Vaginal cleaning apparatus

A vaginal cleaning apparatus for cosmetic purposes which overcomes the disadvantages of commercially available douches. The apparatus comprises a solution chamber incorporating a plunger for expelling substantially all solution contained in the chamber through an attached cannula. A sponge applicator is attached to one end of the chamber surrounding the cannula. The cannula is in the form of a tube having a single opening for discharge of solution at its tip. The sponge applicator has an expanded shape approximately the inner configuration of a vagina. The sponge applicator is initially compressed for ease of insertion and expands from its tip as the solution is discharged. The chamber volume and application absorption are preferably matched to minimize dripping of the solution. The cannula and applicator extend at an angle with respect to the chamber to allow use of the apparatus in a standing or sitting position.

This invention relates to feminine hygiene and, more particularly, to 
portable, disposable vaginal cleaning apparatus. 
The increasing emphasis on feminine hygiene has led to the growth of a 
rather large industry directed to the production of portable, disposable 
single use douches. Such products are available under the names of 
"Feminique" TM of Ennis Laboratories, Edison, N.J.; "Massengill" TM of 
Beecham Products, Pittsburgh, Pa.; "Summer's Eve" TM of C.B. Fleet 
Company, Inc., Lynchburg, Va. All of these devices provide a premeasured 
portion of a cleansing and rinsing solution which is utilized to wash the 
interior of the vagina primarily for the purpose of reducing body odor. In 
general, all of these devices include a cannula attached to a squeeze 
bottle which is compressed to discharge liquid through openings in the 
cannula after insertion in the vagina. 
A disadvantage of these prior art devices is that they must be used in a 
location which permits the liquid solution discharged from the douche to 
be readily collected as it is expelled. Furthermore, since the primary 
function of this type of douche is a rinsing operation, the solution tends 
to run back along the cannula and onto the squeeze bottle as the solution 
is being applied thus creating an unsanitary condition. Still further, 
because these douches utilize a squeeze bottle approach for applying 
pressure to expel solution, it is generally necessary that such devices be 
used in a reclining position. Still further, because the devices are 
generally designed to be portable, the volume of solution available in a 
single douche is relatively small and may not be sufficient to effect 
proper cleaning using such a rinsing technique. Additionally, a 
considerable portion of the solution is often not extractable from the 
douche. 
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
It is an object of the present invention to provide a portable, disposable 
vaginal cleansing apparatus which overcomes the abovementioned 
disadvantages of presently available douches. 
It is another object of the present invention to provide a vaginal cleaning 
apparatus which provides a cleaning function without generating an excess 
of solution. 
It is a still further object of the present invention to provide a vaginal 
cleaning apparatus which can be utilized in any position and permits ready 
dispensing of solution. 
In an exemplary embodiment, the present invention comprises an apparatus 
for vaginal cleaning including a syringe having an elongated solution 
chamber with openings at opposite ends of the chamber. A plunger is 
inserted into one of the openings and is operable to expel solution 
through the other of the openings. A cannula is attached to the end of the 
chamber opposite the chamber and extends at an oblique angle with respect 
to a longitudinal axis through the chamber. The cannula is covered by a 
sponge applicator which has a central opening through which the cannula 
fits and has an external configuration, when expanded by moisture, 
approximating the shape and dimensions of a human vagina. The sponge 
applicator is preferably an open cell, skinless relatively soft material. 
