Visible valve system and spill reducing system

Abstract

A visible valve system for a breastmilk expression system is set forth. The visible valve system includes an outer member, graspable by a human hand. The outer member provides a visual indication that the system is properly assembled. The visible valve system can reduce spillage from a breastmilk container by providing at least a portion of a spill reducing tortuous path in the system, or the spill-reducing tortuous path may be provided in another component of a breastmilk expression system of which the visible valve system is a part.

1 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A visible valve system connectable to a breastmilk expression system comprising:
 an outer member and an inner valve member, the inner valve member connectable to the outer member, the valve system configured to detachably fit the outer member to a milk collecting container and to a conduit.   
     
     
         10 . A visible valve system as claimed in  claim 9 , wherein the valve system includes at least one vent between the outer member and the inner valve member. 
     
     
         11 . A visible valve system as claimed in  claim 10 , the vent one or more of: (1) allowing air to escape while the valve system limits leakage if the breastmilk reservoir is tipped over; 
       or (2) being formed by a gap in each of at least two incomplete ribs projecting radially outward from a neck of the outer member, each gap being offset from a gap of an adjacent rib. 
     
     
         12 . A visible valve system as claimed in  claim 9 , the inner valve member further defined by one or more of an interchangeable inner valve member, a duckbill inner valve member, a disc-shaped media inner valve member, or a flap inner valve member. 
     
     
         13 . A visible valve system for a breastmilk expression system comprising:
 an outer member configured for selective connection to both a conduit and a container, the outer member being sufficiently sized to form a visible connection between the conduit and the container, the valve system further including an inner valve member connected to the outer member.   
     
     
         14 . A visible valve system as claimed in  claim 13 , the inner valve member further defined by an integrally formed inner valve member. 
     
     
         15 . A visible valve system according to  claim 14 , further defined by:
 the integrally formed inner valve member formed of the same material as the outer member.   
     
     
         16 . A valve system for a breastmilk expression system comprising:
 an outer member disposed between an outer edge of a conduit and a breastmilk collection container; and   
       an inner valve selectively connectable to an interior connection section of the outer member, the interior connection section disposed within a breastmilk flow path through the valve system. 
     
     
         17 . A valve system as claimed in  claim 16 , the inner valve further defined by one of a duckbill inner valve, a disc-shaped media valve, or a flap inner valve. 
     
     
         18 . The valve system of  claim 17 , the outer member being visible when assembled intermediate the conduit and the container. 
     
     
         19 . The valve system of  claim 18 , the conduit being connectable to a breastshield. 
     
     
         20 . The valve system of  claim 11 , the vent being formed by a gap in each of at least two incomplete ribs projecting radially outward from a neck of the outer member, each gap being offset from a gap of an adjacent rib, the offset being a center-to-center offset of the gaps. 
     
     
         21 . The valve system of  claim 16 , the inner valve one or more of: (1) formed of the same material as the outer member; or (2) being connectable to the outer member by an integral configuration. 
     
     
         22 . A method of reducing spillage for a breastmilk expression system, the method comprising:
 producing a breastmilk collection kit having a conduit, a container and a valve, the valve including an inner valve member through which media can flow into a container and an outer member connected to the inner valve member, the outer member including a spill-reducing tortuous path; and   configuring the outer member to be connectable to the container so that the system is capable of reducing a flow rate in the container.   
     
     
         23 . The method of  claim 22 , wherein producing the breastmilk collection kit includes at least one of the following steps: (1) providing a constriction from a first cross-sectional area to a second cross-sectional area that is smaller than the first cross-sectional area more distant from the container; and (2) providing a vent having a neck member that extends from the inner valve member to a position more remote from the container than the inner valve member, wherein either step results in a breastmilk collection kit that reduces the flow rate in the container during use. 
     
     
         24 . A breastmilk expression system comprising:
 a visible valve system connectable, either directly or indirectly, to one or more of a conduit and a container;   an inner valve member connected to the visible valve system; and   a spill-reducing tortuous path one or more of integrally formed in or removably connected to one or more of: on or in the container, on or in the conduit, on or in the visible valve system, intermediate the conduit and the visible valve system, and intermediate the container and the visible valve system.   
     
     
         25 . The system of  claim 24 , the visible valve system including an outer member. 
     
     
         26 . The system of  claim 24 , further comprising a leakage limiting member, the leaking limiting member including the spill-reducing tortuous path. 
     
     
         27 .- 28 . (canceled)