WO2021069619A1 - Menstrual cup - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a menstrual cup (1) comprising a cup body (2) having a receiving space (3) that is defined by the inner surface (4) of a container wall (5), wherein the container wall (5) in turn has a rim (6) defining a receiving opening (8) leading into the receiving space (3) and a base (9) at the end opposite the receiving opening (8), in which direction the cup body (2) tapers towards a tip (12), wherein a pulling element (20) is also provided, which is secured to the cup body (2) by a first end (21), runs towards the tip (12) and has a gripping region (23) at the second end (22), wherein a pulling force is exerted on the container wall (5) when the gripping region (23) is pulled, which brings about a deformation of said rim (6). The menstrual cup (1) according to the invention is characterised in that the pulling element (20) runs along the outer side (11) of the cup body (2) and in that a guide unit (13) that is fluid-tight in relation to the receiving space (3) is arranged on the cup body (2) for guiding at least one section (24) of the pulling element (20) arranged between the first and second end (21, 22).

Description

Menstrual cup

The present invention relates to a menstrual cup according to the preamble of claim 1.

In general, menstrual cups are used to collect menstrual blood. The well-known, bell-shaped menstrual cups made of thermoplastic elastomer (TPE) or silicone can be folded up and inserted into the vagina in this state. There the menstrual cup folds up again and sucks - albeit mostly unintentionally - with a slight vacuum. After the menstrual blood has been collected, it can be removed again by pulling on a pin which is arranged on the blunt tip opposite the receiving opening. After emptying and cleaning, menstrual cups can be reused, so that disposable sanitary towels or tampons can be avoided. This is one of the main reasons for the increasing popularity of menstrual cups against the background of increasing environmental awareness. Some research has also shown that bacterial diseases are less common when using menstrual cups than when using tampons. The reason for this is assumed to be that the menstrual blood collects in the cup and is therefore no longer in direct contact with the vaginal mucosa. However, most known menstrual cups are often not very comfortable to use.

Different menstrual cups with a desired greater ease of use are known from the prior art. In DE 10 2017 101 383 A1, for example, a menstrual cup is described which has a rotationally asymmetrical cup shape. The present advantage of this embodiment is seen by the inventors that a rotationally asymmetrical shape is more suitable for a good fit of the menstrual cup, since it can be adapted to the anatomical conditions.

From WO 2001/015757 A1 a single-use menstrual cup is known which comprises a shell for sealing the cervix and a pocket adjoining the shell, each made of a flexible material, which are individually manufactured and then connected to one another . The pocket is used to collect menstrual fluid that has entered the pocket through the sealing cup. This known menstrual cup is - in contrast to most known menstrual cups and also the menstrual cup of the present invention - not freely inserted into the vagina in order to lie circumferentially sealingly against the vaginal wall, but is placed with the edge of said shell directly on the cervix . The shell also has two circumferential ribs; in addition, longitudinal ribs are provided along the shell and the pocket. The ribs are used to generate a resilient bias against the Ge cervix. Also, a return strap made of cotton, as known from Tam pons, is provided, which runs through an eyelet provided in the center on the outside of the menstrual cup along the outside of the cup and cup and is used to pull out the menstrual cup.

US 2019/0083296 A1 discloses a menstrual cup which has the features of the preamble of claim 1. In this menstrual cup, the first end of a pulling element is arranged on the inside of the edge of the container wall and guided freely through the interior of the receiving space. The second, free end of the tension element and in particular the special grip area are passed through an opening formed in the top of the container wall. By grasping and pulling the grip area, a tensile force is exerted on the upper edge of the container wall, the edge being turned inwards and being able to detach itself from the skin. At this known menstrual cup, however, there are reservations with regard to their tightness and manageability.

It is the object of the present invention to create a menstrual cup which provides greater ease of use while at the same time providing a high degree of tightness.

This object is achieved by a menstrual cup with the features of claim 1.

The advantages of the invention are particularly to be seen in the fact that the train element - contrary to US 2019/0083296 A1- does not run within the receiving space, but runs along the outside of the container wall of the Tas senkörpers and is guided by a guide device that does not Connects the recording room with the outside world. Rather, the guide device is designed without a fluid connection to the receiving space. Therefore, a possible leakage point for menstrual blood, as it could occur with the menstrual cup according to US 2019/0083296 A1, is avoided. The fluid tightness particularly preferably also ensures that the pulling element does not come into contact with the menstrual blood either.

