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
  • A61F13/2051—Tampons, e.g. catamenial tampons; Accessories therefor characterised by the material or the structure of the inner absorbing core
  • A61F13/2068—Tampons made from several layers
• • 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

Definitions

• the present invention relates to a novel tampon applicator having an expulsion force controller providing expulsion of a tampon.
• the internal vaginal cavity in its normal state has a shape of a flattened bag with its minimum width near the introitus and its maximum width near the cervix. It is desirable, therefore, when considering a tampon for catamenial use, to provide a structure which, in its initial state, is of a size small enough to pass through the vaginal orifice without discomfort, and once delivered and placed inside the vaginal cavity beyond the restrictions of the orifice, can increase its dimension, particularly in the lateral direction, to cover substantially large portions of the vaginal surface from one side to the other to prevent early bypass of the menstrual discharges from the cervix. This side-to-side coverage is a preferred object of this invention.
• the vaginal wall in its normal state is flaccid and has multiple folds and wrinkles which provide channels through which a significant portion of the menstrual fluids normally flow, it is also important that the absorbent tampon be as soft and conformable as possible to conform to the shape of the vaginal cavity and fit within these channels to minimize leakage.
• absorbent catamenial tampons are small, highly compressed, cylindrical rigid plugs about 5 to about 20 mm in diameter and from about 35 to about 60 mm in length. Because of the need for absorbent capacity, they are usually formed from batts much larger in size than the vaginal orifice and compressed to the small size indicated above to facilitate insertion. As fluid is absorbed, these compressed tampons are designed to re-expand. While it has been found that these compressed tampons perform their intended function tolerably well, even the best of them do not re-expand sufficiently, or fast enough, to provide good transverse coverage against leakage even though the vertical blockage may be satisfactory.
• a tampon in particular, a fluid permeable bag tampon, inserted using the tampon applicator constructed according to the invention discussed herein yields the side-to-side coverage of the vaginal cavity immediately or soon after the time of insertion, even with no help of fluid absorption, and thereby can provide even further improvements in leakage protection, comfort, and low wearing awareness, as compared to currently marketed tampon applicators and previous attempts to improve tampon applicators.
• the present invention encompasses a tampon having a bag structure and a tampon applicator in combination for expulsion of the tampon into a vaginal cavity of a female user.
• the tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube.
• the tampon applicator may also have a plunger.
• the tampon holder tube comprises a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a longitudinal axis, an outer perimeter, a first end dimensioned for insertion into the vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, a force controller, and at least one side expulsion member positioned at the first end of the tampon holder tube.
• the side expulsion member has a weakened region located at its base.
• the tampon comprises a fluid permeable bag and absorbent material loosely dispersed within the fluid permeable bag.
• FIG. Ia is a perspective view of a tampon applicator and a tampon in its pre- expelled state.
• FIG. Ib is a top view of the tampon applicator of FIG. Ia.
• FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a tampon applicator and a tampon in its partially- expelled state.
• FIG. 3 a is a perspective view of a tampon applicator and a tampon in its expelled state.
• FIG. 3b is a perspective view of a tampon fitting within the vaginal cavity of a female user after the tampon has been expelled by the tampon applicator of the present invention.
• FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tampon before insertion into the tampon applicator.
• FIG. 5a is a perspective view of a bag tampon.
• FIG. 5b is a perspective view of an alternative tampon.
• FIG. 6a is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator with the tampon.
• FIG. 6b is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator with the tampon.
• FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• FIG. 8 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• FIG. 9 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• FIG. 11 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• FIG. 12 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator.
• the term "tampon,” refers to any type of absorbent structure that is inserted into the vaginal canal or other body cavities for the absorption of fluid therefrom, to aid in wound healing, or for the delivery of active materials, such as medicaments, or moisture.
• deformable tampon is meant as a tampon which is easily deformable and readily deforms generally under a force of less than about 1 pound per square inch (hereinafter “psi").
• fluid permeable bag tampon is meant and as seen in FIG. 5a, as a tampon comprising a fluid permeable bag and absorbent material loosely dispersed within the fluid permeable bag, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,815,601, issued to Schaefer, on June 11, 1974; U.S. Patent No. 4,278,088, issued to Reeves, et al., on July 14, 1981; U.S. Patent No. 6,533,771, issued to Suga, et al., on March 18, 2003; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/900,950, filed on July 28, 2004, entitled “Highly Deformable Tampon,” to Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Case 9721.
