PATCH FOR FEMALE GENITAL AREA

Abstract

A plaster for use in the female genital area of a user includes a plaster main film having a plaster inner surface that is covered at least partially by an adhesive layer. During use, the adhesive layer adheres to skin in the female genital area, and when not in use, is completely covered by a cover film. The plaster main film is dimensioned and configured so that, during use, it completely surrounds the urinary tract orifice of the user while enclosing particularly at least the major part of the labia majora and minora of the user, and at the same time leaves open the vaginal entrance of the user.

Claims

1.-22. (canceled)

23. A plaster for use in a female genital area of a user, the plaster comprising a plaster main film with a plaster inner surface that is covered at least partially by an adhesive layer which, during use, adheres to skin in the female genital area of the user and, when not in use, is completely covered by a cover film, the plaster main film being dimensioned and configured so that, during use, the plaster main film covers a urinary tract orifice of the user completely, while enclosing at least a major part of labia majora and labia minora of the user, while leaving open a vaginal entrance of the user, during use, an upper longitudinal end of the plaster main film faces a mons pubis of the user and a lower longitudinal end of the plaster main film faces the vaginal entrance, and the lower longitudinal end of the plaster main film extending straightly and an outer periphery of the plaster main film being convexly curved.

24. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein at least one stimulating element is arranged on the plaster inner surface, which, during use, faces labia minora and/or a clitoris of the user, the at least one stimulating element being provided to contact and stimulate the labia minora and/or the clitoris of the user.

25. The plaster according to claim 24, wherein the at least one stimulating element rises from the plaster inner surface in a height direction of the plaster and is an object body having a rounded outer contour that is harder and/or more stable than the plaster main film.

26. The plaster according to claim 24, wherein the at least one stimulating element protrudes beyond the adhesive layer viewed in a height direction of the plaster.

27. The plaster according to claim 24, wherein a center of the plaster inner surface has a non-adhesive area which has a size and a shape adapted to the size and the shape of the labia minora, wherein the at least one stimulating element is arranged at least on a portion of the non-adhesive area.

28. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein the at least one stimulating element is directly and stationarily connected to the non-adhesive area.

29. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein at least partially, as seen in a height direction of the plaster, above the non-adhesive area an additional film is arranged which together with the non-adhesive area forms an outwardly closed cavity in which the at least one stimulating element is arranged.

30. The plaster according to claim 29, wherein the at least one stimulating element is arranged within the outwardly closed cavity in a freely movable manner.

31. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein at least the portion of the non-adhesive area on which the at least one stimulating element is arranged, is positioned relative to the plaster main film so that it does not cover the urinary tract orifice of the user during use.

32. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein an entirety of the plaster inner surface is provided with a moisture-absorbing hydrophilic substance.

33. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein the non-adhesive area is in its size and its shape adapted to the clitoris, of the user.

34. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein an entirety of the non-adhesive area is positioned relative to the plaster main film so that it does not cover the urinary tract orifice of the user during use.

35. The plaster according to claim 27, wherein the non-adhesive area is provided with a moisture-absorbing hydrophilic substance, and an entirety of the plaster inner surface is not provided with the moisture-absorbing hydrophilic substance.

36. The plaster according to claim 24, wherein the at least one stimulating element is arranged on a portion of the plaster inner surface.

37. The plaster according to claim 23, further comprising a stabilizing film which covers a plaster outer surface of the plaster main film opposite to and designed to be identical in shape to the plaster inner surface, and the stabilizing film is designed to be stiffer and/or more stable than the plaster main film and is prepared and designed to stabilize the plaster main film for arrangement on the user.

38. The plaster according to claim 37, wherein a positioning and removing device protruding from the stabilizing film beyond a periphery of the plaster main film and/or the stabilizing film is attached to the stabilizing film.

39. The plaster according to claim 38, wherein the positioning and removing device includes an opening which is dimensioned and shaped so that the user can grip with at least one finger into the opening.

40. The plaster according to claim 39, wherein the cover film is identical in shape to the plaster inner surface, apart from a portion protruding beyond the lower longitudinal end of the plaster main film which, in turn, overlaps the opening of the positioning and removing device.

