EP1023023A1 - Lubricant dispenser - Google Patents

Lubricant dispenser

Info

Publication number
EP1023023A1
EP1023023A1 EP98938867A EP98938867A EP1023023A1 EP 1023023 A1 EP1023023 A1 EP 1023023A1 EP 98938867 A EP98938867 A EP 98938867A EP 98938867 A EP98938867 A EP 98938867A EP 1023023 A1 EP1023023 A1 EP 1023023A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
holder
coating composition
walls
reservoir
plunger
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.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP98938867A
Other languages
German (de)
French (fr)
Inventor
Anneke Van Der Klashorst
Phillips Lodewickus Van Der Klashorst
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Procter and Gamble Co
Original Assignee
Procter and Gamble Co
Priority date (The priority date 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 date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Procter and Gamble Co filed Critical Procter and Gamble Co
Publication of EP1023023A1 publication Critical patent/EP1023023A1/en
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A61—MEDICAL OR VETERINARY SCIENCE; HYGIENE
    • A61F—FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS
    • A61F13/00—Bandages or dressings; Absorbent pads
    • A61F13/15—Absorbent pads, e.g. sanitary towels, swabs or tampons for external or internal application to the body; Supporting or fastening means therefor; Tampon applicators
    • A61F13/20—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor
    • A61F13/26—Means for inserting tampons, i.e. applicators
    • A61F13/28—Means for inserting tampons, i.e. applicators with lubricating means

Definitions

  • This invention relates to disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition. More particularly, the invention relates to lubricant dispensers for tampons, which may be a tampon intended for the abso ⁇ tion of menstrual flow, or an absorbent tampon intended for some other, for example, medical use.
  • the tampons used are generally made of highly absorbent materials, such as sterilized cotton fiber, or other highly absorbent fibers.
  • tampons are mainly used for the post-operative or post-curettage abso ⁇ tion of blood and body fluids.
  • tampons are most used for the abso ⁇ tion of normal menstrual discharge, in other words, as sanitary protection.
  • - walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), - a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder
  • - feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12) and, - a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside.
  • FIG. 1 shows, in axial cross-section, a disposable applicator device, broadly in accordance with the invention.
  • Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the applicator device taken at 11-11 in Figure 1.
  • reference numeral (10) generally indicates a disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition, broadly in accordance with the invention.
  • the applicator device (10) has walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), preferably a coating composition, in the form of a petroleum jelly lubricant, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18).
  • a foraminous holder in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, such as a tampon (25) (part of which is shown in the broken lines) requiring to be coated with fluent coating composition (16) such as a lubricant composition, is fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening ( 18) of the cylinder (14).
  • an elongate member such as a tampon (25) (part of which is shown in the broken lines) requiring to be coated with fluent coating composition (16) such as a lubricant composition
  • Feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30), having drive means is provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger (30) being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12).
  • the drive means is in the form of a screw threaded rotable shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotatable knob (34).
  • the shaft (32) is screw threadedly engaged with the plunger (30), lipstick- dispenser fashion.
  • the plunger (30) is displaceable within the cylinder by the rotation of the knob (34) and the shaft (32), thereby increasing and decreasing the volume (36) of the reservoir (14) between the plunger (30) and the holder (20) which is inserted into the reservoir (14).
  • the holder (20) is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), e.g., a lubricant composition, to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20).
  • the coating composition (16) e.g., a lubricant composition
  • An annulus (42) is defined between the cylinder (14) and the holder (20).
  • the coating composition (16) preferably a lubricant composition
  • the coating composition (16) is fed into the annulus (42) by the action of the plunger (30) being driven towards the holder (20) and increasing the composition pressure in the annulus (42), thereby forcing the composition through the holes (22) into the holder (20).
  • an elongate member (25) preferably a tampon, is inserted into the holder (20) through the opening (24).
  • the knob (34) is rotated to displace the plunger (30) towards the holder (20). This effectively decreases the volume of the reservoir which causes the coating composition, preferably the lubricant composition, to flow through the openings (22) and onto the elongate member (25).
  • a lubricant composition on that portion of the elongate member (25), typically a tampon, positioned in the holder (20), the tampon is twisted relative to the applicator device (10).
  • the tampon (25) can then be withdrawn from the applicator device and used in a conventional fashion.
  • a cup shaped closure end-cap (10) is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the coating composition (16), typically the lubricant composition, in the applicator (10) from the outside.
  • the applicator device is made of a plastic material such as PVC.
  • the walls of the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be clipped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be of unitary construction.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
  • Coating Apparatus (AREA)
  • Containers And Packaging Bodies Having A Special Means To Remove Contents (AREA)
  • Orthopedics, Nursing, And Contraception (AREA)

