CA1205954A - Tampon applicator - Google Patents
Tampon applicatorInfo
- Publication number
- CA1205954A CA1205954A CA000444194A CA444194A CA1205954A CA 1205954 A CA1205954 A CA 1205954A CA 000444194 A CA000444194 A CA 000444194A CA 444194 A CA444194 A CA 444194A CA 1205954 A CA1205954 A CA 1205954A
- Authority
- CA
- Canada
- Prior art keywords
- tampon
- applicator
- holder
- dome
- shaped
- 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
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
Abstract
ABSTRACT TAMPON APPLICATOR The ease of vaginal insertion experienced with round-edged petal-format tampon applicators can be achieved without the user comfort problems experi-enced in existing such application by a tampon appli-cator which has an expulsion end portion of unique structure. Thus, the invention provides an elongate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior. The expulsion end portion comprises a dome-shaped portion having an appreciable substan tially central aperture therein and comprising a plurality of contiguous segments defined by a plurality of radial slits extending from said aper-ture through said dome-shaped portion to the base of the dome but no farther. In some embodiments, the expulsion end portion comprises a weakened region around the periphery of the tampon holder functioning as a preformed hinge.
Description
~2~sss4 TAMPON APPI,I CATOR
This invention relates to a new concept in tampon applicators.
Tampon applicators comprising a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes are known. Such applicators are, however, either blunt ended a~ 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 ~hrough the end of a tampon. The telescopic tube arrangement permits one tube to be used as a plunger to force the expul-sion of the tampon from another tube in which the plunger tube is slidably positioned. Although the petal format is more convenient for vaginal inser-tion, the prior art structures suffer from a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which is probably the tendency of the` expanded petal arrange ment (after expulsion of a tampon) to catch or nip tissue and hair. By way of example, a petal-type - tampon applicator made from plastics material is known in which the rounded tampon expulsion end is constituted by a number of separated petals inte grally 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 -` ~2~59~
vi~w of a circle split into a number of segments.
Unfortunately, the petals of this structure have a tendency to nip or catch tissue or hair therebet~een when the applicator is in use which 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 present invention aims to pr~ide a structure with the advantages of petal-type appli-cators but minimizing the disadvantages noted above.
According to the present invention thereis provided a tampon applicator comprising an elon-gate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal inser-tion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a dome-shaped portion, having an appreciable substan-tially central aperture therein and comprising a plurality of contiguous segments defined by a plurality of radial slits e~tending from said aper-ture through said dome-shaped portion to the base of said dome-shaped portion but not beyond.
In some embodiments of the invention, such~
as those in which the tampon applicator is for use with-relatively large tampons and includes a rela-tively thick-walled tube for holding the tampon, it is highly desirable to form a weakened region around the peripher~ of the tampon holder, positioned at the base of the dome-shaped portion, as described below. In such an embodiment there is provided a tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow ;:LZ~595i~
_~ _ 3 tampon holder shaped or vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end porti.on- and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon throuah the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a weakened regïon around the periphery of the tampon holder and a dome-shaped end the base of which dome is defined by the weakened region and the dome having an appre-cïable substanti~lly central aperture therein and comprising a plurality o~ conti.guous.se~nents defined by a plurality of radial slits extending from the aperture to t~e.weakened~ reqion but not beyond.
For tampon applicators wherein the struc-ture of the tampon holder is for.smaller tampons and includes a relati~ely thin-walled tube, it is not essential to include the a~orementioned weakened region at the base of the dome-shaped portion.
In the applicators described herein, the dome se~ments (the petals~ preferably ha~e truncated ends (when the-aperture is polyhedral~. The pre-ferred aperture shape is hexaaonal.
It is preferred that the tampon holder be in the ~orm.of a tube carryin~, as the plunger, and inner tube slidahly mounted therein. The wall of the tampon holder tube can be supplied with a plurality of grooves and the plunger tube with external nibs which are adapted to engage the groo~es thereby to hold the two tubes in predetermined posi-tions with respect to each other~ Such features are described and claimed in Briti.sh Patent Specificati.on No. 1347029 published February 13, 1974 and U.S.~ Patent No. 3,696,812 issued October 10, 1972, both to Tampax Inc.
In embodiments including the weakened region around the pexiphery of the tampon holder, this region acts as a preformed hinge for the petals.
This region prefe~ably comprises a groove or other thinning of the tampon holder wall, ~lternatively, in order to produce the hinge function the weakening ~ ~2~5~5~
can take the form of slots or perforations. In the case of a groove, for example, it is not necessary for the groove to be continuous provided that appre-ciable reduction of s~iffness of the structure at this point is achieved.
In embodiments for use with relatively large tampons wherein the tube for holding the tampon is made of paper, the thickness of the tube r~all being greater than .018 inch, the use of such a weakened region is highly advantageous. It is pre-ferred that for embodiments in which a weakened region is used, the tube wall thickness be in the range from .018 to .022 inch.
In embodiments for smaller tampons, in which a paper tube for holding the tampon has a tube wall which is relatively thin, for examplet in the range .012 to .015 inch, it is not essential to include such a weakened region.
