Classifications

• • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
  • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
  • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
  • A61F5/00—Orthopaedic methods or devices for non-surgical treatment of bones or joints; Nursing devices ; Anti-rape devices
  • A61F5/44—Devices worn by the patient for reception of urine, faeces, catamenial or other discharge; Colostomy devices
  • A61F5/451—Genital or anal receptacles
  • A61F5/455—Genital or anal receptacles for collecting urine or discharge from female member

Definitions

• the present invention relates to menstrual cup technology that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation.
• menstrual products have been proposed for managing menstrual blood during menstruation.
• napkins and tampons which manage menstrual blood by absorbing it
• menstrual products are widely known as menstrual products.
• napkins that are attached to underwear have problems such as the risk of slipping and menstrual blood leaking, poor breathability, and the risk of becoming damp and smelling.
• Tampons that are inserted into the vagina are less likely to slip, become damp, or smell like napkins, but they need to be changed frequently due to hygiene concerns, and there is also the risk of leakage if the amount of menstrual blood is heavy.
• a menstrual cup is a cup-shaped container made of a highly flexible material such as synthetic resin (e.g., silicone rubber) and can store menstrual blood inside.
• synthetic resin e.g., silicone rubber
• menstrual cups are less likely to leak because they can hold a larger amount of menstrual blood, and they can also be washed and reused, making them environmentally and economically advantageous.
• Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose techniques for making menstrual cups easier to fold. Specifically, the technique of Patent Document 2 makes the menstrual cup easier to fold by providing a folding line on the inside of the cup-shaped storage section that stores menstrual blood in the vagina. Similarly, the menstrual cup technique of Patent Document 3 makes the menstrual cup easier to fold by providing a groove on the inside of the cup body.
• the present invention aims to provide a menstrual cup that is easy to fold and is also hygienic.
• a menstrual cup is a sanitary device to be inserted into the vagina, comprising a bottom, a side wall, a storage section formed by the bottom and the side wall and having a storage space for storing menstrual blood, and a handle provided at the end of the bottom opposite the side wall, and the outer surface of the storage section is provided with a groove extending in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the storage section.
• a menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [4], in which a protrusion is provided on the outer surface of the storage section at the end of the groove on the side of the grip section, extending circumferentially along the storage section, and the protrusion is cut out at a position corresponding to the end of the groove on the side of the grip section.
• [8] A menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the depth of the groove is 0.7 to 3.0 mm.
• the menstrual cup according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention has a groove on the outer surface of the storage section, making it easy to fold and hygienic.
• FIG. 1 is a front view of a menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a rear view of the menstrual cup according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a right side view of the menstrual cup according to the present embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a left side view of the menstrual cup according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a top view of the menstrual cup according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the menstrual cup according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional view of a menstrual cup according to an embodiment of the present invention.
• FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of a groove portion of the menstrual cup according to the embodiment.
• FIG. 13 is a front view of a menstrual cup according to another embodiment.
• the present invention is a menstrual cup 100, which is a sanitary device that is inserted into the vagina.
• Figures 1 to 7 are a front view, a back view, a left side view, a right side view, a top view, a bottom view, and a cross-sectional view of the menstrual cup 100 according to this embodiment.
• Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the menstrual cup 100 of Figure 5 taken along line W-W.
• the three mutually orthogonal axes are denoted as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.
• the menstrual cup 100 is made of a highly flexible resin (e.g., silicone rubber) that is commonly used for menstrual cups.
• the hardness of the resin is, for example, 30 to 60.
• the menstrual cup 100 comprises a storage portion 10 and a grip portion 20.
• the storage portion 10 and the grip portion 20 are formed integrally without any gaps.
• the storage portion 10 is located on the positive side of the X-axis
• the grip portion 20 is located on the negative side of the X-axis.
• the storage section 10 is cup-shaped (bowl-shaped).
• the outer diameter of the storage section 10 at the end on the positive side of the X-axis is larger than the outer diameter at the end on the negative side of the X-axis, and the outer diameter increases continuously toward the positive side of the X-axis.