Abstract

An applicator device (10) is provided for a fluent coating composition, the device having walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for the fluent coating composition (16), preferably a lubricant composition, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), the device having a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, preferably a tampon, requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20), the device having feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12), and a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside. By action of the plunger the coating composition is forced through the holes (22) into the holder thereby allowing coating of the elongate member by the composition.

Description

LUBRICANT DISPENSER
Field of the invention
This invention relates to disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition. More particularly, the invention relates to lubricant dispensers for tampons, which may be a tampon intended for the absoφtion of menstrual flow, or an absorbent tampon intended for some other, for example, medical use.
Background of the invention
The tampons used are generally made of highly absorbent materials, such as sterilized cotton fiber, or other highly absorbent fibers. In medical use, tampons are mainly used for the post-operative or post-curettage absoφtion of blood and body fluids. However, tampons are most used for the absoφtion of normal menstrual discharge, in other words, as sanitary protection.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a device allowing that lubricant may discretely be carried around in a purse or a handbag and can be applied to a tampon without soiling the hands of the user. It is a further object of the present invention to provide a lubricant device allowing that a thin layer of lubricant may be evenly applied to the surface of the tampon.
These objects are meet by the device described herein after.
Summary of the invention The present invention encompasses an applicator device (10) having:
- walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18), - a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder
(20),
- feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12) and, - a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside.
Detailed description of the invention
The invention is now described, by way of non-limiting example, with reference to the following diagrammatic drawings, in which
Figure 1 shows, in axial cross-section, a disposable applicator device, broadly in accordance with the invention; and
Figure 2 shows a sectional view of the applicator device taken at 11-11 in Figure 1.
In the drawing, reference numeral (10) generally indicates a disposable applicator device for a fluent coating composition, broadly in accordance with the invention. The applicator device (10) has walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), preferably a coating composition, in the form of a petroleum jelly lubricant, the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18).
A foraminous holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member, such as a tampon (25) (part of which is shown in the broken lines) requiring to be coated with fluent coating composition (16) such as a lubricant composition, is fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening ( 18) of the cylinder (14).
Feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30), having drive means is provided inside the reservoir (14), the plunger (30) being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12). The drive means is in the form of a screw threaded rotable shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotatable knob (34). The shaft (32) is screw threadedly engaged with the plunger (30), lipstick- dispenser fashion. The plunger (30) is displaceable within the cylinder by the rotation of the knob (34) and the shaft (32), thereby increasing and decreasing the volume (36) of the reservoir (14) between the plunger (30) and the holder (20) which is inserted into the reservoir (14).
The holder (20) is provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (16), e.g., a lubricant composition, to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20).
An annulus (42) is defined between the cylinder (14) and the holder (20). The coating composition (16), preferably a lubricant composition, is fed into the annulus (42) by the action of the plunger (30) being driven towards the holder (20) and increasing the composition pressure in the annulus (42), thereby forcing the composition through the holes (22) into the holder (20). In use, an elongate member (25), preferably a tampon, is inserted into the holder (20) through the opening (24). The knob (34) is rotated to displace the plunger (30) towards the holder (20). This effectively decreases the volume of the reservoir which causes the coating composition, preferably the lubricant composition, to flow through the openings (22) and onto the elongate member (25). In order to achieve an even distribution of the coating composition, typically a lubricant composition, on that portion of the elongate member (25), typically a tampon, positioned in the holder (20), the tampon is twisted relative to the applicator device (10). The tampon (25) can then be withdrawn from the applicator device and used in a conventional fashion.
A cup shaped closure end-cap (10) is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the coating composition (16), typically the lubricant composition, in the applicator (10) from the outside.
In one embodiment the applicator device is made of a plastic material such as PVC. The walls of the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be clipped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) may be of unitary construction.