• ready position or "pre-expelled position,” it is meant herein and as seen in FIG. Ia, a position in which the tampon 20 is placed or packed into the tampon holder tube 22 and positioned for the tampon's 20 successful expulsion through the tampon holder tube 22.
• expelled is meant the position after the tampon 20 is forced out of the tampon applicator 21.
• side-to-side coverage it is meant herein and as seen in FIG. 3b that the tampon 20 once directionally expelled, will have at least two sections thereof positioned outwardly toward the sides or walls of a female user's vaginal cavity.
• side expulsion zone is meant and as seen in FIG. Ia, a weakened region as compared to the side expulsion members 31.
• the side expulsion zone 35 is located between a first side expulsion member 31 and a second side expulsion member 31.
• axial force is meant and as seen in FIG. Ia, the force 40 applied along the longitudinal axis 45 in the direction of expelling the tampon 20 from the tampon applicator 21.
• the present invention relates to directionally expelling tampon 20 into the vaginal cavity of a female user from a tampon applicator 21.
• the tampon applicator 21 Before expulsion of the tampon 20 from the tampon applicator 21, the tampon applicator 21 has an initial dimension 54.
• the tampon applicator 21 herein comprises a tampon holder tube 22 having a hollow interior portion (not shown), an interior surface (not shown), an outer perimeter 42, an exterior surface 25, a longitudinal axis 45, a first end 26 dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity (specifically the vaginal cavity of a female user), a second end 27 positioned oppositely to the first end 26, and a gripping portion 33.
• the first end 26 of the tampon holder tube 22 further comprises force controllers
• the force controllers 30 are positioned adjacent to the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 are located around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controllers 30 are separated by force controller sections 34 which may be between each force controller 30.
• the force controllers 30 and the force controller sections 34 are positioned at the top 44 of the first end 26.
• the end of the force controllers 30 may have projections 38.
• the first end 26 comprises side expulsion members 31 which may be separated by side expulsion zones 35.
• the side expulsion members 31 and the side expulsion zones 35 are positioned along the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22.
• the combination of the force controllers 30, the force controller sections 34, the side expulsion members 31, and the side expulsion zones 35 is configured to laterally expand the tampon 20 during expulsion of the tampon 20 from the tampon applicator 21.
• the tampon applicator 21 may include a plunger 29 that is slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube 22 distal to the first end 26.
• the plunger 29 is adapted to expel the tampon 20 from the tampon holder tube 22 with an axial force 40.
• user activated expulsion may occur either by a plunger 29, plunger-like device, or digitally with a user's finger(s).
• the user will typically hold the tampon holder tube 22 in one hand at the gripping portion 33 on the same.
• the plunger 29 When the plunger 29 is present, the user holds the end of the plunger 29, such as with her thumb and middle finger, and pushes the plunger 29 inwardly to slide the plunger 29 within the tampon holder tube 22.
• a user pushes the inserted plunger 29 until the entire tampon 20 is deployed from the tampon applicator 21. The user then pulls the entire tampon applicator 21 (i.e., with the plunger 29 inside) out of the user's vaginal opening.
• the tampon applicator 21 has a pre-expelled state (FIG. Ia), a partially expelled state (FIG. 2), and an expelled state (FIG. 3a).
• the pre-expelled state as is readily seen in FIG. Ia, the tampon 20 sits within the tampon holder tube 22 and can remain snugly therein without any outside force to sustain its position in the tampon holder tube 22.
• the force controllers 30 have the initial dimension 54.
• FIG. Ib shows a top view of the tampon applicator 21 with the initial dimension of 54 and an outer perimeter 42.
• the force controllers 30 are separated by force controller sections 34.
• the force controller 30 may have a central opening 37.
• the tampon 20 is shown being directionally expelled with an axial force 40 along the longitudinal axis 45.
• the axial force 40 is applied, the tampon 20 is pushed toward the first end 26.
• the tampon 20 is held within the tampon applicator 21 by the force controllers 30.
• the tampon 20 is spread by force controllers 30. Specifically, when the axial force 40 is applied, the axial force 40 is transferred to horizontal spreading force of the tampon 20 and the consequent separation of the engaged tampon 20.
• the force controllers 30 may contain projections 38. (FIG. Ia).
• FIG. 2 illustrates a tampon 20 partially positioned within and partially positioned without the tampon holder tube 22 of the tampon applicator 21 during the act of expulsion of the tampon 20. During expulsion, at least one side expulsion member 31 is expanded.
• the combination of the weakened regions 61, force controllers 30, and the side expulsion members 31 aide the force controllers 30 to change from its first position with an initial dimension 54 in its pre-expelled state to its second position (FIG. 2) with side expulsion members 31 deployed width 55 in its partially expelled state and finally to a third position in its fully expelled tampon applicator 21 state (FIG. 3a).