• the shape of the outer edge in the cross section is approximately circular.
• the storage section 10 of this embodiment includes a bottom 11, a side wall 12, and a storage space R.
• the storage space R is a space formed by the bottom 11 and the side wall 12.
• the top of the storage section 10 (the end on the positive side of the X-axis) is open. Menstrual blood is stored inside the storage space R from the opening at the top of the storage section 10.
• the shape of the storage section 10 is arbitrary as long as it is possible to store menstrual blood inside the storage space R, and may include, for example, a portion whose outer diameter is constant along the X-axis.
• the size of the storage section 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can be inserted into the vagina.
• the height of the storage section 10 (length on the X-axis) is, for example, 30 to 60 mm.
• the outer diameter of the end of the storage section 10 on the positive side of the X-axis (the end on the opening side) is, for example, 38 to 50 mm.
• the volume of the storage space R is, for example, 10 to 50 ml.
• the grip portion 20 is the part that the user grips when removing the menstrual cup 100 that has been inserted into the vagina.
• the grip portion 20 is a long portion along the X-axis.
• the cross-sectional shape when cut in the Y-Z plane is approximately circular.
• the grip portion 20 is formed continuously from the end of the storage portion 10 on the negative side of the X-axis.
• the shape of the grip portion 20 is not particularly limited as long as the user can grip it with their fingers.
• the height of the grip portion 20 (length along the X-axis) is, for example, 1 to 5 cm.
• the side wall portion 12 of this embodiment includes a first portion 121 and a second portion 122.
• the first portion 121 is located on the negative side of the X-axis, and the second portion 122 is located on the positive side of the X-axis.
• the second portion 122 is located at the end of the side wall portion 12 on the positive side of the X-axis.
• the thickness of the second portion 122 is greater than the thickness of the first portion 121. Details of the thickness of the first portion 121 and the thickness of the second portion 122 will be described later.
• an elongated groove 30 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage section 10 (the surface opposite the storage space R) and extends in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the storage section 10.
• the groove 30 is provided on the first portion 121 of the side wall 12 of the outer surface F1 of the storage section 10.
• the groove portion 30 extends in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10. It is preferable that the groove portion 30 is perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10 (i.e., intersects at 90°). Note that perpendicular also includes cases where the groove portion 30 is not completely perpendicular due to manufacturing errors, but can be said to be substantially perpendicular (for example, 90° ⁇ 5°). However, the groove portion 30 may be provided so as to intersect the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10 within a range of 60 to 120° (90° ⁇ 30°), for example.
• the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10 is the direction parallel to the X-axis when viewed from the front in FIG. 1.
• the groove 30 includes ends T1 and T2 located opposite each other. End T1 (an example of the "handle-side end") is located at the end of the first portion 121 on the negative side of the X-axis, and end T2 is located at the end of the first portion 121 on the positive side of the X-axis.
• the size (length and width) of the groove 30 is appropriately set according to the size of the storage portion 10, and is not particularly limited.
• the length of the groove 30 (the distance from end T1 to end T2) is, for example, 15 to 48 mm.
• the ratio of the length of the groove 30 to the length of the entire side wall 12 (the length along the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10) (length of the groove 30/length of the side wall 12) is assumed to be, for example, 1/2 to 4/5.
• the width of the groove 30 will be described later.
• the end T2 is provided at a predetermined distance D (e.g., 1.5 to 20 mm, preferably 3 to 10 mm) from the end (edge of the opening) on the positive side of the X-axis in the side wall 12.
• the end T2 is located at the distance D.
• the ratio of the distance D to the length of the side wall 12 is, for example, 1/100 to 1/3, preferably 1/30 to 1/60.
• a configuration in which the end T1 of the groove 30 is located on the side wall 12 i.e., a configuration in which the groove 30 is not too long
• the end T1 of the groove 30 on the gripping portion 20 side may be located in the bottom 11 portion of the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10.
• FIG. 1 shows an example of a groove portion 30 that is rectangular in shape in plan view and has four curved corners.
• FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of groove portion 30 cut along a plane perpendicular to the direction in which groove portion 30 extends.
• the depth K of groove portion 30 (the depth of the deepest portion) is, for example, 0.7 to 3 mm, preferably 0.8 to 2.0 mm, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.2 mm.
• FIG. 8 shows the thickness S1 of the portion of the first portion 121 of the side wall 12 where the groove portion 30 is formed, and the thickness S2 of the portion of the first portion 121 where the groove portion 30 is not formed.
• Thickness S1 is the thickness of the portion corresponding to the deepest portion of the groove portion 30.
• Thickness S2 is the thickness of the portion that is located at the same circumferential position as the portion where the groove portion 30 is formed.
• the ratio of thickness S1 to thickness S2 (S1/S2) is, for example, 0.40 to 0.70, preferably 0.45 to 0.68, more preferably 0.50 to 0.62, and even more preferably 0.55 to 0.58.
• the ratio (S1/S2) is within this range, the effect of making the storage section 10 easier to fold becomes significant.
• Thickness S1 is, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and preferably 1.0 to 1.5 mm.
• Thickness S2 is, for example, 1 to 3 mm, and preferably 2.0 to 2.5 mm.
• the thickness of the second portion 122 in the side wall portion 12 is, for example, 2 to 8 mm, and preferably 3.0 to 5.5 mm.
• the width of the second portion 122 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10) is, for example, 3 to 12 mm.
• the groove portion 30 may be formed across the first portion 121 and the second portion 122.
• a configuration in which the groove portion 30 is not formed in the second portion 122 is preferable.
• the side Fa of the groove portion 30 is an inclined surface.
• the side Fa of the groove portion 30 is at an angle of, for example, 25 to 75°, preferably 35 to 55°, and more preferably 40 to 50°, with respect to the bottom surface Fb of the groove portion 30.
• the groove portion 30 is formed so as to have a tapered shape toward the bottom surface Fb.
• the side Fa of the groove portion 30 is perpendicular to the bottom surface Fb of the groove portion 30, it may be difficult to wipe the groove portion 30 (especially the corners of the bottom surface Fb) when wiping and cleaning the menstrual cup 100 with, for example, a wet sheet.
• a configuration in which the side Fa of the groove portion 30 is an inclined surface has the advantage that the groove portion 30 is easy to wipe.
• the groove portion 30 is formed so that, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8, the boundary portion (corner) between the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10 and the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 is curved, and the boundary portion (corner) between the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 and the bottom surface Fb is curved.
• the width Q of the groove portion 30 is also shown in Figure 8. As illustrated in Figure 8, the width Q of the groove portion 30 is the width at the end of the groove portion 30 on the opposite side to the bottom surface Fb (the outer surface F1 side) in the depth direction of the groove portion 30.
• the width Q of the groove portion 30 is, for example, 1 to 5 mm, and since folding becomes difficult if it is too narrow or too wide, it is preferably 2.0 to 4.5 mm, and more preferably 3 to 4 mm. Note that in this embodiment, the width Q of the groove portion 30 is constant in the length direction (specifically, the width Q of the groove portion 30 other than the ends T1 and T2 sides).
• the storage portion 10 When inserting the menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, the storage portion 10 is folded and inserted into the vagina. When removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the menstrual cup 100 is sealed within the vagina. The menstrual cup 100 is removed from the vagina by bending (deforming) the storage portion 10 to release the seal.
• the groove portion 30 is provided in the storage portion 10, which makes it easy to bend (bend) the storage portion 10 along the groove portion 30. In other words, the menstrual cup 10 is easy to insert into the vagina and easy to remove from the vagina.
• the groove portion 30 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10, so that the cleaning ability of the groove portion 30 is good compared to the Comparative Example, and it is difficult for some parts to remain unwashed when cleaning. In other words, it is good from a hygienic standpoint.
• the groove is on the inner surface of the storage portion, so visibility is poor and the position of the groove cannot be confirmed from the outer surface.
