CA1040352A - Resiliently deformable tampons in combination with an inserter therefor - Google Patents
Resiliently deformable tampons in combination with an inserter thereforInfo
- Publication number
- CA1040352A CA1040352A CA277,114A CA277114A CA1040352A CA 1040352 A CA1040352 A CA 1040352A CA 277114 A CA277114 A CA 277114A CA 1040352 A CA1040352 A CA 1040352A
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- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tampon
- inserter
- folded
- combination
- support member
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
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Abstract
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
The combination of a resiliently deformable tampon made from thin flexible sheet material and an inserter which holds the tampon in resiliently deformed condition for insertion into the vaginal cavity. The resiliently deformable sheet material may be in the form of a single sheet or multiple strips folded in various ways and then centrally disposed on top of the leading end of an elongate support member and draped downwardly thereover. The thus supported tampon is resiliently compressed by using the support member to slide the tampon into a tubular member of restricted diameter. In use the tubular member is inserted in the vagina to the desired depth, the internal support member is utilized to eject the tampon out of the tubular member into the vaginal cavity, and when the tampon is drawn out of the restricting tubular member it is free to expand within the cavity wherever the internal dimension of the cavity permits.
The combination of a resiliently deformable tampon made from thin flexible sheet material and an inserter which holds the tampon in resiliently deformed condition for insertion into the vaginal cavity. The resiliently deformable sheet material may be in the form of a single sheet or multiple strips folded in various ways and then centrally disposed on top of the leading end of an elongate support member and draped downwardly thereover. The thus supported tampon is resiliently compressed by using the support member to slide the tampon into a tubular member of restricted diameter. In use the tubular member is inserted in the vagina to the desired depth, the internal support member is utilized to eject the tampon out of the tubular member into the vaginal cavity, and when the tampon is drawn out of the restricting tubular member it is free to expand within the cavity wherever the internal dimension of the cavity permits.
Description
. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is known that absorbent tampons made of soft, low density, relatively uncompressed and deformable I materials, and especially of resiliently deformable J materials such as hydrophilic or mensesphilic polyurethane foams provide high absorbent capacity for menstrual exudate and tend to minimize early leakage. This is attributed to the fact that low density materials are in their most effective absorbent state from the start and do not have to be acted upon, or depend on expansion activating agents, to expand to useful size. In addition., low density materials have surface areas which more readily accept , ~.
,~,.. ., , " , ~ . ~;
;.,, . . , ,.. ~ . .. ~. , ' ` . : :
, ... : . . . : . ..
. ~ . . . :, - , exudate than do the hardened surface areas of conventional compressed tampons. Further when low density materials which additionally have an inherent springy resiliency are employed they conform readily to the multiple irregular folds, ridges and valleys of the vaginal walls when the walls are in their normal collapsed state. In so conform-ing, the deformable material forms obstructions to the flow of fluid, thus reducing the possibilities for bypass leakage through unobstructed channels. While high pressures exerted by the walls on any particular portion of the resilient material will tend to compress the material in that particular area, immediately adjacent wall areas which exert lesser pressure compre~s the deformable and resilient material correspondlngly less, and the tendency of the material to expand to its normal uncompressed condition, helps the material fill any voids which exist.
This inventlon i~ directed to tampons made from such deformable material~, ln partlcular to reslllently teformable materials, and to the combination of such tampon~ with an inserter designed to hold the tampons in temporary deformed condition for delivery into the vagina in a form which permits the tampon to re-expand from its ! temporarily deformed condition after delivery.
SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to resiliently deformable tampon~ made from thin flexible and absorbent ~heet material and a cooperating inserter which maintains the tampon in a resiliently deformed condition and of a size suitable for insertion and delivery into the vagina in a form which permit~ the tampon to re-expand within the vaglna after delivery. By resiliently deformahle is '~ .
It is known that absorbent tampons made of soft, low density, relatively uncompressed and deformable I materials, and especially of resiliently deformable J materials such as hydrophilic or mensesphilic polyurethane foams provide high absorbent capacity for menstrual exudate and tend to minimize early leakage. This is attributed to the fact that low density materials are in their most effective absorbent state from the start and do not have to be acted upon, or depend on expansion activating agents, to expand to useful size. In addition., low density materials have surface areas which more readily accept , ~.
