US3805786A - Tampon applicator combination - Google Patents

Tampon applicator combination Download PDF

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Publication number
US3805786A
US3805786A US00345572A US34557273A US3805786A US 3805786 A US3805786 A US 3805786A US 00345572 A US00345572 A US 00345572A US 34557273 A US34557273 A US 34557273A US 3805786 A US3805786 A US 3805786A
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US
United States
Prior art keywords
tampon
tube
combination
protuberance
diameter
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Expired - Lifetime
Application number
US00345572A
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English (en)
Inventor
L Bernardin
M Radl
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Kimberly Clark Corp
Original Assignee
Kimberly Clark Corp
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Kimberly Clark Corp filed Critical Kimberly Clark Corp
Priority to US00345572A priority Critical patent/US3805786A/en
Priority to GB992774A priority patent/GB1468965A/en
Priority to NL7403157A priority patent/NL7403157A/xx
Priority to DE2413924A priority patent/DE2413924A1/de
Priority to CA196,122A priority patent/CA1008201A/en
Priority to AU67221/74A priority patent/AU6722174A/en
Priority to JP49034322A priority patent/JPS5745185B2/ja
Priority to FR7410907A priority patent/FR2223052B1/fr
Priority to ZA00741996A priority patent/ZA741996B/xx
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of US3805786A publication Critical patent/US3805786A/en
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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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

