US3794024A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catamenial wetness indicator
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1972-05-17
•
Granted: 1974-02-26
•
Expires: 1992-05-17
Abstract
Abstract An indicator in contact with the absorbent body of a catamenial device. The indicator ''''reads'''' the wetness of the absorbent body and translates the wetness into a signal which can be sensed without removing the catamenial device.
Inventors
- 👤 D Kokx
- 👤 G Smith
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 16:37
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2022; A61F13/2037; A61F13/2045; A61F13/42; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
133 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and a menses-presence indicator associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said abSorbent body having a contact point near the distal end, said indicator having a receptor, the receptor being in contact with said absorbent body only at the contact point so that the receptor receives liquid present in the absorbent body at the contact point, said indicator being activated by menses, said activated indicator being sensually perceivable without withdrawing said absorbent body from the cavity, whereby said indicator gives a sensual indication after the contact point is wetted by menses so that the absorbent body need not be removed until essentially the entire absorbent body is wetted.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
133 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and a menses-presence indicator associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said abSorbent body having a contact point near the distal end, said indicator having a receptor, the receptor being in contact with said absorbent body only at the contact point so that the receptor receives liquid present in the absorbent body at the contact point, said indicator being activated by menses, said activated indicator being sensually perceivable without withdrawing said absorbent body from the cavity, whereby said indicator gives a sensual indication after the contact point is wetted by menses so that the absorbent body need not be removed until essentially the entire absorbent body is wetted.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
76 words
The device of claim 1 wherein said indicator is a capillary member having a length sufficient to extend from the contact point to a position outside the vaginal cavity when said device is in use, said capillary member having a terminal end at the end opposite the receptor, whereby said indicator transmits the excess of menses from the contact point to the terminal end to indicate that the device is wetted at the point of contact.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 2 wherein a menses penetration inhibiting member covers the capillary member.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
24 words
The device of claim 2 wherein essentially all of the capillary member remote from the point of contact is covered by the inhibiting member.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
34 words
The device of claim 2 wherein a dye selected from the group consisting of water soluble dyes, water dispersible dyes, and mixtures thereof is in contact with the capillary member in the terminal end.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
140 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and a mensesphilic string associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said absorbent body having a contact point near said distal end, said string having a receptor, said receptor being in contact with said absorbent body only at the contact point so that the receptor receives liquid present in the absorbent body at the contact point and a menses penetration inhibiting member covering said string from a point adjacent the receptor to the opposite end of said string, whereby menses reaching said contact point enters the string thereat and wicks to the opposite end of the string to give a sensually perceivable indication that the point of contact on the absorbent body has been wetted.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
140 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and a mensesphilic string associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said absorbent body having a contact point near said distal end, said string having a receptor, said receptor being in contact with said absorbent body only at the contact point so that the receptor receives liquid present in the absorbent body at the contact point and a menses penetration inhibiting member covering said string from a point adjacent the receptor to the opposite end of said string, whereby menses reaching said contact point enters the string thereat and wicks to the opposite end of the string to give a sensually perceivable indication that the point of contact on the absorbent body has been wetted.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and an internal menses-presence indicator associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said indicator being in contact with said absorbent body at a contact point, said contact point being near said distal end, said indicator being activatable by menses, said activated indicator being sensually perceivable without withdrawing said absorbent body from the cavity, whereby said indicator gives a sensual indication after the contact point is wetted so that the absorbent body need not be removed until essentially the entire absorbent body is wetted.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
108 words
A catamenial device for placement within a body cavity, comprising: an absorbent body and an internal menses-presence indicator associated therewith, said absorbent body having a proximal end for placement near the cervical os and a distal end, said indicator being in contact with said absorbent body at a contact point, said contact point being near said distal end, said indicator being activatable by menses, said activated indicator being sensually perceivable without withdrawing said absorbent body from the cavity, whereby said indicator gives a sensual indication after the contact point is wetted so that the absorbent body need not be removed until essentially the entire absorbent body is wetted.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
22 words
The device of claim 7 wherein said indicator is a menses-activatable agent applied directly to the absorbent body adjacent the distal end.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said agent has a sensually perceivable heat of solution.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
15 words
The device of claim 8 wherein said agent is a sensually perceivable wet swelling material.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-02-25 | 1977-08-27 | 1978-02-26 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-02-25 | 1981-08-27 | 1982-02-26 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-02-25 | 1985-08-27 | 1986-02-26 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |