Breast pump
US4573969A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jan 3, 1984 |
| Grant date | Mar 4, 1986 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jan 3, 2004 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC A)Human Necessities
- CPC primaryA61M2205/073
- WIPO fieldMedical technology
- WIPO sectorInstruments
Abstract
A breast pump for manual operation of the type comprising a receptacle that is put against the breast to surround a teat and has a variable enclosed volume in the manner of a cylinder-and-piston-pump which when operated in contact with a breast causes the milk to be drawn into the receptacle due to the suction generated by an enlargement of the enclosed volume. The tubular part of the hollow piston is tapered such that its upper end has a smaller outer diameter than its lower end that carries an annular lip seal; consequently, the outer cylinder which is manipulated, i.e. moved to-and-fro relative to the hollow piston, can be tilted to some extent without concurrent tilting of the piston and the suction bell that is integrally connected therewith; thus, pump-induced motion of or at the sensitive area of teat and areola is minimized for improved user comfort. The suction bell is arranged at a predetermined angle with respect to the longitudinal axis of the tapered tubular part so that the outer cylinder can be held more nearly vertical when the pump is used in a normal sitting position; back-flow of the milk from the reservoir to the breast can be reduced or eliminated.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.