MXPA06010267A - Tampon applicator and method for making same - Google Patents

Abstract

A multiple-layered tampon applicator that has at least one modification to one or more inner layers that form the applicator. As a result, enhanced aesthetics, enhanced functionality, or both are achieved in the applicator.

Description

TAMPON APPLICATOR AND MANUFACTURING METHOD OF THE SAME FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention is generally concerned with a multi-layer tampon applicator. More particularly, the present invention is concerned with a multilayer tampon applicator with a modified internal layer (s), which results in improved functionality and aesthetics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION There are numerous applications that require a product to provide both alternately functional properties in conjunction with highly aesthetic properties. This is especially true with consumer products where the consumer is not only concerned with how well the particular product works, but also how the product looks and feels. In particular, feminine hygiene products such as tampons are subject to the stresses identified above, making it extremely difficult to manufacture a product that is highly functional and still meets the aesthetic demands of the consumer. By means of consumer studies, it has been determined that the color, texture and finish of a tampon applicator can alter the user's perception of ease REF .: 175711 insertion and comfort of the applicator. This includes, but is not limited to, glue imparting, surface texture modification, fraction coefficient, surface contact points and visual effects due to light reflection. With respect to tampon applicators, it is widely known that they are formed in general from either a molded thermoplastic material, such as plastic or a paper laminate such as cardboard or paperboard. Liquid-coated paper-rolling applicators are known in the art. For example, US Patent No. 4,412,833 issued to Weigner et al. is concerned with an applicator formed of a high-luster paper that can be coated with a degradable, dispersible or water-soluble polymer, such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chloride or modified polyvinyl alcohol. U.S. Patent No. 4,508,531 issued to hitehead provides an applicator with a heat sensitive coating such as polyolefin (e.g. polyethylene or polypropylene) or a heat sensitive adhesive. U.S. Patent No. No. 5,984,888 issued to Nielson et al., Is concerned with a paper applicator article having multiple layers of paper and a composite coating on the outer surface. However, neither the liquid coatings nor the film coatings applied to the prior art tampon applicators described above have allowed the combination of the desired glossy finish formation, applicator circularity retention, friction reduction and sufficient biodegradability, leaving only insofar as it also provides improved aesthetics to the applicator. In addition, some liquid coatings of the prior art are very expensive and require the use of organic solvents, leading to a higher manufacturing cost and higher consumer cost. The present invention overcomes the difficulties in providing additional aesthetic properties and / or additional functional properties to a tampon applicator without compromising the desired functional properties associated with the outer or outer surface of the tampon applicator. This is accomplished by modifying at least one inner layer of the material that forms the multilayer applicator. As a result, a highly functional product having improved aesthetics and / or functionality is efficiently produced without compromising any of the desired functional properties associated with the exterior surface.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a multilayer tampon applicator with one or more internal layers having one or more modifications. It is another object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator wherein the one or more modifications provide improved aesthetics to the applicator. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator wherein the one or more modifications provide improved functional properties to the tampon applicator. It is still another object of the present invention to provide such a tampon applicator wherein the one or more modifications provide a combination of improved aesthetics and improved functionality to the tampon applicator. These and other objects and advantages of the present invention will be appreciated from a tampon applicator according to the present invention. The multilayer tampon applicator has at least one modification to one or more internal layers forming the applicator. As a result, improved aesthetics, improved functionality or both are obtained.