Breast Pump Insert

Abstract

A breast flange adapter is provided to adapt conventional flanges provided with conventional breast pumps to the breast of the user. The flange adapter can be provided in a kit having a plurality of such flange adapters of differing sizes. The flange adapters are configured at a first or engagement end for operative sealed engagement with the provided breast flange of conventional breast pumps.

Claims

1. A breast flange adapter apparatus, comprising: a body, said body being cylindrical and formed of flexible material, said body having a first end opposite a second end and having a sidewall thereof surrounding an axial passage communicating between said first end and said second end of said body; said first end of said body configured for forming a sealed engagement with an internal passage of a provided flange of a conventional breast pump; a second end of said axial passage at said second end of said body having a diameter thereof sized for engagement around an exterior circumference of a nipple of a breast of a user; and said body having a sealing flange at said second end surrounding said axial passage.

2. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a removable portion of said sidewall positioned at said first end of said body.

3. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: a first annular sealing ridge extending from an exterior surface of said body at said first end of said body; a second annular sealing ridge extending from said exterior surface of said body; and an annular channel positioned in between said first annular sealing ridge and said second annular sealing ridge.

4. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: a first annular sealing ridge extending from an exterior surface of said body at said first end of said body; a second annular sealing ridge extending from said exterior surface of said body; an annular channel positioned in between said first annular sealing ridge and said second annular sealing ridge; and said removable portion of said sidewall positioned in said annular channel.

5. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 1 having a plurality of said breast flange adapters in a kit thereof; each respective said breast flange adapters in said kit having a different sized said diameter of said second end of said axial passage; and wherein a user can choose a respective one of said plurality of breast flange adapters from said kit having a respective sized diameter of said second end of said axial passage which is sized for their respective nipple.

6. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 2 having a plurality of said breast flange adapters in a kit thereof; each respective said breast flange adapters in said kit having a different sized said diameter of said second end of said axial passage; and wherein a user can choose a respective one of said plurality of breast flange adapters from said kit having a respective sized diameter of said second end of said axial passage which is sized for their respective nipple.

7. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 3 having a plurality of said breast flange adapters in a kit thereof; each respective said breast flange adapters in said kit having a different sized said diameter of said second end of said axial passage; and wherein a user can choose a respective one of said plurality of breast flange adapters from said kit having a respective sized diameter of said second end of said axial passage which is sized for their respective nipple.

8. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 4 having a plurality of said breast flange adapters in a kit thereof; each respective said breast flange adapters in said kit having a different sized said diameter of said second end of said axial passage; and wherein a user can choose a respective one of said plurality of breast flange adapters from said kit having a respective sized diameter of said second end of said axial passage which is sized for their respective nipple.

9. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: said body at said first end thereof having a plurality of removable end sections; and whereby a length of said body between said first end and said second end may be varied by said user by removal of a said end section.

10. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 2 additionally comprising: said body at said first end thereof having a plurality of removable end sections; each of said removable end sections having a said removable portion of said sidewall positioned; and whereby a length of said body between said first end and said second end may be varied by said user by removal of a said end section.

11. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 3 additionally comprising: said body at said first end thereof having a plurality of removable end sections; each of said removable end sections having a said removable portion of said sidewall positioned within an annular channel in-between a first annular sealing ridge extending from an exterior surface of said body and a second annular sealing ridge extending from said exterior surface of said body; and whereby a length of said body between said first end and said second end may be varied by said user by removal of a said end section.

12. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 1 additionally comprising: indicia positioned on an exterior surface of said body correlating to said diameter of said second end of said axial passage.

13. The breast flange adapter apparatus of claim 5 additionally comprising: each respective said breast flange adapters in said kit having indicia positioned on an exterior surface of said body thereof, correlating to said diameter of said second end of said axial passage.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING FIGURES

[0027] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated herein and form a part of the specification, illustrate some, but not the only or exclusive examples of embodiments and/or features of the disclosed breast pump flange adapter. It is intended that the embodiments and figures disclosed herein are to be considered illustrative of the invention herein, rather than limiting.