• FIG. 3a shows the tampon applicator 21 in its expelled state where the tampon 20 is expelled from the tampon applicator 21 along the longitudinal axis 45.
• the tampon applicator 21 has a tampon holder tube 22.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has a first end 26 dimensioned for insertion and a second end 27 opposite the first end 26.
• the first end 26 comprises the force controllers 30, side expulsion members 31, and side expulsion zones 35.
• the force controllers 30 may include projections 38 (FIG. Ia).
• the tampon 20 In its expelled state, the tampon 20 is positioned into the vaginal cavity of a female user so that improved side- to-side coverage of the vaginal opening is achieved.
• the tampon 20 may change its orientation to a position which is non-parallel to the tampon's 20 pre-expelled vertical position.
• the tampon's 20 position during insertion could be in a different orientation from the tampon's 20 position after insertion into the vaginal cavity.
• Contact of a female user's vaginal walls is a highly desired characteristic of a tampon 20 when it is worn during a female's menstruation period. Menses, whether highly viscous or less viscous, when flowing out of the user, follows the geometry of a female user's vaginal walls.
• FIG. 3b shows how such side-to-side coverage in the vaginal cavity 60 of the tampon 20 and placement of the trailing edge 53 of the tampon 20 within the vaginal cavity 60 is expected to occur when using the present tampon applicator 21.
• the tampon 20 can be inserted into the tampon applicator 21 in any orientation and/or folded in any manner (i.e., concave or convex). Despite the orientation of the tampon 20 upon insertion into the tampon applicator 21, the tampon 20 will still provide effective side-to-side coverage in the vaginal cavity.
• the first portion 49 of the tampon 20 is inserted first into the second end 27 of the tampon holder 22 so that the first portion 49 of the tampon 20 expels first.
• the second portion 50 of the tampon 20 is inserted first into the second end 27 of the tampon holder 22 so that the second portion 50 of the tampon 20 expels first.
• FIGS. 5a and 5b show two non-limiting examples of tampons 20. Referring to FIGS. 5a and 5b, the tampon 20 has a first portion 49 and a second portion 50. The second portion 50 of the tampon has a trailing edge 53. A withdrawal string 39 may also be attached.
• FIG. 6a shows an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator 21 comprising the tampon holder tube 22 and the plunger 29.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has a first end 26.
• the first end 26 comprises the side expulsion members 31 and side expulsion zones 35.
• a weakened region 61 is formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• FIG. 6b shows yet another alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator 21 containing tampon 20 with a plunger 29.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has a first end 26.
• the first end 26 comprises the force controllers 30, force controller sections 34, side expulsion members 31, and side expulsion zones 35.
• Weakened regions 61 are formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controller sections 34 can comprise of weakened regions.
• FIG. 8 show perspective views of alternative embodiments of tampon applicators 21 having force controllers 30 and side expulsion zones 35 which can be void.
• Weakened regions 61 are formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• FIG. 9 shows another perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the side expulsion members 31 which can be one continuous film or sheet and the force controllers 30 which can be one continuous film or sheet.
• the force controllers 30 which are located at the top 44 of the first end 26 and the sides of the side expulsion members 31 may be completely enclosed.
• FIG. 11 show another perspective embodiment of a tampon applicator 21 having an initial dimension 54.
• the sides 48 of the side expulsion members 31 which are located at the first end 26 may be non-uniform.
• Weakened regions 61 are formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• FIG. 12 shows another perspective embodiment of a tampon applicator 21 having projections 38 located on the end of the force controller 30.
• Weakened regions 61 are formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controllers 30 are positioned at the top 44 of the first end 26. As shown in FIG. Ib, each force controller 30 is separated from the other by respective sections 34. As shown in FIG. Ia, the force controllers 30 counter the axial force 40 which is applied along the longitudinal axis 45 when expelling the tampon 20 from the tampon applicator 21. Thus, the axial force 40 needed to expel the tampon 20 along the longitudinal axis 45 requires a greater force to expel the tampon 20 through the force controllers 30 than to expel the tampon 20 through the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controllers 30 have a pre-expelled position (FIG. Ia), a partially expelled position (FIG. 2), and an expelled position (FIG. 3a).
• FIG. 2 shows the position of the force controllers 30 when the tampon 20 is partially expelled.
• the force controllers 30 expand beyond its initial dimension 54 along at least one of the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controllers 30 provide resistance to expelling the tampon 20 at the first end 26 thereof.
