BACKGROUND

Technical Field

The disclosure relates to a hygiene product, in particular menstrual cup, having a cup body comprising a cup wall defining a receiving space using an inner surface, the cup body comprising at a first end an opening into the receiving space opening, the opening having an edge, and at the second end a bottom opposite the opening, and the cup body comprising a generally conical shape, tapering towards the bottom and terminating in a tip.

Description of the Related Art

Menstrual cups of the type mentioned above exist on the market in many ways. In general, such menstrual cups are characterized by a cup body which is generally formed conical or bell-shaped, comprising an opening on a first side and opening into a point on a second side. The tip is usually provided with a pin-shaped projection or stem, which serves as a handle. The edge bounding the opening is usually rounded and reinforced to spread open the cup body.

The pin or stem is usually provided with a structuring, for example, in the shape of circumferential ribs, in order to better grip this. Also known are pins on which threads are disposed, rings or other gripping elements.

Typical menstrual cups are implemented rotationally symmetrical. This has the purpose and advantage of simplifying insertion. When inserted, the menstrual cup is compressed, that is, folded, so that it comprises a substantially U-shaped contour at the edge. It is then inserted into the female vagina towards the uterus. Due to the reinforced edge, the menstrual cup then regains its original shape and is capable of receiving fluid in the receiving space. For changing or cleaning, the menstrual cup this is then gripped on the pin with two fingers and pulled out. To avoid a negative pressure when recovering the shape or when removing the menstrual cup, said menstrual cup usually comprises vents, which are located in the region of the upper edge.

Such a menstrual cup is disclosed in WO 2006/058409 A1.

A similar menstrual cup having a slightly longer pin, which is also suitable for cutting and thus adjusting the pin length to the respective person, is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. D746,452 S.

A very early publication of a menstrual cup is disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,900. The menstrual cup proposed therein does not comprise a completely rotationally symmetrical shape but has a projection on one side in the direction of the lower tip. A back of the substantially conical or bell-shaped cup body of U.S. Pat. No. 2,534,900 extends substantially straight in the direction of the tip and only then in a rather sharp curvature in the direction of the tip. The projection is thus formed in the manner of a kind of fin. This is to prevent a twisting of the menstrual cup.

A further menstrual cup intended to improve the fit is disclosed in CN 204971787 U. The substantially rotationally symmetrical menstrual cup disclosed therein is slanted in the region of the upper opening. The edge in this case is not implemented reinforced as in the other menstrual cups known in the prior art, but has a soft collar extending radially inwardly. A flowing out of received liquid should be avoided through this collar.

In addition to the problem of correct positioning, there is a further problem with the removal of the menstrual cup. If said menstrual cup is pulled out, for example, only on a thin pin, there is a risk that this slips away from an operator after the removal or folds over at the pin and received liquid can thus be easily spilled.

This problem is also partially addressed by the collar facing radially inwardly disclosed in CN 204971787 U.

Other solutions suggest a valve or discharge opening in the region of the tip. This is proposed, for example, in CN 106073976 A or WO 2014/056257 A1. An emptying is theoretically possible in such menstrual cups even in the inserted state, namely by opening the valve.

But even such solutions have proved impractical, in particular since the valve can open accidentally.

BRIEF SUMMARY

The object of the present disclosure is therefore to provide a hygiene product, in particular menstrual cup, which is improved in fit, easy to handle and can be removed safely and safely.

This object is achieved in a hygiene product of the type mentioned above in that the cup body is rotationally asymmetric and a central axis of the cup body runs curved.

The disclosure is based on the idea that a rotationally asymmetric shape is better suited for a good fit of the hygiene product within the vagina. As a result, the outer contour of the hygiene product can be better adapted to the anatomical conditions and optimize the fit. It has been found that it is not sufficient to provide only an external web, as is known in the prior art, or to dispose the opening at an angle relative to a central axis, as is also known in the prior art. Rather, the disclosure is based on the idea that the menstrual cup must be implemented curved overall, that is, that the central axis which extends centrally through the body of the hygiene product is curved. The central axis runs first from the center of the opening, through the receiving space and finally through the tip. The central axis here is to be understood as the respective connection between centers of sections along the central axis from the center of the opening to the tip.

The risk of twisting of the hygiene product in use does not actually exist in the design of the disclosure. As such, the rotationally asymmetric shape already prevents twisting, since, due to the curvature, the outer contour of the hygiene product is adapted to the inner contour of the vagina. As a result, a self-positioning in the motion takes place instead.

