EP4262641A1

EP4262641A1 - Menstrual cup cleaner

Info

Publication number: EP4262641A1
Application number: EP21840620.5A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Arthur VANDERBREETSTRAETEN; Lucas Casino SECADES
Original assignee: Tulipal
Current assignee: Tulipal
Priority date: 2020-12-21
Filing date: 2021-12-21
Publication date: 2023-10-25
Also published as: WO2022136395A1; BE1028522B1

Abstract

The current invention relates to a device for cleaning menstrual cups comprising a body with an inner cavity for receiving a menstrual cup and washing water, a detachably cap, further referred as top-cap, for closing the body's open-top, a cap, further referred as bottom cap, for closing the open-bottom, and portions in the inner cavity to hold and support the menstrual cup inside the device; the different parts being made of a bio-compatible rigid material; wherein the top-cap is hollow with a central hole, and contains a brush attached to its inner ceiling and a joystick that pass through the top cap and finally inserts itself into the brush. The invention also relates to a method for optimizing the use of menstrual cups comprising sub sequential menstrual cup's cleaning steps including water filling, turning the joystick, blood diluting, and emptying the device.

Description

MENSTRUAL CUP CLEANER

The present invention relates to the field of menstrual cups which are a reusable feminine hygienic protection; and more particularly, to a portable cleaner device for menstrual cups. Such a cleaner can be easily used by menstrual cup users in the absence of private sinks in public places, to wash their menstrual cups by using water and the present invention. This invention upgrades existing solutions which have already addressed the problematic menstrual cup cleaning but are not well adapted to real case scenarios.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a device for cleaning menstrual cups

The present invention pertains to the technical field of feminine hygiene (IPC Classification A61F5/455)

BACKGROUND

The menstrual cup is an alternative to traditional hygienic protections. It is a container made of medical silicone or thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) which is inserted into the vagina and intends to collect blood during the menstrual cycle. It has a bell shaped portion with and inner cavity and a tapered bottom, from which, a stem is extruded. This latter contains gripping means in order to facilitate the insertion and removal of menstrual cups from the vagina.

Examples of menstrual cups are disclosed for example in documents W02017031813 or USD894386.

The menstrual cup has different advantages as an alternative to traditional disposable periodic protection as tampons or sanitary napkins. Menstrual cups are known among users for being ecological since it has a very low carbon footprint, it is reusable and last for 5 to 10 years. It is inexpensive with average cost ranging between € 20 and € 30. It is better for health since it is a neutral product for the body made of biocompatible material, TPE or silicone, both being neutral materials for the human body and used in many prostheses. The cup is not industrially treated; it does not contain additives.

However menstrual cups are not the most widely used sanitary product and this because of its drawbacks. This reusable solution may have a lot of advantages, but

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) because of its reusable characteristic it needs a certain degree of careful maintenance. Unlike traditional hygienic protections which are fundamentally intended for unique use, the menstrual cup maintains its integrity for a longer use term for which it requires some level of maintenance. Despite the strengths and advantages of the cup, its maintenance is not always easy and at certain extent may cause demotivation from adopting this reusable solution. Due to its reusability main purpose, the cup unlike the other non-reusable solutions, needs to be cleaned every 6-8h (3 or 4 times a day) as recommended by doctors in order to avoid and decrease the chances of having a TSS (Toxic shock syndrome) and ideally sterilized at least at the beginning and at the end of the menstruation period. In addition, in some cases, a psychological barrier may appear that also stops potential users from adopting it on regular basis. Finally, as other internal protections, it must be inserted and removed from the vagina; its bigger shape and elastic material make sometimes difficult to accomplish the application.

