2) United States Patent Dopps (34) METHOD FOR ALTERNATIVELY RESISTING AND PERMITTING. MENSTRUAL FLOW (76) Inventor: Daniel A. Dopps, Wichita, KS (US) (4) Notice: Suibject to any disclaimer, the term of this patent is extended ot adjusted under 3 USC. 154(b) by 228 days Appl. Nos 18/311, 030 Filed: Dee. §, 2011 (1) Inc. AGIF 2700 (2005.01) GIP SAS (2006.01) M6IF 19472 (2006.01) 4618 17/00 (2006.01) (2) US.C1. c AGIP 20009 (2013.01); AOTF S44 (201301); ABIE 13/47209 201301); A618 2017/0068 (2013.01) (58) Fleld of Classitication Search oc AGIF 13/87200; AGLF 1347227; AGIP 13/87263: AGLP 18475; A6IP 13/52; AIF 201315121, AGIF 2011513; AGIF 2013/15569: AGIF 2013/15414; AGIF 2015/1538; AGIT 2013/16; AGIP 201947281: AGIP 2013/51097; AGIE 201344729, AGIE 2002/7806; AGIF 2/0009; AGIF 5/44; AGIB 2017/0065; AGIB 2017100654; A61B 2017100641: A61B. 2017/0391 PC 604/329, 330, 346, 347, 355, 385.17, 600/385. 19; 128/898; 602167 See application file for compete search history. (66) References Cited USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 911985, Jackson et 111987. Stvening ‘USO09S. Bl 39077 (10) Patent No.: (4s) Date of Patent: US 9,539,077 BI Jan. 10, 2017 S836208 A * 81994 Rosenblth al. 608329 S6SA7T A 1907 Meare ta SHE26H A + 61998 Osborn ea cn 60838817 GFoso%6 Be 32004 Gary etal, 6028796 B2 $2005. ‘Beluel st a Soiv.o67 Be, 32006 Holguin ea 8217219 B2* 7012. Shepard AGI 2008 24403 20090120178 AL 62003 ski (Continved) FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS x zs774 42001 (Continued) Howie Matthews Kenneth H, Jack; Davis Primary Bvaminer (74) Attornes, Agent, or Firm & Jack, LLC on ABSTRACT A method for controlling menstrual flow including spine ‘erally contracting and expanding labia minora having left ‘nd right labium minuses, such anatomical structures mov- ing to a closed position upon each sphincteral contraction or ‘oan opened position upon each sphineteral expansion: adhering and disjoining the labia minora, each adhesion ‘securing the labia minora at te closed positon, the disjune- ‘ions freeing the labia minora for opening movement; and resisting and permitting menstral flow the resistance occur fing on sphineteral contraction and adhesion, and the pet ‘mission oecurting upon sphineteral expansion, each ade ing step disposing a hydrophobie and bio-compatble fdhesive selected from acrylic adhesives, polyisobutylene ‘adhesives, and silicone adhesives, and each disposition step ‘tiling an applicator selected from brushes, stabs, rab-on sticks, rllon applicators, pump sprayers, arosol sprayers, ‘squeeze tube applicators, bottle applicators, an finger applic {6 Claims, 3 Drawing SheetsUS 9,539,077 BL Page 2 66) References Cited USS. PATENT DOCUMENTS. 20080120225 AL* 62003 Everhart a ‘sous donsonessso AL 3.2008 Caer doroo121304 AL $2010. Zhou eta 20100132687 AL 62010. Carers doroonol0se AL 11/2010 Bowlin ot 20100297218 AL 11/2010 Gong oa FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS. Wo Wo 2009/188881 1272000 WO Wo2IOIIIS4 "92010 Wo | Wo2ouilos = 92011 * cited by examinerU.S. Patent Jan, 10, 2017 Sheet 1 of 3 US 9,539,077 B1 Fig. 4 12U.S. Patent Jan, 10, 2017 Sheet 3 of 3 US 9,539,077 B1 Fig. 3 4 (i "1 aUS 9,539,077 BI 1 METHOD FOR ALTERNATIVELY RESISTING AND PERMITTING MENSTRUAL FLOW, FIELD OF THE INVENTION ‘This invention relates to female sanitary hygione devices, assemblies, processes, and metiods. More particulary, this, invention relates to such assemblies, processes, and methods ‘which are adapted for temporarily essting outward bodily, ‘emissions of menstrual flaw. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION ‘Biological evolution of mammals has naturlly developed various types of vesicles within animal bodies which per- Jorm fonctions of receiving bodily fluids, and atemadively resisting and permitting emissions of the received bodily fluids. A mammals urinary bladder is an example of such an ‘evolved vesicle, the bladder continually receiving urine from ureters, nd periodically purging through voluntary snncle control of the urethral sphincter. In anor example, the large intestine analogously function as such a vesicle for receiving fecal waste aod for periodically purging through voluntary muscle contol of the real sphincter. In another ‘example, evolution of mammals has provided a gall Bladder ‘which functions as a vesicle for receiving bile and for, yon hormonal choleeystokinin actuated opening of the sphincter ‘of Od, periodically purging the bile into the small intestine {or eahanced digestion of fats and oils. ‘In contrast with the biological evolutionary change which has produced functional uid receiving ad purging vesicles ‘ofc types described above, evolution of mammals gener ally has not functionally associated any such vesicle fune~ tion with female menstrual flow; Blood emitting from a ‘Woman's uierine