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Figure 1 is a cross-sectional view of a multilayer tampon applicator according to the present invention, and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of a multilayer tampon applicator having a modification of the inner layer forming a finger grip according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The tampon applicator multilayer of the present invention, as a result of one or more modifications of inner layer possesses such visual properties / improved aesthetics, improved surface characteristics and / or improved perception of comfort insertion. The term "applicator" is intended to include a barrel and / or plunger. The barrel includes an extraction end and an insertion end opposite the extraction end and is capable of housing a compress. The extraction end may include a grasping portion for the fingers or element (s), while the insertion end may include a plurality of petals. The grip portion with the fingers and / or the petals can be either integrally formed with the barrel or formed separately and secured to the barrel. As an example, referring to Figure 1, the tampon applicator 10 is illustrated with plunger 20 and barrel 40. The barrel 20 has insertion end 22 The insertion end 22 and withdrawal end 24. includes petals 26 The barrel 20 is shown housing a pad 50. The term "inner layer" refers to any layer except the outermost or outermost layer of the applicator. A "layer" may include but is not limited to, a coating, laminate, film, sheet, plate, nonwoven fabric, mesh, paper, plastic, adhesive, or any other structure that forms any portion of the multilayer structure of the barrel. or plunger of the tampon applicator. By way of example, referring again to Figure 1, the tampon applicator 10 has the barrel 20 and plunger 40. The barrel 20 is formed of multiple layers, in which internal layers 28, 30 are included. The plunger 40 is also formed from multiple layers, in which internal layers 42, 44 are included. The terms "outer layer" or "outermost layer" are interchangeable and in the context of this application define the final layer of material forming the surface outermost or outer of the barrel of the applicator and / or plunger of the applicator. This is not to say, however, that any portion of the one or more internal layer modifications may protrude through the outer layer. By way of example, the tampon applicator 10 illustrated in Figure 1 has the barrel 20 and plunger 40. The barrel 20 includes the outer layer 32 and the plunger 40 includes the outer layer 46. It will be understood that while the applicator 10 of multi-layer buffer illustrated in Figure 1 is illustrated with two internal layers, any number of internal layers can be used to form a multi-layer tampon applicator that obtains the desired aesthetic and / or functional properties, according to the present invention. invention.

Internal Layer (s) and Modification (s) In accordance with the present invention, there are numerous new modifications that can be made to one or more internal layers of a tampon applicator to obtain the desired effect (s) (s) In one embodiment of the present invention, one or more internal layers are modified to optically improve the applicator. Appropriate to optically enhance the applicator material includes but is not limited to, coatings, molded-coated paper, colored paper (dyed or pigmented), embossed paper, impregnated material optical enhancement paper, laminated paper gate, release paper, tissue paper, pigmented wax, dye luster rim, shellac, mica, Ti02 coated mica, metal oxide, bismuth oxychloride, polymers, polymer blends, copolymers, polymer coatings, pigments, dyes, dyes, holographic, iridescent, reflective, glow, plasticizers, softeners, elastifiers or any combination of the above. In one embodiment of the present invention, the one or more internal layers may include a coating composition such as but not limited to, resin, wax or any combination thereof. A suitable resin for use in the present invention includes but is not limited to, epoxy, acrylic, urethane, polyester, silicone, UV curable epoxy, UV curable acrylic, electron beam curable epoxy, electron beam curable acrylic, UV curable silicone, electron beam curable silicone, thermally curable silicone, modified resins such as styrene acrylic, epoxy acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyester, vinyl ether, vinyl ether, vinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and any modifications or combinations thereof. By way of example, US Patent No. 5,931,803, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses UV curable epoxy blends suitable for use in the present invention. Also, by way of example, US Patent No. 6,221,497, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses UV curable epoxy blends suitable for use in the coating composition of the present invention. To effect one or more optical enhancements, the coating composition may include one or more optical components added to the resin and / or wax, imparting aesthetic properties to the coating composition. Such components may include, but are not limited to, mica, coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, holographic material, iridescent material, reflective material, glare, metallic effect pigment, interference pigment, material of liquid crystal effect or any combination thereof. The above optical components may be of synthetic or natural origin. Preferably, the optical component used in the coating composition of the present invention is mica, mica coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride or any combination thereof. When present, the one or more optical components are included in the coating composition in an amount of about 1 weight percent (wt%) to about 70 wt%, based on the total weight of the coating composition. More preferably, the one or more optical components are present in an amount of about 2% by