The present invention relates to menstrual hygiene products and more particularly, to a user-centered menstrual cup to be used in menstruation cycles that can be placed in vagina to collect the menstrual blood.
Currently single time use typical sanitary napkins are the once most commonly used as a menstrual hygiene product. To these next are tampons. The sanitary napkins and tampons produce lot of waste which end up in landfills or chock drainage. These are usually collected by cleaning workers who then get exposed to unhygienic scenario. These products may act as breeding ground for the infectious microorganisms. The sanitary napkins and tampons also take about hundreds of years to decompose since they consist of plastic component at some level and hence hazardous to environment and health. Since, the sanitary napkins and tampons are single time use products, these are economically costly for a large section of potential users as they need to be repeatedly purchased. Also, all these absorbs blood and do have chemicals in it which does sometimes lead to rashes and various hygiene issues. Also, the tampons are capable of absorbing the fluid, but when fallen apart it may leave fibers inside the vagina which can cause infection. Tampons have very high chances to give TSS (Toxic Shock Syndrome) when placed in Vagina as when placed for more duration than that of their absorbing capacity.
In prior art, reusable sanitary napkins are also available, which can be reused till couple of months, but if not cleaned, dried and handled properly then can lead to hygienic issues. Also, since such reusable sanitary napkin absorbs the blood, it may be difficult, uncomfortable and irritating for users to clean it. The same problem is caused with period panties.
The prior art also discloses biodegradable sanitary napkins and tampons, which basically means are environment friendly, but they are available at a higher price hence not economically viable for all, being a single time usage product and need to be purchased regularly.
All such products like sanitary napkins which absorb the blood might give odor which is not a pleasant experience. If sanitary napkins are not properly placed, they may cause seepage/leakage of blood, resulting in mental, social and physical discomfort. Since these products, especially tampons absorb all the liquid/fluid in the vagina with blood, leads to making the vagina dry and also changing the PH value which is not healthy.
A replacement for the above mentioned menstrual sanitary products that can resolve most of the issues is a menstrual cup. Though the menstrual cup is sustainable environment friendly and economical since it can be reused for years and hygienic since it collects the blood and is made medical grade silicone, but in many cases it is uncomfortable to use. Mainly users mentally as well as physically feel discomfort in inserting it in and removing from vagina. Other than this, there are concerns regarding proper positioning, sealing, spillage, leakage, ergonomics and others. The shape and size of the vagina varies within the females depending on numerous factors and hence different sizes or shape of the menstrual cup is required.
Difficulties associated with the normal/standard commonly available menstrual cup are listed below:
Due to not being a user-centered design, usage of the device may cause single or combination of physical and mental discomfort to the user.
Accordingly, there exists a need to provide a menstrual device that is environment friendly, hygienic, economical as well as comfortable to user by being user-centered or easy to use which can be comfortably switched to and regularly being used during menstrual cycles.
An object of the present invention is to design an innovative menstrual cup, such that it is user centered or easy to use for female and transgender, when on their menstrual cycles, such that they can easily adapt and/or switch top menstrual cup, without any discomfort or mental load and regularly use there onwards.
Another object of the present invention is to provide a menstrual device (menstrual cup) that is easy to insert in and easy to remove from the vagina.
Further object of the present invention is to design the menstrual cup to resist the spillage and leakage of blood while removal of the menstrual cup from the vagina.
Yet another object of the present invention is to design the menstrual cup ergonomical such that people with different physics/body/vaginal structure (for example, people with low cervix, etc.) can feel comfortable in usage.
Furthermore object of the present invention is to design the menstrual cup intuitive with better semantics.
Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a cost effective (economical), environment friendly, reusable (sustainable) and hygienic menstrual cup/product.