wall and into the uterus regularly Hows ‘outwanlly past the cervix which is normally open during menstruation, and the into the vaginal space for typically "unrestricted outwand passage through the vaginal opening. ke other fluids receiving and discharging organs such as the winary bladder, large intestine and the gall ladder, such vaginal space is not adapted or evolved for alternatively resisting and permiting outward emission or discharge of received menstatal fluids, Yet, according tothe dietates and nods of modem life and human society, the existence and Jetional application of sueh a vesicle fanetion to men- strual flow would be desirable. The lack of such vesicle unetion has titionally been overcome through wiz ‘of tampons and sanitary napkins which are undesirably prone to Failures, and which are undesirably expensive and ‘wasteful of resources. “The instant inventive method solves or ameliorates the problems, defets and deficiencies noted above by providing ‘unique adhesives based assembly, method and process steps which alte or ascribe to a woman's vaginal space ‘eahaaced functions in nate of those performed by natural ‘Buide receiving vesicles which are capable of alternatively ‘and through selective voluntary control resisting and per- ning outward emissions of Muids BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION One of the steps of the instant inventive method for ‘controlling menstrual flow comprises altematively sphinc~ ‘erally contracting and sphinctenlly expanding labia minora. In each sphincteral contraction step, the left and right labium minuses which make up the labia mors are 0 o 2 moved to a closed and fluids retsining position, Altema- tively in each sphincteral expansion sep, such eft and right Jiu minuses are oppositely moved toward an opened and ‘uid dischanging postin, In furter and substantially concurrent method steps of the instant inventive method for controlling menstrual How, the labia minora are alternatively adhered and_disjoinod. According to the method, each labia minora adhesion step sootres the Teft and ight labiun minuses at their closed position, Altematively, perfomance of each labia minora ‘isjunction step frees the left and right Iabium minuses for ‘movement toward their opened positions. Fach labia minora adhesion advantageously attributes or ascribes t the over lying vaginal space a function in the nature of a vesicle ‘which is capable of retaining biological fluids. In further and resultant steps of the instant inventive ‘method for controlling menstrual low, outwanl discharge of the mensiral flow is altematively resisted and permite. Fach menstrual flow resisting step aJvantayeously occurs ‘upon 2 combinstion of the sphineteral contraction and labia ‘minora adhesion steps, and each such flow resisting step advantageously temporarily stores and accumulates fukt ‘menstrual discharge in the manner ofa vesicle. According to the method steps wherein each menstrual flow permitting sep occurs upon immediately successive labia minora dis- Jumetion and sphineteral expansion steps. “According to the method ofthe instant inventive, each of the sphineteral contraction and expansion steps is preferably exectited va tactile, digital, and frictional forces which are relly applied to the left nd right labium minases for drawing those simietures alternatively toward their closed positions and toward their opened positions. In the perfor ‘mance ofthe instant inventive method, each adhering oF adhesion step preferably comprises «1 disposition of aa ‘adhesive upon and about the lft and eight biuum minuses Since the menstrual low to be controlled by the instant inventive method is largely water based, the provided auhe- sive preferably comprises an one having a hydrophobic sroperty, The adhesive which is provided is also necessarily ff the type which is bio-compatible with ski, the select adhesive having low skin iitation factor, and having low skin sensitization factor Clases of adesiver which may be suitably provided comprise silicone adhesives, particularly sedical grae silicone gel, acrylic adhesives, polyisobuty- Tene adhesives and provein‘amino acid based adhesives. The sclectod adhesive also preferably has an appropriate release force characteristic. Where, as is common, the tensile oF breaking strength of a user or performer of the method is approximately 17 Newtons per mm, the selected ahesive, aller performance of inital tack and seting steps, should have a release force markedly less than 17 Newtons per ‘Adhesive application and transfer means are preferably provided for the performance of the adhesive disposition Step of the method. Suitably, ditt finger application of the provided adhesive may be performed. Also suitably, com- ‘monly known applicaiors such as brushes, swabs, rub-on Sticks, roll on applicators, pump