weight to about 25% by weight and more preferably about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight. When bismuth oxychloride is used, it preferably has a particle size of about 8 to about 11 microns and is present in the coating composition in an amount of about 5% by weight to about 50% by weight. More preferably, the bismuth oxychloride has a particle size of about 9 microns to about 10 microns and is present in an amount of about 25% by weight to about 35% by weight. For example, it has been found that the use of bismuth oxychloride when it is carefully homogenized in the composition results in improved dispersion. This improved dispersion imparts improved rub resistance characteristics to the coating. In addition, the homogenized bismuth oxychloride particles also result in improved luster or improved gloss characteristics in the coating composition, which results in improved appearance properties. In another embodiment of the present invention, the optical component used in the coating composition of the present invention is mica, mica coated with Ti0., mica coated with iron oxide or any combination thereof. Preferably, the optical component is mica coated with Ti02. Examples of suitable mica components include, but are not limited to, components sold by Engelhard under various trade names including MAGNAPEARL, MEARLIN, MEARLITE and LUMINA, and Merck's EM Chemical division, which sells AFFLAIR. Mica-based pigments are irregularly shaped mica platelets that can be coated with titanium dioxide or iron oxide. When they are added to a coating composition in accordance with the present invention, they produce a variety of iridescent effects which include a glossy white to light appearance, an interference or tilting color that changes appearance with the viewing angle or effects of metallic silver and gold. The mica coated with Ti02 can be manufactured using both degrees of anatase or rutile of titanium dioxide. The rutile grade is preferred, since it produces a higher luster and better whiteness. When mica and particularly mica coated with Ti? 2 is used, it preferably has a particle size of about 2 microns to about 150 microns and is present in the coating composition in an amount of about 1% by weight to about 60% by weight . More preferably, the mica has a particle size of about 2 microns to about 10 microns and is present in an amount of about 2% by weight to about 20% by weight and more preferably about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight. weight. The coating composition may include one or more color components either alone or in combination with one or more optical components to selectively impart a color to the coating composition. Suitable color components may include, but are not limited to, dye, dyes, inorganic pigments, organic pigments or any combination thereof. Preferably, one or more pigments are included in the resin and / or wax to impart color. The appropriate pigment may include, but is not limited to, titanium dioxide, white titanium dioxide, iron oxide, red iron oxide, orange iron oxide, white zinc sulphide, aluminum powder, bronze powder, Red Lake C, phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine red, diarylide yellow, quinacridone red, rhodamine red, rubin lithol red, naphthol red, neozapon red, carbizol violet, carbon black, or any combination thereof same. When present, the one or more color components are included in the resin and / or wax in an amount of about 0.01% by weight to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the one or more color components are present in an amount of about 0.01% by weight to about 3% by weight and more preferably about 0.5% by weight to about 1% by weight. To form the coating composition, the one or more color components are combined to the coating composition. Special care must be taken when formulating the coating composition of the present invention to avoid adding the one or more color components in such an amount or manner as to ultimately compromise the desired and / or required physical properties of the final coating composition.

By way of example, an appropriate material that can be used to optically improve the one or more internal layers includes, but is not limited to, RAD-KOTE K261-Purple-Purple Tinted Varnish, RAD-KOTE K261-Rl-Red Tinted Varnish, RAD-KOTE 261-Blue-Blue Tinted Varnish, and pearlescent products 23KRCCV1-HLP30 (Purple, Pink &Blue) and K261P 1531 (Clear, Purple, Pink &Blue). All the above materials are commercially available from RadCure. Examples and additional descriptions of the appropriate coating material that would be useful for modifying one or more internal layers according to the present invention are described in the co-pending utility patent application bearing serial number 10 / 877,440, which claims the benefit of the previously filed provisional patent applications bearing serial numbers 60 / 482,649; 60 / 502,432; and 60 / 536,100, all of which are incorporated by reference herein in their entirety. In addition to or in place of the above, one or more surface modification materials may be included in / on one or more internal layers to improve the characteristics and / or graspability of the vaginal insert. Suitable surface modification materials include, but are not limited to, one or more lubricants, hardness / surface softness