The origin of some of these reluctances, especially the ones related to the psychological barrier can be tackled by educating about periods and demystifying the use of menstrual cups. Regarding the difficulty of inserting the menstrual cup, this latter disappears on almost all cases after the first menstrual cycles, once the user has adopted the menstrual cup and becomes familiar with the use procedures. Unfortunately, the cleaning issue does not disappear with practice or education. In fact, regarding the cleaning, most of the users are not respecting the recommendations from doctors to clean menstrual cups 3-4 times a day, this situation gets even worse when they are travelling or on holidays. This latter is mainly due to the difficulty for a majority of them to carry out such a cleaning when they are in public places (at workplaces, at university, on the move, ...) because public toilets often lack private sinks, and classical menstrual cup's cleaning solutions involve cleaning on a sink. Therefore, most of the users are constrained (and also self-limited) to change their cup only at home which reduces changes to 2 times a day; while at home in the morning and in the evening. Furthermore, sterilization of the menstrual cup, as mentioned above, should be done at least at the beginning and at the end of the user's menstrual cycle, adding a new maintenance operation. Finding a solution to such main problems as they appear to be, the cleaning and sterilizing procedure, would first solve the most important hindrance to the menstrual cup adoption, and on the other hand, it will make the daily day of menstrual cup users much easier and allow them to properly use menstrual cups by following the doctor's recommendations.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Users have traditionally found solutions to the menstrual cup cleaning and sterilizing problems by adapting existing cleaning and sterilizing solutions, the so called classical solutions. However, since the market for menstrual cup products is growing rapidly and the problematic surrounding their cleaning persist, different dedicated products appear each year, most of them in the field of sterilizers and wash lotions. Regarding the cleaning, only few adapted solutions are available on the market, and few cleaning inventions appeared as patents or publications (documents KR20200014052, W02020060424 or KR102081211). 25 These products are devices that offer the users optimized and more efficient ways of solving the cleaning problem that were traditionally solved by the classical solutions. Even if a lot of products have emerged, most of the users are still often using classical methods for sterilizing and cleaning, thus not respecting the 6-8 hours' time frame for cup cleaning, meaning that they do not really clean in public places.

The classical cleaning solutions involve cleaning using a sink (private sink or at home). Private sinks are the best solutions since users can do it simply, safely and rapidly; but most of women do not have access to them when being in public places. They usually clean the cups under the shower with sanitary napkins or other napkins that only use for this purpose. The classic wipes used for hands cleaning are also used by cup users for cleaning it when they are in public toilets. Though rapid and convenient when outside home, this solution goes against the principle of ecology friendly aim of the cup. Other consist of using a bottle of water and their hands to wash the cup when being on public places. The toilet is utilized as a sink, and the bottle of water as a tap. This is not practical at all, since the device is not adapted to menstrual cup use and user found them in position not comfortable.

The cleaning dedicated products are the ones that have been specially designed and developed for the menstrual cups. The traditional wipes have been adapted by cup brands to the cleaning of the cup. They claim to offer better results than the classical ones and are advertised as capable to be used on the go, which includes public places. However as for classical ones their main inconvenient is that they are not an ecological solution.

There also exist small brushes that gives answer to a specific cleaning problem. The blood which is inside the small holes allocated in the upper part of the cup is hard to

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) remove. This kind of small brush fits perfectly inside these holes and let the user clean the cup easily. However, the brushes are not recyclable as the cup and is a private sink dependent solution. Again, wash lotions are produced by menstrual cup manufactures and specially proposed for cup use, but it is also private sink dependent.

Finally, two solutions that solve the sink dependence problematic of previous ones and remain ecological are the inventions present in documents W02020060424 and KR.20200014052. However, these latter are not available for purchase yet.

First, the described invention in document W02020060424, consist of a cleaner and sterilizer for menstrual cups. Regarding the cleaning, it is done by means of a cleaning liquid and a shaking mechanism. In addition, it provides an inner brush intended to help during the cleaning procedure. This invention has some drawbacks when used while cleaning on a public toilet. First, due to its shape it has a preference top and bottom side, meaning that users can only dispose the device on the ground with the bottom side in contact with it. In order to properly use the device, the inventors have included a stripe so users do not have to dispose the device on the ground and developed a second mounting position that simplifies the cleaning when users hold the menstrual cup on one hand. Most users need both hands in order to remove and insert the menstrual cup, and users need both hands to open the present invention. Which means that they either not have both hands available because the device is attached to one of theirs by means of the stripe when they need to remove the menstrual cup from the vagina, or either they cannot properly open the device to introduce the menstrual cup because they would have the dirty menstrual cup on one hand. In addition, in the shaking cleaning mechanism proposed, water cannot flow in and out of menstrual cup properly because its path is interrupted by the brush, meaning that if there's some blocks of blood needing water flowing fast trough in order to be removed, due to its inner geometry, it would not be possible.