Also, the problem of positioning does not exist. Although it is irrelevant in rotationally symmetrical menstrual cups at which circumferential point this is folded in for insertion, however, in the case of a rotationally asymmetrical menstrual cup, it is clear to the operator at which point it should be pressed in.

Also, the removal is simplified since the central axis is curved. The curvature makes it possible to keep the plane of the opening substantially horizontal while the menstrual cup is removed. During removal, a central axis of the vagina is also curved, so that the central axis of the vagina and the central axis of the cup body run substantially coaxial. The removal is greatly simplified in this way, and spillage can be avoided. The central axis is preferably curved over a segment in a range of 30° to 90°, preferably 45° to 80°. A radius of curvature is preferably in a range of 2 cm to 30 cm, wherein the radius of curvature can vary along the central axis.

The cup body terminates at the tip and preferably has no pin or stem. It has been found that the hygiene product is easier to grasp by a stem, but there is a risk of dumping when being taken out. All the more so, when the stem is grasped only at the extreme end. However, if the hygiene product does not comprise a stem, an operator is induced to grasp the sanitary product at the tip of the cup body, thereby achieving a more secure grip that is more resistant to dumping.

According to a first preferred embodiment, the cup body comprises a plane of symmetry and is implemented mirror-symmetrical with respect to this plane of symmetry. The cup body is rotationally asymmetric, but mirror-symmetrical. This also corresponds to the natural shape of the inner vaginal wall, so that an adaptation of the cup body to the vagina is improved and thus the fit of the hygiene product is improved in use. Furthermore, this also simplifies the positioning, since a folding of the menstrual cup is simplified. The folding is preferably made along the axis of symmetry, so that in the U-shaped folding position, the plane of symmetry runs between the two legs of the U.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a first segment of the cup wall runs along the plane of symmetry from the edge of the opening to the tip on the outside substantially in the shape of a partial circle. This first segment of the cup wall can also be referred to as a back, as it shows in the inserted state in the direction of the back of the user. As a result, the curvature is supported and an ergonomic fit of the hygiene product is achieved.

Furthermore, it is preferred that a second segment of the cup wall along the plane of symmetry from the edge of the opening to the tip defines a substantially convex-concave shape. That is, the second segment of the cup wall initially runs in a convex shape and then concave to the tip. This also supports the curvature. The cup body thus receives a slightly bulbous or bell-shaped shape, but is generally implemented conical. The shape of the cup body can also be compared with a drop that runs crooked towards the end of the drop.

Furthermore, it is preferred that the cup body has a bulbous shape in which the cup body tapers slightly in the region of the opening. As a result, on the one hand, the positioning is simplified since the position is held not only by the edge, but also and substantially by the side walls. On the other hand, a spillage of received liquid is effectively avoided by the cup body tapering slightly in the region of the opening.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the tip comprises a generally conical shape. As a result, the tip is initially harder to grip than a straight stem. However, a conical tip causes an operator to grip the cup body firmly, which in turn prevents dumping after the removal. An initially difficult gripping of the cup body thus achieves safer gripping as an end effect and prevents dumping.

Preferably, the tip is implemented as a thickening in the cup wall. This makes it possible to grip the tip firmly without compressing it too much. Furthermore, this makes it possible to compress the cup wall above the tip, that is, adjacent to the tip between the tip and the opening and thus to grip behind the thickening that forms the tip. As a result, a particularly safe removal and a particularly good protection against dumping is achieved.

The thickening preferably corresponds approximately to three to six times, preferably four to five times the wall thickness of the cup wall. The thickness of the thickening is measured at the thickest point of the thickening. It has been shown that a thickening in this region leads to a particularly safe and easy gripping, without, however, interfering with the use.

More preferably, the tip comprises a length in a range of 5 to 12 mm. Such a range has proven to be suitable for making the tip, which is formed by the thickening, easy to grip from behind. An operator can well feel the thickened tip with such a size and grip behind it, so as to remove the hygiene product.

Preferably, the cup wall transitions into the tip without kinking. This also increases the stability. A plurality of menstrual cups is known in the prior art, which indeed comprise a conical or bell-shaped shape, but in which the stem extends with a kink, in particular a kink at approximately a right angle, from the cup wall in the region of the tip. A transition without kinks, on the one hand, slightly increases the rigidity in the region, on the other hand, the cleaning of the hygiene product is simplified.

