Device and Method for Transferring Breast Milk from an Irregular Shaped Reservoir Assembly for Storage or Feeding

Abstract

A liquid milk transfer system for conveying milk from a milk reservoir device to a milk storage container. A support structure has a first opening that communicates with an interior of the milk storage container. The first opening of the support structure has an irregular circumferential shape partially the same as partial surface dimensions of the milk reservoir. The first opening receives and supports the milk storage container with a pouring spout positioned below the first opening, and the pouring spout located above the interior of the milk storage

Claims

1. A liquid milk transfer system for conveying milk from a milk reservoir device to a milk storage container, the milk reservoir device including a pouring spout, comprising: a. a support structure having a first opening, the first opening adapted to communicate with an interior of the milk storage container; b. the first opening of the support structure having an irregular circumferential shape, said irregular circumferential shape partially the same as partial surface dimensions of the milk reservoir device; c. the first opening adapted to receive and support the milk storage container with the pouring spout positioned below the first opening, and the pouring spout located above the interior of the milk storage container; d. the first opening adapted to support the milk reservoir device along surfaces of the milk reservoir device, the surfaces defined by the partial surface dimensions of the milk reservoir device.

2. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 1, wherein: said support structure and said first opening are integral with the milk storage container, the first opening directly communicating with the interior of the milk storage container.

3. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 2, wherein: the milk storage container includes an upwardly extending neck communicating with the first opening; a pair of irregularly shaped opposed grooves in the neck, the grooves adapted to receive and support the milk reservoir device with the pouring spout extending below the first opening.

4. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 3, wherein each of the irregularly shaped opposed grooves has a first surface adapted to engage a first surface of said milk reservoir device and a second surface adapted to engage a second surface of said milk reservoir device.

5. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 4, wherein: the first surface of each irregularly shaped opposed groove is linear, and the second surface of each irregularly shaped groove is curved.

6. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 3, wherein: an outer surface of the neck includes external threads disposed below the first opening; a removably attached nipple cap assembly having internal threads, the nipple cap adapted to be attached to the neck when the milk reservoir device is removed from the irregularly shaped grooves.

7. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 1, wherein: said support structure is a hollow structure, the hollow structure defining a chamber located beneath and communicating with said first opening; the chamber adapted to receive the milk storage container; the milk storage container having a second opening communicating with an interior of the milk storage container, the second opening disposed beneath the first opening of the support structure.

8. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 1, wherein: the support structure comprises a plurality of legs extending downwardly from an irregularly shaped ring, the ring forming said first opening; the downwardly extending legs forming a space beneath the first opening, the space adapted to receive the milk storage container beneath the first opening.

9. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 8, wherein the irregularly shaped ring has a first linear portion and a second curved portion.

10. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 8 comprising: a funnel adapted to be inserted into and supported upright by the ring, the funnel adapted to receive the milk reservoir/device and direct the flow of milk from the pouring spout into the milk storage container.

11. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 10 wherein: the funnel includes at least one hook extending laterally from said funnel, said at least one hook adapted to removably support the milk storage container.

12. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 11, wherein: the milk storage container is a pliable storage bag.

13. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 9, wherein: the funnel comprises a first linear surface and a second curved surface.

14. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 2, wherein: the milk storage container includes a flared neck portion extending downwardly from the first opening to the milk storage container; the first opening comprising an irregularly shaped mono-planar first opening surface.

15. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 14, wherein: said mono-planar first opening surface comprises a linear portion and a curved portion.

16. The liquid milk transfer system of claim 15 wherein: the linear portion of the first open surface is adapted to removably receive and support a circumferential ring of the milk reservoir device, and the curved portion of the first open surface is adapted to removably receive and support a curved surface of the milk reservoir device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0012] FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an embodiment of a baby feeding bottle having an upper opening with opposed irregular shaped grooves, a breast milk containing reservoir supported in an inverted position by the irregularly shaped grooves, and a cap assembly that is secured to the baby feeding bottle when the reservoir is removed from the irregularly shaped grooves upon the transfer of the breast milk from the reservoir to the bottle.

