Abstract:
An accessory in the form of a tab ( 24 ), ring ( 25 ), tassel ( 26 ) or puff ball (28) is attached to a tampon string ( 16 ) to facilitate the tactile location and manipulation of the tampon string ( 16 ) during urination. The accessory may also help prevent the tampon string ( 16 ) from being retracted into the vagina. Additional embodiments are illustrated along with a method for extending the tampon string with the accessory attachment having the capability of being adhered to the user&#39;s body or undergarment.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS  
       [0001]    Co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/285,616, filed Apr.3 1999, is incorporated herein by reference. Priority of that application is hereby claimed 
     
    
     
       STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT  
         [0002]    Not applicable  
         REFERENCE TO A “MICROFICHE APPENDIX” 
         [0003]    Not applicable  
         BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
         [0004]    1. Field of the Invention  
           [0005]    This invention relates generally to feminine hygienic tampons having strings attached there to for withdrawal. More particularly, the invention relates to a method for attaching an accessory or tab to the string to facilitate locating and preventing dislocation of the tampon string.  
           [0006]    2. General Background of the Invention  
           [0007]    The tampon industry estimates that on average a women will use 11,400 tampons in her lifetime. Many of these tampon users are young, highly active women who become so accustomed to the presence of the tampon that they literally forget it is in place. Tampons are generally provided with a string which extends outside the vagina to assist in removal of the tampon from the body cavity. This string generally comprises a string looped around a portion of the tampon in a manner which produces a pair of string ends knotted together at their free end. Therefore, due to frictional migration and the expansion and contraction of the vagina, especially during physical activity, the tampon can get lodged near the back of the vagina or rotated in such a manner that the string is withdrawn into the vagina cavity. Since the string is not easily visible and not capable of being felt, women Odin forget to change the tampon every 4-6 hours as recommended by the manufacturer. On occasion some women forget and accidentally insert a new tampon without removing the previous one. Such action leads to serious complication. Some women who are not familiar with their bodies sometimes panic, fearing that the tampon is lost and that perhaps surgery will be required to retrieve the tampon. It is estimated that each gynecologist experiences the need to retrieve lost tampons an average of twice per month. Therefore, this is serious problem affecting thousands of women nationally every year. Tampons which are not removed regularly provide a breeding ground for  staphylococcus Aureus , a bacterium which leads to a number of serious medical problems, such as toxic shock syndrome.  
           [0008]    The tampon string is also a problem during urination. Most women, assuming they remember the tampon string at all, have a preference as to the question of whether to try and locate the short string or simply urinate on it thus leaving the string wet and subject to bacterial infection. Most tampon manufacturers provide a relatively short, string usually less than three inches (7.6 cm), making the movement of the string to a position out of the way during urination an awkward maneuver at best, thus it is simply easier to wet the string. Since most tampon strings are made of cotton, they absorb moisture readily and thus further provide a breeding ground for infectious bacteria. To make matters worse, women seldom wash their hands in public rest rooms. This phobia makes them reluctant to search for and handle the short, often moist, tampon string. It is therefore evident that the above problems need to be addressed in a manner which will allow women to retrieve a tampon more readily and become more aware of its presence.  
           [0009]    The following U.S. Patents are incorporated herein by reference: 1,555,708; 3,037,506; 3,625,787; 3,749,094; 3,948,257; 4,332,251; 4,341,214; 4,490,894; 5,370,633; 5,458,589; 5,533,990; 5,566,435; 5,659,934; 5,674,239; 5,785,053; 5,800,338; and 5,807,372.  
         BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
         [0010]    The apparatus of the present invention is a tampon with a means for preventing the tampon string from completely retreating into a user&#39;s vagina. Also provided is a means for preventing a tampon string from completely retreating into a user&#39;s vagina.  
           [0011]    The present invention provides an accessory in the form of, for example, a tab, tassel or puff ball attached to a tampon string. Most preferably, the accessory is a tab comprising a piece of tape including a peel-off backing which, when removed, exposes a sticky surface. The accessory is intended to help the tampon user more easily locate and manipulate the tampon string during urination and may be more readily discerned if the string is being retracted into the vagina. Subsequent illustrations provide a method for extending the length of the tampon string with the accessory attachment and further having the optional capability of being adhered to the users body or undergarment. The intended purpose of the accessory is to help draw attention to the tampon and facilitate the location and manipulation of the tampon string during urination. The accessory further draws the user&#39;s attention to the presence of the tampon and, therefore, serves as a reminder to change the tampon frequently. The accessory also helps to prevent migration of the tampon string into the vagina.  
