Abstract: Baby bottles can have a single container, or two containers to create a space for thermal isolation, as selected by the user. The baby bottle can be vented to allow air to enter the bottle through a passageway as liquid is removed. A filter and one-way valve can be provided in the passageway. The passageway can be formed by radially aligning a vent opening in a top cap with a vent opening in a nipple flange, or by providing a channel in the top cap which is always in radial alignment with both the top cap vent opening and the flange vent opening.

Abstract: Baby bottles can have a single container, or two containers to create a space for thermal isolation, as selected by the user. The baby bottle can be vented to allow air to enter the bottle through a passageway as liquid is removed. A filter and one-way valve can be provided in the passageway. The passageway can be formed by radially aligning a vent opening in a top cap with a vent opening in a nipple flange, or by providing a channel in the top cap which is always in radial alignment with both the top cap vent opening and the flange vent opening.

Abstract: A breast pump includes a pump that produces both vacuum and pulsating pressure, at least one express kit, and hoses or the like for connecting the pump to the express kit. The express kit includes a manifold, a milk collection vessel, a rigid cup and a flexible liner. The liner is made of a pliable material, and includes a funnel and a throat. The inside surface of the funnel, which is between the liner and the cup when the liner is installed, has an optional honeycomb structure that creates a forced space between the liner and the cup, while maintaining some degree of flexibility. At the end of the liner inside the throat, a rigid insert or suitable bond maintains some rigidity inside the throat, supports the liner and creates a seal between the liner and the cup at the throat end of the liner.

Abstract: A container has an inner vessel for containing liquid such as milk, water, juice or the like. An outer vessel creates a larger volume than the volume of the inner vessel, so that the inner vessel can fit inside the outer vessel. A top cap secures the inner and outer vessels in spaced relation to each other. The top cap can have an integral nipple in fluid communication with the inside of the inner vessel. In another embodiment, a vent in a top cap permits air to enter a liquid holding vessel as the liquid is removed. A filter in the vent allows the air to pass, but not the liquid, so the liquid does not spill when the container is tipped.

Abstract: A container has an inner vessel for containing liquid such as milk, water, juice or the like. An outer vessel creates a larger volume than the volume of the inner vessel, so that the inner vessel can fit inside the outer vessel. A top cap secures the inner and outer vessels in spaced relation to each other. The top cap can have an integral nipple in fluid communication with the inside of the inner vessel. In another embodiment, a vent in a top cap permits air to enter a liquid holding vessel as the liquid is removed. A filter in the vent allows the air to pass, but not the liquid, so the liquid does not spill when the container is tipped.

Abstract: A container for milk or the like includes an inner vessel for containing the milk and an outer vessel that creates a larger volume than the volume of the inner vessel, so that the inner vessel can fit inside the outer vessel. In one embodiment, an insert is placed between the top end of the inner vessel and the top end of the outer vessel. The insert has a plurality of threads that engage threads on the inner vessel, and a cap covers the top ends of the inner and outer vessels and the insert. The cap has threads that engage threads on the outer vessel. Hot or cold liquid can be placed in a cavity formed between the inner and outer vessels. The cavity is substantially sealed by the insert to maintain, raise or lower the temperature of the milk in the inner vessel. In another embodiment, the insert is not used.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressors and a pump. The expressors each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. A filter that is substantially permeable to air but substantially impermeable to milk and water prevents milk from entering the vacuum pump. The filter is preferably permeable to air even when wet, though, so that the device can still be operated, even as the filter collects fluid.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressors and a pump. The expressors each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. In use, the vacuum expresses the milk from the breast. The device has a vacuum adjustment and a vacuum release on each expressor. In this manner, the vacuum can be individually adjusted and released at the expressors. The pump includes a movable diaphragm in a chamber. The diaphragm is oscillated back and forth by a linear actuator motor such as a stepper motor. The motor has a shaft which moves back and forth axially, for direct linkage to the diaphragm, so that the size and weight of the pump are reduced. The expressors have a removable cap and removable cup assembly, and the cup assembly has a positively sealed liner, for easy disassembly and cleaning.