It will be appreciated that the "expulsion force", i.e., the force required for tampon expul-sion, is very important. A structure having an expulsion force below about 300 grams greatly increases the risk of premature tampon expulsion.
On the other hand, the expulsion ~orce must be reason-ably low to permit proper functioning. A igure of350 to 450 grams can be quite acceptable, al-though the invention is not, of course, restricted to this particular range of force. In tampon holders having the above-mentioned weakened region, it should be such as to achieve a satisfactory compromise between weakening of the petals to achieve an acceptably low expulsion force and weakening the petals to the extent that individual petals may drop off during use.
The dome-shaped end may have, for example, six radial slits therein spaced evenly around th2 periphery of the tampon holder to provide six petals.
The use of four petals only increases the expulsion ~59S4 , . ~
force whereas a number of petals greater than six results in a less stable con~iguration and imposes formidable tooling constraints in manufacture. In -the case of small diameter tampon applicator tubes, a five-petal configuration may be acceptable but, overall, six petals of equal size is the preferred configuration.
With the structure disclosed herein, the segments or petals are contiguous, i.e. there is no appreciable gap between the relatively small petals before the expulsion of a tampon from the tampon holder. This, and the presence of a region of reduced stiffness (used for thicker papers as described above) which ~ives a hinge-like function reducing the likelihooa of the petals springing back too sharply after expulsion of the tampon, minimize the tissue/hair catching problem outlined above.
With such "short" petals the risk of petals being deformed or bent during vaginal insertion or failing to close back adequately is kept to a minimum. Even in the "open" configuration the petal structure trans-verse dimension is smaller and the gaps between petals are at minimum.
The tampon applicator of the present inven-tion may be fabricated from any material used in the art including, inter alia, cardboard, cardr paper and plastics material. Paper (with an outer water-proof~ e.g., wax, coating) i5 preferred having regard to its biodegradability (flushability).
Conventional tampons may be used in the applicator of the present invention, such tampons being usually cylindrical in format and comprised of highly absorbent material. The tampon may have a rounded end to match the dome-shaped end and facili-tate expulsion.
The invention will now be further described and illustrated by xeference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
s~s~
. Figure 1 shows a side view of a tampon applicator in accordance with the inven-tion and having a substantially central aperture;
Figure 2 shows the plunger inner tube of the applicator of Figure l;
Figure 3 shows an end-on view of the dome-shaped expulsion end of the applicator of F:igure 1;
and Figure 4 shows a curve from which a blank may be derived which may be used to produce the expulsion end of an applicator as shown in Figure 1.
In Figure 1, a tampon applicator generally designated l comprises an inner tube 2 and an outer tube 3. Outer tube 3 is designed to store a conven-lS tional tampon (not shown) within its hollow intarior (not shown). At one end of outer tube 3 .s an expul-sion end portion generally designated 4 which com-prises a preformed hinge or groove 5 extending around the periphery of tube 3 (which although shown as continuous in the drawings n~ed not necessarily be so) and a dome-shaped end 6 having a number of radial slits 7 therein extending from a central aperture 8 (more clearly seen in Figure 3) to the g.roove 5.
Slits 7 define therebetween truncated petals 9.
At the end of tube 3 opposite to the expul-sion end portion 4 is a grooved section 10. The grooves 11 constituting this section need not all necessarily extend completely around the periphery of tube 3. In fact, a space 12 may be provided for matter of a Trademark character, by way of example.
In Figure 2, it can be seen that tube 2 has nibs 13 arranged on the periphery thereof close to the end 14 of tube 2 which fits within tube 3.
Nibs 13 are adapted to engage with grooves 11 on the inside surface (not shown) of tube 3 thereby pro-viding a number of possible predetermined relative positions for tubes 2 and 3. Grooves 11 and n:ibs 13 ~zas~s4 prevent tube 2 from too easily being pushed into tube 3 ~resulting in premature opening of the petals) should -the applicator 1 be mishandled before use thereof, and also permit the size of the space (not shown) available within tube 3 for receiving a tampon to be selected depending upon tampon size. If extra absorbency is required a longer tampon may be employed and tube 2 may be positioned in tube 3 with nibs 13 engaged in the groove 11 which is furthest from the expulsion end portion 4. A smaller absorb-ency tampon may be shorter ànd tube 2 would then be held further into tube 3 with nibs 13 enga~ing a groove 11 nearer expulsion end portion 4.
The use of small petals 9 which have no appreciable gaps therebetween and which are truncated so as to provide an appreciable aperture 8 and the preferred groove 5 at the base of the petals 9 provides a structure which has ease of vaginal insertion and which minimizes user comfort problems. Absence of inter-petal gaps and use of a truncated petal shape minimizes tissue/hair catching problems~ and, although the petals 9 tend to return to a "closed"
configuration after ta~pon expulsion, they do not do so too rapidly as a result of the reduced stiffness provided in the structure by groove 5. It will also be appreciated that if, for example, petals 9 were longer and extended back into the cylindrical portion of tube 3 and groove 5 was positioned further back and not immediately around the base of the curved, dome-shaped portion, the more extended petal size would increase the risk of deformation of petals upon vaginal insertion. A petal arrangement extending throughout the curved end configuration only is impoxtant.
