초록 ▼

A suction bell assembly, and an elastomeric liner therefor, are disclosed in which the bell includes a rigid outer shell (10,310) of generally Y-shaped axial cross section with a conical top portion (101) and a cylindrical body portion (106). A thin, flexible, elastic liner (11) is disposed within t

A suction bell assembly, and an elastomeric liner therefor, are disclosed in which the bell includes a rigid outer shell (10,310) of generally Y-shaped axial cross section with a conical top portion (101) and a cylindrical body portion (106). A thin, flexible, elastic liner (11) is disposed within the shell and has a conical and preferably corrugated upper portion (111) disposed within the conical top portion of the shell and a peripheral lip (114) for sealingly engaging a rim (19) extending about the shell's top portion. The liner also includes an elongated tubular portion 112 spaced normally inwardly from the shell's inner surface, the tubular portion including a resilient annular flange (119) that sealingly engages a shoulder at the lower end of the shell to maintain the liner in an axially stretched and tensioned state. one-way valve means (13,43) is formed integrally with the liner and is disposed at the lower end of the tubular portion below the flange (119). The valve means (13,43) includes a calotte-shaped closure portion (131) having at least one slit (28,438,439) to permit the passage of milk downwardly through the lower end of the liner. In preferred embodiments, each slit (28,438,439) has offset but communicating inner and outer portions (28a,28b,438a,438b, 439a,439b). Means are also disclosed for allowing swivel action of the shell (310) in relation to a connector (32) for detachably connecting the suction bell to a milk-collecting bottle.

대표청구항 ▼

1. A suction bell for a breast pump, said bell comprising:a rigid outer shell having, in axial direction, a substantially Y-shaped cross section and comprising a conical top portion having an open upper end and a cylindrical body portion having an inner surface and an open lower end; said conical to

1. A suction bell for a breast pump, said bell comprising:a rigid outer shell having, in axial direction, a substantially Y-shaped cross section and comprising a conical top portion having an open upper end and a cylindrical body portion having an inner surface and an open lower end; said conical top portion having an outwardly extending rim at said upper end; said cylindrical body portion having a first connecting means for connecting said shell with a source of a cyclic sub-atmospheric pressure, an annular shoulder extending about said lower end, and second connecting means for connecting said shell with a milk collecting means; and a thin, flexible, and elastic liner having a conical upper portion disposed within said conical top portion of said shell and provided with a peripheral lip sealingly engaging said rim; an elongated tubular portion extending through the shell's cylindrical body portion and having an outer surface spaced inwardly from the shell's inner surface when a pressure within said cylindrical body portion of said shell is ambient atmospheric; said tubular portion of said liner including a resilient annular flange sealingly engaging said shoulder of said shell and maintaining said liner in an axially stretched and tensioned state; and integral one-way valve means provided by said liner at said lower end of said tubular portion below said shoulder of said shell.