected in a releasable and sealing manner with an upper edge of the displacement chamber,   a coupling element, which has a coupling rod, which is connected on the bottom with a bottom of the membrane element, and said coupling element being connected with the upper end of the coupling rod and protruding laterally over the coupling rod,   a lever with a first lever arm and a second lever arm, wherein the second lever arm comprises a cover placeable on the upper edge of the membrane element,   means for the rotatable mounting of the lever, which mount the lever rotatably between the first lever arm and the second lever arm on the housing, wherein in the lever&#39;s idle position the first lever arm is arranged laterally at a distance from the housing and the second lever arm is arranged with the cover on the upper edge of the membrane element so that the lever through rotation of the first lever arm towards the housing is rotatable with the second lever arm away from the displacement chamber and the coupling element bulges out a part of the membrane element, which is arranged within the upper edge of the membrane element and   an insertion slot, which extends on the free end of the second lever arm up to a distance from the means for rotatable mounting and reaches from the outside up to the inside of the second lever arm, wherein the coupling rod reaches through the insertion slot and the head of the coupling element above the insertion slot is supported on the outside of the cover.   

     In the case of the manual breast pump according to the invention, the coupling element is installed with a coupling rod into the insertion slot and is supported with the head on the outside of the cover. This enables a particularly simple release of the coupling element from the lever through rotation of the coupling rod through the insertion slot and beyond the free end of the second lever arm. The connection between the membrane element and the displacement chamber does not hereby need to be released because the elasticity of the membrane element permits a rotation of the coupling element. Conversely, the coupling element with the coupling rod can be easily inserted into the insertion slot from the free end of the second lever arm. Moreover, the membrane element is connected on its upper edge with the upper edge of the displacement chamber in a releasable and sealing manner via the first means for releasable and sealing connection. After the coupling element is rotated out of the insertion slot, this connection between the membrane element and the displacement chamber is easily releasable. After the release of the connection, the membrane element can be removed from the displacement chamber. It is hereby advantageous that the lever can be rotated away after rotating the coupling element out of the insertion slot with the cover of the displacement chamber so that the displacement chamber is easily accessible from the outside for removal of the membrane element with the coupling element connected with it. Conversely, the membrane element with the coupling element connected with it can be easily inserted into the displacement chamber and is combinable on its upper edge in a sealing manner with the upper edge of the displacement chamber if the lever is rotated away with the cover of the displacement chamber. The breast milk pump can be easily disassembled into individual parts for the purpose of cleaning or for the purpose of replacing the membrane element. The parts of the breast milk pump can then be subjected to a particularly thorough cleaning. Due to the membrane element, the breast milk pump has the advantage that it enables pumping with relatively little effort. During the outward bulging, the membrane is stretched elastically. As a result, the membrane element automatically returns to its initial shape after release of the lever and hereby rotates the lever into the idle position. 
     According to one embodiment, the breast milk pump has an outlet valve held sealed on the outlet opening via second means for releasable and sealing connection that closes when the difference in the pressure in the milk collection container and in the connection channel has a certain minimum value and that opens when the minimum value is fallen short of. The pumping effort required is further reduced by the outlet valve because negative pressure is not created in the milk collection container. 
     According to one embodiment of the invention, the suction bell is connected with the housing as one piece so that the suction bell and housing form one stable unit. For cleaning purposes, it is not necessary to separate the suction bell from the housing. 
     According to a further embodiment, the suction bell bulges outward between its large opening and its small opening. The contouring of the suction bell is advantageous for the fit on the breast. According to a further embodiment, a funnel-shaped insert made of soft elastic material is inserted into the suction bell, which is connected on its large funnel opening via third means for releasable and sealing connection with the edge of the large opening of the suction bell. The insert made of soft elastic material fits the shape of the breast and pads the suction bell. An air cushion forms between the suction bell and the insert when the suction bell bulges outward between its large and its small opening so that the insert rests particularly softly on the breast. 
     According to a further embodiment, the funnel-shaped insert has its small funnel opening in a neck, which rests with its outer circumference sealingly on the inner circumference of the inlet opening. As a result, when vacuum is supplied, air cushions cannot escape between the insert and the suction bell so that the insert rests particularly softly on the breast. 