sprayers, aerosol sprayers, squeeze tube applicators, squeeze bottles, absorbent pa applicators, and shake bottle applicators may be ulized. ‘According to the instant inventive method, a vesicle function is advantageously atributed to the vaginal space ‘overlying the labia minor, such vesicle fimetion advanta- geously allowing for periodic and voluntarily actuated men- Stal discharge, as opposed to continuous al inconvenient astaUS 9,539,077 BI 3 Accordinuly, objects ofthe instant invention inelude the ‘adoption and utilization of method steps, a8 deseribed above, for the performance and achievement of Beneficial fune- tions, objectives, and advantages, as described above. Other and further objects, benefits, and advantages ofthe ‘instant invention will Become known to those skilled in the ft upon review of the Detailed Description which follows, ‘and upon review of the appended! drawings. BRIBE DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is representational drawing of female genit FIG, 2 redepicis FIG, 1, the view of FIG. 2 graphically depicting adhesive disposition and sphincteral expansion, steps of the instant inventive method. FIG. 3 radepiets FIG. 2, the view of FIG. 3 representing ‘combiae! sphineteral contraction and adhering steps ofthe instant inventive method. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF A PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Referring now to the drawings, and in particular to Drawing FIGS. 1 and 2, a representational view of female genitalia is presented, the view showing right and left legs 2 and 4, mons pubis 6 labia mjora 8, urethral opening 12, ‘vaginal opening 14, and labia minora consisting of left and right labium minuses 10 and 11. Such labia minora 10,41 ‘ppieally consists of viseo-clastc epithelial material which is ‘capable of flexibly and elastially moving in the manner of f sphincter in relation to the vaginal opening 14 and ia relation (© such opening’s overlying vaginal space. Referring simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3, in perfor mance of sphincteral contracting steps of the instant inven tive method, the left and right labiumn minuses 10 and 11 are ‘drawn together from the opened position depicted in FIG. 2 to the vaginal space closing position depicted in FIG. 3, the vertically extending structre drawn in FIG. 3 between the Jeft and right Iabinm minuses 10 and 11 being a line. Atematively, in performance of sphincteral expanding steps ‘of the instant inventive method, opposite motions ofthe left and right labiam minoses 10 and It are induced, causing such anatomy being drawn away from each other from the position depicted in FIG. 3 tothe position depicted in FIG. 2, In each performance of the sphincteral expanding and sphineteral contracting steps of the instant invention, the ‘opening and closing motion is preferably drawn or induced through direct and tactile finger pressure, Referring further simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3, the instant inventive method tor controlling menstrual flow preferably futher comprises altemative peeformance adher- Ing and disoining steps, each such step being applied to oF ‘ocouring a the labia nino In each labia minora adhering sep, the lef and right labium minuses 10 and IT are held together at their sphincterally contracted and vaginal space ‘losing postions, as depicted in FIG. 3. Conversely, in each Jabia minora dsjoining step, sueh anatomical structures are ‘drawn apart through bresking of adhesive bonds to allow ‘motion from the postion depicted in FIG. 3 to the position depicted in FIG. 2. In each such step, the twctile finger pressure is preferably utilized for drawing together or apart the left and right Iabium minuses 10 and M1. Suitably, the sphineteral contraction steps may be induced via drawing Jegs 2 and 4 together, sch action also drawing together the Jabia majora 8 and the labia minora 10 and 11. Further suitably, an adhesive release agent may be utilized for initating a sphineteral expansion, 0 o 4 Referring farther simultaneously to FIGS. 2 and 3, further steps ofthe instant inventive method, an adhesive 16 is disposed about the interior periphery ofthe Tet and right Jabjum minuses 10 and 11 so that, upon an execution of one ofthe sphincteral contracting steps, the left and right labinm ‘inmses 10 and 1 may he securely held at their vaginal space closing position Tra preferred mode of performance of the instant inven- tive metho, the adhesive 16 represents a provision of an adhesive having an hydrophobic character. Suitably, the hydrophobic adhesive may be selected and provided from the group of adhesives consisting of acrylic adhesives, polyisohutylene ahesives, silicone adhesives, and amino Acid protein based adhesives. In order to reduce the risk of skin tearing oF contusions, the