Pumps – Expansible chamber type – Having separate noncyclic valve
Reexamination Certificate
2000-09-29
2002-11-19
Freay, Charles G. (Department: 3746)
Pumps
Expansible chamber type
Having separate noncyclic valve
C417S415000, C251S208000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06481986
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
This invention relates to vacuum adjustment devices, and more particularly to a vacuum adjustment device for a breastpump.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
This invention was developed with particular application to controlling the vacuum, i.e., negative pressure, within the hood (or shield) of a breastpump. As is well known, vacuum is generated within the downstream part of a funnel-shaped shield within which the breast is received, to draw upon the breast in a manner reminiscent of suckling, and thereby express milk. The milk is typically collected in a bottle or other container, for later use.
There have been mechanisms developed in the past for applying some control over the amount of vacuum (negative pressure) generated at the breast. The present invention was conceived as a considerable improvement over the prior art, providing the user with a continuously variable vacuum adjustment in an easily manipulated device.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is accordingly a principal objective of the present invention to provide an improved vacuum adjustment mechanism for controlling airflow into a chamber which is subject to negative pressure, such as the chamber of a diaphragm pump which is generating vacuum for a breast shield assembly. The invention could, however, readily be adapted to some other part of the breastpump.
In one form of the invention, there is an air inlet conduit communicating with the chamber. A channel is formed in a base member, with the channel having a longitudinal length and a dimension perpendicular (e.g., radial) to that length. The perpendicular dimension varies from a minimum to a maximum, which thereby varies the cross-sectional area of the channel. The channel has a bottom and is open, such as along a channel top.
An airhole is formed in the channel, most preferably in the bottom at the point of the maximum dimension. The airhole communicates with the air inlet conduit to the chamber. A rotary member is mounted on the base member. The rotary member has an internal channel, most preferably one having a portion thereof extending across the longitudinal length of the base member channel, and overlies the channel top. The internal channel of the rotary member communicates with an air source, such as ambient air.
The rotary member serves to move its internal channel along the longitudinal length of the base member channel, to thereby regulate airflow into the base member channel depending upon where the internal channel is positioned between the minimum and maximum dimensions. Of course, the internal channel of the rotary member and the base member channel could be reversed with one another, so long as the two are capable of relative rotation.
An embodiment of the inventive vacuum adjustment device furthermore provides an internal channel which has its greatest area (e.g., depth) in the middle, with a decreasing channel dimension on either side thereof. This yields an adjustment feature which is the same regardless of which direction the rotary member is rotated.
The term “perpendicular” relative to the longitudinal length is meant to include any relative dimensional change of the channel or groove. While a change in depth is disclosed in the following embodiments, the dimensional change could be width, or a combination of both length and width.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description that follows taken in conjunction with the drawings, described below.
REFERENCES:
patent: 823316 (1906-06-01), Andersen
patent: 1113942 (1914-10-01), Anderson
patent: 1156202 (1915-10-01), Barrett
patent: 1184293 (1916-05-01), Zeratsky
patent: 1259309 (1918-03-01), Somers
patent: 1460927 (1923-07-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 1509226 (1924-09-01), Brown
patent: 1596520 (1926-08-01), Eskholme et al.
patent: 1644257 (1927-10-01), Lasker
patent: 2060063 (1936-11-01), Frimand
patent: 2222811 (1940-11-01), Dinesen
patent: 2419795 (1947-04-01), Saunders
patent: 2542505 (1951-02-01), Gascoigne
patent: 2545857 (1951-03-01), Perkins et al.
patent: 3238937 (1966-03-01), Stein
patent: 3382867 (1968-05-01), Reaves
patent: 3782385 (1974-01-01), Loyd
patent: 3786801 (1974-01-01), Sartorius
patent: 3822703 (1974-07-01), Davisson
patent: 3931795 (1976-01-01), Duncan
patent: 3977405 (1976-08-01), Yanase
patent: 3990816 (1976-11-01), Köhler et al.
patent: 3998227 (1976-12-01), Holbrook et al.
patent: 4111204 (1978-09-01), Hessel
patent: 4200058 (1980-04-01), Happel
patent: 4249481 (1981-02-01), Adams
patent: 4263912 (1981-04-01), Adams
patent: 4311141 (1982-01-01), Diamond
patent: 4323067 (1982-04-01), Adams
patent: 4486157 (1984-12-01), Hayashi
patent: 4558994 (1985-12-01), Viola et al.
patent: 4573969 (1986-03-01), Schlensog et al.
patent: 4583970 (1986-04-01), Kirchner
patent: 4607596 (1986-08-01), Whittlestone et al.
patent: 4673388 (1987-06-01), Schlensog et al.
