JPH031977B2 - - Google Patents

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION (Industrial Field of Application) The present invention relates to an applicator for closing the vagina and introducing a tampon for menstrual blood into the vagina.

(Prior Art) Conventionally, an outer cylinder for storing a tampon, and an inner cylinder slidably inserted into the rear end of the outer cylinder for pushing out the tampon from the opening at the tip of the outer cylinder. An applicator composed of the following is known. Also,
In such an applicator, the inner cylinder is composed of a large-diameter member and a small-diameter member, and when the small-diameter member is pulled out from the rear end of the large-diameter member, the engagement portion provided at the tip of the small-diameter member The present applicant's Japanese Utility Model Publication No. 59-9621 discloses a structure in which these two members are integrally connected by engaging with an engaged portion provided at the rear end of the large diameter member. It is known in

(Problems to be Solved by the Invention) According to the known technique, the length of the inner cylinder can be reduced when the tampon is not in use, so it is not bulky and is extremely convenient for packaging, carrying, etc. However, the diameters of the large-diameter member and the small-diameter member that make up the inner cylinder are set so that the former does not accidentally slide against the latter when the tampon is not in use. In this case, the insertion of the latter into the former may become too loose, resulting in a product that easily slides unintentionally. If the latter slides when the tampon is not in use, it may be inconvenient for packaging, carrying, and pushing out the tampon.

(Means for Solving the Problems, Embodiments) The present invention aims to solve the above-mentioned drawbacks, and to achieve the purpose, the gist of the present invention is to store tampons. The inner cylinder is slidably inserted into the rear end of the outer cylinder and is non-removably inserted into the rear end of the outer cylinder for pushing out the tampon from the tip opening of the outer cylinder. In a tampon applicator, the cylinder is extendable and retractable from at least one large-diameter member and at least one small-diameter member slidably and irremovably inserted into the large-diameter member. The member and the small-diameter member are connected to each other by a thin portion that is easily cut by the drawing operation of the latter by the first use of the applicator when the latter is fully inserted into the former and the inner cylinder is in a contracted state. The applicator is characterized in that:

Further, the present invention will be described below based on the illustrated embodiments.

As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the applicator 1 includes an outer cylinder 3 for storing a tampon 2.
and an inner cylinder 4 which is slidably inserted into the rear end of the outer cylinder 3 in order to push out the tampon 2 from the opening of the distal end of the outer cylinder 3. The outer cylinder 3 has a stepped portion 5 on its rear outer periphery, a small diameter portion 6, and a rib 7 on the rear end of the outer periphery of the small diameter portion 6. The length of the small diameter portion 6 between the stepped portion 5 and the rib 7 is formed to be slightly larger than the width of the user's fingers, and when in use, the user grasps the small diameter portion 6 with his fingertips and uses the applicator 1.
can be operated. The inner cylinder 4 has a first
It is composed of a member 4a, a second member 4b, and a third member 4c, and the diameter of each member is formed to become smaller in this order. The first member 4a is inserted into the small diameter portion 6 of the outer cylinder 3, and is received on the outer periphery of the tip end of the member 4a by the inner surface of the stepped portion 5 of the outer cylinder 3, and is prevented from being removed from the rear end of the outer cylinder 3. A first engaging portion 8 is provided at the rear end of the member 4a, and a first engaged portion 9 is provided at the rear end of the member 4a. The first engaged portion 9 is the first member 4a.
Elastic locking protrusions 1 are provided on the inner surface of the rear end portion by cutting and raising a part of the member 4 at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction.
0, and a radial annular collar 11 provided at an interval to receive at least a later-described engaging portion 12 of the second member 4b. The second member 4b is inserted into the first member 4a, and the second engaging portion 12 on the outer periphery of the distal end of the member 4b is inserted into the first member 4a.
A second engaged portion 13 is provided at the rear end portion of each portion b. The second engaged portion 13 is an elastic locking protrusion 1 that is provided by cutting and raising a part of the second member 4b at appropriate intervals in the circumferential direction on the inner surface of the rear end of the second member 4b.
5, and at least the third member 4c described below.
It is composed of a radial annular collar 16 provided at intervals for receiving the engaging portion 17. The third member 4c is inserted into the second member 4b with the rear end of the member 4c slightly protruding, and has a third engaging portion 17 on the outer periphery of the distal end of the member 4c and a rear end of the member 4c. Ribs 18 are provided on the outer periphery of each end.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 6, in the contracted state when the inner cylinder 4 is not in use, that is, the first member 4
The second member 4b is attached to a, and the third member is attached to the second member 4b.
When the members 4c are each inserted and the first engaging portion 8, second engaging portion 12, and third engaging portion 17 are aligned at the same position, the flange of the first member 4a is The portion 11 and a portion of the outer peripheral surface of the third member 4c are connected by a thin portion 19 that is relatively easily cut when pulling out the third member 4c. As shown in FIG. 7, a cutting guide groove 20 may be formed to allow the thin portion 19 to be cut more easily.

As is clear from FIGS. 1 to 3, the inner cylinder 4 is inserted into the outer cylinder 3 and engaged with the inner surface of the stepped part 8 of the outer cylinder 3 from the first engaging part 8 of the first member 4a. In the fitted state, the outer cylinder 3 is formed to have a length that slightly protrudes from the rear end part, and the first member 4a and the second member
The total length of the member 4b and the third member 4c is set to a length necessary to extrude the tampon 2.

The opening at the tip of the outer cylinder 3 is simply opened in the shape of a ring, or, as in the illustrated example, is closed by a hemispherical surface. The slit 21 is opened to
Although the latter may be used, the latter is preferable.

