WO2000078261A1 - Procede permettant une couverture d'un bord a l'autre par un tampon - Google Patents

Procede permettant une couverture d'un bord a l'autre par un tampon Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2000078261A1
WO2000078261A1 PCT/US2000/016968 US0016968W WO0078261A1 WO 2000078261 A1 WO2000078261 A1 WO 2000078261A1 US 0016968 W US0016968 W US 0016968W WO 0078261 A1 WO0078261 A1 WO 0078261A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tampon
holder tube
expulsion
guides
applicator
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/016968
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Kimberly A. Buck
Lisa Ann Mackay
William Patton Peace
Chrissie Melinda Smits
Richard Tweddell, Iii
Eric Patton Weinberger
Original Assignee
The Procter & Gamble Company
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
Priority claimed from US09/336,399 external-priority patent/US6358223B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/336,468 external-priority patent/US6254566B1/en
Priority claimed from US09/342,295 external-priority patent/US6270470B1/en
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to AU60526/00A priority Critical patent/AU6052600A/en
Publication of WO2000078261A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000078261A1/fr

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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
    • A61F13/26—Means for inserting tampons, i.e. applicators
    • 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

  • the invention provides a novel method for providing side-to-side coverage of a tampon within a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • Tampon applicators comprising a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes are known. Such applicators are, however, either blunt ended at the end which is intended for vaginal insertion (the "expulsion end") or, in recent years applicators have been developed which are rounded at that end, having a plurality of separated “petals” which are further spaced upon the expulsion through the end of a tampon.
  • the telescopic tube arrangement permits one tube to be used as a plunger to force the expulsion of the tampon from another tube in which the plunger tube is slidably positioned.
  • the petal format is more convenient for vaginal insertion
  • the prior art structures suffer from a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which is probably the tendency of the expanded petal arrangement (after expulsion of a tampon) to catch or nip tissue and hair.
  • a petal-type tampon applicator made from plastics material is known in which the rounded tampon expulsion end comprises a number of separated petals integrally formed with the remainder of the upper part of the tampon applicator. The petals each come to a point so that the rounded end, before expulsion of a tampon, is closed and has the appearance in end-on view of a circle split into a number of segments.
  • the petals of this structure have a tendency to nip or catch tissue or hair therebetween when the applicator is in use this tendency is exacerbated by the petals readily springing back to the original configuration after expulsion of a tampon.
  • Existing long petal arrangements also exhibit a problem which arises from the less stable expulsion end configuration produced by long petals. The resulting less stable formed end may produce user discomfort because of the increased risk of the petals being bent back during vaginal insertion.
  • the internal vaginal cavity in its normal collapsed state is of much wider dimension in its transverse plane than in its vertical plane. It is equally well known that the minimum dimension of the vagina is near the introitus while the maximum dimension is near the cervix. It is desirable, therefore, when considering a tampon for catamenial use, to provide a structure which is in its initial state is of a size small enough to pass through the vaginal orifice without discomfort, and when once inside the vaginal cavity and beyond the restrictions of the orifice may be expanded, particularly in the lateral direction, to contact substantially large portions of the vaginal walls, preferably from one side to the other in the vaginal cavity to prevent early bypass of the menstrual discharges from the cervix.
  • vaginal wall in its normal collapsed state is flaccid and has multiple folds and wrinkles which provide channels through which a significant portion of the menstrual fluids normally flow, it is also important that the absorbent tampon be as soft and conformable as possible in order to conform to the shape of the vaginal cavity and fit within these channels to minimize leakage.
  • the absorbent catamenial tampons now in general use comprise small, highly compressed, cylindrical plugs about three-eighths to one-half inch (about 1.0 cm to 1.3 cm) in diameter and from 1 l A to 2 V ⁇ inches in length (about 3.8 cm to 6.4 cm). Because of the need for absorbent capacity, they are usually formed from batts much larger in size than the vaginal orifice, and compressed to the small size indicated above in order to facilitate insertion. As fluid is absorbed, these compressed tampons are expected to re- expand toward their original pre-compressed size, and to eventually become large enough to effectively cover the vaginal cavity against fluid leakage or bypass.