adhesive preferably has a release force characteristic which is substotally less than the tensile or breaking strength of human skin. Also, in the preferred mode of performance of the instant inventive ‘method, the provided adhesive i bio-compatible, preferably ‘having low skin feritation and low skin sensitization factors. Disposition of the adhesive 16 may be via fingerip application o, suitably and altematively. though the use of ‘common applicator selected from the group of brishes, swabs, rub on sticks, roll on applicators, pump sprayers aerosol sprayers, squeeze tubo applicators, absorbent pad applicators, and botle applicators. “According othe function of the instant inventive method, ‘upon securing left and right fabium minuses 10 and 11, at their closed positions as depicted in FIG. 3 throwgh the skin surlaces connecting action of adhesive 16, the vaginal space ‘overlying the labia minora advantageously futions in the ‘manner of a selectively closed fluid storing vesicle. Selee- tive and voluntary opening of such “vesicle” may be per formed according to the sles of the invention through tactile and finger pressure actuated sphincteral expansion of the Labia minora 10,41, Accordingly, through the perfor ‘mance ofthe method steps of the instant invention, contin ‘us menstral flow is advantageously converted to a selec- tive and voluntarily actuated vesicle filing and vesicle purging funetion. ‘While the principles of the method of the invention have ‘been made clear in the above illustrative embodiment, those slilled in the art may make modifications to the method steps including. their identity, character, and sequence of performance ‘without departing Irom those principles ‘ccoengly it is intended thatthe description and drawings be interpreted 2s illsirative and notin the Timing sense, ‘and that the invention be given a scope commensurate with the appended claims. 1 el 1. A method for controling outward discharge of men- strual flow comprising steps of (@) alternately contracting and expanding labia minor, ‘the labia minora comprising left and right labium rinses wierein the left and right labium minases have skin surfoces, the left and right labium minuses? skin surfaces moving to a closed position upon each con- traction, the movement to the closed position forming 2 line, said closed position movement positioning the left kabium minus at sid Tine, said closed postion ‘movement further positioning the right labium minus at said Tne, and the left and right labium minuses” skin surfaces moving to an opened postion upon cach ‘expansion, each contraction step nd cach expansion Step comprising @ step of application to the left and right labium minoses drawing force,US 9,539,077 BI 5 () altemately pectorming an adhesive connecting aetion ‘upon the fet and right Iabium minoses" skin surfaces And disjoining the labia minora, each performance of the adhesive connecting action upon the left and right Jabjum minuses" skin surfaces securing the left and ‘ght lubium minuses’ skin surfaces atthe closed posi- tion, and each labia minora disjunction freeing the let and right labium minuses” skin surfaces for movement toward the opened position; and ()altemately resisting and permiting outward discharge ‘of mensirunl low; each such resistance occuring upon fone of the performances of the adhesive connecting actions upon the left and right labium minuses" skin surfaces, and each such permission oecurring upon one of the labia minora disjunetions the controlling of outward discharge of menstrual fow comprising the altemately resisting and permitting outward discharge fof the menstrual fo, wherein each performance of the tdhesive connecting action upon the left and right Tabium minuses" skin surfaces consists of disposition of aliquid or gel adhesive upon the lll and right Ibi ‘mises skin surfaces. 6 2. The method of claim 1 wherein the adhesive disposition step comprises providing an hydrophobie adhesive. ‘3. The method of claim 2 wherein the adhesive disposition step further comprises provision of a bio-compatible adhe- “The method of claim 2 wherein the adhesive disposition step further comprises providing an adhesive selected from the group consisting of acrylic adhesives, polyisobutylene adhesives, silicone adhesives, and amino aid based ahe- '5. The method of claim 2 wherein the adhesive disposition step further comprises providing an adhesive having release free charactor whieh is less than the tensile strength of skin, 6. The method of claim 1 wherein each adhesive dispo- sition step comprises providing and utilizing a liquid or gel applicator selected from the proup consisting of brushes, Swabs, rub-on sticks, roll-on applicators, pump sprayers, aerosol sprayers, squeeze tube applicators, bottle applica. tors, absorbent pad applicatrs, and finger applicators