WO2001030291A1 - Dispositif d'insertion de tampon - Google Patents

Dispositif d'insertion de tampon Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2001030291A1
WO2001030291A1 PCT/US2000/024922 US0024922W WO0130291A1 WO 2001030291 A1 WO2001030291 A1 WO 2001030291A1 US 0024922 W US0024922 W US 0024922W WO 0130291 A1 WO0130291 A1 WO 0130291A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
tampon
covering
tampon applicator
applicator
insertion device
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/024922
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Tiffany April Stevens
Chrissie Melinda Smits
Gary Ross Styons
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
Application filed by The Procter & Gamble Company filed Critical The Procter & Gamble Company
Priority to AU73710/00A priority Critical patent/AU7371000A/en
Priority to CA002384536A priority patent/CA2384536A1/fr
Priority to JP2001532712A priority patent/JP2003512133A/ja
Priority to EP00961809A priority patent/EP1225863A1/fr
Publication of WO2001030291A1 publication Critical patent/WO2001030291A1/fr

Links

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
    • A61F13/263—Means for inserting tampons, i.e. applicators with reduced length before use, e.g. with folding rod

Definitions

  • the present invention provides a compact tampon applicator having a covering that may also be used like a plunger to expel a tampon inserted therein.
  • tampon applicators for introducing catamenial tampons intravaginally consist of a pair of telescoping tubes.
  • the tampon applicator is designed to store a tampon therein at one end.
  • the plunger is slightly smaller in diameter and is slidably positioned behind the tampon carried in the tampon applicator.
  • the tampon is ejected from the tampon applicator by pushing the plunger into the tampon applicator to expel the tampon.
  • the tampon applicator must be of length sufficient to assure proper depth of insertion. For example, such tampon applicators are substantially longer than the tampons.
  • a major portion of the plunger necessarily extends out from the end of the tampon applicator. This results in the over-all length of the packaged ready-for-use tampon applicator being approximately two and one-half times the length of the tampon. As a result of such a relatively large size, the bulk and cost of the packaging for such applicators are often greatly increased.
  • tampon applicator which has been proposed to solve the above problems utilizes a substantially flat, elongated plunger arm which is stored positioned along the outside of and in longitudinal alignment with the tampon applicator.
  • a substantially flat, elongated plunger arm which is stored positioned along the outside of and in longitudinal alignment with the tampon applicator.
  • tampon applicator Another type of tampon applicator has been proposed to solve the foregoing problems of telescoping the plunger completely into the tampon applicator while storing the tampon completely in the tampon applicator while storing the tampon in the distal end of the plunger. This also shortens the tampon and applicator assembly by the length of a tampon. Operatively, the plunger is then drawn out most of the way from the proximal end of the tampon applicator leaving behind the tampon until the distal end of the plunger can engage the proximal end of the stored tampon.
  • the invention provides a tampon insertion device comprising a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and an opening through which a tampon and/or plunger may be inserted.
  • the tampon insertion device further comprises a covering having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end thereof.
  • the covering is removably attached to the tampon applicator.
  • the covering preferably covers the tampon applicator at its first end prior to use of the tampon applicator but also alternatively covers the tampon applicator at its second end prior to the use of the tampon applicator.
  • the covering has at least a pair of compression areas that are oppositely opposed to one-another and also a pair of covering areas that are adjacent to the compression areas but also held oppositely opposed to one-another.
  • the compression areas which are open areas where no material exists, allow the adjacent covering areas to flex toward one-another. This flexing or transformation of the covering into a plunger allows the covering areas to either touch one-another at their ends or nearly touch one-another. This flexing is important because the covering, once removed, is then used or transformed into use as a plunger to expel a tampon residing within the tampon applicator from the tampon applicator.
  • the covering is removed from the tampon applicator, transformed for use as a plunger and then inserted through the second end of the tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon during use of the tampon applicator.
  • the compression areas extend along the entire length of covering. In another embodiment herein, the compression areas extend substantially along the length of the covering. In yet another embodiment herein, the compression areas extend along a portion, and preferably a substantial portion, of the covering.
  • the tampon applicator will already comprise a tampon placed therein by a manufacturer prior to use of the tampon insertion device.
  • FIG. 1 is a plane view of one embodiment of the tampon insertion device
  • FIG. 2 is a plane view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 that shows the separation of the covering from the tampon applicator;
  • FIG. 3 is a plane view of the embodiment FIG. 2 showing the transformed covering prior to its insertion into the tampon applicator;
  • FIG. 4 is a plane view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 showing the inserted, transformed covering inserted into the tampon applicator;
  • FIG. 5 is a plane view of an alternative embodiment of the tampon insertion device.
  • the invention provides a tampon insertion device 20 comprising a tampon applicator 25 having a first end 27 and a second end 26 opposed to the first end 27. Also provided is a covering 30 that covers the tampon applicator 25 and that is removably attached to the tampon applicator 25.
  • the covering 30 has a first end 30A and a second end 30B opposed to the first end 30A.
  • the covering 30 covers the tampon applicator 25, preferably, at its first end 27 prior to use of the tampon applicator 25 to expel a tampon 40 (not shown) therefrom.
  • the covering 30 has at least a pair of compression areas 32 that are opposed to one-another and also a pair of covering areas 34 that are opposed to one-another and which are adjacent to the compression areas 32.
  • the compression areas 32 allow the covering areas 34 to flex toward one-another to either touch together or nearly touch together at the second end 30B of the covering 30.
  • the diameter of much, and preferably most, of the covering 30 is decreased to allow the easy insertion of the covering 30 into the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25.
  • This flexing is important because the covering 30, once removed, is then transformed and used as a plunger 35 to expel a tampon 40 (FIG. 3) residing within the tampon applicator 25 from the tampon applicator 25.
  • the covering 30 is removed from the tampon applicator 25 and inserted through the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25 for expulsion of a tampon 40 during use of the tampon applicator 25.
  • the second end 30B of the covering is inserted into the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25.
  • the covering 30 preferably comprises a cap 33 (FIG. 1) to which the covering areas 34 are preferably attached. As is shown in FIG. 2, a user holds the covering 30 at or about the cap 33 and then lifts the covering 30 from the tampon applicator 25. Conversely, the tampon applicator 25 may be pulled down from the covering 30.
  • the covering areas 34 of the covering 30 are substantially pressed together in order to decrease the diameter of the covering areas 34.
  • the covering areas 34 when un-compressed, form a perfect or nearly perfect circle about the cap 33 except, of course, for the material-less compression areas 32.
  • the covering 30 can be said to have been transformed and is now usable as a plunger 35 for expelling a tampon 40.
  • satisfactory position it is meant herein that the diameter of the second end 30B of the covering 30 is decreased to the point at which the transformed covering 30 may inserted into the tampon applicator 25.
  • the now plunger 35 is inserted through the opening 28 of the tampon applicator 25 at its second end 26.
  • a user pushes it against a tampon 40 to expel the tampon 40 from the first end 27 of the tampon applicator 25.
  • the compression areas 32 extend along the entire length of the covering 30.
  • the compression areas 32 extend substantially along the length of the covering 30.
  • the compression areas 32 extend along a portion of the covering 30.
  • the tampon applicator 25 will already comprise a tampon 40 (FIG. 4) as placed therein by a manufacturer.
  • FIG. 5 provides a slightly different looking embodiment in the tampon insertion device 20.
  • the tampon insertion device 20 provides a pair of connection zones 50 by which the covering areas 34 are connected to the cap 33.
  • the purpose of the connection zones 50 is to provide greater stability to the covering areas 34 when they are flexed, i.e., when the covering 30 is transformed into a plunger 35 to expel an awaiting tampon 40.
  • the connection zones 50 allow the string of a tampon 40 not to be caught or impeded by the covering 30 when it is used as a plunger 35. While not necessary for the practice of the main embodiment, the inclusion of the connection zones 50 is preferred.
  • the tampon applicator 25 can be constructed similarly to tubular holders of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use. Examples of such a tubular tampon applicator are described in U.S. Patent 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994, and U.S. Patent 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996.
  • the tampon applicator 25 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 applicator 25 has a circular cross-sectional configuration.