41. The plaster according to claim 40, wherein the cover film extends in a longitudinal direction from an upper longitudinal end of the plaster main film viewed in the longitudinal direction of the plaster to a portion of the positioning and removing device at maximum distance from the upper longitudinal end of the plaster main film, the positioning and removing device itself being arranged on the lower longitudinal end opposite to the upper longitudinal end viewed in the longitudinal direction.

42. The plaster according to claim 38, wherein the positioning and removing device is designed to be stiffer and/or more stable than the stabilizing film.

43. The plaster according to claim 38, wherein the positioning and removing device is designed and prepared to enable the plaster main film to be positioned on the user and, after positioning the plaster main film on the user, to enable the stabilizing film to be removed from the plaster outer surface.

44. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein the cover film is formed in one piece, covers an entirety of the plaster inner surface and, in addition, by a portion protruding beyond a lower longitudinal end of the plaster main film viewed in a longitudinal direction of the plaster.

45. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein a length of the plaster main film corresponds to an average vertical distance between the mons pubis and an end of the vaginal entrance facing the mons pubis, and is between 60 mm and 100 mm.

46. The plaster according to claim 45, wherein the length of the plaster main film is between 70 mm and 100 mm.

47. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein a material thickness of the adhesive layer around a position of the plaster which, during use, faces the urinary tract orifice of the user is increased as compared to a residual adhesive layer.

48. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein the plaster main film is wider in an area of the lower longitudinal end than in an area of the upper longitudinal end.

49. The plaster according to claim 23, wherein a maximum width of the plaster main film corresponds to an average maximum horizontal distance between outer edges of the labia majora facing away from each other, and is between 50 mm and 80 mm, and during use the plaster main film extends in a width direction at least between the outer edges of the labia majora of the user facing away from each other.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0090] FIG. 1 shows a top view of a plaster in a state in which the plaster is arranged on a user;

[0091] FIG. 2 shows an exploded view of a longitudinal section view of the plaster including a cover film according to a first alternative;

[0092] FIG. 3 shows a top view onto a plaster inner surface of a plaster main film of the plaster;

[0093] FIG. 4 shows a top view onto a stabilizing film of the plaster;

[0094] FIG. 5 shows a rear view of the plaster including a cover film according to a second alternative;

[0095] FIG. 6 shows an exploded view of a longitudinal section view of the plaster including a cover film according to the second alternative;

[0096] FIG. 7 shows a top view onto a plaster inner surface of a plaster main film including a stimulating element;

[0097] FIG. 8 shows a longitudinal section view of the plaster main film including the stimulating element; and

[0098] FIG. 9 shows a longitudinal section view of the plaster main film including a cavity and a stimulating element arranged therein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0099] In the following, aspects of the present disclosure will be described on the basis of the related Figures. The shown aspects are only exemplary and can be combined with each other, as far as technically reasonable.

[0100] FIG. 1 illustrates a top view of a plaster 1 during use in which the plaster 1 is applied to a user A. More precisely, in this view only a plaster outer surface 2 of a plaster main film 3 of the plaster 1 facing away from the user A is visible. Accordingly, is clearly visible that the plaster 1 leaves open and, resp., does not cover the vaginal entrance VE of the user A. More precisely, an upper longitudinal end 4 of the plaster main film 3 in the longitudinal direction L is adjacent to the mons pubis VH, and a lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film 3 in the longitudinal direction L extends transversely over the labia majora GS level with the vaginal vestibule SV of the user A. On its surface facing the user A, the plaster main film 3 forms a plaster inner surface 6 which is not visible in this view (but is shown in FIG. 3). On said plaster inner surface 6 an adhesive layer 7 (also not visible here) is provided. By means of the adhesive layer 7, the plaster main film 3 adheres to the skin, but not to the mucosa, the vulva and around the urinary tract orifice HA. More precisely, the plaster main film 3 sticks to the skin, and not the mucosa, of the (outer) labia majora GS and follows the contour thereof due to its shaping. The lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film sticks to the labia majora GS level with the vaginal vestibule SV.