Definitions

  • ABSTRACT Primary Examiner-Aldrich F. Medbery Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Daniel J. Hanlon, .lr.; William D. Herrick; Raymond J. Miller 5 7] ABSTRACT The combination in which an absorbent tampon in compressed self-sustaining form and having a detachable inserter rod seated in its base is frictionally engaged with an outer inserter tube having a tapered insertion-aiding forward end.
  • the tampon is of substantially uniform diameter which is not greater than the inner diameter of the tube, except for the presence of at least one small protuberance on its circumference.
  • the protuberance is of sufficient magnitude to provide the tampon body at the point of the protuberance with a diameter slightly greater than the inner diameter of the tube, and is adapted to provide sufficient frictional resistance to prevent disassociation of the tampon and the tube during shipping and handling while permitting easy ejection and radial orientation when the combination is used for tampon insertion.
  • One of the catamenial tampon products presently on the market comprises an absorbent pledget compressed to form a self-sustaining round-nosed tampon with a withdrawal string attached near its trailing end, and having a socket in its base in which an inserter rod is detachably seated.
  • a more detailed description of such a tampon may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,867 to Bletzinger et al. dated Dec. 18, 1962.
  • This tampon-inserter rod combination is normally enclosed in a protective wrapper comprising a sleeve of lightweight paper closed on both ends, which wrapper is removed to uncover the tampon in preparation for insertion. Since this arrangement requires that the protective wrapper be removed to expose the absorbent surface of the tampon before insertion, it follows that at least the leading portion of the tampons absorbent surface must necessarily contact moist body tissue as it is being inserted into a body orifice.
  • the removable wrapper preserves the hygienic aspects of the tampon up until the time the tampon is ready for insertion, and while there are noreal objections to the abovedescribed contact of the absorbent surface with body tissue during insertion, it would be more desirable if a way could be devised to prevent such contact to permit easier insertion while at the same time affording some type of cover to protect the tampon from inadvertent contamination while being prepared for insertion, and in addition which would remain in place until after insertion is essentially completed.
  • Tampon insertion devices comprised of a pair of telescoping tubes already serve this latter purpose, of course, since in these devices the tampon-containing tube element is normally inserted into the body cavity by the user before the tampon is ejected.
  • tampons which employ an inserter rod or stick offer better placement control and for that reason are preferred by many, users, even though the protective cover must first be removed.
  • this is considered to be a desirable arrangement because, in addition to the protective cover and easier insertion provided by the tube, the stick provides better placement control than a tube type applicator in which the ejector is merely another tube telescoped within the outer tube.
  • a tapered or round-nosed, absorbent tampon compressed to selfsustaining form and having an inserter rod detachably seated in a socket provided at the base of the tampon is disposed within a protective tube comprising a cylindrical member having a substantially closed, tapered forward end structure adapted to open automatically when the leading end of the tampon is urged against the forward closed end of the tube during the ejection step by the user.
  • the tampon is of substantially uniform diameter which diameter may be slightly less but no greater than the inner diameter of the tube.
  • the tampon is temporarily held in place in the tube by frictional means pro vided by at least one protuberance disposed on the circumference of the tampon.
  • This protuberance provides the tampon at the point of the protuberance with a diameter slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tube.
  • the protuberance is preferably provided by shaping the fibrous tampon body during compression.
  • the protuberance when the withdrawal string is added after compression the protuberance may be formed by a needle punch used to thread the withdrawal string through the trailing end of the tampon.
  • the protuberance is best located near the trailing end of the tampon, but other locations may also be used. In any event, it is preferred that the protuberance be disposed in the rear half of the tampon length.
  • One protuberance is all that is required, but it may be desired to employa multiplicity of such protuberances.
  • the function of the protuberance is to prevent disassociation of the tampon and tube during shipment and handling while permitting sliding movement of the tampon in the tube when suitably manipulated by the user
  • Typical outer tube structures with tapered forward ends may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 3,204,635 to Voss et al. dated Sept. 7, 1965, and in U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,225 to Voss et al. dated Mar. 18, 1969.
  • the former patent describes a paperboard tube in which abutting dovetail folds form the tapered substantially closed forward end.
  • the latter patent describes a flexible plastic tube in which the substantially closed tapered front end is comprised of multiple adjoining petal-like segments which flex open easily when the tampon is pressed therethrough. Either of these style tubes, or other suitable tapered front end structures, may be used as the tube element in this invention.
  • FIG. 4 is a section similar to FIG. 3 but illustrates the tampon only, showing two diametrically opposed protuberances.
  • FIG. 5 is a section similar to FIG. 4 but showing three circumferentially spaced circumferential protuberances.
  • FIG. 6 is a longitudinal section of still another tampon embodying the invention and showing in greatly exaggerated style how insertion of the withdrawal string after compression forms a functional protuberance.
  • FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings A preferred embodiment of the invention is shown in FIGS. 1 through 3 of the drawings.
  • the invention comprises a tampon-enclosing tube 12, a compressed tampon body 14 disposed therein and an inserter stick l6 detachably disposed in axial cavity 18 in the base of tampon 14.
  • the forward end of tube 12 is tapered to a substantially closed leading end 13 of small diameter which permits easier insertion.
  • the tapered tube tip comprises multiple flexible segments 15 which open outward readily when tampon 14 is ejected longitudinally therethrough.
  • Tampon 14 preferably has a rounded or tapered leading end 17 and is provided with the usual withdrawal string 28 at its trailing end.
  • Detachably seated stick 16 is preferably mated with cavity 18 in the base of the tampon in a manner to prevent relative rotation between stick l6 and tampon 14 by using a flattened cavity 18, as shown in FIG. 3, and a conforming flat stick structure.
  • Stick 16 is also preferably provided with a flattened trailing end 19 or the like which operates as tactile or visual means for rotative tampon placement as described in detail in the aforementioned US. Pat. No. 3,068,867. Other directional placement indicators may be used.
  • the outer circumference of the trailing end of tube 12, is also usually provided with a raised collar 20 or other suitable finger gripping means.
  • the tube is preferably made of flexible plastic such as polethylene, polypropylene or the like, but suitably formed paper tubes may also be used as indicated earlier.
  • Tampon 14 is preferably of uniform diameter substantially throughout its length. This tampon diameter is preferably slightly less than, but not more than, the inner diameter of tube 12, which may also have a slight forward taper or longitudinal ribs. 7
  • the important part of this invention is the provision of at least one knob-like protuberance near the trailing end of the tampon, which protuberance is an integral part of the tampon structure.
  • the protuberance 25 gives an effective diameter to the tampon at a section taken coincident with the protuberance, which diameter is slightly larger than the inner diameter of the tube.
  • protuberance 25 provides a frictional resistance between tampon 14 and tube 12 which does not permit the tube 12 to fall away from the tampon 14 during normal handling.
  • the tampon and tube remain physically, but temporarily, associated as the result of the frictional resistance provided at the protuberance.
  • the tampon may be radially adjusted or rotated within the tube by the user with a minimum of effort and may also be ejected through the front end of the tube with minimum effort.
  • the uniform outer diameter of the tampon 14 was 0.5 inch and inner diameter of the tube 12 was 0.56 inch.
  • the protuberance 25 added approximately 0.1 inch to the diameter of the tampon so that its effective diameter at that location was about 0.6 inch, or 0.04 inch greater than the inner diameter of the tube.
  • the tampon could be easily ejected from the tube in the same manner after insertion, and the tube could then be removed while keeping the stick in place, permitting rotational adjustment by the user after such tube removal, if desired.
  • FIG. 4 illustrates in sectional view, a tampon 14b having a pair of diametrically opposed protuberances 25b and 26b which provide frictional resistance similar to that described for single protuberance 25.
  • protuberances While a number of protuberances may be provided, a single protuberance is preferred because of its simplicity and yet effective function.
  • the single protuberance also permits greater variations in dimensions of tube and tampon without disturbing the intended function. It also allows for greater expansion of the tampon due to humidity or other climatic effects without hampering slidability.
  • the tube also has more free area-and may be distorted to a larger extent without binding.
  • the string threading operation may be used to advantage in forming the protuberance.
  • compressed tampon body 14d is shown in the form it takes when string 28d is attached to the tampon after compression.
  • a needle is used to carry the string through the tampon by punching it therethrough.
  • a protuberance 25d is formed at the spot of exit by the needle.
  • this type of string attachment was used in the stick tampon, the resulting bulge was considered undesirable and was ironed out by subsequent operation to provide the tampon with an overall uniform diameter.
  • the protuberance structure as described herein.