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)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un dispositif d'insertion de tampon qui comprend un applicateur de tampon présentant une première et une deuxième extrémité et une garniture reliée amovible à l'applicateur de tampon. La garniture couvre l'applicateur de tampon sur sa première extrémité avant l'utilisation de l'applicateur de tampon ; elle comporte au moins une paire de zones de compression opposées l'une à l'autre ainsi qu'une paire de zones de couverture opposées l'une à l'autre. Aux endroits où il n'y a pas de matériau, les zones de compression permettent aux zones de couverture de s'incurver l'une vers l'autre jusqu'à se toucher ou presque. Cette incurvation est importante, car la garniture, une fois ôtée, sert alors de plongeur pour expulser de l'applicateur de tampon un tampon s'y trouvant. Dans la pratique, la garniture est ôtée de l'applicateur de tampon et insérée à travers la deuxième extrémité de l'applicateur de tampon afin d'expulser un tampon pendant l'utilisation de l'applicateur de tampon.
PCT/US2000/024922 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 Dispositif d'insertion de tampon WO2001030291A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU73710/00A AU7371000A (en) 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 Tampon insertion device
CA002384536A CA2384536A1 (fr) 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 Dispositif d'insertion de tampon
JP2001532712A JP2003512133A (ja) 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 タンポン挿入装置
EP00961809A EP1225863A1 (fr) 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 Dispositif d'insertion de tampon

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US39849199A 1999-09-17 1999-09-17
US09/398,491 1999-09-17

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2001030291A1 true WO2001030291A1 (fr) 2001-05-03

Family

ID=23575581

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/024922 WO2001030291A1 (fr) 1999-09-17 2000-09-12 Dispositif d'insertion de tampon

Country Status (7)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1225863A1 (fr)
JP (1) JP2003512133A (fr)
AR (1) AR025687A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU7371000A (fr)
CA (1) CA2384536A1 (fr)
TW (1) TW503100B (fr)
WO (1) WO2001030291A1 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8062245B2 (en) 2007-02-08 2011-11-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Self-orienting applicator

Families Citing this family (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9532907B1 (en) 2015-07-22 2017-01-03 Thinx Inc. Reusable tampon applicators, methods of manufacture, and methods of use

Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2617642A1 (de) * 1976-04-22 1977-11-03 Schickedanz Ver Papierwerk Tampon-applikator
US5213566A (en) * 1991-07-02 1993-05-25 Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation Prefilled suppository applicator

Patent Citations (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE2617642A1 (de) * 1976-04-22 1977-11-03 Schickedanz Ver Papierwerk Tampon-applikator
US5213566A (en) * 1991-07-02 1993-05-25 Ortho Pharmaceutical Corporation Prefilled suppository applicator

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8062245B2 (en) 2007-02-08 2011-11-22 The Procter & Gamble Company Self-orienting applicator

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
CA2384536A1 (fr) 2001-05-03
JP2003512133A (ja) 2003-04-02
AU7371000A (en) 2001-05-08
TW503100B (en) 2002-09-21
AR025687A1 (es) 2002-12-11
EP1225863A1 (fr) 2002-07-31

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