Patent Description:
Collection shells are often worn during breastfeeding or in between feeds in order to collect any leaking milk or milk let-down.

Additionally, they can also be used to protect the nipple and alleviate some discomfort due to sensitive or irritated nipples.

However, conventional shells have a number of disadvantages, such as being susceptible to leaks, not being discreet enough and providing some discomfort to the mother.

<CIT> describes methods and an apparatus for passive milk collection from a human breast to be worn with a brassiere or other supporting garment. In some examples, a cupped container having a concave inner surface and a convex outer surface may be removably coupled to a lid attachment having an opening for receiving a liquid.

The invention relates to an improved wearable passive milk collection vessel.

The scope of protection is defined by the claims.

Aspects of the invention will now be described, by way of example(s), with reference to the following Figures, which each show features of various implementations of the invention including optional features that may be utilised:.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a perspective view and back view of a passive milk collection vessel or device are respectively shown. The device comprises a flexible inner member or skirt <NUM> which contacts the user's breast and a removable rigid outer member <NUM>, which faces outwards from the breast. The rear surface of the inner member <NUM> includes an opening or nipple hole <NUM> for receiving a nipple. Thanks to the elasticity of the inner member <NUM>, a comfortable seal is formed between the rear surface of the device and the user's breast. In addition, the inner member <NUM> has an asymmetrical ergonomic shape providing a secure fit. The form-factor of the design is configured to minimize visibility of the device when worn under clothes. By providing an uninterrupted or continuous contour with the breast, the passive milk collection vessel is very discreet and is also almost invisible or substantially invisible when worn under clothes. As a result, the passive milk collection vessel is also held comfortably inside a bra.

The passive milk collection vessel is configured to securely hold itself in place on the breast due to the flexibility and elasticity of the inner member <NUM>. This prevents possible leaking of any milk let-down outside the milk collection vessel and provides mothers the confidence of being able to wear any clothing they wish in between pumps or in between feeds.

Alternatively, the inner member includes a 'flippable' or bendable portion that is configured to securely seal or self-seal onto at least part of the breast around the nipple area via the creation of low negative pressure inside the passive milk collection vessel. The passive milk collection device may then be worn temporarily without a bra or for a long time period with a bra.

A user can wear one device at a time, or one device on each breast at the same time. One intended use case is that the user places the device onto their nipple in-bra and wears the device for up to <NUM> hours at a time.

With reference to <FIG>, the outer member <NUM> and inner flexible member <NUM> are shown side by side.

The shape of the flexible inner member or skirt <NUM>, seen from the front, is not circular, but slightly elongated at the top and slightly truncated at its base. Seen from the side, the rear or outermost edge of the skirt <NUM> is not parallel with the rear edge of the central outer member <NUM>, but instead the top of the rear or outermost edge of the skirt <NUM> is further away from the rear edge of the central outer member <NUM> than the bottom of the edge of the skirt <NUM>. The flexible skirt <NUM> is hence shaped or configured to fit comfortably against the breast. Also, the long axis through the device (when looking at the device from the front) does not have to be vertical when the device is worn; the user can rotate the device before placing it against the breast so that the flexible skirt <NUM> fits even better against the breast.

With reference to <FIG>, the rigid outer member <NUM> and flexible member <NUM> are shown side by side and assembled.

The rigid outer member <NUM> has a convex outer surface and when assembled, the inner member <NUM> and outer member <NUM> form a chamber or vessel that is shaped to collect milk during let-down. The capacity of the chamber is approximately <NUM> fluid ounce or <NUM>. Additionally, the chamber also provides a free air space around the nipple area for protecting the nipple and an area surrounding the nipple.

The nipple hole <NUM> has an asymmetrical shape or a teardrop-like shape providing an increased capacity of the vessel and a flexible orientation. The nipple hole <NUM> is also positioned and shaped to allow easy pouring of collected milk out of the device. When ready, the user removes the device from their breast, and decants any collected milk via the nipple hole into a storage device of their choice.

The inner member <NUM> includes one or more ventilation holes or openings <NUM> which may be plugged using an elastic feature built into the inner member <NUM> or a separate plugging member. Ventilation holes <NUM> provide comfort for the user when going about daily activities.

