Menstrual cup

Abstract

In the present invention, a sanitary tool to be inserted into a vagina includes: a bottom part 11; a side wall part 12; a storage part 10 which is formed of the bottom part 11 and the side wall part 12, and has a storage space for storing menstrual blood; and a grip part 20 which is provided at an end part of the bottom part 11 on a side opposite to the side wall part 12. On the outer surface F1 of the storage part 11, a groove portion 30 extending along a direction that intersects the circumferential direction of the storage part 11 is provided.

Description

Menstrual cup

[0001] The present invention relates to a menstrual cup technology that is inserted into the vagina during menstruation.

[0002] Various types of menstrual products have been proposed for managing menstrual blood during menstruation. For example, napkins and tampons, which manage menstrual blood by absorbing it, are widely known as menstrual products. However, napkins that are attached to underwear have problems such as the risk of slipping and leaking menstrual blood, poor breathability, and the generation of stuffiness and odor. Furthermore, tampons that are inserted into the vagina are less likely to slip, get stuffy, or produce odors like napkins, but they need to be changed frequently due to hygiene concerns, and there is also the risk of leakage if the amount of menstrual blood is heavy.

[0003] In recent years, menstrual cups have been proposed as sanitary products that are inserted into the vagina in the same way as tampons (see, for example, Patent Document 1). Specifically, a menstrual cup is a cup-shaped container made of a highly flexible material such as synthetic resin (e.g., silicone rubber) that can store menstrual blood. Compared to tampons, menstrual cups are less likely to leak because they can hold a larger amount of menstrual blood. Furthermore, they can be washed and reused, making them environmentally and economically advantageous.

[0004] Here, when using a menstrual cup, it is folded and inserted into the vagina. However, the menstrual cup of Patent Document 1 has the problem of being difficult to fold and insert into the vagina. Therefore, Patent Documents 2 and 3 disclose technologies for making menstrual cups easier to fold. Specifically, the technology of Patent Document 2 makes the menstrual cup easier to fold by providing a folding line on the inside of the cup-shaped container that stores menstrual blood in the vagina. Similarly, the menstrual cup technology of Patent Document 3 makes the menstrual cup easier to fold by providing a groove on the inside of the cup body.

[0005] Patent No. 6337310 Patent No. 7061782 Utility Model Registration No. 3230257

[0006] However, in the technologies of Patent Documents 2 and 3, folding lines and grooves are provided on the inside of the portion that stores menstrual blood (the storage portion, the cup body), but the folding lines and grooves on the inside of these portions are difficult to clean, and some of them are likely to remain unwashed when washed. Since menstrual cups are washed and reused, difficulty in cleaning is also a problem from a hygienic standpoint. In consideration of the above circumstances, the present invention aims to provide a menstrual cup that is easy to fold and hygienic.

[0007] [1] A menstrual cup is a sanitary device to be inserted into the vagina, comprising: a bottom, a side wall, a storage section formed by the bottom and the side wall and having a storage space for storing menstrual blood; and a handle provided at the end of the bottom opposite the side wall, wherein the outer surface of the storage section is provided with a groove extending in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the storage section.

[0008] [2] The menstrual cup of [1], wherein the inner surface of the bottom is provided with a protrusion.

[0009] [3] The menstrual cup of [2], wherein the protrusion is dome-shaped and has a height of 1 to 5 mm.

[0010] [4] The menstrual cup of any one of [1] to [3], wherein an air hole is provided on the outer surface of the side wall portion on the opposite side of the grip portion from the groove portion.

[0011] [5] A menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [4], wherein a protrusion extending circumferentially along the storage section is provided on the outer surface of the storage section at the end of the groove on the side of the grip section, and the protrusion is cut out at a position corresponding to the end of the groove on the side of the grip section.

[0012] [6] A menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [5], wherein the side of the groove is inclined at an angle of 25 to 75 degrees relative to the bottom of the groove.