• the groove 30 is on the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10, so visibility is good and the position of the groove 30 can be confirmed by touching the outer surface F1. This has the advantage that it is easy to grasp the position at which the storage portion 10 is to bend (i.e. the position of the groove 30), especially when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina.
• the number of grooves 30 is not limited to one and may be multiple.
• Configuration A is a configuration in which the end T2 is located without a predetermined distance D from the end of the side wall portion 12 on the positive side of the X-axis.
• the grooves 30 are provided at a distance D (i.e., no grooves 30 are formed near the upper opening of the storage section 10), so the strength of the upper opening of the storage section 10 is improved compared to configuration A. Therefore, when inserting the menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, the configuration of this embodiment makes it easier to open the menstrual cup 10 inside the vagina after inserting it into the vagina compared to configuration A. On the other hand, when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the configuration of this embodiment can prevent the storage section 10 from bending excessively compared to configuration A. Therefore, menstrual blood is less likely to spill when removing the menstrual cup 100.
• the configuration of this embodiment can improve the sealing between the upper opening of the storage section 10 and the vagina, compared to configuration A. This has the advantage of reducing the possibility of menstrual blood leaking.
• configuration A is also included in the present invention, as there is no problem with the folding function.
• the planar shape of the groove section 30 is not limited to a straight line, and may include curved portions.
• the outer surface F1 of the storage section 10 is provided with a protrusion 40 that extends circumferentially around the storage section 10.
• the protrusion 40 is a portion that protrudes from the outer surface F1.
• the protrusion 40 functions as an anti-slip barrier when the menstrual cup 100 is held.
• a configuration in which three protrusions 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) are provided is illustrated.
• the height of the protrusion 40 is, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 mm.
• the protrusions 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) are provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage section 10, on the end T1 side of the groove 30 facing the grip section 20, and are positioned in this order from the positive side of the X-axis.
• the protrusions 40b and 40c are formed around the entire circumference of the storage section 10 (i.e., formed in a ring shape).
• the convex portion 40a has a portion cut out in the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10 (i.e., formed in an arc shape). Specifically, the convex portion 40a is cut out at a position corresponding to the end T1 of the groove portion 30 on the gripping portion 20 side. In other words, the convex portion 40a is not formed in the portion corresponding to the negative side of the X-axis as viewed from the end T1 of the groove portion 30. In other words, the end T1 of the groove portion 30 is located at a position corresponding to the space between the two ends of the convex portion 40a.
• the distance between the two ends of the convex portion 40a is set according to the width of the groove portion 30, and is, for example, 1 to 4 mm.
• the end T1 on the gripping portion 20 side may be located between the two ends of the convex portion 40a, or may be located within a region extending the distance between the two ends of the convex portion 40a to the negative or positive side of the X-axis (i.e., the end T1 may be located on the negative or positive side of the X-axis when viewed from the distance between the two ends of the convex portion 40a).
• the number of protrusions 40 is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more.
• the position where the protrusions 40 are formed may be the bottom 11 or the side wall 12.
• the shape of the protrusions 40 is not limited to a circumferential shape (arc or ring shape). A configuration in which the protrusions 40b and 40c are cut out at a position corresponding to the end T1, similar to the protrusion 40a, may also be adopted.
• the storage section 10 is provided with an air hole 60 penetrating the side wall section 12.
• the folded and inserted menstrual cup 10 opens inside the vagina through the air hole 60, allowing the storage section 10 to fit tightly inside the vagina.
• the air inside and outside the menstrual cup 100 in the vagina passes through the air hole 60 (i.e., the pressure difference inside and outside the menstrual cup 100 becomes smaller), reducing the adhesion between the storage section 10 and the vagina, making it easier to remove the menstrual cup 100.
• the present invention also includes configurations in which the menstrual cup 100 does not have an air hole 60.
• two air holes 60 are provided at a predetermined interval (for example, at 180° intervals along the circumferential direction) along the circumferential direction of the storage section 10.
• the diameter of the air holes 60 is, for example, 1.0 to 2.0 mm.
• one air hole 60 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage section 10 (side wall section 12) on the opposite side of the grip section 20 as viewed from the groove section 30.