In use, the sponge applicator is provided in a compressed configuration to 
facilitate insertion. As the plunger is depressed expelling the solution 
through the cannula, the sponge absorbs the solution from the chamber and 
begins to expand. In the preferred embodiment, the cannula has a single 
opening near its tip distal from the solution chamber so that the sponge 
begins to absorb solution at the tip end. The solution then trickles down 
towards the solution chamber and is absorbed by the remaining sponge 
material causing it to expand during absorption. Once the solution chamber 
has been completely emptied, all the solution is contained in the sponge 
such that the sliding friction associated with removing the sponge covered 
cannula acts as a scrubbing action to effect a more efficient cleaning and 
removal of bacteria creating odor from the vaginal cavity.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a perspective view of one form of 
the present inventive feminine hygiene cleansing apparatus indicated 
generally at 10. The apparatus comprises a generally elongated solution 
chamber 12 having one end adapted to receive a plunger 14 and a second end 
for connection to a sponge applicator 16. The sponge applicator has an 
expanded shape as shown in FIG. 1 generally configured to an internal 
configuration of a vaginal cavity. The applicator extends at an angle 
oblique to a primary axis 18 through the solution chamber 12. The sponge 
applicator is attached to a locking base 20, which base is connected to a 
tubular extension or coupling 22 coupled between the sponge applicator and 
an end 24 of the solution chamber 12. The coupling 22 is attached to the 
end 24 of chamber 12 at one end and has a second end formed at a biased 
angle to create the oblique dependency of the sponge applicator 16. 
Preferably, the angle at which the applicator 16 extends with respect to 
the central axis 18 is between 30 and 45 degrees. It will also be noted 
that the solution chamber 12 has an annular ring 26 formed around the end 
of the chamber at which the plunger 14 is inserted. The ring 26, as will 
become apparent, performs a dual function of having an outside ridge 
extending radially from the solution chamber for ease of holding the 
solution chamber while pressing the plunger and also includes an inner 
ridge, shown in FIG. 2, which extends radially inward of the solution 
chamber for preventing the plunger 14 from being withdrawn from the 
chamber 12. 
Turning now to FIG. 2, there is shown a partial cutaway perspective view of 
the solution chamber 12 toward the end in which the plunger 14 is 
inserted. The plunger 14 may comprise a cross shaped member 28 having an 
outer cap 30 connected thereto and an inner cap 32 positioned within the 
chamber 12. The inner cap 32 is covered with a rubber stopper 33 which 
fits snugly within the chamber 12 so that as the plunger 14 is depressed, 
the rubber stopper serves to expel solution from the opposite end of the 
chamber 12. The ring 26 can be seen to extend both radially outward and 
radially inward of the walls of chamber 12. Since the cap 32 has a larger 
diameter than the inner diameter of the ring 26, the plunger 14 cannot be 
removed from the solution chamber 12. While this feature is useful in 
preventing solution from being removed from the chamber by accidental 
extraction of the plunger 14, the feature is also a safety feature which 
prevents refilling of the chamber once the unit has been used. For 
additional protection during transportation of the apparatus 10, there is 
provided a rod 34 extending through one of the arms of the cross shape 
member 28 and having ends resting on an outer surface of the ring 26. 
Preferably, the rod 34 is a frangible, plastic material which is easily 
broken by a reasonable amount of pressure exerted on the plunger 14. The 
rod 34 prevents the plunger 14 from being accidentally depressed. 
By reference to FIG. 3, there can be seen one arrangement for connecting 
the sponge applicator 16 to an end of the solution chamber 12. In this 
embodiment, the coupling 22 is seen to be a short cylindrical coupling 
member, preferably formed of plastic, as is the solution chamber 12, and 
having an enlarged portion 23 forming a ridge-like circumferential 
connector at an end of the coupling. A mating circular connector 25 
extends from the end 24 of chamber 12 for receiving the portion 23. The 
connector 25 may have a radially inward extending lip 27 for effecting a 
locking action when portion 23 is slid or snapped into connector 25. A 
tube 36 is attached to the solution chamber 12 and projects upward 
centrally through the connector 25. The tube 36 has approximatley the same 
height above surface or end 24 as the connector 25. The tube 36 may be 
formed as a part of chamber 12 such as by injection molding. The exposed 
end of tube 36 is preferably covered by a thin plastic or other type film 
37 for containing the liquid solution in chamber 12. As previously noted, 
the coupling 22 is formed with a bias at one end such as, for example, a 
45 degree angle, so that the base 20 attached to the bias cut coupling 22 
extends at an angle of between 30 and 45 degrees with respect to the 
central axis 18 passing through the chamber 12 in the direction in which 
the plunger 14 is depressed. A cannula 40 extends through coupling 22 and 
attaches to a tube support 41. The support 41 includes an inner tube 
connector 43 adapted for mating with tube 36. Tube connector 43 is formed 
with a bias cut end to permit ready penetration of the film 37 covering 
tube 36. 