,~,.. ., , " , ~ . ~;
;.,, . . , ,.. ~ . .. ~. , ' ` . : :
, ... : . . . : . ..
. ~ . . . :, - , exudate than do the hardened surface areas of conventional compressed tampons. Further when low density materials which additionally have an inherent springy resiliency are employed they conform readily to the multiple irregular folds, ridges and valleys of the vaginal walls when the walls are in their normal collapsed state. In so conform-ing, the deformable material forms obstructions to the flow of fluid, thus reducing the possibilities for bypass leakage through unobstructed channels. While high pressures exerted by the walls on any particular portion of the resilient material will tend to compress the material in that particular area, immediately adjacent wall areas which exert lesser pressure compre~s the deformable and resilient material correspondlngly less, and the tendency of the material to expand to its normal uncompressed condition, helps the material fill any voids which exist.
This inventlon i~ directed to tampons made from such deformable material~, ln partlcular to reslllently teformable materials, and to the combination of such tampon~ with an inserter designed to hold the tampons in temporary deformed condition for delivery into the vagina in a form which permits the tampon to re-expand from its ! temporarily deformed condition after delivery.
SUMMARY OP THE INVENTION
This invention is directed to resiliently deformable tampon~ made from thin flexible and absorbent ~heet material and a cooperating inserter which maintains the tampon in a resiliently deformed condition and of a size suitable for insertion and delivery into the vagina in a form which permit~ the tampon to re-expand within the vaglna after delivery. By resiliently deformahle is '~ .
- 2 -: . .,.`
~.. : . .. : ,. .: .. :: . ;-, . . - -~-- -~040352 mean a material which in its dry condition readily deforms under relatively light loads and when such loads are removed returns to its uncompressed condition without the need for mechanical or chemical assistance. Particularly ~uitable materials for this purpose are hydrophilic poly-urethane foams.
In general, suitable tampons are made from resiliently deformable sheet material in the form of either a single thin sheet or multiple thin strips assembled in a manner which permits the tampon to be draped or downwardly folded over an elongate supporting and delivery member.
While thus supported, the draped or downwardly folded tampon is resiliently compressed radially, by virtue of the fact that the internally supported tampon i9 glid lnto a tubular member of restricted diameter and of a size i ~uitable for vaginal insertion. ln use, the tubular member containing the resiliently deformed anA temporarily com-pros~ed tampon i~ inserted into the vagina to the desired depth and the elongate ~upporting member i8 ~litably advanced in the tubular member to e~ect the tampon out of the restricting tubular member and into the vaginal cavity. When the resiliently deformed tampon is slid free of the restricting tubular member it is free to expand within the cavity to the extent that its own resilience and the dimensions of the cavity permit.
The tampon a~sembly may ~e comprised of a pla$n sh-et, a plurality of centrally crossed strips with the ond~ radiating outward in ~paced array from the central cro~sover area, a flat strip formed in the shape of a loop which is flattened and folded into a W-configuration, or a rectangular ~heet first folded longitudinally on itself
~.. : . .. : ,. .: .. :: . ;-, . . - -~-- -~040352 mean a material which in its dry condition readily deforms under relatively light loads and when such loads are removed returns to its uncompressed condition without the need for mechanical or chemical assistance. Particularly ~uitable materials for this purpose are hydrophilic poly-urethane foams.
In general, suitable tampons are made from resiliently deformable sheet material in the form of either a single thin sheet or multiple thin strips assembled in a manner which permits the tampon to be draped or downwardly folded over an elongate supporting and delivery member.
While thus supported, the draped or downwardly folded tampon is resiliently compressed radially, by virtue of the fact that the internally supported tampon i9 glid lnto a tubular member of restricted diameter and of a size i ~uitable for vaginal insertion. ln use, the tubular member containing the resiliently deformed anA temporarily com-pros~ed tampon i~ inserted into the vagina to the desired depth and the elongate ~upporting member i8 ~litably advanced in the tubular member to e~ect the tampon out of the restricting tubular member and into the vaginal cavity. When the resiliently deformed tampon is slid free of the restricting tubular member it is free to expand within the cavity to the extent that its own resilience and the dimensions of the cavity permit.
