GB1347029A - Ampon applicator - Google Patents

Abstract

1347029 Tampon applicators TAMPAX Inc 10 May 1971 [13 Aug 1970] 14070/70 Heading A5R A tampon applicator comprises an outer tampon-receiving tube 12 with a series of adjacent, substantially circumferential internal ridges 22 and external grooves 18 formed near one end, and an inner ejector tube 14 having at least one projection 20 which is shaped to engage between a pair of the internal ridges 22 and thus interlock the tubes 12 and 14. The grooves 18 and ridges 22 are respectively equally spaced and may form continuous closed circles. The internal diameter of the outer tube 12 at the position of each ridge 22 is the same, being approximately equal to the outer diameter of the inner tube 14. The internal diameter of the outer tube 12 at the position of each valley 24 between the ridges 22 is also the same. The grooves 18 and the ridges 22 are complementary, as are the valleys 24 and the rings 17 between the grooves 18. The inner tube 14 may have at least two projections such as 20, which are widely spaced circumferentially. The projections 20 have substantially the same curvature as the valleys 24. The ridges 22 may also be interrupted circumferentially, but by an amount less than the circumferential extent of projections 20. The outer tube 12 may be made from paper, on which the grooves 18 and the ridges 22 are impressed. In particular, the outer tube 12 may be formed from laminated layers of paper strip wound in overlapped spirals and bonded with a water-releasable adhesive. The ridges 22 may be rounded, instead of sharply peaked, as in Fig. 3 (not shown). Between three and nine grooves 18 and corresponding ridges 22 may be provided, the ridges 22 being spaced to engage projections 20. In particular, eight grooves 18 and ridges 22 may advantageously be provided within a length of the outer tube 12 of approximately 0.5", and of depth approximately 0.01". The spacing of the ridges 22 may be about 0.07". The surfaces of tubes 12 and 14 may be covered in a lubricating material such as polyethylene oxide or other waxy material. The tubes 12 and 14 may alternatively be made of other sheet material, e.g. plastics, when the ridges 22, grooves 18 and projections 20 may be formed by pressure moulding, with or without heat.