WO2017192040A1

WO2017192040A1 - Menstruation device

Info

Publication number: WO2017192040A1
Application number: PCT/NL2017/050283
Authority: WO
Inventors: Cora Mee-Ling MAN; Ferdinandus Maria Jacobus Christina WILLEMS
Original assignee: Willems Winkels B.V.
Priority date: 2016-05-03
Filing date: 2017-05-03
Publication date: 2017-11-09
Also published as: NL2016722B1

Abstract

Menstruation device for collecting body fluids in the vagina, the device comprising a disk shaped body having a first end face and an opposite second end face, wherein the first end face is provided with cup shaped recess that is centered with respect to a circumference of the disk shaped body, and the device is made from a resilient absorbent material.

Description

MENSTRUATION DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Field of the Invention

The invention relates to a menstruation device for internal use to collect body fluids in the vagina, in particular for internal use during a menstruation period of a user. The invention furthermore relates to a method for manufacturing such a menstruation device. Description of the Related Art

Devices for internal use to collect body fluids are known, in particular devices to collect menstruation fluids are known. Examples are tampons and menstruation cups. These devices are inserted into the vagina to collect body fluids expelled by the uterus and/or the vagina itself. Menstruation cups can be re-used, soft cups are for single use only, and collect the body fluid in a cup shaped device. Tampons are usually made of compressed cottons, shaped in a cylinder having a rounded head, and a thread for pulling out the tampon after use.

Menstruation cups have the disadvantage that when not applied in the right way, the opening of the uterus is not fully covered, causing leakage of menstruation fluid into the vagina and thus to the outside. This is an unwanted phenomenon.

Tampons have the disadvantage that they have a limited absorption capacity due to the material used, such that after a while the tampon needs to be changed to avoid leakage of menstruation fluid into the vagina. Additionally, these tampons have threads to allow pulling out of the tampon after use. These threads do have a function, but because of their presence, cotton tampons are not suitable to be used during intercourse, as they would give great discomfort for the user.

Threadless tampons are known and have the advantage that they are more suitable for use during intercourse by not causing discomfort. Threadless tampons are usually made of spongeous material or a foam and absorb the fluids from the uterus and/or vagina.

A number of these spongeous or foam tampons have the disadvantage that the opening of the uterus or cervix is not fully covered or the tampon is displaced with respect to the cervix, causing leakage of menstruation blood or other body fluids from the vagina. This is a direct result of the shape of these tampons. Such a foam tampon is disclosed in Dutch patent publication L 1004631.

Moreover, the insertion and removal of these tampons is usually done by hand, meaning that one or more fingers are needed to insert and/or remove these tampons. This can cause discomfort and inconvenience to a great number of users.

It would be desirable to provide an improved menstruation device that alleviated some or all of the above problems.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, there is provided a menstruation device for collecting body fluids in the vagina, the device comprising a disk shaped body having a first end face and an opposite second end face, wherein the first end face is provided with cup shaped recess that is centered with respect to a circumference of the disk shaped body, and the device comprises a resilient absorbent material.

The cup shaped recess is provided in a first end face of the disk shaped body, which first end face is the end face facing the cervix during use. The cup shaped recess allows the opening of the uterus or cervix to be accommodated in the menstruation device. The menstruation device thus engages with the cervix. This stabilizes the position of the menstruation device with respect to the uterus, decreasing the chance of displacement of the device upon use and thus decreasing the chance of leakage and discomfort. Preferably, the cup shaped recess at the first end face is dimensioned such that in use the cup shaped recess encloses the cervix for closure of the uterus, such that the accommodation of the cervix in the menstruation device and engagement of the cervix is optimized.

The cup shaped recess may comprise a spherical shaped indent in the foam material. Alternatively, the cup shaped recess may comprise a cylindrical shaped indent in the foam material. Other forms of cup shaped recess may be considered, provided that the cervix can be accommodated within the cup shaped recess.

Preferably, a circumferential edge of the cup shaped recess is located at a distance different from zero from a circumferential edge of the disk shaped body. To improve the stability and durability of the menstruation device, it is preferred that a

circumferential wall with an increased thickness is formed between the circumferential edge of the disk shaped body and the circumferential edge of the cup shaped recess. As such, the circumferential edges of the disk shaped body and the cup shaped recess are preferred to not coincide.