The menstrual cup according to the invention is or is placed in the vagina in such a way that its edge rests with its outer circumference on the vaginal wall. In contrast to the menstrual cup of WO 2001/015757 A1, the edge does not lie against the cervix in a sealing manner, but is placed further forward in the vagina and, with the outer circumference of the edge, seals the space behind the menstrual cup (in the direction of the cervix) opposite the space in front of the menstrual cup (in the direction of the vaginal opening). The menstrual cup according to the invention does not come into contact with the cervix in the inserted state. “Course of the tension element along the outside” of the cup body or its container wall is to be understood here as meaning that the tension element does not run through the receiving space.

The guide device provides a guide for the pulling element, the pulling force being able to act on the edge area of the cup body when pulling the grip area in order to deform the edge of the container wall. As a result of this local deformation, some air from the outside between the vaginal wall and the deformed edge section can get into the space sealed off by the menstrual cup and thus cancel the sealing effect. After the negative pressure has been removed, the menstrual cup can be pulled out of the vagina. As is the case with many known menstrual cups, a user does not have to press the container wall of the menstrual cup laterally with one or more fingers in order to lift the edge off the vaginal wall so that air can penetrate into the sealed space between the menstrual cup and the cervix Under pressure cancels.

In addition, the guide device defines a location for the grip area so that it can easily be found and grasped by a user when the menstrual cup is in use.

Another advantage is seen in the fact that the edge can be moved out of its holding or suction position when the grip area is pulled. It is assumed that when the edge is deformed outward, it is possible to prevent menstrual blood from sloshing out of the receiving space, since the container wall does not dip into the receiving space and thus into the blood. The entry point for the air into the receiving space or the sealed space in the vagina is thereby advantageously shifted to the outside. After the air has flown into the space sealed by the menstrual cup through local deformation of its edge, the menstrual cup can be removed from the vagina.

The tension element is preferably elongated or elongated, i.e. it has a greater length than its width. It is preferably guided by the guide device with its first end on the said edge and preferably in the vicinity of its second end.

The pulling element here preferably extends at least over the entire height of the menstrual cup, i.e. from the edge along the container wall to the grip area, preferably on the shortest path from the edge to the tip of the cup body and preferably beyond. Before given, the length of the tension element is greater than the height of the cup body.

The tension element preferably runs freely along the container wall, preferably in the immediate vicinity or loosely in order not to be bulky and not to detract from the wearing comfort. The term “free” here means that the tension element has no further fastening points with the cup body on its route along the container wall; the only loading fastening of the tension element on the cup body is rather preferably provided at the first end of the sen. On the other hand, it is possible that the Zugele element is guided by one or more guide elements of the guide device on the container wall. In the case of several such guide elements, these are preferably distributed along the outside of the container wall from the edge to the tip, advantageously along a line.

Said guide device is particularly preferably integrated in the cup body and is particularly preferably designed in one piece with it and in particular integrated into the container wall, always taking into account the fluid tightness towards the receiving space. It is also preferred if that Tension element is formed in one piece with the edge. As is known to the person skilled in the art, the term “in one piece” is to be understood as a material-uniform original shape, as can be realized, for example, by means of injection molding processes. In the case of a one-piece production, no parts are therefore glued or clamped together or the like after their production.

The guide device provided according to the invention particularly preferably comprises at least one through opening with an entry end and an exit end for the tension element. The at least one Durchgangsöff voltage here has no contact with the receiving space of the cup body; it is therefore fluid-tight with respect to the receiving space. The tension element is particularly preferably freely guided through this through-opening, i.e. it can slide or move freely back and forth along the inner wall of the through-opening.

At least the exit end of the at least one through opening - and possibly also the entry end - is particularly preferably arranged in the region of the tip or preferably even integrated into the tip of the cup body. Here, the grip area is preferably guided or can be guided through this through opening (in order to be guided through the through opening in the latter case at the latest before use). In this embodiment, the grip area is advantageously well localized and can be easily grasped by a user.

According to a correspondingly preferred embodiment, the min least one passage opening is part of the tip of the cup body, which can then be designed in the form of an eyelet, ie with a relatively short passage for the tension element. In this case, the entry end and exit end of the through opening are close to one another. Such a through opening can, for example, be integrated into the tip - hardly visible or not at all visible from the side - or designed as a separate attachment. One or more such loop-shaped through openings can alternatively or additionally in other embodiments also be further removed from the tip, ie between the tip and the edge of the cup body, on or in the container wall.