     According to a further embodiment, the connection channel has the inlet opening on a diagonally upward sloping upper channel section and the outlet opening on a vertically downward pointing lower channel section. This embodiment of the connection channel is advantageous for using the breast milk pump in a seated position. The suction bell can placed on the breast sloping slightly upwards; the milk drains through the upper channel section and collects in the lower channel section above the outlet valve, through which it drains into the milk collection container. According to a preferred embodiment, the upper channel section is designed in an upper tube socket and the lower channel section in a lower tube socket of the housing. 
     According to a further embodiment, the centre axis of the cup-like displacement chamber is aligned at an acute angle to the vertical line on the side facing away from the suction bell. Furthermore, the centre axis of the cup-like displacement chamber is preferably perpendicular on the longitudinal axis of the upper channel section. This is advantageous for a space-saving arrangement of the displacement chamber and a large displacement volume of the membrane. 
     According to a further embodiment, the first means for releasable and sealing connection has a circumferential collar fold on the upper edge of the membrane element, into which a circumferential shoulder on the upper edge of the displacement chamber engages, wherein the collar fold and the shoulder have circumferential hook profiles engaging behind each other. This embodiment is advantageous for a secure fixing of the membrane element on the displacement chamber, which does not release when the membrane element bulges upward. However, the releasable connection is easily releasable on purpose for disassembling the breast milk pump in that the collar fold is raised at one location and the upper edge of the membrane element is pulled from the shoulder of the displacement chamber. Conversely, the membrane element is easily mountable on the displacement chamber through positioning of the collar fold on the shoulder and pressing onto the shoulder until the hook profiles engage behind each other. 
     According to a further embodiment, the membrane element has a circumferential lip protruding upwards from its upper edge, on which the cover sits when the lever is in idle position. The lip dampens the impact of the lever when the idle position is reached. Furthermore, it seals the cover on the lower edge in idle position and prevents the deposit of impurities on the top side of the membrane element. Moreover, the lip holds the cover in a predetermined alignment and thus protects the means for the mounting of the lever, for example if the pump falls over. 
     According to a further embodiment, the membrane element has a circumferential step on the upper edge, on which the cover sits when the lever is in idle position. The step dampens the impact of the lever when the idle position is reached. 
     According to a further embodiment, a housing part containing the displacement chamber is spherical-segment-shaped and the cover is also spherical-segment-shaped and the spherical-segment-shaped housing part and the spherical-segment-shaped cover in the idle state of the lever mainly have the shape of a hollow sphere. The sphere shape has a pleasant surface feel. Moreover, the free space between the cover and the displacement chamber is particularly large when the first lever arm is rotated towards the housing, whereby removal and insertion of the membrane element is facilitated. 
     According to a further embodiment, the coupling rod has two discs with a circumferential annular gap in between on its lower end and the cup-like membrane element is held on the edge of a hole in its bottom between the discs. This embodiment favours a simple separation of the coupling element from the membrane element and connection of the coupling element with the membrane element, for example for the purposes of cleaning and replacement. Alternatively, the membrane element is permanently connected with the coupling element. The invention includes potential embodiments in which the coupling element is connected with the membrane element as one piece. In particular, the invention relates to possible embodiments, in which the coupling element is made of the same material as the membrane element. 
     According to one embodiment, the head of the coupling element is supported laterally at least on the sides pointing towards the free end of the second lever arm with a protrusion on the outside of the cover. The head is hereby prevented from accidentally sliding out of the insertion slot. In the opposite direction, the coupling element is preferably supported by attachment of the coupling rod on the inner end of the insertion slot. According to a preferred embodiment, the head of the coupling element is inserted into a recess on the outside of the cover. In this embodiment, the edge of the recess forms the protrusion, which supports the head in the direction of the free end of the second lever arm. 
     According to a further embodiment, the head has the shape of a spherical cap on the outside and has together with the spherical-segment-shaped cover and the spherical-segment-shaped housing part in the idle state of the lever mainly the shape of a sphere. In this embodiment, the head complements the sphere formed by the housing part and the cover. 
     According to a further embodiment, the cover has a trough next to the supporting area of the head, into which a fingertip can be inserted in order to lift the head out of the recess. This facilitates the disassembly of the breast milk pump. 
     According to a further embodiment, the outlet valve is a duckbill valve. The duckbill valve is simple, fail-safe and easy to clean. In terms of easy cleaning, the discharge valve is preferably held on the lower end of a lower tube socket having the outlet opening. The outlet valve is preferably held on the lower tube socket by a clamp connection. If the outlet valve is a duckbill valve, it preferably has a pot-like holder, pushed onto or into the lower tube socket under light elastic deformation. 