According to an embodiment, the second end face is provided with a cup shaped recess centered with respect to the circumference of the disk shaped body.

Alternatively, the second end face is provided with a spherical shaped protrusion or bulge centered with respect to the circumference of the disk shaped body. Preferably, the spherical shaped protrusion is complementary shaped to the cup shaped recess in the first end face. The circumferential edge of the cup shaped recess or the spherical shaped protrusion form a gripping element to facilitate gripping of the menstruation device upon insertion into and/or removal from the vagina.

To improve the handling of the menstruation device even further during use, the device may comprise a pulling element for pulling the device from the vagina upon removal, wherein the pulling element is provided at or near the second end face of the disk shaped body. In combination with the gripping element, this further facilitates at least the removal of the device from the vagina. The pulling element can be any additional element suitable to grasp and pull out the menstruation device from the vagina. Preferably, the pulling element comprises a loop across the second end face of the disk shaped body, the loop having a first end and a second end connected to opposite locations of the disk shaped body. The loop may be formed from a piece of string or a ribbon.

The device may be made of a foam material, such as an absorbent foam and/or spongeous material, which has certain absorption properties, and has certain body- compatible and hygienic properties. Preferably, these materials can be cleaned and sterilized easily, so to be ready for further use. All foamed material suitable for at least the absorption and body-compatible and hygienic properties would be suitable for use in the menstruation device. Preferably, the material comprises a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester foam.

In addition, the invention relates to a combination of the menstruation device as described above and an applicator for inserting the device into the vagina. The applicator would facilitate insertion of the device into the vagina, especially for relatively inexperienced users.

Furthermore, the invention relates to a method for manufacturing a menstruation device as described above, the method comprising: - providing a piece of resilient absorbent material;

- forming a protrusion on at least a first surface of the piece of resilient absorbent material by means of compression of the resilient absorbent material; and

- cutting the protrusion from the piece of resilient absorbent material such that upon relaxation of the resilient absorbent material a cup shaped recess is formed in at least the first surface of the resilient absorbent material.

The resilient absorbent material can be a foam material, preferably an absorbent foam and/or spongeous material, more preferably a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester foam.

The method according to the invention leads to a flexible, relatively cheap and easy manufacturing process of the cup shaped recess. The cup shaped recess can be formed in numerous ways. For instance, by cutting the cup shaped recess in a flat piece of resilient absorbent material by means of milling. However, such a method would lead to too much residual material within the cup, such as foam dust or the like, which would require an additional cleaning step to obtain a suitable level of hygiene. Another method would be to form the cup shaped recess in a mould during manufacture of the resilient absorbent material itself. However, this would require expensive moulds and would create an inflexibility in the production process. Other possible methods would be laser cutting, water jet cutting, etc.

The protrusion or bulge is formed by compression of the resilient absorbent material, in a direction either parallel or perpendicular to the first surface of the piece of material. The first surface may be the surface that after manufacturing forms either the first or the second end face of the disk shaped body. The protrusion is cut from the piece of material to form a flat plane after cutting but before relaxation of the piece of material. By cutting the protrusion away and forming a flat plane after cutting, any residual material can easily be removed from the new formed plane of the material, such that no residual resilient absorbent material is retained in the cup shaped recess after relaxation. The steps can be repeated for a second surface opposite of the first surface to form a second cup shaped recess in the piece of material, as described above, thus forming cup shaped recesses at both the first and the second surface of the piece of resilient absorbent material.

The step of forming a protrusion on at least a first surface of the resilient absorbent material comprises: - pressing the first surface of the piece of resilient absorbent material against a mould having at least one recess or opening, such that the at least one recess or opening is filled with resilient absorbent material, and the method further comprises:

- cutting the resilient absorbent material in the recess or opening from the piece of resilient absorbent material, such that upon relaxation of the resilient absorbent material a cup shaped recess is formed in the piece of resilient absorbent material.

The protrusion is formed by pressing the first surface against a mould with at least one recess or opening. The cavity of the recess or the opening will be filled with resilient absorbent material due to the pressing of the resilient absorbent material against the mould. The amount of resilient absorbent material in the recess or opening depends on the force or pressure exerted on the resilient absorbent material. The resilient absorbent material can be pressed against the mould by means of a press or a roll.