  • the Johnson inserter device is a complicated device comprising a pair of hinged arms that are capable of laterally diverging at a hinge or joint.
  • the angular nature of the hinged arms would make that inserter uncomfortable to use.
  • the complex nature of the hinged arms would also make it difficult and expensive to manufacture. As a result, it would not be suitable as a disposable applicator.
  • the Bletzinger, et al. patent is directed to a tampon insertion device having a positioning indicator thereon.
  • the device described in the Bletzinger, et al. patent comprises an insertion device for tampons which are either of cylindrical cross-section, or non-cylindrical cross-section but constructed to expand when subjected to fluids in a non-cylindrical shape.
  • the insertion device is provided with an indicator that aids the user in inserting the tampon with its major cross-sectional axis transverse to the major axis of the vaginal opening.
  • the Bletzinger device however, is awkward in that it requires insertion of the widest dimension of the tampon cross-wise to the narrowest dimension of the vaginal opening.
  • a tampon constructed according to the invention described herein can provide even further improvements in comfort, low wearing awareness, and performance as compared to currently marketed tampons and previous attempts to improve upon such tampons such as those described above.
  • the present invention aims to provide a structure with the advantages of petal-type applicators, and especially providing for side-to-side coverage, but minimizing the disadvantages noted above.
  • the invention provides a method of providing side-to-side coverage of a tampon within a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • the method comprises placing a tampon within a tampon applicator, inserting the tampon applicator a distance within the vaginal cavity of a female user, and expelling the tampon from the tampon applicator, the tampon preferably being positioned within the vaginal cavity of a female user to provide side-to-side coverage. Additionally, the tampon applicator is to be removed from a female user's vaginal cavity once the tampon is fully expelled therefrom.
  • Expulsion of the tampon from the tampon applicator may be performed either digitally or with a plunger.
  • the plunger would be inserted within the tampon holder tube but placed below the tampon; i.e., placed oppositely to the insertion end of the tampon applicator.
  • the side-to-side coverage is provided herein by a feature at the insertion end of the tampon applicator which directionally expels a tampon therefrom.
  • the feature comprises a pair of guides positioned at the insertion end of the tampon holder tube which are oppositely faced and positioned across from one-another about the tampon holder tube.
  • Each guide has an external surface facing away from the hollow of the tampon holder tube and an internal surface facing inwardly toward the hollow of the tampon holder tube. Additionally, each guide comprises at least one guidance plate positioned onto the internal surface of the guide. Each guidance plate is oriented to face inwardly toward the hollow of the tampon holder tube.
  • Each guidance plate comprises at least one pair of spatially opposed guidance ridges.
  • Each guidance ridge is spaced apart and preferably, though not necessarily, has a continuous surface positioned between the pair of the guidance ridges.
  • the guidance plate also further preferably comprise a pair of sloping surfaces, each sloping surface being held adjacent to and sloping downwardly from one guidance ridge to the internal surface of the guide.
  • the external surfaces of the guides may be continuous.
  • the external surfaces of the guides may be discontinuous.
  • the discontinuous external surfaces of the guides are indented inwardly toward the hollow of the tampon holder tube such that the discontinuous external surface forms indentations in the discontinuous external surface.
  • the indentation of the guides forms each guidance plate on the internal surface of each guide.
  • the guides at least partially separate the tampon into at least two distinct portions as the tampon is directionally expelled from the tampon holder tube. In another embodiment herein, the guides substantially separate the tampon into at least two distinct portions as the tampon is expelled from the tampon holder tube.
  • the tampon applicator further comprises a pair of free expulsion areas positioned adjacent to the guides on the tampon holder tube.
  • the guidance plates therein may be inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 0° to about 89°.
  • each guidance plate herein is inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 10° to about 80°. More preferably, each guidance plate is inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 20° to about 70°.