modifiers, abrasive materials, hydrophilic material, hydrophobic material, polyurethane, acrylic, PVC, silicone, PTFE, paraffin, phenol, fluoropolymer, polyester, epoxy, vinyl, polyamideimide, PPS, nylon, parylene, urethane, polyamide, polysulfide, Penford Gum 280 Starch, molded coated paper, lubricant paper, atomized paper or any combination of the above. In a preferred embodiment, the one or more surface modification materials are one or more lubricants. Suitable lubricants that can be used in the present invention include but are not limited to glycerin, glycerides, triglycerides, mineral oils, vegetable oils, plant extracts, aloe, kiwi extract, silicones, and any combinations thereof. By way of example, the following lubricants are suitable for use in the present invention. REPLENS sold by Columbia Labs; BIO-ACTIVE MULTI-GYN LUBRICARE sold by Multi-Gyn USA; K-Y Jelly, sold by Johnson and Johnson; ASTROGLIDE sold by Astro-Lube Inc .; SYLK; WET PLATINUM ORIGINAL; JUICY LUBE; AQUA LUBE sold by Mayer Labs; LIFESTYLES Liquid Personal Lubricant; LUBRIN sold by Upsher-Smith Laboratories, Inc .; TODAY PERSONAL LUBRICANT; and GYNE-MOISTRI? sold by Schering-Plow. In addition to or in place of the above, one or more surface modifications may be included in / on one or more internal layers to improve the characteristics and / or ability of vaginal insertion grip. Appropriate surface modifications include, but are not limited to, physical / mechanical surface designs, acid etching, scratching, texture, embossing, depressions, protuberances, designs, marking, ornamental, laminated gate material on paper, watermark, paper printed or any combination of the above. It is also considered that any known mixing techniques in general of coatings, dyes, modifiers and additives, in which homogeneous dispersions, suspensions and mixtures are included; printing or embossing patterns; coating techniques of external surface materials such as lamination, top coating, immersion, vacuum deposition, atomization, electrostatic atomization, powder coating, liquid coating, parilene coating; Color imparting techniques such as color atomization on the surface and / or surface finish are possible methods for modifying the surface to obtain the effects listed above. It is considered that any materials used to obtain the effects described previously form either one or more internal layers and / or are integral with one or more internal layers of the tampon applicator of the present invention.

Most External Layer The outermost or outermost layer of the tampon applicator may be any suitable material and / or coating known to those skilled in the art. A material and / or coating suitable use in the present invention include, but are not limited to, resin, wax, paper, plastic or any combination thereof. A suitable resin use in the present invention includes, but is not limited to, epoxy, acrylic, urethane, polyester, silicone, UV curable epoxy, UV curable acrylic, electron beam curable epoxy, electron beam curable acrylic , UV curable silicone, electron beam curable silicone, thermally curable silicone, modified resins such as styrenated acrylic, epoxy acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, vinyl chloride, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl and any modifications or combinations thereof. By way of example, US Patent No. 5,931,803, incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses UV curable epoxy blends suitable use in the present invention. Also, by way of example, US Patent No. 6,221,497 incorporated by reference herein in its entirety, discloses UV curable epoxy combinations suitable use in the coating composition of the present invention. The coating composition may also include one or more optical components added to the resin and / or wax, imparting aesthetic properties to the coating composition without compromising the ultimate functionality of the coating composition and subsequent coated buffer applicator. Such components may include, but are not limited to, mica, coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, holographic material, iridescent material, reflective material, glare, metallic effect pigment, interference pigment, material of liquid crystal effect or any combination thereof. The above optical components may be of natural or synthetic origin. Preferably, the optical component used in the coating composition of the present invention is mica, mica coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride or any combination thereof. When present, the one or more optical components are included in the coating composition in an amount of about 1 weight percent (wt%) to about 70 wt%, based on the total weight of the coating composition. More preferably, the one or more optical components are present in an amount of about 2% by weight to about 25% by weight and more preferably about 5% by weight to about 15% by weight. The coating composition may include one or more color components either alone or in combination with one or more optical components to selectively impart a color to the coating composition. Suitable color components may include, but are not limited to, dye, dyes, inorganic pigments, organic pigments or any combinations thereof. Preferably, one or more pigments are included in the coating composition imparting color. The appropriate pigment may