MXPA97001721A - Apparatus and method to reduce the force to eject a plug from a plug applicator and the applicator my - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from the plug applicator. The plug applicator is also described. The plug applicator also includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent plug. The first member has an inner diameter, the ends spaced apart and first and second, and the insertion tip formed on one side of the first end. The insertion tip closes at least partially the first end of the first member and facilitates the insertion of the plug applicator into a woman's vagina. The insertion tip is open, expanded and closed again before placing the cap on the first member. This action allows the insertion tip to be re-opened with a minimum amount of ejection force. The apparatus includes a first punch having an outer diameter which is dimensioned slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first member. This allows the first punch to slide into the first member from the second end towards the first end. The first punch has a front end which is capable of opening the insertion tip. The apparatus also includes a second punch having a leading end with an outer diameter which is dimensioned larger than the inner diameter of the first member. The second punch is able to enter the open insertion tip and expand at least a part of the internal diameter thereof. The method describes using the above-mentioned apparatus as well as the step of reclosing the insertion tip so that a reduced force is required to reopen the insertion tip and eject the insert.

Description

APPARATUS AND METHOD TO REDUCE L? FORCE TO EXPELL A PLUG FROM A PLUG APPLICATOR AND THE APPLICATOR SAME Field of the Invention This invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator. More specifically, this invention relates to a plug applicator having an insertion tip which requires a minimum amount of force to eject a catamenial plug therefrom.

Background of the Invention Catamenial plugs and other types of absorbent media are routinely inserted into body cavities, such as a woman's vagina, to absorb menstrual fluid, blood and other kinds of body fluids. A very convenient way to place such absorbent plugs into a body cavity is through the use of an applicator. The comfortable and clean insertion of the absorbent cap are key to the repeated sale of such applicators.

Plug applicators are available in a variety of shapes and sizes. The one-piece and two-piece applicators are known, with the design of two pieces assembled telescopically being the most prevalent. The one-piece applicator consists of a hollow tube which houses an absorbent plug. The applicator is designed to make the user insert the tube into her vagina and then use one of her fingers to expel the plug inside her vagina. In the two-piece plug applicator, the plug is housed in an outer tube and is expelled into a woman's vagina by an internal member which is mounted telescopically there and acts as a plunger.

Some plug applicators use a hollow tube having an open insertion end through the plug while the plug is always exposed while other applicators use a completely closed or partially closed design. The partially or completely closed insertion tips are preferred, since they facilitate insertion of the outer tube into the woman's vagina and also prevent premature contamination of the absorbent plug. The insertion tip may be formed of a thin film membrane or may consist of a plurality of flexible petals, folds or folds. The petals and folds are formed on the front end of the outer tube and are designed to flex radially outwardly to allow the plug to be ejected. It will be appreciated that the diameter of the applicator, the material from which it is formed, the basic configuration of the applicator, the size and shape of the stopper placed on the applicator, as well as the ease of operation of the front end of the applicator will influence the force required to apply the applicator. eject the cap from it. The ejection force must be kept reasonably low to allow proper operation of the applicator.

Although many have tried to design and manufacture plug applicators which are more comfortable to use, there is still a need for a more comfortable plug applicator. One way to manufacture a more comfortable plug applicator is to reduce the force required to eject a plug through the insertion tip.

A plug applicator having an insertion tip which requires a minimum amount of force to eject a plug through it has now been invented. The invention also relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug through the insertion tip.

Synthesis of the Invention Briefly, this invention relates to an apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator. The invention also relates to the plug applicator itself. The plug applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent plug. The first member has an inner diameter, the ends separated and spaced first and second, and an insertion tip formed adjacent the first end. The insertion tip closes at least a part of the first end of the first member and facilitates the insertion of the plug applicator into the woman's vagina. The insertion tip has at least some of the paper fibers stretched and / or broken as to allow it to open with a minimum amount of ejection force.

The apparatus includes a first punch having an outer diameter which is dimensioned slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first member. This allows the first punch to slide into the first member from the second end towards the first end. The first punch has a front end which is capable of opening the insertion tip. The apparatus also includes a second punch having a leading end with an outer diameter which is dimensioned larger than the inner diameter of the first member. The second punch is able to enter the open insertion tip and expand at least a part of the inner diameter of the first member.

