Patent ID: 12220506

DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

Preferred embodiments of the present invention are now described hereinafter in detail with reference to the drawings.

Note that, since the embodiments described below are favorable specific examples of the present invention, various technically favorable limits are applied thereto; however, the scope of the present invention is not limited to these embodiments unless the following description states that the present invention is particularly limited. Further, in each drawing, identical components are designated the same reference numerals; thus, detailed descriptions thereof are omitted accordingly.

A breast pump according to the present embodiment is now described with reference toFIGS.1to3. A breast pump2according to the present embodiment is a tool that can be operated by a user to extract breast milk, and is used when breast-feeding an infant directly is difficult or a nipple is damaged, or for the purpose of preventing mastitis. The breast pump2shown inFIGS.1to3is a manual breast pump that can be operated manually by the user to extract breast milk. It should be noted that the breast pump according to the present embodiment is not limited to a manual breast pump and may be an electric breast pump that electrically obtains power required for a pumping operation. An example in which the breast pump is a manual pump is described hereinafter.

As shown inFIGS.1and2, the breast pump2includes a breast pump main body3, a hood4, and a buffer portion7. The breast pump2may also include a diaphragm34, a handle5, a holding member200, and a bottle6.

The breast pump main body3is relatively light, and is molded with a hard synthetic resin material. Examples of the material of the breast pump main body3include polypropylene, polycarbonate, polycicloolefin, polyethersulfone, and polyphenylsulfone. A first passage312through which air and extracted breast milk pass is formed inside the mounting portion311to which the hood4is mounted. As shown inFIG.2, the first passage312is spatially connected to a communication portion S4via an internal space S3and a second passage321formed substantially in the middle of the breast pump main body3, the communication portion S4being formed in an upper portion of the breast pump main body3. The internal space S3is a breast milk storage space for temporarily storing the extracted breast milk.

The upper portion of the breast pump main body3is provided with the diaphragm34in a detachable manner. The diaphragm34is integrally molded with an elastic body such as a synthetic resin, and therefore has flexibility as a whole. A lower end portion344of the diaphragm34is attached to cover an outer periphery of a substantially disk-shaped diaphragm mounting portion32R provided in the upper portion of the breast pump main body3. Specifically, the diaphragm34is mounted above the diaphragm mounting portion32R of the breast pump main body3.

A negative pressure space S5formed between the breast pump main body3and the diaphragm34is a region (space) where a negative pressure is applied. As a result of the diaphragm34changing the shape thereof along an axis C, the negative pressure space S5formed between the breast pump main body3and the diaphragm34enters a negative pressure state. The axis C represents an axial direction of a joint portion35. When the negative pressure space S5enters a negative pressure state, a housing space S2enters a negative pressure state via the first passage312, the internal space S3, the second passage321, and the communication portion S4. In this manner, the breast pump main body3generates a negative pressure for sucking the breast milk of the user, i.e., a negative pressure for extracting the breast milk.

The hood4is connected to the breast pump main body3and placed onto a breast. The hood4is formed in the shape of a trumpet or in substantially a dome shape so as to correspond to the shape of the breast, and has a flow path portion41and a diameter expansion portion42. The flow path portion41is a part of the hood4that has the smallest diameter, and is connected to the mounting portion311provided in the breast pump main body3. Specifically, the flow path portion41has a part connected to the breast pump main body3, and is disposed on the breast pump main body3side in the hood4, i.e., on the back side as seen from an opening44of the hood4. The flow path portion41has a cylindrical shape and the inner diameter of the flow path portion41is substantially constant. The diameter expansion portion42has a corn shape of which a tip of the corn shape is cut off such that a circular hole is formed with a top edge, and is a part that has the diameter thereof expanding from the flow path portion41toward an edge portion43(or bottom edge) opposite to the flow path portion41, and the diameter expansion portion42is placed onto the breast. The edge portion43corresponds to an edge portion of the opening44of the hood4. The diameter of the circular hole is the same as the inner diameter of the flow path portion, and the top edge of the diameter expansion portion42is connected to the flow path portion41. a boundary between the diameter expansion portion and the flow path portion is defined as a boundary portion.

