Applicator for feminine care device

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-9510978-B2
Application number	US-201314086126-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Nov 21, 2013
Priority date	Nov 30, 2012
Publication date	Dec 6, 2016
Grant date	Dec 6, 2016

Abstract

Applicators for inserting feminine care devices into the body are provided. The applicators include an applicator barrel having unique insertion tip designs. The insertion tips employ a plurality of petals that can have an inflection or bending point above the bases of the petals.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising:
a. a barrel comprising an insertion tip proximal a first end;
b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals including a petal base, a petal distal end, a petal length between the petal base and the petal distal end, and a petal thickness;
c. wherein the petal thickness varies in a non-uniform manner along the petal length via a petal thickness step change comprising two or more wall thickness taper angles.

2. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the two or more wall thickness taper angles comprise a first wall thickness taper angle and a second wall thickness taper angle, and wherein the first wall thickness taper angle is less than or equal to 0.3 degrees.

3. The applicator of claim 2 , wherein the second wall thickness taper angle is greater than or equal to 0.4 degrees.

4. The applicator of claim 1 , wherein the two or more wall thickness taper angles comprise a first wall thickness taper angle and a second wall thickness taper angle, and wherein the second wall thickness taper angle is greater than the first wall thickness taper angle by at least 50%.

Assignees

• Procter & Gamble

Inventors

• Nellenbach Eva Grace
• Khan Ayub Ibrahim

Classifications

• A61F13/266 Primary

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

• A61F13/26

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