This cleaning drawbacks are partially solved by the invention described on document KR20200014052. This latter consist on a cleaner device by means of shaking. It has three main parts, a body where the cup will be disposed, a cap and a tank for the cleaning liquid. First of all, the inner cavity of the menstrual cup is free when is inserted inside the device, meaning that water can flow in and out easily and the device do not have a preference side. Both are flat sides meaning that it can be disposed on the ground easily, upwards or downwards. Users can first open the device, make it ready to receive the menstrual cup, retire this latter and inserted it.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) Having both hands free for each of the operations. Although solving some of the drawbacks of the invention described on document W02020060424, it creates new ones. The main of them being that the device has not and optimized shape and inner and outer geometry. This not optimized shape makes the device undesirable for carrying the whole day due to its big size; the inner geometry and the big volume makes water streak the inner walls on a way that generates too much noise, making it not very discreet of use. It is not easy to use it with one hand, since only one mounting position exists and its shape is not ergonomic. In summary, the 2 present inventions allow the cleaning of menstrual cups and give an answer to the users need of dedicated cleaner solutions for menstrual cups, but still present some drawbacks and inconvenient for a use on public toilets without access to private sinks.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, it is the object of the present invention to provide a solution that eliminates the above mentioned drawbacks of the classical and dedicated solutions actually existing. To this end, the present invention relates to a portable and reusable cleaner, by means of a brush, for menstrual cups according to claim 1.

Preferred embodiments of the device are shown in any of the claims 2 to 16. The present invention provides menstrual cup users a solution to properly, safely and easily clean menstrual cups on public places in the absence of private sink, allowing them to respect the recommendations from doctors. This invention also provides a discreet device that can be simply carried by menstrual cup users when not being used.

In addition, is provided a menstrual cup's cleaner, where the menstrual cup is blocked inside the device with the inner walls designed such the water can flow in and out of the menstrual cup. A brush located in the inner cavity is attached to the upper cap where a joystick is located. The device can be mounted on three different configurations helping the user to manage the removal, inserting and cleaning of the menstrual cup on a public toilet when using the present invention.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a container for cleaning a menstrual cup, comprising a body where the menstrual cup is disposed and water is contained; a cap closing the device from the bottom used to drain the water from the device; and a cap closing the device from the top used to pour water and introduce the menstrual cup into the device. The upper cap contains also a brush and a joystick, this latter suitable for transmitting motion from the user to the brush. The inner wall of the body has portions that support the menstrual cup and block it from its bottom when inside the device while allowing the water to flow through all of the menstrual cup surface. Both caps have an attaching mechanism that allows both caps to be attached between each other when both outer surfaces are in contact, thus allowing two alternative mounting positions. The outer part of the body has a curved shape geometry that embraces the hands, improving the device's ergonomics.

The cleaner can be mounted on the second mounting position, where the top cap is reversed and attached to the outer surface of the bottom cap, when both surfaces are in contact. In such configuration all the pieces are still attached to the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) body, and the user can pour washing water inside the device, as well as inserting and removing the menstrual cup from the device, with one hand holding the device (all the pieces remain attached) and the other hand holding the menstrual cup. The cleaner can also be mounted on a third mounting position, where the bottom cap is reversed and stock to the outer surface of the top cap, when both surfaces are in contact. In such configuration all the pieces are still attached to the body, and the user can drain water from inside the device using one hand. These two configurations allow all the pieces to remain attached on the device, thus avoiding to dispose them on the ground or other undesirable places inside a public toilet cabin.

The container is made of rigid material such a plastic or a metal, or a combination of both. The material is opaque, translucent or transparent.

Body inner surfaces comprising abrupt corners are avoided; therefore, curved and smoother surfaces are preferred in order to allow water flowing on a smoother way inside the device. The body narrows itself on the lower part such only water can pass through the bottom side, not the menstrual cup.

The body dimensions are adapted to an average menstrual cup, thus reducing its volume making it easier to carry during the day.

