MXPA97004994A - Inserts for digita tampons - Google Patents

Abstract

A buffer inserter is included in an almost-sized package using conventional digital tampons, without a decrease in the number of such tampons in the package. The inserter provides an alternative means for the insertion of digital buffers and other buffers, and can be used as a training device for new users.

Description

INSERTFT ORES PñRfl DIGITAL TELEPHONES BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to pulpers for tarnpons and, very specifically, to graders for use with digital tarnpons, capable of being packed with such tarnpins without a substantial increase in the size of the packing or a decrease in the number of buffers in the package. Women now have a variety of options regarding the types of tampons they can use. These options have been created, in part, to satisfy the preferences of individuals. For example, some women prefer digital tampons (inserted by hand) because of the relatively small packages in which they are contained. These smaller packages tend to be more convenient for your compact storage and discreet personal transportation. The digital buffer is also appreciated due to the degree of control that can be exercised * when inserting the product. Another group of women prefer tarnponee with aplxcador or the use of some type of device that helps in the manual placement of tampons. This preference is typically based on the need to satisfy health issues. For some women, it can also be based on ease of insertion with the use of a separate device. Despite these different preferences, there are some women who have no preference and use the tampon that is most immediately available (or least expensive). ). There are also occasions in which a woman who prefers the digital tarpon may have a need or desire to use an inserter device (that is, when she is worried about getting her hands or clothes dirty). There are also occasions in which the regular user of an inserter preferred to use, or at least would not object to using, a digital buffer. The term "inserter" is used herein to mean any device used to assist in the manual placement of a tampon, including, but not limited to, conventional and unique applicators, rod-type inserters (discussed below in more detail) . The term "user" is used herein to mean the person in whose body the tampon is placed and, when appropriate, the person physically inserting the tampon (which may be another individual). "Digital tarnpones" is used in the present to mean any tampon that is inserted ordinarily by hand without the use of an inserter. The "advanced end" of the tarnpón is the portion of the tampon that enters the vagina of the user first; the "back end" is the portion of the tampon that enters the vagina last, typically the end to which the tampon removal tape is attached. The rear end, is typically the last or only portion of the tarn-plug that contacts an inserter. The choice of women between the use of a digital tarnpón and a tarnpón that employs, by necessity, an inserter, is often done at the moment the tarnpons are acquired. e pack conventional tampons with or without inserters. That is to say, the woman buys and uses a pack of tarnpons with inserters or co, and a packet of digital tarnpons. If a woman wants the opinion of using substitutes or refraining from doing so, she often has to buy one of each type of tampon (ie, a packet of digital tampons and a pack of tarnpons with ingredients). This purchase option has obvious disadvantages both economically and logistically (for example, the woman would need to open both packages and then use the tampons as desired). To expand the user's options, digital tampons with inserters could be packed. Using conventional digital tarnpons and conventional inserters, however, this arrangement typically requires either the packing to increase substantially in size or include fewer buffers. If the servers are large, of unpleasant appearance or both, women who use only digital tampons on a regular basis can look at the packaging unfavorably. The perception that additional inserters, which may not be used on a regular basis, adds substantially to the total cost of packaged tampons, may also alienate potential users. To save space, digital buffers could possibly be packaged inside the inserters. However, there is typically a tight fit with friction between the inner surface of the conventional crimpers and the outer surface of the wrapped tarnpins. In this way, with conventional products (for example, a tampon inside a conventional applicator), it would take considerable effort to remove in tarnpon from inside an inserter that is the appropriate size and configuration to throw the amp directly into the container. body of the user. See, for example, U.S. Patent Nos. 2,355,528, 2,335,917 and 3,543,75-4, which describe tarnpons thrown from the xserters. It would appear that the disadvantage discussed above (ie, increased package size and / or fewer buffers per package) could be overcome to some degree by the use of rod-type inserters. Such inserters are described, for example, in the U.S. Patent. No. 3,983,875. Although such rod-type inserts can be packaged