Ergonomic Tampon Applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-2016296381-A1
Application number	US-201615188032-A
Country	US
Kind code	A1
Filing date	Jun 21, 2016
Priority date	Sep 12, 2002
Publication date	Oct 13, 2016
Grant date	—

Abstract

A tampon applicator barrel includes an insertion tip at a forward end of the barrel, a main body section that extends from the insertion tip, and a reverse taper section that is joined to the main body section so that the main body section is between the insertion tip and the reverse taper section. The main body section tapers toward the insertion tip section. The reverse taper section tapers in a direction away from the insertion tip section. A finger grip section extends from the reverse taper section to a plunger receiving end of the barrel opposite the forward end. The barrel is straight from the forward end to the plunger receiving end that receives a plunger.

First claim

1 - 23 . (canceled)

24 . A tampon assembly, comprising:
an applicator barrel having an internal cavity and a central axis, the applicator barrel including: an insertion tip section having a forward end, the insertion tip section having a curved tapered shape in which a ratio of a maximum diameter of the insertion tip to a length of the insertion tip is in a range from about 0.9 to about 1.8, the insertion tip having between three and eight petals; a main body section adjacent to the insertion tip section and opposite of the forward end of the insertion tip section, the main body section having a maximum diameter of the applicator barrel; a reverse taper section adjacent to the main body section, the reverse taper section tapering downwardly in a direction away from the insertion tip section; a finger grip section adjacent to the reverse taper section and being bound by a forward edge and a rearward edge, the reverse taper section tapering downwardly to a diameter that is slightly less than a diameter of the forward edge, the finger grip section having a concave shape between the forward edge and the rearward edge and including a plurality of protruding ribs extending away from a surface of the finger grip section between the forward edge and the rearward edge, the finger grip section including an opening leading into the internal cavity, the internal cavity within the finger grip section being defined by a wall adjacent to the opening, wherein the insertion tip section, the main body section, the reverse taper section and the finger grip section are positioned around the central axis of the applicator barrel; and
a pledget within the internal cavity of the applicator barrel, the pledget including a tapered forward end for supporting the petals during the insertion of the applicator barrel into a vagina; and
a plunger that telescopically extends into the internal cavity of the applicator barrel through the opening at the finger grip section, the plunger including a distal end to be pushed forwardly toward the internal cavity along the central axis, the distal end including a flared region that is received within the wall of internal cavity in response to the plunger expelling the pledget through the petals.

25 . (canceled)

26 . The tampon applicator according to claim 24 , wherein said insertion tip section has a curvature that at least partially approximates at least one of an elliptical curved tapered shape and a hyperbolic curved tapered shape.

27 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the tapered forward end of the pledget has a tapered shape that matches the curved tapered shape of the petals.

28 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the concave shape of the finger grip section results in a ratio of the maximum diameter to the minimum diameter of about 1.1 to about 1.75.

29 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the ratio of the maximum diameter of the insertion tip to the length of the insertion tip is about 1.1 to about 1.5.

30 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the maximum diameter of the applicator barrel is located within the main body section directly adjacent to the reverse taper section.

31 . (canceled)

32 . (canceled)

33 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the distance between the forward edge and the rearward edge of the finger grip section is between about 13 mm and about 40 mm.

34 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein a rearward end of the flare on the plunger is smaller in diameter than the rearward edge of the finger grip section.

35 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein the reverse taper section begins about 50 to about 54 mm from the forward end of insertion tip section.

36 . The tampon assembly of claim 24 , wherein maximum diameter on the barrel is between about 32 mm and about 54 mm from the forward end of insertion tip section.

37 . A tampon assembly, comprising:
a plastic applicator barrel having an internal cavity and a central axis, the applicator barrel including: an insertion tip section having between three and eight petals, wherein the petals a curvature that at least partially approximates at least one of an elliptical curved tapered shape and a hyperbolic curved tapered shape; a main body section adjacent the insertion tip, the main body section having a maximum diameter of the applicator barrel; a reverse taper section adjacent to the body section, the reverse taper section tapering downwardly in a direction away from the insertion tip; a finger grip section adjacent to the reverse taper section and being bound by a forward edge and a rearward edge, the reverse taper section tapering downwardly to a diameter that is slightly less than a diameter of the forward edge, the finger grip section having a concave shape between the forward edge and a rearward edge and including a plurality of gripping structures extending away from a surface of the finger grip section between the forward edge and the rearward edge, the finger grip section including an opening leading into the internal cavity, the internal cavity within the finger grip section being defined by a wall adjacent to the opening, the finger grip section having a generally circular cross-sectional shape; and wherein the insertion tip section, the main body section, the reverse taper section and the finger grip section are positioned around the central axis of the applicator barrel; and
a pledget within the internal cavity of the applicator barrel, the pledget including a tapered forward end for supporting the petals during use of the tampon assembly; and
a plunger that telescopically extends into the internal cavity of the applicator barrel through the opening at the finger grip section, the plunger including a distal end to be pushed forwardly toward the internal cavity, the plunger having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, the plunger having an outer diameter that is slightly smaller than a smallest diameter of the finger grip section such that the plunger generally telescopically fits into the finger grip section.

38 . (canceled)

39 . (canceled)

40 . The tampon assembly of claim 36 , wherein the tapered forward end of the pledget has a tapered shape that matches the curved tapered shape of the petals.

41 . The tampon applicator of claim 36 , wherein said plurality of gripping structures comprise at least two of a protuberance, embossment, slit, groove, louver, perforation, lance, abrasive, high coefficient of friction material, and combinations thereof.

42 . The tampon applicator of claim 36 , wherein at least one of said plurality of gripping structures encircles the surface of the finger grip section.

43 . The tampon applicator of claim 36 , wherein said gripping structures have a shape that is arcuate, circular, concave, conical, convex, diamond, linear, ovular, polygonal, rectangular, ribbed, square, triangular, or combinations thereof.

44 . A tampon assembly, comprising:
a plastic applicator barrel having an internal cavity and a central axis, the applicator barrel including: an insertion tip section having a generally curved tapered shape, the insertion tip having between three and eight petals; a main body section adjacent the insertion tip section such that said petals converge at said main body section, the main body section having a maximum diameter of the applicator barrel; a reverse taper section adjacent to the body section, the reverse taper section tapering downwardly in a direction a

Assignees

• Edgewell Personal Care Brands Llc

Inventors

• Lemay Jessica
• Bennett Kathryn
• Edgett Keith
• Jackson Dane
• Turchi Mario
• Weber Susanne

Classifications

• A61F13/26 Primary

  Means for inserting tampons {, i.e. applicators} · CPC title

• A61F13/266 Primary

  Insertion devices, e.g. rods or plungers, separate from the tampon · CPC title

• A61F13/2077

  having a visual effect, e.g. printed or embossed · CPC title

• Y10S604/904

  Tampons · CPC title

• A61F13/34

  Means for withdrawing tampons {, e.g. withdrawal strings} · CPC title