Menstrual Cup Slit Venting for Low-Force Extraction
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing menstrual cups require significant force to overcome vacuum for extraction, causing discomfort and potential cervical prolapse, and complex stem designs complicate manufacturing.
Innovation Solution
A menstrual cup with a longitudinal slit on the external lateral side of the receptacle that, when the extraction stem is pulled, deforms to create an air channel breaking the vacuum for easy removal.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the menstrual cup is fitted tightly to the vaginal walls to prevent leakage, then the effectiveness in preventing menstrual flow leakage is improved, but the force required to extract the cup increases making extraction uncomfortable and potentially causing cervix prolapse
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel is pre-formed through the longitudinal slit in the cup wall, ready to activate before extraction. When the user pulls the stem, the pre-designed slit automatically opens to allow air entry, breaking the vacuum seal in advance and reducing the force needed for complete extraction. This preliminary preparation of the air channel prevents the need to overcome full vacuum resistance during the extraction process.
2Ease of operation
If a complex internal stem extension is added to facilitate extraction by acting on the cup edge, then the ease of operation is improved, but the device complexity and manufacturing difficulty increase
Solution Approach 1:
The air channel function is extracted from the complex internal structure and implemented through a simple longitudinal slit in the cup wall. Instead of requiring an intricate internal stem extension that reaches the cup edge, the invention uses a straightforward slit that opens to allow air entry when the stem is pulled, significantly simplifying the overall device structure while maintaining extraction ease.
Solution Approach 2:
The longitudinal slit is formed in the flexible cup wall material, utilizing the elasticity and deformability of the thin film structure. When the stem is pulled, the flexible wall deforms to open the slit, allowing air to pass through and break the vacuum. This approach leverages the inherent properties of the flexible material to achieve the air channel function without complex internal structures.
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
Facilitates comfortable extraction without the need for excessive force, simplifying manufacturing by eliminating the need for complex internal stem structures.
Implementation Method 1
breaking the vacuum that is formed between the cup and the vaginal cavity
Implementation Method 2
generates an air channel that communicates the lower part of the cup with the upper part of the cup
Data Source
AI summary
Menstrual cup with an easy extraction system that includes a longitudinal slit (4) on the external lateral side of the receptacle (2) so that, when the lower thread-like shaped extension (3) is pulled, the wall of the receptacle (2) where the slit (4) appears is deformed and generates an air channel that communicates the lower part of the cup with the upper part of the cup breaking thus the vacuum produced by the cup once it has been correctly placed, constituting the easy extraction system of the cup (1).