[0101] It can be seen that the plaster main film 3 is egg-shaped, wherein the narrow tip of the egg forms the upper longitudinal end 4 of the plaster main film 3 and the end of the egg remote from the narrow tip forms the lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film 3. In order to adhere as wrinkle-free as possible to the labia majora GS level with the vaginal vestibule SV, the outer periphery of the plaster main film 3 is designed to be straight in the area of the lower longitudinal end 5. In other words, at least the portion of the lower longitudinal end 5 which is in contact with the labia majora level with the vaginal vestibule SV extends straightly. The remaining outer periphery of the plaster main film 3 is (convexly) curved to be adapted optimally to the shape of the labia majora GS.

[0102] FIG. 2 is an exploded view of a longitudinal section view of the plaster 1 including a cover film according to a first alternative. It can be seen that, apart from the plaster main film 3, the plaster 1 also has a cover film 8 of the first alternative as well as a stabilizing film 9. Accordingly, FIG. 2 illustrates the plaster 1 when it is not in use, i.e., before use. The cover film 8 completely covers the adhesive layer 7 arranged on the plaster inner surface 6. Hence, the cover film 8 prevents the adhesive layer 7 from unwantedly adhering to other objects before the plaster 1 is used as intended in the female genital area (on the vulva). Thus, the cover film 8 protects the adhesive layer 7 also from wear.

[0103] In this case, the cover film 8 is formed in two parts according to a first alternative. A first cover film portion 8a of the cover film 8 extends from the lower longitudinal end 5 to the upper longitudinal end 4 and covers at least a lower (longitudinal) half of the plaster inner surface 6. The end portion of the first cover film portion 8a facing the upper longitudinal end 4 advantageously is turned/folded over itself toward the lower longitudinal end 5 to form a grip tab 8c. Said grip tab 8c which is formed in one piece with the first cover film portion 8 and forms a portion of the first cover film portion 8a facilitates removal of the first cover film portion 8a from the adhesive layer 7.

[0104] A second cover film portion 8b of the cover film 8 extends from the upper longitudinal end 4 to the lower longitudinal end 5 and covers the remaining plaster inner surface 6 (the upper longitudinal half thereof) and at least a portion (facing the upper longitudinal end 4) of the first cover film portion 8a as seen in the height direction H. In other words, as seen in the height direction H, a portion of the second cover film portion 8b overlaps or protrudes beyond the first cover film portion 8a. To remove the cover film 8 from the adhesive layer 7, the user A can easily grasp the portion of the second cover film portion 8b overlapping/protruding from the first cover film portion 8a and, thus, can initially peel the second cover film portion 8b off the adhesive layer 7. After that, the user A can grasp the first cover film portion 8a, particularly the grip tab 8c thereof, and also peel it off the adhesive layer 7.

[0105] The stabilizing film 9 completely covers the plaster outer surface 2. The stabilizing film 9 is only used to dimensionally stabilize the flexible plaster main film 3. If the plaster main film 3 is appropriately applied in the female genital area (after removing the cover film 8 from the adhesive layer 7), the stabilizing film remains on the plaster main film 3 until the plaster main film 3 was applied completely and satisfactorily to the skin of the vulva of the user A, as described in connection with FIG. 1. Only then is the stabilizing film 9 removed from the plaster outer surface 2 of the plaster main film 3.

[0106] At the position of the stabilizing film 9 covering the lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film 3, a positioning and removing device 10 extends from (the outer periphery) of the stabilizing film 9. Thus, the positioning and removing device 10 protrudes beyond the periphery of the stabilizing film 9 as well as from the periphery of the plaster main film 3. The positioning and removing device 10 is ring-shaped in this case. Therefore, the positioning and removing device 10 has a central opening 11. The opening 11 is dimensioned and shaped so that the user A can insert at least one of her fingers, specifically the index or middle finger, into the opening 11.