[0013] FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention comprising a support for a breast milk containing reservoir extending over a baby feeding bottle, the support having an irregularly shaped opening that supports the reservoir as breast milk is being transferred from the reservoir to the baby feeding bottle.

[0014] FIG. 2B is an optional funnel that forms part of the support of FIG. 2A, which funnel directs breast milk to the opening in the baby bottle upon the transfer of breast milk from the reservoir to the bottle.

[0015] FIG. 3A is an alternate embodiment of the support of FIG. 2A comprising an irregular shaped support element for supporting a breast milk containing reservoir, with a plurality of legs positioning the support element over a baby feeding bottle in the manner shown in FIG. 2A.

[0016] FIG. 3B is an optional funnel that can be attached to the support element of FIG. 3A, the funnel element including hooks adapted to removably attach storage bags to receive the breast milk transferred from the breast milk containing reservoir.

[0017] FIG. 4 is a further embodiment of a baby feeding bottle having a mono-planar opening, the opening having an irregular shape to engage and support the irregular shape of a breast milk containing reservoir.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] The presently disclosed milk transfer system will be more fully understood by reference to the following drawings of the illustrated embodiments, which drawings are for illustrative purposes only and are not to be considered as limiting the scope of the claims.

[0019] FIG. 1 illustrates one embodiment of the presently disclosed system having a milk storage container 10 such as a baby feeding bottle comprising an interior container portion 12 and an irregular shaped opening 14 formed at the top of a neck portion 16 of container 10, such that opening 14 communicates with the interior portion 12 of container 10. The neck 16 in the illustrated embodiment includes a threaded portion 18 to engage mating threads 20 of cap 22, as will be explained. Cap 22 includes a pliable nipple 24 for insertion into a baby's mouth when container 10 contains milk.

[0020] The opening 14, rather than having a regular mono-planar circular shape as is common with most container openings, comprises two opposed approximately parabolic or irregular wave-shaped grooves or indentations 26, which grooves 26 extend vertically downward from the upper lip 28 forming the opening 14. The grooves 26 are adapted to receive and support an assembled breast milk reservoir 30, after the filled or partially filled reservoir is removed from the lactating woman's brassiere. The reservoir 30 is more completely described and illustrated in commonly assigned U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,559,915; 8,118,772; and 8,702,646, which disclosures are incorporated herein by reference.

[0021] As seen in FIG. 1, the reservoir 30 has a circumferential ring 32 extending around a funnel-shaped interior 34 that guides breast milk into the hollow interior 36 when the reservoir is used to store breast milk expressed by a woman while wearing reservoir 30 under her brassiere. Reservoir 30 also has a somewhat cup-shaped surface 38 forming an outer edge of the reservoir. The reservoir 30 also includes a spout 40 from which breast milk can exit the reservoir when the reservoir is in the inverted position shown in FIG. 1.

[0022] The grooves 26 in neck portion 16 of container 10 each comprise a vertically extending surface 42 and a somewhat curved surface 44. As seen in FIG. 1, when reservoir 30 is partially inserted into grooves 26, each vertical extending surface 42 engages and supports a portion of circumferential ring 32, while somewhat curved surface 44 engages and supports a curved portion of cup-shaped surface 38 of the reservoir. The reservoir 30 is in an inverted position with spout 40 in a downward-facing position. With reservoir 30 inserted in grooves 26 of neck 16, the reservoir 30 is adequately supported over opening 14 of bottle 10, and milk pours through spout 26 and into the interior portion 12 of bottle 10, as indicated at 46, to transfer the milk to the bottle 10.

[0023] Referring to FIG. 1, following the successful transfer of breast milk from reservoir 30 into container 10, reservoir 30 is lifted up and removed from grooves 26 and then cleaned prior to further use. Cap 22 is then placed over opening 14 of container 10, and the cap is rotated with threads 20 engaging threads 18 until cap 22 seals opening 14 of the bottle. Cap 22 includes a downwardly extending portion 48 that completely covers and seals each groove 26 so that milk in container 10 cannot leak out of grooves 26. In most instances, container 10 with the breast milk inside will either be refrigerated, or used upon placement of cap 22 over opening 14 to feed a baby.

