Abstract:
A modular system operative to work in conjunction with a breast pump for collecting and managing the storage or dispensing of milk extracted from a woman&#39;s breast by the breast pump. The modular system includes a series of interchangeable components, including a series of sleeves and a variety of lids that can be secured to the sleeves to form containers for receiving and holding milk extracted by the breast pump.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application claims priority under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) from the following U.S. provisional application: Application Ser. No. 61/860,922 filed on Aug. 1, 2013. That application is incorporated in its entirety by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to a system for managing the collection and feeding of milk expressed from a woman&#39;s breast. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    The advantages of breast-feeding babies is undeniable. Many mothers, because of work, travel or otherwise being separated from their baby, employ breast pumps to extract milk from their breasts. However, managing the collection, storage and feeding of the milk is challenging. There is a need for a system that is simple, easy to use and which will collect, meter, store and feed milk expressed via a breast pump in as few as one step. Moreover, some babies are not able to latch onto breasts and in these cases using a breast pump to provide milk for the baby is a viable option. Here again, there is a need for a system that is simple and easy to use for collecting and managing milk produced via a breast pump. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0004]      FIG. 1  is a view that illustrates the kit of the present invention which includes a series of components for managing the collection and dispensing of milk extracted from a woman&#39;s breast by a breast pump. 
           [0005]      FIG. 2  is a schematic illustration of the modular system of the present invention being utilized with a breast pump to measure or meter milk extracted by the breast pump. 
           [0006]      FIG. 2A  is an exploded view of a portion of  FIG. 2  showing two sleeves of the kit of the present invention and a valve assembly. 
           [0007]      FIG. 2B  is an exploded view of the valve assembly. 
           [0008]      FIG. 3  is a view illustrating components of the kit being utilized for direct feeding. 
           [0009]      FIG. 4  is a view that illustrates how components of the kit are used to contain and store milk extracted by a breast pump. 
       
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS 
       [0010]    With further references to the drawings, there is shown therein a modular system for managing the collection and feeding of milk extracted by a breast pump. The modular system is designed to operate in conjunction with a breast pump. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions of this disclosure, the modular system described herein is operative to collect, meter, feed and store milk extracted by a breast pump. 
         [0011]    As shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular system for managing the collection of expressed milk can be provided in a kit form. In one example, the kit includes a series of sleeves, various lids for connecting to the sleeves to form containers, and a valve assembly. As will be appreciated from subsequent portions of the disclosure, the valve assembly is utilized to interconnect two sleeves together and to isolate one sleeve from the other in order that one sleeve can be employed to measure or meter milk extracted by the breast pump. This allows exact measured feeding and reduces the risk of contaminating the milk transferred from one sleeve to another sleeve via the valve assembly. 
         [0012]    With particular reference to the kit shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular milk collection system is shown therein and indicated generally by the numeral  10 . The kit includes two or more sleeves with each sleeve being referred to generally by the numeral  12 . Sleeve  12  can be constructed of various suitable materials such as plastic or glass and can be of various sizes. Each sleeve includes a cylindrical wall  14 . In one embodiment, the cylindrical wall  14  is transparent. Cylindrical wall  14  includes opposed open ends. Formed on each end of the cylindrical wall  14  is a threaded end  16 . Disposed inwardly of each threaded end  16  is an annular flange  18 . In some embodiments, a seal ring  20  is secured to or integral with the outer ends of the sleeve  12 . In one embodiment, at least one of the sleeves  12  is adapted to measure a volume of milk contained therein. In order to facilitate this feature of the modular milk collection system, the cylindrical wall  14  is provided with indicia for indicating the volume of milk contained within a container formed in part by the sleeve  12 . 
         [0013]    Continuing to refer to  FIG. 1 , the kit includes a series of threaded lids. Each of the lids is designed to connect to an end portion of one of the sleeves  12 . Each of the lids includes internal threads for securing to the threaded ends  16  of the sleeves  12 . In the exemplary kit shown in  FIG. 1 , there are three types of lids provided. In other embodiments, the kit may be provided with one or more different lids. Kit  10  includes one or more closed lids with each closed lid being indicated generally by the numeral  30 . In addition, the kit includes one or more lids having an inlet opening. This lid is indicated generally by the numeral  32 . Finally, the kit includes one or more lids that include a nipple, this lid being indicated generally by the numeral  34 . 
         [0014]    As seen in  FIG. 1 , the closed lid  30  includes a twist rim  30 A. Internally within the twist rim  30 A there is provided threads that are configured to threadedly engage the threaded end  16  of the sleeve  12 . In some cases, the closed lid  30  may form the bottom of a container that is formed by connecting two lids to a sleeve  12 . See  FIG. 4 . Thus, in the embodiment illustrated herein, the closed lid  30  includes a generally flat surface that enables the formed container to be situated in a stable upright position when the closed lid forms the bottom of the container. Lid  32  also includes a twist rim  32 A and a raised section  32 B. Formed in the raised section  32 B is an inlet (stub tube)  32 C. There is also provided an air outlet valve  32 D. This may include a one-way check valve that allows air to escape from a sleeve through the lid when milk is being directed into the sleeve. The third lid is referred to as a nipple lid  34 . It also includes a twist section  34 A that, like the other lids, includes an internal thread for threading onto the threaded end  16  of the sleeve  12 . In addition, the nipple lid  34  includes a nipple  34 B. 