           [0012]    The present invention also comprises a tampon with a longer than customary string. This longer string can be provided when the tampon is manufactured or it can be made by attaching an additional length of string to a tampon string of an already manufactured tampon. In either event, the longer string makes it easier for a woman to locate the free end of the tampon string. 
       
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0013]    For a further understanding of the nature, objects, and advantages of the present invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description, read in conjunction with the following drawings, wherein like reference numerals denote like elements and wherein:  
         [0014]    [0014]FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a tampon and insertion tube and a first embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0015]    [0015]FIG. 2 is an isometric view of a tampon shown in phantom connected to a second embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0016]    [0016]FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a tampon shown in phantom connected to another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0017]    [0017]FIG. 4 is an isometric view of a tampon and insertion tube and yet another embodiment of the present invention;  
         [0018]    [0018]FIG. 5 is an isometric view of a tampon with an accessory of the present invention attached;  
         [0019]    [0019]FIG. 6 is a partial isometric view of a woman, illustrating the present invention in use;  
         [0020]    [0020]FIG. 7 shows the tampon with the tassel attached directly to the tampon string with no extension;  
         [0021]    [0021]FIG. 8 shows the tampon with the pom-pom attached directly to the tampon string with no extension;  
         [0022]    [0022]FIG. 9 shows the tampon with the tape attached directly to the tampon string with no extension;  
         [0023]    [0023]FIG. 10 shows the tampon with a ring attached to an extension;  
         [0024]    [0024]FIG. 11 shows the tampon with a ring attached directly to the tampon string with no extension;  
         [0025]    [0025]FIG. 12 shows the tampon with a capsule attached to an extension;  
         [0026]    [0026]FIG. 13 shows the tampon with a capsule attached directly to the tampon string with no extension;  
         [0027]    [0027]FIG. 14 shows the tampon with an enlarged knot;  
         [0028]    [0028]FIG. 15 shows the tampon with an increased width of the tampon string;  
         [0029]    [0029]FIG. 16 shows a waist band to which the tampon string can attach;  
         [0030]    [0030]FIG. 17 shows the tampon with an extra long string; and  
         [0031]    [0031]FIG. 18 shows the tampon with the extra long string attached to a waist band around a woman&#39;s waist. 
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
       [0032]    As illustrated in FIG. 1, tampons  10  are often supplied installed within an insertion tube  12  having a plunger portion  14 . The tampon string attached to the tampon  10  extends longitudinally through the hollow tubular plunger  14  the string  16  generally comprising the two ends of the same string knotted at their free end  18 . The string  16  usually is not more than four and one half inches to five inches (11.4-12.7 cm) in length. It is anticipated that since vast numbers of these tampons are already available, an attachment can advantageously be provided in the form of an extension string  20  which can be threadably looped through the existing string  16  behind the knot at the free end  18  in a manner whereby the two strings are connected, thus increasing the string length by, for example, between 3 and 6 inches (7.6-15.2 cm). The extension string  20  (which can include a loop as shown) is connected at its free end  22  to a tab  24  which is adhered or otherwise secured around a portion of the extension string  20 . The tab  24  can be of any configuration, but preferably one which is not excessively bulky or irritating such as a length of cloth-backed tape folded in half or otherwise secured around the string. However, the tab is preferably sufficiently large to prevent retraction into the vagina as a result of frictional migration or other exertion. The extension string  20  extends the length of the string  16 , usually adding about 6 to 7 inches (15.2-17.8 cm) in the overall length for an overall length of about 11 inches (27.9 cm), and results in an extended string  20  and a tab  24  which allows the user to more easily locate and position the string during urination.  
         [0033]    As seen in FIG. 2, the string accessory maybe a tassel  26  or the like having several strands of thread which could be used at the end of the extension string  20 . This embodiment provides a tactilely noticable body at the end of the string  20 , yet the accessory will lie virtually flat and invisible under the user&#39;s garments.  
         [0034]    The accessory seen in FIG. 3 may also be a non-absorbent puffball, such as a knit globe or spherical body  28  having a hollow core which folds along its equator, or other such soft, non-absorbent body which will tend to expand and collapse diametrically upon axial compression along its polar axis.  
         [0035]    The tampon string  116  as illustrated in FIG. 4 can certainly be extended during manufacture, thus avoiding the need to provide an extension string  20 . The tab  124  may also be attached during manufacture or provided as an optional accessory item in the form of a peel off tab which maybe folded in half around the knotted end  18  of the string  116  as shown, the sticky, peel-off sides folded to face each other and being adhered to the string  116 .  
