Disclosed is a portable and self-contained washing and sanitizing apparatus. The apparatus finds particular application in washing small baby items such as bottles, nipples, teething rings or toys. However, the apparatus can likewise be used to clean dishware, glassware, or utensils. The apparatus includes a container with a lid, the container housing the items to be washed; an accessory holder connected to the lid for holding accessories during washing operations; a water reservoir for storing and collecting wash water; and a housing for interconnecting the container and reservoir.

A hydraulic pumping system in accordance with embodiments comprises a breast interface operably coupled to an actuatable assembly by means of an actuatable assembly interface. The breast interface comprises a distal membrane coupled to a housing to form a fluid reservoir therebetween. The actuatable assembly interface comprises a proximal membrane. The distal and proximal membranes are fluidly coupled via a tube carrying a driving fluid. The actuatable assembly interface is configured to removably couple to the actuatable assembly, in order to operably couple the actuatable assembly to the breast interface. The actuatable assembly interface comprises a fluid shut off mechanism to reversibly shut off fluid communication between the breast interface and the actuatable assembly interface when the actuatable assembly interface is decoupled from the actuatable assembly.

A hydraulic pumping system in accordance with embodiments comprises a breast interface operably coupled to an actuatable assembly by means of an actuatable assembly interface. The breast interface comprises a distal membrane coupled to a housing to form a fluid reservoir therebetween. The actuatable assembly interface comprises a proximal membrane. The distal and proximal membranes are fluidly coupled via a tube carrying a driving fluid. The actuatable assembly interface is configured to removably couple to the actuatable assembly, in order to operably couple the actuatable assembly to the breast interface. The actuatable assembly interface comprises a fluid shut off mechanism to reversibly shut off fluid communication between the breast interface and the actuatable assembly interface when the actuatable assembly interface is decoupled from the actuatable assembly.

A fluid control device includes a piezoelectric pump, an inhaler, and a valve. The piezoelectric pump has a gas suction hole and a gas discharge hole. The inhaler has a container, an inhalation port, and a connection hole. The valve has a first ventilation hole, a second ventilation hole, a third ventilation hole, a first valve housing, a second valve housing, and a valve body. The first ventilation hole of the valve is connected to the connection hole of the inhaler. The second ventilation hole of the valve is connected to the suction hole of the piezoelectric pump. The third ventilation hole of the valve is opened to the atmosphere. The valve body is held between the first valve housing and the second valve housing, and configures a first region and a second region.

A device for collecting colostrum from a breast of a human and dispensing the colostrum to a newborn may include a colostrum collection member and a plunger. The colostrum collection member may include a funnel-shaped proximal portion with a wide, open end for facilitating collection of expressed colostrum, a narrow distal portion with a small-diameter opening for dispensing the expressed colostrum to the newborn, and a cylindrical barrel portion between the funnel-shaped proximal portion and the narrow distal portion. The plunger is configured for advancement through the wide, open end and the barrel portion of the collection member to force the colostrum out of the small-diameter opening.

An apparatus allowing a woman to pump milk from her breasts without the necessity of the woman's hands holding the breast pumps utilizes at least one band of material encircling the woman's chest, the band of material provided with two openings corresponding to the woman's breasts. A center panel would be provided to adjust the fit of the band. Additionally, in another embodiment, a back panel would be used in conjunction with the center panel to connect left and right panels together, the left and right panels including openings for a woman's breast. In all of the embodiments, semicircular pieces would cover each of the openings. In yet another embodiment, a removable piece is attached to the front of the apparatus, allowing the woman to wear the apparatus all day, even in public.

An apparatus allowing a woman to pump milk from her breasts without the necessity of the woman's hands holding the breast pumps utilizes at least one band of material encircling the woman's chest, the band of material provided with two openings corresponding to the woman's breasts. A center panel would be provided to adjust the fit of the band. Additionally, in another embodiment, a back panel would be used in conjunction with the center panel to connect left and right panels together, the left and right panels including openings for a woman's breast. In all of the embodiments, semicircular pieces would cover each of the openings. In yet another embodiment, a removable piece is attached to the front of the apparatus, allowing the woman to wear the apparatus all day, even in public.

An electrically operated breast pump for pumping human breast milk comprises an electrical pump unit (15) and an electronic control unit (14) for controlling the pump unit (15). The pump unit (15) can be activated by the control unit (14) in a time-delayed manner. The breast pump according to the invention allows a stress-free start of the process of pumping breast milk in a simple manner.

An electrically operated breast pump for pumping human breast milk comprises an electrical pump unit (15) and an electronic control unit (14) for controlling the pump unit (15). The pump unit (15) can be activated by the control unit (14) in a time-delayed manner. The breast pump according to the invention allows a stress-free start of the process of pumping breast milk in a simple manner.

A funnel support accessory attaches to a breastfeeding garment, such as a nursing bra, to support a funnel of a breast pumping system at a nipple area of the wearer's breast, so as to generally conceal the wearer's breasts and allow the wearer to perform other tasks while pumping in a hands-free manner. The funnel support accessory includes a fabric panel having at least one central opening configured to engage the funnel of the breast pumping system. The funnel support accessory also includes an engagement element disposed at an upper portion of the fabric panel to attach to an attachment feature of a breastfeeding garment. The fabric panel supports the engaged funnel of the breast pumping system generally over an exposed nipple area, such that the funnel seals against the nipple area without using a hand to support the funnel.