The cannula 40 passes through and at least frictionally engages base member 
20. The base member 20 includes an upper circular plate 42 spaced above a 
surface 44 but attached to the base 20. The plate 42 fits within an 
annular groove formed internally of the sponge applicator 16 adjacent its 
lower edge for holding the applicator firmly to the base 20. 
FIG. 4 is a more detailed showing of the assembled sponge applicator 16, 
cannula 40 and solution chamber 12 with the elements being transparent in 
order to illustrate the interconnection of the various elements. As can be 
seen, the sponge applicator 16 has a central bore within which the cannula 
40 extends. Near the base of the applicator 16 there is provided an 
annular slot into which the plate 42 fits and serves to hold the sponge 
applicator 16 into position over the cannula 40. While not shown, the 
portion 23 and connector 25 could include mating interlocking groove and 
protrusions, respectively, for attaching the two units together in a 
manner to prevent rotation. Furthermore, while the assembly has been shown 
as being constructed with the coupling and cannula assembly formed as a 
single unit and the base attachment point being at the surface 24 of the 
solution chamber 12, the apparatus may as easily comprise a coupling 
extending from the solution chamber 12 with a connection between the 
coupling and cannula being arranged to create the extension of the sponge 
applicator at an angle with respect to the solution chamber. In either 
arrangement, it is desirable that the connection to chamber 12 be external 
thereof such that all of the solution in chamber 12 can be expelled by 
depression of plunger 14. Furthermore, it is possible to use a removable 
cap to protect tube 36 and thus to avoid the requirement to puncture a 
plastic film in order to connect the cannula 40 to chamber 12. 
In the use of the apparatus 10, the sponge applicator is attached to the 
solution chamber 12 while the sponge applicator is in a dry compressed 
state. Referring to FIG. 5A, there is shown a compressed form of a sponge 
applicator 16, at the time of initial attachment to the solution chamber 
12, with a constricting covering 49 in place. FIG. 5B shows the form at 
time of insertion before any solution has been expelled. This compressed 
form is sufficiently small to allow relatively easy insertion into a 
vaginal cavity. Once inserted, depression of the plunger 14 causes the 
solution from chamber 12 to be expelled through the distal end 52 (see 
FIG. 3) of cannula 40. As a result, the distal end of the sponge 
applicator 16 begins to expand as the fluid enters the sponge material as 
shown in FIG. 5C. As the solution continues to be expelled into and 
collected by the sponge material, the entire sponge applicator 16 assumes 
the shape as shown in FIG. 5D. At this time, withdrawal of the sponge 
applicator results in a scrub type of cleaning action of the vaginal walls 
greatly enhancing the ability of the cleaning solution to remove odor 
causing bacteria and/or bodily excretions contributing to odor. The 
compressed form shown in FIG. 5A may be achieved by packaging of the 
applicator in a cardboard tube or other suitable wrapping during the dry 
state. The sponge material may be a synthetic material of the type 
generally described as open cell with relatively small air spales. It 
should be formed skinless and be relatively soft with high teaking 
resistance and ability to absorb polar solutions. High resilience is 
necessary for expansion. 
The oblique angle at which the sponge applicator extends with regard to the 
solution chamber 12 enhances the ability of the unit to be utilized 
without creating undue discomfort and unsanitary handling of the 
apparatus. Furthermore, the oblique angle allows insertion of the sponge 
applicator in various positions including sitting and standing. Still 
further, since the sponge 16 serves to absorb all of the solution from the 
chamber 12, there is not requirement for a basin or other chamber to 
collect liquid normally associated with a douching action. Thus, the 
present invention provides a more sanitary method of vaginal cleaning and 
greatly enhances the ability of a person to utilize the apparatus without 
the disadvantages associated with ordinary douche type cleaning. 
While the invention has been described in what is presently considered to 
be a preferred embodiment, other forms will be apparent to those having 
ordinary skill in the art. It is intended, therefore, that the invention 
not be limited to the disclosed embodiment but that it be interpreted 
within the spirit of the appended claims.