According to an alternative, the at least one said through opening is integrated into the container wall and runs in the container wall up to the tip of the cup body. The term “integrated into the container wall” is to be understood as meaning that the through opening does not or hardly protrudes to the outside beyond the container wall, but is essentially embedded therein. With an orientation of the menstrual cup in which the receiving space points upwards, the through opening is then formed, for example, as a downward sloping channel in the container wall and ends in the region of the tip of the cup body. Due to such a course, small radii of curvature when deflecting the tension element at the inlet and outlet ends of the through opening are avoided, so that the tension element can be guided close to the container wall and the introduction of force via the tension element is optimized.

According to an alternative or additional embodiment, the guide device comprises a passage opening with an entry and an exit end for the pulling element, in which the passage opening extends in the direction of the tip of the cup body in the manner of a channel that is open or closed in cross section. In the case of a delimitation from the embodiments described above, this through opening does not extend to the tip, but such an embodiment is also easily possible and can be advantageous. The passage opening can be divided into several segments in its direction (ie with several interruptions in the course of the passage opening in the form of open areas) or be formed continuously. In an exemplary embodiment, the through opening on or in the container wall of the cup body runs essentially linearly (in the projection onto the container wall, the Following the curvature of the container wall) between the edge and the tip of the menstruation cup.

Said through opening has, for example, a slot running in the direction from the edge to the tip of the cup body or has a closed cross section. The version with the slot can be used, for example, to thread the tension element in the direction of the Behäl terwand through the slot to prepare the menstrual cup for use. Threading out the tension element in the same way can be used to rinse the menstrual cup thoroughly under water and also to be able to effectively clean narrow-angled areas.

According to a particularly preferred embodiment, the edge is bead-shaped, the tension element being fastened with its first end to the bead-shaped edge, for example integrally formed thereon. The bead-like configuration of the edge has the further advantage that it stabilizes the cup body. The sealing of the menstrual cup against the vaginal wall can be optimally realized by the bead-shaped edge, since the outer circumference of the bead or the bead-shaped edge that protrudes laterally over the cup body rests on the vaginal wall.

The bead is preferably implemented by a circumferential material thickening during the manufacture of the menstrual cup.

According to an alternative, said bead shape results from the edge of the container wall being folded over to the outside. If the container wall has a uniform thickness, for example, the edge in the folded-over area is twice as thick as the container wall. The widened edge increases the sealing surface in relation to the vaginal wall and thus ensures that the menstrual cup is held securely. In addition, the first end of the tension element can be connected to the edge in the case of a one-piece molding in the manner of a film hinge, the edge merging into the tension element in the direction of the tip. In this way it can be avoided that the tension element has to be folded over against the curvature of the edge, where it would lift off the cup body.

The menstrual cup preferably consists entirely of one piece, i.e. it is not produced by, for example, gluing, pressing, interlocking or screwing two or more parts together. A one-piece menstrual cup (also sometimes referred to as “one-piece originally formed”) can be produced, for example, by means of an injection molding process. However, it is also easily possible to use a compression molding process in which, for example, two halves of the menstrual cup are connected to one another - with thermal melting - and can then only be separated by destroying them.

Particularly preferably - in addition to the said grip area at the end of the pulling element - the tip of the cup body has a grip section by which the menstrual cup can also be gripped and pulled out of the vagina. The handle section is preferably directed away from the base of the menstrual cup and preferably forms the free end of the tip. The handle portion is advantageously at least 0.8 cm and before given at least 1 cm long. Simultaneous gripping of the handle area and / or the section of the tension element between the handle area and through opening on the one hand and the handle section on the other hand is possible, please include. This reduces the risk of the fingers slipping off when pulling and the pulling force exerted can be used more efficiently and in a more controlled manner. In a correspondingly advantageous embodiment, the at least one through opening, which in turn has an entry and an exit end, is arranged between the base and the said handle section. In this way, the grip area of the pulling element that runs through the through opening arranged in the tip, like the grip section, is placed in the area of the tip, so that the grip area and grip section are both easily accessible for the user.

Particularly preferably, the pulling element is enlarged in cross section at its second end in such a way that it is not possible for this end to slip through the guide device counter to the pulling direction (i.e. away from the tip and down in the usage position of the menstrual cup). The grip area thus forms a stop. As a result, the grip area always remains on one side of the guide device during normal use, i.e. without excessive force being exerted, and can be gripped there again without the need for awkward handling to bring the grip area into its desired position.

