KR101961471B1 - Back-flow prevention cap for menstrual cup and menstrual cup comprising the same - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a backflow preventing cap mounted in a menstrual cup for preventing the backflow of menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup. The backflow preventing cap for menstrual cup according to one embodiment of the present invention comprises: a coupling unit having an opening at one side into which menstrual blood can flow and detachably coupled to the top of the menstrual cup; a connecting unit including an inclined surface whose cross section gradually decreases along the direction in which menstrual blood is introduced from the opposite side of the opening of the coupling unit, and having a hole, through which the menstrual blood introduced through the opening can pass, at one end of the inclined surface; and a valve which is connected to the hole of the connecting unit and can be opened or closed according to the inflow of menstrual blood.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a backflow preventing cap for menstrual cups and a menstrual-

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention [0001] The present invention relates to a backflow prevention cap for a sanitary cup and a sanitary cup including the backflow preventive cap, and more particularly to a backflow preventive cap detachably installed in a menstrual cup to prevent menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup from flowing back into the body, Lt; / RTI >

A penis (pad) for preventing menstrual blood from leaking to the outside of the vagina, a menstrual cup, and a menstrual blood leakage prevention device such as a tampon are used so that a woman can act more pleasantly during menstruation.

Among the tools for preventing menstrual blood leakage, the menstrual cups generally have a larger capacity than menstrual beds or tampons and have little leakage of menstrual blood, and they are economical and environment-friendly because they can be reused unlike sanitary napkins or tampons. In addition, the menstruum cup is inserted into the body, and even when wearing it, exercise and activities including swimming are not only free but also proved to be safe for a long period of time.

The menstrual cup has a structure in which menstrual blood, which is inserted into the inside of the vagina so that the opening at the upper end faces the inside of the body, is introduced into the menstrual cup through the opening. When the menstrual cup is inserted into the vagina, it can be stably fixed by the negative pressure formed inside the menstrual cup and vagina. However, menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup can flow back into the vagina according to the posture of the user. In addition, when negative pressure is not properly formed and the menstrual cup is not fixed properly or sound pressure is released due to intense exercise, the backflowed menstrual blood may leak.

To prevent backflow of menstrual blood, a physiological cup having a plurality of vane plates formed at the upper end of the meniscus cup toward the center is known (Patent Document 1). However, according to Patent Document 1, the menstrual blood can still flow back through the gaps formed between the plurality of vane plates. In addition, in order to empty the menstrual blood in the menstrual cup, it is not hygienic because the menstrual blood must be emptied in the state where the upper part of the menstrual cup is opened by pressing the wing plate directly by hand, and the internal washing is restricted by the wing plate even when the inside of the menstrual cup is cleaned there is a problem.

As described above, it is still required to improve the structure that can prevent the reflux of menstrual blood in the menstrual cup and use it hygienically.

1. Patent Publication No. 10-0973524 (Jul. 27, 2010)

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a backflow preventing cap for a sanitary cup and a menstrual cup including the backflow preventing cap, which can effectively prevent backflow of menstrual blood contained in the menstrual cup.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a reflux prevention cap for a sanitary cup that can be used hygienically even when the menstrual blood is emptied or the sanitary cup is washed in the sanitary cup, and a menstrual cup including the same.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, there is provided a backflow prevention cap for a sanitary cup, comprising: an opening formed at one side for introducing menstrual blood; a coupling part detachably coupled to an upper end of the menstrual cup; And a valve which is connected to the hole of the connection portion and which can be opened or closed according to the inflow of menstrual blood, wherein the valve is connected to the connection portion where the hole through which the menstrual blood that flows into the one end of the inclined surface, .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve includes a thin film facing each other, and when the menstrual blood does not flow, the thin film facing each other is kept in close contact with each other, and when the menstrual blood is introduced, .

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the valve is formed of a hollow column, and an opening / closing portion provided on the inner wall of the hollow column is provided. When the menstrual blood does not flow, the opening / closing portion is kept closed. The opening and closing part can be opened by the weight of the menses.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, a groove is formed along the outer periphery of the coupling portion, and a groove formed in the coupling portion can be fitted to the upper end of the menstrual cup. Alternatively, a pressure-sensitive adhesive may be attached to the outer peripheral surface of the joint portion, and a pressure-sensitive adhesive attached to the outer peripheral surface may be attached to the upper end of the meniscus cup.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the coupling portion, the coupling portion, and the valve may be formed of a waterproof thin film. Here, the waterproof thin film may be made of any one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl, paper and latex.