include but is not limited to, titanium dioxide, white titanium dioxide, iron oxide, red iron oxide, orange iron oxide, white zinc sulphide, aluminum powder, bronze powder, Red Lake C , phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine red, diarylurous yellow, quinacridone red, rhodamine red, rubin red lithol, naphthol red, neozapon red, carbizol violet, carbon black or any combination of same. When present, the one or more color components are included in the resin and / or wax in an amount of about 0.001% by weight to about 5% by weight. Preferably, the one or more color components are present in an amount of about 0.01% by weight to about 3% by weight and more preferably about 0.5% by weight to about 1% by weight. By way of example, the appropriate material that can be used to optically improve one or more internal layers includes, but is not limited to, RAD-KOTE K261-Purple-Purple Tinted Varnish, RAD-KOTE K261-Rl-Red Tinted Varnish, RAD-KOTE K261-Blue-Blue Tinted Varnish, and pearlescent products 23KRCCV1-HLP30 (Purple, Pink &; Blue) and K261P 1531 (Clear, Purple, Pink &Blue). All the above materials are commercially available from RadCure. Examples of suitable mica components include, but are not limited to, components sold by Engelhard under various trade names including MAGNAPEARL, MEARLIN, MEARLITE and LUMINA, and Merck 's EM Chemicals division, which sells AFFLAIR. It has unexpectedly been found that the unique combination of resin and / or silk material with the one or more selected color components results in a coating that when applied to a substrate demonstrates properties comparable to and / or superior to a similar coating without the selected color components. In addition, the coating composition also exhibits similar properties, both functional and aesthetic, to those of the plastic. This is especially important in cardboard tampon applicators coated with the coating composition. It has also been surprisingly found that the coating composition exhibits an improved luster. As a result, the coating composition has an improved visual appearance. In addition, by way of example, when the coating composition is applied to a cardboard tampon applicator, the improved luster gives the cardboard applicator a plastic-like appearance. The luster, as measured at an angle of 60% according to ASTM D523, attributed to coating components of the present invention is in the range between about 30 to about 95 and preferably about 30 to about 60. Other An important attribute of the coating composition is that it has excellent color fastness. The term color fastness, as used herein, is the resistance of a material to change in any of its color characteristics, to transfer any of its dye (s) to adjacent materials or both, as a result of the exposure of the material to any environment that could be encountered during the processing, testing, storage or use of the material. It is believed that the coating composition of the present invention would experience little or no heat transfer, when tested in accordance with a test such as, for example, test method 8-1981 of AATCC. In addition, other key attributes of a coating composition, such as tensile strength, tensile modulus and elongation, are not compromised by the coating composition according to the present invention, contrary to conventional knowledge. Particularly, kinetic friction coefficient measurements between about 0.1 to about 0.2 are obtained by coating compositions according to the present invention. The coating composition provides the tampon applicator with not only a low coefficient of friction and high luster, but also an appearance similar to colored plastic. In addition, the coating has a low content of components that can be extracted, which do not exceed 0.5 mg / (2.5 cm) 2. Once formulated, the coating composition can be applied to any one or more of the internal layers by any process known in the substrate coating art. Appropriate processes include, but are not limited to, atomization, top coating, roll coating, dipping, printing, melting, extrusion, thermal fusion extrusion, slot mold, knife, engraving, offset engraving, flexo, letterpress, offset and litho, silkscreen or any combination thereof. In the case of a cardboard tampon applicator according to the present invention, the coating composition forming the outer layer is preferably applied to an external surface of the one or more internal layers to form a base tampon applicator structure. The base tampon applicator structure, which includes the one or more modified inner layers and preferably an outer layer, is formed into a tampon applicator product. The tampon applicator is preferably spiral wound; however, it could be formed as a convoluted tube. The coating composition forming the outer layer can be applied to the entire applicator or any portion of the desired applicator. This may include any portion of the applicator, in which any portion of the barrel and / or plunger is included. As a result, any desired property or properties can be selectively applied to the tampon applicator. To obtain the desired properties of the coating composition on the tampon applicator, it has been found that the coating should be applied in a thickness of about 2 microns to about 50 microns. Preferably, the coating has a thickness of about 3 microns to about 6 microns.