When the user inserts her breast into a space S1surrounded by the hood4shown inFIG.2, the space S1creates the housing space S2for accommodating the nipple of the user so as to seal the nipple of the user. Setting the housing space S2to a negative pressure creates a structure that enables pumping. At this time, in a state where the breast of the user is in contact with the buffer portion7and the diameter expansion portion42, the nipple of the user enters the flow path portion41. In other words, the nipple of the user is exposed to the inside of the flow path portion41. In addition, the areola portion around the nipple is disposed in the vicinity of a boundary portion between the flow path portion41and the diameter expansion portion42(seeFIG.6).

The buffer portion7is in the shape of a ring and is detachably mounted on the hood4. Specifically, the buffer portion7includes a bonding portion71and a sealing portion72, and is fitted and mounted on the edge portion43of the hood4at the bonding portion71. The buffer portion7may further include a cushion portion73and a bending portion74. The buffer portion7is made of a material softer than the material of the hood4, and therefore has elasticity. For example, the buffer portion7is made of an easily deformable material such as silicone rubber, elastomer, or natural rubber, the material being easily brought into close contact with the breast of the user when pumping. For example, in a case where silicone rubber is used as the material of the buffer portion7, it is preferred that the material of the buffer portion7be silicone rubber having a hardness of approximately HS 20 to 80 according to type A durometer in JIS-K 6253 (ISO 7619).

The bonding portion71is fitted into the edge portion43of the hood4. Specifically, the bonding portion71is provided with a groove portion that can be fitted into the edge portion43of the hood4. By having the edge portion43of the hood4caught on the groove portion of the bonding portion71, the bonding portion71is attached to the edge portion43of the hood4. The sealing portion72is provided on the opposite side of the bonding portion71. In other words, the bonding portion71is provided at one end of the buffer portion7. As shown inFIG.2, the sealing portion72is brought into close contact with an inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42of the hood4, between the flow path portion41of the hood4and the edge portion43of the hood4.

Thus, the buffer portion7is formed in a trumpet shape or a funnel shape so as to correspond to the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42of the hood4. At least a part of the buffer portion7is in close contact with the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42of the hood4. The buffer portion7has a function of suppressing irritation and pain generated by the diameter expansion portion42coming into abutment with the breast of the user, and a function of preventing the negative pressure set in the housing space S2surrounded by the breast of the user and the hood4from leaking from the breast side of the user. The buffer portion7is described hereinafter in detail.

As shown inFIG.2, an opening313is formed on the lower side of the internal space S3, and a backflow prevention valve36is attached thereto. For example, an on-off valve called duckbill valve is employed as the backflow prevention valve36of the present embodiment. However, the backflow prevention valve36is not limited to a duckbill valve. The backflow prevention valve36efficiently enables the negative pressure state of the housing space S2by preventing the breast milk and air passing through the opening313from flowing back from the bottle6. The backflow prevention valve36is molded integrally using an elastic body such as a synthetic resin, and therefore has flexibility as a whole. Examples of the material of the backflow prevention valve36include silicone rubber, elastomer, and natural rubber.

The backflow prevention valve36shown inFIG.2has a slit36S at a tip thereof. The slit36S closes as soon as the negative pressure space S5enters a negative pressure state. Specifically, when the negative pressure space S5enters a negative pressure state, the internal space S3enters a negative pressure state through the communication portion S4and the second passage321. As a result, the slit36S of the backflow prevention valve36closes. Consequently, the housing space S2can enter a negative pressure state via the first passage312, while the internal space S3secures high sealability thereof.