The portions that serve to hold the menstrual cap inside the device are part of the wall; they are an extension of this latter into the inner cavity, this extension is done within a smooth transition, thus 5 reducing the number of corners inside the device. In addition, the portions block the menstrual cup from the bottom side. Due to its geometry, menstrual cup cannot pass through but water does, this allows water to flow inside the menstrual cup inner surface and on the outer surface without any obstacle. It also provides a mechanism to hold the menstrual cup inside the device and prevent it from falling while draining the water through the bottom cap.

The outer surface of the body has an ergonomic shape that embraces the menstrual cup user hands.

The upper cap comprises a cap, a brush and a joystick. The brush is inserted in an intrusion located at the bottom's cap inner ceiling. The upper cap has an outer intrusion and a central curved hole. The central curved hole is where the joystick rests and an inner intrusion. The curve of the body is prolonged onto the cap, by providing thus curved shape to the cap, it's easier for the user to screw in and out from the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) body. Finally, it has a flat outer surface that make it possible to dispose the device, with this cap in contact to the ground.

The joystick has 3 main parts, a flat and circular surface where the attaching mechanism is located and covered by an elastic sock; a sphere located in the middle which has the counter shape of the curved hole located in the upper cap; and finally a shaft.

The brush is partially hollow, bell-shaped and has numerous rectangle-shape bristles extruded from its surface. The brush is attached to the upper cap and is inserted into the joystick shaft. It's made in elastic material and once the cup is placed inside the device it remains in contact or close to the menstrual cup's inner surface.

The bottom cap includes an attaching mechanism that allows the second and third mounting position.

This latter is inserted in a portion located at the bottom's cap inner ceiling which shape is optimized is such a way that it fits perfectly the top cap diameter when they are in contact. The curve of the body is prolonged onto the cap, by providing thus curved shape to the cap, it's easier for the user to screw in and out from the body. Finally, it has a flat outer surface that make it possible to dispose the device, with this cap in contact to the ground.

Since users need to have the device already opened once they pull out the menstrual cup, the present invention allows the user to open the device and magnetically attach the top cap to bottom cap (third mounting position), hold it with one hand and still have one hand free to remove the menstrual cap. If preferred and the user need both hands, since both surfaces (bottom and top) are flat, user can easily dispose the device and cap on a flattered surface inside the cabin.

User can introduce the menstrual cup into the device and visually block the stem with the top cap when closing the device, since the body size has been adapted to the menstrual cup is such a way that a portion of the stem always project beyond the body.

In a second aspect, the present invention relates to a menstrual cup cleaning method according to claim

15. More particular, the method as described herein provides that the menstrual cup can be easily cleaned using the device filled with water as described in Fig. 8. Since the menstrual cup is blocked and the device half filled with water, when turning the joystick, the brush will turn inside the device thus rubbing the inner walls of the menstrual cup where

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) the blood might be still attached. In addition, the user can shake, and water will start flowing in and out of the menstrual cup. The passage created by the inner body geometry let water pass from the bottom to the top side therefore being in contact with the outer menstrual cup surface. In addition, there's still a little play between the menstrual cup and the blocking meanings, so there is not any obstacle to the water streaking the menstrual cup different surfaces thus diluting the remaining stacked blood into the contained water. The second mounting position allows the user to attach the cap to the device when the cleaning process is finished and the user drains the device.

DESCRIPTION OF FIGURES

The following description of the figures of specific embodiments of the invention is merely exemplary in nature and is not intended to limit the present teachings, their application or uses. Throughout the drawings, corresponding reference numerals indicate like or corresponding parts and features.

The invention will now be described by a way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which Fig. 1 is an isometric view of the cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention; Fig. 2 is a front view of the cleaner in Fig 1; Fig 3. is a section taken along line A-A of Fig. 1; Fig. 4 is an isometric N-E exploded view of the cleaner in Fig. 1; Fig. 5 is an isometric S-E exploded view of the cleaner in Fig. 1; Fig. 6 and Fig. 7 show respectively how the parts are attached to each other on the second and third mounting position; and Fig 8. is the user's scenario where 11 different steps are illustrated for the cleaning method.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Fig. 1 illustrates a container for cleaning menstrual cups, further referred as cleaner, in an isometric view.

