TECHNICAL FIELD
A reusable shield and liner for use by a woman during menstruation is disclosed.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In many developing countries, women do not have access to affordable menstruation supplies. Women often are chastised and isolated during the menstruation process, and in some countries, it is customary for women to miss school or work during the menstruation process.
What is needed is an affordable, reusable device to assist women during the menstruation process.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A reusable shield and liner for use by a woman during menstruation is disclosed.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 depicts a prior art reusable shield developed by the applicant.
FIG. 2 depicts a side view of the prior art reusable shield of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 depicts an embodiment of a reusable shield developed by the applicant.
FIG. 4 depicts a side view of the reusable shield of FIG. 3.
FIG. 5 depicts a prior art reusable liner developed by the applicant.
FIG. 6 depicts an embodiment of a reusable liner developed by the applicant.
FIG. 7 depicts a method for assembling and using a shield and liner.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
With reference to FIG. 1, prior art reusable shield 100 developed by the applicant is depicted. Shield 100 comprises a first piece 110 in the general shape shown in FIG. 1, a second piece 120 attached to the first piece 110 as shown, and a third piece 130 attached to the first piece as shown. First piece 110, second piece 120, and third piece 130 comprise pieces of cloth, preferably cotton. Second piece 120 and third piece 130 are sewn, adhered, or attached using other means to first piece 110 to form pockets. Shield 100 also comprises attachment mechanism 140, which can comprise a snap, button, Velcro, or other known attachment mechanism.
With reference to FIG. 2, first piece 110 also is attached to fourth piece 160, which is made of water-resistant material such as polyurethane laminate or other water-resistant material. Fourth piece 160 is of the same shape as first piece 110, and the side of first piece 110 opposite the side attached to second piece 120 and third piece 130 is sewn, adhered, or attached using other means to fourth piece 160. On the opposite site of fourth piece 160 is fifth piece 150, which can be identical to first piece 110. Fourth piece 160 and fifth piece 150 are sewn or adhered together or attached using other means. First piece 110, fourth piece 160, and fifth piece 150 can be sewn or adhered together or attached using other means in a contiguous manner.
With reference to FIG. 3, an embodiment of an improved reusable shield 300 is depicted. Shield 300 comprises a first piece 310 in the general shape shown in FIG. 3, a second piece 320 attached to the first piece 310 as shown, and a third piece 330 attached to the first piece as shown. First piece 310, second piece 320, and third piece 330 comprise pieces of cloth, preferably cotton. Second piece 320 and third piece 330 are sewn, adhered, or attached using other means to first piece 310 to form pockets. Shield 300 also comprises attachment mechanism 340, which can comprise a snap, button, Velcro, or other known attachment mechanism.
With reference to FIG. 4, first piece 310 also is attached to fourth piece 360, which is made of water-resistant material such as polyurethane laminate or another water-resistant material. Fourth piece 360 is of the same shape as first piece 310, and the side of first piece 310 opposite the side attached to second piece 320 and third piece 330 is sewn, adhered, or attached using other means to fourth piece 360. On the opposite site of fourth piece 360 is fifth piece 350, which can be identical to first piece 310. Fourth piece 360 and fifth piece 350 are sewn or adhered together or attached using other means. First piece 310, fourth piece 360, and fifth piece 350 can be sewn or adhered together or attached using other means in a contiguous manner.
With reference to FIG. 5, prior art reusable liner 500 is depicted. Liner 500 has a generally square shape and can be folded along fold lines 510 and 520. Liner 500 comprises first layer 530, and optionally includes second layer 540 as well. First layer 530 and second layer 540 are made from cloth, preferably cotton or flannel. First layer 530 and second layer 540 are sewn or adhered together or attached using other means.
With reference to FIG. 6, an embodiment of an improved liner 600 is depicted. Liner 600 has a generally octagonal shape and can be folded along fold lines 610 and 620. Liner 600 is an improvement over liner 500 because it is less bulky in certain areas and is more comfortable for a woman to wear. Liner 600 comprises first layer 630 and optionally includes second layer 640. First layer 630 and second layer 640 are made from cloth, preferably cotton or flannel. First layer 630 and second layer 640 are sewn or adhered together or attached using other means.
With reference to FIG. 7, a method 700 of using liner 600 in conjunction with shield 100 or shield 300 is shown. Liner 600 is folded along fold line 620 (step 701) and then is folded along fold line 610 (step 702) to create a generally rectangular shape. Liner 600 is then inserted into shield 100 (or shield 300) by inserting one end of liner 600 into the pocket formed by first piece 110 and second piece 120 (or first piece 310 and second piece 320) (step 703) and inserting the other end of liner 600 into the pocket formed by first piece 110 and third piece 130 (or first piece 310 and third piece 330) (step 704). Liner 600 and shield 100 or shield 300 are then attached to underwear 700 as shown in FIG. 7 using attachment mechanism 140 (or attachment mechanism 340) (steps 705 and 706). The combination of underwear 700, liner 600, and shield 100 or shield 300 can then be worn by a woman. After use, liner 600 can be removed (step 707) a new liner 600 inserted as described previously (step 708) and then old liner 600 can be washed (step 709). Thereafter, old liner 600 can be reused.
References to the present invention herein are not intended to limit the scope of any claim or claim term, but instead merely make reference to one or more features that may be covered by one or more of the claims. Structures, processes and numerical examples described above are exemplary only, and should not be deemed to limit the claims. It should be noted that, as used herein, the terms “over” and “on” both inclusively include “directly on” (no intermediate materials, elements or space disposed there between) and “indirectly on” (intermediate materials, elements or space disposed there between).
Patent Grant
9877878