         [0036]    It is also anticipated that the tab  124  maybe a double sided, soft cloth tape having a peel-off backing  30  as seen in FIGS. 4 and 5 which, when removed, provides a sticky surface which allows the tab  124  to be temporarily and removably adhered to a portion of the user&#39;s body or undergarment  32 . Preferably the tab  124  would be adhered to the user&#39;s undergarment  32  as seen in FIG. 6 in the vicinity of the upper thigh normally covered by the user&#39;s undergarment  32 .  
         [0037]    In use, the accessories  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  28 ,  124  are preferably sufficiently large to attract the user&#39;s attention any time the lower undergarment  32  is removed, thus reminding the user to change the tampon frequently. The string is preferably sufficiently long to allow the tampon user to readily locate the string  16 ,  20 ,  116  without searching and hold or position it to prevent saturation during urination.  
         [0038]    The accessories  24 ,  25 ,  26 ,  28 ,  124  are preferably sufficiently large to prevent migration into the vagina, yet light and resilient enough to be virtually invisible when under the user&#39;s clothing.  
         [0039]    When tab  24  is made of tape, it is preferably made of a hypo-allergenic tape, more preferably  3 M&#39;s Microfoam tape, and most preferably Smith and Nephew&#39;s Hypafix Dressing Retention Sheet. The tape can be any reasonable thickness, preferably tape of no more than {fraction (1/32)}″ thickness (0.8 mm), and more preferably tape of no more than {fraction (1/128)}″ (0.2 mm) thickness. The length of the tape is preferably ¼″ to  3″ ( 0.64-7.6 cm), more preferably  ½″ to    2″ ( 1.3-5.1 cm), and most preferably ¾″ to 1½″ (1.9-3.8 cm). The width of the tape is preferably ¼″ to  3″ ( 0.64-7.6 cm) to  2″ ( 0.85-5.1 cm), and most preferably ½″ to  1″ ( 1.3-2.5 cm)  
         [0040]    The diameter of tassel  26  is dependent on the string diameter and the number of strings. Tassel  26  is preferably ½″ to 2″ (1.3-5.1 cm) long with approximately 1 to 34 strings which when doubled make 2 to 68 strings. Tassel  26  is more preferably ¾″ to 1½″ (1.9-3.8 cm) long wit approximately 10 to 40 strings which when doubled make 20 to 80 strings. Tassel  26  is most preferably 1″ to 1¼″ (2.5-3.2 cm) long with approximately 20 to 30 strings which when doubled make 40 to 60 strings.  
         [0041]    The diameter of globe (pom-pom)  28  is preferably 10-20 mm, more preferably 10-16 mm, and most preferably 10-13 mm.  
         [0042]    Tassel  26  or globe (pom-pom)  28  can be made of, for example, nylon, acrylic, or cotton, preferably acrylic or cotton, and most preferably cotton.  
         [0043]    Ring  25  is preferably ½″ to 1½″ (1.3-3.8 cm) in diameter, more preferably ½″ to 1¼″ (1.33-03.2 cm) in diameter, and most preferably ¾″ to 1″ (1.9-2.5 cm) in diameter.  
         [0044]    Ring  25  is preferably made out of any soft substance, more preferably made out of 3 M&#39;s Microfoam tape folded onto itself and cut into a ring, or made out of a satin cord, and most preferably is made out of a satin cord.  
         [0045]    The length of string  20  is preferably ½″ to  8″ ( 1.3-20.3 cm), more preferably ¾″ to 5″ (1.91-12.7 cm), and most preferably  1″ to    4″ ( 2.5-10.2 cm).  
         [0046]    When an additional string (not shown in the drawings) is to be attached to tampon string  16  without an accessory being used as well, the additional string is preferably 1″ to 12″ (2.5-30.5 cm), more preferably 2″ to 10″ (5.1-25.4 cm), and most preferably 3″ to 4″ (7.6-10.2 cm) long.  
         [0047]    When an additional string  20  is added to string  16  (or when the tampon string is manufactured with a longer than customary string  116 ), the length of the longer than customary string  116  or the total length of the strings  16  and  20  together is preferably 3″ to 15″ (7.6-38.1 cm), more preferably 9″ to 13″ (22.9-33 cm), and most preferably 11″ to 12.5″ (27.9-31.8 cm).  