Accordingly, the present invention provides a user-centered menstrual cup comprises a chamber having an open end at top and a closed end at bottom thereof, a rim provided at the open end of the chamber, a band provided below the rim, an inward curved plane face at front side wall and a flat plane face at back side wall, ribs (extrusions) provided inside at the back wall thereof, grooves provided at the bottom end and a stem provided at the close end of the chamber. The chamber mostly has an outward inclined conical shaped side walls. The rim is a ring like structure having a curvy inclination (can be a straight inclination also) for allowing easy insertion in the vagina through vulva and removal of the menstrual cup from the vagina. The rim is extended inside the menstrual cup thereby making the menstrual cup resistant to spillage of the blood while removing from the vagina. The inclination of the rim provides higher height at the back side of the menstrual cup for an extra space for the blood to get hold/support and to resist spillage of the blood while removal from the vagina, and lower height at the front side of the menstrual cup for making the menstrual cup ergonomical and comfortable to be used by the user having lower cervix. The band has a wall with slightly more thickness than the side walls and the line/step between them acts as a maximum capacity indicator of the blood in the menstrual cup. The band has a number of holes configured thereon for allowing the blood to flow out in case the capacity of the menstrual cup is full and to help to break the vacuum when walls/faces are pinched/pressed. The inward curved plane face and the flat plane face are provided for enabling the menstrual cup easy to remove from vagina, wherein when the user pinch/press the faces, an instant pressure is passed at the top to the rim such as the seal gets break for the vacuum to be released and then the menstrual cup gets pulled out easily. The faces at the front and back sides can vary in number and hence can be on any sides in any amount. Also, the form of the faces can vary and be in combination(s), from being flat plane, curvy plane, concave, hybrid of mentioned or others, as well as can vary in size-surface area. The ribs at the inside of the back wall are provided for resisting the spillage of blood during removal of the menstrual cup from the vagina. The ribs can be horizontal, inclined, vertical or curvy in form as well as can be in any number, at the back wall or on other side or completely at all sides (360°) in continuous or irregular manner. The grooves (cut extrusions) are provided for assured popping and sealing after insertion, as when the user pinch/press the groove with a slight twist/rotation attempt after placing the menstrual cup in the vagina, the rims pops up if not popped yet to form the proper seal with vagina wall. The shape of grooves can change like being a flat plane, curve plane, concave, spiral-screw like and others; as well as number of grooves, surface area-size can also change. The stem is an elongated extension projecting from the bottom end to identify the position and orientation of the menstrual cup inside the vagina. The stem has a step due to change in area of cross-section at the most bottom end thereof to mark/guide the user for cutting the extra stem to increase the comfort by shortening the length of the overall stem, in case the cervix is small or if the stem is being uncomfortable like in case hitting the vaginal wall. All the semantical changes make the menstrual cup much more intuitive. The menstrual cup is made of flexible/elastic material such as medical grade silicone.
The objects and advantages of the present invention will become apparent when the disclosure is read in conjunction with the following figures, wherein:
The foregoing objects of the present invention are accomplished and the problems and shortcomings associated with the prior art, techniques and approaches are overcome by the present invention as described below in the preferred embodiments.
The present invention provides a menstrual cup for menstrual hygiene. The menstrual cup is user-centered as it is much easier to insert in and remove from vagina, spill resistant, ergonomic and intuitive. The menstrual cup helps users to ‘comfortably switch’ to sustainable, economical and healthy menstruation experience.
This present invention is illustrated with reference to the accompanying drawings, throughout which reference numbers indicate corresponding parts in the various figures.
Referring to
The chamber (10) has an open end (not numbered) at top and a closed end (not numbered) at bottom thereof. The chamber (10) mainly has an outward inclined conical-like shape. The cross section of the chamber (10) from top to bottom is partially circular or of any nearby shape, but not limited thereto. The blood is collected inside the chamber (10) during the menstrual cycle.
The rim (20) is provided at the open end of the chamber (10). The rim (20) is a ring like structure that engages to form a seal with the vagina wall and collects the menstrual flow blood into the chamber (10). The rim (20) is inclined. In an embodiment, the inclination of the rim may be a curvy inclination (outward and inward) or a straight inclination. The (curvy) inclination of the rim (20) helps the menstrual cup (100) to get easily inserted in the vagina. To insert the cup, one need to fold it to reduce the top opening area and there are different types of folds which users can use as per their individual convenience. Now, after folding when inserted, the insertion is easy in this menstrual cup (100) as it is gradually getting inserted due to the (curvy) inclined rim (20). The rim side at a larger height is getting inserted first and the rim side a lower height later.
Also, since the rim (20) is having (curvy) inclination, the opening area at the top is much lesser (to that of any standard cup) when folded, which makes it very easy to insert in vagina through vulva as making the insertion gradual, opening area smaller. The rim (20) just straight inclination or inclination with other curvatures also are easy to insert due to similar reasons. Referring to the
Further, due to the inclination at the rim (20), the menstrual cup (100) automatically has a higher height at the back and a lower height at the front. The extra height at the back gives extra space for the blood to get hold/support and hence also resist spillage of blood while removal from the vagina. The smaller height at the front side makes the menstrual cup (100) ergonomical and comfortable to be used by female with lower cervix and in general.
The band (30) is provided below the rim (20). The band (30) has a wall with slightly more thickness than the side walls. The wall thickness difference line (partition-like line) acts as a capacity indicator (25) to show maximum blood collecting capacity of the menstrual cup (100). After couple of cycles, the user gets to understand the amount of blood flow in single usage and can decide the time span of keeping the cup placed in the vagina accordingly. A number of holes (22) are configured at the band that help flow the blood out in case the capacity of the menstrual cup (100) is full and also helps in breaking the vacuum when pinched/pressed.