In the drawings:

[0028] FIG. 1 shows an existing portable breast pump and the conventional flexible flange provided therewith for engagement to the breast of the user and further shows an example of the flange adapter device herein positioned for insertion into the internal passage of such an existing flange.

[0029] FIG. 2 shows the flange adapter herein having an exterior diameter which sizes the circumference at the first end of the flange adapter device and also shows annular sealing ridges having a formed channel therebetween, adapting the device for forming a seal with the interior circumference of the wall defining the internal passage of an existing flange.

[0030] FIG. 3 depicts a flange adapter herein having an axial passage sized to comfortably and operatively engage with the nipple of a user having a 15 mm diameter and having the exterior circumference similar in size to that of FIG. 1.

[0031] FIGS. 4-5 show other configurations of the flange adapter herein wherein the exterior circumference is similar to that of the device in FIG. 1, but the diameter of the axial passage of the flange adapters varies between 17 mm to 19 mm.

[0032] FIG. 6 depicts the flange adapter herein showing a removable section in the sidewall thereof positioned at the first end thereof within the channel between the two ridges.

[0033] FIG. 7 shows the flange adapter herein in a mode with removable sections thereof positioned at the first end thereof to thereby provide for adjusting the length and showing removable sections in each removable portion which can be separated if necessary to accommodate side-positioned or off center suction in the internal passage of the existing flange.

[0034] FIG. 8 shows the first end of the flange adapter herein and examples of preferred dimensions thereof and also shows the opening formed in the sidewall which would be positioned to communicate suction to the axial passage of th flange adapter herein.

[0035] FIG. 9 shows a chart of sidewall thicknesses which yield varying diameters of the axial passage of the flange adapter herein, while maintaining the external circumference of the first end, to thereby sealably engage within the diameter of the internal passage of the existing flange on the breast pump.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0036] In this description, the directional prepositions of up, upwardly, down, downwardly, front, back, top, upper, bottom, lower, left, right, front, back, and other such terms refer to the device as it is oriented and appears in the drawings and are used for convenience only and such are not intended to be limiting in any fashion, or to imply that the device has to be used or positioned in any particular orientation.

[0037] Now referring to drawings in FIGS. 1-9 wherein similar components are identified by like reference numerals, there is seen in FIG. 1 an example of a conventional existing portable breast pump 12 which is sold for both portable and non portable use, where it is enclosed in a nursing bra and engaged to the breast of the user, as well as modes of such pumps 12 which are counter-positioned or otherwise used at home.

[0038] Such breast pumps 12 conventionally have a flexible provided flange 14 which is provided to the user with a pump 12 which is operatively engaged with that provided flange 14 and which is intended for direct operative engagement with the breast of the nursing mother. As noted, such conventional flexible provided flanges 14 are provided with a fixed diameter internal passage 16 which is intended to be a one size fits all configuration where the diameter “D” of the provided internal passage 16 is intended to operatively engage around the circumference and with the nipple of the breast of the nursing mother.

[0039] As noted, this single sized diameter “D” of the conventional flexible provided flange 14, while easing the requirements of the manufacturer, does not always serve the user well. This is because the diameter and thus the circumference of the nipple of the breast of nursing mothers, can vary widely. Thus, the provision of the flexible flange 14, with a single diameter “D”, yielding a single size to the internal circumference of the internal passage 16 may not provide a comfortable and operative fit to many users who may have smaller diameter nipple sizes than that of the diameter “D” of the internal passage 16 of the provided flexible flange 14.

[0040] The flange adapting device 10 and system herein, when employed in combination with the provided flange 14 of a conventional portable or in home breast pump 12, allows the user to adjust the diameter “D” of the internal passage 14 of the conventional flexible provided flange 14 to one which is more comfortable.

[0041] The user, such as a nursing mother, will choose and employ a flange adapter device 10 formed with a body 18 which is substantially cylindrical which has a diameter D1 yielding an exterior circumference thereof at the first end 22, which is configured to removably sealably engage with the internal passage 16 of the provided flexible flange 14. This removably sealed engagement allows the user to remove the flange adapter device 10, as needed, for both cleaning as well as the ability to choose a different flange adapter device 10 with a different sized axial passage, should their needs change as to the size of their nipple on any given day.