EXAMPLES The following examples or embodiments are intended to exemplify the many novel modifications that can be made to one or more internal layers of a tampon applicator in accordance with the present invention and are in no way intended to limit the invention. In one embodiment of the present invention, a barrel and plunger of tampon applicator may include the same modifications of inner layer, thus resulting in uniform aesthetic and / or functional properties throughout the applicator. By way of example and referring to Figure 1, one or both of the inner layers 28, 30 and inner layers 42, 44 may have one or more of the same optical enhancement materials such as, but not limited to, dye, pigments, dyes, iridescence or any combination thereof. As a result, the optical improvement would be present throughout the buffer applicator 10. In another embodiment of the present invention, the inner layers 28, 30 are modified and / or include a material different from the inner layers 42, 44. As a result, the barrel 20 will have different aesthetic and / or functional properties than those associated with the plunger 40. This is especially valuable when one might wish, for example, a low coefficient of friction on the barrel, and still improved grip on the plunger. This can be easily obtained by the present invention by varying the material / modification to the inner layer (s) of the barrel 20 and plunger 40. In still another embodiment of the present invention, a gripping area with the fingers can be formed at the extraction end of the tampon applicator barrel by modifying a discrete area of one or more of the internal layers that make up the barrel. Referring to Figure 2, the tampon applicator 10 has the barrel 20 with the extraction end 24. The inner layer 30 has been modified with one or more modifications in accordance with the present invention, resulting in a raised or textured surface. in the finger grip region 50 at the extraction end 24. It should be understood that the principles described above with respect to Figure 1 and Figure 2 can be applied to any portion or any area of the barrel, plunger of the applicator of buffer or both. The ability to provide such modifications during the initial formation of the tampon applicator eliminates the need for further processing to form, for example, a finger grip. As a result, substantial time and cost efficiencies can result. In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one inner layer of a tampon applicator is modified to be colored, which results in a colored applicator. The modification may include a colored coating material, such as a pigmented wax or may include colored paper or plastic material. The modification to the one or more internal layers may be uniform or may be effected to effect any desired multicolored or shaped effect on any portion of the applicator. Additionally, the applicator may include a coating or resin of outer layer, wax or combination thereof, according to the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one inner layer of a multilayer tampon applicator includes a layer of embossed paper. Preferably, embossments are configured throughout the applicator and are not confined to any individual area. Also, this applicator may include a coating to form the outer layer, in accordance with the present invention. In another embodiment of the present invention, the one or more internal layers are modified to include lubricant. The tampon applicator also includes an external coating material, such as wax, resin or any combinations thereof. The lubricant is apt to migrate through to or on the surface of the outer layer to provide lubrication to the user of the tampon applicator. Other modifications of the present invention will be obvious to those skilled in the art from the teachings above. further, while the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and particular details thereof, it is not intended that these details be construed as limiting the scope of the invention. It is noted that, with regard to this date, the best method known to the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention is that which is clear from the present description of the invention.

Claims (45)

1. CLAIMS Having described the invention as above, the content of the following claims is claimed as property: 1. A tampon apiicardor comprising one or more internal layers, characterized in that the one or more internal layers have at least one modification that provides the tampon applicator improved aesthetic and / or functional properties compared to a tampon applicator without the at least one modification.
2. 2. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon applicator comprises a barrel, a plunger, a finger grip, one or more insert petals or any combinations thereof.
3. 3. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the at least one modification includes one or more optical enhancement materials, surface modification materials, surface modifications and any combinations thereof.
4. The tampon applicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more optical enhancement materials are selected from the group consisting of coating, molded-coated paper, colored paper, dyed paper, pigmented paper, embossed paper, paper impregnated with optical enhancement material, laminated gate paper, release paper, woven paper, pigmented wax, wax with lip gloss colorants, lacquer, mica, mica coated with Ti02, metal oxide, bismuth oxychloride, polymers, combinations polymeric, polymeric, polymeric coated, pigments, dyes, dyes, holographic, iridescent, reflective, gloss, plasticizers, softeners, elastifiers and any combinations thereof.