Furthermore, in a state where the breast milk accumulates in the backflow prevention valve36and the internal space S3, when the negative pressure state of the negative pressure space S5is removed, the slit36S of the backflow prevention valve36is opened by the volume of the breast milk and the removal of the negative pressure (changing to a constant pressure), guiding the accumulated breast milk to a space $6 inside the bottle6. As shown inFIG.2, the breast pump main body3has, at a lower end portion thereof, a detachable portion314provided so as to be detachable with respect to the bottle6. The detachable portion314is in a dome shape or a cylindrical shape. The space $6 inside the bottle6is communicated with the internal space S3when the backflow prevention valve36opens the opening313.

As shown inFIG.2, a female screw portion315is provided inside the detachable portion314. On the other hand, a male screw portion61is provided on the outside of an upper end portion of the bottle6. The female screw portion315of the detachable portion314and the male screw portion61of the bottle6can be screwed to each other. Note that the bottle6may be a special product designed for the breast pump2or a baby bottle or the like applicable to the detachable portion314. In addition, the bottle6does not have to be a molded container and may be a bag.

The diaphragm34shown inFIG.2is a negative pressure generating member for generating a negative pressure. In the present embodiment, the diaphragm34is connected to the diaphragm mounting portion32R provided in the upper portion of the breast pump main body3. By mounting the diaphragm34onto the diaphragm mounting portion32R, the negative pressure space S5is formed between the main body3and the diaphragm34.

The diaphragm34is formed of a relatively elastic, soft deformable material, that is, a synthetic resin having a hardness of approximately HS 30 to 70 according to type A durometer in JIS-K 6253 (ISO 7619). Examples of the material of the diaphragm34include silicone rubber, isoprene rubber, elastomers such as SEBS (styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene). In the present embodiment, silicone rubber is used as the material of the diaphragm34.

As shown inFIG.2, a lower portion of the joint portion35is attached to a bottom surface portion343of the diaphragm34, and an upper portion of the same is coupled to the handle5. The diaphragm34is deformed when receiving, at the bottom surface portion343, the effect of a reciprocating motion of the handle5via the joint portion35. As a result, the bottom surface portion343is pulled up by the joint portion35, changing the space volume of the negative pressure space S5formed between the bottom surface portion343and the upper portion of the breast pump main body3. Consequently, the diaphragm34applies a certain amount of negative pressure to the negative pressure space S5. Specifically, the deformation of the diaphragm34results in the negative pressure state of the negative pressure space S5. When the negative pressure space S5enters the negative pressure state, the air inside the first passage312is sucked through the communication portion S4, the second passage321, and the internal space S3, thereby sucking (extracting) the breast milk.

The joint portion35is formed of a material harder than the material of the diaphragm34. Examples of the material of the joint portion35include polypropylene, polycarbonate, polycicloolefin, polyethersulfone, and other synthetic resins. The joint portion35has a flat, disk-shaped base portion351. The base portion351is disposed under the bottom surface portion343(the negative pressure space S5side).

Further, the joint portion35has a coupling portion352protruding upward from the base portion351and extending in the shape of an axis. The coupling portion352is coupled detachably to the handle5. Specifically, the coupling portion352can be coupled to the handle5by being inserted into a through hole (having a diameter smaller than the base portion351) formed in the middle of the bottom surface portion343of the diaphragm34, and by being exposed above the bottom surface portion343. When the user pulls up the handle5coupled to the coupling portion352, the base portion351pulls up the bottom surface portion343of the diaphragm34. As a result, the diaphragm34is deformed, enlarging the negative pressure space S5. Note that the base portion351of the present embodiment is disposed without being connected to the bottom surface portion343, under the bottom surface portion343of the diaphragm34. However, how the base portion351is installed is not limited to the foregoing manner. For example, the base portion351may be fixed above the bottom surface portion343.