[0107] To apply the plaster 1 to the user A, the user A inserts at least one finger into the opening 11 of the positioning and removing device 10 (after having already removed the cover film 8 from the adhesive layer 7). Then said finger feels for the vaginal entrance VE. Starting from the felt vaginal entrance VE, the lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film 3 is then affixed via the adhesive layer 7 to the skin in the area of the vaginal vestibule SV. From there, the remaining plaster main film 3 is affixed, preferably under tension to avoid wrinkling, to the skin of the labia majora GS so that the plaster 1 is oriented and positioned, as in FIG. 1, relative to the (vulva of the) user A. When the plaster 1 is appropriately affixed to the desired position of the user A, the stabilizing film 9 is removed from the plaster outer surface 2 of the plaster main film 3 by pulling the positioning and removing device 10 in the direction of the mons pubis VH. Thus, the plaster 1 is finally arranged on the user A (as shown in FIG. 1, too).

[0108] To prevent the plaster 1 from adhering to objects surrounding the user A such as her clothes and particularly her underwear, the plaster outer surface 2 is non-adhesive. Therefore, for temporarily fixing the stabilizing film 9 to the plaster outer surface 2, the stabilizing film 9 is provided with an adhesive layer 12.

[0109] FIG. 3 is a top view onto the plaster inner surface 6 of the plaster main film 3. The plaster inner surface 6 is completely covered by the adhesive layer 7 except for a non-adhesive area 13, which in this case is a portion of the plaster inner surface 6. The adhesive area 13 is arranged at a central area of the plaster inner surface 6. The non-adhesive area 13 is substantially oval and thus takes a stylized shape of the (inner) labia minora KS. The non-adhesive area 13 is thus located at such a position of the plaster inner surface 6 which during use contacts the labia minora KS and, particularly, the clitoris of the user A. During use, the non-adhesive area 13 thus also, and preferably only, spans the clitoris of the user A.

[0110] FIG. 3 clearly shows the egg shape of the plaster main film 3. Further, also the straight extension of the lower longitudinal end 5 can be seen. Moreover, it can also be seen that the upper longitudinal end 4 forms the egg tip.

[0111] FIG. 4 is a top view onto the stabilizing film 9 of the plaster 1. The stabilizing film 9, too, is egg-shaped. Advantageously, the stabilizing film 9 is sized and designed just as the plaster main film 3. It can further be seen from FIG. 4 that the ring-shaped positioning and removing device 10 is arranged on the stabilizing film 9. In this case, the positioning and removing device 10 is formed in one piece with the stabilizing film 9 (made of the same material). However, the positioning and removing device 10 is designed to be more stable and stiffer than the stabilizing film 9 due to material accumulation. The positioning and removing device 10 is arranged on the (straightly extending) portion of the stabilizing film 9 which is designed to cover the lower longitudinal end 5 (not visible here) of the plaster main film 3.

[0112] FIG. 5 is a rear view of the plaster 1 including the cover film 8 according to a second alternative. In the fore, the stabilizing film 9 including the connected positioning and removing device 10 can be seen. The cover film 8 is formed in one piece and completely covers the plaster inner surface 6 not visible here. Just as the cover film 8 of the first alternative, also the cover film 8 of the second alternative covers the adhesive layer 7 arranged on the plaster inner surface 6 completely. The outer periphery of the cover film 8 substantially corresponds to the outer periphery of the plaster main film 3 also not visible here and, resp., to the outer periphery of the stabilizing film 9 apart from a portion of the cover film 8 protruding beyond the lower longitudinal end 5 of the plaster main film 3. The cover film 8 of the second alternative is elliptical in shape. One can see that the cover film 8 is flush, at its own lower longitudinal end, with the lower longitudinal end of the positioning and removing device 10. Thus, the cover film 8 overlaps the opening 11.

[0113] FIG. 6 is an exploded view of a longitudinal section view of the plaster 1 including a cover film 8 according to the second alternative. Apart from the cover film 8, said plaster 1 shown in FIG. 6 is identical to the plaster in FIG. 2. It is clear from FIG. 6 that the cover film 8 is formed in one piece. It is further clear that the longitudinal end of the cover film 8 shown on the left in FIG. 6, i.e. lower longitudinal end, extends over the positioning and removing device 10 and, thus, also over the opening 11 formed by it. The lower longitudinal end of the cover film 8 is level with the longitudinal end of the positioning and removing device 10 shown on the left in FIG. 6, i.e. lower longitudinal end, as seen in the longitudinal direction L of the plaster 1.

