Grooved Menstrual Cup Segmentation for Leakage Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Menstrual cups often fail to contain excessive menstrual flow and may not stay in place effectively due to weakened perineum or vaginal wall tonicity, leading to leakage and discomfort.
Innovation Solution
A menstrual cup design featuring hollow and solid longitudinal grooves on its internal and external surfaces, respectively, which increases containment capacity without enlarging the cup's diameter and enhances holding within the vaginal cavity, combined with a microwave-resistant kit and disinfection method.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Quantity of substance
If the menstrual cup diameter is increased to increase containment capacity, then the cup can hold more menstrual flow, but the cup becomes larger and more difficult to insert and comfortable to wear
Solution Approach 1:
The cup body is segmented with longitudinal grooves that divide the internal space into multiple sections. These grooves create additional containment zones without increasing the overall cup diameter, allowing the cup to hold more menstrual flow while maintaining a compact size for comfortable insertion and wear.
2Quantity of substance
If the cup is made larger to accommodate abundant periods, then the containment capacity increases, but the cup may not be properly maintained in place due to weakened perineum or vaginal wall
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal grooves segment the cup body into multiple sections that can independently adapt to the vaginal wall contours. This segmentation creates multiple contact zones that enhance grip and stability, allowing the cup to remain securely positioned even when the perineum or vaginal wall tonicity is weakened, without requiring a larger cup size.
3Quantity of substance
If the cup diameter is increased to increase containment capacity, then more menstrual flow can be contained, but insertion and comfort become compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The longitudinal grooves create a segmented structure that allows the cup to flex and compress more easily during insertion. The grooves act as stress distribution channels that reduce resistance during insertion while maintaining full containment capacity, enabling easy insertion without requiring a smaller cup diameter.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The grooved design effectively manages abundant menstrual flow for extended periods and maintains the cup's position, reducing leakage and improving user comfort, while the microwave-resistant features facilitate easy disinfection.
Implementation Method 1
a step of application to microwaves on the cup and the container so as to disinfect the menstrual cup
Data Source
AI summary
The menstrual cup includes an upper opening and a receptacle having a body with a curved longitudinal shape and a base. The cup extends longitudinally from the opening to the base and has an inner surface corresponding to the concave portion of the receptacle, and an outer surface corresponding to the convex portion of the receptacle. The body includes at least one hollow longitudinal groove on the inner surface of the body and at least one solid longitudinal groove on the outer surface of the body, aligned with the hollow longitudinal groove on the inner surface. The invention also relates to an associated kit and a method for disinfecting the menstrual cup.