Abstract: A breast pump includes a pump that produces both vacuum and pulsating pressure, at least one express kit, and hoses or the like for connecting the pump to the express kit. The express kit includes a manifold, a milk collection vessel, a rigid cup and a flexible liner. The liner is made of a pliable material, and includes a funnel and a throat. The inside surface of the funnel, which is between the liner and the cup when the liner is installed, has an optional honeycomb structure that creates a forced space between the liner and the cup, while maintaining some degree of flexibility. At the end of the liner inside the throat, a rigid insert or suitable bond maintains some rigidity inside the throat, supports the liner and creates a seal between the liner and the cup at the throat end of the liner.

Abstract: An air circuit is disclosed that communicates with a cycling, bi-directional or intermittent pressure source, splitting the output of the pressure source into two channels. One channel continues to cycle bi-directional or intermittent pressure, and a second channel employs a one-way valve allowing output of vacuum only. In one embodiment, this circuit can be used to actuate unidirectional, pulsating human breast milk expression devices that use vacuum to draw milk, while massaging the breast with pulsating pressure. The air circuit preferably includes an additional one-way valve, which is located upstream of the one-way negative pressure valve, for relief of excess positive pressure within the circuit. The negative channel output of the air circuit can contain a pressure regulation apparatus for end-user control of negative pressure to the expression devices.

Abstract: An air circuit is disclosed that communicates with a cycling, bi-directional or intermittent pressure source, splitting the output of the pressure source into two channels. One channel continues to cycle bi-directional or intermittent pressure, and a second channel employs a one-way valve allowing output of vacuum only. In one embodiment, this circuit can be used to actuate unidirectional, pulsating human breast milk expression devices that use vacuum to draw milk, while massaging the breast with pulsating pressure. The air circuit preferably includes an additional one-way valve, which is located upstream of the one-way negative pressure valve, for relief of excess positive pressure within the circuit. The negative channel output of the air circuit can contain a pressure regulation apparatus for end-user control of negative pressure to the expression devices.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressers and a pump. The expressers each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. The cups have a flexible liner which collapses around the breast to establish the vacuum. Pulsating pressure is applied to the outside of the liner to increase the vacuum and stimulate milk production. The pressure is applied through lines which are vented to maintain adequate, consistent pressure pulses without stalling the pump.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressers and a pump. The expressers each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. The cups have a flexible liner which collapses around the breast to establish the vacuum. Pulsating pressure is applied to the outside of the liner to increase the vacuum and stimulate milk production. The pressure is applied through lines which are vented to maintain adequate, consistent pressure pulses without stalling the pump.

Abstract: Milk is extracted from a human breast by placing the breast in a cup having a vacuum port. The cup also has a flexible liner that allows vacuum to extract milk when the liner is in a first, open position, the milk being drawn into the vacuum port by the vacuum when the liner is in the first position. The liner also has a second position in which the nipple of the breast is compressed enough to substantially reduce the flow of milk from the breast. The liner is opened and closed in a pulsating manner at a predetermined pulsation rate. The user may select a pulsation ratio that produces acceptable milk transfer and comfort. Optimum pulsation ratios vary from user to user, but are generally between about 20% and about 80% for the vacuum portion of the pulsation cycle.

Abstract: A device for expressing milk from one or more breasts has at least one, and preferably two expressers and a pump. The expressers each have a cup for fitting on the breasts and a cup outlet to which a vacuum created by the pump can be connected. The cups have a flexible liner which collapses around the breast to establish the vacuum. Pulsating pressure is applied to the outside of the liner to increase the vacuum and stimulate milk production. The pressure is applied through lines which are vented to maintain adequate, consistent pressure pulses without stalling the pump.