patent: 4680028 (1987-07-01), Stuart
patent: 4710165 (1987-12-01), McNeil et al.
patent: 4726745 (1988-02-01), Adahan
patent: 4740196 (1988-04-01), Powell
patent: 4759747 (1988-07-01), Aida et al.
patent: 4772262 (1988-09-01), Grant et al.
patent: 4789000 (1988-12-01), Aslanian
patent: 4794915 (1989-01-01), Larsson
patent: 4799922 (1989-01-01), Beer et al.
patent: 4813932 (1989-03-01), Hobbs
patent: 4857051 (1989-08-01), Larsson
patent: 4883464 (1989-11-01), Morifuki
patent: 4886494 (1989-12-01), Morifuji
patent: 4892517 (1990-01-01), Yuan et al.
patent: 4909277 (1990-03-01), Vandiver
patent: 4929229 (1990-05-01), Larsson
patent: 4941433 (1990-07-01), Hanauer
patent: 4961726 (1990-10-01), Richter
patent: 4964368 (1990-10-01), Ball et al.
patent: 4964851 (1990-10-01), Larsson
patent: 5007378 (1991-04-01), Larson
patent: 5007899 (1991-04-01), Larsson
patent: 5009638 (1991-04-01), Riedweg et al.
patent: 5049126 (1991-09-01), Larsson
patent: 5071403 (1991-12-01), Larsson
patent: 5076769 (1991-12-01), Shao
patent: 5178095 (1993-01-01), Mein
patent: 5218924 (1993-06-01), Thompson et al.
patent: 5295957 (1994-03-01), Aida et al.
patent: 5304129 (1994-04-01), Forgach
patent: 5308321 (1994-05-01), Castro
patent: 5352096 (1994-10-01), Chi-Wen
patent: 5358476 (1994-10-01), Wilson
patent: 5514166 (1996-05-01), Silver et al.
patent: 5531712 (1996-07-01), Malcolm et al.
patent: 5571084 (1996-11-01), Palmer
patent: 5586518 (1996-12-01), Carrano
patent: 5601531 (1997-02-01), Silver
patent: 5616125 (1997-04-01), Jelks
patent: 5648606 (1997-07-01), Spalding
patent: 5649809 (1997-07-01), Stapelfeldt
patent: 5676525 (1997-10-01), Berner et al.
patent: 5720722 (1998-02-01), Lockridge
patent: 5776098 (1998-07-01), Silver et al.
patent: 5947923 (1999-09-01), Uehara et al.
patent: 6257847 (2001-07-01), Silver et al.
patent: 121942 (1946-08-01), None
patent: 251810 (1948-09-01), None
patent: 270694 (1950-12-01), None
patent: 2658-322 (1978-06-01), None
patent: 33 28 725 (1984-02-01), None
patent: 87 14 995.8 (1988-02-01), None
patent: 158 976 (1957-05-01), None
patent: 0 123 269 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 0 162 358 (1985-05-01), None
patent: 0 733 376 (1996-03-01), None
patent: 185521 (1922-09-01), None
patent: 271857 (1927-05-01), None
patent: 660283 (1951-11-01), None
patent: 762701 (1956-12-01), None
patent: 2 082 920 (1982-03-01), None
patent: 2 127 293 (1984-04-01), None
patent: 407293 (1944-09-01), None
Nancy Rich, Unknown, Rico Suction Labs, Inc., Catalog—Parts & Supplies, 1, 3.*
“The Whittlestone Breatmilker” Model Havenwood MK III Operating Manual, date unknown.
“MEDAP” Milchsauger P 6010 . . . Betriebsanleitung Instruction Manual, date unknown.
“Nursing Know-How”, Dana Sullivan, date unknown.
Circle of Caring Brochure, Ameda Egnell, circa 1991.
“Breastfeeding A Guide for the Medical Profession”, Ruth A. Lawrence, M.D., pp 467-469, Apr. 16, 1986.
Medela Hospital Catalogue, Medela, date unknown.
Breastfeeding: Making an Informed Decision, Kristy Gilson, GFW, May 1997.
“What's New/ Best Seller”, Medela Article, Bacon's, May 1997.
“Breastfeeding Made Easier”, Great Expectations, Winter, 1996.
“Mom Sings Praises of Mother's Milk”, Bacon's, Jan
Annis Larry D.
Bates David A.
Silver Brian H.
Baniak Pine & Gannon
Belena John F
Freay Charles G.
Medela Holding AG
LandOfFree
Vacuum adjustment mechanism particularly adapted for a... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with Vacuum adjustment mechanism particularly adapted for a..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Vacuum adjustment mechanism particularly adapted for a... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2982114