  • FIG. 1 is a perspective drawing of a tampon applicator and tampon being expelled therethrough;
  • FIG. 2 is a plan side view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 1;
  • FIG. 2 A is a side cut view of the left oriented guide and guidance plate of FIG. 2;
  • FIG. 3 is plan side view of the embodiment of FIG. 2 turned 90° to the right;
  • FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 1 without the tampon shown therein;
  • FIG. 5 is a top view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6 A is a bottom view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 6B is an alternative embodiment of the bottom view of the tampon applicator in FIG. 4;
  • FIG. 7 is a perspective view of an alternative tampon applicator and tampon being expelled therethrough;
  • FIG. 8 A is a plan side view of one embodiment of the tampon applicator of FIG.
  • FIG. 8B is plan side view of the embodiment of FIG. 7 turned 90° to the right;
  • FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 7 without the tampon;
  • FIG. 10 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the tampon applicator
  • FIG. 10A is a bottom view of the tampon applicator of FIG. 10;
  • FIG. 11 is plan partial view of the expulsion end of the tampon applicator
  • FIG. 11 A is a plan view of a tampon having un-joined sections
  • FIG. 1 IB is a plan view of a tampon having semi-joined sections
  • FIG. 11C is a plan view of a substantially solid tampon
  • FIG. 12A is a top view of a tampon in its pre-expelled position in a tampon applicator
  • FIG 12B is a top view of a tampon during its expulsion from the tampon applicator
  • FIG. 13 is a partial perspective view of a guide at the expulsion end of the tampon applicator
  • FIG. 14A is a top view of a tampon embodiment of the present invention fitting within the vaginal cavity of a female user;
  • FIG. 14B is a top view of an alternative tampon embodiment of the present invention fitting with the vaginal cavity of a female user.
  • FIG 15 is a schematic side view of a typical PRIOR ART device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
  • directionally expel By the terms “directionally expel”, “directed expulsion” or “directional expulsion” it is meant herein that embodiments of the tampon applicators of the present invention will either 1) cause a suitable tampon herein to substantially divide into at least two portions and expel angularly (i.e., at an angle) as the tampon is expelled through the tampon applicator; and/or 2) directionally position a tampon to be placed adjacent to the walls of a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • angularly it is meant herein that a tampon herein at expulsion from a tampon holder tube will expel at an angle divergent from the longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator.
  • Such directional expulsion causes the tampon applicator, when inserted into the vaginal cavity of a female user, to spread the tampon in the transverse direction thus providing side to side coverage to the sides of a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • side-to-side coverage it is meant herein that the tampon, once directionally expelled, will have at least two sections thereof positioned outwardly toward the sides or walls of a female user's vaginal cavity (See FIGS. 14A and 14B).
  • the method comprises placing a tampon within a tampon applicator, inserting the tampon applicator a distance within the vaginal cavity of a female user, and expelling the tampon from the tampon applicator, the tampon preferably being positioned within the vaginal cavity of a female user to provide side-to-side coverage. Additionally, the tampon applicator is to be removed from a female user's vaginal cavity once the tampon is fully expelled therefrom.
  • the tampon 40 may be pushed up or expelled from beneath its base 41 (FIG. 11 A) by a plunger 25. Such expulsion may also occur digitally by a female user's finger(s).
  • the present invention provides a tampon applicator 20 for directional expulsion of a tampon 40.
  • the tampon applicator 20 herein comprises a tampon holder tube 22 having an interior surface 22A (FIGS. 5-6B), an exterior surface 22B (FIG. 1), a longitudinal axis 42, a hollow portion 26' (FIG. 5) and an expulsion end 24 (FIGS. 2-3) dimensioned for insertion into the body cavity, specifically the vaginal cavity of a female user.
  • the hollow portion 26' represents the open space which is surrounded by the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 further comprises a feature for directionally expelling a tampon 40 during its expulsion through the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the tampon applicator 20 may include a plunger 25 that is telescopically and slidably mounted in the tampon holder tube 22 distal to the expulsion end 24 and adapted to expel the tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22 when a female user expels the tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • such user activated expulsion may occur either by a plunger 25, plunger-like device or digitally with a user's finger(s).