The menstrual cup (100) has an inward curvy plane face (40) at front side and a flat plane face (50) at back side thereof. The menstrual cup (100) with a permutation and combination of features like said inward curvy plane and flat plane face(s) (40, 50) make the menstrual cup (100) easy to remove from the vagina, as when the user pinch or press the faces (40, 50), an instant pressure is passed at the top to the rim (20) such as the seal gets break for the vacuum to be released and then the menstrual cup (100) can be pulled out easily. Due to the inward curvy and flat plane face(s) (40, 50), the pinching or pressing on the face(s) (40, 50) is effective when also done on the lower side of the cup, and hence the user doesn't need to pinch or press at the top near the rim (20) and can just do near the bottom which is efficient enough to break the seal and hence allowing the user not to letting insert finger(s) or thumb deep inside, also making it comfortable and hygienic.
The faces (40, 50) at the front and back sides can vary in number and hence can be on any sides in any amount or throughout. Also, the shapes or form of the faces (40, 50) can vary and can be selected from flat plane, curvy plane, concave, and combinations thereof. Also, the faces (40, 50) can vary in size-surface area. Referring to the
In an embodiment, the faces (40, 50) can also be configured completely (360°) or partially revolving around the menstrual cup (100) to achieve the same objective of easy removal of the menstrual cup (100) from the vagina. Referring to the
In the embodiment, the face(s) (40, 50) and other side walls of the chamber, can be of different (variable) wall thickness. In an exemplary embodiment, the face(s) (40, 50) is/are slightly more thicker as compared to other side walls of the chamber (10), thereby making the removal of the menstrual cup (100) from the vagina easy, as instant and efficient feedback can be passed to the rim (20) when user press/pinch the wall to release the vacuum.
In the embodiment, the face(s) (40, 50) and other side walls of the chamber, can be of different (variable) hardness/shore and/or material. In the exemplary embodiment, the face(s) (40, 50) is/are slightly more harder as compared to other side walls of the chamber) and this also leads to making the removal of menstrual cup from vagina easy, as instant and efficient feedback can be passed to the rim (20) when user press/pinch the wall to release the vacuum.
In the embodiment, if there is/are no such face(s) (40, 50), and the selective sides or a portion of any side (for example of front side) of the standard cup is made harder or of a different thickness, then also it leads to making the removal of menstrual cup from vagina easy, as instant and efficient feedback can be passed to the rim (20) when user press/pinch the wall to release the vacuum. Referring to the
The ribs (60) (extrusions) are provided on inside of the menstrual cup (100) at a back wall thereof. The ribs (60) help in resisting the spillage of the blood while removing from the vagina. The number of the ribs (60) can be varied. In the embodiment, the ribs (60) can be horizontal, inclined, vertical or curvy in form as well as can be in any numbers, just only at the back wall or completely at all sides) (360°) in continuous or irregular manner. Referring to the
The grooves (or cut extrusions) (70) are provided to help the user to get assured popping and hence sealing after insertion, when the user pinch/press the groove (70) with a slight twist/rotation, after placing the menstrual cup (100) in the vagina. In the embodiment, the form of grooves (70) can be selected from a flat plane, curve plane, concave, spiral-screw like and combinations thereof. As well as number of grooves (70), surface area-size can also be varied. Referring to the
The stem (80) is an elongated extension projecting from the bottom end that helps to identify the position and orientation of the menstrual cup (100) inside the vagina. At the most bottom, the stem (80) is provided with a step (75) of different diameter/cross-section area. The step (75) is provided to mark/guide the user that if one feel like cutting the extra stem of a smaller diameter/cross-section then where to cut such as to increase the comfort by shortening the length of overall stem (80), in case the cervix is small or if the stem (80) is being uncomfortable like in case hitting the vaginal wall.
Again referring to
Overall, because of the great semantics of the menstrual cup (100), it is very intuitive to users and helps them to guide in terms of usage and hence reduces mental load. Users easily understand that from which direction it is supposed to be inserted in vagina and where fingers and/or thumbs are supposed to be pinched/pressed among others. The unique design leading to invention helps to reduce the mental load and concerns of users which helps them to easily and comfortably switch to it as well as adapt quickly for regular usage.
In an embodiment, the menstrual cup (100) is made of flexible/elastic material. In a preferred embodiment, the flexible material is medical grade silicone.
The foregoing descriptions of specific embodiments of the present invention have been presented for purposes of illustration and description. They are not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the present invention to the precise forms disclosed, and obviously many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching. The embodiments were chosen and described in order to best explain the principles of the present invention and its practical application, to thereby enable others skilled in the art to best utilize the present invention and various embodiments with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. It is understood that various omission and substitutions of equivalents are contemplated as circumstance may suggest or render expedient, but such are intended to cover the application or implementation without departing from the scope of the present invention.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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201931048034 | Nov 2019 | IN | national |
Filing Document | Filing Date | Country | Kind |
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PCT/IN2020/050978 | 11/24/2020 | WO |