A container is suitable for cleaning menstrual cups 14 shown in Fig. 4 which is made of elastic material and has a bell-shaped portion for collecting and storing the menstrual blood in its inner cavity 9. It has an open top 16, and a bottom tapered portion. From the top side, there's a griping mean 15 preferably on the shape of a stem, used for insertion and removal of the menstrual cup during the menstrual cycle.

The cleaner in accordance with the preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a body 1 with an open-top closed by a detachable cap 2 (here referred "as top cap") containing a brush 4 and a joystick 5, and an open bottom closed by a detachable cap 3 (here referred as "bottom cap"). The container has an inner cavity 9 for holding water needed for the cleaning process of the present invention as described in Fig. 8 and for receiving a menstrual cup 17. As shown in Fig. 4, the body inner and outer shape, dimensions and geometry are optimized to the menstrual cup size and shape.

The cleaner is made of rigid material suitable for medical contact; the material being opaque, translucent or transparent. Is it to be understood that that the container can be made of a combination of transparent, opaque and translucent material, or fully mono material.

Referring to Fig. 3, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5 illustrating the cleaner device on a cross section and 2 exploded view respectively, the cleaner contains two attaching mechanisms on each of the caps in the preferred form of magnets 7 and 8, a plurality of portions 14 which are an extension of the inner wall 11 into the inner cavity 9.

In the present invention the body contains the washing water, this includes tap water, drinking water, or like.

The body 1 contains an open-top with threads 10 on its outer surface 11, where the detachable top cap

2 may be screwed, in order to close the body's open-top. The open-bottom has the dimensions required to dispose the cup inside the device without folding it. The inner cavity 9 dimensions are adapted to the variety of menstrual cups dimensions available on the market, such a trade of between space for water flowing and minimized body volume has

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) been made, resulting on the present invention. The inner wall of the body comprises only curved shapes and corners 15, such geometries allow water flowing smoother and reducing the noise produce when water streaks the wall during the shaking cleaning process. The inner wall extends into a plurality of portions 14 on the bottom side of the body that serve to hold the bottom of the menstrual cup 17, and blocks this latter when the device is fully closed as in Fig 4. embodiment. The top part of the body narrows on its higher part 13 to avoid the menstrual cup 17 passing through when the top cap 3 is detached and the water inside the cleaner is being emptied, while letting the water flows all the inner cavity.

Furthermore, the outer surface of the inner body has a curved shape. Starting from the top, the body's diameter expands, then narrows and finally expands itself again. Such ergonomic design allows the user to better grip the device and makes shaking process easier.

In this embodiment, the portions 14 result of an extension of the inner wall into the inner cavity 9. These portions serve as a holding and support mechanism for the menstrual cup 17 and a blocking system. Each of the portions are separated from each other and provide a central hole 13 for water passage. The wall extends on a smoother way into the narrow part 16 on the places not occupied by the portions 14. This smoother extension is to be understood such it narrows in a less abrupt way so water can find a passage from the lower side to the inner cavity 9, when the water inside the device.

The top cap 2 has a thread 34 for screwing itself into the body 1 and closing the cleaner from its top. It has a brush 4 attached to its inner ceiling and a central curved hole 37 where the joystick 5 is disposed.

The outer intrusion 38 receives the joystick, allowing this latter to turn easily. It also has an outer flat surface 25 allowing the device to be disposed downwards on the ground. The inner comprises a curved surface 26 that is tangent to the body when closed, again with the result of offering curved surface for smoother water flow; and an intrusion 35 in the form of a disc such the brush can introduce itself further into the top-cap and be stock.

The brush 4 contains numerous bristles 28 that overlap one over the other as shown in Fig. 3. The bristles have a rectangle shaped and are extruded from the outer brush surface. The bristles are in contact or close to the menstrual cup 17 inner surface. The brush is partially hollow and comprises an intrusion to allow the joystick shaft

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) 41 being inserted, and a semi spherical intrusion 31 to allow smoothest motion when turning the joystick 5.