[0013] [7] A menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [6], wherein the groove is provided at a predetermined distance from the end of the side wall opposite the gripping portion, and the distance is 1.5 to 20.0 mm.

[0014] [8] The menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [7], wherein the depth of the groove is 0.7 to 3.0 mm.

[0015] [9] The menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [8], wherein the width of the groove is 2.0 to 4.5 mm.

[0016]

[10] A menstrual cup according to any one of [1] to [9], wherein the thickness of the portion of the side wall where the grooves are provided is 0.40 to 0.70 times the thickness of the portion of the side wall where the grooves are not provided.

[0017] According to a preferred embodiment of the menstrual cup of the present invention, grooves are provided on the outer surface of the reservoir, making it easy to fold and hygienic.

[0018] FIG. 1 is a front view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 2 is a back view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 3 is a right side view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 4 is a left side view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 5 is a top view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 6 is a bottom view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a groove portion of a menstrual cup according to this embodiment; FIG. 9 is a front view of a menstrual cup according to another embodiment.

[0019] The present invention relates to a menstrual cup 100, which is a sanitary device inserted into the vagina. Figures 1 to 7 show a front view, a back view, a left side view, a right side view, a top view, a bottom view, and a cross-sectional view of the menstrual cup 100 according to this embodiment. Figure 7 is a cross-sectional view of the menstrual cup 100 of Figure 5 taken along line W-W. In Figures 1 to 7, three mutually orthogonal axes are referred to as the X-axis, the Y-axis, and the Z-axis.

[0020] The menstrual cup 100 is made of a highly flexible resin (e.g., silicone rubber) that is commonly used for menstrual cups. The hardness of the resin is, for example, 30 to 60. As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 5 , the menstrual cup 100 includes a storage portion 10 and a grip portion 20. The storage portion 10 and the grip portion 20 are formed integrally without any gaps. The storage portion 10 is located on the positive side of the X-axis of the menstrual cup 100, and the grip portion 20 is located on the negative side of the X-axis.

[0021] The reservoir 10 is cup-shaped (bowl-shaped). In this embodiment, the outer diameter of the reservoir 10 at the end on the positive side of the X axis is larger than the outer diameter at the end on the negative side of the X axis, and the outer diameter continuously increases toward the positive side of the X axis. When the reservoir 10 is cut in the Y-Z plane, the shape of the outer edge in the cross section is approximately circular.

[0022] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the storage section 10 of this embodiment includes a bottom 11, a side wall 12, and a storage space R. The storage space R is a space formed by the bottom 11 and the side wall 12. The top (the end on the positive side of the X-axis) of the storage section 10 is open. Menstrual blood is stored inside the storage space R through the opening at the top of the storage section 10. However, the shape of the storage section 10 is arbitrary as long as it can store menstrual blood inside the storage space R, and for example, the storage section 10 may include a portion whose outer diameter is constant along the X-axis.

[0023] The size of the reservoir 10 is not particularly limited as long as it can be inserted into the vagina. The height (length along the X-axis) of the reservoir 10 is, for example, 30 to 60 mm. The outer diameter of the end of the reservoir 10 on the positive side along the X-axis (the end on the opening side) is, for example, 38 to 50 mm. The volume of the reservoir space R is, for example, 10 to 50 ml.

[0024] The grip portion 20 is the portion that the user grips when removing the menstrual cup 100 inserted into the vagina. The grip portion 20 of this embodiment is an elongated portion along the X-axis. The cross-sectional shape when cut in the Y-Z plane is approximately circular. The grip portion 20 is formed continuously from the end of the storage portion 10 on the negative side of the X-axis. The shape of the grip portion 20 is not particularly limited as long as it can be held by the user's fingers. The height of the grip portion 20 (length along the X-axis) is, for example, 1 to 5 cm.

