MASSAGE APPARATUS FOR USE IN A VAGINAL OR RECTAL CAVITY OR A VAGINAL OR RECTAL OPENING OF THE HUMAN BODY

Abstract

An insertion apparatus for use in a vaginal or rectal cavity or a vaginal or rectal opening of the human body. The insertion apparatus has a base body, which in turn has a working body. In addition, a pulling device used for removing the working body from the cavity or the opening is firmly mounted on the base body. The pulling device is formed by a finger grip that is elastically formed, at least in part. The finger grip is elastically deformable between a neutral position and a removal position, and the finger grip is made, at least in part, of an elastic material. The insertion apparatus may in particular be configured as a massage apparatus or as a tampon.

Claims

1. A massage apparatus for use in a vaginal or rectal cavity or a vaginal or rectal opening of the human body, comprising: a) base body; b) the base body including at least one massage element provided on the base body; c) a pulling device fixedly attached to the base body for removing the massage element from the cavity or opening; d) the pulling device including a finger grip, the finger grip being partially elastically formed; e) the finger grip at least partially including an elastic material elastically deformable between a neutral position and a removal position; f) the finger grip including at least one spring section; and g) the spring section including an elongation region having a shape elasticity which is greater than its material elasticity.

2. The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the finger grip has at least one grip section.

3. The massage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the grip section has in part an eyelet-like shape.

4. The massage apparatus according to claim 2, wherein: a) the grip section overlaps the finger section, at least in part.

5. The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) in cross section the finger grip is shaped like a hook at least in part, and at least one hook opening is directed toward the base body.

6. The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the base body includes at least one holding element by which the working body is held.

7. The massage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: a) the at least one holding element at least partially surrounds the working body in a peripheral direction of the working body.

8. The massage apparatus according to claim 6, wherein: a) the finger grip is mounted on the at least one holding element.

9. The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the base body is integrally formed.

10. The massage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: a) the base body includes a coating, at least in part.

11. The massage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: a) the at least one holding element surrounds the working body in a ring-like manner.

12. The massage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein: a) the finger grip is mounted on the at least one holding element by molding.

13. The massage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein: a) the base body is integrally formed in one piece.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0064] FIG. 1a shows a schematic side view of a first embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention;

[0065] FIG. 1b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 1a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 1a;

[0066] FIG. 2a shows a second embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0067] FIG. 2b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 2a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 2a;

[0068] FIG. 3a shows a third embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0069] FIG. 3b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 3a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 3a;

[0070] FIG. 3c shows a top view of a fourth embodiment of the invention that may be understood as a modification of the third embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 3a, the fourth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention is shown as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 3a;

[0071] FIG. 4a shows a fifth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0072] FIG. 4b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 4a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 4a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 4a;

[0073] FIG. 5a shows a sixth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0074] FIG. 5b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 5a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 5a;

[0075] FIG. 6a shows a seventh embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0076] FIG. 6b shows a top view of the massage apparatus according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 6a as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 6a;

[0077] FIG. 7 shows an eighth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention in a schematic side view;

[0078] FIG. 8 shows a schematic side view of a ninth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention, analogous to the manner of illustration in FIG. 7; and

[0079] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side view of a tenth embodiment of a massage apparatus according to the invention, analogous to the manner of illustration in FIG. 7.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0080] For better understanding, the illustrations in the figures are limited to the components of the illustrated embodiments which are essential for understanding. Identical or corresponding components/constituents or elements are provided with the same reference numerals in the figures.

[0081] The illustrations in the figures show embodiments of an insertion apparatus according to the invention in its configuration as a massage apparatus.

[0082] FIG. 1 shows a first embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side view. According to the invention, a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention is used in a vaginal or rectal cavity or a corresponding opening, which for better clarity are not depicted.

[0083] The massage apparatus 2 formed according to the invention is provided with a base body 4, the base body 4 having at least one working body, namely active element or massage element 6, and a pulling device 8, firmly mounted on the base body 4, for removing the working body or massage element 6 from the cavity or the opening of the human body. In addition, the pulling device 8 of the massage element 2 according to the invention is configured as a finger grip 10 which is elastically formed, at least in places, the finger grip 10 being elastically deformable between a neutral position and a removal position. In addition, the finger grip 10 is made, at least in part, of an elastic material.

[0084] In this embodiment of a massage element 2 according to the invention, the finger grip 10 in a longitudinal cross section is shaped like a hook 12, at least in part, at least one hook opening 14 being directed toward the base body 4, and thus facing base body 4.

[0085] In this embodiment, the profile cross section (cross section transverse to the longitudinal cross section) of the finger grip is formed by a flat profile which in the longitudinal direction 16 thereof is shaped like a hook. According to the invention, a flat profile is understood to mean a profile which in the profile cross section in particular has a low height compared to its width.

[0086] As a result of the configuration of the finger grip 10, the massage apparatus 2 is inserted, in particular leading with its end which is distal with respect to the finger grip 10, into the affected cavity or the affected opening of the human body. The insertion direction of the massage apparatus 2 results, in a self-evident manner, from the configuration of the finger grip 10 on the massage apparatus 2, as will be readily understood.