The method includes using the above-mentioned apparatus as well as the step of reclosing and forming the insertion tip so that the tip can later be reopened to a lower ejection force than that required to open it initially.

The general object of this invention is to provide an apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator. A more specific object of this invention is to provide a plug applicator having an insertion tip which requires a minimum amount of force to eject a catamenial plug therethrough.

Another object of this invention is to provide an apparatus which can be used to open and expand an insertion tip formed on the front end of the cap applicator, so that after the tip is closed again, a tip is required. reduced force to reopen it.

A further object of this invention is to provide a paper plug applicator with an insertion tip which has at least some of the paper fibers of the tip stretched and / or broken. Still further, an object of this invention is to provide a method for opening an insertion tip and expanding at least a portion of the inner diameter of the outer tube so that a plug can be expelled through the insertion tip with a minimum amount of force.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent to those skilled in the art with regard to the description that follows and the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION DB THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a side elevational view of a plug applicator including the first and second members telescopically assembled and showing an insertion tip formed on the front end of the first member.

Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the plug applicator shown in Figure 1, indicating the presence of a plug housed in the first member.

Figure 3 is an enlarged right end view of Figure 1 showing the insertion tip.

Figure 4 is a schematic view of a fold taken along line 4-4 of Figure 3 showing the shape and thickness of a fold.

Figure 5 is a perspective view of the first member showing the insertion tip in an open and expanded condition.

Figure 6 is a perspective view of a first punch used to open the insertion tip.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of a second punch used to expand at least a part of the inner diameter of the first member.

Figure 8 is a flow diagram showing the method for opening the insertion tip, expanding the inner diameter of the first member, reclosing the insertion tip and placing a plug on the first member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION DB THE PREFERRED MODALITY Referring to Figures 1 and 2, a plug applicator 10 is shown which is designed to house a catamenial plug 12 and provide a convenient means for inserting the plug 12 into a woman's vagina. A tampon is an absorbent member primarily designed to be worn by a woman during her menstrual period to absorb menstrual fluids, blood and other body fluids. The plug 12 can be made of natural or synthetic fibers including cellulose fibers such as cotton or rayon, artificial fibers such as polyester, polypropylene, nylon or mixtures thereof. A mixture of cotton or rayon fibers works well.The cap 12 is normally compressed in the shape of a cylinder and may have a rounded or shaped forward end blunt 14. Cap 12 commonly has a melted cord 16 attached to one end thereof which serves as a means for removing the soiled plug from a woman's vagina. The melted cord 16 can be bonded through an opening 18 formed transversely through the plug 12 or fastened in some other way. The withdrawal cord 16 may have a knot 20 formed at its free end to ensure that the withdrawal cord 16 will not separate from the cap 12.

The plug applicator of 10 can be a single member or include two or more members for the purposes of this discussion, the plug applicator 10 will be described as a two piece telescopic assembly which includes a first member 22 and a second member 24 Both members 22 and 24 are shown as being hollow tubes with the inner tube 24 being dimensioned to slide telescopically into the tube 22. It should be noted that the second member 24 does not have a hollow tube but can be a solid bar. It is also not necessary for the second member 24 to be dimensioned to slide inside the first member 22, for example, the second member 24 may be a bar which can be fastened directly to the plug 12.

In the two-piece tubular design it is preferred that both first and second members 22 and 24, respectively, are formed from paper. The term "paper" is used herein to include paper, cardboard, paperboard, thermoplastic film, a combination thereof or some other materials having characteristics similar to those identified above. The paper may be coated with a water-insoluble wax or polymer to make it water-resistant. The first and second primary members 22 and 24, respectively, must have sufficient strength and sufficient rigidity to avoid folding under normal vaginal pressures. Suitable strength and stiffness can be obtained by forming the first and second members 22 and 24, respectively, into elongated cylindrical shapes by winding spirally, coiling convulsively, sewing longitudinally or by winding and overlapping the material on itself.