[0025] The side wall portion 12 of this embodiment includes a first portion 121 and a second portion 122. The first portion 121 is located on the negative side of the X-axis, and the second portion 122 is located on the positive side of the X-axis. The second portion 122 is located at the end of the side wall portion 12 on the positive side of the X-axis. The thickness of the second portion 122 is greater than the thickness of the first portion 121. Details of the thickness of the first portion 121 and the thickness of the second portion 122 will be described later.

[0026] 1 , an elongated groove 30 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10 (the surface opposite to the storage space R) and extends in a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10. In the present embodiment, a configuration is exemplified in which the groove 30 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10, in a first portion 121 of the side wall portion 12.

[0027] Specifically, the grooves 30 extend in a direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage unit 10. Preferably, the grooves 30 are perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage unit 10 (i.e., intersect at 90°). Note that "perpendicular" also includes cases where the grooves are not completely perpendicular due to manufacturing errors but can be said to be substantially perpendicular (e.g., 90°±5°). However, the grooves 30 may be provided so as to intersect the circumferential direction of the storage unit 10 within a range of 60 to 120° (90°±30°), for example. The direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage unit 10 is a direction parallel to the X-axis when viewed from the front in FIG. 1.

[0028] The groove 30 includes ends T1 and T2 located opposite each other. End T1 (an example of the "handle-side end") is located on the negative end of the first portion 121 along the X axis, and end T2 is located on the positive end of the first portion 121 along the X axis. The size (length and width) of the groove 30 is appropriately set depending on the size of the storage portion 10 and is not particularly limited. The length of the groove 30 (the distance from end T1 to end T2) is, for example, 15 to 48 mm. The ratio of the length of the groove 30 to the overall length of the side wall 12 (the length along the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10) (length of the groove 30 / length of the side wall 12) is expected to be, for example, 1 / 2 to 4 / 5. The width of the groove 30 will be described later.

[0029] As illustrated in FIG. 7 , in this embodiment, the end T2 is provided at a predetermined distance D (e.g., 1.5 to 20 mm, preferably 3 to 10 mm) from the end (edge ​​of the opening) on ​​the positive side of the X axis of the side wall 12. In other words, the end T2 is located at the distance D. The ratio of the distance D to the length of the side wall 12 (distance D / length of the side wall 12) is, for example, 1 / 100 to 1 / 3, preferably 1 / 30 to 1 / 60. Furthermore, in this embodiment, a configuration in which the end T1 of the groove 30 is located on the side wall 12 (i.e., a configuration in which the groove 30 is not too long) is illustrated, but the end T1 of the groove 30 on the grip portion 20 side (the end on the negative side of the X axis) may be located in the bottom 11 portion of the outer surface F1 of the storage unit 10.

[0030] As illustrated in Fig. 1, the planar shape of the outer edge of the groove 30 has curved corners. Fig. 1 illustrates a groove 30 having a rectangular shape in plan view with four curved corners.

[0031] 8 is a schematic diagram of a cross section of groove 30 cut along a plane perpendicular to the direction in which groove 30 extends. The depth K of groove 30 (the depth of the deepest part) is, for example, 0.7 to 3 mm, preferably 0.8 to 2.0 mm, and more preferably 0.9 to 1.2 mm. By setting the depth K of groove 30 within the above range, storage section 10 can be easily folded.

[0032] 8 shows the thickness S1 of the portion of the first portion 121 of the side wall portion 12 where the groove portion 30 is formed, and the thickness S2 of the portion of the first portion 121 where the groove portion 30 is not formed. The thickness S1 is the thickness of the portion corresponding to the deepest portion of the groove portion 30. The thickness S2 is the thickness of the portion located at the same circumferential position as the portion where the groove portion 30 is formed.

[0033] The ratio of thickness S1 to thickness S2 (S1 / S2) is, for example, 0.40 to 0.70, preferably 0.45 to 0.68, more preferably 0.50 to 0.62, and even more preferably 0.55 to 0.58. When the ratio (S1 / S2) is within this range, the effect of making storage section 10 easier to fold becomes significant.