Furthermore, the tension element is preferably designed to be flattened, with a flat side of the tension element running along the outside of the container wall. In this way, the tension element is only slightly bulky and is not perceived as annoying by the user.

The section of the tension element arranged between the first and second ends particularly preferably has a narrowed area which can slide through the guide device in both directions. This narrowed area advantageously merges into a stop at least on the side facing away from the handle area, which comes to rest against the guide device when there is a large drawbar deflection. If the pulling element is pulled so hard that the stop hits the guide device, after the edge is deformed, the pulling force is additionally transmitted from the edge to the entire menstrual cup, so that the Menstrual cup can be detached from the vaginal wall and removed from the vagina more easily.

If the tension element is flat and runs close to the container wall, said stop is preferably implemented by a widened side edge contour. The user receives immediate feedback from the stop that further pulling on the pulling element does not deform the edge any further. If the stop of the tension element comes to rest on the guide device, the user knows that the edge is now sufficiently raised and the menstrual cup can be removed. According to what has been said above, this can be done by further pulling on the pulling element, since this pulls the entire menstrual cup out of the vagina.

In general, the grip area is advantageously designed not only for deforming said edge, but also for pulling out the entire menstrual cup from its position of use.

According to an advantageous embodiment, a trough is formed on the outside of the mug body, preferably in the container wall, in which the tension element runs at least in sections. This embodiment makes it possible that the tension element does not or hardly protrudes beyond the container wall and thus the wearing comfort is increased. For the same purpose it is preferred if the trough merges into said guide device.

The grip area and / or the grip section are preferably flat and have an open or closed cross-sectional area which is at least 0.5 cm ² and preferably at least 0.6 cm ^{2 in} size. This makes it easier to grasp the grip area and / or the grip section securely. The grip area and / or the grip section preferably have a structuring, for example in the form of one or more local elevations.

As a result of the two-dimensional extension and the - alternatively or additionally provided - structuring, the grip of the grip area and / or grip section and thus the ease of use and the safety of the menstrual cup are increased.

The menstrual cup is even easier to handle because the grip area has one or more loops, preferably in the longitudinal extension of the tension element, through which at least a part of a finger can be passed. The user can reduce the length of the grip area, in particular by cutting off loops, if this means greater comfort for them to carry and operate.

According to an alternative or additional embodiment, the handle area is richly divided into a plurality of segments. Here, preferred individual segments can be separated in order to adapt the length of the grip area as required.

The menstrual cup is particularly preferably made of a plastic, and in this case preferably made of a thermoplastic elastomer or medical silicone. On the one hand, this material has a high degree of flexibility in order to fold the menstrual cup for insertion into the vagina, but on the other hand it is also sufficiently rigid that it retains its shape when it is inserted and unfolded.

Advantageous further developments of the invention emerge from the features of the subclaims, with features of different exemplary embodiments also being able to be combined with one another. The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to figures. Identical reference symbols denote elements that are the same or have the same effect. Show it:

Fig. 1 is a perspective bottom view of a first Ausführungsbei game of a menstrual cup according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a side view of the menstrual cup of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 is a side view of a second embodiment of a menstrual cup according to the invention;

FIG. 4 shows a sectional side view of the menstrual cup of FIG. 3 (after rotation through 180 ° about its flea axis);

Figure 5 is a top perspective view of the menstrual cup of Figures 3 and 4; Figure 6 is a bottom perspective view of the menstrual cup of Figures 3 to 5;

Fig. 7 is a perspective bottom view of a third game Ausführungsbei a menstrual cup according to the invention;

Figure 8 is a side view of the menstrual cup of Figure 7;

9 is a perspective view of a fourth embodiment of a menstrual cup according to the invention;

FIG. 10 shows a detail of a cross section along AA of FIG. 9 to illustrate a slotted through opening, and FIG Fig. 11 shows a representation as in Fig. 10 with an alternative Ausfüh tion of a through opening, here in a closed Ausfüh tion.

1 and 2, a first embodiment of a menstrual cup 1 is shown. This has an essentially bell-shaped cup body 2 with a receiving space 3 for menstrual blood, which is defined by the inner surface 4 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 2) of a container wall 5 surrounding the receiving space 3. The container wall 5 also has an edge 6 which encloses a receiving opening 8 which opens into the receiving space 3. At its end opposite the receiving opening 8, the container wall 5 has a bottom 9 to which the cup body 2 tapers by tapering into a blunt tip 12.