Landscapes

  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Epidemiology (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Biomedical Technology (AREA)
  • Heart & Thoracic Surgery (AREA)
  • Vascular Medicine (AREA)
  • Life Sciences & Earth Sciences (AREA)
  • Animal Behavior & Ethology (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Public Health (AREA)
  • Veterinary Medicine (AREA)
  • Absorbent Articles And Supports Therefor (AREA)
US00345572A 1973-03-28 1973-03-28 Tampon applicator combination Expired - Lifetime US3805786A (en)

Priority Applications (9)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00345572A US3805786A (en) 1973-03-28 1973-03-28 Tampon applicator combination
GB992774A GB1468965A (en) 1973-03-28 1974-03-05 Tampon devices
NL7403157A NL7403157A (enExample) 1973-03-28 1974-03-08
DE2413924A DE2413924A1 (de) 1973-03-28 1974-03-20 Tampon
CA196,122A CA1008201A (en) 1973-03-28 1974-03-27 Tampon applicator combination
AU67221/74A AU6722174A (en) 1973-03-28 1974-03-27 Tampon applicator combination
JP49034322A JPS5745185B2 (enExample) 1973-03-28 1974-03-27
FR7410907A FR2223052B1 (enExample) 1973-03-28 1974-03-28
ZA00741996A ZA741996B (en) 1973-03-28 1974-03-28 Tampon applicator combination

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US00345572A US3805786A (en) 1973-03-28 1973-03-28 Tampon applicator combination

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3805786A true US3805786A (en) 1974-04-23

Family

ID=23355565

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
US00345572A Expired - Lifetime US3805786A (en) 1973-03-28 1973-03-28 Tampon applicator combination

Country Status (9)

Country Link
US (1) US3805786A (enExample)
JP (1) JPS5745185B2 (enExample)
AU (1) AU6722174A (enExample)
CA (1) CA1008201A (enExample)
DE (1) DE2413924A1 (enExample)
FR (1) FR2223052B1 (enExample)
GB (1) GB1468965A (enExample)
NL (1) NL7403157A (enExample)
ZA (1) ZA741996B (enExample)

Cited By (19)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3983875A (en) * 1976-02-05 1976-10-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Tampon-inserter stick combination with a modified stick-receiving socket
US4536178A (en) * 1983-11-10 1985-08-20 International Playtex, Inc. Tampon applicator
US4822332A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-04-18 Tambrands Inc. Device for delivering an object to a cavity
US5433912A (en) * 1994-03-03 1995-07-18 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Process for injection molding arcuately-shaped hollow articles
US5437628A (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-08-01 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Curved tampon applicator having an improved fingergrip
US5501063A (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-03-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus and method of reducing the force to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator and the applicator itself
US5571540A (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-11-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube
US5614230A (en) * 1994-12-29 1997-03-25 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member
US5690884A (en) * 1995-05-04 1997-11-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of injection molding a thin walled article
USD415565S (en) 1999-01-04 1999-10-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Tampon applicator
US6591838B2 (en) * 1998-07-06 2003-07-15 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
USD492033S1 (en) 2003-04-04 2004-06-22 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator assembly
US20050070839A1 (en) * 2001-06-28 2005-03-31 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator
USD572362S1 (en) 2003-04-04 2008-07-01 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator with finger grip
US20140000629A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-02 Evan Joseph Durling Method of attaching a withdrawal member to a pessary device
US9687389B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2017-06-27 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc. Tampon pledget for increased bypass leakage protection
US9877877B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2018-01-30 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Tampon pledget for increased bypass leakage protection
US10105267B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2018-10-23 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC> Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget
US11540955B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2023-01-03 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4508531A (en) * 1982-12-06 1985-04-02 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Convolutely wound paper tampon tube