5. 5. The tampon applicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more optical enhancement materials are selected from the group consisting of coating, colored paper, dyed paper, pigmented paper, embossed paper, paper impregnated with improvement material. optics, pigmented wax, wax with lip gloss dyes, lacquer, mica, mica coated with Ti02, metal oxide, bismuth oxychloride, pigments, dyes, dyes, holographic, iridescent, reflective, gloss and any combinations thereof.
6. 6. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the one or more optical enhancement materials is a coating.
7. 7. The tampon applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating comprises resin, wax and any combinations thereof.
8. The tampon applicator according to claim 7, characterized in that the coating comprises resin selected from the group consisting of epoxy, acrylic, urethane, polyester, silicone, UV curable epoxy, UV curable acrylic, epoxy curable electrons, electron beam curable acrylic, UV curable silicone, electron beam curable silicone, thermally curable silicone, modified resins such as styrene acrylic, epoxy acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, vinyl, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and any combinations thereof.
9. 9. The tampon applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating further comprises one or more optical components selected from the group consisting of mica, mica coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, holographic material , iridescent material, reflective material, glare, metallic effect pigment, interference pigment, liquid crystal effect material and any combinations thereof.
10. The tampon applicator according to claim 9, characterized in that the one or more optical components are included in the coating in an amount of about 1 weight percent (wt%) to about 70 wt%, based on the total weight of the coating.
11. The tampon applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating comprises one or more color components.
12. 12. The tampon applicator according to claim 11, characterized in that the one or more color components is selected from the group consisting of dyes, dyes, inorganic pigments, organic pigments and any combinations thereof.
13. The tampon applicator according to claim 11, characterized in that the one or more color components is one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, white titanium dioxide, iron dioxide, red iron oxide , orange iron oxide, white zinc sulphide, aluminum powder, bronze powder, Red Lake C, phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine red, diarylide yellow, quinacridone red, rhodamine red, lithol red rubina, naphthol red, neozapon red, carbizol violet, carbon black and any combinations thereof.
14. 14. The tampon applicator according to claim 11, characterized in that the one or more color components are present in the coating in an amount of about 0.001% weight to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the coating. .
15. 15. The tampon applicator according to claim 6, characterized in that the coating comprises one or more optical components and one or more color components.
16. 16. The tampon applicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more surface modification materials are selected from the group consisting of lubricant, surface hardness modifier, surface softness modifier, abrasive material, hydrophilic material, hydrophobic material , polyurethane, acrylic, PVC, silicone, PTFE, paraffin, phenol, fluoropolymer, polyester, epoxy, vinyl, polyamideimide, PPS, nylon, parylene, urethane, polyamide, polysulfide, Penford Gum 280 Starch, molded-coated paper, lubricant paper, atomized paper and any combination of the above.
17. 17. The tampon applicator according to claim 3, characterized in that the one or more surface modifications are selected from the group consisting of physical surface designs, mechanical surface designs, acid etching, scratching, texture, embossing, depressions, protuberances. , designs, marking, ornamental, laminated gate material on paper, watermark, printed paper and any combination of the above.
18. 18. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that it further comprises an outer layer.
19. 19. The tampon applicator according to claim 18, characterized in that the outer layer is selected from the group consisting of coating, paper, plastic and any combination of the above.
20. 20. The tampon applicator according to claim 19, characterized in that the outer layer is a coating selected from the group consisting of resin, wax and any combination of the foregoing.
21. The tampon applicator according to claim 20, characterized in that the resin is selected from the group consisting of epoxy, acrylic, urethane, polyester, silicone, UV curable epoxy, UV curable acrylic, electron beam curable epoxy. , electron beam curable acrylic, UV curable silicone, electron beam curable silicone, thermally curable silicone, modified resins such as styrene acrylic, epoxy acrylate, polyester acrylate, polyester, vinyl ester, vinyl ether, vinyl, polyvinyl alcohol, polyvinyl acetate and any combination of the above.
22. 22. The tampon applicator according to claim 19, characterized in that the coating further comprises one or more optical components selected from the group consisting of mica., mica coated with Ti02, mica coated with iron oxide, bismuth oxychloride, holographic material, iridescent material, reflective material, glow, metallic effect pigment, interference pigment, liquid crystal effect material and any combination of the above.