• One air hole 60 is located on the positive side of the X-axis as viewed from the end T2 (the end opposite to the end T1) of the groove section 30.
• one air hole 60 is located between the end T2 of the groove section 30 and the end of the storage section 10 on the positive side of the X-axis (i.e., one air hole 60 is located on the extension line of the groove section 30). As illustrated in FIG. 2, the other air hole 60 is provided 180° apart along the circumferential direction from one air hole 60.
• the air hole 60 is located between the end T2 of the groove 30 and the end of the storage section 10 on the positive side of the X-axis (i.e., the air hole 60 is located in the portion that bends along the groove 30), which has the advantage that air can easily pass through the air hole 60 when the groove 30 is bent, compared to a configuration in which the air hole 60 is located at a position other than between the end T2 of the groove 30 and the end of the storage section 10 on the positive side of the X-axis.
• the number and positions of the air holes 60 are not limited to the above examples.
• the position of the air hole 60 is arbitrary as long as it is a position where menstrual blood does not leak out from the storage section 10.
• the air hole 60 may be located at a position that overlaps the groove 30, or the air hole 60 may be located at a position away from the groove 30 in the circumferential direction of the side wall 12.
• a protrusion 50 is provided on the inner surface F2 of the bottom 11 (the surface within the storage space R).
• the shape of the protrusion 50 is a curved surface (i.e., not angular), for example, a dome shape.
• the protrusion 50 is circular when viewed from above in FIG. 3.
• the cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 50 in the Y-Z plane is also circular.
• the storage portion 10 when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the storage portion 10 is bent while being removed. In doing so, the storage portion 10 is bent while being gripped near the bottom 11 of the storage portion 10.
• the bottom 11 does not have a protrusion 50
• the bottom 11 may also be difficult to grip.
• the height of the protrusion 50 (length on the X-axis) is, for example, 1 to 5 mm, and preferably 1 to 3 mm, because if it is too low, it becomes difficult to grasp the position of the bottom 11, and if it is too high, it becomes difficult to grip.
• the ratio of the height of the protrusion 50 to the height of the side wall 12 (height of the protrusion 50/height of the side wall 12) is, for example, 1/60 to 1/10, and preferably 1/20 to 1/10.
• the height of the protrusion 50 is the height at its highest point.
• the diameter of the bottom surface of the protrusion 50 (the end on the negative side of the X-axis) is, for example, 5.5 to 7.5 mm, and preferably 6 to 7 mm, from the viewpoint of making it easier to grip the bottom 11.
• the present invention also includes a configuration without the protrusion 50 on the bottom 11.
• the present invention can also be thought of as a menstrual cup that is a sanitary device to be inserted into the vagina, and is equipped with a bottom, a side wall, a storage section formed by the bottom and the side wall and having a storage space for storing menstrual blood, and a gripping section provided at the end of the bottom opposite the side wall, and in which a protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the bottom.
• This menstrual cup solves the problem of the reservoir deforming too much and causing menstrual blood to spill out if the base is gripped too tightly.
• convex portions 70 may be formed on the outer surface of the gripping portion 20 along the circumferential direction of the gripping portion 20, in the same way that convex portions 40 are formed on the storage portion 10.
• a configuration in which three convex portions 70 are formed is illustrated, but the number of convex portions 70 is arbitrary.
• Convex portions 70 may be cut out at a position corresponding to end portion T1, similar to convex portion 40.

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• Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
• Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
• Orthopedic Medicine & Surgery (AREA)
• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Biomedical Technology (AREA)
• Epidemiology (AREA)
• Vascular Medicine (AREA)
• Nursing (AREA)
• Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
• General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
• Public Health (AREA)
• Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
• Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
• Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

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• 2024
  • 2024-08-09 WO PCT/JP2024/028666 patent/WO2025037597A1/ja active Pending
  • 2024-08-09 CN CN202480034645.9A patent/CN121368466A/zh active Pending
  • 2024-08-09 JP JP2024567590A patent/JP7723879B2/ja active Active

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