• the tampon 20 is deformable which allows the force controllers 30 to reshape the tampon 20. In other words, the tampon 20 for the lateral dimension change during expulsion.
• the manufacturer of the tampon applicator 21 may vary the width of each force controller 30, the number of force controllers 30, the distance between each force controller 30, and the configuration of the force controllers 30.
• the width of each force controller 30 can vary greatly. As seen in FIG. Ia, the width of each force controller 30 is a function of the length of the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 and the width of the force controller sections 34 which are located between each force controller 30.
• force controllers 30 Any number of force controllers 30 may be utilized. Either an even or an odd number of force controllers 30 can be present. As shown in FIG. Ia and FIG. Ib, although three force controllers 30 are shown, additional force controllers 30 may give more positive engagement of the tampon 20.
• each force controller 30 which extends along the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 depends on the length of the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22, the width of each force controller 30, and the width of the force controller sections 34 which are located between each force controller 30.
• the force controllers 30 can be equally spaced apart or they can be non-uniformly arranged. Uniformly arranged force controllers 30 are preferred, but randomly arranged force controllers 30 will work. For ease of manufacturing, it is preferred that the force controllers 30 be equally spaced relative to one another. The force controllers 30, however, may be unequally spaced relative to one another.
• each of the force controllers 30 may vary as long as the force controllers 30 provides enough resistance when applying an axial force 40 in the longitudinal direction 45 to allow a substantial portion of the tampon 20 to be generally released at one time.
• One of skill in the art will readily recognize obvious variants on those presented in the patent application herein.
• the shape of the force controllers 30 might be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, arced, curved, or any other conceivable shape possible as long as any such shape would work effectively to fully and properly provide resistance of the tampon 20 upon expulsion from the tampon holder tube 22, expel the tampon 20 from the tampon holder tube 22, and provide a greater axial force 40 to expel the tampon 20 along the longitudinal axis 45 from the force controllers 30 than from the side expulsion members 31.
• the force controller 30 is in no way limited by the size or shape that they may assume except that they should not substantially hinder directional expulsion of a tampon 20. As shown in FIG.
• the side expulsion members 31 may be covered with a thin film material which is not as strong as the force controllers' 30 material.
• the side expulsion members 31 could be hinged; scored; and/or could be a thin film.
• the material of the force controllers 30 can be a polyethylene film and the side expulsion zones 35 can comprise of weakened regions as compared to the side expulsion members 31 which are perforated such that the force controllers 30 provide resistance to the tampon 20 while the plunger 29 forces the tampon 20 out of the force controllers 30.
• the force controller sections 34 which separate each force controller 30 can be void areas, weakened regions, and/or regions covered in material. If the force controller sections 34 are covered in material, the material of the force controller sections 34 are not as strong as the force controllers' 30 material.
• the outer perimeter 42 can be about 60.96 mm.
• the outer perimeter 42 can be about 75 mm.
• the outer perimeter 42 can be about 53.5 mm.
• each force controller 30 may comprise projections 38.
• the projections 38 may extend far enough into the center of the first end 26 to engage a tampon 20 disposed therein.
• the projections 38 may be any shape or size so long as the projections 38 provide resistance to expelling the tampon 20 by increasing the difficulty of expelling the tampon 20 out of the first end 26 thereof.
• the projections may take the form of a variety of shapes such as a rib, a notch, a knob, a hook, a perforation, an adhesive, VELCRO®, a bump, a ridge, or any mixtures thereof.
• the projections 38 may be inward, outward, or substantially straight.
• the projections 38 may be integrally formed on the end of each force controller 30. Alternatively, the projections 38 may be separately attached to the force controller 30.
• any number of projections 38 may be utilized. Either an even or an odd number of projections 38 can be present. The number of projections 38 may vary as desired. Additional projections 38 may give more positive engagement of the tampon 20.
• the projections 38 may be located anywhere on the force controllers 30. As shown in FIG. Ia, the projections 38 may be located at the end of the force controller 30. Furthermore, each force controller 30 does not have to have a projection 38.
• the projections 38 retain the tampon 20 while forcing the force controllers 30 to expand beyond its initial dimension 54 in its pre-expelled state.
• the projections 38 (FIG. Ia) allow the tampon 20 to laterally expand into the vagina and provide better vaginal coverage.
• Projections 38 located at the end of the force controller 30 especially complement deformable tampons 20 which require less pressure to expand upon expulsion from the tampon holder tube 22.
• the top view of the tampon holder tube 22 forms a substantially rounded tip.