with digital framings without substantial increase in packing size or substantial decrease in the number of buffers they contain, rod-type inserters have other disadvantages. For example, the tarnpons used with the rod-type inserts should be relatively harder than conventional digital tampons, at least in the area where the tampon contacts the inserter. If the generator is not hard enough, handling the tarnad through the rod-type inserter is problematic. When the tampon is made harder to protect against the problems associated with the use of a rod-type inserter, the resulting tampon, in comparison with a typical digital tarn-plug, can not be extended fast enough to prevent run-off around the tampon. buffer before it softens and becomes effective. The rod-tip inserters also have a threatening appearance and can cause harm if used improperly (factors that also count against user satisfaction). It is therefore a general objective of this invention to provide women with the option of inserting tampons with or without inserters. Another objective of this invention is to give the user the option of purchasing a package containing digital buffers and inserters, with little or no increase in the size of the package or decrease in the number of buffers therein. A further objective of this invention is to provide applicators that the user can use to avoid getting his fingers dirty or undue microbial contamination of his permeal area, while not requiring any significant increase in effort on the part of the user. . The foregoing specific objects and advantages of the present invention are illustrative of those that can be achieved by the present invention and are not intended to be exhaustive or limiting of the possible advantages that may be realized. In this way, these and other objects and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the description herein or may be learned by putting the invention into practice, either as they are modalized herein or as modified in view of any variations. which may be apparent to those skilled in the art. Accordingly, the present invention is inherent in the novel parts, constructions, arrangements, combinations, and improvements that are discussed and described herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION With the above objectives in mind, the present invention provides, in general, a device for inserting a tarn-plug, comprising a tube with a first section and a second section, the first section preferably comprising a chamber with an open end. In the preferred embodiment, the open end is sized to receive the trailing end in the tampon and the chamber is sized to accommodate a desired portion of that posterior end as the plug is placed in the device and it advances to a desired position within a user's vaginal cavity. The second section is given a size and configuration to be held by hand during insertion of the tampon. Depending on the user's choice, the buffer can be of the class that can be inserted digitally. The packing of inserts and tampons together gives the user the option of digital insertion or aided with the device. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that it is highly desirable that the edges of the inserter be prevented from contacting (and thereby possibly screeching) the vaginal wall. For this purpose, it is desirable that the posterior end of the tarnpon be compressed, when the tarnpon is held by the inserter, and that the cross section of the tampon, other than the compressed trailing edge, is larger than the outer cross section of the tampon. Inserter In various embodiments of the present invention, the device includes, by way of example, (1) a cone-shaped tube in which the first section comprises an open end and the second section extends to a distal point of the open end, (2) a cone-shaped tube in which the open end of the first section comprises a collar with parallel walls, (3) a cylindrical tube in which the first section comprises a collar of parallel walls and the second section is ribbed, (4) a tube that is sized and sized to hold a tampon inside the second section, ready for use, and to accommodate the tampon in the first section during insertion, and (5) other tubes that are given size and configuration according to the invention. It is preferred that the inserter be given a certain size to be packed with the timing buffers that there is necessarily a minimum increase, if any, in the overall size of the packaging with respect to packing for tarnpons only. It is also preferred that the surface of the device have a configuration that avoids or at least minimizes the scraper contact with the vaginal wall during insertion and during its removal after the tarnpon is in the desired position. In addition, it is preferred that the second section of the inserter be of a length that allows the user to hold the inserter at a desirable point spaced from the user's body. In its preferred form, the present invention can be produced on a continuous production line in which each individual device is subsequently cut and shaped as desired and produced according to other conventional manufacturing means known to those skilled in the art. .