As shown inFIG.2, the coupling portion352has a first protrusion353and a second protrusion354arranged side by side along a stretching direction Z of the coupling portion352. The first protrusion353and the second protrusion354each protrude radially from a shaft portion of the coupling portion352. A first engaging portion355is provided between the first protrusion353and the second protrusion354. The first engaging portion355is a part recessed (groove part) between the first protrusion353and the second protrusion354. Also, a second engaging portion356is provided between the second protrusion354and the base portion351. The second engaging portion356is a part recessed (groove part) between the second protrusion354and the base portion351.

The holding member200is attached to the breast pump main body3and provided so as to be rotatable with respect to the breast pump main body3. When the holding member200rotates with respect to the breast pump main body3, the handle5rotates together with the holding member200with respect to the breast pump main body3, as indicated by arrow A3and arrow A4shown inFIG.3. Note, in the breast pump2according to the present embodiment, that the holding member200does not always have to rotate with respect to the breast pump main body3. As shown inFIG.1, the holding member200has an attachment portion400and an extension portion323. The attachment portion400is sandwiched between the diaphragm mounting portion32R and a receiving portion501and fitted so as to be rotatable with respect to the breast pump main body3. The extension portion323extends from the attachment portion400, to support the handle5in a reciprocable manner.

The handle5shown inFIG.2is held by the holding member200and supported so as to be reciprocable with respect to the extension portion323of the holding member200. Specifically, the handle5can reciprocate in the direction of arrows A1and A2shown inFIGS.1and2. The handle5is detachably coupled to the coupling portion352by coming into engagement with the first engaging portion355or the second engaging portion356. Therefore, the position in the stretching direction Z where the handle5and the coupling portion352are coupled to each other can be changed. Accordingly, the distance at which the handle5pulls up the coupling portion352can be changed. Thus, the amount of deformation of the diaphragm34can be changed. Specifically, as shown inFIG.2, the first engaging portion355and the second engaging portion356are formed in the form of steps, away from each other in the stretching direction Z. Thus, the distance at which the handle5pulls up the coupling portion352can be changed stepwise in accordance with the engagement position between the handle5and the engaging portions355,356.

The handle5has a long shape and, as a whole, is molded using a relatively hard, lightweight synthetic resin. Examples of the material of the handle5include polypropylene, polycarbonate, polycicloolefin, and polyethersulfone. The handle5has a lift portion53disposed above the diaphragm34to lift up the diaphragm34, and a lever portion52that is bent from the lift portion53and located on a side surface of the breast pump main body3.

As shown inFIG.3, the lift portion53is provided with a coupled portion54that is coupled to the coupling portion352. The coupled portion54has a holding opening541for holding a coupling position of the coupling portion352, and an insertion opening542through which the coupling portion352is inserted. The holding opening541and the insertion opening542are spatially connected to each other.

The inner diameter of the holding opening541is slightly larger than the outer diameters of the first engaging portion355and the second engaging portion356shown inFIG.2, but is smaller than the outer diameters of the first protrusion353and the second protrusion354. On the other hand, the inner diameter of the insertion opening542is larger than the outer diameters of the first protrusion353and the second protrusion354shown inFIG.2. Therefore, after inserting the coupling portion352into the insertion opening542, the user can position the handle5and the coupling portion352to each other by sliding the coupling portion352toward the holding opening541to place the first engaging portion355or the second engaging portion356in the holding opening541.

As shown inFIG.2, the lever portion52is formed into the shape of a lever and functions as a handle. A region outside the lever portion52corresponds to a region where the user puts her finger FG other than the thumb. That is, an outer surface of the lever portion52corresponds to a surface on which the user places the finger FG other than the thumb. The distance between the outer surface of the lever portion52on which the user places the finger FG and a recess portion317in the breast pump main body3on which the user places the thumb TB is the distance that the user can grab, with the breast pump main body3sandwiched between the outer surface of the lever portion52and the recess portion317.