The tampon a~sembly may ~e comprised of a pla$n sh-et, a plurality of centrally crossed strips with the ond~ radiating outward in ~paced array from the central cro~sover area, a flat strip formed in the shape of a loop which is flattened and folded into a W-configuration, or a rectangular ~heet first folded longitudinally on itself
3 -04C~352 d then transversely into an inverted V-shape. ~any other shapes are poss~ble.
The important consideration is that the assembled tampon be capable of being resiliently deformed inside a restricting tubular memher in an inverted U-shape or cup-like shape which provides an internal vertex inside the head of the thus deformed tampon to receive and be positively supported at said vertex by the leading end of an elongate inner support member. The support member serves to push the head portion of the tampon out of the tubular member into the vagina while drawing the remaining downwardly folded trailing portion of the tampon out of the tubular restraining member for resilient deposition within the vagina in relatively uncompressed condition.
~ hus, the present invention is directed to the combination of a catamenlal tampon and an inserter therefor in which the tampon is comprised of resilient absorbent material which easily compresses under light loads and tends to return to an uncompressed state when such loads are removed, the ma~erial further being of such nature that once the material i9 compresged a reatraining means is required to maintain the material in such compressed ; state, the improvement wherein the tampon is made from thin sheets of resiliently deformable material which material in flat or multifolded form 20 i8 draped over and downwardly folded around an elongate support member positioned at the approximate geometric center of the material to form a downwardly folded tampon body; the geometric center providing an internal vertex within the downwardly folded tampon against which the leading end of the support member is disposed; the tampon comprised of the downwardly folded materia] and associated with the centrally disposed support member being compressively enclosed by and in slidable association with an encircling restraining member;
the restraining member comprising an elongated tubular element adapted for insertion into the vaginal cavity and the support member being adapted to push against the internal vertex of the tampon while drawing the downwardly folded ." , . ~,; ~! , ... .. . . . .
-" . 104~35Z
7 ~!ling portion of the tampon free of the restraining member and into the cavity after such insertion, enabling the tampon when free of the restraining member to expand in the cavity wherever the internal dimension of the cavity permits such expansion.
Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a tampon in accordance with thls invention.
FIG. 2 i8 a section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a section similar to FIG. 2 but showing another strip construction.
FIG. 4 is a side view partially cut away of the FIG. 1 tampon ln a~sociation with sultable inserter members and illustrating the fir~t step ln a~sembling the tampon and inserter device.
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PIG. 5 i8 a side view similar to PIG. 4 showing the tampon partially introduced into the outer tubular member of the inserter device.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the tampon fulIy disposed WJ thin the inserter device.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of FIG. 6.
FIGS: 8-10 are several views of another embodLment of a tampon made in accordance with this invention.
FIGS. 11-13 are several views of still another tampon in accordance with this lnvention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
_ _ The plan view of FIG. 1 illustrates a tampon 10 made of a multiplicity of thLn strips 12, 13 and 14 of absorbent resilient material crossing each other at their geometric center 15 with the free ends of the strips radlating from the center at substantially equally spaced intervals. The strips 12, 13 and 14 are secured together at the crossover area by a suitable withdrawal strin~ 17.
The strips are preferably made of hydrophilic polyurethane foam as illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 2. The strlps 12-14 may be a single thickness as shown at 12 in FIG. 2 or multiple thicknessas 12a as shown in PIG. 3.
The strips may be used without a strengthening cover as shown in FIG. 2 or may be enclosed in a loose-fitting, non-restricting fluid pervious wrap 16 as shown in FIG. 3.
Such wrap may be woven or non-woven, and may also be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. In addition to reinforcing the foam the wrapper reduces the potent~al frlctional contact between the resiliently deformed tampon and the outer tubular member, as compared to uncovered foam, and thus permit~ easier e~ection from the tampon delivery system.
;.
``~ , , " , , , ,, '1 lOgO352 ~he foam may also be internally reinforced with a light scrim fabric if desired.
FIG. 4 illustrates a preliminary step which may be used in the assembly of tampon and inserter device.
~8 ~hown therein, an elongate outer tube member 18 which will restrictively contain the tampon is positioned over the geometric center 15 of the unrestrained tampon 10.