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Preferred forms of the present invention are seen in the drawings and are the best mode currently contemplated for carrying out the invention. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and mediations shown. Figure 1 is a perspective view of an embodiment of an inserter device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view, taken along the line 2-2 in Figure 1. Figure 3 is a perspective view, partly in cross section, showing a tampon placed in a mode of the inserter device. in accordance with the present invention. Figure 4 is a perspective view of the mode of an insertion device according to the present invention. Figure 5 is a cross-sectional view, taken along line 5-5 in Figure 4. Figure 6 is a side projection view of another embodiment of an inserter device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 7 is an extreme projection view of the embodiment shown in Figure 6. Figure 8 is a cross-sectional, side-projection view of another embodiment of an inserter device in accordance with the present invention. Figure 9 is a later-on projection view of a tarnet according to the present invention. Figure 10 is a cross-sectional, cross-sectional view of a packet containing inserts of the type shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3 and buffers of the type shown in Figure 9. Figure 11 is a side projection view, in cross section, of a package containing applicators of the type shown in Figure 8 and after the type shown in Figure 9. Figure 12 is an ex-projection view of the package that it is shown in figure 11.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Referring now to the drawings in detail, in which the like reference numbers indicate like elements, an inserter according to the present invention, generally designated by * the reference number 20, is seen in FIGS. 1 and 2. The inserter 20 comprises a conical tube 22 with a first section 24 and a second section 26. Preferably, the inserter 20 is made of a degradable material, such as degradable paper or plastic, although those skilled in the art will understand that it can be Use a quantity of suitable materials. For example, the molded plastic insert 20 can be made, although the rolled paperboard would be ecologically more acceptable and therefore preferable. It is also preferred that the surface of the tube 20 be shaped, compounded or coated to minimize abrasive contact with the vaginal wall during insertion and after removal, after the tampon is in the desired operative position. In this embodiment, in which the tube 22 is cone-shaped, the narrowing angle of the second section 26 in the region of the apex 32, the thickness of the wall of the inserter 20, and the cross section of the space, or chamber 20, inside the tube 22 (see Figure 2), are all variables and depend, among other things, on the type and nature of the material used, the size and configuration of the tarnpón with which the inserter 20 is to be used, the manufacturing process used to produce the inserter 20, the desired size and configuration of the package in which the inserter 20 will be provided to the user, and the number and size of the tampons to be packaged therein. The invention can be produced, as will occur to those skilled in the art, by a number of manufacturing methods that include, but are not limited to, continuous production line procedures in which each individual device is cut and configured as want. The first section 24, which includes the chamber 28 and the open end 30, is the portion of the inserter 20 which comes into contact with, and holds by friction, the tampon during insertion. The size, configuration and geometric shape of the chamber 28 and the open end 30 depend, among other things, on the portion of the tarnpón which must be held by the inserter 20 to complete the insertion step. The length "a", which is the distance along the interior of the chamber 28 which often comes in contact with the tampon during insertion, is preferably of a dimension that allows the tampon section in the chamber 28 inadvertently slides out of the insert 20 once the tarnpon is in the desired operative position within the user's vagina. Thus, the length "a" depends, among other things, on factors such as the frictional resistance between the chamber 28 and the posterior end of the tarnpon, and the shape of the posterior end. The strength depends, among other things, on the material used for the inserter 20, on the surface or texture coatings that the interior of the chamber 27 could have, and on the texture of the rear end where it comes in contact with the inner wall. of the chamber 28. The open extr-emo 30 is sized and configured to receive the trailing end of a tampon. For example, referring now to Figures 1, 2 and 3, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the inner cross section "c" of the open end 30 (Figures 1 and 2) is smaller than the maximum cross section of the tampon. (seen in Figure 3 and generally designated by the reference numeral 31), and the outer cross section "d" of the open end 30 is no larger and preferably smaller, than the maximum cross section of the tampon 31. It will be understood that digital buffers of the type referred to herein, are packaged in a compressed initial state, and that quickly expand after insertion and in the presence of