Tampon applicator

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9283122-B2
Application number	US-201214002233-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Feb 28, 2012
Priority date	Mar 1, 2011
Publication date	Mar 15, 2016
Grant date	Mar 15, 2016

Abstract

A tampon applicator includes an outer cylinder having an absorbent; an inner cylinder configured to push the absorbent into the outer cylinder; and a flange part extending outward in a radial direction from an outer peripheral surface of a grip cylinder part of the outer cylinder. The flange part is provided with a flange identifying unit including at least one of an identifying display portion; an identifying friction portion; or an identifying shape portion.

First claim

The invention claimed is:

1. A tampon applicator, comprising:
an outer tube including an absorber therein, the outer tube having:
a push-out opening at one side from which the absorber is configured to be pushed out, and
a grip tube portion at the other side;

an inner tube inserted into the grip tube portion and configured to move further into the outer tube to push out the absorber outward from the push-out opening, and
a collar portion protruding outwardly in a radial direction from an outer circumference surface of the grip tube portion of the outer tube,

wherein
the collar portion includes a distinguishable friction portion having a friction coefficient different from a friction coefficient of a surface of at least either one of the outer tube and the inner tube, and
the distinguishable friction portion is provided only on an outer periphery of the collar portion.

2. A tampon applicator, comprising:
an outer tube including an absorber therein, the outer tube having:
a push-out opening at one side from which the absorber is configured to be pushed out, and
a grip tube portion at the other side;

an inner tube inserted into the grip tube portion and configured to move further into the outer tube to push out the absorber outward from the push-out opening, and
a collar portion protruding outwardly in a radial direction from an outer circumference surface of the grip tube portion of the outer tube,

wherein
the collar portion includes a distinguishable friction portion having a friction coefficient different from a friction coefficient of a surface of at least either one of the outer tube and the inner tube,
the collar portion further comprises a distinguishable display portion having a color different from at least either one of the outer tube and the inner tube,
the distinguishable friction portion is formed only on an outer periphery of the collar portion, and
the distinguishable display portion is formed on an inner periphery of the collar portion and extends toward the outer periphery in the radial direction.

3. A tampon applicator, comprising:
an outer tube including an absorber therein, the outer tube having:
a push-out opening at one side from which the absorber is configured to be pushed out, and
a grip tube portion at the other side;

an inner tube inserted into the grip tube portion and configured to move further into the outer tube to push out the absorber outward from the push-out opening; and
a collar portion protruding outwardly in a radial direction from an outer circumference surface of the grip tube portion of the outer tube,
wherein
the collar portion includes a distinguishable shape portion, and
the distinguishable shape portion has a plurality of concave portions on an outer periphery of the collar portion and extending toward a center of the collar portion.

4. The tampon application according to claim 3 , wherein the collar portion further includes a plurality of distinguishable display portions having a color different from at least either one of the outer tube and the inner tube.

5. The tampon application according to claim 4 , wherein the plurality of distinguishable display portions and the plurality of concave portions are alternatingly arranged in a circumferential direction of the collar portion.

Assignees

• Taniguchi Kenta
• Ito Yukihiro
• Yamaki Kouichi
• Unicharm Corp

Inventors

• Taniguchi Kenta
• Ito Yukihiro
• Yamaki Kouichi

Classifications

• 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

• A61F13/26

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