When the user holds the hand grabbing the breast pump main body3, the lever portion52is pushed toward the breast pump main body3and therefore approaches the breast pump main body3. Consequently, the handle5rotates about an axial direction X of a spindle portion324of the holding member200(see arrows A5and A6inFIG.2). As a result, the lift portion53of the handle5lifts up the diaphragm34via the joint portion35. Subsequently, the space volume of the negative pressure space S5increases, resulting in the negative pressure state. Thus, the housing space S2enters a negative pressure state via the communication portion S4, the second passage321, the internal space S3, and the first passage312. The breast milk is extracted in this manner.

As shown inFIG.2, the lever portion52is curved gradually toward the outside as the lever portion52stretches downward from the region where the finger FG is placed. Therefore, a lower end portion55of the handle5is shaped so as to curl slightly toward the outside. Therefore, in a case where the user brings the lever portion52close to the breast pump main body3, the finger FG can be prevented from being shifted toward the lower side of the handle5.

A breast pump2A according to a comparative example is now described with reference toFIG.4. The breast pump2A according to the comparative example has the breast pump main body3, the hood4, and a buffer portion7A. The breast pump2A according to the comparative example may further include the diaphragm34, the handle5, the holding member200, and the bottle6. In the breast pump2A according to the comparative example, in a state where the buffer portion7A is mounted on the hood4, the buffer portion7A extends from the edge portion43of the hood4to the flow path portion41of the hood4. Specifically, in the breast pump2A according to the comparative example, in a state where the buffer portion7A is mounted on the hood4, an end portion72A opposite to the opening of the buffer portion7A is disposed in the flow path portion41corresponding to the back portion of the hood4. On the other hand, when the user inserts the breast into the space S1surrounded by the hood4, the nipple of the user is positioned in the flow path portion41. Also, the areola portion of the user is disposed in the vicinity of the boundary portion between the flow path portion41and the diameter expansion portion42. As a result, when inserting the breast into the hood4, the buffer portion7A becomes deformed by the negative pressure generated in the housing space S2, and the buffer portion7A rubs against or pinches the vicinity of the nipple or areola of the user. This cause pain and discomfort to the user at the time of pumping. In addition, in the breast pump2A according to the comparative example, when the user mounts the buffer portion7A to the hood4, a relatively large frictional force may be generated between the buffer portion7A and the hood4, and the buffer portion7A may be caught on the edge portion43of the hood4. As a result, it may take time and effort to mount the buffer portion7A to the hood4, or the buffer portion7A may not be mounted properly onto the hood4. In a case where the buffer portion7A cannot properly mounted onto the hood4, the adhesion of the buffer portion7A to the hood4is reduced, causing the negative pressure generated in the housing space S2to leak from the breast side of the user.

In contrast, according to the breast pump2of the present embodiment, instead of extending from the edge portion43of the hood4to the flow path portion41, the buffer portion7extends from the edge portion43of the hood4to a part between the edge portion43of the hood4and the flow path portion41while being mounted to the hood4. In other words, while the buffer portion7is mounted to the hood4, the sealing portion72is positioned on a side of the opening44of the hood4into which the breast is inserted, as seen from the flow path portion41of the hood4. Specifically, the sealing portion72is disposed in the diameter expansion portion42between the edge portion43and the flow path portion41, and is in close contact with the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42. On the other hand, once the user inserts the breast into the space S1surrounded by the hood4through the opening44of the hood4, the nipple of the user enters the flow path portion41. Also, the areola portion of the user is positioned in the vicinity of the boundary portion between the flow path portion41and the diameter expansion portion42. Therefore, when inserting the breast into the hood4or even when the buffer portion becomes deformed due to the negative pressure generated in the housing space S2during pumping, the buffer portion7can be prevented from rubbing against and pinching the vicinity of the nipple or areola of the user. Thus, the breast pump2according to the present embodiment can reduce irritation and pain in the breast of the user.