moisture. The above-mentioned relative dimensions refer to tarnpón 31 in its initial state, as it is inserted for its use. With the configuration described above of the inserter 20, as best seen in Figure 3, the tampon 32, when located in the first section 24, and with a separation wire 38 attached to its trailing end, extends from the end open 30 by a distance equal to the distance "e" between the advanced end 34 of the tarnpon 31 and the site 36 in the tampon 31 where, moving from * the rear end 40 towards the advanced end 34, the cross section of the tampon 31 first exceeds the inner cross section "c" of the open end 30. Any person skilled in the art would realize that the distance "c" can be reduced and beyond the rear end 40 can be accommodated within the chamber 28, depending on the material of the rear end 40 and the force used to place the rear end 40 in the chamber 28. The tampons 31 of the types referred to herein, are typically about 9 to 15 mm in diameter and about 5 mm in diameter. c in length in its initial state and packed. The inserter 20 that is used with said tampons 31 is typically and preferably in the range of about 6.35 cm to 7.62 cn in length, and taking into account the ease of handling and convenience of packing, generally does not exceed 10.16 crn in length. In the embodiment shown in Figures 1, 2 and 3, the second section 26 of the swab 20 comprises the remainder of the tube 22 including the apex 32. Anyone skilled in the art would realize that the second section 26 may be tapered or otherwise Way configured for more comfortable use of the monitor 20. It is preferred that the second section 26 be held manually during insertion of the tampon and be of a sufficient length pat to allow the user to hold the tube 22 at a desirable distance from the vagina . Any person skilled in the art would realize that the length "b" depends, to a certain degree, on the type and nature of the material used for the tube 22, the size and configuration of the tampon 31 with which the tube 22 is used, the method of manufacture used to produce the tube 22, and the size and configuration of the package in which the inserters 20 are to be supplied to the user. The distance depends on the distance "a" and the surface required by the user to comfortably operate the inserter 20 to hold the second section 26. Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, another embodiment of the invention is observed. In this embodiment, an inserter, generally designated by the reference number 42, has a first section 44, which consists of a collar 46 of parallel walls. The collar 46 has a length "f". A second section 45, similar to the second section 26 described above of the inserter 20, includes a cone-shaped body of a length "g". This embodiment of the invention operates in a manner similar to the embodiment in Figures 1, 2 and 3 (and described above), but is capable of holding tampons more securely as long as the size of the package required for inserter 42 does not increase substantially. the tampons. Like the modality in Figures 1,? and 3, the inserter 40 is "amdable" for packaging purposes, as will be explained below in relation to Figure 10. In still another embodiment of the invention, seen in Figures 6 and 7, an inserter 47 includes a first section 48. and a second section 50, forged to a reduced cross section. Although operating similarly to the inserter shown in Figure 1, the inserter 46 can be made more economically by a continuous process, for example, by cutting lengths from a continuous rolled paper tube having an inside diameter sufficient to hold a tarnpon. The second section 50 fits the first section 48 in a narrowed transition portion 52. The "grooved" cross-section of the second section 50 (Figure 7) reinforces and rigidifies the second section 50, at the same time that it allows the first section 48 to act as a natural receptacle for the tampon. Referring now to Figure 8, there is an inserter designated generally by the reference number 54, which includes a first section 56 and a second section 58. In this embodiment, the inserter 54 may be constructed from a tube. of continuous rolled paper with an inner cross section "h" and an outer transverse section- "i", an open end 60 and a zone 62 of reduced cross-section "k". Preferably, the cross section "h" and the length "1" of the first section 56, are sufficient to allow the first section 56 to hold a wrapped tampon 64. It is preferred that the distance "1" from the area 62 to the open end 65 of the second section 58, be of sufficient length to hold the rear end 66 of the tarn-pad 64 during insertion. See in this respect Figure 9. Referring now to Figure 9, it will be noted that the interior of the second section of the inserter 54 defines a chamber 68 configured to receive the compressed rear end 66 of a pad 64 '. The compression of the trailing end 66 of the tampon 64 'causes a desired functional engagement between the trailing end 56 and the inserter 54. The user may choose to insert the pad 64' digitally, or use an inserter, such as the inserter 54. It will be recognized that by unpacking only the rear end of the tarnpon 64 'and by placing the unpacked rear end 66 of a tampon 64' in an inserter 54 while holding the advanced diaphragm 70 still in its "w" envelope, the user need not touch it. Real surface of tampon 64 'before insertion.