The joystick 5 is inserted into the brush through the central curved hole located on the intrusion 38 of the top-cap. It contains an upper flat surface 45 where the attaching mechanism 7 is located and covered by an elastic sock 6; a spherical mean 42 which has the counter shape of the top-cap's central curved hole; and a shaft 44 with a cross profile 41 that is inserted into the brush.

The attaching mechanism preferred in this embodiment is in the form of a magnet 7. This mechanism allows the second mounting position where the bottom cap is attached to the top cap when their respectively outer surfaces J and 40 are in contact. This mounting position is illustrated in Fig. 7 and allows the filling of the device with washing water and the menstrual cup insertion and removal with one hand.

The bottom cap 3 has a thread 21 for screwing itself into the body and closing the cleaner from its bottom.

It has an outer flat surface 27 allowing the device to be disposed upwards on a flat surface. The inner comprises a curved surface that is tangent to the body when closed, with the result of offering curved surface for smoother water flow; and an intrusion in the form of a disc 22 such the body threads can introduce themselves further into the bottom cap and seal the device by applying pressure into a sealing mechanism located in the described intrusion in the bottom cap. In the center there's an intrusion 25 which contains the attaching mechanism at its end 5. Finally, its outer surface 27 has also a curved surface such it can be easily gripped with the fingers for avoiding slipping when open and closing the cap.

The attaching mechanism preferred in this embodiment is in the form of a magnet 8. This mechanism allows the third mounting position where the top cap is attached to the top cap when their respectively outer surface 40 and 27 are in contact. This mounting position is illustrated in Fig. 6 and allows the draining of the device with one hand.

The attaching mechanism on top cap 7 is completely attached to the joystick 5, and the attaching mechanism on the bottom cap 8 is fixed to the bottom cap itself.

The present invention provides a cleaner that can be easily carried during the day on a menstrual cup user's bag, due to the optimized shape of the body 1. The cleaner is convenient to be used on a public toilet and improves the user experience

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) by providing 3 different mounting positions illustrated on Fig. 2, Fig. 6 and Fig. 7, allowing an easier cleaning inside the constrained ecosystem of a public toilet.

The menstrual cup 17 can be inserted without any additional action (i.e. folding) into the device, previously half-filled with water, through the open-bottom of the body, while the device is in the second mounting position. Once closed, the menstrual cup is blocked inside with a small play allowing adaptability to all kinds of menstrual cups with a rod stem. To allow properly cleaning by shaking, the holding portions 14 hold and block the menstrual cup while allowing water passing through, flowing in and out of the menstrual cup cavity 20 and into the body's inner cavity 9 therefore being in contact with the outer surface of the menstrual cup. The menstrual cup can be fully cleaned since all of its surfaces will be streaked with the water, contained in the body, during the shaking. Draining the device before taking out the menstrual cup is done by means of the bottom cap 3 which can be opened and attached to the top cap in the third mounting position. The cup won't fall due to the body's narrow bottom 13 and the inner wall extension portions 14; all of the water will be drained because due to the different geometries there is not a place where water could be stacked. The second mounting position is also used for retiring the menstrual cup, the inverse process as the menstrual cup insertion into the device previously described.

Fig. 8 illustrates the method for cleaning menstrual cups using the present invention. First (step 1), the device is half-filled with water. The device is closed (step 2) and carried to the private toilet. Once on the toilet, the user opens the device from its bottom and holds it on the second mounting position; then removes with the remaining hand the menstrual cup and empties it on the toilet (step 3). The user inserts the menstrual cup inside the cleaner (step 4), and detaches the bottom cap in order to close the device (step 5). The user flips the device and holds it upwards; then starts to turning the joystick and shaking the device (step 6). After a couple of seconds, the remaining blood on the menstrual cup is already diluted on the water inside the device. The user opens the top cap (step 7) and holds the device on the third mounting position, then empties it on the toilet (step 8). Now closes the cleaner from its open top (step 9), flips it again. By opening the bottom cap and holding it on the second mounting position, the user can now remove the cleaned menstrual cup (step 10). The menstrual cup is ready to be reinserted (step 11).

It is supposed that the present invention is not restricted to any form of realization described previously and that some modifications can be added to the presented example of fabrication without reappraisal of the appended claims. For example, the

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26) attaching mechanism of the present invention has been described as a magnetic attaching mechanism, but it is clear that it can be purely mechanical.