Furthermore, as described above, instead of extending from the edge portion43of the hood4to the flow path portion41, the buffer portion7extends from the edge portion43of the hood4to the part between the edge portion43of the hood4and the flow path portion41while being mounted to the hood4. Therefore, when the user mounts the buffer portion7onto the hood4, the frictional force generated between the buffer portion7and the hood4can be reduced, preventing the buffer portion7from being caught on the edge portion43of the hood4. Therefore, not only is it possible to mount the buffer portion7onto the hood4without taking a lot of time and effort, but also improper mounting of the buffer portion7onto the hood4can be avoided. Thus, the breast pump2according to the present embodiment improves the mountability of the buffer portion7and prevents the negative pressure generated in the housing space S2from leaking from the breast side of the user.

The buffer portion and the hood according to the present embodiment are further described next with reference toFIGS.5to7.

As shown inFIGS.5and6, the buffer portion7is mounted detachably onto the hood4. As indicated by the arrow A7shown inFIG.5, the user can mount the buffer portion7onto the hood4by moving the buffer portion7toward the hood4and hooking the edge portion43of the hood4onto the groove portion of the bonding portion71of the buffer portion7. A thickness T1of the bonding portion71is greater than a thickness T2of the sealing portion72. Therefore, the rigidity of the bonding portion71is higher than the rigidity of the sealing portion72. According to the buffer portion7of the present embodiment, the rigidity of the bonding portion71can be enhanced. Consequently, the user can easily mount the buffer portion7onto the hood4.

As shown inFIG.6, once the user inserts the breast B into the space S1surrounded by the hood4through the opening44of the hood4, the space S1includes the housing space S2for accommodating a nipple K of the user in such a manner as to seal the nipple K. At this time, while the breast B of the user is in contact with the buffer portion7and the diameter expansion portion42, the nipple K of the user enters the flow path portion41. In other words, the nipple K of the user is exposed to the inside of the flow path portion41. Moreover, an areola portion N around the nipple K is positioned in the vicinity of the boundary portion between the flow path portion41and the diameter expansion portion42.

The sealing portion72of the present embodiment is disposed in the diameter expansion portion42between the edge portion43and the flow path portion41such that the leading edge of the sealing portion directs toward the flow path portion and does not reach the boundary portion, and the outer surface of the sealing portion is in close contact with the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42. Therefore, when inserting the breast B into the hood4or even when the buffer portion7becomes deformed by the negative pressure generated in the housing space S2at the time of pumping, the buffer portion7can be prevented from rubbing against or pinching the vicinity of the nipple K or areola portion N of the user. Therefore, the breast pump2according to the present embodiment can reduce irritation and pain in the breast B of the user.

As shown inFIG.5, an outer diameter D1of a tip (or leading edge) of the sealing portion72is slightly larger than an inner diameter D2of a corresponding part of the diameter expansion portion42with which the tip of the sealing portion72comes into contact when the buffer portion7is mounted on the hood4.

According to this configuration, with the buffer portion7mounted on the hood4, a force in a direction perpendicular to the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42is applied from the sealing portion72to the diameter expansion portion42, as indicated by arrow A8shown inFIG.7. Specifically, since the outer diameter D1of the tip of the sealing portion72is larger than the inner diameter D2of the part of the diameter expansion portion42with which the tip of the sealing portion72comes into contact, virtually the tip of the sealing portion72bites into the part of the diameter expansion portion42with which the tip of the sealing portion72comes into contact. On the other hand, since the material of the buffer portion7is softer than the material of the hood4, in reality, the tip of the sealing portion72cannot bite into the part of the diameter expansion portion42with which the tip of the sealing portion72comes into contact. Consequently, the tip of the sealing portion72tries to deform toward the inside of the diameter expansion portion42. At this moment, since the buffer portion7has elasticity, when the tip of the sealing portion72is compressed and tries to deform toward the inside of the diameter expansion portion42, the force generated inside the tip part of the sealing portion72is dispersed throughout the entire tip part of the sealing portion72. Therefore, the tip portion of the sealing portion72can apply the force toward the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42, while having the occurrence of wrinkles in the tip part prevented. Consequently, as indicated by the arrow A8shown inFIG.7, in the state where the buffer portion7mounted on the hood4, the force in the direction perpendicular to the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42is applied from the sealing portion72to the diameter expansion portion42. As a result, the adhesion between the sealing portion72and the diameter expansion portion42can be improved, thereby preventing the breast milk from entering between the sealing portion72and the diameter expansion portion42.

