Lactation station

Abstract

A portable lactation station and method of use are disclosed. The portable lactation station may include a countertop, a base unit, and an adjustable counter component. The adjustable counter component may be configured to rest at least partially within the base unit when in an undeployed configuration. The adjustable counter component may be slidably connected to the base unit, and may be configured to open into a first deployed configuration and to slide into a second deployed configuration along the length of the base unit. The portable lactation station may include a sink and a faucet. The portable lactation station may also include a clean water source, an electric water pump, and a dirty water receptacle. The portable lactation unit may include integrated power and USB outlets on the surface of the primary body or adjustable counter surface component.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A portable apparatus, comprising:
 a base unit including:
 a top surface, 
 a middle panel spaced apart from the top surface, 
 a sink disposed within the top surface, 
 a first side face, a second side face, and a rear face extending downwardly from the top surface, 
 one or more dividers extending between the top surface and the middle panel, thereby defining an internal compartment, 
 and at least one front surface defining a recess formed within the at least one front surface, a first end of the recess being proximal to the first side face and a second end of the recess being distal to the first side face, 
 wherein a first divider of the one or more dividers is positioned between a first edge of the sink and the first side face, and a second divider of the one or more dividers is positioned between a second edge of the sink and the at least one front surface, the second divider being substantially perpendicular to the first divider; and 
   at least one adjustable counter component disposed at least partially within the recess, the at least one adjustable counter component comprising a projection and being slidable within the internal compartment relative to the sink.   
     
     
         2 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the recess extends a length of the at least one front surface parallel to a surface on which the base unit is placed, wherein the recess is located at a center of the at least one front surface and proximal to the top surface. 
     
     
         3 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the at least one adjustable counter component is partially housed within the recess; and
 wherein the at least one adjustable counter component extends through the recess within the at least one front surface when the at least one adjustable counter component is in either a closed position or a deployed position.   
     
     
         4 . The portable apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one adjustable counter component is slidably connected to the base unit. 
     
     
         5 . The portable apparatus of  claim 4 , further comprising a laminate or a layer to alter friction between the at least one adjustable counter component and the base unit. 
     
     
         6 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface is substantially planar and parallel to a surface on which the base unit is placed. 
     
     
         7 . The portable apparatus of  claim 6 , wherein the at least one adjustable counter component is substantially parallel to the top surface. 
     
     
         8 . The portable apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one adjustable counter component is substantially parallel to the top surface when the at least one adjustable counter component is in a closed position. 
     
     
         9 . The portable apparatus of  claim 7 , wherein the at least one adjustable counter component is substantially parallel to the top surface when the at least one adjustable counter component is in a deployed position. 
     
     
         10 . The portable apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the base unit further comprises a faucet. 
     
     
         11 . The portable apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a freshwater supply unit to the faucet. 
     
     
         12 . The portable apparatus of  claim 11 , further comprising one or more electrical supply outlets connected to an external power source. 
     
     
         13 . The portable apparatus of  claim 12 , wherein the freshwater supply unit comprises:
 a water container;   an inlet tube having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end;   an electric water pump; and   an outlet tube having opposed first and second ends;   wherein the first end of the inlet tube is capable of being inserted into the water container such that it is below a water level in the water container;   wherein the electric water pump is connected to the second end of the inlet tube and the first end of the outlet tube; and   wherein second end of the outlet tube is connected to the faucet.   
     
     
         14 . The portable apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the outlet tube further comprises one or more in-line electric water heaters connected between the first and second ends. 
     
     
         15 . The portable apparatus of  claim 13 , wherein the outlet tube further comprises a tee, wherein the tee is connected to a heated water outlet tube that is connected to the faucet, and wherein the heated water outlet tube has one or more in-line water heaters. 
     
     
         16 . The portable apparatus of  claim 10 , further comprising a drain container fluidly connected to the sink by a drain tube. 
     
     
         17 . The portable apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising a permanent or removable refrigeration unit. 
     
     
         18 . The portable apparatus of  claim 12 , further comprising an electrical and USB outlet disposed on the top surface. 
     
     
         19 . A portable apparatus, comprising:
 a base unit including:
 a top surface, 
 a middle panel spaced apart from the top surface, 
 one or more dividers extending between the top surface and the middle panel, and 
 at least one front surface defining a recess formed within the at least one front surface, 
 wherein at least two dividers of the one or more dividers are positioned so as to define a first portion of an internal compartment, and a third divider of the one or more dividers is positioned relative to the at least one front surface so as to define a second portion of the internal compartment, the third divider being substantially perpendicular to each of the at least two dividers; and 
   at least one adjustable counter component disposed at least partially within the recess, the at least one adjustable counter component comprising a projection and being slidable within each of the first portion and the second portion such that the projection moves along the one or more dividers.   
     
     
         20 . A portable apparatus, comprising:
 a base unit including:
 a top surface, 
 a middle panel spaced apart from the top surface, 
 a sink disposed within the top surface, 
 a side face and a rear face extending between the top surface and the middle panel, 
 one or more dividers extending between the top surface and the middle panel, and 
 at least one front surface defining a recess formed within the at least one front surface, 
 wherein a first divider of the one or more dividers is positioned between an edge of the sink and the side face so as to define an internal compartment; and 
   at least one adjustable counter component disposed at least partially within the recess, the at least one adjustable counter component comprising a projection and being movable in a first direction within the internal compartment relative to the sink such that the projection moves along the one or more dividers to a deployed position, the first direction being defined from a rear face to the at least one front surface, wherein the projection contacts the at least one front surface when the at least one adjustable counter component is in the deployed position.