23. 23. The tampon applicator according to claim 22, characterized in that the one or more optical components are included in the coating in an amount of about 1 weight percent (weight%) to about 70 weight%, based on to the total weight of the coating.
24. 24. The tampon applicator according to claim 19, characterized in that the coating comprises one or more color components.
25. 25. The tampon applicator according to claim 24, characterized in that the one or more color components is selected from the group consisting of dyes, dyes, inorganic pigments, organic pigments and any combinations thereof.
26. 26. The tampon applicator according to claim 24, characterized in that the one or more color components is one or more pigments selected from the group consisting of titanium dioxide, white titanium dioxide, iron oxide, red iron oxide , orange iron oxide, white zinc sulphide, aluminum powder, bronze powder, Red Lake C, phthalocyanine green, phthalocyanine blue, phthalocyanine red, diarylide yellow, quinacridone red, rhodamine red, lithol red rubina, naphthol red, neozapon red, carbizol violet, carbon black and any combination of the above.
27. 27. The tampon applicator according to claim 24, characterized in that the one or more color components are present in the coating in an amount of about 0.001% by weight to about 5% by weight, based on the total weight of the coating. .
28. 28. The tampon applicator according to claim 19, characterized in that the coating comprises one or more optical components and one or more color components.
29. 29. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon applicator has a barrel and a plunger and the one or more internal layer modifications are applied uniformly to both the barrel and the plunger.
30. 30. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon applicator has a barrel and a plunger and one or more modifications of the inner layer to the barrel are different than one or more internal layer modifications made to the plunger.
31. 31. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon applicator has a barrel with one or more modifications of the inner layer to one or more discrete areas of the barrel.
32. 32. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, characterized in that the tampon applicator has a plunger with one or more modifications of the inner layer to one or more discrete areas of the plunger.
33. 33. A tampon applicator characterized in that it comprises a barrel with an insertion end and an extraction end opposite the insertion end, the extraction end of the barrel comprises one or more modifications of the inner layer to form a grip area with the fingers .
34. 34. A tampon applicator characterized in that it comprises at least one colored inner layer, wherein the at least one colored inner layer is selected from the group consisting of colored coating material, colored wax, colored resin, colored paper, colored plastic and any combinations thereof.
35. 35. The tampon applicator according to claim 34, characterized in that it further comprises an outer layer selected from the group consisting of resin coating, wax coating and any combinations thereof.
36. 36. A tampon applicator characterized in that it comprises one or more internal layers of embossed paper, where the embossments are configured through the entire applicator.
37. 37. The tampon applicator according to claim 36, characterized in that it further comprises an outer layer selected from the group consisting of resin coating, wax coating and any combinations thereof.
38. 38. A tampon applicator characterized in that it has one or more internal layers, wherein the one or more internal layers include one or more lubricants.
39. 39. The tampon applicator according to claim 38, characterized in that the one or more lubricants are selected from the group consisting of glycerin, glycerides, triglycerides, mineral oils, vegetable oils, plant extracts, aloe, kiwi extract, silicones and any combinations thereof.
40. 40. The tampon applicator according to claim 38, characterized in that it further comprises an outer layer selected from the group consisting of resin coating, wax coating and any combinations thereof.
41. 41. The tampon applicator according to claim 40, characterized in that the one or more lubricants are able to migrate through the outer layer to provide lubrication to a user of the tampon applicator.
42. 42. The tampon applicator according to claim 38, characterized in that it further comprises one or more internal layers of embossed paper.
43. 43. A method for manufacturing a tampon applicator having one or more internal layers, characterized in that it comprises the steps of: modifying the one or more internal layers with one or more optical enhancement materials, surface modification materials, surface modifications and any other combinations thereof, wherein the tampon applicator has improved aesthetic and / or functional properties compared to a tampon applicator without the modification of one or more internal layers.
44. 44. The method of compliance with the claim 43, characterized in that it further comprises the step of applying an outer layer to the tampon applicator.
45. 45. The method according to the claim 44, characterized in that the outer layer is selected from the group consisting of resin, wax and any combinations thereof.