The two parts, namely the inner <NUM> and outer <NUM> members, push together and pull apart easily for hassle free assembly, disassembly and cleaning. Outer members <NUM> are therefore interchangeable.

The outer member <NUM> may be easily pressed or pushed into engagement with the inner member <NUM>. The circular symmetry of the outer member <NUM> also means that the outer member can be assembled in any way onto the inner member <NUM>. A bump feature <NUM> located around a periphery of the outer member is used to secure the outer member <NUM> onto the inner member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, the attachment mechanism between the rigid outer member <NUM> and the flexible inner member <NUM> is shown in detail. The bump feature <NUM> located on a periphery of the outer member <NUM> engages with a hook <NUM> located around a periphery of the inner member <NUM>. As shown, this creates at least three sealing points on the hook: on the tip of the hook <NUM>, on the base of the hook <NUM> and on the inner rim giving a triple seal protection <NUM>.

This, in turns, provides a tight seal between the inner <NUM> and outer <NUM> members. Further, there is enough retention force ensuring that the outer member <NUM> does not come out from the inner member <NUM> during a user's normal daily activities.

In addition, the flexible inner member is moulded undersize and stretches to fit to the rigid outer member, thus ensuring an interference fit seal between the inner and outer members at the hook feature to always ensure a seal condition.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, a perspective view and a side view of a rendering of a passive milk collection vessel are shown. The entire device is substantially transparent or optically clear providing an unobstructed view of the breast or nipple area and a discreet look when worn with or without clothes. The inner member <NUM> is made of flexible silicone and the outer member <NUM> is made of hard plastic. The materials are chosen to provide ease of use and cleaning.

Alternatively, the entire device may also be skin coloured.

The front surface of the rigid outer member also includes a flat portion <NUM> so that the entire device can rest stably on its front on a surface; while preventing any milk spillage.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, dimensions of the device are shown. The device is specifically shaped to provide a discreet profile, when worn.

With reference to <FIG>, drawings illustrate the flexible inner member including a 'flippable' portion as previously discussed above. The reversible 'flippable' feature, shown in grey shading, allows the user to attach the device on at least part of the breast <NUM>. The 'flippable' portion is flipped onto the breast in order to help secure the device onto the breast, providing extra leak proof security. The device may then also be worn either with or without a bra.

With reference to <FIG>, the passive milk collection vessel is shown including a non-drip barrier. A slit <NUM> is located on the rear surface of the flexible inner member. When held in order to be placed onto the breast, as shown, the slit on the flexible inner member provides an opening to receive a nipple. When the device is removed from the breast, the slit closes and provides a non-drip barrier in order to prevent any milk spillage.

With reference to <FIG> and <FIG>, the passive milk collection vessel is shown with varying shapes and form factor. <FIG> also shows varying locations of the nipple hole on the flexible inner member.

With reference to <FIG>, further sealing solutions for sealing the flexible inner member with the rigid outer member are shown.

<FIG> shows an example in which the inner flexible member is overmoulded on the cup <NUM>. The two parts could also be permanently attached together using either adhesives, welding or both, in order to form the collection vessel <NUM>. The rigid cup includes retention features. A core <NUM> is used to overmould the flexible inner member together with the rigid cup.

<FIG> and <FIG> show a further example of collection vessel <NUM> providing a tortuous path for any milk letdown collected from the nipple. There are two parts to the valve. The first is an extension of the flexible skirt which sits up against the inside surface of the cup. The second is the rigid cup which has teardrop shape protrusions built into the inside surface of the cup which taper into the surface. When the collection cup is worn in a bra, the breast contacting flexible 'drum skin' deflects, which means that the circular seal can sit in a number of different locations in relation to the cup. The teardrop protrusions ensure that wherever the circular seal sits in relation to the cup, the non-return valve functions correctly by letting milk into the secure cavity and not back out. It does this by keeping the pressure head required to break the non return valve seal sufficiently low.

<FIG> and <FIG> show another example of attachment mechanism in order to secure the flexible inner member <NUM> to the rigid outer member <NUM>. The flexible inner member `flip flaps' directly onto the rigid outer member or cup in order to provide a lap seal to secure itself onto the rigid member.

<FIG> shows a bayonet type seal in which a rigid ring is overmolded onto the silicone skirt. This sub-assembly in turn connects to the rigid cup using a push and twist action similar to a bayonet fastening which provides a leak-proof seal. To the user the product has <NUM> parts.