  • FIG. 1 further shows a tampon 40 partially positioned within and without of the tampon holder tube 22 of the tampon applicator 20 in the act of expulsion of the tampon 40.
  • the tampon 40 rests in a ready or pre-expelled position in the tampon holder tube 22 poised for expulsion (FIG. 12 A).
  • ready position or "pre-expelled position” it is meant herein a position in which the tampon 40 is placed or packed into the tampon holder tube 22 positioned for the tampon's successful expulsion through the tampon holder tube 22.
  • ready position or pre-expelled position
  • the tampon 40 preferably sits within the tampon holder tube 22 and can remain preferably snugly therein without any outside force to sustain its position therein.
  • FIG. 12B i.e., during the expulsion of the tampon 40, the tampon 40 is shown being directionally expelled such that when the tampon applicator 20 is inserted into the vaginal cavity of a female user, side-to-side coverage is achieved. Note that a tampon applicator 20 herein is inserted into the vagina of a female user while the tampon 40 sits therein in its pre-expelled position.
  • the purpose of directional expulsion is to achieve side-to-side coverage of a tampon 40 within a female user's vaginal cavity. While not wishing to be bound by any particular theory, it is believed herein that side-to-side coverage is best achieved when the tampon 40, during expulsion, is directed by the tampon applicators shown in the figures except of course the prior art device (FIG. 15).
  • the PRIOR ART device is a typical device in which the guides or petals thereof move readily away from the tampon as it is expelled from the tampon holder tube.
  • the tampon applicator of FIG. 15 can provide little if any directional expulsion of a tampon within the vagina of a female user and thus can provide no side-to-side coverage of a tampon within the vagina of a female user.
  • All of the embodiments provided herein, except the PRIOR ART device are designed to provide directional expulsion of a tampon which is critical to achieving side-to-side coverage of a tampon within a female user's vagina.
  • FIGS. 1-4 show that the feature for directionally expelling the tampon 40 apart during the expulsion thereof comprises at least one pair of guides 28.
  • the guides 28 each have an external surface 28B and an internal surface 28A.
  • the guides 28 are positioned at the expulsion end 24 of the tampon applicator 20 and have a pre-expelled position.
  • pre-expelled position it is meant herein that position occupied by the guides 28 before they are impacted or contacted by a suitable tampon 40 expelled from the tampon applicator 20; e.g., see FIG. 2 as an example of guides 28 in their pre-expelled positions.
  • the guides 28 operate to remain substantially close to their pre-expelled position during the expulsion of part of the tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the guides 28 are made more rigid than guides or petals on conventional applicators because of their designed task; i.e., directional expulsion of a tampon. Guide rigidity and their effects on suitable tampons will be discussed in greater detail hereafter.
  • each guide 28 On the internal surfaces 28A of each guide 28 are located guidance plates 29 (FIGS. 6A-6B). Each guidance plate 29 operates in conjunction with the guides 28 to help directionally expel a tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22. More specifically, the guidance plates 29 provide angled surfaces that operate to expel a tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22 at an angle, such angularity being provided by the design of a manufacturer. Since the guides 28 have been designed to substantially not move and/or move only within certain minimal parameters, an expelling tampon, once it meets the guides 28, will optimally be caused to expel directionally from the tampon holder tube 22 by the angular surfacing of the guidance plates 29.
  • Each guidance plate 29 preferably comprises guidance ridges 30, continuous surfaces 32 and at least two sloping surfaces 34 for every guidance plate 29.
  • each guidance plate 29 resides on the internal surface 28A of each guide 28.
  • the guidance plate 29 is attached to and preferably juts out from its respective internal surface 28A (FIG. 4).
  • the angular surfaces that directionally expel a tampon 40 are preferably provided by the combined structure of the guidance ridges 30, continuous surfaces 32 and sloping surfaces 34 being fitted and working together.
  • FIGS. 6A-6B show that each continuous surface 32 resides between two or more guidance ridges 30.
  • the sloping surfaces 34 slope down from the lines provided by the guidance ridges 30 to the internal surface 28A of a guide 28.
  • the continuous surfaces 32 are planar and therefore provide no dips, indentations, holes or any other sort of discontinuity thereon.
  • the combination created in a guidance plate 29 herein i.e., the guidance ridges 30, continuous surface 32, and sloping surfaces 34
  • Directional expulsion of a tampon 40 is an important requirement and objective of any tampon applicator embodiment discussed herein.