The menstrual cup 1 is foldable in such a way that it can be reduced in diameter by grasping around and inwardly directed pressure in order to introduce it into the vagina in this state. There the menstrual cup 1 is then released, whereupon it is usually sucked onto the vaginal mucosa with a slight negative pressure created in the receiving space 3 and can remain there for several hours. The outer circumference of the Ran des 6 of the menstrual cup 1 rests against the vaginal wall and seals the space behind the menstrual cup 1 (in the direction of the cervix) to the space in front of the menstrual cup 1 (in the direction of the vaginal opening).

The menstrual cup 1 further comprises a pulling element 20 which has a first end 21 and a second end 22. The tension element 20 is arranged with its first end 21 on the cup body 2, namely in the present case fixedly on the edge 6 and extends beyond the tip 12. On his Second, free end 22, the pulling element 20 has a grip area 23 with which a user can pull the pulling element 20.

In the present case, the tension element 20 extends from its first end 21, which is formed on a relatively narrow circumferential section of the edge 6, with an essentially constant width along the outside 11. The tension element 20 tapers in the direction of the tip 12 and goes into a section 24 with a narrowed area 24a and finally runs into a again widened grip area 23, which is seen at the second end 22 before, from.

According to the invention, the pulling element 20 runs along the outside 11 of the cup body 2. Furthermore, the pulling element 20 according to the invention is ent long the section 24 of an arranged on the cup body 2 and lying in front of the embodiment of FIGS In the container wall 5 integrated guide device 13 leads ge. The guide device 13 is designed to be fluid-tight in relation to the receiving space 3. So no liquid can get from the receiving space 3 to the guide device 13 (and vice versa).

In the first exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2, the guide device 13 comprises a through opening 13a in the form of an eyelet, which is provided in the region of the tip 12 and in the present case is even integrated into the tip 12 of the cup body 2. In this case, the grip area 23 is guided into the through-opening 13a through the entry end 17 of the through-opening 13a and through its exit end 18 out of the through-opening 13a, as shown in FIGS.

According to the present exemplary embodiment, the tension element 20 is finally fastened with its first end 21 on the cup body 2, more precisely on its edge 6 and preferably molded onto it. From the first end 21, the tension element 20 runs freely along the container wall 5. The tension element 20 is also guided freely through the through opening 13a. Pulling on the grip area 23 in the pulling direction Z therefore acts directly on the area of the edge 6 on which the pulling element 20 is arranged in order to then turn the edge 6 outwards locally in this area and thus lift it off the vaginal wall, so that air from can get outside between the vaginal wall and the deformed section of the edge 6 in order to remove the negative pressure under the menstrual cup 1, which acts as a suction cup, or the seal. The menstrual cup 1 can then be grasped and removed from the vagina. Details on removing the menstrual cup 1 will be described below.

The tension element 20 is guided through the through opening 13a in such a way that its narrowed area 24a slides along the inner edge of the through opening 13a when pulling on the grip area 23 and the tensile force thus engages specifically on the first end 21 of the tension element 20 and thus on that area of the edge 6 can, which is the first end 21 neigh disclosed.

In the present exemplary embodiment, the edge 6 is bead-shaped, this configuration being implemented by a material thickening in the region of the edge 6. The first end 21 of the tension element 20 is present in one piece (ie in one piece originally formed, ie it is not after the manufacture of individual parts these are assembled into a single part) formed with the thickened edge and extends from this towards the tip 12. The outer circumference the bead of the rim 6 lies against the vaginal wall in a sealing manner after the menstrual cup 1 has been inserted and unfolded into the vagina, without coming into contact with the cervix.

According to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the tension element 20 is at its second, with respect to the first end 21 on the other side of the passage opening Opening 13a arranged end 22 enlarged in cross section in such a way that the grip area 23 is prevented from slipping through the exit end 18 of the through opening 13a counter to the pulling direction Z.

For this purpose, the grip area 23 is made wider than the through opening 13a, so that the grip area 23 comes to rest against the through opening 13a when the pulling element 20 is moved in the direction of the edge 6.