The first member 22, commonly referred to as an outer tube, must be constructed to have a relatively constant inside diameter D¿ along a major part of its overall length. The length of the first member 22 is typically between about 50.8 mm to about 101.6 mm, preferably about 76.2 mm. The inner diameter DI must be large enough to house the absorbent cap 12. Typically, the catamenial plugs have a diameter of between about 10 mm to about 20 mm. The first member 22 also has the ends spaced apart and first and second 26 and 28 respectively. The first end 26 corresponds to the front end of the plug applicator 10 and the second end 28 represents the opposite end into which the second member 24 is slidably placed.

The first member 22 can be formed from one or more other layers of material. In Figure 2, the first member 22 is shown as being constructed of two distinct layers 30 and 32. The layers 30 and 32 may be made of the same or different materials or may be made of a similar material having different properties. For example, each layer 30 and 32 may have a different thickness, weight, density, etc. The first and second members 22 and 24, respectively, can be formed from one to eight separate and distinct layers, preferably from two to five layers, with two or three layers being most preferred.

The outer layer 30 can be formed of a thin coated paperboard with one or more inner layers 32 can be formed from a non-coated material having a higher cardboard weight. The outer layer 30 may consist of a high gloss coated paper which is degradable in water or dispersible in water. The coating may also have different finishes, such as a satin finish or a semi-gloss finish. The coating on the first member 22 can be selected from a wide variety of materials. Some specific coatings include polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinylidene chlorine and polychloride alcohol.

The layers 30 and 32 can be held together by an adhesive, such as rubber, or by heat, pressure, ultrasonic, etc. The adhesive can be either water soluble or water insoluble. A water soluble adhesive is preferred for environmental reasons in the sense that the first and second members 22 and 24 can separate when submerged in water.

As indicated above, the first member 22 is sized and configured to house the absorbent cap 12. The inner diameter of the first member 22 is sized to accommodate the typical sized plugs. Normally, the inner diameter of the first member 22 is less than about 19 mm and preferably less than about 16 mm. Even though the outer diameter of the plugs varies, many of the plugs used by women have an external diameter of less than about 19 mm. However, if one wishes to use the applicator 10 to administer a medicament to an animal, such as a ranch animal, larger size plugs 12 may be used.

The first member 22 may be an elongated, straight cylindrical tube formed on a central longitudinal axis. It is also possible to form the first member 22 in an arched form. The arched or curved shape can help provide comfort when the first limb 22 is inserted into a woman's vagina. With a curved plug applicator, it is possible to use a curved plug which again is more comfortable for some women to use since the shape of the plug can better fit the curvature of a woman's vagina.

Referring to Figures 3-5, an insertion tip 34 is integrally formed on the first end 26 of the first member 22 and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip 34 is designed to facilitate insertion of the first member 22 into the woman's vagina in a comfortable manner. The insertion tip 34 can be rounded, semi-spherical or frusto-conical. Other nose shapes or dome types can also be used. The rounded configuration of the insertion tip 34 functions to prevent the front end of the plug 12 from exerting an abrasive action on the vagina wall as would be the case if it were not covered.

The insertion tip 34 can be constructed of the same material as that which was used to form the first member 22 or it can be constructed from a different material. The insertion tip 34 may also be thinner and / or have a cardboard weight lower than that of the first member 22. The insertion tip 34 should be thin, soft and flexible and may contain a coating or be impregnated with a solution which inhibits the substantial absorption of vaginal fluids. The coating can be an oil, a wax or formed from other acceptable organic compounds.

The insertion tip 34 includes a plurality of flexible folds 36 arranged in a radial shape. The folds 36 can at least partially or completely enclose the front end of the plug 12. Each fold 36 has a length of between about .635 mm to about 25.4 mm, preferably about 12.7 mm. Each fold 36 has a vertex which terminates on or to one side of the front end center of the insertion tip 34. Any number of bends can be used, with from 3 to 10 bends 36 being sufficient. The six bends 36 are shown in FIG. figure 3 An opening 38 may optionally be formed at the apex of the insertion tip 34. The opening 38 is aligned along the central longitudinal axis. The opening 38 serves to provide a visual means for inspecting the cap applicator and is to be sure that the cap 12 is placed on the first member 22. The opening 38 may be of any size but is preferably sized to be about 10% to about 30% of the outer diameter of the first member 22, preferably of about 20% of the outer diameter of the first member 22. When an opening 38 is not present, the folds 36 will completely close the forward end of the plug 12.