     According to a further embodiment, the cup-like membrane element and/or the soft elastic insert and/or the duckbill valve is made of a silicone elastomer. The lever and the housing as well as the suction bell are made of a mainly rigid plastic according to a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The invention is explained in greater detail below based on included drawings of an exemplary embodiment. The drawings show: 
         FIG. 1  a manual breast milk pump in the idle state of the lever in a perspective view diagonally from the front and from the side; 
         FIG. 2  the breast milk pump in the idle state of the lever vertically cut in the same perspective view; 
         FIG. 3  the breast milk pump in the idle state of the lever in a vertical cut; 
         FIG. 4  the breast milk pump with actuated lever in a perspective view diagonally from the front and from the side; 
         FIG. 5  the breast milk pump with actuated lever in a vertical cut in the same perspective view; 
         FIG. 6  the breast milk pump with actuated lever in a vertical cut; 
         FIG. 7  the breast milk pump during feeding of the coupling rod through the insertion slot in a perspective view diagonally from the front and from the side; 
         FIG. 8  the breast milk pump during feeding of the coupling rod through the insertion slot in a vertical cut. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
     While this invention may be embodied in many different forms, there are described in detail herein a specific preferred embodiment of the invention. This description is an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the invention to the particular embodiment illustrated 
     In the present application, the terms “upper” and “lower” refer to an arrangement, in which the breast milk pump with a base of the milk collection container, which is arranged on the end of the milk collection container opposite of the opening edge, sits on a horizontal surface. 
     The breast milk pump  1  has a housing  2 , which has a cup-like displacement chamber  3 . The displacement chamber  3  has a mainly spherical-segment shape on the outside and in the lower part  4  on the inside. In the example, it is the shape of a hemisphere. In an upper part, the displacement chamber  3  is cylindrical inside. On the upper edge  5 , the displacement chamber  3  has a protruding, circumferential shoulder  6 , which has a circumferential hook profile  7  on the outside. 
     Furthermore, the housing  2  has a connection channel  8 . The connection channel  8  has an upper channel section  9 , which is arranged in an upper tube socket  10  sloped upwards at an acute angle. On the bottom, the connection channel  8  has a lower channel section  11 , which is arranged in a vertical, lower tube socket  12 . The upper tube socket  10  and the lower tube socket  12  are interconnected. 
     The displacement chamber  3  is aligned with its centre axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper tube socket  10 . With its chamber floor  13  and its lower part  4 , in which it is spherical inside and outside, it engages in the upper area of the tube socket  10 . 
     From the chamber floor  13  of the displacement chamber  3 , a splashback  14  extends downward into the lower tube socket  12  and divides the lower tube socket  12  in the upper area in the centre into two separate chambers. Next to the splashback  14 , the displacement chamber  3  has a through hole  15  to the lower tube socket  12 . 
     The upper tube socket  10  has an inlet opening  16  of the connection channel  8  on the top and the lower tube socket  12  has an outlet opening  17  of the connection channel  8  on the bottom. 
     The upper tube socket  10  is connected as one piece with a small opening of a suction bell  18  at the inlet opening  16 . The suction bell  18  bulges outwards circumferentially between its large opening  19  and its small opening. 
     The housing  2  has a circumferential casing  20  below the displacement chamber  3 , which extends downwards gradually. In its upper part, the casing  20  on the side of the upper tube socket  10  is simultaneously the casing of the lower tube socket  12 , i.e. the walls of the casing  20  and of the lower tube socket  12  come together in this area. On the opposite side of the lower tube socket  12 , the casing  20  is separated from the lower tube socket  12 . This area begins approximately at the diametrically opposed locations, at which the splashback  14  is connected with the lower tube socket  12  on both sides. In its lower part, the casing  20  extends towards a hood  21  circumferentially. A lower part of the lower tube socket  12  protrudes into the hood  21 . On the bottom, a cylindrical shell  22  with an internal thread  23  for screwing onto an outer thread of a milk collection container protrudes from the inside of the hood  21 . 
     On the side of the displacement chamber  3 , which is arranged diametrically opposed to the upper tube socket  10 , the housing  2  has a rib-shaped support  24  with a horizontal bearing axis  25  on the upper end, which is aligned perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the upper tube socket  10  and the suction bell  18 . 