In Figures 1 and 3 it can be seen that the truncated petals 9 comprise a plurality of contiguous smooth-surfaced,segments, the outer ~urface of each ~5~S~
of the petals 9 being smooth and free from ridges or valleys in any direction. The tampon applicator described herein is an economical design and provides a product which is convenient and satisfactory from the standpoint of the user.
In use, a tampon (not shown) is contained within tube 3. After insertion of tube 3 through the vagina, the tampon is expelled from the tube by pressing tube 2 into tube 3 manually. The tampon is then expelled by this plunger-like action through expulsion end portion 4 by forcing apart petals 9.
Aperture 8 reduced the expulsion force which is required. Once the tampon has been completely expelled through the expulsion end portion 4, the small size petals 9 do not show a tendency to flare unduly and the absence of space between the petals in the unused configuration shape further minimizes the risk of hurt to the user.
In a typical tampon applicator made rrom laminated paper in accordance with the present inven-tion and as shown in Figure 1, the length of tube 2 may be 3" ~ .005" and the length of tube 3 may be
This invention relates to a new concept in tampon applicators.
Tampon applicators comprising a plurality of telescopically-arranged tubes are known. Such applicators are, however, either blunt ended a~ 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 ~hrough the end of a tampon. The telescopic tube arrangement permits one tube to be used as a plunger to force the expul-sion of the tampon from another tube in which the plunger tube is slidably positioned. Although the petal format is more convenient for vaginal inser-tion, the prior art structures suffer from a number of disadvantages, the most significant of which is probably the tendency of the` expanded petal arrange ment (after expulsion of a tampon) to catch or nip tissue and hair. By way of example, a petal-type - tampon applicator made from plastics material is known in which the rounded tampon expulsion end is constituted by a number of separated petals inte grally 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 -` ~2~59~
vi~w of a circle split into a number of segments.
Unfortunately, the petals of this structure have a tendency to nip or catch tissue or hair therebet~een when the applicator is in use which 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 present invention aims to pr~ide a structure with the advantages of petal-type appli-cators but minimizing the disadvantages noted above.
According to the present invention thereis provided a tampon applicator comprising an elon-gate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal inser-tion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a dome-shaped portion, having an appreciable substan-tially central aperture therein and comprising a plurality of contiguous segments defined by a plurality of radial slits e~tending from said aper-ture through said dome-shaped portion to the base of said dome-shaped portion but not beyond.
In some embodiments of the invention, such~
as those in which the tampon applicator is for use with-relatively large tampons and includes a rela-tively thick-walled tube for holding the tampon, it is highly desirable to form a weakened region around the peripher~ of the tampon holder, positioned at the base of the dome-shaped portion, as described below. In such an embodiment there is provided a tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow ;:LZ~595i~
_~ _ 3 tampon holder shaped or vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end porti.on- and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon throuah the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a weakened regïon around the periphery of the tampon holder and a dome-shaped end the base of which dome is defined by the weakened region and the dome having an appre-cïable substanti~lly central aperture therein and comprising a plurality o~ conti.guous.se~nents defined by a plurality of radial slits extending from the aperture to t~e.weakened~ reqion but not beyond.
For tampon applicators wherein the struc-ture of the tampon holder is for.smaller tampons and includes a relati~ely thin-walled tube, it is not essential to include the a~orementioned weakened region at the base of the dome-shaped portion.
In the applicators described herein, the dome se~ments (the petals~ preferably ha~e truncated ends (when the-aperture is polyhedral~. The pre-ferred aperture shape is hexaaonal.
It is preferred that the tampon holder be in the ~orm.of a tube carryin~, as the plunger, and inner tube slidahly mounted therein. The wall of the tampon holder tube can be supplied with a plurality of grooves and the plunger tube with external nibs which are adapted to engage the groo~es thereby to hold the two tubes in predetermined posi-tions with respect to each other~ Such features are described and claimed in Briti.sh Patent Specificati.on No. 1347029 published February 13, 1974 and U.S.~ Patent No. 3,696,812 issued October 10, 1972, both to Tampax Inc.
In embodiments including the weakened region around the pexiphery of the tampon holder, this region acts as a preformed hinge for the petals.
This region prefe~ably comprises a groove or other thinning of the tampon holder wall, ~lternatively, in order to produce the hinge function the weakening ~ ~2~5~5~
can take the form of slots or perforations. In the case of a groove, for example, it is not necessary for the groove to be continuous provided that appre-ciable reduction of s~iffness of the structure at this point is achieved.
In embodiments for use with relatively large tampons wherein the tube for holding the tampon is made of paper, the thickness of the tube r~all being greater than .018 inch, the use of such a weakened region is highly advantageous. It is pre-ferred that for embodiments in which a weakened region is used, the tube wall thickness be in the range from .018 to .022 inch.
In embodiments for smaller tampons, in which a paper tube for holding the tampon has a tube wall which is relatively thin, for examplet in the range .012 to .015 inch, it is not essential to include such a weakened region.