Referring to Figure 4, each fold 36 is obtained by bending the material on itself so that when the fold 36 is open or unfolded it will occupy a much larger surface. The thickness of the material forming the insertion tip 34 may be less than the thickness of the first member 22. The insertion tip 34 has a thickness of between about 0.03 mm to about 0.5 mm. In the folded condition each fold 36 has a thickness indicated by the letter "t" which should be less than about 1.0 mm, preferably between about .75 mm to about .85 mm. Each fold 36 is capable of expanding radially outward as the plug 12 of the first member 22 is ejected by the movement of the second member 24 there. The bends 36 will begin to open when the plug 12 is pushed forward by the second member 24 and a force is exerted on its inner surface. The bends 36 are capable of opening to a diameter which is equal to, or greater than, the diameter of the first member 22. This expanded size allows the plug 12 to be ejected from the first member 22 with a minimum amount of force.

Referring to Figure 5, the insertion tip 34 is shown in an open condition having been bent and initially formed into a rounded nose shaped end as shown in Figure 2. The insertion tip 34 is then expanded to a diameter inner D2 which is slightly larger than the inner diameter D., of the first member 22. This difference in diameter may vary from about .001 of an inch to about .025 of an inch (about 0.025 mm to about of 0.63 mm), preferably from about .127 mm to about .381 mm when the first member 22 has an outside diameter of less than about 19 mm. The method and apparatus for forming the diameter D2 will be explained below. The transition from the largest diameter D2 to the smallest diameter D1 should be gradual and smooth. The transitional area, denoted as 40 in Figure 5, may not be shown on the outer surface of the first member 22. The thickness of the layers 30 and 32 as well as the difference between the diameters D1 will determine if any enlargement of the location 40 is I presented. The larger diameter D2 occurs by the reinforcement and / or breaking of the fibers that form the paper layers 30 and 32. After the insertion tip 34 has enlarged, it bends again and forms again in its original configuration. In this reclosable form the outer diameter of the insertion tip 34 will be identical to the outer diameter of the first member 22. Similarly, the inner diameter D2 of the insertion tip 34 will be equal to the inner diameter D1 of the first member 22.

It is contemplated that the first member 22 will be formed in a hollow cylindrical tube having a relatively constant inside diameter D ,. The first end 26 of the tube 22 will then be lathered, bent and formed into a semi-spherical insertion tip generally 34 using the folding and forming tools known to those skilled in the art. After the insertion tip 34 is formed, it is initially opened and expanded using the special tools. The insertion tip 34 is then reformed using the bending and forming tools so that it is capable of being re-opened at a later time at a lower ejection force than that initially required to open it. The insertion tip 34 is reopened after a stopper has been placed in the first member 22.

It has been found that, by initially opening the insertion tip 34, expanding its inner diameter to D2, and then re-closing and reforming the insertion tip 34 to its original size, that force required to eject the plug 12 of the first member 22 is virtually reduced. This reduction in force can be at least 25% lower than the force required to initially open the insertion tip 34. Preferably, this force is at least 40% lower, and more preferably is at least 50% lower than the force required to initially open the insertion tip 34. This significant reduction in force is achieved by the expander the inner diameter of the insertion tip 34 so that the fibers forming the layers 30 and 32 are stretched, fractured, reoriented and / or broken and therefore less force is required to reopen.

Returning to Figures 6 and 7, the apparatus for opening and enlarging the diameter of the insertion tip 34 is shown. The apparatus includes a first punch 42 and a second punch 44. The first opening punch or punch is an elongated cylindrical member. having an outer diameter D3 which is smaller than that of the inner diameter D1 of the first member 22. This difference in size allows the first punch 42 to slide into the diameter D1 of the first member 22. The outer diameter D3 of the first punch 42, it can be as small as about .025 mm less than the inner diameter D1 of the first member 22. Preferably, the outer diameter Dj of the first punch 42, is about 0.25 to about .381 mm less than the inner diameter D1 of the first member 22. More preferably, the outer diameter D3 of the first punch 42 is at least about .127 mm less than the inside diameter D, of the first member 22.