  • the guidance plates therein may be inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 0° to about 89° (FIG. 2A).
  • each guidance plate herein is inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 10° to about 80°. More preferably, each guidance plate is inwardly oriented towards the hollow of the tampon holder tube at an angle ⁇ ranging from about 20° to about 70°.
  • the angle ⁇ is measured between the x-axis and y-axis shown. These same axes exist for the right oriented guidance plate 29 on the right oriented guide 28.
  • the left oriented guidance plate 29 is the left oriented guidance plate 29; however, the right oriented guidance plate 29 will preferably tilt toward the x-axis at the same angle ⁇ as the left oriented guidance plate 29. In an alternative embodiment herein it is conceived that the left and right oriented guidance plates 29 may tilt toward their common x-axis at differing angles.
  • the external surface 28B of each of the guides 28 is continuous or substantially continuous (FIGS. 2-4).
  • continuous it is meant herein that the external surface of the guides are substantially without any indentations, wedges, holes, or impressions.
  • the internal surface 28A of this same guide 28 comprises at least one guidance ridge 30.
  • a guidance ridge 30 may be a line or an area positioned toward the hollow portion 45 (FIGS. 5-6B) of the tampon applicator 20.
  • the guidance ridge 30 may be created by one or more indentations in a guide 28 or additionally by one or more solid structures (not shown) formed onto the inner surface 28A of the guide 28. While not wishing to be bound to any particular theory, it is believed that where a solid structure exists attached to the internal surface 28A of a guide, it reinforces the guidance plate 29 and also helps to provide directional shifting of a tampon 40 at expulsion thereof from a tampon holder tube 22.
  • the guides 28 shown in FIG. 5 and throughout the figures may be oriented to touch or nearly touch one-another at their ends 28C.
  • Nearly touch it is meant herein that the guide ends 28C may be no more than 2.0 millimeters apart from one-another.
  • one guide 28, rather than a pair of guides 28, may extend from one side of the tampon holder tube 22 to the other side of the tampon holder tube 22 without their being a break in the guide 28.
  • FIG. 10 provides a view of an alternative embodiment to that shown in FIGS. 1-4.
  • the embodiment of FIG. 10 provides, in one case, only guidance ridges 30 raised from the internal surface 28A of each guide 28, and in another case, a combination of guidance ridges 30 and sloping surfaces 34 (not shown), i.e., generally, one sloping surface 34 per guidance ridge 30.
  • a continuous surface between the guidance ridges 30 is not present in this embodiment.
  • a guidance plate 29 is still considered to be present. It exists, however, without the presence of a continuous surface unlike the previous embodiment.
  • FIG. 10A is a bottom view of the tampon holder tube 22 of FIG. 10. In FIG.
  • the guidance ridges 30 are shown to extend throughout the length of the internal surface 28A on the guides 28. It noted herein, though, that the length of the guidance ridges 30 may depend upon the type of tampon used (i.e., its configuration) and/or the type of directional expulsion sought by a manufacturer and thus may be shortened in length as is necessary. Additionally, the guidance ridges 30 may be oriented at varying angles on the internal surfaces 28 A of the guides 28. The embodiment shown in FIG. 10 is important because it offers an alternative in the amount of materials used to create a guidance plate 29 and in the overall construction of the tampon applicator 20.
  • guidance ridges 30 and/or guidance ridges 30 in combination with sloping surfaces 34, material which would otherwise be used to provide the continuous surface 32 is negated, thus saving possible additional material costs. Also, performance is not generally sacrificed by providing guidance ridges 30 only or in combination with sloping surfaces 34 because the guidance ridges 30 by their stiffness and rigidity in combination with the stiffness of the guides 28 will still serve to adequately directionally expel a tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22. As in the previous embodiment, the sloping surfaces 34 rising from the internal surfaces 28 A of the guides 28 serves to provide additional angularity in the expulsion of a tampon 40.
  • the external surface 28B of the guides 28 may be discontinuous (FIGS. 7-9).
  • discontinuous it is meant herein that the external surface of the guides 28 may comprise indentations, wedges, or impressions.
  • the internal surface 28A of each guide 28 comprises at least one guidance ridge 30, and preferably a pair thereof.
  • the guidance ridges 30 in this embodiment will preferably, but not always, correspond directly to the indentations formed into the external surface 28B of each guide 28.
