Breast milk collection and storage device
View Patent ↗In a preferred embodiment, the present invention includes a breast milk collection and storage device that contours to the natural form of a female human breast and consists of an outer layer, an inner layer and a sterile collection bag. Designed to fit under any standard brassiere, the device provides an opening to be comfortably worn around the nipple. The opening directs mild to the sterile collection bag and further provides a sealing means for coupling to a cap or other closure device when not being worn.
1. A breast milk collection and storage device adapted to fit over a human female nipple an portion of a female breast and adapted to be entirely encapsulated under a brassiere, the device comprising:
an outer layer comprising a contoured cover having a first side adapted to fit completely under a single cup of the brassiere and having a smooth surface on the first side, and further comprising a second side adapted to provide a base to which at least one curvilinear retainer wall couples, a top edge of the at least one container wall defines an open top portion, while the bottom edge forms a liquid impervious seam with the second side, the outer layer further comprising a convex elliptical form when viewed from above and measuring about a 6-inch diameter on the minor axis and about an 8-inch diameter on the major axis and consists of a relatively soft and resiliently deformable material material;
the second side further comprising an inner layer having a second contour, the second contour emulating the contour of the female breast, the inner layer coupled to the outer layer thus defining the liquid retaining cavity,
a nipple-receiving opening disposed on the second side adapted to create a fluid conduit from the inner layer to the liquid retaining cavity;
a retaining means disposed between the inner layer and outer layer and a portion of the retaining means arranged around the nipple-receiving opening and the retaining means adapted to receive fluid; and
the retaining means further comprising a selectively removable rim device comprising at least one sidewall arranged to form a void having an open bottom and an open top, the side wall further including an insert edge hole feature, the insert edge adapted to selectively secure to the nipple-receiving hole on the sidewall of the inner layer.
2. The device of claim 1 further comprising:
the retaining means comprises an inner cup container adapted to receive breast milk;
the cup container having at least one vertical sidewall, a bottom and an open top, the sidewall, bottom and top cooperating to form a compartment adapted to hold breast milk; and
the vertical sidewall further comprising a port adapted to cooperate with the nipple-receiving opening whereby a fluid conduit is formed from the inner layer to the inner compartment of the cup container.
3. The breast milk collection and storage device of claim 1 wherein the retaining means further comprises a collection bag having a sealing means for closing the collection bag when removed from the cavity.
4. The breast milk collection and storage device of claim 1 wherein the retaining means further comprises an elastically deformable retention member.
5. A method of using a breast milk collection and storage device adapted to fit over a human female nipple an portion of a female breast and adapted to be entirely encapsulated under a brassiere, the method comprising:
providing a collection device comprising an outer layer comprising a contoured cover having a first side adapted to fit completely under a single cup of the brassiere and having a smooth surface on the first side, and further comprising a second side adapted to provide a base to which at least one curvilinear retainer wall couples, a top edge of the at least one container wall defines an open top portion, while the bottom edge forms a liquid impervious seam with the second side, the outer layer further comprising a convex elliptical form when viewed from above and measuring about a 6-inch diameter on the minor axis and about an 8-inch diameter on the major axis and consists of a relatively soft and resiliently deformable material material;
the second side further comprising an inner layer having a second contour, the second contour emulating the contour of the female breast, the inner layer coupled to the outer layer thus defining the liquid retaining cavity,
a nipple-receiving opening disposed on the second side adapted to create a fluid conduit from the inner layer to the liquid retaining cavity;
a retaining means disposed between the inner layer and outer layer and a portion of the retaining means arranged around the nipple-receiving opening and the retaining means adapted to receive fluid; and
the retaining means further comprising a selectively removable rim device comprising at least one sidewall arranged to form a void having an open bottom and an open top, the side wall further including an insert edge hole feature, the insert edge adapted to selectively secure to the nipple-receiving hole on the sidewall of the inner layer;
inserting the collection device under a cup of the brassiere and aligning the opening over a non-breast-feeding breast during breast-feeding.