The resilient absorbent material in the recess or opening is cut from the piece of material. The amount of resilient absorbent material in the opening or recess determines the size and depth of the cup shaped recess. When the mould with the at least one recess is used, the cutting takes place at an interface between the piece of resilient absorbent material and a first side of the mould. When the mould with the at least one opening is used, the cutting can take place at either the interface between the first side of the mould and the piece of resilient absorbent material, or at a second side of the mould opposite from the first side of the mould where the at least one opening ends.

In case the piece of resilient absorbent material is a sheet of resilient absorbent material, the method further comprises:

- punching at least one hole in the resilient absorbent material, wherein the punch is aligned and centered with respect of the cup shaped recess in the resilient absorbent material, and the punched-out material is a disk shaped body comprising the cup shaped recess.

Using a sheet of resilient absorbent material means that after making the cup shaped recess or recesses, the disk shaped body is to be formed. This is done by punching holes in the resilient absorbent material at the location of the cup shaped recess or recesses. The punch to cut the hole is aligned and centered with respect to the cup shaped recess. The dimensions of the punched hole is at least equal to those of the cup shaped recess. The punched-out material forms a disk shaped body comprising the cup shaped recess. Thus, the menstruation device is formed.

Alternatively, the disk shaped body is formed before forming the cup shaped recess. The disk shaped body can be formed from a sheet of resilient absorbent material, by punching out the disk shaped body, or from a cylindrical shaped piece of resilient absorbent material, having a diameter equal or larger to the diameter of the disk shaped body, by cutting slices having a thickness equal to the disk shaped body from this cylindrical shaped piece of resilient absorbent material.

The at least one opening or recess in the mould preferably has a diameter of about 35-45 mm, preferably about 40 mm. The disk shaped body preferably has a diameter of about 45-55 mm, preferably about 50 mm. The cup shaped recess preferably has a circular projection with a diameter of about 35-45 mm, preferably about 40 mm. The diameter of the cup shaped recess may be equal or smaller than that of the disk shaped body.

Additionally, the method may further comprise:

- connecting a pulling element to the menstruation device, wherein the cup shaped recess is provided at a first end face of the disk shaped body and the pulling element is provided at or near a second end face of the disk shaped body.

Preferably, the pulling element comprises a loop across the second end face of the disk shaped body, the loop having a first end and a second end connected to opposite locations of the disk shaped body. The loop may be formed from a piece of string or a ribbon.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and advantages of the invention will be further appreciated upon reference to the following drawings of a number of exemplary embodiments, in which:

Figure la shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the menstruation device according to the invention.

Figure lb shows a number of possible cross sections for the device according to fig. la.

Figure 2a shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the menstruation device. Figure 2b shows a number of possible cross sections for the device according to fig. 2a.

Figure 3 shows a number of possible cross sections for the device according to the invention.

Figure 4a shows a top view of a second end face of an embodiment of the menstruation device.

Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the embodiment of fig. 4a.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a method to manufacture the device.

DESCRIPTION OF ILLUSTRATIVE EMBODFMENTS

Figure la shows a perspective view of an embodiment of the menstruation device 100 according to the invention. The menstruation device 100 comprises a disk shaped body 101, formed as a flat cylinder of a foam material, having a height h equal or smaller than a diameter dl . The disk shaped body 101 has a first end face 102 and a second end face 103. The first end face 102 is provided with a cup shaped recess 104, here shown as a recess shaped as a part of a sphere having a diameter d2 smaller than the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101. A circumferential wall 105 is formed between the circumferential edge 107 of the first end face 102 and the circumferential edge 110 of the cup shaped recess 104. Figure lb shows a number of possible cross sections for the device 100 according to fig. la, wherein the second surface 103 is shown as a flat surface 103.1 or as a recessed surface 103.2, the recess 103.2 having a diameter d3 equal to the diameter d2 of the cup shaped recess 104. The recessed surface 103.2 of fig. lb is shaped according to the cup shaped recess 104 at the first end face 102, but the shape of the recess 103.2 can be any shape that forms a circumferential wall 108 between the circumferential edge 106 of the recess 103.2 in the second end face 103 and the circumferential edge 109 of the second end face 103. The circumferential wall 108 at the second end face 103 facilitates engaging the menstruation device upon insertion into and removal from the vagina.