The tampon 2 is formed by squeezing hydrophilic fibers such as cotton or rayon into a rod-shaped body, and a drawstring 22 is attached to the tampon 2. The string 22 passes through the inner tube 4 and extends from the rear end. The outer cylinder 3 and the inner cylinder 4 are preferably made of synthetic resin.

Furthermore, although the example in which the inner cylinder 4 is made up of three members has been described above, this example also has the advantage that the entire length of the applicator 1 can be made as short as possible. However, it may be composed of two members, that is, the first member 4a and the third member 4c.

(Function) When the tampon 2 is in an unused state, the applicator 1 has the inner cylinder 4 in a contracted state, as shown in FIGS. 1, 6, and 7. In use, as shown in FIG. 2, when the third member 4c is pulled rearward, the thin portion 19 connecting the first member 4a and the third member 4c is cut, and the third member 4c is pulled in the same direction. The third engaging portion 17 of the third member 4c slides and protrudes toward the second engaged portion 1 of the second member 4b.
3 to connect the second member 4b and the third member 4c, and when the third member 4c is further pulled, the second member 4b slides in the same direction and protrudes, and the second member 4b and the third member 4c are connected.
The second engaging portion 12 of the member 4b is connected to the first engaging portion 12 of the first member 4a.
The first member 4a and the second member 4 are engaged with the engaged portion 9.
b are connected. In this connected state,
When the third member 4c is pushed forward, as shown in FIG. It will be done.

Note that, as described above, when the inner cylinder 4 is pressed forward by the first member 4a, the second member 4b, and the third member 4c, the first engaged part 12 of the second member 4b is pressed forward. The locking protrusion 10 constituting the joint portion 9 also includes:
The third engaging portion 17 of the third member 4c is the second engaged portion 1
Since the tampon 2 is locked to the locking protrusions 15 that make up the tampon 3, the tampon 2 can be disconnected from the tampon 2.
It does not interfere with the extrusion operation.

(Example) An applicator having the structure shown in FIGS. 1 to 6 was formed of synthetic resin, and a known tampon was housed in the outer cylinder, which is one of the members constituting the applicator. However, before storing the tampon, the inner tube, which is the other member that makes up the applicator, is stored into the outer tube from its tip opening, and after storing the tampon, the petal-shaped portion at the tip of the outer tube is heated into a hemispherical mold. The outer cylinder was formed into a shape and the opening at the tip of the outer cylinder was closed.

(Effects of the Invention) According to the applicator of the present invention configured as described above, since the inner tube for pushing out the tampon stored in the outer tube is configured to be expandable and retractable from at least two members, In addition to the effect that the inner cylinder can be contracted when carried, etc., and expanded when in use, and the two members described above can be reliably connected, the following effects are also achieved. That is, since the at least two members constituting the inner cylinder are connected by a thin portion that can be easily cut during use, the member protruding from the rear end of the outer cylinder will not accidentally slide.
The packaging is more convenient to carry.

[Brief explanation of the drawing]

The drawings show an embodiment of the applicator of the present invention. Fig. 1 is a partial cross-sectional view of the state in which a tampon is stored in the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder is reduced, and Fig. 2 is a partial cross-sectional view of the state shown in Fig. 1 with the inner cylinder pulled out. FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of the tampon being pushed out; FIG.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the first member connecting the members, FIG. 5 is an enlarged side view of the second member, and FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of the first member and the second member.
FIG. 7 is an enlarged sectional view showing the structure of the member and the third member, and is another aspect diagram corresponding to FIG. 6. 1... applicator, 2... tampon, 3...
...Outer cylinder, 4...Inner cylinder, 4a...First member, 4b...
...Second member, 4c...Third member, 5...Step part, 6
... Small diameter part, 8 ... First engaging part, 9 ... First engaged part, 10 ... Locking projection, 11 ... Flange part, 12 ...
...Second engaging part, 13...Second engaged part, 15...
Locking protrusion, 16... collar part, 17... third engaging part,
19...thin part.

Claims (1)

[Scope of Claims] 1. An outer cylinder for storing a tampon, and an outer cylinder slidably but irremovably inserted into the rear end of the outer cylinder in order to push out the tampon from the opening at the distal end of the outer cylinder. In a tampon applicator, the tampon applicator is composed of an inner cylinder, and the inner cylinder is configured to be extendable and retractable from at least one large diameter member and at least one small diameter member slidably and non-removably inserted into the inner cylinder. The large-diameter member and the small-diameter member constituting the inner cylinder can be easily removed by pulling out the latter when the applicator is used for the first time, when the latter is fully inserted into the inner cylinder and the inner cylinder is in a contracted state. The applicator is connected by a thin section that is cut into two parts. 2. The inner cylinder includes a first member, a second member slidably inserted into the first member, and a third member slidably inserted into the second member, and The first member has a first engaging part that engages with the rear part of the outer cylinder at the distal end and a first engaged part at the rear end, and the second member has the first engaged part at the distal end. The third member has a second engaging portion that engages with the second engaged portion and a second engaged portion at the rear end portion, and the third member has a third engaging portion that engages with the second engaged portion at the distal end portion. A tampon applicator according to claim 1. 3. The first engaged portion of the first member includes a locking protrusion facing inward, and a collar portion facing inward with a space therebetween that receives at least the second engaging portion of the second member. A tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator comprises: 4. The second engaged portion of the second member includes a locking protrusion that faces inward, and a collar portion that faces inward with a space therebetween that receives at least the third engaging portion of the third member. A tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the tampon applicator comprises: 5. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the outer cylinder and the inner cylinder are made of synthetic resin.