The first punch 42 has a first section 46 and a second section 48. The two sections 46 and 48 can be machined from a single rod or elongated shaft. The first section 46 has a constant outside diameter Dj while the second section 48 has a larger outer diameter. The two sections 46 and 48 meet to form a shoulder 50. Shaped on the distal end of the first section 46 is a front end 52 which is capable of opening the insertion tip 34 from the inside. The front end 52 includes a tapered section 54 having a rounded nose 56. However, other semi-spherical, frustoconical, rounded or pointed configurations may be used, if desired. The general configuration of the front end 52 should roughly match the interior shape of the insertion tip 34 and be generally around the same diameter for best results.

The length "1" of the first section 46, which has the diameter Dj, must be larger than the overall length of the first member 22. The reason for this is that the first punch 42 is designed to be inserted inside the second end 28 of the first member 22 and completely slide through it so that it can make contact and fully open the insertion tip 34. Preferably, the first section 46 will be large enough to extend beyond the insertion tip 34. In operation, it is envisaged that the second section 48 of the first punch 42 will be tightly secured to a reciprocal portion and the first section 46 will be in axial alignment with the second end 28 of the first member 22. The first punch 42 will slide through the first member 22 and will make contact and open the insertion gate 34. When this occurs, the second end 28 of the first member 22 will contact the shoulder 50 of the punch 4 2 and the first member 22 will be prevented from moving further along the length of the first punch 42.

It should be noted by those skilled in the art that alternatively, the first punch 42 can be held stationary and the first member 22 can be moved axially relative to the first punch. Once the insertion tip 34 is opened, the first member 22 is removed from the first punch 42. This can be achieved by removing the first punch 42 from the first member 22, removing the first member 22 from the first punch 42 or by removing simultaneously both members 22 and 42 one from the other.

The second punch or expansion 44 is an elongated cylindrical member which has a leading end 58. The leading end 58 is shown in the shape of a tear, although other shapes can work as well. The teardrop shape includes a circular eyebrow 60 which tapers down to form a frustoconical surface 62 which terminates within a rounded tip 64. Located backward from the circular eyebrow 60 is a neck portion 66 which is relatively small in diameter. The front end 58 has an outer diameter D4 which is larger than the inner diameter Dt of the first member 22. The outer diameter D4 of the leading end 58 must be at least about .050 mm larger than the inside diameter D1 of the first member 22. Preferably, the outer diameter D4 of the leading end 58 will be at least about .381 mm larger than the inside diameter D1 of the first member 22.

The second punch 44 is designed to have the leading end 58 inserted into the first end 26 of the first member 22 after the insertion tip 34 has been initially opened by the first punch 42. The leading end 58 will expand at least a part of the inner diameter D, of the first member 22 to the larger inner diameter D2. This expansion causes the fibers to be stretched, fractured, reoriented and / or broken thereby weakening the material forming the insertion tip 34. The leading end 58 of the second punch 44 is inserted into the first member 22 by a sufficient distance of so that the insertion tip 34 will acquire a larger inner diameter D2.

Typically, this is a distance of at least about .5 inches (about 12.7 mm). Preferably, the forward end 58 of the second punch 44 is inserted into the first end 26 of the first member 22 by a depth which is equal to or extends beyond the length of the folds 36.

The second punch 44 also has a second section 68 which can be secured in a sleeve mounted on an axle press. The second punch 44 can be reciprocated relative to the first stationary member 22. It is also possible to retain the second stationary punch 44 and move the first member 22 relative to it, as explained above with reference to the first punch 42.