[0024] FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrate a further embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a circumferential hollow support 50 envelops and extends over a standard baby feeding container 52. Both the support 50 and the container 52 are standing on the same flat surface. Container 52 has a circular opening 54 and a threaded neck 56. A cap (not shown) similar to cap 22 shown in FIG. 1 can be threaded onto threads 56 as is known in the art.

[0025] Support 50, as illustrated, is somewhat bell shaped having an upper inwardly flared neck 58 and an opening 60. Opening 60 communicates with the interior 62 which is spacious enough to extend over baby feeding containers 52 of several sizes and shapes.

[0026] Opening 60 has two faces adapted to receive and support inverted reservoir 66, which is structured the same as reservoir 30 of FIG. 1. Opening 60 has a substantially vertical face 68 and a somewhat curvilinear face 70. When reservoir 66 is partially inserted into opening 60 as seen in FIG. 2A, vertical face 68 engages a portion of circumferential ring 72 of reservoir 66, and curvilinear face 70 engages a portion of the curved outer surface 74 of reservoir 66, thus holding reservoir 66 in a secure position such that the pouring spout 76 of reservoir 66 allows breast milk to be transferred into container 52, as shown at 78.

[0027] FIG. 2B illustrates an optional funnel structure 80 that can be formed inside of support 50 below opening 60 to direct the flow of breast milk 78 into bottle 52. Funnel 80 may also be detachable from support 50.

[0028] FIG. 3A illustrates a further embodiment of the present invention, comprising an irregularly shaped reservoir support ring 82 adapted to receive and support a breast milk reservoir (not shown) similar to reservoirs 30 and 66 of FIGS. 1 and 2A. Irregularly shaped ring 82 has a flat portion 84 adapted to contact and support portions of the circumferential ring 72 (FIG. 2A) of the breast milk containing reservoir 66 (FIG. 2A) when the reservoir is inserted into ring 82. Ring 82 also comprises curvilinear portions 86 that are adapted to contact and support the outer surface 74 (FIG. 2A) of reservoir 66 (FIG. 2A) when the reservoir is inserted into ring 82. In this manner, reservoir 66 is supported in an inverted position over the space directly below ring 82. Ring 82 is supported by several legs 88, creating a space 90 where a baby feeding container can be placed for filling when the inverted reservoir is placed in ring 82.

[0029] FIG. 3B illustrates an optional funnel 92 extending downward from ring 82 to assist in directing breast milk into a container located beneath ring 82 when milk is being transferred from the inverted reservoir, as explained previously. Hooks 94 extend outward from opposed sides of funnel 92 upon which a pliable storage bag 96 can be hung if the lactating woman desires to collect her breast milk in a pliable storage bag rather than a rigid container.

[0030] FIG. 4 illustrates another embodiment of the presently disclosed device. In this embodiment, the irregularly shaped grooves in the opening of the bottle 10 of FIG. 1 are replaced by an irregularly shaped mono-planar opening surface 98 of bottle 100 that receives and supports the inverted reservoir 102. Opening surface 98 extends horizontally in a single plane. Portion 104 of surface 98 is substantially linear to contact and engage circumferential ring 104 of inverted reservoir 102. Portion 106 of surface 98 is curvilinear so as to contact and engage the curved outer surface 108 of inverted reservoir 102.

[0031] A flared neck portion 110 of container 100 extends downward to the circular portion 112 of container 100. Threads 114 are adapted to engage and secure a nippled cap 22 (FIG. 1) as previously described. If the bottle 100 has a cross-sectional configuration that is other than circular, the bottom of flared portion 110 conforms to the cross-sectional shape of the bottle.

[0032] The foregoing description of illustrated embodiment of the invention has been presented for purposes of illustration and description, and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. The description was selected to best explain the principles of the invention and practical application of these principles to enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the invention in various embodiments and various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is intended that the scope of the invention not be limited by the specification, but be defined by the claims set forth below.