The leading end 19 of an elongate support member 20, comprised of a lower portion 22 dimensioned for slidable association with outer tube element 18 and an upper rod-like portion 21 comprised of smaller diameter frontal extension, is centrally positioned under center 15 of tampon 10, with withdrawal string 17 threaded through the hollow center of support member 20.
When support member 20 ls advanced in the dlrection indicated by the arrow, tampon 10 is stuffed into the restricted confines of outer tube 18 and belng of a resilient nature i8 maintained therein in resiliently deformed condition, particularly in the radial dlrectlon, FIG. 5 ~hows the tampon 10 partially pushed into outer tube 18.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the tampon and inserter in fully assqmbled condition. As shown therein, outer tube 18 is open-ended at its forward end 25. Since tampon 10 is of resiliently deformable material, the head portion of tampon 10 which extends beyond forward end 25 of tube 18 trys to expand to ~ts uncompressed condition and forms a bulbous tip somewhat as shown. Full expansion of the head portion is not obtained because the remaining trailing portion of the tampon is still restricted and compres~ed inside of tube 18. However, the head portion , ~
~ - 6 -.` "' , , ,. ~ .
.. ., . ,........ .. ,, . ,. , 1~)4Q35Z
or leading end of the tampon is partially successful in expand$ng, and in so doing forms a soft bulbous nose which i8 comfortable to insert and also performs the additionally useful function of swabhing any residual menstrual fluid from the vagina as it is inserted. This swabbing action removes one of the causes of early tampon failure often ascribed to leaka~e.
It i8 understood that alternatively, the outer tube 18 may be made long enough to contain the entire length of the folded tampon in which case none of the tampon would protrude. Such an arrangement is considered more hygienic by some users. In any event, outer tube 18 must be of such length that when the tampon-inserter combination i8 assembled, at least some part of the tampon remains resiliently deformed within the tube before delivery.
When the tampon 10 is resiliently deformed within outer tube member 18 it i9 in the form of an inverted cup-; like, or test tube-like, shape having an internal vertex 28 at its geometric center. When introduced into the vagina, the t~mpon will substantially retaln an inverted cup-llke configuration even though it is trying to return to its orlginal unrestrained flat form, because the re~tricted dimension and internal pressure of the vagina will confine the tampon and prevent complete expansion. As the free ends of the strips try to expand becau~e of the inherent resilience of the strip structure they press against the vaglnal walls and substantially conform to the contours thereof, whereby side channel leakage is minimized. In addltion, the central strip-crossing area which forms the head of the tampon will be disposedclo3e or ad~acent _ 7 _ .
- ~)4~)35Z
to the cervix thus placing the maximum thic~ness of the tampon in an area where the initial menstrual discharge takes place and where optimum absorbent capacity is most needed. Because the individual strips are thin, soft and easily deformable, no difficulties have been found in removing this style tampon even though the uncompressed tampon has considerable bulk.
In FIGS; 8-10 there is shown another embodiment of a suitable tampon made in accordance with this invention.
This tampon is comprised of a single thin strip 30 of resiliently deformable material. The strip 30 is made into a tampon by first forming it into a loop with over-lapped ends 31 and fastening the overlapped ends together with withdrawal string 37. The thus-formed loop is then flattened, and the flattened loop further formed into a W-configuration as shown in FIG. 10. The inner vertex of the central point in the W forms the support area which is in contact with the leading end 15 of the frontal extension of elongate support member 20. The inner vertex 20 i8 the polnt at which internal pushlng force is applied for the purpose of assembllng the tampon-inserter combina-tion, and also for ejecting the tampon during use.
Whlle withdrawal string 37 is shown as penetrating the upper portion of the tampon loop and securing both top and bottom portions together, the withdrawal string may be u~ed to secure the overlap area only in which case the inner layer of the W is capable of everting during with-drawal to make withdrawal relatively easier.
'I
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.. . , .
. . . , :
~ , ~
1~4~;~52 In FIGS. 11 - 13 ~tlll another embod~ment of a suitable tampon made in accordance with this invention.
