Absorbent menstrual cup

• US 10,016,308 B2
• Filed: 03/26/2015
• Issued: 07/10/2018
• Est. Priority Date: 03/26/2015
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Chante Knox
• Original Assignee: Chante Knox
• Inventors: Knox, Chante'
• Primary Examiner(s): Stephens, Jacqueline
• Application Number:
  US14/669,614
• Publication Number:
  US 20160278988A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,202 Days
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/00085 having means for facilitating the application on the skin, e.g. single hand handling facilities A61F13/0259 takes precedence; bandage applicators separate from the bandage or the packaging A61F15/005
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 15/005 Bandage applicators

Abstract

The absorbent menstrual cup solves the problem of spillage while removing a menstrual cup by combining a flexible menstrual cup with a non-removable absorbent layer.

Claims

1. A menstrual fluid collection device comprising:

a. a flexible rim, said flexible rim having an inner surface and an outer surface; and

b. a reservoir of three or more layers attached to the flexible rim including an inner layer of a porous material, at least one middle layer of an absorbent material, and an outer layer of a non-absorbent material;

i. the inner layer bonded to the middle layer;

ii. the middle layer bonded to the outer layer;

c. whereby the layers form a single-piece structure without gaps.

2. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the inner surface has one or more projections.

3. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the outer surface has one or more grooves.

4. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the inner layer of porous material acts to wick fluid through itself into the absorbent material.

5. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the three or more layers cannot be readily separated.

6. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 5, wherein three or more layers are thermally bonded.

7. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein the inner layer and middle layer cannot be removed from the menstrual fluid collection device.

8. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 1, wherein during use a separation exists between the inner layer and an internal surface of a vaginal canal.

9. A menstrual fluid collection device comprising:

a. a rim having an inner surface and an outer surface, said rim being made of a flexible material; and

b. a unified reservoir comprised of an inner layer, a middle layer, and an outer layer;

c. the inner layer, middle layer, and outer layer constructed without gaps between any two layers.

10. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9 wherein:

a. said inner layer is made of a non-absorbent material adapted to allow vaginal secretions, exfoliated cells, and tissue to pass into the middle layer;

b. said middle layer is made of an absorbent material such as cotton, or a material substantially similar to cotton; and

c. said outer layer is made of a non-absorbent material that prevents leakage of absorbed vaginal secretions.

11. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9 wherein the inner surface of the rim includes projections.

12. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9, wherein the outer surface of the rim includes grooves.

13. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9, wherein three or more layers are thermally bonded.

14. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9, further comprising a depression in the rim, the depression sized to fit a finger.

15. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9, wherein during use a separation exists between the inner layer and an internal surface of a vaginal canal.

16. The menstrual fluid collection device of claim 9, further comprising a loop affixed to the rim, the loop designed to aid removal.