[0042] In use, the device 10 may be sold in varying sizes for forming members of a kit of flange devices 20 or as a kit including multiple flange adapter devices 10. The user will choose a flange adapter device 10 from those available having a body 18 which has the diameter D1 which will form an external circumference configured for a sealed removable engagement within the internal passage 16 of the provided flexible flange 14 of the breast pump 12. The provision of adapter devices 10 having a first sealing ridge 26 and a second sealing ridge 28 forming a recess or an annular channel 30 therebetween, was found in experimentation to form a better sealed engagement of the first end 26 with provided flexible flanges 14 from a wider number of differing manufacturers.

[0043] Once a flange adapter device 10 having a body 18 with an axial passage 20 of a diameter D3, determined to be both a comfortable and operable fit to the nipple of the user, has been chosen from the plurality thereof available, the first end 22 thereof will be slid into removable sealed engagement with the internal passage 16 of the conventional flexible provided flange 14. Thereafter, the user will slide the axial passage 20 sized for the diameter and circumference of the nipple of their breast, to a removable engagement therearound in an as-used positioning. With the body 18 of the chosen flange adapter device 10 in this as-used positioning, the suction communicated to the internal passage 16 of the flexible provided flange 14 is communicated to the axial passage 20, whereupon milk is expressed and drawn into a reservoir of the breast pump 12. A frusto-conical sealing flange 25 surrounding the second end of the axial passage 20 is preferred to provide a larger contact area with the skin of the breast surrounding the nipple and thus a better seal with the breast of the user.

[0044] As shown in FIGS. 2-5, the flange device 10 herein is provided such that the user may choose from a plurality of such devices 10 where each has a body 18 configured at a first end 22 having a diameter yielding an exterior circumference at the first end 22 which is configured to sealably engage with the internal passage 16 of the flexible flange 14. The body 18 may be configured to engage with the internal passage 16 of flexible flanges 14 of the breast pumps 12 of a single manufacturer, where needed, or the pumps 12 sold by multiple different manufacturers. It was found that providing the flange devices 10 having a first sealing ridge 26 and a second sealing ridge 28 both extending in the form of an annular projecting ring from the exterior circumferential surface of the body 18 of the device 10 adjacent the first end 2 thereof, with an annular channel 30 therebetween, allowed for a better seal and fit to the variations in manufacture of provided flanges 14. Such a configuration is thus preferable.

[0045] The annular channel 30 between the first sealing ridge 16 and second sealing ridge 28 was found to also better accommodate engagements to provided flanges 14 where suction is communicated off center or from a side. For breast pumps 12 having a side-positioned suction component, a suction opening 32 may be provided which will communicate suction from the pump 12 through this annular channel 30 to the axial passage 20 and to the breast. The suction opening 32 may be provided in different shapes and sizes so long as it is positioned within the channel 30.

[0046] In modes of the device 10 engaged with a pump 12 providing suction to an opening aligned with the axis of the internal passage 16, the suction opening 32 may not be required. However, due to the two sealing ridges 26 and 28, such axial aligned suction will still communicate through the axial passage 20. Consequently, the device 10 can be provided, as shown in FIGS. 6-7, with a removable section 34 which forms a sealed sidewall of the body 18 at the first end 22, when in place. However, along the perimeter edge of the removable section 34 the sidewall may be cut partially with a formed recess 36 (FIG. 7) which will render the removable section 34 frangible such that it may be torn from the sidewall to form the suction opening 32, if needed. If not needed, the removable section 34 would remain in place thereby forming a sealed sidewall, and suction would be communicated from the pump 12 through a passage aligned with the internal passage 16.

[0047] Shown in FIG. 7, the flange adapter device 10 herein may also be provided in a configuration with removable end sections 38 positioned at the first end 22. Or a plurality of end sections 38 may be positioned in sequence starting at the first end 22. As shown, the removable sections 34 may also be provided with each such removable end section 38.