It will be appreciated that the "expulsion force", i.e., the force required for tampon expul-sion, is very important. A structure having an expulsion force below about 300 grams greatly increases the risk of premature tampon expulsion.
On the other hand, the expulsion ~orce must be reason-ably low to permit proper functioning. A igure of350 to 450 grams can be quite acceptable, al-though the invention is not, of course, restricted to this particular range of force. In tampon holders having the above-mentioned weakened region, it should be such as to achieve a satisfactory compromise between weakening of the petals to achieve an acceptably low expulsion force and weakening the petals to the extent that individual petals may drop off during use.
The dome-shaped end may have, for example, six radial slits therein spaced evenly around th2 periphery of the tampon holder to provide six petals.
The use of four petals only increases the expulsion ~59S4 , . ~
force whereas a number of petals greater than six results in a less stable con~iguration and imposes formidable tooling constraints in manufacture. In -the case of small diameter tampon applicator tubes, a five-petal configuration may be acceptable but, overall, six petals of equal size is the preferred configuration.
With the structure disclosed herein, the segments or petals are contiguous, i.e. there is no appreciable gap between the relatively small petals before the expulsion of a tampon from the tampon holder. This, and the presence of a region of reduced stiffness (used for thicker papers as described above) which ~ives a hinge-like function reducing the likelihooa of the petals springing back too sharply after expulsion of the tampon, minimize the tissue/hair catching problem outlined above.
With such "short" petals the risk of petals being deformed or bent during vaginal insertion or failing to close back adequately is kept to a minimum. Even in the "open" configuration the petal structure trans-verse dimension is smaller and the gaps between petals are at minimum.
The tampon applicator of the present inven-tion may be fabricated from any material used in the art including, inter alia, cardboard, cardr paper and plastics material. Paper (with an outer water-proof~ e.g., wax, coating) i5 preferred having regard to its biodegradability (flushability).
Conventional tampons may be used in the applicator of the present invention, such tampons being usually cylindrical in format and comprised of highly absorbent material. The tampon may have a rounded end to match the dome-shaped end and facili-tate expulsion.
The invention will now be further described and illustrated by xeference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
s~s~
. Figure 1 shows a side view of a tampon applicator in accordance with the inven-tion and having a substantially central aperture;
Figure 2 shows the plunger inner tube of the applicator of Figure l;
Figure 3 shows an end-on view of the dome-shaped expulsion end of the applicator of F:igure 1;
and Figure 4 shows a curve from which a blank may be derived which may be used to produce the expulsion end of an applicator as shown in Figure 1.
In Figure 1, a tampon applicator generally designated l comprises an inner tube 2 and an outer tube 3. Outer tube 3 is designed to store a conven-lS tional tampon (not shown) within its hollow intarior (not shown). At one end of outer tube 3 .s an expul-sion end portion generally designated 4 which com-prises a preformed hinge or groove 5 extending around the periphery of tube 3 (which although shown as continuous in the drawings n~ed not necessarily be so) and a dome-shaped end 6 having a number of radial slits 7 therein extending from a central aperture 8 (more clearly seen in Figure 3) to the g.roove 5.
Slits 7 define therebetween truncated petals 9.
At the end of tube 3 opposite to the expul-sion end portion 4 is a grooved section 10. The grooves 11 constituting this section need not all necessarily extend completely around the periphery of tube 3. In fact, a space 12 may be provided for matter of a Trademark character, by way of example.
In Figure 2, it can be seen that tube 2 has nibs 13 arranged on the periphery thereof close to the end 14 of tube 2 which fits within tube 3.
Nibs 13 are adapted to engage with grooves 11 on the inside surface (not shown) of tube 3 thereby pro-viding a number of possible predetermined relative positions for tubes 2 and 3. Grooves 11 and n:ibs 13 ~zas~s4 prevent tube 2 from too easily being pushed into tube 3 ~resulting in premature opening of the petals) should -the applicator 1 be mishandled before use thereof, and also permit the size of the space (not shown) available within tube 3 for receiving a tampon to be selected depending upon tampon size. If extra absorbency is required a longer tampon may be employed and tube 2 may be positioned in tube 3 with nibs 13 engaged in the groove 11 which is furthest from the expulsion end portion 4. A smaller absorb-ency tampon may be shorter ànd tube 2 would then be held further into tube 3 with nibs 13 enga~ing a groove 11 nearer expulsion end portion 4.
The use of small petals 9 which have no appreciable gaps therebetween and which are truncated so as to provide an appreciable aperture 8 and the preferred groove 5 at the base of the petals 9 provides a structure which has ease of vaginal insertion and which minimizes user comfort problems. Absence of inter-petal gaps and use of a truncated petal shape minimizes tissue/hair catching problems~ and, although the petals 9 tend to return to a "closed"
configuration after ta~pon expulsion, they do not do so too rapidly as a result of the reduced stiffness provided in the structure by groove 5. It will also be appreciated that if, for example, petals 9 were longer and extended back into the cylindrical portion of tube 3 and groove 5 was positioned further back and not immediately around the base of the curved, dome-shaped portion, the more extended petal size would increase the risk of deformation of petals upon vaginal insertion. A petal arrangement extending throughout the curved end configuration only is impoxtant.