METHOD The method for reducing the force required to eject a plug 12 from a plug applicator 10 will be explained with reference to the flow chart shown in Figure 8. Starting with the first member or the outer tube 22 having an insertion tip 34 formed to one side of the first end 26, the method is as follows. The first punch 42 is inserted into the second end 28 of the outer tube 22 and slides therethrough until it makes contact with the insertion tip 34. The first punch 42 is then pushed through the folds 36 and radially expanded. the insertion tip 34 to a diameter which is at least 90% of the inner diameter D, of the outer tube 22. The first punch 42 is then removed from the outer tube 22 and the second punch 44 is inserted into the tip open insert 34 from the first end 26. The front end 58 of the second punch 44, with its larger diameter D4, causes the inner diameter of the insertion tip 34 to expand to a diameter D2 which will be larger than the diameter initial inside diameter D The diameter D2 will be approximately equal to the diameter D4. The front end 58 of the second punch 44 is inserted into the first end 26 of the outer tube 22 by a distance which is preferably equal to or extends beyond the length of each fold 36. This makes a part of the diameter inside D, of the outer tube 22 expand to D2. The second punch 44 is then removed and the insertion tip 34 is closed again. In this reclosing configuration, the insertion tip 34 will have the folds 36 and will be reformed to a rounded shape.

An absorbent cap 12 is then inserted into the second end 26 of the outer tube 22 and the inner tube 24 is telescopically assembled with the outer tube 22. This assembly has the withdrawal cord 16 which passes through the inner tube 24 and extends towards outside the free end of it. The set is drawn in Figure 1. This set is ready for use by the consumer. During use, the consumer will place the outer tube 22 in her vagina and push on the free end of the inner tube 24. Such action causes the cap 12 to move forward and make contact with the insertion tip 34. When the plug is moved 12 forward, the folds 36 forming the insertion tip 34 will open radially with a minimum amount of force. The insertion tip 34 will open a sufficient size to allow the plug 12 to expel freely from the vagina cavity. The force required to eject the plug 12 will be less than that required to initially open the insertion tip 34 by the first punch 42. With the plug 12 inserted into the vaginal cavity, the plug applicator 10 is removed and disposed of properly.

Although the invention has been described in conjunction with a specific embodiment, it is understood that many alternatives, modifications and variations will be apparent to those skilled in the art in light of the foregoing description. Therefore, this invention is intended to encompass all those alternatives, modifications and variations which fall within the spirit and scope of the attached clauses.

Claims (28)

1. An apparatus for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator, said applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing a plug, said first member having an outer diameter, the ends spaced apart and first and second separated, and an insertion tip formed on one side of the first end, said apparatus comprises: a) a first punch having an outer diameter which is dimensioned to slide inside the first member and having a front end which is capable of opening said insertion tip; Y b) a second punch having a leading end with an outer diameter which is sized larger than the inner diameter of said first member, said second punch is able to enter the open insertion tip and expand at least a part of said inner diameter of said first member.

2. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that the stopper is made of paper.

3. The apparatus as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said first punch is an elongated cylindrical member having a diameter of at least .001 of an inch less than the inner diameter of said first member.

4. The apparatus as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said first punch has a diameter of at least .005 of an inch less than the inner diameter of its first member.

5. The apparatus as claimed in clause 2, characterized in that said front end of said first punch comprises a tapered section having a rounded nose.

6. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said first member has a predetermined length and said first punch has a length which is larger than that of said first member.

7. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said first end of said second punch has a teardrop shape.

8. The apparatus as claimed in clause 1, characterized in that said second punch has an outer diameter which is at least .002 of an inch larger than the inner diameter of said first member.

9. The apparatus as claimed in clause 8, characterized in that said leading end of said second punch has an outer diameter which is at least .015 of an inch larger than the inner diameter of the first member.

10. An apparatus for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a first plug applicator, said plug applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing a plug, said first member having an outer diameter, the ends spaced apart and separated first and second, and an insertion tip formed on one side of and by the hands partially closing said first end, said apparatus comprises: a) a first elongate punch having an outer diameter which is slightly smaller than the inner diameter of said first member to allow the first punch to slide into the first member from the second end toward the first end, and having a leading end thereof which is capable of opening said insertion tip; Y b) a second punch having a tear-shaped front end with an outer diameter which is sized larger than the inner diameter of the first member, said second punch is able to enter the open insertion tip and expand at least one part of the inner diameter of the first member.

11. The apparatus as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said first punch has a diameter of at least .005 of an inch less than the inner diameter of said first member.

