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US-12616783-B2 - Breast pump adapter

US12616783B2US 12616783 B2US12616783 B2US 12616783B2US-12616783-B2

Abstract

An adapter for connecting a breast milk collection bag to breast milk pump fittings of different sizes. A breast milk collection bag has an end margin configured to conform tightly over the adapter. The bag can have a reclosable seal. An adapter has a first adapter portion and a second adapter portion. The first adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size. The second adapter portion can connect to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size different from the first size. In another aspect, the adapter further has a retainer and a flow passage. The retainer is configured to engage and hold the end margin of the breast milk collection bag. The flow passage extends through the first adapter portion, the second adapter portion, and the retainer.

Inventors

  • Nuttikorn Theeraworn

Assignees

  • INTEPLAST GROUP CORPORATION

Dates

Publication Date
20260505
Application Date
20220111

Claims (7)

  1. 1 . A breast milk pump adapter holding a breast milk collection bag wherein the breast milk pump adapter comprises a retainer engaging and holding the breast milk collection bag on the adapter while the breast milk collection bag is filled with milk by a breast milk pump, the breast milk pump adapter further including a first adapter portion projecting from a first surface of the retainer a first distance and configured for connection to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size, a second adapter portion projecting from a second surface of the retainer opposite the first surface a second distance and configured for connection to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size different from the first size, and a flow passage extending through the first adapter portion, the second adapter portion and the retainer, the retainer having a width which is greater than any width of the adapter away from the retainer, the retainer separating the first adapter portion from the second adapter portion by a separation distance less than one third the lesser of the first distance and the second distance, the breast milk collection bag comprising a body made of flexible material defining an interior and a bag opening, the retainer of the adapter being received in the bag through the bag opening with one of the first adapter portion and second adapter portion projecting outwardly from the bag, the retainer having a peripheral edge engaging the body in the interior of the body to secure the bag to the retainer so that the bag is supported entirely by the retainer when the bag is filled with breast milk.
  2. 2 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the body further comprises an end margin, the retainer of the adapter being engaged with the body in the end margin thereof, the breast milk collection bag including a recloseable seal on the body extending across a width of the bag and constructed to close the interior of the body from the bag opening when closed, the recloseable seal being located at a position spaced from an end of the body including the bag opening.
  3. 3 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 2 wherein the body includes a mark positioned in the end margin to indicate a position of the retainer as received in the bag.
  4. 4 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer is substantially planar in a widthwise direction.
  5. 5 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the first adapter portion comprises an unthreaded portion adjacent to the retainer and a threaded portion on a side of the unthreaded portion opposite the retainer.
  6. 6 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 5 wherein the second adapter portion comprises an unthreaded portion adjacent to the retainer and a threaded portion on a side of the unthreaded portion opposite the retainer.
  7. 7 . The breast milk pump adapter and breast milk collection bag as set forth in claim 1 wherein the retainer closes the bag opening.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 63/136,099, entitled BREAST PUMP ADAPTER, the entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference. FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE Aspects of the present disclosure relate generally to systems for filling a bag with liquid dispensed from the outlet of a breast pump. More specifically, aspects of the present disclosure relate to an adapter for securing a bag to breast pumps having different configurations. BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE Breast pumps are configured to pump breast milk into a receptacle. Conventional breast pumps attach to a plastic feeding bottle. The pumped milk is deposited directly into the feeding bottle. Certain breast pump systems are configured to pump directly into a flexible storage bag. Many of these systems require the bag to be contained in a rigid vessel during pumping. In some of the systems, the bag hangs directly from the pump or an adapter connected thereto. One adapter for securing a bag to a breast pump includes a conduit with diametrically opposite mounting hooks extending radially outward from the conduit. Each of the mounting hooks includes a radially outwardly projecting portion and an upwardly extending portion. To secure a bag to the adapter, holes in the bag are threaded over the upwardly extending portion of the mounting hooks and onto the radially outwardly projecting portion of the mounting hooks. The bag hangs down from the radially outwardly projecting portion of the mounting hooks during use. Since the mounting hooks in this design project radially outwardly from the conduit, the bag opening must be larger than the conduit so that the holes in the bag can be threaded onto the hooks. As a result, the bag does not closely conform to the conduit, which can permit air and contaminants to enter the bag. In addition, because the mounting hooks extend in two directions (i.e., radially outward and upward) removing the bag from the adapter when it is filled with liquid can be difficult. Moreover, the positioning of the adapter with the bag makes it impossible to seal the bag prior to removal of the bag from the adapter. Sealing the bag closed would prevent movement of the bag needed to remove the bag from the mounting hooks. BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect of the present invention, an adapter configured for connecting a breast milk collection bag to breast milk pump fittings of different sizes generally comprises a first adapter portion and a second adapter portion. The first adapter portion is configured for connecting to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size. The second adapter portion is configured for connecting to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size that is different from the first size. In another aspect of the present invention, a breast milk pump adapter for connecting a breast milk collection bag to breast milk pump fittings of different sizes generally comprises a retainer, a first adapter portion, a second adapter portion, and a flow passage. The retainer is configured to engage and hold the breast milk collection bag on the adapter while the breast milk collection bag is filled with milk by the breast milk pump. The first adapter portion projects from a first surface of the retainer and is configured for connection to a fitting of a first breast milk pump of a first size. The second adapter portion projects from a second surface of the retainer opposite the first surface and is configured for connection to a fitting of a second breast milk pump of a second size that is different from the first size. The flow passage extends through the first adapter portion, the second adapter portion, and the retainer. Other objects and features will be in part apparent and in part pointed out hereinafter. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a breast pump system with a breast pump and a breast pump adapter; FIG. 2 is an elevation of a breast pump and an adapter from the breast pump system in which the adapter is detached from the breast pump; FIG. 3 is an elevation of a bag of the breast pump system with portions broken away; FIG. 4 is a perspective of the adapter; FIG. 5 is a side elevation of the adapter; FIG. 6 is a top plan of the adapter; FIG. 7 is a bottom plan of the adapter; FIG. 8 is a perspective view of another breast pump system with a different breast pump and the breast pump adapter used in an alternative configuration; and FIG. 9 is an elevation of the alternative breast pump and the adapter from the alternative breast pump system in which the adapter is detached from the alternative breast pump. Corresponding reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the drawings. DETAILED DESCRIPTION The present disclosure improves upon the invention disclosed in co-assigned U.S. Pat. No. 9,931,450, and the contents of this patent are incorporated here