In Figures 1 and 3 it can be seen that the truncated petals 9 comprise a plurality of contiguous smooth-surfaced,segments, the outer ~urface of each ~5~S~
of the petals 9 being smooth and free from ridges or valleys in any direction. The tampon applicator described herein is an economical design and provides a product which is convenient and satisfactory from the standpoint of the user.
In use, a tampon (not shown) is contained within tube 3. After insertion of tube 3 through the vagina, the tampon is expelled from the tube by pressing tube 2 into tube 3 manually. The tampon is then expelled by this plunger-like action through expulsion end portion 4 by forcing apart petals 9.
Aperture 8 reduced the expulsion force which is required. Once the tampon has been completely expelled through the expulsion end portion 4, the small size petals 9 do not show a tendency to flare unduly and the absence of space between the petals in the unused configuration shape further minimizes the risk of hurt to the user.
In a typical tampon applicator made rrom laminated paper in accordance with the present inven-tion and as shown in Figure 1, the length of tube 2 may be 3" ~ .005" and the length of tube 3 may be
2 3/4" ~ .005". Tube diame-ters may be varied to accommodate different absorbency tampons according to the knowledge of the skilled man. The distance from end 14 and tube 2 to nibs 13 may be typically nine sixteenths of an inch and the ungrooved annular section 15 at the proximate end of tube 3 may be typically one eighth of an inch deep.
Where the aperture 8 is in the shape of a hexagon, each side thereof heing of equal length, it is preferable that the size of the aperture be such that the length of a side of the hexagonal aperture be at least .05 inch and no greater than .15 inch; a typical dimension being 0.10 inch.
As previously explained, in embodiments for smaller tampons in which a paper tube for holding the tampon has a relatively thin wall, it is not ~S~54 essential to include any weakened region such as the groove 5 at the base of the dome-shaped portion of the tampon holder, provided there is an acceptable expulsion force so as to cause proper operation of the applicator.
In Figure 4 is shown a partial section of the shape for a cutout section of the tube 3 which can be folded to provide the dome-shaped st;ructure shown for the expulsion end portion 4 in Figure 1.
The shape and dimensions are chosen carefully in accordance with the knowledge of the skilled man to enable folding to be achieved to provide the unique structure shown in Figures 1 to 3. Below, in the Table are set out appropriate dimensions for the dome-shaped end of a tampon applicator in accordance with the pr~sent invention taken along axes X and Y
shown in Figure 4. The figures ~uoted axe in inches but, whatever the units, the X/Y ratio at any point on the curve 17 plotted should, of course, ~e the same. The width of the base 1~ of the outline curve 17 of petals 9 is the smallest possible dimension which is practical from a tooling point of view and is about .015 inches, i.e., the radius of the base 16 of the curve 17 (the value of X) is .0075 inches.
This dimension effectively disappears upon folding leaving only slits 7 between petals 9. The shape of the curve 17 is selected to provide the pe-~al struc-ture illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and also avoids the use of surplus material which might provide folds or wrinkles in a folded tube 3 made from a cutout having a different shape.
s~
T~BLE
, _ Y
.0076 0141 .0082 .0282 .0090 - - - .0423 .0102 .0564 .0118 .0705 ~0137 .0845 .0159 .0986 .0185 ~ 112-7 ~0213 ,1268 .0245 .14Q9 ~0279 1549 .0316 .169Q
.
.0356 ~ .1832 .0399 - .1973 .0444 ~ 2113 .0492 .2255 _ _ .0593 .2536 0647 o 2677 .0703 2818 .076~ .2959 .0819 .30~ 9 _ _ _ Og42 332 ~2~S~S4 The present tampon applicator outer tubes 3 may be formed, after cutting the desired petal shapes, to the final desired expulsion end shape using a heated mandrel and die. It is preferred, in producing a groove 5 to serve as the preformed hinge (weakened region) at the petal base, to use a mandrel havirlg a groove therein so that as the groove 5 is formed by outside tool action on tube 3 some of the material from which tube 3 is made, e.g., paper, is displaced into the mandrel groove. The resulting groove 5 is then formed partially from such displaced paper.
In the following description comparative tests with respect to various expulsion end structures are given including data on both a conventional blunt-ended, open-ended tampon applicator and on petal configuration applicator of various types. The same paper material was used to fabricate the tampon holders in each case.
l) Expulsion force for existing blunt, open-ended tampon holder tubes.
Statistical mean for 59 tests = 177.37 grams.
Standard deviation = 36.14 grams.
2) Petal-type tubes manufactured incorpo-rating .015" wide slots at root of petal form ~iving petal form depth of 5/8" - "long`' petal type - no tube groove 5.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
3n Mean 352. Standard deviation 32.
Where the aperture 8 is in the shape of a hexagon, each side thereof heing of equal length, it is preferable that the size of the aperture be such that the length of a side of the hexagonal aperture be at least .05 inch and no greater than .15 inch; a typical dimension being 0.10 inch.