12. The apparatus as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that the front end of the first punch comprises a tapered section having a rounded nose.

13. The apparatus as claimed in clause 10, characterized in that said leading end of said second punch has an outer diameter which is at least .002 of an inch larger than the inner diameter of the first member.

14. A method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator, said applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing a plug, said first member having an inner diameter, the ends spaced apart and first and second separated, and an insertion tip formed on one side of the first end, said method comprises the steps of: a) inserting a first punch into the second end of said first member; b) sliding said first punch through the first member and opening the insertion tip; Y c) inserting a second punch into an open insertion tip, said second punch having a front end with an outside diameter which is sized larger than the inside diameter of the first member so that at least a part of the inside diameter of said first member is expanded.

15. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that said first punch opens said insertion tip to at least 90% of the inner diameter of the first member.

16. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the insertion tip is closed again after the first member has expanded.

17. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that a plug is placed on said first member and said plug can be expelled through the insertion tip to an ejection force which is less than that required to open initially said insertion tip with the first punch.

18. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the second punch is inserted at least .5 inches into the first member.

19. The method as claimed in clause 14, characterized in that the second punch is inserted into the first member beyond the length of the insertion tip.

20. A method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from a plug applicator, said applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing a plug, said first member having an inner diameter, the ends spaced apart and first and second separated, and an insertion tip formed on one side of, and at least partially closing said first end, said method comprises: a) inserting a first punch into the first end of the first member; b) sliding said first punch through the first member and expanding said insertion tip; c) inserting a second punch into an open insertion tip, said second punch having a front end with an outside diameter which is dimensioned larger than the inside diameter of said first member so that at least a part of the inside diameter of the first member is expanded; d) reclosing said insertion tip; e) replacing a plug in said first member, said plug is capable of being expelled through the insertion tip to an ejection force which is less than that required to initially open said insertion tip.

21. The method as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that said second punch is inserted at least .5 inches into the first member.

22. The method as claimed in clause 20, characterized in that said second punch is inserted into the first member beyond the length of the insertion tip.

23. A plug applicator comprising: a) a first member capable of housing an absorbent cap, said first member having an outer diameter and the ends spaced apart and first and second separated; Y b) an insertion tip formed on one side and at least partially closing said first end, said insertion tip having been opened, expanded and reclosed before the placement of the absorbent cap inside the first member.

24. The plug applicator as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that said first member is made of paper.

25. The plug applicator as claimed in clause 23, characterized in that the insertion tip is bent and formed into a rounded shape.

26. An applicator comprising: a) a first member capable of housing an absorbent plug, said first member having an inner diameter, and the ends spaced apart and first and second separated; Y b) a bent insertion tip formed on one side of, and at least partially closing said first end, said insertion tip having been opened, expanded and reclosed before the placement of the absorbent cap inside the first member, said tip of insertion can be reopened to an ejection force, which is less than that required to initially open said tip.

27. The applicator as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that the first member is made of paper.

28. The applicator as claimed in clause 26, characterized in that in the insertion tip it is bent and formed in a rounded shape. SUMMARY An apparatus and method for reducing the force required to eject a catamenial plug from the plug applicator are described. The plug applicator is also described. The plug applicator also includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent plug. The first member has an inner diameter, the ends spaced apart and first and second, and the insertion tip formed on one side of the first end. The insertion tip closes at least partially the first end of the first member and facilitates the insertion of the plug applicator into a woman's vagina. The insertion tip is open, expanded and closed again before placing the cap on the first member. This action allows the insertion tip to be re-opened with a minimum amount of ejection force. The apparatus includes a first punch having an outer diameter which is dimensioned slightly smaller than the inner diameter of the first member. This allows the first punch to slide into the first member from the second end towards the first end. The first punch has a front end which is capable of opening the insertion tip. The apparatus also includes a second punch having a leading end with an outer diameter which is dimensioned larger than the inner diameter of the first member. The second punch is able to enter the open insertion tip and expand at least a part of the internal diameter thereof. The method describes using the above-mentioned apparatus as well as the step of reclosing the insertion tip so that a reduced force is required to reopen the insertion tip and eject the plug.