[0034] The thickness S1 is, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 mm, and preferably 1.0 to 1.5 mm. The thickness S2 is, for example, 1 to 3 mm, and preferably 2.0 to 2.5 mm.

[0035] The thickness of the second portion 122 in the side wall 12 is, for example, 2 to 8 mm, preferably 3.0 to 5.5 mm. The width of the second portion 122 (the length in the direction perpendicular to the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10) is, for example, 3 to 12 mm. By providing the second portion 122 in the side wall 12, the restoring force of the end of the storage portion 10 on the positive side of the X axis (i.e., the end on the opening side) is increased. Therefore, after inserting the menstrual cup 100 with the storage portion 10 folded into the vagina, the opening of the storage portion 10 is more likely to open. Note that, although the present embodiment illustrates a configuration in which the groove portion 30 is not formed in the second portion 122, the groove portion 30 may be formed across both the first portion 121 and the second portion 122. However, from the viewpoint of maintaining the restoring force of the end on the opening side of the storage portion 10, a configuration in which the groove portion 30 is not formed in the second portion 122 is preferable.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 8 , the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 is an inclined surface. The side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 forms an angle of, for example, 25 to 75 degrees, preferably 35 to 55 degrees, and more preferably 40 to 50 degrees, with respect to the bottom surface Fb of the groove portion 30. In other words, in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 8 , the groove portion 30 is formed so as to taper toward the bottom surface Fb. For example, if the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 is perpendicular to the bottom surface Fb of the groove portion 30, it may be difficult to wipe the groove portion 30 (especially the corners of the bottom surface Fb) when wiping and cleaning the menstrual cup 100 with, for example, a wet wipe. In contrast, a configuration in which the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 is an inclined surface has the advantage of making it easier to wipe the groove portion 30.

[0037] From the viewpoint of making the groove portion 30 easier to wipe, in the cross-sectional view of Figure 8, the boundary portion (corner) between the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10 and the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 is curved, and the groove portion 30 is formed so that the boundary portion (corner) between the side surface Fa of the groove portion 30 and the bottom surface Fb is curved.

[0038] FIG. 8 also illustrates the width Q of the groove 30. As illustrated in FIG. 8, the width Q of the groove 30 is the width at the end of the groove 30 on the opposite side from the bottom surface Fb (toward the outer surface F1) in the depth direction. The width Q of the groove 30 is, for example, 1 to 5 mm. If the width Q of the groove 30 is too narrow or too wide, folding becomes difficult, so it is preferably 2.0 to 4.5 mm, and more preferably 3 to 4 mm. In this embodiment, the width Q of the groove 30 is constant in the length direction (specifically, the width Q of the groove 30 other than the ends T1 and T2).

[0039] When inserting the menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, the storage unit 10 is folded and inserted into the vagina. When removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the menstrual cup 100 is sealed within the vagina. Therefore, the menstrual cup 100 is removed from the vagina by bending (deforming) the storage unit 10 to release the seal. In the menstrual cup 100 of this embodiment, the storage unit 10 is provided with a groove 30, which makes it easy to bend (flex) the storage unit 10 along the groove 30. In other words, the menstrual cup 100 is easy to insert into the vagina and easy to remove from the vagina.

[0040] Here, in a configuration in which the groove portion is on the inner surface of the storage portion (the surface within the storage space R) (hereinafter referred to as the "comparative example"), there is a problem that the cleanability is poor and it is easy for some parts to remain unwashed during cleaning. In contrast, in this embodiment, the groove portion 30 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10, so compared to the comparative example, the cleanability of the groove portion 30 is good and it is difficult for some parts to remain unwashed during cleaning. In other words, it is good from a hygienic standpoint.