• the tampon holder tube 22 may have a central opening 37 at the top 44 (FIG. Ia) of the first end 26 (FIG. Ia).
• the rounded shape is useful to facilitate insertion of the tampon applicator 21 into the vaginal cavity.
• the force controllers 30 form a substantially closed end configuration.
• the force controllers 30 may be made from any polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyacrylnitril, polyacrylamide, polyamide, nylon, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane, silicone, derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and the like.
• the force controller 30 may also be made of paper, paperboard, cardboard, or any combinations thereof. Each force controller 30 may be composed of different materials or may be composed of substantially the same type of material. The force controller 30 need not be of the same material as the body of the tampon applicator 21.
• the maximum width in which the tampon 20 is spread before leaving the tampon applicator 21 of the present invention is from about 20 mms to about 60 mms, depending on the tampon design.
• the side expulsion members 31 aid in the trajectory of the tampon 20 because the side expulsion members' 31 axial force 40 to expel the tampon 20 is less than the axial force 40 to expel the tampon 20 from the force controllers 30. Because the side expulsion members' 35 axial force 40 is less, this aids in tampon's 20 proper placement which provides side-to-side coverage in the vaginal cavity.
• the axial force 40 is less because of the lack of resistance of the tampon 20 to move between the side expulsion members 31 as compared to the force controllers 30. In fact, when the tampon 20 is being expelled from the tampon holder tube 22, the force controllers 30 provide resistance while the side expulsion members' 31 reach a deployed width 55 (FIG. 2).
• a weakened region 61 is formed into the outer and/or inner surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 may take a variety of forms such as differential wall thickness, grooves, perforations, slots, T-cuts, V-cuts, hinges, and mixtures thereof.
• the weakened regions 61 can be any size or shape. Weakened regions 61 can be any size or shape as long as the weakened region 61 is able to reduce the force required to bend the side expulsion member 31.
• the weakened region 61 can be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, arced, curved, or any other conceivable shape possible. While the weakened regions 61 can be a wide range of shapes, it is preferred to use a member selected from the group consisting of straight grooves, tapered grooves, rectangular, flower petals, ellipses, and mixtures thereof.
• the weakened regions 61 may be formed to have essentially identical sizes and shapes.
• the tampon holder tube comprises ten weakened regions 61.
• each weakened region 61 can be identical to the other weakened regions 61.
• the weakened regions 61 may be formed to have various sizes and shapes as compared to another weakened region 61 on the tampon holder tube.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has five weakened regions 61.
• each weakened region 61 may have a different geometric shape.
• each weakened region 61 may have a different size. The number of weakened regions 61 and the distance over which the weakened regions 61 extend may vary.
• the weakened regions 61 are formed at the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the number of side expulsion members 31 may range from about 1 to infinity. Either an even or an odd number weakened regions 61 can be present.
• the weakened regions 61 may be unequally spaced relative to one another.
• each weakened region 61 depends upon the area of the side expulsion members 31 and the size and number of weakened regions 61. More than one weakened region 61 can be formed at the base of the side expulsion members 31. If more than one weakened region 61 is formed, the weakened regions 61 may be arranged randomly or in a pattern. For example, weakened regions 61 can be arranged to form any three-dimensional geometric pattern known including but not limited to diagonal lines, straight lines, checkerboard, flowers, ovals, circles, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, cones, alphabet letters, and mixtures thereof.
• the weakened regions 61 may be along the full length of the base of the side expulsion member 31 or may have thinned regions spaced intermittently along the length of the base of the side expulsion member 31.
• weakened regions 61 may be randomly arranged so that the multiplicity of weakened regions 61 may comprise merely a surface roughness in no apparent pattern.
• weakened regions 61 may be arranged such that the areas between the weakened regions 61 may form any geometric pattern known including but not limited to flowers, ovals, circles, rectangles, trapezoids, triangles, cones, alphabet letters, and mixtures thereof.
• the side expulsion members 31 are positioned around the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22. The side expulsion members are below and adjacent to the force controllers 30. The side expulsion members 31 are separated from each other by respective side expulsion zones 35.
• the side expulsion members 31 have a pre-expelled position with a side expulsion zone initial dimension 54 which is less than or equal to the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22. Furthermore, the side expulsion members 31 also have a side expulsion zone deployed width 55, shown in FIG. 2, which is greater than the outer perimeter 42 (FIG. 1) of the tampon holder tube 22 and the side expulsion zone's initial dimension 54. In other words, the side expulsion members 31 expand from a first transverse width 54 to a second transverse width 55. The second transverse width 55 is greater than the first transverse width 54.