  • this embodiment constitutes a preferred embodiment because no additional material is being added to the tampon holder tube 22 to form a separate guidance plate 29. In fact, a guidance plate 29 is being impressed into each guide without sacrificing either performance in the guides themselves or the necessary rigidity in each guide 28. This embodiment would therefore be highly preferred in creating a low-cost tampon applicator.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 of the tampon applicator 20 comprises a pair of opposed guides 28 extending from the expulsion end and a pair of opposed free expulsion areas 26, the free expulsion areas 26 being positioned adjacent to the guides 28. (FIGS. 2, 4, 8A, 9 and 13).
  • the free expulsion areas 26 and the guides 28 operate together to provide directed expulsion of the tampon 40 at expulsion through the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the tampon 40 when a tampon 40 is expelled through the tampon holder tube 22, and as it moves through the expulsion end 24 of the tampon holder tube 22, the tampon 40 is simultaneously (or substantially therefor) both directionally expelled by force against the guides 28 and resistance to opening provided by the guides 28 causing the directional shift or expulsion of the tampon 40 through the free expulsion areas 26, each free expulsion area 26 being positioned opposite to one-another on the holder tube 22 at the expulsion end 24 thereof.
  • the free expulsion areas 26 allow a substantially unobtrusive exit of the tampon 40 through the expulsion end 24 of the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the tampon 40 is forced to at least partially divide or separate, thus providing at least two portions 40A, 40B of the tampon 40 which will preferably contact at least two surfaces of a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • the configuration of the free expulsion areas 26 are preferably created to match the configuration of the trajectory of the expelling tampon 40, such trajectory preferably being imposed by the angular configuration of the guides 28.
  • the guides 28 are created to provide a resistance to applied force to the tampon 40 as it is pushed through the tampon holder tube 22. Note that such pushing through or expulsion is normally conducted by a female user either digitally by use of one or more of her fingers or by a plunger 25 (FIG. 1). It is further noted herein that the shape or configuration of the free expulsion areas 26 may vary as long as full expulsion of the tampon 40 is allowed.
  • One of skill in the art will readily recognize obvious variants on those presented in the patent application herein.
  • the free expulsion areas 26 are shown as being oval or semi-oval in shape with a preferred beveled lip 27 turned inwardly towards the free expulsion area 26 of the holder tube 22.
  • the free expulsion areas 26 might be more circular, square, rectangular, triangular or any other conceivable shape possible as long as any such shape would work effectively to fully and properly expel a tampon 40 from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the free expulsion areas 26 are in no way limited by the size or shape that they may assume except that they should not hinder directional expulsion of a tampon 40.
  • guidance ridges stiff enough to substantially resist moving as the un-joined and/or semi -joined portions of a tampon 40 expel therethrough (See FIGS. 11A-11C).
  • guidance ridges must also open at least slightly, thus becoming wide enough for the base of a tampon to move through the guidance ridges without substantial obstruction thereof.
  • the guides 28, because of their stiffness and/or resistance to move substantially out of place, substantially cause the directional expulsion of the tampon 40 as it moves through and out of the tampon holder tube 22, such directional expulsion being a critical feature of obtaining side-to-side coverage of the tampon 40 to a female user's vaginal cavity.
  • the tampon 40 i.e., the un-joined sections 40A, 40B and the semi-joined sections 40C, 40D thereof
  • the tampon 40 i.e., the un-joined sections 40A, 40B and the semi-joined sections 40C, 40D thereof
  • the split portions 40 A, 40B (FIG. 11 A) or 40C, 40D (FIG. 11B) of the tampon 40 will preferably contact the sides and/or walls of a female user's vaginal cavity, thus enabling side-to-side coverage.
  • the un-joined and/or semi-joined portions of a tampon will preferably divide from between about 5 mm to about 60 mm depending upon the design of the tampon applicator 20 when inserted into the vaginal cavity of a female user; e.g., see the length (L) in FIGS. 14A and 14B.
  • Such length (L) of division of the tampon's un-joined sections (40A and 40B) or semi-joined sections (40C and 40D) is at the discretion of a manufacturer, but depends on the range of lateral width of a female user's vaginal cavities.
  • the tampon 40 itself may comprise, i.e., come in, several forms.
  • the tampon 40 may comprise at least two longitudinally unjoined sections 40 A and 40B and a base or joining section 41. (FIG. 11A).
  • unjoined it is meant herein that a portion of the tampon will have two or more portions which are not substantially connected to one-another.