As shown inFIG.7, the buffer portion7has the cushion portion73. The cushion portion73is provided on the entire circumference between the bonding portion71and the sealing portion72. The cushion portion73protrudes from the diameter expansion portion42toward the inside of the diameter expansion portion42, and is provided in a position away from the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42. Therefore, a space75is provided between the cushion portion73of the buffer portion7and the diameter expansion portion42of the hood4. The space75can function as an air cushion. The cushion portion73, therefore, is capable of not only fitting gently to the breast B of the user to ensure comfortable skin contact but also ensuring the airtightness of the space S2surrounded by the breast B, the buffer portion7, and the hood4.

Further, the buffer portion7has the bending portion74. The bending portion74is a part provided at a boundary between the cushion portion73and the sealing portion72, and is provided as a folding allowance portion, a folding line portion, or a step portion between the cushion portion73and the sealing portion72. The bending portion74bends when the cushion portion73is deformed, to prevent the deformation of the cushion portion73from being transmitted to the sealing portion72. Specifically, once the user inserts the breast B into the space S1surrounded by the hood4through the opening44of the hood4, the breast B comes into contact with the cushion portion73. As described above, the cushion portion73gently fits to the breast B of the user as an air cushion portion, to ensure comfortable skin contact. The cushion portion73then becomes deformed and collapses, as indicated by arrow A9shown inFIG.7. In other words, the space75between the cushion portion73and the diameter expansion portion42collapses. At this moment, the bending portion74bends, to prevent the deformation of the cushion portion73from being transmitted to the sealing portion72. In addition, when the cushion portion73is deformed and collapses, the bending portion74and the sealing portion72move (or slide) toward the flow path portion41along the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42, as indicated by arrow A10shown inFIG.7. Specifically, the bending portion74and the sealing portion72move toward the part of the diameter expansion portion42having a smaller inner diameter. Therefore, as compared with the state prior to the deformation and collapse of the cushion portion73, the force applied to the inner surface421of the diameter expansion portion42from the bending portion74and the sealing portion72is increased. Consequently, even when the cushion portion73becomes deformed, the bending portion74prevents the sealing portion72from becoming deformed or from floating from the diameter expansion portion42, thereby ensuring the adhesion between the sealing portion72and the diameter expansion portion42.

The embodiments of the present invention have been described above. However, the present invention is not limited to the foregoing embodiments, and therefore various modifications can be made without departing from the scope of claims. The configurations of the foregoing embodiments can be partially omitted or arbitrarily combined so as to be different from the foregoing embodiments.

REFERENCE SIGNS LIST

2,2A Breast pump3Breast pump main body4Hood5Handle6Bottle7,7A Buffer portion32R Diaphragm mounting portion34Diaphragm35Joint portion36Backflow prevention valve36S Slit41Flow path portion42Diameter expansion portion43Edge portion44Opening52Lever portion53Lift portion54Coupled portion55Lower end portion61Male screw portion71Bonding portion72Sealing portion72A End portion73Cushion portion74Bending portion75Space200Holding member311Mounting portion312First passage313Opening314Detachable portion315Female screw portion316Opening317Recess portion321Second passage322Groove portion323Extension portion324Spindle portion343Bottom surface portion344Lower end portion351Base portion352Coupling portion353First protrusion354Second protrusion355First engaging portion356Second engaging portion400Attachment portion421Inner surface501Receiving portion541Holding opening542Insertion openingB BreastC AxisD1Outer diameterD2Inner diameterFG FingerK NippleN Areola portionS1, S2, S3SpaceS4Communication portionS5SpaceT1, T2ThicknessTB Thumb