It is clear that the method according to the invention, and its applications, are not limited to the presented examples.

The present invention is in no way limited to the embodiments described in the examples and/or shown in the figures. On the contrary, methods according to the present invention may be realized in many different ways without departing from the scope of the invention.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

Claims

1. A device for cleaning menstrual cups comprising a body (1) with an inner cavity (9) surrounded by walls (11), a detachably cap (2) for closing the body's opentop, further referred as top-cap; a cap (3) for closing the open-bottom, further referred as bottom-cap, and portions (14) in the inner cavity capable of holding and supporting a menstrual cup inside the device; the different parts being made of a biocompatible rigid material; suitable for receiving a menstrual cup (17) it having a rod stem (18); characterized in that the top-cap (2) is hollowed (38) with a central hole (37), and contains a brush (4) attached to its inner ceiling (35), and a joystick (5) that passes through the top cap and finally inserts itself into the brush.

2. A device according to claim 1, wherein the brush (4) is partially hollowed (30 and 31) and have bristles (28) extruded from its surface (29) that overlap each other when seen from a profile view.

3. A device according to any previous claims 1 and 2, wherein the joystick (5) rests on the top-cap's curved hole (37) and has a shaft (44) that is further prolonged into the brush's inner intrusion (30) so it is stuck to the brush (4) but not fixed to the top-cap (2).

4. A device according to the previous claim 3, wherein the attaching mechanism (7) is located on the joystick top's surface (45), and the attaching is achieved by means of magnetic or mechanical mechanism.

5. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 4, wherein the body's (1) dimensions are adapted and optimized to the menstrual cup (17) average size.

6. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 5, wherein the body (1) narrows on the bottom (16) so the menstrual cup (17) cannot pass through the open-bottom side (13), and the portions (14) are an extension of its inner wall (11) so that they emerge gradually from the inner wall surface.

7. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 6, wherein the portions (14) have not abrupt corners and are made of curved edges (15) allowing water to flow smoothly.

8. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 7, wherein the rigid material is made of a combination of opaque, transparent or translucent material.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

9. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 8, wherein the bottom-cap (3) comprises a thread (21), an inner disc intrusion (22), and a curved inner ceiling (26) with an inner intrusion at its centre (25).

10. A device according to claim 9 where the attaching mechanism (8) is located on the bottom-cap's ceiling intrusion (25), and the attaching is achieved by means of magnetic or mechanical mechanism.

11. A device according to claim 10, wherein the bottom-cap (3) has a flat outer surface (40).

12. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 11, wherein the top- cap (2) has a flat outer surface

(27).

13. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 12, wherein the caps (2 and 3) can be attached to each other when both surfaces are in contact (40 and 27), enabling two different mounting positions.

14. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 13, wherein the device's shape has a curved intrusion in the body outer wall (11), in such a way that it counter shapes a hand, when mounted in the first mounting position, this meaning the body closed by the two caps.

15. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 14, wherein the bottom-cap's (2) outer wall is curved

(22) in such a way that the user fingers do not slip when pulling and screwing out the cap from the body.

16. A device according to any previous claims 1 to 15, wherein a menstrual cup is provided inside the device.

17. Method for cleaning menstrual cups, characterized of filling with water a device, according to any previous claims 1 to 16; inserting the menstrual cup; rotating the brush unit of the device so it rubs the menstrual cup inner wall; and emptying the water provided to the device.

18. Method according to claim 17, wherein the cleaner's two mounting positions allow to have all the detachable parts attached to the body (1) while the body have one of its sides opened.

19. Method according to claims 17 and 18, wherein the motion created when turning the joystick (5) is transmitted and amplified to the brush.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)

20. Method according to any previous claims 17 to 19, wherein the top cap (2) comprises an intrusion (25) that blocks the menstrual cup stem (18), inside and in proximity to its walls, when the top-cap is screwed into the body.

21. Method according to any previous claims 17 to 20, wherein the portions (14) located in the inner cavity (9) keep the menstrual cup inside the device during the water emptying step.

SUBSTITUTE SHEET (RULE 26)