Figure 2a shows a perspective view of another embodiment of the menstruation device. The menstruation device 100 comprises a disk shaped body 101, formed as a flat cylinder of a foam material having a height h equal or smaller than a diameter dl . The disk shaped body 101 has a first end face 102 and a second end face 103. The first end face 102 is provided with a cup shaped recess 104, here shown as a recess shaped as a part of a sphere having a diameter d2 equal to the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101, such that a circumferential edge 107 of the first end face 102 and a circumferential edge 110 of the cup shaped recess 104 coincide. Figure 2b shows a cross section for the device 100 according to fig. 2a, wherein the second surface 103 is shown as bulging spherical shaped surface 103.1 having a diameter d3 equal to the diameter d2 of the cup shaped recess 104. The spherical shaped protrusion 103.1 at the second end face 103 facilitates engaging the menstruation device 100 upon insertion into and removal from the vagina. The diameter d3 of the spherical shaped protrusion 103.1 and the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101 are equal, such that a circumferential edge 109 of the second end face 103 and a circumferential edge 106 of the spherical shaped protrusion 103.1 coincide.

Figure 3 shows a number of possible cross sections for the device 100 according to the invention. Figure 3a shows a cross sectional view of a device 100 having a spherical shaped recess 104 at the first end face 102. The recess has a diameter d2 that is smaller than the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101. A circumferential wall 105 is formed between the circumferential edge 107 of the disk shaped body 101 and the circumferential edge 110 of the spherical shaped recess 104. Figure 3b shows a cross sectional view of the device 100 having a cylindrical shaped recess 104 at the first end face 102. At the second end face 103, several surfaces are possible. The recess has a diameter d2 that is smaller than the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101. A circumferential wall 105 is formed between the circumferential edge 107 of the disk shaped body 101 and the circumferential edge 110 of the cylindrical shaped recess 104.

For the surface of the second end face 103 a number of embodiments shown both in fig. 3 a and b. A first embodiment of the second end face 103 can have a spherical protrusion 103.1 having a diameter d3 that is smaller than the diameter dl of the disk shaped body 101. Between the circumferential edge 109 of the disk shaped body 101 and the circumferential edge 106.1 of the spherical protrusion 103.1 a circumferential flat 108 is formed. A second embodiment of the second end face 103 can have a spherical protrusion 103.2 having a diameter d3 equal to the diameter dl of the disk shaped body. The circumferential edge 109 of the disk shaped body 101 and the circumferential edge 106.2 of the spherical protrusion 103.2 coincide. A third embodiment of the second end face 103 can have a flat surface 103.3. Figure 4a shows a top view of a second end face 103 of an embodiment of the menstruation device 100. This embodiment of the device 100 comprises a pulling element 111 across the second end face 103, formed as a loop. At a first and second end 112, 113 the loop 111 is connected to opposite locations of the disk shaped body 101. Figure 4b shows a perspective view of the embodiment of fig. 4a showing that the loop 111 is connected with the first end 112 to a circumferential side wall 114 of the disk shaped body 101. The second end 113 is similarly connected to an opposite location in the circumferential side wall 114 of the disk shaped body 101.

Figure 5 shows a schematic view of a method to manufacture the device 100. A piece of foam material 205 is provided on a mould 201 formed as a flat board having at least one opening 202, see fig. 5a. The piece of foam material 205 is compressed by a rolling device 200 that presses against a second surface 208 of the piece of foam material 205, such that a first surface 207 of the piece of foam material 205 is pressed against the mould 201. Some material 206 is pressed into the opening 202. A cutter 203 cuts away the material 206 in the opening along the interface 204 between the piece of foam material 205 and the mould 201. The material in the opening is than discarded as waste material.

The piece of foam material can be the disk shaped body 101 as described above. Alternatively, the piece of foam material can be a sheet of foam material. The mould can comprise a plurality of recesses or openings, such that a plurality of cup shaped recesses can be created in the sheet of foam material simultaneously. In order to form the menstruation device from the sheet of foam material, a hole is punched in the sheet at the location of the cup shaped recess, i.e. the hole is punched after forming the cup shaped recess (not shown). The punch to cut the hole is aligned and centered with respect to the cup shaped recess 104, such that the punched-out material forms the disk shaped body 101 comprising the cup shaped recess 104.