In the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2 to move the pulling element 20 back and forth through the through opening 13a to enable the pulling element 20 has the said portion 24 with the ver narrowed area 24a, which is on the one hand the grip area 23 is limited and merges into a stop 25 on the side facing away from the grip area 23. In the event of a large tensile deflection, the tensile element 20 comes to rest with its stop 25 on the inlet end 17 of the through opening 13a. Further pulling on the pulling element 20 therefore does not cause any further deformation or lifting of the edge 6. The user therefore feels when the pulling element 20 reaches the stop 25, which gives her feedback that the edge 6 is sufficiently deformed in this state, was everted or lifted off in order to remove the negative pressure in the receiving space 3 and to be able to remove the menstrual cup 1.

The stop 25 has the further advantage that the force acting on the edge 6 is transferred to the entire menstruation cup 1 after the stop 25 has started against the inlet end 17 and when the pulling element 20 continues to be pulled. In this way, the menstrual cup 1 can then be pulled out of the vagina as a whole, which makes handling of the menstrual cup 1 much easier. With conventional Menstruation Cup sen often the container wall must be pressed together with thumb and forefinger in order to then pull out the menstrual cup can.

In the present case, the grip area 23 has three (generally: several) loops 27 in successive segments 28, through which in each case at least a fingertip can be guided in order to exert tension on the tension element 20. The user can adjust the length of the grip area 23 by separating the outermost or middle loop 27 if she favors a short grip area 23.

In an alternative not shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grip area 23 is designed to be closed (see FIGS. 7 and 8) and preferably has several successive segments 28, which are separated from one another, for example, by a material thickening (or also material thinning) are. Here, too, the user can adjust the length of the grip area 23 by cutting off one or more segments 28, depending on the choice.

3 and 4 (side view or sectional side view) and 5 and 6 (perspective views) show a second embodiment of a menstrual cup 1 according to the invention. In contrast to the first embodiment, a trough 14 beginning just below the edge 6 is formed on the outside 11 of the cup body 2, which, according to the embodiment shown, continuously deepens and widens in the direction of the tip 12. At the tip 12, the trough 14 merges into a guide device 13 according to the invention, here again comprising a through opening 13b with inlet and outlet ends 17, 18, which in turn is fluid-tight with respect to the receiving space 3, that is, liquid cannot enter the receiving space 3 get to the through hole 13b. In the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 3 to 6, too, the through opening 13b forms a passage for the second end 22 of the tension element 20, which is closed in cross section.

On the side of the cup body 2 opposite the trough 14, a trough 15 is also provided, but in the present case it has a more decorative character, but also for the packaging of the menstrual cup 1 can serve at least partially receiving the second end 22 of the tension element 20.

The through opening 13b according to the embodiment of FIGS. 3 to 6 runs in the area of the tip 12 in a channel-like inclined downward direction (when the menstrual cup 1 is aligned as shown in the figures) through the container wall 5, its outlet end 18 being arranged in the area of the tip 12 . This makes it possible for the tension element 20 to run along its entire path from the first end 21 to the entry end 17 of the through opening 13b with little or no distance on the container wall 5. Furthermore, the gentle deflection of the tension element 20 at the edges of the inlet end 17 and the outlet end 18 of the inclined through opening 13b also optimizes the force deflection when pulling on the tension element 20 in its entry and exit area from the through opening 13b.

In this embodiment, the tension element 20 is also arranged in one piece on the edge 6, which is again thickened here, and dips into the trough 14 on its way in the direction of the tip 12 and is guided through the through opening 13b with its grip area 23, which is in the present case heart-shaped. In this embodiment, too, the grip area 23 is made wider than the inside diameter of the through opening 13b, so that the grip area 23 cannot slip through the exit end 18 of the through opening 13b in the direction of the edge 6 without exerting greater force. Furthermore, a stop 25 is again provided on the Zugele element 20 (here adjacent to the trough 14), which prevents further Zugaus steering of the edge 6 by the tension element 20 by running against the inlet end 17 of the through opening 13b. At the same time, the stop 25 - as in the exemplary embodiment according to FIGS. 1 and 2 - is again provided to hold the entire menstrual cup 1 when it comes up against the entry end 17 and when the handle area 23 is pulled further to be able to pull out of the vagina, since the tensile force acts over the edge 6 on the entire menstrual cup.