According to an aspect of the present invention, there is provided a sanitary cup comprising: a body having an opening at one side thereof and a storage portion for receiving menstrual blood therein; a handle protruding from an opposite side of the opening of the body; And a backflow prevention cap. Here, the backflow prevention cap includes a coupling portion formed with an opening through which menstrual blood can flow into one side and detachably coupled to the upper end of the main body, a slope surface having a gradually smaller section along the direction in which menstrual blood flows on the opposite side of the opening of the coupling portion And a valve which is connected to the connection part where holes through which menses flowing through the opening through the opening are formed and the holes of the connection part and can be opened or closed according to inflow of menstrual blood is provided at one end of the inclined surface.

According to one embodiment of the present invention, the backflow prevention cap for the sanitary cup is closed, and the backflow of the menstrual blood can be effectively prevented through the valve that is opened only when the menstrual blood is introduced.

According to an embodiment of the present invention, the backflow prevention cap for the sanitary cup is detachably coupled to the menstrual cup, so that when the menstrual blood is emptied or the menstrual cup is cleaned, the backflow prevention cap can be separated and operated Sanitary use of the sanitary cup becomes possible.

1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a check valve cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a menstrual cup.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view showing a state in which a check valve cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention is installed in the menstrual cup.
3 is a perspective view of a backflow preventing cap for a sanitary cup according to a first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing the operation of the check valve for the sanitary cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention.
FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a state in which a check valve cap according to a second embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the menstrual cup.
6 is a sectional view showing a state in which a check valve for a sanitary cup according to a second embodiment of the present invention operates.
FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a sanitary cup for a sanitary cup according to a third embodiment of the present invention.

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, so that those skilled in the art can easily carry out the present invention.

In order to explain the present invention clearly, the description of parts not related to the present invention is omitted, and the same reference numerals are used for the same components throughout the specification. In addition, the size, thickness, position, etc. of each component shown in the drawings are arbitrarily shown for convenience of explanation, and thus the present invention is not necessarily limited to the illustrated ones. That is, the specific shapes, structures, and characteristics described in the specification may be implemented by changing from one embodiment to another embodiment without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention, It is to be understood that changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

The following detailed description is, therefore, not to be taken in a limiting sense, and the scope of the present invention should be construed as encompassing the scope of the appended claims and all such equivalents.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a state in which a backflow preventing cap according to a first embodiment of the present invention is mounted on a menstrual cup, FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing a menstrual cup equipped with a backflow preventing cap according to the first embodiment of the present invention, Sectional view taken along the AA plane of FIG.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, the sanitary cup 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a main body 110, a handle 120, and a check valve cap 130.

The main body 110 of the menstruum cup 100 is formed in a cylindrical shape and has an opening at its upper end to allow menstrual blood to flow therein and a storage part 111 for receiving menstrual blood at its inner side. The rim 112 is formed in the upper opening of the main body 110 to prevent the menstrual blood from leaking when the menstrual cup 100 is inserted into the vagina and the rim 112 is brought into close contact with the inner wall of the vagina.

The handle 120 of the menstruum cup 100 is formed to protrude on the opposite side of the opening of the body 110 so as to facilitate the operation when the user inserts the menstruum cup 100 into the vagina or removes it in the vagina. If the handle 120 is too long, it may be inconvenient when the menstruum cup 100 is inserted and then acted on. If the handle 120 is too short, it may be difficult to remove the menstrual cup 100, Can be suitably formed in consideration of this. Since the length of the handle 120 and the length of the menstrual cup 100 may vary depending on the user, the handle 120 may be elongated and the handle 120 may be directly It may be formed to be cutable. Although the handle 120 of the menstruum cup 100 is formed in the shape of a column in the present embodiment, it may be changed into another shape such as a ring shape or a sphere shape, or the handle 120 may be removed .

The body 110 and the handle 120 of the sanitary cup 100 according to the present embodiment may be integrally formed and preferably formed of a material such as silicone, rubber and the like that is excellent in elasticity and stretchability and is not toxic. However, the material of the main body 110 and the grip 120 is not limited thereto, and at least a part of the main body 110 and the grip 120 may be formed of silicone or rubber, other materials having excellent elasticity and stretchability, .

The menstrual cup 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention further includes a backflow prevention cap 130. The backflow prevention cap 130 is detachably coupled to the upper end of the main body 110 to prevent menstrual blood contained in the storage part 111 of the main body 110 from flowing back into the body.

Referring to FIG. 3, the backflow prevention cap 130 according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a coupling portion 131, a connection portion 132, and a valve 133.