[0087] FIG. 1b shows the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 1a in the top view as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 1a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 1a.

[0088] For better understanding, the description of the individual figures below is limited in particular to the differences from the first embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention.

[0089] FIG. 2a shows a second embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side view. The finger grip 10 has a spring section 18, which in turn has an elongation region 20 in which its shape elasticity is greater than its material elasticity. In addition, this embodiment has a grip section 22 which forms the free end 24 of the finger grip 10.

[0090] In this embodiment, the elongation region 20 in the spring section 18 is provided in the manner of a layered fold 26 of the finger grip 10 in a longitudinal direction 16.

[0091] FIG. 2b shows this massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 2a in the top view as viewed in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 2a.

[0092] FIG. 3a shows a third embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side view. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, in this embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention the base body 4 has a holding element 28 on which the massage element 6 is held.

[0093] For this purpose, the holding element 28 is configured in such a way that it surrounds and correspondingly borders the massage element 6 in a ring-like manner in the peripheral direction of the massage element 6. An adhesive, not illustrated for clarity, is used to intensify the holding action between the holding element 28 and the massage element 6.

[0094] In addition, the finger grip 10 is mounted on the holding element 28 in such a way that it is molded onto the holding element 28 in one piece.

[0095] FIG. 3b shows the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 3a in the top view as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 3a.

[0096] In addition, FIG. 3c shows a modification of the third embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 3a as a fourth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in the top view as seen in the direction f arrow A in FIG. 3a, in a schematic manner of illustration. In contrast to the embodiment shown in FIG. 3a and FIG. 3b, the finger grip 10 has a recess which extends from the geometric longitudinal center 30 of the finger grip 10 to the end regions 32, 34 thereof. This results in an opening 36 in the finger grip 10 in which, for example, an index finger of the human hand may engage to apply a tensile force.

[0097] FIG. 4a shows a fifth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side illustration. In contrast to the second embodiment, the grip section 22 has an eyelet-like shape, at least in places, resulting in a grip eyelet 38 in which, for example, the above-mentioned index finger may engage.

[0098] FIG. 4b shows the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 4a in the top view denoted by reference character A in FIG. 4a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 4a.

[0099] FIG. 5a shows a sixth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side illustration, in which the finger grip 10, in places, is rolled up in a spiral shape in the longitudinal direction 16 with respect to the massage element 6.

[0100] FIG. 5b shows the massage apparatus 2 according to the invention corresponding to FIG. 5a in the top view as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 5a, in the same manner of illustration as in FIG. 5a.

[0101] FIG. 6a shows a seventh embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic side illustration. In contrast to the third embodiment, the S-shaped hook 40 shown is formed by a circular, not a flat, profile, so that in the top view shown in FIG. 6b (according to the view as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 6a) the circular profile is illustrated with a line shape.

[0102] The S-shaped formed hook 40 has two hook openings 14, 14, the hook opening 14 being directed toward the base body 4 while the hook opening 14 is directed away from the base body.

[0103] FIG. 7 shows an eighth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention in a schematic top view (analogous to the view as seen in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 3a). In contrast to the third or fourth embodiment, two identically shaped massage elements 6, 6 have been used which are spaced apart at a distance with the aid of the holding element 28.

[0104] The invention is not limited to the use of identically shaped massage elements 6, 6. In particular, more than two massage elements 6, 6 may be used, which may have different sizes and differently shaped outer contours. In addition, the massage elements 6, 6 may be situated in abutment with one another.

[0105] The finger grip 10 may also be configured, among other ways, according to the fourth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention shown in FIG. 3c.

[0106] FIG. 8 shows a ninth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention, in a side illustration analogous to FIG. 7. The holding element 28 has a different shape compared to the eighth embodiment shown in FIG. 7.

[0107] FIG. 9 shows a schematic side illustration of a tenth embodiment of a massage apparatus 2 according to the invention. In contrast to the above-mentioned embodiments, the massage element 6 has a hollow configuration, so that an additional element 44 is accommodated in the cavity 42 that is formed, and which is used in particular to assist the massage function of the massage element 6. For this purpose, the additional element 44 may be situated so as to be freely movable in the cavity. There are also other options for holding or supporting the additional element 44 in the cavity 42 in order to likewise set the additional element in motion when the massage element 6 moves, and optionally, to have the additional element cooperate with the wall of the cavity 42 in the massage element 6.

[0108] As previously stated, the invention is not limited to the embodiments of a massage apparatus according to the invention that are shown, and therefore massage apparatuses may be formed in various ways. It is also possible for a massage apparatus according to the invention to have a power source and an appropriate power converter, for example, in order to produce a function or assist a function of the massage apparatus according to the invention. The energy store may be configured as an accumulator which is removable from the massage apparatus. Massage apparatuses according to the invention are configured in particular in such a way that their configuration serves to meet the function. Massage apparatuses which are appropriately configured according to the invention dispense with additional power sources.

[0109] While this invention has been described as having a preferred design, it is understood that it is capable of further modifications, and uses and/or adaptations of the invention and following in general the principle of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within the known or customary practice in the art to which the invention pertains, and as may be applied to the central features hereinbefore set forth, and fall within the scope of the invention.