This tampon is comprised of a flat rectangular sheet 40 of resiliently deformable material with a withdrawal string 47 attached at one corner. In forming the tampon, sheet 40 is folded twice in a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. ~2 and then once transversely into an inverted U-shape as shown in PIG. 13. The interior of the inverted U at 45 thus forms the internal vertex where it will be supported by leading end l5a of elongate support member 20a. As shown in this embodiment, elongate support member 20a is comprised of a solid frontal exten-sion 21a and a hollow lower portion 22a, rather than being hollow through its entire length. In this version of the support member an aperture 46 is provided at the base of frontal extension 20a to accommodate withdrawal string 47.
While the drawlngs show several preferred emboaiments of the tampon-inserter comblnation o~ thls lnventlon, it will be readily seen that other sultAble tampon configuratlons may be used. An important consldera-tlGn 18 that the tampon be made of thin sheet material whlch ls reslliently deformable, and that the deformable sheet material be capable of being formed into an inverted cup-shape or U shape provided wlth an inverted vertex .
suitable to recelve an lnner support member a~ descrlbed hereln.
The insertion dev~ce may be made of any sultable flexlble material wlth sufficient rigidity to perform the neces~ary functions of containment and ejection. A
preferred materlal is a thermoplastic synthetic material ' ~9~ - ~ ', , , ~
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~, . , ' , . ! ' . . ~, . ; . . . . , ., . ; . . , , ,. , . . , ~ , ` `
'.; ''' ' ' . ~ . ' . ' . ' , ' , '.... ,, .: ' : : ' ' .':.. '' '.... ... ... . . . .
1~4~)352 such a~ polypropylene or polyethylene. Other plastics such as nylon, polyesters and polyvinyls may also be used but generally are not as economically acceptable because of higher fabricating and material costs. Paperboard elements may also be employed.
While in the preferred embodiments described in the specification and shown in the drawings, the outer tube element 18 of the inserter device is shown as an open-ended tube, it is understood that the outer tube element may have a substantially closed end of the type now being marketed in which the forward end of the tube comprises a plurality of juxtaposed petal-like flexible segments which open outward when the tampon is ejected therefrom. This type of inserter will not provide the ~wabbing action which the open-ended tube structure permlts but is considered by some users to be more hygienlc. In any event, when comblned with an inner ~upport element as herein descrlbed, thls closed end type of outer tube 18 al80 sultable for use ln the lnventlon.
This application is a division of co-pending Canadlan Patent Application Serial No. 254,034, filed on June 3, 1976.
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The important consideration is that the assembled tampon be capable of being resiliently deformed inside a restricting tubular memher in an inverted U-shape or cup-like shape which provides an internal vertex inside the head of the thus deformed tampon to receive and be positively supported at said vertex by the leading end of an elongate inner support member. The support member serves to push the head portion of the tampon out of the tubular member into the vagina while drawing the remaining downwardly folded trailing portion of the tampon out of the tubular restraining member for resilient deposition within the vagina in relatively uncompressed condition.
~ hus, the present invention is directed to the combination of a catamenlal tampon and an inserter therefor in which the tampon is comprised of resilient absorbent material which easily compresses under light loads and tends to return to an uncompressed state when such loads are removed, the ma~erial further being of such nature that once the material i9 compresged a reatraining means is required to maintain the material in such compressed ; state, the improvement wherein the tampon is made from thin sheets of resiliently deformable material which material in flat or multifolded form 20 i8 draped over and downwardly folded around an elongate support member positioned at the approximate geometric center of the material to form a downwardly folded tampon body; the geometric center providing an internal vertex within the downwardly folded tampon against which the leading end of the support member is disposed; the tampon comprised of the downwardly folded materia] and associated with the centrally disposed support member being compressively enclosed by and in slidable association with an encircling restraining member;
the restraining member comprising an elongated tubular element adapted for insertion into the vaginal cavity and the support member being adapted to push against the internal vertex of the tampon while drawing the downwardly folded ." , . ~,; ~! , ... .. . . . .
-" . 104~35Z
7 ~!ling portion of the tampon free of the restraining member and into the cavity after such insertion, enabling the tampon when free of the restraining member to expand in the cavity wherever the internal dimension of the cavity permits such expansion.
Other embodiments and advantages of the invention will become apparent by reference to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
In the drawings:
FIG. 1 is a plan view of one embodiment of a tampon in accordance with thls invention.