An opening is formed in the coupling part 131 of the backflow prevention cap 130 so that menstrual blood can flow into the storage part 111 of the body 110. The backflow prevention cap 130 is connected to the upper part of the body 110 A groove is formed on the outer circumferential surface so as to be detachably coupled to the outer circumferential surface. With this structure, when the backflow preventing cap 130 is inserted into the rim 112 of the main body 110, a part of the rim 112 having elasticity is fitted in the groove formed in the outer peripheral surface of the engaging part 131 As shown in FIG. Accordingly, the inner storage part 111 of the menstrual cup 100 can be sealed along the outer circumference of the coupling part 131 when the backflow preventing cap 130 is engaged. Conversely, when the backflow preventing cap 130 is disengaged from the main body 110 of the menstruum cup 100, by using the characteristic of the rim 112 of the elastic body 110 and the elasticity of the rim 112, The backflow prevention cap 130 may be detached by pulling out the portion of the rim 112 fitted in the groove of the coupling portion 131.

As described above, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, it is possible to effectively prevent menstrual blood contained in the inner storage part 111 of the menstrual cup 100 from flowing back into the body as will be described later, The sanitary cup 130 can be separated from the main body 110 of the menstrual cup 100 so that the menstrual blood can be emptied and the menstrual cup 100 can be cleaned while the backflow prevention cap 130 is separated, .

In this embodiment, one groove is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the coupling portion 131, but two or more grooves may be formed.

The connection portion 132 of the backflow prevention cap 130 functions to smoothly move the menstrual blood introduced through the opening of the engagement portion 131 into the meniscus cup 100. For this, the connection portion 132 of the backflow prevention cap 130 is provided with a slope which is gradually reduced in cross section along the direction in which the menstrual blood is introduced from the opposite side of the opening of the coupling portion 131, that is, a slope toward the center of the meniscus cup 100 And one end of the inclined surface is formed with a hole 136 through which the menstrual blood that flows through the opening can pass. Here, the direction in which the menstrual blood flows is a direction in which the woman falls down due to its own weight in the vagina.

The inclined surface of the connection part 132 is formed symmetrically with respect to the center of the backflow prevention cap 130 and the hole 136 is formed at the center of the connection part 132. However, And the like may be variously changed. However, it is preferable that the size of the hole 136 is formed so as to sufficiently pass through menstrual blood and the endometrial tissues or other secretions that may be introduced together with the menstrual blood.

The valve 133 of the backflow prevention cap 130 discharges the menstrual blood flowing through the hole 136 of the connection part 132 to the inside storage part 111 of the menstrual cup 100. The valve 133 of the backflow prevention cap 130 is connected to the hole of the connection part 132 and extends in the direction opposite to the connection part 131. The valve 133 is formed as a thin film, .

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along the BB plane of FIG. 3 showing the operation of the valve of the backflow preventing cap for the sanitary cup according to the first embodiment of the present invention. Referring to FIG. 4, Will be described in detail.

The thin films constituting the valve 133 of the check valve 130 according to the present embodiment may stick to each other due to an electrostatic force or the like when they are disposed adjacent to each other. 4 (a), the thin film constituting the valve 133 can maintain a close contact state before the menstrual blood is introduced, and the thin film constituting the valve 133 inside the meniscus cup 100 can be kept in close contact with each other, Can be completely sealed.

If the menstrual blood flows into the hole 136 through the opening of the coupling part 131 and the connection part 132 in the state where the two thin films of the valve 133 are in close contact with each other as described above, The menstrual blood passes through the valve 133 and the menstrual blood that has passed through the valve 133 is discharged to the inside of the meniscus cup body 110 As shown in Fig. Immediately after the menstrual blood has passed through the valve 133, the mutually facing thin films of the valve 133 are returned to the state of close contact by the electrostatic force or the like.

At least one cutout 135 may be formed at the lower end of the valve 133 of the check valve 130 according to the present embodiment. The incision 135 provides a kind of elasticity to the valve 133 so that the thin film constituting the valve 133 can be easily opened when menstrual blood flows into the hole 136 to enable the smooth discharge of menstrual blood.

On the other hand, the backflow prevention cap 130 including the valve 133 may be made of a waterproof material which can not transmit menstrual blood as a whole, and silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl paper, latex, etc. may be used as a waterproof material . By configuring the backflow prevention cap 130 with such a material, the mutually facing thin films of the valve 133 can be attached to each other well. Also, when the menstruum cup 100 is inserted into the vagina during the insertion of the menstruum cup 100, the backflow preventing cap 130 is easily folded when the menstruum cup 100 is bent or folded. So that there is no difficulty in inserting the connector 100.

