Microwave-Safe Menstrual Cup Container with Reversible Lid
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current methods for cleaning and sterilizing menstrual cups are inefficient, often resulting in hand contamination, waste, and lack of privacy, and do not allow for simultaneous safe cleaning and sterilization.
Innovation Solution
A portable, microwave-safe container with a reversible lid and holding mechanism that securely attaches to the menstrual cup, allowing for minimal hand contact during cleaning and sterilization, featuring a brush for cleaning and a discharging mechanism for easy liquid expulsion and steam escape.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manual handling of menstrual cup during cleaning and sterilization is used, then ease of operation is maintained, but hand contamination and risk of dropping the cup increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a container with a lid that serves as an intermediary device between the user's hands and the menstrual cup. The lid includes holding means that securely grip the cup's stem, allowing users to manipulate the cup indirectly through the container structure rather than direct hand contact. This mediator approach eliminates hand contamination risks while maintaining ease of operation through simple container handling.
2Reliability
If disposable wet wipes are used for cleaning menstrual cup, then cleaning effectiveness is improved, but waste generation increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces expensive disposable wet wipes with a reusable container system that can be used multiple times. The container with its cleaning liquid reservoir provides effective cleaning through reusable wet wipes or cleaning solution, eliminating the need for continuous disposal of single-use wipes while maintaining cleaning effectiveness.
3Reliability
If cleaning and sterilization are performed separately, then thoroughness of each process is improved, but time consumption and complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the cleaning and sterilization processes into a single integrated container system. The container can hold cleaning liquid for washing the cup, and the same container can then be used to hold the cup during microwave sterilization. This combination eliminates the need for separate cleaning and sterilization steps, reducing time consumption while maintaining thoroughness of both processes.
4Ease of operation
If menstrual cup is placed in open container during cleaning, then accessibility for cleaning is improved, but risk of contamination from environment increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by creating a controlled environment within the container lid. The lid can be positioned to cover the container opening, creating a localized protected space that prevents environmental contamination while still allowing access to the cup for cleaning through the container's design. This localized protection maintains cleaning accessibility while blocking external contaminants.
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
Enables safe, efficient, and hygienic cleaning and sterilization of menstrual cups with reduced hand contact and risk of contamination, ensuring privacy and ease of use, even in non-ideal environments.
Implementation Method 1
the vessel and the lid being made of materials suitable for exposure to microwave radiation
Implementation Method 2
Once the menstrual cycle has ended and before another cycle begins, the menstrual cup must be sterilized by being submerged under water and exposed on microwave radiation
Data Source
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AI summary
The present invention relates to a container for cleaning and sterilizing a menstrual cup comprising: a vessel (1) with an open-top having a bottom (8), side walls defining an inner cavity (25) for holding a cleaning liquid and for receiving the menstrual cup made of elastic material having a bell-shaped portion for collecting menses and gripping means, preferably in the form of a stem, for insertion and removal during menstrual cycle; a lid (5) closing the open-top; the vessel (1) and the lid (5) being made of materials suitable for exposure to microwave radiation; the lid (5) comprises holding means (16) for connecting the menstrual cup to the lid (5) with the gripping means, wherein the lid (5) is reversible such that it can be fitted on the open-top in two mounting positions, the first mounting position with the holding means (16) directed towards the inner cavity (25) such that, when attached to the lid (5), the menstrual cup projects at least partially into the inner cavity (25), and the second mounting position with the lid (5) reversed and the holding means (16) directed away from the inner cavity (25) such that, when attached to the lid (5), the menstrual cup projects outwardly.