A MILK CONTAINER FOR A BREAST PUMP
There is provided a wearable breast pump, comprising a milk pumping system for receiving milk from a user of the breast pump and a milk container comprising a flexible diaphragm. The flexible diaphragm forms part of a wall of the milk container.
1 . A wearable breast pump comprising:
a milk pumping system to receive milk from a user of the breast pump; and
a milk container comprising a flexible diaphragm,
wherein the flexible diaphragm forms part of a wall of the milk container.
2 . A wearable breast pump comprising:
a milk pumping system to receive milk from a user of the breast pump; and
a milk container comprising a flexible diaphragm,
wherein the flexible diaphragm is located inside the milk container.
3 . The breast pump of claim 2 , wherein the flexible diaphragm intersects the milk container.
4 . The breast pump of claim 2 , wherein the flexible diaphragm forms a hermetic seal around an internal wall of the milk container.
5 . The breast pump of any of claim 2 , configured to be attached to a breast pumping chamber, the milk container comprising a first opening for receiving milk from the breast pumping chamber along a milk path, and a second opening for connection to an air pump.
6 - 7 . (canceled)
8 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the flexible diaphragm forms part of the exterior of the milk container.
9 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the flexible diaphragm is smaller than the diameter of the milk container.
10 . The breast pump of any of claim 1 , wherein the breast pump comprises a housing, and wherein the flexible diaphragm is sealably attachable to the housing to form a chamber therebetween.
11 - 13 . (canceled)
14 . The breast pump of claim 1 , diaphragm forms part of the wall of the milk container wherein, when the breast pump is positioned for use to receive milk from the user of the breast pump, the diaphragm is located on the side towards the user.
15 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the flexible diaphragm is a milk barrier for preventing milk from exiting the milk container and for preventing milk from entering the milk pumping system.
16 . (canceled)
17 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the milk container comprises a wet section for receiving breast milk and a dry section for holding air and the flexible diaphragm separates the wet section and the dry section, and wherein the wet section of the milk container comprises: the flexible diaphragm and an internal wall of the milk container.
18 . (canceled)
19 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein:
the milk container is a breast shaped hemispherical or half-ellipsoid shape, comprising a substantially flat section and a domed section, wherein the flat section and domed section meet at an edge; or
wherein the milk container is a spherical or ellipsoid shape, comprising a first domed section and a second domed section.
20 . The breast pump of claim 17 , wherein, in use when the milk container is positioned such that it is configured to receive milk from the user of the breast pump, the wet section is located on the side away from the user and the dry section is located on the side towards the user, and/or wherein the wet section is configured to be visible to the user.
21 . (canceled)
22 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the flexible diaphragm comprises:
a rigid outer ring,
a flexible diaphragm portion, and
a rigid central core.
23 . The breast pump of claim 22 , wherein the rigid central core comprises a non-return valve.
24 . The breast pump of claim 22 , or wherein the milk container comprises a domed section and wherein the rigid outer ring:
extends circumferentially around the domed section;
is located at the edge of the milk container; and/or
rigid central core is located along an axis extending from substantially the centre of the domed section.
25 - 26 . (canceled)
27 . The breast pump of claim 17 , wherein, when the milk container is positioned such that it is configured to receive milk from the user of the breast pump the dry section is located on the side away from the user and the wet section is located on the side towards the user.
28 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein the milk container is formed of a first housing piece and a second housing piece, wherein the first housing piece and second housing piece meet at an edge.
29 - 30 . (canceled)
31 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein, when the milk container is positioned such that it is configured to receive milk from the user of the breast pump, the milk container spans one of:
at least a portion of a front section of the breast pump, wherein the front section is outwardly facing away from the user;
at least a portion of a top section of the breast pump, wherein the top section is upwardly facing;
at least a portion of a bottom section of the breast pump, wherein the bottom section is downwardly facing.
32 . (canceled)
33 . The breast pump of claim 1 , wherein:
the flexible diaphragm has a spring force which is less than the weight of the volume of milk that can fit in the container, in any position of the diaphragm; or
the flexible diaphragm has a spring force greater than the weight of the volume of milk the can fit in the container, in any position of the diaphragm.
34 - 36 . (canceled)