         [0015]    The kit shown in  FIG. 1  also includes a valve assembly indicated generally by the numeral  40 . Various different valve designs can be provided to accomplish the function intended for the valve. As will be discussed hereafter, valve assembly  40  is utilized between two sleeves  12  and enables one sleeve to be isolated from the other for the purpose of measuring a volume of milk inside the sleeve. Once the volume of milk has been measured, the valve can be opened such that the measured volume of milk is allowed to flow from one sleeve to the other sleeve. 
         [0016]    Viewing valve assembly  40  in more detail, it is seen that the valve assembly includes a housing structure that is formed by two sections, section  42 A and section  42 B. Both of these sections are threaded such that the housing of the valve assembly  40  can be interconnected between two sleeves  12 . That is, the internal threads formed in one section of the housing can be screwed onto the external threads  16  formed on an end portion of one sleeve, and internal threads provided in the other section of the housing can be screwed onto external threads formed on an end portion of another sleeve  12 . Consequently, the valve assembly  40  can be easily connected between two sleeves  12 . See  FIG. 2 . 
         [0017]    The housing ( 42 A and  42 B) includes a through opening which enables milk to pass through the through opening. A ball-type valve is positioned in the through opening so as to open and close the through opening. In particular, as viewed in  FIG. 2B , a ball  44  is seated in the through opening. Ball  44  includes an opening  44 A that extends completely through the ball. A manual actuator  46  is secured to the ball  44  and projects therefrom. As seen in  FIGS. 2 and 2A , the manual actuator  46  projects from the side of the valve assembly  40  such that it can be easily accessed. As noted above, ball  44  is seated in a structure in the through opening of the valve assembly  40 . The structure for seating the valve includes a seat  48 . There is a valve body  50  that is disposed over the ball  44  and contained within the housing. Underlying the ball  44  is a valve cap  52 . The valve cap  52  is secured to the valve seat  48  through a treaded connection. Both the valve seat  48  and valve cap  52  are secured within the housing of the valve assembly. Both the valve body  50  and valve cap  52  include an opening for permitting milk to flow through these structures. 
         [0018]    In an open position, ball  44  is oriented such that its opening  44 A is aligned with the openings in the valve body  50  and valve cap  52 , as well as the through opening in the valve assembly  40 . This permits milk to flow through the valve assembly  40 . By rotating the manual actuator  46 , the opening  44 A of the ball  44  is turned such that it does not align with the through opening in the valve assembly or with the openings in the valve body  50  or valve cap  52 . Effectively the ball  44  creates a sealed relationship in the valve assembly  40  and effectively closes such that milk cannot pass through the valve assembly. 
         [0019]    Continuing to refer to the kit shown in  FIG. 1 , the modular system  10  is provided with means for channeling milk from a breast pump into a container. A container is formed by a sleeve  12  and two of the lids, or in one case a container is formed by a sleeve and one of the lids and the valve assembly  40 . In the embodiment illustrated herein, there is provided a flexible tube  60  that is designed to connect to the stub tube  32 C that extends from the lid  32 . As will be discussed subsequently herein, the flexible tube  60  is designed to channel milk from the breast pump into one container. 
         [0020]    Finally, the kit shown in  FIG. 1  is provided with an adapter  62  that is designed to attach between an outlet of a breast pump and the flexible tube  60 . The design of the adapter  62  may vary. This is because different breast pumps will require different adapters. In any event, the function of the adapter  62  is to provide an interface or an interconnection between an outlet of a breast pump and the means for directing milk into one of the containers which, in this case, is the flexible tube  60 . 
         [0021]    The components shown in  FIG. 1  are exemplary components for one embodiment of the kit. It is appreciated by those skilled in the art that the number of sleeves, lids, seals, etc. can vary. For example, the kit may include many closed lids  30  and numerous lids  32  and  34 . In addition, the kit may include more than three sleeves. 
         [0022]    The modular system  10  for managing the collection of expressed milk is designed to work with a breast pump. The breast pump can be any make or model of commercially available breast pumps. For example, the breast pump may be a manual pump, a battery powered pump, or an electric powered pump. A representation of a breast pump is shown in  FIG. 2 . The breast pump shown there is indicated generally by the numeral  80 . Breast pump  80  includes a control unit  82  including an internal pump for generating a vacuum. A vacuum line  84  extends from the control unit  82  to a flange assembly indicated generally by the numeral  86 . Flange assembly  86  includes a breast flange  88  and an outlet  90  which may or may not be threaded. As discussed above, the sleeves  12  and the various lids  30 ,  32  and  34 , can be used to form containers indicated generally by the numeral  13 . For example, a container  13  can be formed by securing two closed lids  30  to opposite ends of a sleeve  12 . See  FIG. 4 . In addition, a container can be formed by securing a closed lid  30  to one end of a sleeve and the lid  32  having the inlet opening to the other end of the sleeve. Also, a container or bottle having a nipple can be formed. This occurs by securing the nipple lid  34  to one end of a sleeve  12  and the closed lid  30  or the lid  32  to the other end of the sleeve. See  FIG. 3 . Thus, it is appreciated that various combination of lids can be secured to the sleeves  12  to form various configured containers or bottles  13 . 