7 and 8 show a third embodiment of a menstrual cup 1 according to the invention. The perspectives are similar to those of FIGS. 1 and 2; In contrast to the first and second exemplary embodiment, the tip 12 is made longer and thus has a greater extent away from the base 9. The tip 12 here has a handle section 30 with a length L on which the menstrual cup 1 - alternatively or in addition to the handle area 23 and / or the section of the tension element 20 currently located between the handle area 23 and the through opening 13c - is gripped and removed from the Vagina can be pulled. The length of the handle portion 30 is advantageously at least 0.8 cm and before given to at least 1 cm.

In said lug-shaped tip 12, the guide device 13 is in turn provided with an eyelet-shaped through opening 13c, through which in turn the tension element 20 is guided. The through opening 13c is provided between the base 9 and the handle section 30. In the inserted state of the menstrual cup 1, the grip area 23 and the grip portion 30 are in alignment and can accordingly be gripped together in order to remove the menstrual cup 1.

The grip area 23 and the grip section 30 are both flat in the present case, ie their extent in one plane is greater (see FIG. 7) than in the plane perpendicular thereto (see FIG. 8). The grip area 23 also has three segments 28, wherein the outer or both outer segments 28 can be separated in order to shorten the tension element 20 if necessary. The segments 28 here have such widths that they cannot slip through the through opening 13c counter to the pulling direction Z. In the present case, each of the segments 28 and also the handle section 30 at least one - here closed (but see FIGS. 1 and 2) - cross-sectional area of more than 0.5 cm ² and preferably at least 0.6 cm ² .

In addition, the grip area 23 and the grip section 30 both schematically illustrated - and preferably present on both sides - structures 29, which in the present case are designed as local elevations and increase the grip of both.

9 and 10, a fourth embodiment of a menstrual cup 1 according to the invention is shown. Also in this Ausführungsbei game, the guide device 13 has a through opening 13d with an inlet and an outlet end 17, 18 for the section 24 of the tension element 20 to be guided (the edges of the tension element 20 that are covered by webs of the guide device 13 are shown in FIG. 9 shown in dashed lines).

The through opening 13d extends along a section of the loading container wall 5 and is oriented essentially linearly in the direction from the edge 6 to the tip 12 (as seen in a front view). The entry end 17 faces the edge 6, while the exit end 18 faces the tip 12. In the present case, the through opening 13d is integrated into the container wall 5, that is to say part of the container wall 5.

Furthermore, the through opening 13d is designed to be slotted, the slot 19 running in the direction of extent of the through opening 13d, i.e. in the direction from the edge 6 to the tip 12 in front of it design. The slot 19 enables a relatively low friction between the section 24 of the tension element 20 and the through opening 13d; Furthermore, the slot 19 allows the pulling element 20 to be threaded in and out of the through opening 13d in order to bring the pulling element 20 into the use position (threaded state) or to facilitate cleaning. lighten (unthreaded state). In the threaded state, the Zugele element 20 should, however, advantageously not be able to be pulled laterally through the slot 19 out of the through opening 13d without greater exertion of force and / or twisting of the tension element 20.

11 shows a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of a through opening 13e of a guide device 13, here as a through opening 13e with a closed cross section. With the exception that there is no slot 19, the through opening 13e can otherwise be formed identically to the through opening 13d (FIGS. 9 and 10).

The features shown in the figures with regard to the guide devices 13 can also be combined so that, for example, a through opening 13d and / or 13e is combined with a through opening 13a and / or 13b and / or 13c. Other combinations of the above-described through openings and other configurations of the through openings are also possible, for example a configuration of a guide device 13 with two or more spaced apart and - preferably running in the pulling direction Z or helically along the container wall 5 - successive through openings, which for example are designed as one behind the other arranged on the container wall 5 angeord designated or integrated in the container wall 5 eyelets through which the tension element 20 is guided. In this embodiment, a through opening 13a or 13c configured in the manner of an eyelet can also be provided at the tip 12 of the cup body 2 (see FIGS. 1 and 2 or FIGS. 7 and 8).

The menstrual cup 1 according to the invention is preferably designed in one piece (also referred to as one-piece originally formed) and is particularly preferably made of thermoplastic elastomer or medical silicone, for example an injection molding process being used. If the injection mold does not allow it or if the machine is too complex is to produce the grip area 23 in the position threaded into the guide device 13, the grip area 23 can subsequently preferably be manually compressed or folded and pushed through the guide device 13, the grip area 23 being able to expand again when released to allow normal use not to slip back through the guide device 13.