[0048] The removable end sections 38, if provided, will allow for an adjustment of the length of the body 18 of the device 10 to accommodate the differing length of the internal passages 16 of conventional flexible provided flanges 14 of different pump 12 manufacturers. Where needed, a shortening of the body 18 of the device 10 herein may be accomplished by the removal of one or more removable end sections 38. These removable end sections 38, if provided, will be rendered frangible by formation of a recess or perforations in the same fashion as the removable sections 34 which may be torn from the body 18 to form the suction openings 32 such as a cut forming a recess 36 into the external surface of the body 18.

[0049] In FIG. 8 is shown an enlargement of the first end of the body 18 forming the flange adapter device 10 herein. Shown are examples of the dimensions of current versions thereof. However, those skilled in the art will realize that such dimensions may change depending on the manufacturer of the pump 12 and the flexible provided flange 14 thereof.

[0050] In FIG. 9 is depicted a chart of sidewall thicknesses which may be formed to yield varying diameters D3 of the axial passage 20. However, the external dimensions at the first end 26 of the body 18 may remain static or the same. Maintaining the exterior of the body 18 at the first end 22 thereof thereby configures the first end 22 of each member of a kit having a plurality of flange adapter devices 10 therein, removably sealably engageable with the internal passage 16 of the intended flexible flange 14. Varying the sidewall thickness, however, will vary the diameter D3 of the axial passage 20, thereby allowing for multiple sizes where the user may choose the body 18 which has the diameter D3 of the axial passage 20 which fits their nipple comfortably and allows for communication of suction from the pump 12 to express and store breast milk.

[0051] Finally, in a method of employment of the device 10 herein depicted in FIGS. 1-9, the user will first determine a diameter of the nipple of their breast. Such may be determined using rulers or calipers or other available diameter measuring devices. Once a diameter of the nipple is determined, the user will choose the device 10, having the appropriate axial passage 20 diameter D3, that most closely matches their nipple diameter. Indicia 40 identifying the diameter D3 of the axial passage 20 of the body 18 of each individual device 10 available allows the user to choose a matching body 18.

[0052] Once the body 18 is chosen from a plurality thereof, having differing axial passage 20 diameters, the first end of the chosen body 18 will be engaged with the internal passage 16 of the flexible flange 14 of the pump 12 manufacturer. Thereafter, the pump 12 would be energized and suction will be communicated to the nipple of a breast in operative engagement at the second end 24 of the chosen body 18 to express milk. Preferably the second end 24 of the body of the adapter device 10 is frusto-conical in shape to provide a large sealing area or sealing flange 25 with the area of the breast of the user surrounding the nipple thereof.

[0053] Where the user determines that suction communicated to the internal passage 16 of the flexible flange 14 is from an off center or side-positioned source, if a suction opening 32 is already positioned on the chosen body 18, it will be aligned with the suction conduit of the flexible flange 14. If the suction opening is not present yet, the user will tear the removable section 34 from the sidewall of the body 18, and then position the formed suction opening 32 aligned with the side-positioned suction conduit. Thereafter, the conventional pump 12 is energized.

[0054] It should be noted that any of the different depicted and described configurations and components of the breast flange adapter device herein can be employed with any other configuration or component shown and described as part of the device herein. Additionally, while the present invention has been described herein with reference to particular embodiments thereof and/or steps in the method of production or use, a latitude of modifications, various changes and substitutions are intended in the foregoing disclosure, and it will be appreciated that in some instance some features, or configurations, of the invention could be employed without a corresponding use of other features without departing from the scope of the invention as set forth in the following claims. All such changes, alternations and modifications as would occur to those skilled in the art as equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention as broadly defined in the appended claims.

[0055] Further, the purpose of any abstract of this specification is to enable the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office, the public generally, and especially the scientists, engineers, and practitioners in the art who are not familiar with patent or legal terms or phraseology, to determine quickly from a cursory inspection the nature and essence of the technical disclosure of the application. Any such abstract is neither intended to define the invention of the application, which is measured by the claims, nor is it intended to be limiting, as to the scope of the invention in any way.