  • the tampon 40 may comprise at least two longitudinally semi-joined sections 40C and 40D. (FIG. 11B).
  • semi-joined it is meant herein that two or more portions of the tampon are joined about one more lines of weakness 42 (FIG. 1 IB) upon which the force of expulsion of a tampon may disrupt.
  • line(s) of weakness it is meant herein a line or area capable of being disrupted thereby causing a tampon to split into two or more portions as it is expelled through the tampon applicator.
  • a line of weakness 42 is a line of perforation 42, the line of perforation residing between at least two semi -joined portions 40C and 40D. (FIG. 1 IB).
  • the tampon 40 may be a substantially solid device. (FIG. 11C).
  • substantially solid it is meant herein that the tampon comprises portions of substantially solid density and is not readily susceptible to being divided into two or more portions by the guidance ridges of the tampon applicator.
  • the tampon 40 may comprise sections of varying density positioned longitudinally about the longitudinal axis 42 of the tampon applicator 20. More specifically, the sections of the tampon 40 may comprise semi- compressed or compressed material throughout the tampon sections.
  • FIG. 11C substantially solid device.
  • this substantially solid device comprises two acquisition portions 40E and 40F with an absorbent portion 40G positioned therebetween.
  • a base or joining section 41 is positioned at one end of the tampon 40.
  • the guides 28 at least partially separate the tampon 40 into at least two distinct portions 40A and 40B as the tampon 40 is expelled from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the guides 28 substantially separate the tampon 40 into at least two distinct portions 40A and 40B as the tampon 40 is expelled from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • the guides 28 may merely indent and not separate the tampon 40 as it is expelled from the tampon holder tube 22.
  • FIGS. 14A and 14B which show two different embodiments of tampons 40 providing side-to-side coverage, show how such side-to-side coverage is expected to occur.
  • a tampon 40 comprises one section or is multi-sectional by use of the tampon applicator 20 which provides directional expulsion of a tampon 40
  • side-to-side coverage of the tampons 40 to a female's vaginal sides is expected to occur the same as or similar to that side-to-side coverage shown in FIGS. 14A and l4B.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 is preferably an elongate hollow tube that has insertion end (or "expulsion end") 24 and a gripping end 23.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 can be constructed from similar materials to other tampon holder tubes known in the art of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use. Examples of other such tampon holder tube are described in U.S. Patent No. 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994, and U.S. Patent No. 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 can be of any suitable cross-sectional shape. Suitable cross- sectional shapes include, but are not limited to circular, oval, flattened circular, and elliptical.
  • the tampon holder tube 22 has a circular cross-sectional configuration.
  • the plunger 25 comprises a component that is used to expel a tampon 40 from its position within the tampon holder tube 22 when the plunger 25 is pushed manually into the tampon holder tube 25.
  • the plunger 25 can be any type of component that is suitable for this purpose.
  • the plunger 25 can be constructed similarly to plungers of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use.
  • An example of a suitable plunger is described in U.S. Patent No. 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994, and U.S. Patent No. 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996.
  • the plunger 25 is an optional, but preferred component for use with the tampon applicator 20, and that the tampon applicator 20 will be fully functional if the plunger 25 is omitted, i.e., a user must insert and push the tampon 40 through the tampon applicator 20 digitally.
  • the user will typically hold the tampon holder tube 22 in one hand at the finger grips on the same.
  • the user holds the end of the plunger 25, such as with her thumb and middle finger, and pushes the plunger 25 inwardly to slide the plunger 25 within the tampon holder tube 22.
  • a user pushes the inserted plunger 25 until the entire tampon 40 is deployed from the tampon applicator 20.
  • the user then pulls the entire tampon applicator 20 (i.e., with the plunger 25 inside) out of the user's vaginal opening.
  • molds may be made which take the form of one of the tampon applicators 20 described herein.
  • a suitable material e.g., low density polyethylene or low density polypropylene, may be injected into the mold at elevated temperatures along the contours of the mold. The injected material is then either allowed to cool in ambient temperatures or cooled by a separate cooling process. Once the injected material hardens, it may be extracted from the mold and it is now in the form of a tampon applicator 20 described herein.