         [0023]    The modular system shown in  FIG. 1  can be used in various ways to manage milk produced through breast feeding. As will be described hereafter, the system can be utilized to measure volumes of milk emitted by the breast pump  80 . Once a measured amount of milk is determined, the measured volume can be transferred to a container  13  via the valve assembly  40 . In another mode of operation, the modular system  10  can be used to directly feed a baby. That is, the system can be employed to feed milk to a baby through a container  13  that is being supplied milk by the breast pump  80 . A third way of utilizing the modular system  10  of the present invention is that a container  13  can be communicatively connected to the outlet of the breast pump  80  to receive milk for storage. 
         [0024]    Turning to  FIG. 2 , it is seen that two containers,  13 ′ and  13 ″, are connected by the valve assembly  40 . The upper container  13 ′, shown in  FIG. 2 , may be termed a measuring container or a metering container. With the valve assembly  40  closed, the breast pump  80  is operative to pump milk from the breast of a woman through the outlet  90  of the flange assembly  86  and through the adapter  62  into the flexible line  60 . Milk in the flexible line  60  is directed through the lid  32  into the upper (as viewed in  FIG. 2 ) container  13 ′. As the breast pump  80  operates, milk accumulates in the upper container  13 ′. Once a selected volume of milk has accumulated in the upper container  13 ′, that volume of milk can be transferred to the lower container  13 ″ by opening the valve assembly  40 . In some instances, the lower container  13 ″ may be referred to as a collection container. Once transferred to the lower container  13 ″, the valve assembly  40  can be closed and the milk in the lower container  13 ″ can be fed to the baby. If desired, the breast pump  80  can be continued to be operated to pump milk into the upper container  13 ′ while the baby is consuming milk from the lower container  13 ″. There is also another option. For example, at any time once a selected volume of milk has been accumulated in the upper container  13 ′, the breast pump  80  can be deactivated and the upper container  13 ″ can be converted to a storage container where the closed lid  30  is placed on both ends of the container. 
         [0025]    In another mode of use, one container  13  can be utilized to directly feed a baby while milk is being pumped into the container. This is illustrated in  FIG. 3 . Note that one end of the container  13  includes a nipple lid  34  that includes a nipple  34 B. The other end of the container includes a lid  32  that includes an opening for permitting milk to flow through the lid. In this case, the flexible tube  60  is operatively interconnected between the adapter  62  and the stub tube  32 C of the lid  32 . Breast pump  80  is activated, causing a vacuum to be created about the breast flange  88  which results in milk being drawn from the breast of a woman through the outlet  90 , through the adapter  62  and on through the flexible tube  60  into the container  13 . During this time while the breast pump  80  is pumping milk into the container  13 , the baby is consuming milk via the nipple  32 B at the same time. 
         [0026]    Another mode of operation is where the modular milk collection system  10  is utilized to collect milk for storage. This is illustrated in  FIG. 4 . In this case, the container  13  has a closed lid  30  secured to one end thereof, the bottom end. Secured to the other end is lid  32  having the inlet opening for permitting milk to pass through the lid. In this case, the breast pump  80  is actuated and causes milk to flow through the flexible tube  60 , through the lid  32  into the container  13  where milk accumulates. Once a selected volume of milk has accumulated in the container  13 , the breast pump  80  can be deactivated and the lid  32  can be replaced with a closed lid  30 . See  FIG. 4 . Now the container  13  is suitable for storage and can be placed in a refrigerator or other controlled environment for future use. 
         [0027]    From the foregoing discussion, it is appreciated that the modular milk collection system  10  is easy to use and has many advantages. The system and uses described above make breast feeding a practical and reasonable option for many women that would not otherwise have that option. The modular system for managing the collection, storage and dispensing of expressed milk enables a baby to be fed directly from the breast pump  80  or enables breast milk to be collected from the breast pump and thereafter stored for future use. In another embodiment, the modular expressed milk management system can be utilized to measure or meter milk supplied by the breast pump  80  and thereafter be directly transferred to a container which may be used to directly feed the baby. The parts and components of the modular system can be easily interchanged and rearranged to carry out various functions and to provide numerous breast feeding options. 
         [0028]    The present invention may, of course, be carried out in other ways than those specifically set forth herein without departing from essential characteristics of the invention. The present embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive, and all changes coming within the meaning and equivalency range of the appended claims are intended to be embraced therein.