Claims

WHAT IS CLAIMED IS:
1. An applicator device (10) having:
- walls (12) defining a cylinder shaped reservoir (14) for a fluent coating composition (16), the cylinder (14) having a mouth opening (18),
- a holder, in the form of a cup (20) which defines a chamber (23) which is shaped and dimensioned to receive at least part of an elongate member requiring to be coated with the fluent coating composition (16), the holder being fitted snugly into the mouth of the opening (18) of the cylinder (14), the holder (20) being provided with a plurality of uniformly spaced openings (22) for permitting the coating composition (1 ), to be fed from the reservoir (14) into the holder (20),
- feed means in the form of a displaceable plunger (30) provided inside the leservoir (14), the plunger being sized and dimensioned for snugly engaging with the inner surface of the walls (12) and,
- a cup shaped closure end-cap (40) which is provided to snugly fit over a reduced diameter region (13) of the walls (12), thereby effectively sealing the fluent coating composition (16), in the applicator (10) from the outside.
2. An applicator device (10) according to claim 1 wherein the plunger has drive means typically in the form of a screw threaded rotatable shaft (32) connected to a knurled rotable knob (34), the shaft (32) being screw threadedly engaged with the plunger (30).
3. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the elongate member is a tampon.
4. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the coating composition is a lubricant composition.
5. An applicator device (10) according to any of the preceding claims wherein the walls of the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) are clipped or glued together or the reservoir (14) and the holder (20) are of a unitary construction.
EP98938867A 1997-09-04 1998-08-31 Lubricant dispenser Withdrawn EP1023023A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ZA9707963 1997-09-04
ZA977963 1997-09-04
PCT/IB1998/001358 WO1999011210A1 (en) 1997-09-04 1998-08-31 Lubricant dispenser

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1023023A1 true EP1023023A1 (en) 2000-08-02

Family

ID=25586574

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP98938867A Withdrawn EP1023023A1 (en) 1997-09-04 1998-08-31 Lubricant dispenser

Country Status (8)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1023023A1 (en)
JP (1) JP2001514045A (en)
KR (1) KR20010023479A (en)
CN (1) CN1271266A (en)
AU (1) AU8745398A (en)
BR (1) BR9812430A (en)
CA (1) CA2302312A1 (en)
WO (1) WO1999011210A1 (en)

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2120816B1 (en) * 2007-02-21 2012-05-23 The Procter & Gamble Company Pessary and lubricant system and method
NL2010597C2 (en) * 2013-04-09 2014-10-13 Ministry Of Joy B V DEVICE FOR TAMPONS, METHOD AND DEVICE FOR MANUFACTURING THEM.

Family Cites Families (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4424054A (en) * 1978-05-17 1984-01-03 Kcdp Corporation Fluid-expansible contraceptive tampon and applicator
US4553965A (en) * 1978-05-17 1985-11-19 Shepard Conn Fluid-expansible contraceptive tampon and applicator
US4421504A (en) * 1981-09-08 1983-12-20 Kline Larry H Lubricating object injector utilizing a single plunger

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
See references of WO9911210A1 *

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
WO1999011210A1 (en) 1999-03-11
KR20010023479A (en) 2001-03-26
AU8745398A (en) 1999-03-22
CN1271266A (en) 2000-10-25
CA2302312A1 (en) 1999-03-11
BR9812430A (en) 2000-09-19
JP2001514045A (en) 2001-09-11

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