Reference list

1 menstrual cup

2 cup body 3 receiving space

4 inner surface

5 container wall

6 edge

8 receiving opening 9 bottom

11 outside

12 tip

13 Guide device

13a-e through opening 14 trough

15 well

17 End of entry

18 End of exit

19 slot 20 tension element

21 first end

22 second end

23 Grip area

24 Section between the first and second ends 24a of narrowed area

25 stop

27 loops

28 segments

29 Structure 30 Handle section

Z direction of pull

L length of handle section 30

Claims

Patent claims 1. Menstrual cup (1) with a cup body (2) which has a receiving space (3) which is defined by the inner surface (4) of a Behäl terwand (5), wherein the container wall (5) further has an edge (6 ), which defines a receiving opening (8) opening into the receiving space (3), and at its end opposite the receiving opening (8) has a bottom (9), towards which the cup body (2) extends to a tip ( 12) tapered, tapered, furthermore a tension element (20) is provided, which is attached to the cup body (2) with a first end (21) and runs towards the tip (12) and at a second end (22) a Griffbe rich (23), wherein when pulling on the grip area (23) a tensile force is exerted on the container wall (5), which causes a deformation of said edge (6), characterized in that the pulling element (20) along the outside (11) of the cup body (2) runs and that on the cup body (2) a fluid-tight opposite de The receiving space (3) formed guide device (13) is arranged for guiding at least one section (24) of the tension element (20) arranged between the first and second ends (21, 22). 2. Menstrual cup (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first end (21) of the pulling element (20) is attached to said edge (6). 3. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling element (20) runs freely along the loading container wall (5). 4. menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (13) is integrated in the Tas body (2). 5. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (13) at least one through opening (13a; 13b; 13c; 13d; 13e) with an inlet and an outlet end (17, 18) for the tension element (20) summarizes. 6. menstrual cup (1) according to claim 5, characterized in that at least the outlet end (18) is arranged in the region of the tip (12). 7. menstrual cup (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the at least one through opening (13a; 13c) is part of the tip (12) of the cup body (2), or that the at least one through opening (13b) into the Container wall (5) is integrated and runs in the container wall (5) up to the tip (12). 8. menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the guide device (13) comprises at least one through opening (13d; 13e) with an inlet and an outlet end (17, 18) for the tension element (20) , wherein the through opening (13d; 13e) in or on the container wall extends in the direction of the tip (12) of the cup body (2). 9. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the through opening (13d; 13e) has a slot (19) extending in the direction from the edge (6) to the tip (12) or a closed cross section. 10. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the edge (6) is bead-shaped and that the tension element (20) on the bead-shaped edge (6) is fastened, preferably with its first end (21) . 11. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling element (20) is formed in one piece with the edge (6). 12. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the entire menstrual cup (1) is formed in one piece, for example by production by means of an injection molding process. 13. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tip (12) has a handle portion (30) which preferably has a length (L) of at least 0.8 cm, advantageously of at least 1 cm. 14. Menstrual cup (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that a through opening (13c) of the guide device (13) having an inlet and an outlet end (17, 18) is arranged between the base (9) and the handle section (30) is. 15. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the pulling element (20) at its two end (22) is enlarged in cross-section in such a way that the grip area (23) slips through the guide device (13 ) against the direction of pull (Z) is prevented. 16. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that between the first and second End (21, 22) arranged section (24) of the tension element (20) has a narrowed area (24a) which can slide in both directions through the guide device (13) and on the side facing away from the grip area (23) into a stop ( 25) passes over, which comes to rest on the guide device (13) when there is a large deflection of the tension. 17. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip area (23) not only for lo cal deformation of said edge (6), but also for pulling out the entire menstrual cup (1) from its position of use is trained. 18. Menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a trough (14) is formed on the outside (11) of the cups body (2), in which the tension element (20) extends at least in sections, the trough (14) preferably merges into said guide device (13). 19. menstrual cup (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle area (23) and / or the handle portion (30) according to claim 13 or 14 are flat and / or have an open or closed cross-sectional area aufwei sen that is at least 0.5 cm ² and preferably at least 0.6 cm ^{2 in} size. 20. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the handle area (23) and / or the handle portion (30) according to claim 13 or 14 have a structure (29), for example in the form of one or more local ones Surveys. 21. Menstrual cup (1) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the grip area (23) is divided into a plurality of segments (28), with individual segments (28) being separable in order to increase the length of the grip area (23) to fit at will, or that the grip area (23) has one or more loops (27) through which at least a part of a finger can be guided.