         [0048]    Once the string  20  is added or the original string  116  lengthened it generally becomes long and may fall into the toilet if not properly handled. Therefore, the string is preferably shortened, temporarily, so that once the tampon  10  is inserted the accessory (tab  24  or  124 , ring  25 , tassel  26 , or globe  28 ) can be pulled on and the string will lengthen. Any means can be used to temporarily shorten the string but allow it to become longer when pulled. Preferably, the string is tied into a bow so that when the accessory (tab  24 , ring  25 , tassel  26 , or globe  28 ) is pulled the string lengthens. More preferably, the string is gathered together and tied or lightly glued so that once the accessory (tab  24 , ring  25 , tassel  26 , or globe  28 ) is pulled the string lengthens.  
         [0049]    Once the tampon  10  is inserted and the peel-off label is removed from one side of the tape making up tab  124 , the woman may fold the tape back onto it self so that it forms a tab  124 ; this way the tampon string is easily found to make removal of the tampon easier. If the woman does not want to stick the tape to her skin or onto her underwear, she does not remove peel-off backing  30  or she can peel off the backing and fold the tape back onto itself to form a tab.  
         [0050]    [0050]FIG. 14 shows the tampon with an enlarged knot  29 .  
         [0051]    [0051]FIG. 15 shows the tampon  10  with a wide tampon string  46  (for example, it can be preferably ⅛″ to ½″ (0.32-1.3 cm) wide, more preferably ¼″ to ¾″ (0.64-1.9 cm) wide, and most preferably about {fraction (3/16)}″ (0.48 cm) wide).  
         [0052]    [0052]FIG. 16 shows a waist band  50  to which the extra long tampon string  56  of FIG. 17 can attach (see FIG. 18).  
         [0053]    Parts List  
         [0054]    The following is a list of parts and materials suitable for use in the present invention:  
         [0055]    tampon (such as a tampon currently commercially available in the United States)  
         [0056]    insertion tube  
         [0057]    plunger portion of insertion tube  12   
         [0058]    tampon string attached to tampon  10   
         [0059]    free, knotted end of string  16   
         [0060]    extension string (preferably some type of nylon, cotton/nylon blend, or 100% cotton string,  
         [0061]    more preferably some type of cotton/nylon blend or 100% cotton string, and most preferably  
         [0062]    some type of 100% cotton string)  
         [0063]    free end of extension string  20   
         [0064]    capsule  
         [0065]    tab  
         [0066]    ring  
         [0067]    tassel  
         [0068]    knit globe or spherical body  
         [0069]    enlarged knot  
         [0070]    peel-off backing of a double sided, soft cloth tape  
         [0071]    undergarment  
         [0072]    wide tampon string  
         [0073]    waist band  
         [0074]    extra long tampon string  
         [0075]    tampon apparatus of the preferred embodiment of the present invention  
         [0076]    tampon string attached to tampon  10  of tampon apparatus  110   
         [0077]    free, knotted end of string  116   
         [0078]    tape tab  
         [0079]    Additional and/or Alternative Specifications Lengths of Extension String  
         [0080]    preferrably 1″ to 12″ (2.5-30.5 cm)  
         [0081]    More preferably 3″ to 10″ (7.6-25.4 cm)  
         [0082]    Most preferably 6″ (15.2 cm)  
         [0083]    Types of Tape  
         [0084]    Preferably a hypo allergenic tape  
         [0085]    More preferably  3 M&#39;s Microfoam tape  
         [0086]    Most preferably Smith and Nephew&#39;s Hypafix Dressing Retention Sheet  
         [0087]    Types of String  
         [0088]    Preferably some type of nylon string  
         [0089]    More preferably some type of cotton/nylon blend  
         [0090]    Most preferably some type of 100% cotton string  
         [0091]    Thickness of Tape  
         [0092]    Preferably tape of any thickness  
         [0093]    More preferably tape of {fraction (1/32)}″ thickness (0.8 mm)  
         [0094]    Most preferably {fraction (1/128)}″ thickness (0.2 mm)  
         [0095]    Length of Tape  
         [0096]    Preferably ¼″ to 3″ (0.64-7.6 cm)  
         [0097]    More preferably ½″ to 2″ (1.3-5.1 cm)  
         [0098]    Most preferably ¾″ to 1½″ (1.9-3.8 cm)  
         [0099]    Width of Tape  
         [0100]    Preferably ¼″ to 3″ (0.64-7.6 cm)  
         [0101]    More preferably ⅓″ to 2″ (0.85-5.1 cm)  
         [0102]    Most preferably ½″ to 1″ (1.3-2.5 cm)  
         [0103]    What to do with the String  
         [0104]    Once the string is added or the original string lengthened it becomes too long and will fall into the toilet if not properly handled. Therefore, it needs to be shortened, temporarily, so that once the tampon is inserted the tab can be pulled on and the string will lengthen.  