     The protruding elements of the housing  2  and the suction bell  18  are permanently interconnected to form a uniform pump top part  26 . The housing  2  with the suction bell  18  is preferably made of a hard plastic, in particular through injection moulding. The parts of the pump top part  26  can be prefabricated separately and then permanently connected with each other, for example through heat sealing. 
     Furthermore, the breast milk pump  1  comprises a cup-like membrane element  27  made of an elastomer material. The membrane element  27  has a base  28  with a central hole  29 . Starting from the edge of the base  28 , the membrane element  27  has a hemispherical-segment-shaped membrane section  30  and a hollow cylindrical membrane section  31  adjacent to it. In this respect, the outer shape of the membrane element  27  is adapted to the inner shape of the displacement chamber  3 . 
     On the upper edge  31 , the membrane clement  27  has a collar fold  32  on the outside. In the collar fold  32 , the membrane element  27  has a circumferential hook profile (shown generally at  33 ), which is shaped complementary to the hook profile  7  and is hooked with it. 
     On the upper edge  31 , the membrane element  27  has a protruding, circumferential upper lip  33 . Furthermore, the membrane element  27  has a circumferential step  34  on the upper edge  31  outside of the lip  33 . 
     Adjacent to the hole  29 , the membrane element  27  has a circumferential, upwards protruding lower lip  35 . 
     The membrane element  27  is manufactured as a single part from a silicone elastomer. 
     Furthermore, the breast milk pump  1  comprises a coupling element  36 . The coupling element  36  has a coupling rod  37 , which has a connection element for connection with the membrane clement  27  on the bottom. The connection element comprises a hollow cylindrical section  39 , which is connected with the coupling rod  37  via a conical section  40 . Two spaced discs  41 ,  42  protrude from the circumference of the hollow cylindrical section  39 . The base  28  of the membrane element  27  is held at the end of the hole  29  in the distance area between the discs  41 ,  42  so that the lower lip  35  rests against the casing of the hollow cylindrical section  39  and against the discs  41 ,  42 . 
     Furthermore, the coupling element  36  comprises a head  43 , which is connected with the upper end of the coupling rod  37 . The head  43  has the shape of a spherical cap. The connection of the head  43  with the coupling rod  37  is reinforced via several stiffening ribs  44 , which protrude radially from the coupling rod  37  and are connected with the bottom side of the head  43 . On the lower edge, the stiffening ribs  44  have a concordant radius, so that they are rotatable in a spherical shell. 
     The coupling element  36  is manufactured as a single part from a hard plastic, preferably through injection moulding. 
     Furthermore, the breast milk pump  1  comprises a lever  45  with parallel bearing lugs  46 ,  47  between a first lever arm  48  and a second lever arm  49 . The bearing lugs  46 ,  47  are eyelet-shaped and clamped on the bearing axis  25  of the housing  2 . 
     The first lever arm  48  is designed as a handle with an outwardly bent lower end, which should prevent a hand from slipping off. The second lever arm  49  is widened into a cover  50  at a short distance from the bearing lugs  46 ,  47 . In the area of the cover  50 , the lever is spherical-segment-shaped and bulges outward in the remaining areas. Furthermore, the lever  45  has on both edges side walls  51 ,  52  protruding from one side, which transition on the top into the edges of the cover  50 . Overall, the transition from the cover  50  to the other parts of the lever  45  is smooth on the outside. 
     Furthermore, the lever  45  has an insertion slot  53 , which comes from the free end of the second lever arm  49 . The insertion slot  53  extends up to the crest or respectively pole of the spherical-segment-shaped cover  50 . On the end of the insertion slot  53 , a spherical-shell-shaped recess  54  is present on the outside of the cover  50 , against which the stiffening ribs  44  rest with their bottom side. Furthermore, the outside of the cover has a recess  55  that is concentric with respect to the recess described above, which mainly receives the head  43  of the coupling element  36 . Moreover, the cover  50  has a trough  56  facing away from the insertion slot  53 , which is arranged in part next to the last-mentioned recess  55  and in part engages in this recess  55  so that a fingertip inserted into the trough  56  can engage under the head  43  of the coupling element  35  in the recess  55 . 
     The lever  45  is clamped onto the bearing axis  25  with the bearing lugs  46 ,  47 . The coupling element  36  holds the lever  45  in the idle position from  FIGS. 1 and 2 , in which the cover  50  with the lower edge sits on the step  34  of the membrane element  27  and rests against the upper lip  33 . 