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1964911A (en) * 1933-05-22 1934-07-03 Earle C Haas Catamenial device
US2922423A (en) * 1956-05-10 1960-01-26 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon ejector
US3085574A (en) * 1962-02-26 1963-04-16 Penksa Stanley Vaginal tampons
US3196873A (en) * 1962-08-27 1965-07-27 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon and applicator
US3347234A (en) * 1964-08-05 1967-10-17 Joseph A Voss Hygienic devices

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1964911A (en) * 1933-05-22 1934-07-03 Earle C Haas Catamenial device
US2922423A (en) * 1956-05-10 1960-01-26 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon ejector
US3085574A (en) * 1962-02-26 1963-04-16 Penksa Stanley Vaginal tampons
US3196873A (en) * 1962-08-27 1965-07-27 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon and applicator
US3347234A (en) * 1964-08-05 1967-10-17 Joseph A Voss Hygienic devices

Cited By (35)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3983875A (en) * 1976-02-05 1976-10-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Tampon-inserter stick combination with a modified stick-receiving socket
US4536178A (en) * 1983-11-10 1985-08-20 International Playtex, Inc. Tampon applicator
US4822332A (en) * 1988-03-31 1989-04-18 Tambrands Inc. Device for delivering an object to a cavity
US5437628A (en) * 1993-11-10 1995-08-01 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Curved tampon applicator having an improved fingergrip
US5433912A (en) * 1994-03-03 1995-07-18 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Process for injection molding arcuately-shaped hollow articles
US5501063A (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-03-26 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus and method of reducing the force to expel a tampon from a tampon applicator and the applicator itself
US5571540A (en) * 1994-09-06 1996-11-05 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube
US5614230A (en) * 1994-12-29 1997-03-25 Kimberly-Clark Corporation Apparatus for forming a curl on an end of a tubular member
US5690884A (en) * 1995-05-04 1997-11-25 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of injection molding a thin walled article
US8147510B2 (en) 1998-07-06 2012-04-03 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US6591838B2 (en) * 1998-07-06 2003-07-15 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US20030192559A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2003-10-16 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US20030192558A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2003-10-16 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US20030196670A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2003-10-23 Scimed Life Systems, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US7708752B2 (en) 1998-07-06 2010-05-04 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US7047981B2 (en) 1998-07-06 2006-05-23 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US20060149307A1 (en) * 1998-07-06 2006-07-06 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US7077821B2 (en) 1998-07-06 2006-07-18 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
US7328707B2 (en) 1998-07-06 2008-02-12 Boston Scientific Scimed, Inc. Implant system and method for bulking tissue
USD415565S (en) 1999-01-04 1999-10-19 The Procter & Gamble Company Tampon applicator
US20050070839A1 (en) * 2001-06-28 2005-03-31 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator
US6890324B1 (en) 2001-06-28 2005-05-10 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator
USD572362S1 (en) 2003-04-04 2008-07-01 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator with finger grip
USD515212S1 (en) 2003-04-04 2006-02-14 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator barrel with finger grips
USD492033S1 (en) 2003-04-04 2004-06-22 Playtex Products, Inc. Tampon applicator assembly
US10105267B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2018-10-23 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC> Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget
US10105266B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2018-10-23 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc. Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget
US10383776B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2019-08-20 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget
US11540955B2 (en) 2003-05-02 2023-01-03 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Tampon assembly having a shaped pledget
US9687389B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2017-06-27 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc. Tampon pledget for increased bypass leakage protection
US10076452B2 (en) 2006-11-08 2018-09-18 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc. Tampon pledget for increased bypass leakage protection
US9877877B2 (en) 2007-05-17 2018-01-30 Edgewell Personal Care Brands, Llc Tampon pledget for increased bypass leakage protection
US20140000629A1 (en) * 2012-06-29 2014-01-02 Evan Joseph Durling Method of attaching a withdrawal member to a pessary device
CN104470468A (zh) * 2012-06-29 2015-03-25 宝洁公司 将抽出构件附接到阴道环装置的方法
US9320640B2 (en) * 2012-06-29 2016-04-26 The Procter & Gamble Company Method of attaching a withdrawal member to a pessary device

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
FR2223052A1 (enExample) 1974-10-25
DE2413924A1 (de) 1974-10-10
GB1468965A (en) 1977-03-30
AU6722174A (en) 1975-10-02
CA1008201A (en) 1977-04-12
JPS5745185B2 (enExample) 1982-09-27
ZA741996B (en) 1975-03-26
JPS49127498A (enExample) 1974-12-06
FR2223052B1 (enExample) 1978-11-17
NL7403157A (enExample) 1974-10-01

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