[0114] For removing the cover film 8 from the adhesive layer 7, the user A can easily insert her finger through the opening 11. The finger of the user A then can lift the cover film 8 from the positioning and removing device 10 in the height direction H toward the cover film 8. Said lifted portion of the cover film 8 then can be gripped and the cover film 8 can be easily removed from the adhesive layer 7 by pulling said lifted portion of the cover film 8.

[0115] FIG. 7 is a top view onto the plaster inner surface 6 of the plaster main film 3 of the plaster 1 including a stimulating element 14. The stimulating element 14 is arranged on the non-adhesive area 13. In this case, the stimulating element 14 is hemispherical. The stimulating element 14 is fixed directly to the non-adhesive area 13, according to a first alternative shown here, and is thus bound and, resp., connected stationarily to the plaster film 3.

[0116] FIG. 8 is a longitudinal section view of the plaster main film 3 including the stimulating element 14. It can be seen that the adhesive layer 7 rises from the plaster inner surface 6 in the height direction H. In the central area of the plaster main film 3, the plaster inner surface 6 includes no adhesive layer 7 and at this position forms the non-adhesive area 13. The stimulating element 14 is arranged on a portion of the non-adhesive area 13. Preferably, the stimulating element 14 is affixed to the non-adhesive area 13. The stimulating element 14 extends in the height direction H and protrudes in the height direction H beyond the adhesive layer 7 adjacent thereto.

[0117] Although not illustrated here, the adhesive layer 7 can extend over the whole plaster inner surface 6. In this case, the non-adhesive area 13 is formed by an additional non-adhesive film affixed to the adhesive layer 7 in the central area of the plaster main film 3 (not shown here).

[0118] FIG. 9 illustrates a longitudinal section view of the plaster main film 3 comprising a cavity 15 and a stimulating element 14 arranged therein. As in FIG. 8, in this case the non-adhesive area 13 is formed by an interruption of the adhesive layer 7 in the central area of the plaster main film 3. In this case, an additional film 16 is spanned over the whole non-adhesive area 13. The additional film 16 together with the non-adhesive area 13 forms a cavity 15. The cavity 15 is delimited by the adhesive layer 7 in the longitudinal direction L. The stimulating element 14 is located in the cavity 15. It is conceivable that the cavity 15 is filled with a liquid inside of which the stimulating element 14 can move or inside of which the stimulating element 14 floats. The stimulating element 14 is freely movable inside the cavity 15 relative to the plaster main film 3. In this case, the stimulating element 14 is formed as a sphere. In this second alternative of arranging the stimulating element 14 on the plaster main film 3, too, the stimulating element 14 protrudes beyond the adhesive layer 7 in the height direction H. The additional film 14 is flexible, i.e. it allows a movement of the stimulating element 14. As an alternative, it is conceivable that the additional film 16 protrudes beyond or spans only a portion of the non-adhesive area 13. In this case, the cavity 15 is smaller than shown in FIG. 9.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0119] 1 plaster [0120] 2 plaster outer surface [0121] 3 plaster main film [0122] 4 upper longitudinal end of plaster main film [0123] 5 lower longitudinal end of plaster main film [0124] 6 plaster inner surface [0125] 7 adhesive layer [0126] 8 cover film [0127] 8a first cover film portion [0128] 8b second cover film portion [0129] 8c grip tab (of the first cover film portion) [0130] 9 stabilizing film [0131] 10 positioning and removing device [0132] 11 opening [0133] 12 adhesive layer [0134] 13 non-adhesive area of the plaster inner surface [0135] 14 stimulating element [0136] 15 cavity [0137] 16 additional film [0138] A user [0139] H height direction [0140] L longitudinal direction [0141] GS labia majora [0142] HA urinary tract orifice [0143] KS labia minora [0144] SV vaginal vestibule [0145] VE vaginal entrance [0146] VH mons pubis