Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A menstrual cup for use in a vagina, the cup comprising:
a receptacle comprising a wall having an inner wall surface defining a cavity adapted for collecting fluid and an opposed outer wall surface, the receptacle extending from an open top end to a closed bottom end, the open top end having a predetermined diameter, the receptacle being adapted to be flexible and resilient, the wall comprising an upper rim portion at the top end of the receptacle for strengthening the top end and to maintain the cup in a pre-selected position in the vagina, a transition portion extending downwards from the upper rim portion, the transition portion being streamlined to define a profile thereof which is substantially smooth with air suction holes, and a main portion extending downwards from the transition portion to the closed bottom end of the receptacle.

2. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, wherein the thickness of the wall in the transition portion is tapered from the upper rim portion to the main portion.

3. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, wherein the length of the menstrual cup 60.5 mm and the diameter of upper rim is 46 mm.

4. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, wherein the length of the menstrual cup 62.6 mm and the diameter of upper rim is 42 mm.

5. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, wherein number of air suction hole is four.

6. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, further include a ridged stem attached to the receptacle at the bottom end thereof, for use in removal of the cup.

7. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, additionally include at least one ridge in the main portion of the wall.

8. A menstrual cup according to claim 1, further has volume marking on the inner wall surface for indicating the volume of fluid collected in the cavity.

