Menses collector

Claim 2

A menses collector, comprising: a. a plurality of superposed cups made of pliable material dimensioned to fit within the vaginal cavity, b. a central collecting conduit extending axially of the cups and integrally connected thereto, c. an inlet port associated with each of the cups to permit the contents thereof to drain into the central collecting conduit, d. discharge valve means disposed at the lower end of the central collecting conduit for permitting drainage of menstrual fluid from the conduit while the collector is in position within the vagina.

Claim 3

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. a plurality of cups are radially disposed about the collector conduit forming axially spaced rows of collector cups.

Claim 4

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the central collecting conduit has a corrugated collapsible configuration and is made of soft resilient material permitting it to compress both radially and axially.

Claim 5

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the valve means includes a retractable sealing element disposed at the lower end of the central collecting conduit and biased into a sealing position with respect thereto, b. pull means attached to the valve means for opening the valve to permit discharge of fluids from the central collecting conduit.

Claim 6

The menses collector as set forth in claim 4, wherein: a. the central collecting conduit includes an outwardly flared circular valve seat, b. the retractable sealing element is a separate movable element having a surface which fits into sealing engagement within the valve seat, c. the pull means is integrally conneCted to the movable sealing element.

Claim 7

The menses collector as set forth in claim 5, wherein: a. the sealing element is a ball, b. the pull means is a length of flexible cord.

Claim 8

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the central collecting conduit has an elongated relatively rigid discharge tube disposed at the lower end of the collecting conduit, b. the valve means is disposed on the lower end of the discharge tube.

Claim 9

The menses collector as set forth in claim 7, wherein: a. the discharge tube has an outwardly flared circular valve seat, b. the valve means includes a ball valve having resilient seal return bands connected thereto at one end and to the discharge tube at the other end for resiliently biasing the ball valve in sealed position against the valve seat, c. elongated flexible pull means is connected to the ball valve at the lower end thereof to permit the user to unseat the ball valve from the valve seat to permit drainage of the central collecting conduit and the discharge tube.

Claim 10

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the central conduit has an open large intake at the top thereof.

Claim 11

The menses collector as set forth in claim 1, wherein: a. the collector includes insertion means for facilitating insertion of the collector means within the vaginal cavity.

Claim 12

The menses collector as set forth in claim 10, wherein: a. the insertion means includes a rigid cylindrical tube of substantially the same length as the central collecting conduit, b. the lower end of the central collecting conduit has depending pull means integrally connected thereto for loading the collector device within the insertion tube.

Claim 13

A menses collector, comprising: a. elongated circular cross section collector conduit means for receiving and storing menstrual fluids which is dimensioned to be inserted within the vaginal passage and to extend a major portion of the length thereof, b. the collector conduit being made of soft resilient pliable material and being open at the top thereof for receiving menstrual fluid discharged at a point above the top of the collector conduit, c. an elongated rigid discharge tube disposed at the lower end of the collector conduit means which is dimensioned to permit passage of menstrual fluid and entrained matter, d. the discharge tube having a length which is a substantial percentage of the length of the collector conduit and has a width of substantially less cross section than that of the collector conduit, e. a plurality of circumferentially disposed lateral flow receiving means disposed along the length of the collector conduit means for passing menstrual fluid into the interior thereof, f. discharge valve means disposed at the lower end of the discharge tube for sealing the lower end of the discharge tube and permitting drainage of menstrual fluid therefrom while the menses collector is in position within the vagina.

Claim 14

A menses collector, comprising: a. elongated circular cross section collector conduit means for receiving and storing menstrual fluids which is dimensioned to be inserted within the vaginal passage and to extend a major portion of the length thereof, b. the collector conduit being made of soft resilient pliable material and being open at the top thereof for receiving menstrual fluid discharged at a point above the top of the collector conduit, c. an elongated rigid discharge tube disposed at the lower end of the collector conduit means which is dimensioned to permit passage of menstrual fluid and entrained matter, d. the discharge tube having a length which is a substantial percentage of the length of the collector conduit and has a width of substantially less cross section than that of the collector conduit, e. a plurality of circumferentially disposed lateral flow receiving means disposed along the length of the collector conduit means for passing menstrual fluid into the interior thereof, f. discharge valve means disposed at the lower end of the discharge tube for sealing the lower end of the discharge tube and permitting drainage of menstrual fluid therefrom while the menses collector is in position within the vagina.

Claim 15

The menses collector of claim 12, wherein: a. the flow receiving means includes a plurality of superposed rows of cups.

Claim 16

The menses collector of claim 13, wherein: a. each row includes a plurality of separate radially disposed adjoining cups.

Claim 17

THe menses collector of claim 12, wherein: a. the collecting conduit has a corrugated collapsible configuration, b. the flow receiving means is a series of inlet ports cut through the collecting conduit.

Claim 18

The menses collector as set forth in claim 12, wherein: a. the collector includes insertion means for facilitating insertion of the collector within the vaginal cavity and comprises a rigid cylindrical tube of substantially the same length as the collecting conduit means discharge.

Claim 19

The menses collector as set forth in claim 12, wherein: a. the discharge tube has an outwardly flared valve seat at the lower end thereof, b. the valve means includes a retractable sealing element disposed at the loweR end of the discharge tube and biased into sealing position with respect to the valve seat.

Claim 20

The menses collector as set forth in claim 16, wherein: a. the lower end of the discharge tube is an outwardly flared circular section which comprises the valve seat, b. the valve means includes a ball valve having resilient return means connected thereto at one end and to the discharge tube at the other end for resiliently biasing the ball valve in sealed engagement atainst the flared circular valve seat, c. elongated flexible pull means is connected to the ball valve to permit the user to unseat the ball valve to permit drainage of the central collecting conduit and the discharge tube.