Abstract

L'invention concerne un procédé permettant à un tampon (40) de couvrir la cavité vaginale de l'utilisatrice d'un bord à l'autre. Grâce à un applicateur (20) permettant une expulsion directionnelle et à des tampons (40) adaptés, une utilisatrice peut obtenir une couverture d'un bord à l'autre de la cavité vaginale. Une telle expulsion directionnelle permet à ce tampon (40) adapté de se dilater contre les côtés et/ou parois de la cavité vaginale.
PCT/US2000/016968 1999-06-18 2000-06-16 Procede permettant une couverture d'un bord a l'autre par un tampon WO2000078261A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU60526/00A AU6052600A (en) 1999-06-18 2000-06-16 Method of providing side-to-side coverage with a tampon

Applications Claiming Priority (6)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US09/336,399 US6358223B1 (en) 1999-06-18 1999-06-18 Tampon applicator
US09/336,468 US6254566B1 (en) 1999-06-18 1999-06-18 Tampon with a tampon applicator
US09/336,468 1999-06-18
US09/336,399 1999-06-18
US09/342,295 US6270470B1 (en) 1999-06-18 1999-06-29 Method of providing side-to-side coverage with a tampon
US09/342,295 1999-06-29

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000078261A1 true WO2000078261A1 (fr) 2000-12-28

Family

ID=27407116

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/016968 WO2000078261A1 (fr) 1999-06-18 2000-06-16 Procede permettant une couverture d'un bord a l'autre par un tampon

Country Status (2)

Country Link
AU (1) AU6052600A (fr)
WO (1) WO2000078261A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2824257A1 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2002-11-08 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prevention de l'incontinence urinaire feminine a l'effort

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US2905175A (en) * 1955-10-24 1959-09-22 Alfred J C Schwartz Catamenial device and method of forming same
US2934068A (en) * 1956-06-21 1960-04-26 Personal Products Corp Tow tampon
US3138159A (en) * 1961-02-15 1964-06-23 Johnson & Johnson Absorbent product
US3683915A (en) * 1969-12-15 1972-08-15 Kimberly Clark Co Catamenial devices and methods of making the same
US3706311A (en) * 1970-11-27 1972-12-19 Procter & Gamble Self-spreading catamenial tampon
US3762413A (en) * 1972-06-21 1973-10-02 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon with multiple strings
US5346468A (en) * 1992-01-13 1994-09-13 Tambrands Inc. Tampon applicator
US5795346A (en) * 1996-08-12 1998-08-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Tampon having a resilient member
US5873971A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-02-23 Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of forming a tampon which can be comfortably withdrawn from a body cavity

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* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2905175A (en) * 1955-10-24 1959-09-22 Alfred J C Schwartz Catamenial device and method of forming same
US2934068A (en) * 1956-06-21 1960-04-26 Personal Products Corp Tow tampon
US3138159A (en) * 1961-02-15 1964-06-23 Johnson & Johnson Absorbent product
US3683915A (en) * 1969-12-15 1972-08-15 Kimberly Clark Co Catamenial devices and methods of making the same
US3706311A (en) * 1970-11-27 1972-12-19 Procter & Gamble Self-spreading catamenial tampon
US3762413A (en) * 1972-06-21 1973-10-02 Kimberly Clark Co Tampon with multiple strings
US5346468A (en) * 1992-01-13 1994-09-13 Tambrands Inc. Tampon applicator
US5558631A (en) * 1992-01-13 1996-09-24 Tambrands Inc. Tampon applicator
US5795346A (en) * 1996-08-12 1998-08-18 Kimberly-Clark Worldwide, Inc. Tampon having a resilient member
US5873971A (en) * 1996-11-14 1999-02-23 Kimberly Clark Worldwide, Inc. Method of forming a tampon which can be comfortably withdrawn from a body cavity

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
FR2824257A1 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2002-11-08 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prevention de l'incontinence urinaire feminine a l'effort
WO2002089704A2 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2002-11-14 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prevention de l'incontinence urinaire feminine .
EP1279381A2 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2003-01-29 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prévention de l'incontinence urinaire féminine
EP1279381A3 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2003-07-30 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prévention de l'incontinence urinaire féminine
WO2002089704A3 (fr) * 2001-05-07 2003-12-11 Bernard Guerquin Dispositif intra-vaginal de prevention de l'incontinence urinaire feminine .

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