     The lever  45  is made of a hard plastic. It is preferably injection-moulded from the plastic. 
     Furthermore, the breast milk pump  1  comprises an outlet valve  58 , which is designed as a duckbill valve. The duckbill valve is a tube piece, which has two flat side walls  59 ,  60 , which lean towards each other and touch each other on the bottom along a sealing line. The duckbill valve is made of an elastomer, preferably a silicone elastomer. 
     The outlet valve  58  protrudes from the bottom side of the bottom  62  of a pot-like holder  63 , wherein the bottom  62  has a hole  64  in the area of the outlet valve  58 . The outlet valve  58  is preferably manufactured as a single part with the holder  63 . The holder and duckbill valve preferably consist of the same elastomer, in particular a silicone elastomer. 
     The outlet valve  58  is clamped with a cylindrical casing part  65  of the holder  63  in a sealing manner on the lower end of the lower tube socket  12 . 
     Furthermore, the breast milk pump  1  comprises a funnel-shaped insert  66  made of an elastomer material. The insert  66  has a fold folded back and outwards at its large opening. With this fold, the insert  66  is clamped onto the edge of the large opening  19  of the suction bell  18 . 
     The insert  66  has its small opening  69  in a neck  70 , which rests on the outer circumference in a sealing manner against the upper tube socket  10 . 
     A circumferential air cushion is present between the insert  66  and the suction bell  18 . 
     The insert  66  is preferably manufactured as a single part from an elastomer material, in particular from a silicone elastomer. 
     Finally, the breast milk pump  1  comprises a milk collection container  71 . The milk collection container  71  has a bottle shape. On the bottom, it has a base  72  and on the top a neck  73  with an external thread  74 . The housing  2  is screwed onto the external thread  74  with the internal thread  23 . The milk collection container  71  can also be used as a feeding bottle after being filled with milk. 
     The milk collection container  71  is preferably made of a rigid plastic. It is preferably injection-moulded as a single part from the plastic. 
     For pumping of milk, the breast milk pump  1  with the suction bell  18  is placed on a breast so that it rests on the outside of the insert  66 . The lever  45  is then cyclically actuated in that the first lever arm  48  is pressed in the direction of the housing  7  or respectively the milk collection container  71  and then released. 
     By actuating the lever  45 , the membrane element  27  is deflected upwards as shown in  FIGS. 4 ,  5 ,  6 . Negative pressure is hereby generated in the displacement chamber  3  and in the suction bell  18 . After the lever  45  is released, the membrane element  27  takes on its initial shape and pulls the lever  45  back into the idle position in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  3 . The negative pressure is hereby reduced again in the displacement chamber  3  and in the suction bell  18 . 
     The milk flow is stimulated through cyclical generation and reduction of the negative pressure. The milk drains off through the insert  66  and the connection channel  8  into the duckbill valve  58 . If there is negative pressure in the displacement chamber  3  and thus in the connection channel  8 , the duckbill valve  58  closes and holds the milk tight. When the negative pressure is relieved, the duckbill valve  58  opens and releases the milk into the milk collection container  71 . 
     After the milk has been pumped, the housing  2  is screwed off the milk collection container  71  and the milk collection container  71  is closed for the purpose of preserving the milk or is provided with a bottle teat to dispense the milk. 
     The housing  2  is screwed off the milk collection container  71  for the cleaning of the breast milk pump  1 . Furthermore, the coupling element  36  is released from the lever  45  in that the head  43  is rotated out of the insertion slot  53  with the fingertip, as shown in  FIGS. 7 ,  8 . The membrane element  27  is then releasable from the housing  2  by being forced off the shoulder  6 . 
     The duckbill valve  58  can be separated from the housing  3  by being forced off the lower tube socket  12 . 
     The insert  66  is releasable by being forced off the upper edge of the suction bell  18 . 
     The lever  45  can be separated from the bearing axis  25  of the housing  2  by being forced off the bearing lugs  46 ,  47 . 
     The milk collection container  71  is releasable by being screwed off the housing  2 . 
     The aforementioned individual parts can be cleaned and, if necessary, sterilized individually. They can then be easily reassembled in the reverse order. 
     This completes the description of the preferred and alternate embodiments of the invention. Those skilled in the art may recognize other equivalents to the specific embodiment described herein which equivalents are intended to be encompassed by the claims attached hereto.