Abstract: A breast milk collection device, comprising an adaptor adapted at a first wide end to receive a woman's breast and a second narrow end of the adaptor communicating with a reservoir. The reservoir is adapted to receive breast milk from the adaptor. The second narrow end of the adaptor has a first aperture and a hollow drip tube in communication with the first aperture. The hollow drip tube has a second aperture through which the hollow drip tube communicates with an internal volume of the reservoir. A one-way valve element communicates with the hollow drip tube and with the internal volume of the reservoir. A flexible barrier is disposed across a hollow chamber formed in a rigid barrier housing, the flexible barrier creating a hermetic seal between the rigid barrier housing and the hollow chamber, and the hollow chamber fluidly communicating with an interior of the hollow drip tube.

Abstract: A breast milk collection device includes a reservoir volume and an adaptor having one end to receive a woman's breast. The adaptor has a drip tube communicating with the reservoir. A source of cyclical application and relief of vacuum force is applied to the woman's breast located in the adaptor for the expression of breast milk. A one-way assembly permits breast milk to enter the reservoir and to submerge the valve element. The valve assembly includes a flexible barrier having an interior hollow chamber in fluid communication with said cyclical source of vacuum force and relief pressure, the flexible barrier fluidly isolating the source from the reservoir. The flexible barrier inflatably expands when relief pressure is applied to the interior of the flexible barrier, the flexible barrier becoming deflated when a vacuum force is applied to the hollow interior of the flexible barrier.

Abstract: A liquid milk transfer system for conveying milk from a milk reservoir device to a milk storage container. A support structure has a first opening that communicates with an interior of the milk storage container. The first opening of the support structure has an irregular circumferential shape partially the same as partial surface dimensions of the milk reservoir. The first opening receives and supports the milk storage container with a pouring spout positioned below the first opening, and the pouring spout located above the interior of the milk storage.

Abstract: A sound suppression system for reducing or eliminating sound produced by the operation of a breast vacuum pump includes a sound suppressing muffler assembly having an air entry port adapted to communicate with an air outlet port of a vacuum pump or other air flow generating device. The sound suppressing muffler assembly also includes a muffler housing defining an internal space communicating with the air entry port, and an opening in the housing leading to atmosphere. The muffler housing has a tortuous air path in the muffler housing. In one embodiment, sound absorbing porous foam structure is disposed in the tortuous air path. The at least one sound absorbing porous structure absorbs sound energy from the air as the air moves through the at least one air path toward the opening in the muffler housing. In further embodiments, a tortuous air path is provided between an air entry port and an opening to atmosphere in the muffler assembly.

Abstract: A breast milk collection device includes a reservoir volume and an adaptor having one end to receive a woman's breast. The adaptor has a drip tube communicating with the reservoir. A source of cyclical application and relief of vacuum force is applied to the woman's breast located in the adaptor for the expression of breast milk. A one-way assembly permits breast milk to enter the reservoir and to submerge the valve element. The valve assembly includes a flexible barrier having an interior hollow chamber in fluid communication with said cyclical source of vacuum force and relief pressure, the flexible barrier fluidly isolating the source from the reservoir. The flexible barrier inflatably expands when relief pressure is applied to the interior of the flexible barrier, the flexible barrier becoming deflated when a vacuum force is applied to the hollow interior of the flexible barrier.

Abstract: A liquid milk transfer system for conveying milk from a milk reservoir device to a milk storage container. A support structure has a first opening that communicates with an interior of the milk storage container. The first opening of the support structure has an irregular circumferential shape partially the same as partial surface dimensions of the milk reservoir.

Abstract: The present invention is an improved valve system for a naturally shaped and hands-free human breast milk collection device that fits into a mother's existing nursing or standard brassiere. The invention comprises a submersible valve system within a breast milk collection device, which can significantly increase the breast milk collection capacity of the device without increasing the overall size of the device.