• the side expulsion members 31 may have a side expulsion zone initial dimension 54 of about 5/8 inch (about 1.6 cm) and a side expulsion zone deployed width 55 of about 3/4 inch (about 1.9 cm) to about 1 1 A inch (about 3.2 cm).
• FIG. 2 shows the side expulsion members 31 when the tampon 20 is partially expelled.
• FIG. 3a shows the side expulsion members 31 in its expelled position.
• the manufacturer of the tampon applicator 21 may vary the configuration of each side expulsion member 31, the number of side expulsion members 31, the width of each side expulsion member 31 , and the distance between each side expulsion member 31.
• the configuration of the side expulsion members 31 is preferably created to decrease the weakness along a portion of outer perimeter 42 of the tampon applicator 21. It is further noted herein that the shape or configuration of the side expulsion members 31 may vary as long as a substantial portion of the tampon 20 is allowed to expel and not hinder directional expulsion of the tampon 20.
• the side expulsion members 31 might be circular, square, rectangular, triangular, or any other conceivable shape possible as long as any such shape would work effectively to fully and properly aide in the expulsion of the tampon 20 from the tampon holder tube 22. As shown in FIG. 10 and FIG. 11, the sides 48 of the side expulsion members 31 may be non-uniform.
• any number of side expulsion members 31 may be utilized. Either an even or an odd number of side expulsion members 31 can be present. As shown in FIG. Ib, three side expulsion members 31 are shown.
• each of the side expulsion member 31 can vary greatly.
• the width of each side expulsion member 31 is a function of the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 and the width of the side expulsion zones 35.
• each side expulsion member 31 which extends along the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 depends upon the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22, the width of the each side expulsion member 31, and the width of the side expulsion zones 35. They can be equally spaced apart or they can be non-uniformly arranged. Uniformly arranged side expulsion members 31 are preferred, but randomly arranged side expulsion members 31 will work. For ease of manufacturing, it is preferred that the side expulsion members 31 be equally spaced relative to one another. The side expulsion members 31, however, may be unequally spaced relative to one another.
• the side expulsion members 31 are separated by side expulsion zones 35.
• the side expulsion zones 35 can be void areas, weakened regions, perforated areas, and/or thin areas. As shown in FIG. 6b, the configuration of the side expulsion members 31 may be one continuous sheet with weakened regions as side expulsion zones 35. As shown in FIG. Ia, the side expulsion members 31 may be separated from one another by void side expulsion zones 35.
• the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 can be about 60.96 mm.
• the outer perimeter 42 of the tampon holder tube 22 can be about 75 mm.
• each side expulsion member 31 can be about 6.35 mm and the side expulsion zones 35 between each side expulsion member 31 can be about 8.65 mm.
• the length of the side expulsion members 31 and the side expulsion zones 35 can be about 35.56 mm.
• the outer perimeter 42 can be about 53.5 mm.
• each side expulsion member 31 can be about 8 mm and the side expulsion zones 35 between each side expulsion member 31 can be about 1 mm.
• the length of the side expulsion members 31 and the side expulsion zones 35 can be about 20 mm.
• FIG. 6a shows an alternative embodiment of a tampon applicator 21 comprising the tampon holder tube 22 and the plunger 29.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has a first end 26.
• the first end 26 comprises the side expulsion members 31 and side expulsion zones 35.
• a weakened region 61 is formed into the outer surface of tampon holder 22 around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the weakened regions 61 can extend circumferentially around, at, or near, the base of the side expulsion members 31.
• the side expulsion members 31 may have one continuous film or sheet and the force controllers 30 may have one continuous film or sheet.
• the sheet of the force controllers 30 may completely enclose the top 44 of the first end 26.
• the sheet or film of the side expulsion members 31 may completely enclose the sides.
• the sheet of the side expulsion members 31 and the sheet of the force controller 30 may overlap one another.
• the sheet for the side expulsion members 31 and the sheet for the force controllers 30 can be sealed to one another by any known means in the art such as heat seal, glue, or mold. This film or sheet protects the tampon 20 from contamination.
• the sheet or film for the side expulsion members 31 is not as strong as the film or sheet for the force controllers' 30 material.
• the side expulsion members 31 may be composed of different materials or may be composed of substantially the same type of material.
• tampon refers to any type of absorbent structure that can be inserted into the vaginal cavity or other body cavities for the absorption of fluid therefrom or for the delivery of active materials, such as medicaments or moisture.
• a tampon can be straight or non-linear in shape, such as curved along the longitudinal axis.