FIG. 2 i8 a section taken along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is a section similar to FIG. 2 but showing another strip construction.
FIG. 4 is a side view partially cut away of the FIG. 1 tampon ln a~sociation with sultable inserter members and illustrating the fir~t step ln a~sembling the tampon and inserter device.
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PIG. 5 i8 a side view similar to PIG. 4 showing the tampon partially introduced into the outer tubular member of the inserter device.
FIG. 6 is a side view of the tampon fulIy disposed WJ thin the inserter device.
FIG. 7 is a longitudinal section of FIG. 6.
FIGS: 8-10 are several views of another embodLment of a tampon made in accordance with this invention.
FIGS. 11-13 are several views of still another tampon in accordance with this lnvention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
_ _ The plan view of FIG. 1 illustrates a tampon 10 made of a multiplicity of thLn strips 12, 13 and 14 of absorbent resilient material crossing each other at their geometric center 15 with the free ends of the strips radlating from the center at substantially equally spaced intervals. The strips 12, 13 and 14 are secured together at the crossover area by a suitable withdrawal strin~ 17.
The strips are preferably made of hydrophilic polyurethane foam as illustrated in the sectional view of FIG. 2. The strlps 12-14 may be a single thickness as shown at 12 in FIG. 2 or multiple thicknessas 12a as shown in PIG. 3.
The strips may be used without a strengthening cover as shown in FIG. 2 or may be enclosed in a loose-fitting, non-restricting fluid pervious wrap 16 as shown in FIG. 3.
Such wrap may be woven or non-woven, and may also be hydrophilic or hydrophobic. In addition to reinforcing the foam the wrapper reduces the potent~al frlctional contact between the resiliently deformed tampon and the outer tubular member, as compared to uncovered foam, and thus permit~ easier e~ection from the tampon delivery system.
;.
``~ , , " , , , ,, '1 lOgO352 ~he foam may also be internally reinforced with a light scrim fabric if desired.
FIG. 4 illustrates a preliminary step which may be used in the assembly of tampon and inserter device.
~8 ~hown therein, an elongate outer tube member 18 which will restrictively contain the tampon is positioned over the geometric center 15 of the unrestrained tampon 10.
The leading end 19 of an elongate support member 20, comprised of a lower portion 22 dimensioned for slidable association with outer tube element 18 and an upper rod-like portion 21 comprised of smaller diameter frontal extension, is centrally positioned under center 15 of tampon 10, with withdrawal string 17 threaded through the hollow center of support member 20.
When support member 20 ls advanced in the dlrection indicated by the arrow, tampon 10 is stuffed into the restricted confines of outer tube 18 and belng of a resilient nature i8 maintained therein in resiliently deformed condition, particularly in the radial dlrectlon, FIG. 5 ~hows the tampon 10 partially pushed into outer tube 18.
FIGS. 6 and 7 illustrate the tampon and inserter in fully assqmbled condition. As shown therein, outer tube 18 is open-ended at its forward end 25. Since tampon 10 is of resiliently deformable material, the head portion of tampon 10 which extends beyond forward end 25 of tube 18 trys to expand to ~ts uncompressed condition and forms a bulbous tip somewhat as shown. Full expansion of the head portion is not obtained because the remaining trailing portion of the tampon is still restricted and compres~ed inside of tube 18. However, the head portion , ~
~ - 6 -.` "' , , ,. ~ .
.. ., . ,........ .. ,, . ,. , 1~)4Q35Z
or leading end of the tampon is partially successful in expand$ng, and in so doing forms a soft bulbous nose which i8 comfortable to insert and also performs the additionally useful function of swabhing any residual menstrual fluid from the vagina as it is inserted. This swabbing action removes one of the causes of early tampon failure often ascribed to leaka~e.
It i8 understood that alternatively, the outer tube 18 may be made long enough to contain the entire length of the folded tampon in which case none of the tampon would protrude. Such an arrangement is considered more hygienic by some users. In any event, outer tube 18 must be of such length that when the tampon-inserter combination i8 assembled, at least some part of the tampon remains resiliently deformed within the tube before delivery.