[0041] Furthermore, in the comparative example, the groove 30 is located on the inner surface of the reservoir, making it difficult to see, and the position of the groove 30 cannot be confirmed from the outer surface. In contrast, in this embodiment, the groove 30 is located on the outer surface F1 of the reservoir 10, making it easy to see, and the position of the groove 30 can be confirmed by touching the outer surface F1. This has the advantage that it is easy to determine the position at which the reservoir 10 should be bent (i.e., the position of the groove 30), particularly when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina. The number of grooves 30 is not limited to one, and may be multiple.

[0042] Assume a configuration (hereinafter referred to as "Configuration A") in which groove 30 is provided from the end of side wall 12 on the positive side of the X axis. Configuration A is a configuration in which end T2 is located without a predetermined distance D from the end of side wall 12 on the positive side of the X axis.

[0043] According to the configuration of this embodiment, the grooves 30 are provided at intervals D (i.e., no grooves 30 are formed near the upper opening of the storage portion 10), which improves the strength of the upper opening of the storage portion 10 compared to configuration A. Therefore, when inserting the menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, the configuration of this embodiment makes it easier to open the menstrual cup 10 inside the vagina after inserting it compared to configuration A. On the other hand, when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the configuration of this embodiment prevents the storage portion 10 from bending excessively compared to configuration A. Therefore, menstrual blood is less likely to spill when removing the menstrual cup 100.

[0044] Furthermore, while the menstrual cup 100 is in use (while the menstrual cup 100 is inserted into the vagina), the configuration of this embodiment can further improve the sealing between the upper opening of the reservoir 10 and the vagina compared to configuration A. This has the advantage of reducing the possibility of menstrual blood leakage. However, configuration A is also included in the present invention because it does not pose a problem in terms of folding function. Furthermore, the planar shape of the groove 30 is not limited to a straight line and may include curved portions.

[0045] As illustrated in FIGS. 1 to 4, the outer surface F1 of the storage portion 10 is provided with protrusions 40 extending in the circumferential direction of the storage portion 10. The protrusions 40 are portions that protrude from the outer surface F1. The protrusions 40 function as anti-slip surfaces when gripping the menstrual cup 100. In this embodiment, a configuration in which three protrusions 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) are provided is exemplified. The height of the protrusions 40 is, for example, 0.5 to 2.0 mm.

[0046] The protrusions 40 (40a, 40b, 40c) are provided on the outer surface F1 of the reservoir 10 on the end T1 side of the groove 30 that faces the gripping portion 20, and are positioned in this order from the positive side of the X axis. The protrusions 40b and 40c are formed around the entire circumferential direction of the reservoir 10 (i.e., formed in an annular shape).

[0047] On the other hand, as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the protrusion 40a has a portion cut out in the circumferential direction of the reservoir 10 (i.e., formed in an arc shape). Specifically, the protrusion 40a is cut out at a position corresponding to the end T1 of the groove 30 on the gripping portion 20 side. In other words, the protrusion 40a is not formed in a portion corresponding to the negative side of the X-axis as viewed from the end T1 of the groove 30. In other words, the end T1 of the groove 30 is located at a position corresponding to the gap between the two ends of the protrusion 40a. The distance between the two ends of the protrusion 40a is set according to the width of the groove 30 and is, for example, 1 to 4 mm. The end T1 on the gripping portion 20 side may be located between the two ends of the protrusion 40a, or may be located within a region obtained by extending the gap between the two ends of the protrusion 40a to the negative or positive side of the X-axis (i.e., the end T1 may be located on the negative or positive side of the X-axis as viewed from the gap between the two ends of the protrusion 40a).

[0048] The notch in the protrusion 40a corresponds to the end T1 of the groove 30, which has the advantage that it is easier to fold the storage section 10 along the groove 30 compared to a configuration in which the protrusion 40a is also formed in the position corresponding to the end T1 of the groove 30. Furthermore, when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, if the cut-out part of the protrusion 40a can be touched with the fingers to confirm that the groove 30 is near the cut-out part, it is easy to know the folding position.