As previously explained, in embodiments for smaller tampons in which a paper tube for holding the tampon has a relatively thin wall, it is not ~S~54 essential to include any weakened region such as the groove 5 at the base of the dome-shaped portion of the tampon holder, provided there is an acceptable expulsion force so as to cause proper operation of the applicator.
In Figure 4 is shown a partial section of the shape for a cutout section of the tube 3 which can be folded to provide the dome-shaped st;ructure shown for the expulsion end portion 4 in Figure 1.
The shape and dimensions are chosen carefully in accordance with the knowledge of the skilled man to enable folding to be achieved to provide the unique structure shown in Figures 1 to 3. Below, in the Table are set out appropriate dimensions for the dome-shaped end of a tampon applicator in accordance with the pr~sent invention taken along axes X and Y
shown in Figure 4. The figures ~uoted axe in inches but, whatever the units, the X/Y ratio at any point on the curve 17 plotted should, of course, ~e the same. The width of the base 1~ of the outline curve 17 of petals 9 is the smallest possible dimension which is practical from a tooling point of view and is about .015 inches, i.e., the radius of the base 16 of the curve 17 (the value of X) is .0075 inches.
This dimension effectively disappears upon folding leaving only slits 7 between petals 9. The shape of the curve 17 is selected to provide the pe-~al struc-ture illustrated in Figures 1 to 3 and also avoids the use of surplus material which might provide folds or wrinkles in a folded tube 3 made from a cutout having a different shape.
s~
T~BLE
, _ Y
.0076 0141 .0082 .0282 .0090 - - - .0423 .0102 .0564 .0118 .0705 ~0137 .0845 .0159 .0986 .0185 ~ 112-7 ~0213 ,1268 .0245 .14Q9 ~0279 1549 .0316 .169Q
.
.0356 ~ .1832 .0399 - .1973 .0444 ~ 2113 .0492 .2255 _ _ .0593 .2536 0647 o 2677 .0703 2818 .076~ .2959 .0819 .30~ 9 _ _ _ Og42 332 ~2~S~S4 The present tampon applicator outer tubes 3 may be formed, after cutting the desired petal shapes, to the final desired expulsion end shape using a heated mandrel and die. It is preferred, in producing a groove 5 to serve as the preformed hinge (weakened region) at the petal base, to use a mandrel havirlg a groove therein so that as the groove 5 is formed by outside tool action on tube 3 some of the material from which tube 3 is made, e.g., paper, is displaced into the mandrel groove. The resulting groove 5 is then formed partially from such displaced paper.
In the following description comparative tests with respect to various expulsion end structures are given including data on both a conventional blunt-ended, open-ended tampon applicator and on petal configuration applicator of various types. The same paper material was used to fabricate the tampon holders in each case.
l) Expulsion force for existing blunt, open-ended tampon holder tubes.
Statistical mean for 59 tests = 177.37 grams.
Standard deviation = 36.14 grams.
2) Petal-type tubes manufactured incorpo-rating .015" wide slots at root of petal form ~iving petal form depth of 5/8" - "long`' petal type - no tube groove 5.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
3n Mean 352. Standard deviation 32.
3) Petal-type tubes manufactured with shortened petal form depth of .340" bu-t no tube groove 5.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests~
Mean 855. Skandard deviation 56.4.
~2~5~S~
Expulsion forces unacceptably high.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests~
Mean 855. Skandard deviation 56.4.
~2~5~S~
Expulsion forces unacceptably high.
4) Petal-type tubes manufactured with shortened petal form of .340" and petal relief groove .005" deep in forming mandrel to attempt to form a tube groove 5.
Result, unsatisfactory, petal base cut through.
Result, unsatisfactory, petal base cut through.
5) Petal-type tubes manufacturecl with shortened petal form of .340" and petal relief groove .010" deep in forming mandrel to form a tube groove 5.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 353. Standard deviation 37.7.
Result unsatisfactory, considerable split-ting at base upon testing (see below).
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 353. Standard deviation 37.7.
Result unsatisfactory, considerable split-ting at base upon testing (see below).
6) Petal-type tubes manufactured with shortened petal form of .340" and petal relief groove .015" deep in forming mandrel to form a tube groove S.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 414. Standard deviation 46.3.
Result unsatisfactory slight splitting at petal base upon testing (see below).
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 414. Standard deviation 46.3.
Result unsatisfactory slight splitting at petal base upon testing (see below).
7) Petal-type tubes manufactured with shortened petal form of .340" and petal relief groove .017" deep in forming mandrel to form tube groove 5.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 420. Standard deviation 46.2.
Results satisfactory, no petal failure after 50 petal reforms and 50 tampon expulsions (for testing method see below).
Where indicated abo~e, tests were performed to ascertain whether a number of petal reforms and tampon expulsions caused-cracks, fractures or split ting in the petal base. In Pach case, the test con-sisted of pushing a single original inner tube 2 95~
through the single original formed outer tube 3 after multiple reforming. Each tube 3 was originally cut with six petals and formed using a heated mandrel and die, both at 100C. The inner tube 2 was pushed through the petals and the petals exa~nined for cracking or fracture. The same outer tube 3 was reformed using the heated die and mandrel, the inner tube 2 assembled and pushed through the petals which were examined again for cracking or fractur~. -This sequence is repeated, e.g., up to 100 times.