When the tampon 10 is resiliently deformed within outer tube member 18 it i9 in the form of an inverted cup-; like, or test tube-like, shape having an internal vertex 28 at its geometric center. When introduced into the vagina, the t~mpon will substantially retaln an inverted cup-llke configuration even though it is trying to return to its orlginal unrestrained flat form, because the re~tricted dimension and internal pressure of the vagina will confine the tampon and prevent complete expansion. As the free ends of the strips try to expand becau~e of the inherent resilience of the strip structure they press against the vaglnal walls and substantially conform to the contours thereof, whereby side channel leakage is minimized. In addltion, the central strip-crossing area which forms the head of the tampon will be disposedclo3e or ad~acent _ 7 _ .
- ~)4~)35Z
to the cervix thus placing the maximum thic~ness of the tampon in an area where the initial menstrual discharge takes place and where optimum absorbent capacity is most needed. Because the individual strips are thin, soft and easily deformable, no difficulties have been found in removing this style tampon even though the uncompressed tampon has considerable bulk.
In FIGS; 8-10 there is shown another embodiment of a suitable tampon made in accordance with this invention.
This tampon is comprised of a single thin strip 30 of resiliently deformable material. The strip 30 is made into a tampon by first forming it into a loop with over-lapped ends 31 and fastening the overlapped ends together with withdrawal string 37. The thus-formed loop is then flattened, and the flattened loop further formed into a W-configuration as shown in FIG. 10. The inner vertex of the central point in the W forms the support area which is in contact with the leading end 15 of the frontal extension of elongate support member 20. The inner vertex 20 i8 the polnt at which internal pushlng force is applied for the purpose of assembllng the tampon-inserter combina-tion, and also for ejecting the tampon during use.
Whlle withdrawal string 37 is shown as penetrating the upper portion of the tampon loop and securing both top and bottom portions together, the withdrawal string may be u~ed to secure the overlap area only in which case the inner layer of the W is capable of everting during with-drawal to make withdrawal relatively easier.
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.. . , .
. . . , :
~ , ~
1~4~;~52 In FIGS. 11 - 13 ~tlll another embod~ment of a suitable tampon made in accordance with this invention.
This tampon is comprised of a flat rectangular sheet 40 of resiliently deformable material with a withdrawal string 47 attached at one corner. In forming the tampon, sheet 40 is folded twice in a longitudinal direction as shown in FIG. ~2 and then once transversely into an inverted U-shape as shown in PIG. 13. The interior of the inverted U at 45 thus forms the internal vertex where it will be supported by leading end l5a of elongate support member 20a. As shown in this embodiment, elongate support member 20a is comprised of a solid frontal exten-sion 21a and a hollow lower portion 22a, rather than being hollow through its entire length. In this version of the support member an aperture 46 is provided at the base of frontal extension 20a to accommodate withdrawal string 47.
While the drawlngs show several preferred emboaiments of the tampon-inserter comblnation o~ thls lnventlon, it will be readily seen that other sultAble tampon configuratlons may be used. An important consldera-tlGn 18 that the tampon be made of thin sheet material whlch ls reslliently deformable, and that the deformable sheet material be capable of being formed into an inverted cup-shape or U shape provided wlth an inverted vertex .
suitable to recelve an lnner support member a~ descrlbed hereln.
The insertion dev~ce may be made of any sultable flexlble material wlth sufficient rigidity to perform the neces~ary functions of containment and ejection. A
preferred materlal is a thermoplastic synthetic material ' ~9~ - ~ ', , , ~
--I
~, . , ' , . ! ' . . ~, . ; . . . . , ., . ; . . , , ,. , . . , ~ , ` `
'.; ''' ' ' . ~ . ' . ' . ' , ' , '.... ,, .: ' : : ' ' .':.. '' '.... ... ... . . . .
1~4~)352 such a~ polypropylene or polyethylene. Other plastics such as nylon, polyesters and polyvinyls may also be used but generally are not as economically acceptable because of higher fabricating and material costs. Paperboard elements may also be employed.
While in the preferred embodiments described in the specification and shown in the drawings, the outer tube element 18 of the inserter device is shown as an open-ended tube, it is understood that the outer tube element may have a substantially closed end of the type now being marketed in which the forward end of the tube comprises a plurality of juxtaposed petal-like flexible segments which open outward when the tampon is ejected therefrom. This type of inserter will not provide the ~wabbing action which the open-ended tube structure permlts but is considered by some users to be more hygienlc. In any event, when comblned with an inner ~upport element as herein descrlbed, thls closed end type of outer tube 18 al80 sultable for use ln the lnventlon.
