US2309868A

US2309868A - Catamenial sac

Info

Publication number: US2309868A
Application number: US250181A
Authority: US
Inventors: Isaac W Robertson
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1939-01-10
Filing date: 1939-01-10
Publication date: 1943-02-02
Anticipated expiration: 1960-02-02

Description

Patented Feb. 2, 1943 UNITED .STATES rruilt-:1yr orifice oATAME-NIAL sAo Isaac W. Robertson, Los Angeles, Cal-if. Application January 1o, 1939,'ser'ia1N0. 250,131

a claims. (ci. '123;285)

rI'his invention relates to catamenial devices.

An object of the invention is to provide a device of the character described which will effectively retain catamenial discharge and which by being fitted into the-vagina obviates the use of bulky uncomfortable pads or the like.

Another object of the invention is to provide in open-ended hollowr rubber articles improved means for providing a distended or enlarged portion on said article.

Another object of the invention is to provide a catamenial sac adapted effectively to t within the vagina with the opening of the sac in fluidsealing relation around the cervix of the uterus, means being provided for modifying the sac to iit vaginas of various sizes.

Another object of the invention is to provide in a catamenial discharge sac of the character described means for preventing the walls of the sac from sticking together to interfere with the efficiency thereof and for retaining such discharge in the sac without spilling the same as the sac is being removed from the vagina.

These and other objects will be manifest from the following brief description and the accompanying drawing.

Of the accompanying drawing:

Figure l is a side elevation, partly broken away and in section, of a catamenial sac embodying the invention before insertion of the retaining ring and absorbent pad.

Figure 2 is a plan View, partly broken away and in section, of a retaining ring for the Sac.

Figure 3 is a view similar to Figure 1 of the sac with the retaining ring and absorbent pad inserted therein.

Figure 4 is a. longitudinal anatomical crosssection through a uterus and vagina illustrating the improved catamenial sac inserted in the vagina and tted about the cervix for use.

Referring to Figures 1 and 2, the numeral Ill designates a catamenial sac preferably of thin,

flexible, impervious material such as rubber latex, having an enlarged portion II at the open end. A suitable bead I2, preferably of smaller diameter than the enlarged portion of the sac, may be provided to reinforce the openn ing I3 in the sac.

For retaining the mouth I3 of the sac in huid-sealing relation around the cervix I4 (Fgure 4), a ring l5 preferably of coiled Wire I5 covered with a protective coating of rubber I'I may be provided. Ring I5 readily may be in serted inside the sac I at the enlarged end thereof, as shown in Figure 3, These rings may be supplied in various sizes to fit the cervix of the uterus as required without necessarily changingv the sizeof the SargasY best shown in chain-dotted lines'. The sac may have straight sides adjacentthemouth thereof and yet` produce' the result shown in Figure 3; the bulge Il 'serving as a'guideto simplify proper posi# tioning of the ring at the mouth of the sac.`

' A wick or pad I8 of suitable size may be inserted in the sac l0 to prevent the walls thereof from sticking together when the sac is in use (see Figure 4), Wick I8 preferably being of uid absorbing material adapted to absorb the catamenial discharge to enable ready removal of the sac without spilling the contents. 1t is to be understood, however, that other absorbent material, such as pulp or clay preparations, may be used in place of wick I8.

It will be seen that since the diameter of bead ring I2 of sac l0 preferably is smaller than the diameter of retaining ring I5, there is provided a flanged portion IIS comprising spaced annular portions of the wall of the sac eX- tending angularly outwardly thereof in parallelism.

For use for the described purposes of the invention, the assembled device, shown in Figure 3, with a piece of moisture absorbent material I8 in the sac IG, is readily retained in a vagina by yieldingly engaging the ring E5 between the posterior fornix and the symphysis pubis, whereby the ring will be in fluid-sealing engagement with the vaginal wall around the cervix of the uterus. Due to the iiexibility of ring i5 and the yielding nature'of the vaginal wall the ring will readily adapt itself to the shape of said wall without applying a material degree of pressure thereto. The outer flexible annular wall of ange IIab provides additional uuid-sealing action against the wall of the vagina. Ring I5, by being interchangeable with other rings of varying diameters, greatly facilitates original fitting of the sac iii to suit the size of the vagina of the user. Thus the improved catamenial device provides effective means for collecting the menstrual iiow with little or no discomfort to the wearer, and without unsightly bulges which usually exist when other types of catamenial devices are used.

Modifications of the invention may be resorted. to without departing from the spirit thereof or the scope of the appended claims.

For example, it has been found that the ring I5 may be applied to the outside of the sac so as to` distend a portion of the wall thereof turned inwardly around the ring, the result being substantially the same as shown in Figure 3, except that the relative positions of the spaced annular portions of the wall forming the flange I Iab are reversed. The invention is not limited to use in catamenial devices. In a similar manner the rings I5 may be utilized to provide distended or enlarged portions in other hollow open-ended articles such as rubber gloves.

What is claimed is:

1. A catamenial or like device of the character described comprising a sac of impervious, elastic material, said lsac being provided with an annular enlarged portion adjacent the open end thereof, and a separate retaining ring removably and replaceably received in said enlargement, the diameter of said ring being substantially greater than the diameter of said enlarged portion to distend said enlarged portion outwardly and thereby provide a flanged portion around the mouth of the sac, the inherent elasticity of said sac retaining said ring in place therein, said sac and ring assembly beingv adapted to be retained within a vagina by engaging said ring between the posterior forniX and the symphysis pubis to provide a uid seal with the wall of the vagina around` the cervix of the uterus.

2. A catamenial or like device of the character described comprising a sac of thin, impervious, elastic material, the wall of said sac being provided with an enlarged annular portion at the mouth thereof, and a separate ring of relatively greater diameter than said enlarged portion, said ring being retained in said enlarged portion by distending the Wall thereof, said distended wall forming a exible iianged portion at the mouth of the sac, said sac and ring assembly being adapted to be retained within a vagina by engaging said ring between the posterior fornix and the symphysis pubis of the vagina to retain the mouth of the sac in sealed relation with the wall of the vagina around the cervix of the uterus.

3. In an article of the character described the combination of a hollow open-ended sac of ilexible, elastic material, said sac being provided with an annular enlarged portion adjacent said open end, and a separate retaining ring of relatively greater .diameter than the wall of said enlarged portion whereby the ring is adapted to be removably retained within the enlargement by distending the wall thereof outwardly.

ISAAC W. ROBERTSON.