As described above, in the first embodiment of the present invention, the valve 133 is formed as a thin film of a waterproof material, and is normally in close contact with the valve 133. However, the valve 133 is opened only when menstrual blood is introduced, (111). In addition, even if the menstrual blood contained in the storage part 111 is directed toward the body according to intense activity or attitude change of the user, the waterproof thin film of the valve 133 can be kept in close contact to prevent backflow. That is, according to the present embodiment, the menstrual blood can be smoothly discharged to the storage part 111 of the body 110 of the menstrual cup 100, and conversely, backflow into the body can be effectively prevented.

The menstruum cup 100 is generally mounted at an angle of about 15 to 20 degrees in the body so that the capacity of the inner storage portion 111 of the menstrual cup 100 can not be utilized at all. However, according to the first embodiment of the present invention, the inner storage portion 111 of the menstrual cup 100 can be completely sealed through the coupling portion 131 and the valve 133 of the backflow prevention cap 130, The menstrual blood does not flow out of the menstruum cup 100 even when the menstruum 100 is inclined. This makes it possible to utilize the space of the storage part 111 as much as possible in comparison with the conventional physiological cup, thereby substantially increasing the capacity of the physiological cup 100.

In the first embodiment of the present invention, the backflow prevention cap 130 is fitted to the rim 112 at the upper end of the body 110 of the sanitary cup 100 with the groove formed in the coupling portion 131 of the backflow prevention cap 130 inserted therein The reverse flow of the menstrual blood is effectively prevented by utilizing the property that the mutually facing thin films of the valve 133 of the backflow prevention cap 130 are in close contact with each other. The structure of the coupling part 131 and the structure of the valve 133 are changed It is also possible to do. Hereinafter, another embodiment of the backflow prevention cap for the sanitary cup and the sanitary cup including the backflow preventing cap will be described with reference to the drawings. In describing other embodiments, the same components as those of the above-described embodiment will be briefly described or a description thereof will be omitted.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in which the backflow preventing cap according to the second embodiment of the present invention is mounted to the menstrual cup, and FIG. 6 is a view illustrating operation of the backflow preventing cap for menstrual cup according to the second embodiment of the present invention Sectional view.

The sanitary cup 200 according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a body 210 and a handle 220 like the sanitary cup 100 according to the first embodiment of the present invention, And a handle 220 is formed on the opposite side of the opening. The sanitary cup according to the present embodiment includes a backflow preventing cap 230 detachably coupled to the main body 210. The backflow preventing cap 230 is detachably coupled to the upper end of the main body 210, A connecting portion 232 having an inclined surface and a hole, and a valve 233 connected to the hole.

In this embodiment, the valve 233 of the backflow prevention cap 230 is formed as a hollow column, the valve 233 is normally closed, and the opening / closing part 234 is opened when menstrual blood is introduced Which is different from the first embodiment of the present invention in that it is installed.

The opening and closing part 234 provided on the inner wall of the valve 233 of the backflow preventing cap 230 closes the valve 233 and then the valve 233 is opened through the opening of the engaging part 231 and the hole of the connecting part 232, When the menstrual blood is introduced into the uterus, it is opened by the weight of the menstrual blood and the endometrial tissues that can be introduced therewith. In order to realize this function, the opening / closing part 234 may have a structure in which one end (fixed end) is fixed to the inner wall of the valve 233 and the other end (free end) can freely move. Further, a locking portion (not shown) may be further formed on the other end (free end) of the opening / closing portion 234. Accordingly, when the meniscus is discharged and closed after the opening and closing part 234 is opened, it can be prevented from being opened upwardly, that is, in the reverse flow direction due to elasticity.

6 (a), the opening / closing part 234 is in a closed state before the menstrual blood is introduced into the valve 233 in accordance with the structure of the valve 233, The storage portion 211 is completely sealed.

6 (b), when the menstrual blood flows into the valve 233, the opening / closing part 234 is closed by the weight of the menstrual blood to the lower side of the valve 233, that is, (Not shown). This causes the menstrual blood to pass through the opening and closing part 234 to be discharged to the inside storage part 211 of the menstrual cup 200. After the menstrual blood is discharged, the force (self weight of menstrual blood) The opening / closing part 234 returns to its original position.