In a preferred development, the cup wall comprises a structuring on the outside in the region of the tip. Since the menstrual cup is grasped in the region of the tip to remove it, such a structuring is preferred in order to increase the friction between the grasping fingers and the cup body. Preferably, the remaining surface of the cup wall is implemented externally without structuring. Cups are also known in the prior art which comprise ribs distributed externally over the entire body. However, structuring that is not used for grasping tends to result in more difficult removal. It is therefore preferred that the cup wall comprises structuring externally only in the region of the tip.

The structuring is preferably implemented as a plurality of projections. Although circumferential ribs are conceivable, these, however, can lead to a seal of the cup body against the inner surface of the vagina, which in turn can cause a negative pressure generation when taken out. The individual projections are preferably separated. In a variant, the projections are each implemented annular. That is, a plurality of rings, such as circles, or other shapes are implemented raised in the region of the tip. In a particularly preferred variant, the projections are implemented annular, and have a shape that resembles cores of a strawberry. As such, the cup body comprises an approximately strawberry-shaped shape, and by implementing the projections as cores of the strawberry, this association is enhanced. As a result, the hygiene product additionally receives an attractive appearance, which has a playful effect and arouses less associations with sanitary products.

According to a further preferred embodiment, the edge of the opening is reinforced. Such a reinforcement serves in particular to bring the cup body into a spread-open shape after positioning, so that the opening actually stays open, so that the receiving space can receive liquid. Furthermore, the reinforcement serves to hold the cup body in this position, so that a positioning of the menstrual cup is maintained in the vagina.

Preferably, this reinforcement is implemented as a thickening in the cup wall. The thickening preferably extends radially inward from the cup wall, so that the receiving space is generally implemented bulbous. However, a radially outwardly projecting ring has rather proved to be disadvantageous.

Preferably, the edge is implemented so that it drops at an angle to the receiving space. This leads to an improved fluid reception. The edge can comprise a relatively small radius in the segment where it transitions into the outer wall of the cup so as to enable a close fit to the skin. As a result, a tightness is achieved without simultaneously applying too much pressure. This also significantly improves the wearing comfort.

Preferably, the opening is substantially circular. A circular opening provides a relatively high stability in the case of the reinforcement of the edge compared to other shapes and also corresponds to the anatomical conditions at the positioning site.

In a further preferred embodiment, the cup wall comprises a substantially constant wall thickness between the edge of the opening and the tip. A substantially constant wall thickness also achieves a substantially uniform rigidity, and a pleasant fit and the wearing comfort are improved. The only stiffened regions in this embodiment are the edge and the tip.

Preferably, the cup body is integrally implemented. A one-piece implementation improves the wearing comfort and the cleaning of the product is also simplified. There are no seams, joints or the like provided between different components, which makes the cleaning substantially easier.

In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cup body is formed of a silicone having a Shore hardness in a range of 18 to 60, in particular 30 to 50, preferably 35 to 45. Silicone is particularly suitable for the formation of a menstrual cup, because, on the one hand, silicone is particularly well tolerated by the skin, on the other hand, its structure provides sufficient flexibility but also rigidity in order to a enable positioning. The durability of the silicone is high, so that the hygiene product can be reused frequently. A Shore hardness, in particular in a range from 35 to 45, has proven to be particularly suitable in order to resolve as much as possible the conflict of goals between the stiffness and the elasticity or flexibility of the hygiene product. Most preferably, the silicone is medical silicone. It is thus better tolerated by the skin.

Preferably, the cup body is formed from an injection molded silicone or liquid silicone. In particular, materials such as LSR (liquid silicone rubber), HTV (high-temperature cross-linked silicone rubber), or RTV (room temperature-cross-linked silicone rubber) are used. TPE or rubber are also suitable.

The cup wall preferably has a wall thickness in a range of 0.8 mm to 8.0 mm, preferably 1.0 mm to 3.0 mm, more preferably 1.5 mm to 2.5 mm. Wall thicknesses in the range of about 2.0 mm have proven particularly suitable. As a result, with an appropriate choice of material, in particular silicone material, restoring forces can be achieved which result, on the one hand, in the hygiene product being comfortable to wear, on the other hand maintaining both its position and a non-collapsed state, which is important in order to carry out its function adequately.

Preferably, the cup wall comprises a restoring force against compression in a range of 4 N to 15 N, preferably 5 N to 10 N, more preferably 6 N to 10 N. The edge of the cup wall can also comprise a restoring force against a compression in a range of 6 N to 15 N. Restoring force against compression means the force required to compress the cup body on two opposite sides so that the opposite sides just touch each other.