This application is a division of co-pending Canadlan Patent Application Serial No. 254,034, filed on June 3, 1976.
`;;,,' !j~,~''''`, ' ,,,I . ,', ~ . ' " '!
Claims (9)
OR PRIVILEGE IS CLAIMED ARE DEFINED AS FOLLOWS:
1. In the combination of a catamenial tampon and an inserter therefor in which said tampon is comprised of resilient absorbent material which easily compresses under light loads and tends to return to an uncompressed state when such loads are removed, said material further being of such nature that once said material is compressed a restraining means is required to maintain the material in such compressed state, the improvement wherein said tampon is made from thin sheets of resiliently de-formable material which material in flat or multifolded form is draped over and downwardly folded around an elongate support member positioned at the approximate geometric center of said material to form a downwardly folded tampon body; said geometric center providing an internal vertex within the downwardly folded tampon against which the leading end of said support member is disposed; the tampon comprised of said downwardly folded material and associated with the centrally disposed support member being compressively enclosed by and in slidable association with an encircling restraining member; said restraining member comprising an elongated tubular element adapted for insertion into the vaginal cavity and said support member being adapted to push against the internal vertex of said tampon while drawing the downwardly folded trailing portion of the tampon free of said restraining member and into said cavity after such insertion, enabling the tampon when free of said restraining member to expand in said cavity wherever the internal dimension of said cavity permits such expansion.
2. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 1 wherein said resilient material comprises hydrophilic polyurethane foam.
3. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 2 wherein the thin sheet of resiliently deformable material is enclosed in a loosely fitting fluid pervious wrapper.
4. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 3 wherein said wrapper is a non-woven web.
5. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 4 wherein said non-woven web is hydrophilic.
6. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 4 wherein said non-woven web is hydrophobic.
7. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 1 wherein the sheet material from which said tampon body is formed comprises a plurality of narrow strips of said material, said strips crossing over each at their geometric center with the free ends of said strips radiating outwardly therefrom, said strips being secured together at the cross over area by a withdrawal string, the free ends of said strips being folded downwardly around said geometric center.
8. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 1 wherein the sheet material from which said tampon body is made comprises an elongate strip with the ends of said strip joined by a withdrawal string to form a loop, said loop being flattened and the flattened loop being folded into a W configuration with the string positioned at the internal vertex of the W, and the base of the W forms the downward folded portion and wherein the internal vertex of the W-configurated tampon is positioned on the leading end of said support member.
9. The combination tampon and inserter of Claim 1 wherein the sheet material from which said tampon body is made comprises a rectangular sheet having the withdrawal string attached at one corner, said rectangular sheet being folded on itself twice to form a triple laminate of substantially equal width sections, said folded sheet being then folded transversely substantially in half with the extremities providing downward folded portions, the interior area of said transverse fold providing the internal vertex at which the leading end of said support member is disposed.
Priority Applications (1)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,114A CA1040352A (en) | 1975-09-11 | 1977-04-27 | Resiliently deformable tampons in combination with an inserter therefor |
Applications Claiming Priority (4)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| US61249775A | 1975-09-11 | 1975-09-11 | |
| US05/612,488 US3981305A (en) | 1975-09-11 | 1975-09-11 | Low density tampon of intermeshed deformable strip material and inserter therefor |
| US05/612,487 US4010751A (en) | 1975-09-11 | 1975-09-11 | Inserter for delivering soft, deformable tampons into body cavities and the combination of a tampon therewith |
| CA277,114A CA1040352A (en) | 1975-09-11 | 1977-04-27 | Resiliently deformable tampons in combination with an inserter therefor |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1040352A true CA1040352A (en) | 1978-10-17 |
Family
ID=27425987
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA277,114A Expired CA1040352A (en) | 1975-09-11 | 1977-04-27 | Resiliently deformable tampons in combination with an inserter therefor |
Country Status (1)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| CA (1) | CA1040352A (en) |
-
1977
- 1977-04-27 CA CA277,114A patent/CA1040352A/en not_active Expired
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