With reference to <FIG>, a passive milk collection vessel including three removable parts, namely the inner flexible member <NUM>, the outer member <NUM> and an external band <NUM>, is shown disassembled. The inner member includes a catch feature <NUM> that clips into place the three parts together.

With reference to <FIG>, multiple views of another passive milk collection vessel including three removable parts, namely the inner flexible member <NUM>, the outer member <NUM> and a plastic ring <NUM>, are shown. The separate plastic part is configured to easily screw on both the flexible inner member <NUM> and the rigid outer member <NUM>, thereby providing a secure seal between the flexible inner member <NUM> and rigid outer member <NUM>.

With reference to <FIG>, multiple views of another passive milk collection vessel including three parts, namely the inner flexible member <NUM>, the outer member <NUM> and a rigid ring <NUM>, are shown. The rigid ring <NUM> is overmolded and includes an inner part in silicone and an outer part in hard plastic. Further the rigid ring <NUM> is configured to rotate in order to provide multiple functions. A 'lock' position <NUM> provides a secure seal when the device is placed and sealed on the breast. A 'pour' milk position <NUM> provides an opening on the ring in order to easily decant milk out of the device. An 'in' position <NUM> indicates where to place the rigid ring on the inner and outer members.

With reference to <FIG>, further examples of milk decanting alternatives are illustrated.

<FIG> shows a second opening or hole located at the top of the silicone inner member. When the device is worn, the second opening seals against the user's breast and is therefore closed. When the device is taken off the breast, the second opening provides a pouring spout with which to easily decant the milk out of.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel in which the rigid cup includes an outlet on its outer surface and an integrated bung. The bung can be open in order to decant any collected milk via the outlet.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel in which the rigid cup includes an opening to decant collected milk. The collection vessel also includes a bung that is directly integrated to the flexible inner member and which can be opened in order to decant any collected milk.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel comprising a bung or stopper cap that is attached on or outside of the rigid cup. The stopper cap <NUM> can be pushed inwards and onto the nipple hole of the flexible inner member in order to seal the nipple hole. When the nipple hole is sealed, the collection vessel may be used as a storage vessel.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel including a cap with a plug, in which the cap is placed on or near the rear surface of the inner member in order to seal the nipple hole. The cap also attaches or clips onto the rigid cup. In this example, the flexible inner member includes a flippable portion.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel in which the outer surface of the rigid cup provides a visual indicator or marker of the maximum level of milk let-down that can be collected inside the cup. The visual indicator or marker may be provided using a specific texture, such as frosted plastic, on the rigid cup. An additional visual indicator may be provided in order for the user to understand if the device is either in a locked or unlocked position.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel further including a push-fit plug. The plug is used to close the nipple hole and enables the collection vessel to be used as a storage container. The plug includes a pull handle enabling the vessel to be easily carried around, such as being placed or removed from a bag.

<FIG> shows a collection vessel further including a flexible membrane that is shaped to wrap around at least a portion of the vessel. The flexible membrane closes the nipple area and enables the vessel to be easily transported or to be stored in a fridge.

An aspect of the invention is a passive milk collection device for storing milk comprising (i) a flexible inner member including a nipple hole for receiving a nipple, and in which, in use, part of the rear surface of the inner member is configured to securely seal onto a user's breast and (ii) a removable rigid outer member configured to attach onto the front surface of the inner member and to provide a free air space around the nipple area for storing milk from the nipple, and in which, the circumference of the outer edge of the rear surface of the flexible inner member is substantially larger than the circumference of the rigid outer member.

Optional features are now listed. Note that all optional features can be combined with any other optional features.

Claim 1:
A passive milk collection device for storing milk comprising:
(i) a flexible inner member (<NUM>) including a nipple hole (<NUM>) for receiving a nipple, and in which, in use, part of the rear surface of the inner member is configured to securely seal onto a user's breast; and
(ii) a removable rigid outer member (<NUM>) configured to attach onto the front surface of the inner member and to provide a free air space around the nipple area for storing milk from the nipple, and in which, the circumference of the outer edge of the rear surface of the flexible inner member is substantially larger than the circumference of the rigid outer member,
wherein the device is configured for decanting collected milk via the nipple hole.