• the first type of tampon is a self-sustaining tampon. Tampons are generally "self-sustaining" in that they will tend to retain their general shape and size before use.
• a typical self-sustaining tampon is 35 - 60 mm long, the length measured from the top of the tampon to the base of the tampon along a longitudinal axis. The measurement to the base of the tampon does not include any overwrap, secondary absorbent member, or withdrawal cord which extends beyond the tampon's main absorbent material.
• a typical self-sustaining tampon is 5 - 20 mm wide corresponding to the largest cylindrical cross section. The width can vary along the length of the self-sustaining tampon.
• the second type of tampon is a deformable tampon.
• a deformable tampon can easily deform generally under a force of less than about 1 psi applied or released.
• the deformable tampon may comprise any material which exhibits bulkiness, resiliency, flexibility, compressibility, or twistability.
• the deformable tampon may comprise any structure which includes unfilled volume, void, perforation, slit, pleat, tab, ribbon, fringe, flare, bellows, fold, wrinkle, segmentation, and the likes, generating deformability of the tampon.
• the deformable tampon When expelled from the tampon applicator of the present invention into the vaginal cavity, such a deformable tampon tends to deform, spread, open or expand inside the vaginal cavity during the insertion primarily in the lateral direction of the vaginal cavity and, thus provides the side-to-side coverage of the vaginal cavity.
• the deformable tampon Unlike the highly compressed rigid tampon, the deformable tampon also provides a fit to the channels in the vaginal wall and leads to further improvement of leakage protection.
• bag tampon a "fluid permeable bag tampon"
• the bag tampon consists of, but is not limited to, discrete pieces such as absorbent chips, spheres, or fibers contained in a fluid permeable bag, such as that disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 3,815,601, issued to Schaefer, on June 11, 1974; U.S. Patent No. 4,278,088, issued to Reeves, et al., on July 14, 1981; U.S. Patent No. 6,533,771, issued to Suga, et al., on March 18, 2003; and U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/900,950, filed on July 28, 2004, entitled “Highly Deformable Tampon,” to Thomas Ward Osborn, III, Case 9721.
• the material used for the bag tampon 22 is preferably soft and flexible. In its pre- assembled state, the bag tampon 22 is rectangular in shape. However, other shapes for the bag tampon 22, such as, but not limited to, trapezoidal, triangular, hemispherical, chevron, hourglass, cylindrical, spherical, rectangular, and circular may also be used. There are many possible compositions for the bag tampon 22 including woven and non-woven materials; polymeric materials such as apertured formed thermoplastic films, apertured plastic films, and hydroformed thermoplastic films; porous foams; reticulated foams; and reticulated thermoplastic films and thermoplastic scrims.
• suitable materials can be comprised of natural fibers (e.g., treated wood, rayon, or cotton fibers); synthetic fibers (e.g., polymeric fibers such as polyesters, rayon, polyethylene, or polypropylene fibers); or a combination of natural and synthetic fibers. If the material comprises a nonwoven material, it can be made by any suitable process. Other suitable materials include hydroentangled materials and any other suitable material known and typically used in disposable absorbent articles intended for in vivo use.
• Typical bag tampons 22 may comprise cotton, rayon, folded tissues, woven materials, non woven webs (e.g., hydroentangled webs and air laid webs), synthetic, natural fibers, or sheeting.
• the bag tampon 22 may comprise a single material or a combination of materials.
• the bag tampon 22 comprises rayon, cotton, or combinations of both materials. These materials have a proven record of suitability for use in the human body.
• the rayon may be any suitable type typically used in disposable absorbent articles intended for in vivo use.
• Such acceptable types of rayon include GALAXY rayon (a tri-lobed rayon fiber) available from Kelheim Fibres GmbH, Kelheim, Germany; DANUFIL rayon (a round cross-section rayon fiber), also available from Kelheim Fibres GmbH, Kelheim, Germany is also suitable.
• the absorbent material can take many physical forms including particles, fibers, agglomerates, powders, gels, foams, beads, and mixtures thereof. Sizes of particles range from fine powders to about 8 mm. The dimensions of materials are measured without a confining pressure.
• the absorbent materials may be of any shape known in the art including but not limited to rods, cones, spheres, squares, chevrons, cylindrical, ovate, rectangular, trapezoidal, triangular, or amorphous.
• the absorbent materials may be comprised of one material or may include blends of materials. Blends may include different materials, different sized particles, or different shaped particles. For example, one embodiment may include a blend of the same type of material with different sizes and different shapes. Another embodiment may include a blend of different type of materials of the same size and same shape.