9. A menstrual cup according to claim 3, wherein the fluid holding capacity is selected from 25 ml.

10. A menstrual cup according to claim 4, wherein the fluid holding capacity is selected from 20 ml.
, Description:TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention relates to a menstrual cup, and more particularly to a menstrual cup provided with a ridged tubular withdrawal extension having four novel air suction holes through which the menstrual cup can be drained
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION:
In recent years, there has been a renewed interest in the use of the menstrual cup. This is true for a number of reasons. First of all, the cost is far less than the use of tampons or napkins. Convenience and availability constitute additional factors. Since the menstrual cup is re-usable, only one is required per person. The useful life of a menstrual cup is at least about ten years or more. The use of a menstrual cup is odorless and non-polluting. Finally, the menstrual cup can be used to hold medication for the treatment of vaginal infections.
Conventional menstrual cups, such as United States Patent 1891761, United States Patent 1996242, United states patent 5827248 and United states patent 2089113, use a soft cup to be inserted into the vagina for receiving menstrual blood. Removal of the menstrual cup from the vagina should be accomplished on a regular basis for emptying, cleaning and hygienic purposes. This is inconvenient to the user. In addition, the user has to carry a spare menstrual cup and a package bag for the dirty menstrual cup in case it is not convenient for the user to clean the menstrual cup immediately. This may cause hygienic problems or blood leakage. Sometimes, the user is embarrassed by the problem to clean the menstrual cup at the sink of a public lavatory. This is a main reason that the menstrual cup is not generally used.
Finally, known menstrual cups are usually made of a thermoplastic such as polyethylene which, although suitably flexible and resilient, cannot be boiled for sterilization thereof. Alternatively, known cups may be made of natural latex rubber; however, this material has the disadvantage that many users are severely allergic to it. Therefore, there is a need for an improved menstrual cup which overcomes one or more of the disadvantages of the prior art.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION:
The invention provides improved menstrual cup having an outside configuration and dimensions such that it may be supported in place, within the vagina by resting on the inner wall surface of the muscles or tissue defining the vaginal entrance passage.
It is a challenge to design a receptacle having sufficient resiliency and strength to return sufficiently toward normal unfolded position within the vagina against the pressure of the vaginal walls and against the resistance of the pronounced partial vacuum created within the vagina and at the same time ensures no undue pressure on the vaginal walls.
In the present invention, air vent was therefore scientifically designed small enough so that surface tension or capillary attraction of the discharge will prevent the contents of the receptacle from discharging there through, and yet of sufficient size so that they will readily permit entrance of air as the receptacle tends to open within the vagina.
Further, the receptacle provided with optimum ridged tubular withdrawal extension, expandable allergy friendly material, suitable thickness, four novel air suction holes through which the menstrual cup can be drained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS:
For more complete understanding of the features and advantages of the present invention, reference is now made to the detailed description of the invention along with the accompanying figure and in which:
Figure 1 depicts the small size (model 1) menstrual cup.
Figure 2 depicts the large size (model 2) menstrual cup.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION:
The present invention discloses a menstrual cup, and more particularly to a menstrual cup provided with a ridged tubular withdrawal extension having four novel air suction holes through which the menstrual cup can be drained
According to the present invention,
Reference is first made to FIG. 1 to describe a preferred embodiment of a cup in accordance with the present invention. The menstrual cup, which is adapted for use in a vagina (not shown), includes a receptacle having a wall with an inner wall surface which defines a cavity adapted for collecting fluid (not shown), and an opposed outer wall surface.
The receptacle extends from an open top end to a closed bottom end. The top end preferably has a predetermined-outside diameter (shown as 42mm) and the receptacle is adapted to be flexible and resilient, as will be described.
The wall includes an upper rim portion which strengthens the top end, to maintain the cup in a pre-selected position in the vagina. Also, the wall includes a main portion thereof extending from the bottom end towards the top end.
The wall additionally includes a transition portion between the main portion and the upper rim portion which is streamlined to define a profile thereof which is substantially smooth.
The upper rim portion of the wall is rounded at its top end and forms the thickest part of the wall to strengthen the top, end and to maintain both cup shape and position when in place in the vagina. The transition portion provides additional strength to the cup to retain shape and position. The transition portion also permits the cup to maintain a substantially smooth profile for increased comfort. This has strategically located 4 air suction holes.
The cup also includes a stem which is attached to the receptacle at the bottom end, for use in insertion and removal of the menstrual cup. Preferably, the menstrual cup includes one or more ridges located on the stem (FIG: 1, 2). The ridges make the stem easier for a use to grasp, thereby facilitating removal of the cup.
Also, the preferred embodiment of the menstrual cup additionally includes one or more receptacle ridges in the outer surface of the main portion, to make the menstrual cup generally easier for the user to grasp and remove (FIGS: 1, 2).
As shown in FIG: 1 and 2, in the preferred embodiment, the menstrual cup includes one or more markings on the receptacle, to enable the user to readily determine the volume of fluid accumulated therein. Preferably, the volume markings are on the inner wall surface, and are provided in imperial units as well as in metric units for the user's convenience. The markings are preferably positioned on the inner wall surface so that the outer wall surface can be as smooth as possible for maximum comfort during use.
In the preferred embodiment, the cup also includes four air suction holes. Each hole extends from an inner end located at the inner wall surface to an outer end located at the outer wall surface. The holes preferably are radically spaced apart from each other.
Preferably, the cup comprises an elastomeric material, and the receptacle and the stem are integrally joined. The cup is primarily formed in an injection mould, and it is therefore convenient, and expedient, to form the receptacle and the stem of the same material.
The preferred elastomeric material is 100 percent medical grade silicone. Silicone is preferred because it rarely (if ever) causes skin irritation, and it has the necessary resiliency and durability. Also, silicone rubber can be placed in boiling water for sterilization without damaging the article.
In use, the user folds the receptacle lengthwise and inserts the cup into the user's vagina, top end first. Once inserted, the top end returns to its usual size, i.e., the top end returns to the predetermined diameter.
The cup preferably is positioned relatively low in the vagina so that the cup may be easier to remove and to prevent leakage. When the user wishes to remove the cup, the user grasps the stem and the ridged bottom end, to pull the cup out. The ridges on the main portion of the outer wall surface, and the ridges on the stem, facilitate the removal of the cup because the ridges make it easier for the user to grasp the cup. Because the stem forms an integral unit with the receptacle, the stem is not detachable. The stem is preferably hollow, so that it is relatively flexible, and less likely to cause discomfort to the user when the cup is inserted.
Also, the preferred embodiment of the menstrual cup is the dimensions of the Model 1 cup (Fig:1 ) and model 2 (Fig:2). The length of the menstrual cup is 60.5mm and 62.6mm respectively. The diameter of the outer rim is 42mm and 46mm respectively. The fluid holding capacity is 20ml and 25 ml respectively.
It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the invention can take many forms, and that such forms are within the scope of the invention as claimed. Therefore, the spirit and scope of the appended claims should not be limited to the descriptions of the preferred versions contained herein.