Abstrict This disclosure teaches a disposable syringe, preferably made of
biodegradable paper, and adapted for vaginal douching. A tubular
nozzle is provided with an axial passage and has a first end insertable
into a woman's vagina as well as a second end sealed to a flexible
bag that encloses a reservoir. At least one spray opening is formed
in the first end of the nozzle and it communicates in flow series
with the reservoir via the axial passage. A membrane in the bag
is adapted to contain a douche powder therein. Means are provided,
for example a pull string, to tear the membrane for mixing the douche
powder with water in the reservoir.
Claims We claim:
1. A disposable compact vaginal syringe comprising in combination
the following:
a tubular nozzle having an axial passage therethrough,
the nozzle having a first end insertable into a vaginal cavity
of a user and a second end connected in sealed engagement with a
foldable flexible bag which is holdable in the user's hand and which
encloses a reservoir,
the nozzle provided with a compartment in the second end thereof
to store douche powder therein,
the axial passage communicating in flow series between the reservoir
and at least one spray opening in the first end of the nozzle,
the bag provided with an opening whereby the reservoir is fillable
with water,
the bag having a tongue in groove seal to close the opening,
at least one membrane enclosing the douche powder in the compartment,
a pull member connected to the membrane and extending out of the
bag via the opening for tearing the membrane to release the douche
powder into the water in the reservoir, the reservoir squeezable
manually by the user to inject the water with the douche powder
dissolved therein into the user's vaginal cavity for cleansing thereof.
2. The disposable compact vaginal syringe as set forth in claim
1 wherein:
the membrane includes an inward membrane portion and an outer membrane
portion organized to enclose the douche powder therebetween in the
compartment,
both the inward membrane portion and the outer membrane portion
connected to the pull member.
Description BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
This invention relates to an improved device for cleansing a woman's
vaginal tract.
Douche bags have become a matter of necessity, according to modern
standards of feminine hygiene, to such an extent that they generally
are considered a necessary implement even during travel. Toward
this objective manufacturers strive to make the bags in such a manner
that they may be stored easily in a minimum of space. Despite such
facilitation, it happens frequently that a woman finds herself embarrassed
for need of one of these items when away from home. In such a case,
it is not a welcome solution to purchase an extra bag of the type
capable of long term use. According to the present invention, there
is provided a douche syringe which can be sold at less cost and
therefore may be discarded after a single use. Also being composed
largely of thin biodegradable paper, the douche syringe may be folded
into a small, compact, inconspicuous bundle, so that one or several
packages may be included in a traveling bag, or even a handbag without
seriously compromising storage capacity available for other articles.
Being made of biodegradable paper, these douche syringes after being
used may be disposed of in any trash depository such as a waste
basket or they may be flushed down a toilet.
STATEMENT OF INVENTION
A disposable vaginal syringe according to this invention overcomes
disadvantages and shortcomings of prior art devices of its type
in a useful, novel, unobvious and particularly facile way. A tubular
nozzle is provided with an axial passage and has a first end insertable
into a woman's vagina as well as a second end sealed to a flexible
bag that encloses a reservoir. At least one spray opening is formed
in the first end of the nozzle and it communicates in flow series
with the reservoir via the axial passage. A membrane in the bag
is adapted to contain a douche powder therein. A tearing means (for
example a pull string) is provided to tear the membrane for mixing
of the douche powder with water in the reservoir.
Accordingly it is an object of this invention to provide a douche
syringe which is low in cost, so as to be disposable after a single
use.
A further object of this invention is to provide a douche syringe
which may be consolidated into a comparitively small volume for
carrying purposes, and ease of merchandising.
A still further object of this invention is to provide a douche
syringe which contains a desired quantity of douche powder in a
convenient rupturable compartment.
It is still a further object of this invention to provide a douche
syringe which otherwise is well suited to its intended function.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWING
The foregoing objects, features and advantages will appear more
fully from an accompanying drawing, viewed in conjunction with a
detailed description which follows and further viewed in conjunction
with claims which also follow. In the drawing like numerals designate
like parts throughout and:
FIG. 1 is a partly broken side view of a douche syringe according
to this invention.
FIG. 2 is a sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an end view of the douche.
FIG. 4 is a broken sectional view taken along line 4--4 of FIG.
2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
As shown in the drawing the vaginal syringe of this invention includes
a tubular nozzle 11 which has an axial passage 12. The nozzle 11
has a first end 13 which is insertable into a body cavity (usually
a woman's vagina) and a second end 14 connected in sealed engagement
with a flexible bag 15 which encloses a reservoir 16. The axial
passage 12 communicates in flow series with the reservoir 16 and
with spray openings 17 in the first end 13 of the nozzle 11.
Douche powder 18 is stored in an enlarged section 19 of the second
end 14 of the nozzle 11 and is contained by inner membrane 21 and
outer membrane 22 both of which are connected to a pull string 23
which penetrates out of the reservoir 16 through a tongue and groove
seam 24. The reservoir 16 is filled with water while the tongue
and groove seam 24 is open. On pulling the pull string 23 the membranes
21 22 are ruptured releasing the douche powder 18 to the water
in the reservoir 16.
It will be apparent to those skilled in design manufacture and
use of douche syringes that wide deviations may be made from the
foregoing preferred embodiment without departing from a main theme
of invention set forth in claims which follow. |