Expulsion force in grams - results based upon 25 tests.
Mean 420. Standard deviation 46.2.
Results satisfactory, no petal failure after 50 petal reforms and 50 tampon expulsions (for testing method see below).
Where indicated abo~e, tests were performed to ascertain whether a number of petal reforms and tampon expulsions caused-cracks, fractures or split ting in the petal base. In Pach case, the test con-sisted of pushing a single original inner tube 2 95~
through the single original formed outer tube 3 after multiple reforming. Each tube 3 was originally cut with six petals and formed using a heated mandrel and die, both at 100C. The inner tube 2 was pushed through the petals and the petals exa~nined for cracking or fracture. The same outer tube 3 was reformed using the heated die and mandrel, the inner tube 2 assembled and pushed through the petals which were examined again for cracking or fractur~. -This sequence is repeated, e.g., up to 100 times.
Claims (21)
1. A tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a dome-shaped portion having an appreciable substantially central aperture therein and comprising a plurality of conti-guous segments defined by a plurality of radial slits extending from said aperture through said dome-shaped portion to the base of said dome-shaped portion but not beyond, the tampon holder further comprising a weakened region around its periphery posi-tioned at the base of said dome-shaped portion.
2. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the external surfaces of said contiguous segments are substantially smooth and free from ridges or valleys.
3. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the segments have truncated ends, the aperture being in the shape of a polygon.
4. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said weakened region comprises a continuous or discontinuous groove, slots or perforations.
5. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the segments have truncated ends, the aperture being hexagonal.
6. An applicator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the tampon holder is in the form of a tube carrying, as said plunger, an inner tube slidably mounted therein.
7. An applicator as claimed in claim 6, wherein the wall of the tampon holder tube is supplied with a plurality of grooves and the plunger tube has external nibs which are adapted to engage the grooves thereby to hold the two tubes in predetermined positions with respect to each other.
8. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein there are six of said slits equally spaced around the dome-shaped portion.
9. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 4, which has been fabricated from paper.
10. An applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 4, wherein the tampon holder has been fabricated from paper provided with a waterproof, oil and grease resistant surface.
11. A combination of an applicator as claimed in claim 1 and a tampon contained in the tampon holder interior, which tampon has a rounded end shaped to match the dome-shaped end and facilitate its expulsion from the applicator.
12. A tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end por-tion comprising a dome-shaped end portion, said dome-shaped end portion having a substantially central aperture of appreciable size therein and comprising a plurality of segments, said segments having intervening boundaries formed by radial slits extending from the corners of said aperture to the base of said dome-shaped portion but not beyond, at least the major portion of the dome-shaped portion of the tampon holder having the same thickness as at least the major portion of the remainder of the tampon holder.
13. A tampon applicator as claimed in any of claims 1, 2 or 12, wherein said aperture is in the shape of a hexagon of such size that the length of each side thereof is in the range from .05 to .15 inch.
14. A tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a weakened region around the periphery of the tampon holder and a dome-shaped end the base of which dome is defined by the weakened region, said dome-shaped end having an appreciable substantially central aperture in the shape of a polygon therein, and comprising a plurality of smooth-surfaced segments, said segments having intervening boundaries formed by radial slits extending from the corners of said aperture to said weakened region but not beyond, said segments being adapted for movement from a closed position to an open position for expulsion of the tampon by said plunger, each of said segments being contiguous to each of the two adjacent segments through-out the length of the slit between them when said segments are in the closed position.
15. A tampon applicator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said aperture is in the shape of a hexagon each side of which is of equal length, the length of a side thereof being at least .05 inch and no greater than .15 inch.
16. An applicator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said tampon holder comprises a weakened region around its periphery positioned at the base of said dome-shaped portion.
17. An applicator as claimed in claim 12, wherein the segments have truncated ends, the aperture being in the shape of a polygon.
18. An applicator as claimed in claim 14, wherein said weakened region comprises a continuous or discontinuous groove, slots or perforations.
19. An applicator as claimed in claim 12 or claim 14, which has been fabricated from paper.
20. A tampon applicator comprising an elongate hollow tampon holder shaped for vaginal insertion and having a tampon expulsion end portion and a plunger mounted in the holder and adapted to expel a tampon through the expulsion end portion from the holder interior, the expulsion end portion comprising a dome-shaped portion, having an appreciable hexa-gon shaped substantially central aperture therein and comprising six contiguous segments defined by a plurality of radial slits extending from said aperture through said dome-shaped portion to the base of said dome-shaped portion but not beyond, the six contiguous segments having truncated ends and the length of each side of the hexagon-shaped aperture being in the range from .05 to .15 inch.
21. An applicator as claimed in claim 20, which has been fabricated from paper.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
| Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| GB08236603A GB2132484B (en) | 1982-12-23 | 1982-12-23 | Tampon applicator |
| GB8,236,603 | 1982-12-23 |
Publications (1)
| Publication Number | Publication Date |
|---|---|
| CA1205954A true CA1205954A (en) | 1986-06-17 |
Family
ID=10535192
Family Applications (1)
| Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| CA000444194A Expired CA1205954A (en) | 1982-12-23 | 1983-12-23 | Tampon applicator |
Country Status (21)
| Country | Link |
|---|---|
| US (1) | US5087239A (en) |
| EP (1) | EP0115193B1 (en) |
| JP (1) | JPS59171551A (en) |
| AR (1) | AR231228A1 (en) |
| AT (1) | ATE40787T1 (en) |
| AU (2) | AU2233983A (en) |
| BR (1) | BR8307014A (en) |
| CA (1) | CA1205954A (en) |
| DE (1) | DE3379194D1 (en) |
| DK (1) | DK158136C (en) |
| ES (1) | ES276501Y (en) |
| FI (1) | FI834734A (en) |
| GB (1) | GB2132484B (en) |
| GR (1) | GR79455B (en) |
| IE (1) | IE55416B1 (en) |
| IL (1) | IL70484A (en) |
| IN (1) | IN159496B (en) |
| MX (1) | MX157422A (en) |
| NO (1) | NO159901C (en) |
| NZ (1) | NZ206545A (en) |
| ZA (1) | ZA839457B (en) |
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-
1982
- 1982-12-23 GB GB08236603A patent/GB2132484B/en not_active Expired
-
1983
- 1983-12-12 NZ NZ206545A patent/NZ206545A/en unknown
- 1983-12-13 AU AU22339/83A patent/AU2233983A/en not_active Abandoned
- 1983-12-16 MX MX199826A patent/MX157422A/en unknown
- 1983-12-19 IL IL70484A patent/IL70484A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-20 ZA ZA839457A patent/ZA839457B/en unknown
- 1983-12-21 BR BR8307014A patent/BR8307014A/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-21 GR GR73320A patent/GR79455B/el unknown
- 1983-12-22 IE IE3054/83A patent/IE55416B1/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-22 ES ES1983276501U patent/ES276501Y/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-22 NO NO834782A patent/NO159901C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-22 FI FI834734A patent/FI834734A/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 1983-12-22 AR AR295202A patent/AR231228A1/en active
- 1983-12-23 JP JP58243625A patent/JPS59171551A/en active Granted
- 1983-12-23 AT AT83307931T patent/ATE40787T1/en active
- 1983-12-23 DK DK597683A patent/DK158136C/en not_active IP Right Cessation
- 1983-12-23 IN IN1579/CAL/83A patent/IN159496B/en unknown
- 1983-12-23 EP EP83307931A patent/EP0115193B1/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-23 CA CA000444194A patent/CA1205954A/en not_active Expired
- 1983-12-23 DE DE8383307931T patent/DE3379194D1/en not_active Expired
-
1988
- 1988-09-05 AU AU21860/88A patent/AU608359B2/en not_active Expired
-
1990
- 1990-12-21 US US07/631,205 patent/US5087239A/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
Also Published As
| Publication number | Publication date |
|---|---|
| NZ206545A (en) | 1987-05-29 |
| NO834782L (en) | 1984-06-25 |
| ES276501U (en) | 1984-05-16 |
| GR79455B (en) | 1984-10-30 |
| AR231228A1 (en) | 1984-10-31 |
| JPH0338854B2 (en) | 1991-06-12 |
| DK597683D0 (en) | 1983-12-23 |
| BR8307014A (en) | 1984-07-31 |
| DK158136C (en) | 1990-09-03 |
| EP0115193A3 (en) | 1985-06-12 |
| DK158136B (en) | 1990-04-02 |
| JPS59171551A (en) | 1984-09-28 |
| MX157422A (en) | 1988-11-22 |
| DK597683A (en) | 1984-06-24 |
| GB2132484A (en) | 1984-07-11 |
| NO159901C (en) | 1989-02-22 |
| GB2132484B (en) | 1986-07-02 |
| ES276501Y (en) | 1985-02-16 |
| AU2233983A (en) | 1984-06-28 |
| FI834734A (en) | 1984-06-24 |
| ATE40787T1 (en) | 1989-03-15 |
| IL70484A (en) | 1988-03-31 |
| FI834734A0 (en) | 1983-12-22 |
| IE55416B1 (en) | 1990-09-12 |
| IN159496B (en) | 1987-05-23 |
| IL70484A0 (en) | 1984-03-30 |
| AU608359B2 (en) | 1991-03-28 |
| US5087239A (en) | 1992-02-11 |
| NO159901B (en) | 1988-11-14 |
| EP0115193A2 (en) | 1984-08-08 |
| AU2186088A (en) | 1988-12-01 |
| DE3379194D1 (en) | 1989-03-23 |
| EP0115193B1 (en) | 1989-02-15 |
| IE833054L (en) | 1984-06-23 |
| ZA839457B (en) | 1985-08-28 |
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| MKEX | Expiry | ||
| MKEX | Expiry |
Effective date: 20031223 |