Referring now to Figures 10, 11 and 12, the manner in which tampons and inserters can be packaged in accordance with the invention is illustrated. It will be seen in Figure 10 that the inserters 20, in a number identical to the number of digital buffers 31, contained in the package (the package being designated by the reference number 70), are provided within the package. The mixers 20 are placed together for reduced size. Other forms of inserts, such as inserts 42, may also be accommodated in the manner illustrated. It will be appreciated that the inserters 20 need to add little, if any, to the total volume of the package 20. In the case of such inserters as the inserters 54, seen in FIGS. 8 and 9, the tampons 31 may themselves conveniently accommodate the first sections 56 of the inserted ones. This relationship is shown in Figure 8, and a package 72 containing said tampons 31 and inserters 54 as seen in Figures 11 and 12. Inserts such as those seen in Figures 6 and 7 are preferably of the size to be packaged in groups with buffers, so there needs to be little, if any, increase in the total size of a package to accommodate the inserters. The present invention, including binders and tarnpons, or single injectors, can easily be used in the training of new tampon users.

Claims (8)

NOVELTY OF THE INVENTION CLAIMS

1. - Tarnpón (31) and apparatus (20) for the insertion of said tampon (31), comprising, a tampon (31) having an advanced extr-emo (34), a rear end (40) and a cross section, maximum, and which can selectively be inserted into the mind; an inserter (20) having a first section (24) and a second conical section (26); said first section (24) comprising a chamber (28) with an open end (30), said chamber (28) having an inner cross section ("c") which is smaller than said maximum cross section of said buffer (31) ) and an outer cross section ("d") being no greater than said maximum cross section, having the size and being configured to accommodate a portion of only said rear end (40), said rear end (40) capable of being held in said chamber (28), while said advanced end (34) of said tarnet (31) is protected from said open end (30) of said chamber (28) as said tampon (31) advances during insertion until an operative disposition within the user's vagina; and said second section (26) having an inner cross section ("c") tapered from said first section (24) and having the size and being configured to be held manually during the insertion of the tampon (31).

2. Tampon (31) and apparatus (20) according to claim 1, wherein said inserter (20) is a hollow cone having a tapered inner cross section ("c"), said first section (24) comprising the base of the cone, by means of which the movement of said tampon (31) in said inserter (20) is limited by the tapering of the internal cross-section ("c") of said inserter (20) from said first section ( 24) to said second section (26).

3. Tainpon (31) and apparatus (20) according to claim 2, wherein said inserter (20) is configured so that a plurality of said inserters (20) are adaptable.

4. Tarnpon (31) and apparatus (20) according to claim 1, wherein said first section (2i) comprises a collar with parallel walls and said second section (26) is flat.

5. Buffer (31) and apparatus (20) according to claim 1, wherein the surface of said swab (20) is configured to minimize abrasive contact with the vagina during the insertion of said tampon (31) and apparatus (20), wherein said tampon (31) is located in said chamber (28), and after removal of said apparatus (20) after said tampon (31) has been operatively disposed in the vagina.

6. Tarnpon (31) and apparatus (20) according to claim 1, wherein said second section (26) is of a sufficient length to allow the user to hold said inserter (20) at a spaced point from the vagina of the user during insertion.

7. A package for digital buffer (31), said package having therein a plurality of tampons (31) and a plurality of the inserters (20) of Claim 1, wherein said inserters (20) and said buffers (31) are present in corresponding numbers, said swabs (20) being configured so that they are accommodatable to be stored within the package.

8. A package according to claim 7, wherein said inserters (20) are hollow cones.