As described above, the opening / closing part 234 provided in the valve 233 of the check valve 230 according to the second embodiment of the present invention maintains the closed state and is opened by the weight when the menstrual blood is introduced. It is possible to effectively prevent backflow of menstrual blood while smoothly discharging menstrual blood to the inner storage part 211 of the menstrual cup 200. In addition, the inside storage portion 211 of the menstrual cup 200 can be completely sealed by the backflow prevention cap 230, and the space of the storage portion 211 can be fully utilized.

FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the check valve cap according to the third embodiment of the present invention is mounted on the menstruum cup. In this embodiment, the check valve is coupled to the menstrual cup body in a manner different from the previous embodiments.

The backflow prevention cap 330 according to the third embodiment of the present invention differs from the previous embodiments in the structure of the coupling portion 331. Specifically, the coupling portion 331 according to the present embodiment has the outer peripheral surface The backflow preventing cap 330 can be coupled to the meniscus cup 300 through the adhesive.

Referring to FIG. 7, in this embodiment, the coupling portion 331 is attached to the inside of the rim 312 at the upper end of the menstruum cup body 310 by using the characteristics of the adhesive, So that it can be stably fixed to the cup 300. On the contrary, if the menstrual blood is to be emptied in the menstruum cup 300 or the menstrual cup 300 needs to be cleaned, the user directly removes the attached area to remove the backflow prevention cap 330 from the menstruation cup body 310 .

In addition to the method described in this embodiment, various methods are applied to connect the backflow prevention cap to the menstrual cup, such as a method in which the outer circumferential surface of the joint portion of the backflow prevention cap is formed larger than the inner circumferential surface of the rim of the menstruum cup body, You can do it.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to exemplary embodiments thereof, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the disclosed embodiments, but, on the contrary, Those skilled in the art will appreciate that various modifications and changes may be made thereto without departing from the scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the spirit of the present invention should not be limited to the above-described embodiments, and all of the equivalents or equivalents of the claims, as well as the claims set forth below, belong to the scope of the present invention something to do.

100, 200, 300: Menstrual Cup
110, 210 and 310:
111, 211, 311:
112, 212, 312: rim
120, 220, 320: Handle
130, 230, and 230: a backflow prevention cap
131, 231, 331:
132, 232, 332:
133, 233, 333: valve
135: incision
136: hole
234:

Claims (8)

A backflow preventing cap for a sanitary cup for preventing backflow of menstrual blood contained in a menstrual cup attached to the menstrual cup,
An opening formed at one side for allowing menstrual blood to flow therein, a coupling portion detachably coupled to an upper end of the menstrual cup,
A connecting portion formed at one end of the inclined surface with a hole through which menstrual blood can flow, through which the menstrual blood can flow, at a side opposite to the opening of the engaging portion;
A valve that is connected to the hole of the connection portion and can be opened or closed according to inflow of menstrual blood
Containing
Anti-reflux cap for menstrual cups. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the valve comprises a thin film facing each other so that when the menstrual blood does not flow, the thin film facing each other is maintained in close contact with each other, and when the menstrual blood flows in, cap. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the valve is formed as a hollow column, and an opening / closing part provided on an inner wall of the hollow column is provided,
Wherein the opening / closing portion is kept closed when the menstrual blood does not flow, and the opening / closing portion is opened by the weight of menstrual blood flowing when the menstrual blood is introduced. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the engaging portion is formed with a groove along the outer periphery and the groove formed in the engaging portion can be fitted to the upper end of the menstrual cup. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the adhesive portion is attached to the outer circumferential surface of the coupling portion and the adhesive attached to the outer circumferential surface can be attached to the upper end of the menstrual cup. The method according to claim 1,
Wherein the connecting portion, the connecting portion, and the valve are made of a waterproof thin film. The method according to claim 6,
Wherein said waterproof thin film is made of any one of silicone, thermoplastic elastomer, vinyl, paper, and latex. A main body in which an opening is formed at one side and a storage part for receiving menstrual blood is formed therein,
A handle protruding from an opposite side of the opening of the main body;
And a backflow preventing cap detachably coupled to an upper end of the main body,
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The backflow prevention cap includes:
An engaging portion formed at one side thereof with an opening through which menstrual blood can be introduced and detachably coupled to an upper end of the body,
And a slope which gradually decreases in cross section along a direction in which menstrual blood is introduced from the opposite side of the opening of the engaging portion, wherein a connecting portion is formed at one end of the sloping surface to form a hole through which menstrual blood can flow,
A valve that is connected to the hole of the connection portion and can be opened or closed according to inflow of menstrual blood
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