After forming the disk shaped body 101, a pulling element such as a loop made of a string or ribbon can be connected to opposite locations of a circumferential side wall of the disk shaped body, such that the loop extends across the second end face of the disk shaped body 101 (not shown)

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary

embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.

LIST OF PARTS

100. Menstruation device

101. Disk shaped body

102. First end face

103. Second end face

104. Cup shaped recess

105. Circumferential wall at first end face

106. Circumferential edge at second end face

107. Circumferential edge at first end face

108. Circumferential wall at second end face

109. Circumferential edge at second end face

1 10. Circumferential edge at first end face

1 11. Pulling element / loop

112. First end of pulling element

1 13. Second end of pulling element

1 14. Circumferential side wall

200. Roller

201. Mould

202. Opening

203. Cutter

204. Interface

205. Foam material

206. Material in opening

207. First surface

208. Second surface

Claims

1. Menstruation device for collecting body fluids in the vagina, the device comprising a disk shaped body having a first end face and an opposite second end face, wherein the first end face is provided with cup shaped recess that is centered with respect to a circumference of the disk shaped body, and the device comprises a resilient absorbent material.

2. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second end face is provided with a cup shaped recess centered with respect to the circumference of the disk shaped body.

3. Device according to claim 1, wherein the second end face is provided with a spherical shaped protrusion centered with respect to the circumference of the disk shaped body.

4. Device according to claim 3, wherein the spherical shaped protrusion is complementary shaped to the cup shaped recess in the first end face.

5. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cup shaped recess at the first end face is dimensioned such that in use the cup shaped recess encloses the cervix for closure of the uterus.

6. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cup shaped recess comprises a spherical shaped indent in the disk shaped body.

7. Device according to any of claims 1-5, wherein the cup shaped recess comprises a cylindrical shaped indent in the disk shaped body.

8. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein a circumferential edge of the cup shaped recess is located at a distance different from zero from a

circumferential edge of the disk shaped body.

9. Device according to any of the preceding claims, comprising a pulling element for pulling the device from the vagina upon removal, wherein the pulling element is provided at or near the second end face of the disk shaped body.

10. Device according to claim 9, wherein the pulling element comprises a loop across the second end face of the disk shaped body, the loop having a first end and a second end connected to opposite locations of the disk shaped body.

11. Device according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the disk shaped body is made of an absorbent foam and/or spongeous material.

12. Device according to claim 11, wherein the material comprises a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester foam.

13. In combination, a menstruation device according to any of the preceding claims and an applicator for inserting the device into the vagina.

14. Method for manufacturing a menstruation device according to any of claims 1-12, the method comprising:

- providing a piece of resilient absorbent material;

- forming a protrusion on at least a first surface of the piece of material by means of compression of the resilient absorbent material; and

- cutting the protrusion from the piece of material such that upon relaxation of the resilient absorbent material a cup shaped recess is formed in at least the first surface of the piece of material.

15. Method according to claim 14, wherein forming a protrusion on at least a first surface of the resilient absorbent material comprises:

- pressing the first surface of the piece of material against a mould having at least one recess or opening, such that the at least one recess or opening is filled with material, and the method further comprises: - cutting the material in the recess or opening from the piece of material, such that upon relaxation of the resilient absorbent material a cup shaped recess is formed in the piece of material.

16. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the piece of resilient absorbent material is a sheet of resilient absorbent material and the method further comprises:

- punching at least one hole in the sheet material, wherein the punch is aligned and centered with respect of the cup shaped recess in the sheet material, and the punched-out material is a disk shaped body comprising the cup shaped recess.

17. Method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein the piece of resilient absorbent material is a disk shaped body.

18. Method according to any of claims 14 to 17, further comprising:

- connecting a pulling element to the disk shaped body, wherein the cup shaped recess is provided at a first end face of the disk shaped body and the pulling element is provided at a second end face of the disk shaped body.

19. Method according to any of claims 14 to 18, wherein the resilient absorbent material is a foam material, preferably an absorbent foam and/or spongeous material, such as a polyether polyurethane foam or a polyester foam.