• the surface charges of absorbent materials may be the same or different.
• the non-absorbent material may also be mixed or blended with the absorbent material.
• Gel compositions may be used for the absorbent material.
• Such gel compositions may include polyacrylamide super-absorbent premixed in water or glycerin to gel.
• Various absorbent foams can be used as the absorbent material. These foams may be relatively thin, collapsed, polymeric foam materials which expand and absorb body fluid upon contact with aqueous body fluids.
• the absorbent material may comprise an open celled foam of the "High Internal Phase Emulsion"( hereinafter "HIPE") type or may also include “Thin after Drying” (hereinafter "TAD").
• HIPE High Internal Phase Emulsion
• TAD Thin after Drying
• foam materials have cells and holes small enough to provide a high capillary absorptive pressure, but large enough to prevent or minimize blockage by the insoluble components of blood and blood based liquids such as menses.
• Suitable foams are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,387,207.
• Suitable foams or combinations of foams may include those materials where the ratio of absorbencies measured at 0 psi and 0.25 psi (e.g., .25 psi absorbency/ O psi absorbency) are greater than 0.5.
• the surface charges of the materials may be the same or different.
• the difference in surface charges may be altered via the addition of charged polymers to the outer surface of the particles or by using cationic absorbents.
• a quatinized chitosan may be used in combination with a HIPE foam.
• tassel tampon comprising a plurality of absorbent strips or cords, such as that disclosed in currently pending and commonly assigned, U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 10/836,892, filed on April 30, 2004, entitled “Tampon Comprising a Plurality of Strips or Cords,” to Minoguchi, et al, Case 9615.
• Different tampon applicator parts can be constructed from different materials and processes.
• the tampon holder tube 22 can be constructed from similar materials to other tampon holder tubes 22 known in the art of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use. Examples of other such tampon holder tubes are disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994 and U.S. Patent No. 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996.
• the tampon holder tube 22 can be of any suitable cross-sectional shape. Suitable cross- sectional shapes include, but are not limited to circular, oval, flattened circular, and elliptical.
• the tampon holder tube 22 has a circular cross-sectional configuration.
• the tampon holder tube 22 may be made from any polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyacrylnitril, polyacrylamide, polyamide, nylon, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane, silicone, derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and the like.
• the tampon holder tube 22 may also be made of paper, paperboard, cardboard, or any combinations thereof. Accordingly, the exterior surface 25 of the tampon applicator 21 may be constructed from any suitable smooth plastic material.
• the plunger 29 can be used to expel the tampon 20 from its position within the tampon holder tube 22 when the plunger 29 is pushed manually into the tampon holder tube 22.
• the plunger 29 is usually pulled out to its operative position when the tampon holder tube 22 is placed in the vaginal cavity.
• Plunger 29 is then telescoped back into the tampon holder tube 22 towards the second end 27 thereof, pushing the tampon 20 through the first end 26 spreading open the yieldable force controller 30 and side expulsion zone(s) 31.
• the plunger 29 can be any type of component that is suitable for this purpose.
• the plunger 29 can be constructed similarly to plungers of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use.
• An example of a suitable plunger is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994 and U.S. Patent No. 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996.
• the plunger 29 may be made from any polymeric material such as polyethylene, polypropylene, polybutylene, polystyrene, polyvinylchloride, polyacrylate, polymethacrylate, polyacrylnitril, polyacrylamide, polyamide, nylon, polyimide, polyester, polycarbonate, ethylene vinyl acetate, polyurethane, silicone, derivatives thereof, copolymers thereof, mixtures thereof, and the like.
• the plunger 29 may also be made of paper, paperboard, cardboard, or any combinations thereof.
• the plunger 29 is an optional component for use with the tampon applicator 21 and that the tampon applicator 21 will be fully functional if the plunger 29 is omitted, i.e., a user must insert and push the tampon 20 through the tampon applicator 21 digitally.

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• 2006
  • 2006-04-18 CA CA002605270A patent/CA2605270A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 2006-04-18 EP EP06750743A patent/EP1871319A1/de not_active Withdrawn
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  • 2006-04-18 EP EP06750742A patent/EP1871318A2/de not_active Withdrawn
  • 2006-04-18 WO PCT/US2006/014768 patent/WO2006113820A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-04-18 WO PCT/US2006/014770 patent/WO2006113822A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-04-18 WO PCT/US2006/014769 patent/WO2006113821A2/en active Application Filing
  • 2006-04-18 EP EP06750741A patent/EP1871317A1/de not_active Withdrawn

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