         [0105]    Preferably any way to temporarily shorten the string but when pulled on it becomes longer. More preferably to tie the string into a bow so that when the tab is pulled the string lengthens. Most preferably to have the string gathered together and tied or lightly glued so that once the tab is pulled the string lengthens.  
         [0106]    Size of Pom-Pom  
         [0107]    Preferably greater than 16 mm  
         [0108]    More preferably 13 mm to 16 mm  
         [0109]    Most preferably 10 mm to 13 mm  
         [0110]    Type of Pom-Pom  
         [0111]    Preferably made of nylon  
         [0112]    More preferably made of acrylic  
         [0113]    Most preferably made of cotton  
         [0114]    Type of Tassel  
         [0115]    Preferably made of nylon  
         [0116]    More preferably made of acrylic  
         [0117]    Most preferably made of cotton  
         [0118]    Size of Ring  
         [0119]    Preferably any size ring  
         [0120]    More preferably ¾″ to 1½″ (1.9-3.8 cm) in diameter  
         [0121]    Most preferably ½″ to 1″ (1.3-2.5 cm) in diameter  
         [0122]    Type of Ring  
         [0123]    The ring is preferably made out of any soft substance, more preferably made out of 3 M&#39;s Microfoam tape folded onto itself and cut into a ring, and most preferably made out of a satin cord.  
         [0124]    The Tape Being made Into a Tab Only  
         [0125]    Once the tampon is inserted and the peel-off label is removed from tape, if the woman does not want to stick the tape to her skin or onto her underwear, etc. she may fold the tape back onto itself so that it forms a “tab” this way the tampon string is easily found to make removal of the tampon easier.  
         [0126]    To Enlarge the Knot on the Tampon String with no Tab, Pom-Pom, Tassel, or Ring  
         [0127]    Preferably greater than 16 mm  
         [0128]    More preferably 13 mm to 16 mm  
         [0129]    Most preferably 10 mm to 13 mm  
         [0130]    Instead of tape the manufacturer could use some type of putty or sticky substance which could be put onto the tampon string if the woman so desires. With this putty or other sticky substance the woman could stick this onto her skin or onto her underwear. The manufacturer may also choose to use wax or some other type of pliable substance which could be put onto the tampon string if the woman desires to have something on the end to better locate the tampon string.  
         [0131]    Size of Putty or Wax  
         [0132]    The manufacturer should include a 3″×3″×¼″ (7.6 cm×7.6 cm×0.64 cm) piece of the substance in the tampon box. This way the woman has the option to use it if would like. If she does choose to use it she can tear a small piece off and place it on the end of the tampon string.  
         [0133]    The manufacturer may also opt to use a gel or saline filled capsule  23  on the end of the tampon string. The capsule  23  could be in any shape including round, like a pom-pom, or in the shape of a ring.  
         [0134]    The capsule  23  is preferably made of rubber, more preferably made of plastic, and most preferably made of non-latex rubber with a fabric coating.  
         [0135]    If the tampon string were to be made longer and wider the manufacturer could include a safety pin so that the woman could pin the tampon string to her underclothes.  
         [0136]    If the tampon string were to be made longer and wider the manufacturer could put a sticky substance on the distal end of the tampon string, like what is used on a Band-Aid® brand bandage. The distal end of the tampon could then be rolled up so that once the tampon is inserted the end could be unrolled and the woman could stick the string where she wanted. The other option would be for the distal end, with the sticky substance, to be covered with paper, like what is on a Band-aid, so that once the tampon is inserted the paper can be removed and the woman could stick the string where she wanted.  
         [0137]    It might also be possible to “coil” the tampon string, similar to those coiled shoe strings that kids wear.  
         [0138]    If the tampon string were made longer it could be connected to a belt-type apparatus which would go around the woman&#39;s stomach, hips or leg.  
         [0139]    All measurements disclosed herein are at standard temperature and pressure, at sea level on Earth, unless indicated otherwise. All materials used or intended to be used in a human being are biocompatible, unless indicated otherwise.  
         [0140]    The foregoing embodiments are presented by way of example only; the scope of the present invention is to be limited only by the following claims.