[0049] The number of protrusions 40 is not limited to three, and may be one, two, or four or more. The protrusions 40 may be formed on the bottom 11 or the side wall 12. The shape of the protrusions 40 is not limited to a shape along the circumferential direction (arc or annular). Similar to the protrusion 40a, the protrusions 40b and 40c may also be configured to have a notch cut out at a position corresponding to the end T1.

[0050] As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the storage unit 10 has an air hole 60 that penetrates the side wall 12. When inserting the menstrual cup 100 into the vagina, the folded and inserted menstrual cup 100 opens inside the vagina through the air hole 60, allowing the storage unit 10 to fit snugly within the vagina. On the other hand, when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, air inside and outside the menstrual cup 100 passes through the air hole 60 (i.e., the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the menstrual cup 100 is reduced), reducing the adhesion between the storage unit 10 and the vagina, making it easier to remove the menstrual cup 100. Note that if the air hole 60 is not provided in the storage unit 10, negative pressure is likely to occur inside the vagina (the pressure difference between the inside and outside of the vagina is likely to increase), making it difficult to remove the menstrual cup 100, especially when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina. However, the present invention also encompasses a configuration in which the menstrual cup 100 does not have the air hole 60.

[0051] In this embodiment, two air holes 60 are provided at a predetermined interval (e.g., 180° intervals along the circumferential direction) around the reservoir 10. The diameter of the air holes 60 is, for example, 1.0 to 2.0 mm. As illustrated in FIG. 1 , one air hole 60 is provided on the outer surface F1 of the reservoir 10 (side wall 12) on the opposite side of the gripping portion 20 from the groove 30. The first air hole 60 is located on the positive side of the X-axis from end T2 of the groove 30 (the end opposite end T1). In other words, the first air hole 60 is located between end T2 of the groove 30 and the end of the reservoir 10 on the positive side of the X-axis (i.e., the first air hole 60 is located on an extension of the groove 30). As illustrated in FIG. 2 , the other air hole 60 is provided 180° apart along the circumferential direction from the first air hole 60.

[0052] In this embodiment, the air hole 60 is located between the end T2 of the groove portion 30 and the end of the storage portion 10 on the positive side of the X-axis (i.e., the air hole 60 is located in the portion that bends along the groove portion 30), which has the advantage that air can more easily pass through the air hole 60 when the groove portion 30 is bent, compared to a configuration in which the air hole 60 is located at a position other than between the end T2 of the groove portion 30 and the end of the storage portion 10 on the positive side of the X-axis. However, the number and positions of the air holes 60 are not limited to the above example. The position of the air hole 60 is arbitrary as long as it does not cause menstrual blood to leak from the storage portion 10. For example, the air hole 60 may be located at a position overlapping the groove portion 30, or the air hole 60 may be located at a position separated from the groove portion 30 in the circumferential direction of the side wall portion 12.

[0053] As illustrated in Figure 7, a protrusion 50 is provided on the inner surface F2 of the bottom 11 (the surface within the storage space R). Specifically, the shape of the protrusion 50 is a curved surface (i.e., not angular), for example, a dome shape. The protrusion 50 is circular when viewed from above in Figure 3. The cross-sectional shape of the protrusion 50 in the Y-Z plane is also circular.

[0054] As described above, when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina, the storage portion 10 is bent while being removed. At that time, the storage portion 10 is bent while being gripped near the bottom 11 of the storage portion 10. However, if the bottom 11 does not have the protrusion 50, not only is it difficult to determine where the bottom 11 is, but it may also be difficult to grip the bottom 11. In contrast, in this embodiment, the protrusion 50 is provided on the bottom 11, which has the advantage that the position of the bottom 11 can be easily determined and gripped when removing the menstrual cup 100 from the vagina.

[0055] The height (length along the X-axis) of the protrusion 50 is, for example, 1 to 5 mm, preferably 1 to 3 mm, because if it is too low, it becomes difficult to grasp the position of the bottom 11, and if it is too high, it becomes difficult to grip. The ratio of the height of the protrusion 50 to the height of the side wall 12 (height of the protrusion 50 / height of the side wall 12) is, for example, 1 / 60 to 1 / 10, preferably 1 / 20 to 1 / 10. The height of the protrusion 50 is the height at its highest point. The diameter of the bottom surface of the protrusion 50 (the end on the negative side of the X-axis) is, for example, 5.5 to 7.5 mm, preferably 6 to 7 mm, from the viewpoint of making it easier to grip the bottom 11.

[0056] Furthermore, in a configuration without the protrusions 50 on the bottom 11, gripping the bottom 11 too tightly can cause the storage portion 10 to deform significantly, potentially resulting in menstrual blood spillage. In contrast, in this embodiment, the protrusions 50 can prevent the storage portion 10 from deforming too much. This reduces the likelihood of menstrual blood spillage when removing the menstrual cup 100. However, the present invention also encompasses configurations without the protrusions 50 on the bottom 11. The present invention can also be thought of as a menstrual cup that is inserted into the vagina and includes a storage portion formed by a bottom, sidewalls, and a storage space for storing menstrual blood, and a gripping portion provided at the end of the bottom opposite the sidewalls, with protrusions provided on the inner surface of the bottom. This menstrual cup solves the problem of the storage portion deforming significantly and causing menstrual blood spillage when the bottom is gripped too tightly.

[0057] As illustrated in Fig. 9 , similar to the protrusions 40 formed on the storage section 10, protrusions 70 may be formed on the outer surface of the gripping section 20 along the circumferential direction of the gripping section 20. In the example illustrated in Fig. 9 , a configuration in which three protrusions 70 are formed is illustrated, but the number of protrusions 70 is arbitrary. Similar to the protrusions 40, the protrusions 70 may be cut out at a position corresponding to the end T1.

[0058] In the present disclosure, the expression "A to B" representing a numerical range means "A or more and B or less."

[0059] 10: Storage portion 11: Bottom portion 12: Side wall portion 20: Grip portion 30: Groove portion 40: Convex portion 50: Projection portion 60: Air hole 70: Convex portion 100: Menstrual cup 121: First portion 122: Second portion R: Storage space

Claims

1. A sanitary device to be inserted into the vagina, comprising: a storage part having a bottom part, a side wall part, and a storage space formed by the bottom part and the side wall part for storing menstrual blood; a gripping part provided at an end of the bottom part opposite to the side wall part; a groove part is provided on the outer surface of the storage part and extends along a direction intersecting the circumferential direction of the storage part; a dome-shaped protrusion is provided on the inner surface of the bottom part; the ratio of the height of the protrusion to the height of the side wall part is 1 / 60 to 1 / 10; a menstrual cup.

2. The diameter of the bottom surface of the protrusion is 5.5 mm or more. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

3. The height of the protrusion is 1 to 5 mm. The menstrual cup according to Claim 2.

4. On the outer surface of the side wall part, a ventilation hole is provided on the side opposite to the gripping part as viewed from the groove part. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

5. On the outer surface of the storage part, a convex part extending along the circumferential direction of the storage part is provided at the end side of the groove part on the gripping part side. At the convex part, a position corresponding to the end of the groove part on the gripping part side is cut out. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

6. The side surface of the groove part is inclined at 25 to 75° with respect to the bottom surface of the groove part. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

7. The groove part is provided at a predetermined interval from the end of the side wall part opposite to the gripping part. The interval is 1.5 to 20 mm. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

8. The depth of the groove part is 0.7 to 3.0 mm. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

9. The width of the groove part is 2.0 to 4.5 mm. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.

10. The ratio of the thickness of the part of the side wall part where the groove part is not provided to the thickness of the part of the side wall part where the groove part is provided is 0.40 to 0.

70. The menstrual cup according to Claim 1.