APPLICATOR AND TAMPON

Abstract: An applicator for a member having a surface, such as a tampon (12), includes a flexible sleeve (20) along the surface with the sleeve (20) having a convolution (24) so as to double the sleeve upon itself to form parallel walls (28, 30) with the convolution (24) therebetween. The surface of the member (12) may be exposed by relative movement of one of the walls (30), of the sleeve with respect to the member (12). In one embodiment, a sleeve (60) is provided with a slit (62) extending to one end (64) permitting the sleeve (60) to be rolled along a direction substantially parallel with the central axis of the member (12), and may include an opposing second slit (68) at the other end (70) facilitating a pushing movement of a member (52) through the sleeve (60).

Description: APPLICATORAND TAMPON BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION: 1. Field of the Invention: The present invention relates to applicators, 2. Description of the Prior Art: During the menstruation cycle, women customarily insert an oblong porous object customarily referred to as a tampon into the vagina to absorb discharge fluids from the body. During the insertion process, the body muscles tend to contract, thus making entry of the tam¬ pon uncomfortable. There have been numerous tampon wrappings and applicators devised in the prior art to attempt to avoid this discomfort. In United States Patent 3,749,093, Bloom discloses an insertable device package for tampons, in which the insertion device comprises an elongated sheath having a pair of side walls separated by a convolution, the tampon being inserted by pushing along the bottom thereof to- force the tampon through one end, causing the convolution to roll inwardly, extending the inner sidewall during the insertion process. in United States Patent 2,922,422, Bletzinger dis¬ closes a cellulose outer shell as an applicator for a tampon. Similar arrangements are disclosed in United States Patent 2,922,423 to Richard, et al., and United States Patent 3,499,447 to Mattes, et al. OMPI Crockford, in United States Patent 3,058,469, and Kobler, et al., in United States Patent 3,135,262 both disclose a protective sheath that may be folded back during insertion of the tampon. Asaka, in United States Patent 3,358,636, discloses an insertion mechanism. Other prior art of interest includes the following: United States Patents 3,068,867 to Bletzinger et al.; 4,048,998 to Nigro; 2,413,480 to Winter; 2,105,710 to Wadel; and 2,401,585 to Siedler; and German Patent 2,406,823. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention contemplates an applicator for a member comprising the member having a surface, with a flexible applicator along the surface and having a convolution so as to double the applicator upon itself to form parallel walls with the convolution there¬ between. The surface of the member may be exposed by relative movement of one of the walls of the applicator with respect to the member. In a specific arrangement, the member is enclosed inside a flexible applicator sleeve with the convolution along the sleeve, permitting the sleeve to be rolled along a direction substantially parallel with a central axis of the member. A preferred embodiment of the present invention contemplates an applicator and tampon, in which the tampon is formed of an oblong absorbent member having a central axis and a forward end adapted to be extended first into the vagina. A flexible applicator sleeve is fitted about the tampon and overlapping a portion of the forward end of the tampon, with a convolution along the sleeve permitting the sleeve to be rolled along a direction substantially parallel with the central axis during or_after movement of the tampon into the vagina. For these purposes, the term "convolution" means a single roll, with a portion of the sleeve about another portion of the sleeve. In one embodiment of the present invention, the flexible applicator sleeve surrounds the tampon and has a longitudinal slit. The slit extends from one end of the tampon to one extremity of the sleeve, and may pref- erably have perforations along the line which is aligned with the slit, but adjacent the tampon. The sleeve may be fitted with a second slit extending from the other extremity of the sleeve, the second slit being out of alignment with. the first slit. In use, the first slit permits the sleeve to be rolled backward substantially parallel with the central axis of the tampon to form the convolution, and thereafter facilitate relative move¬ ment of the tampon with respect to the sleeve. In this regard, the conventional " stick or similar means may be used to push the tampon upward, opens the distal end of the sleeve to permit access to the tampon. THE DRAWING Figures 1, 2 and 3 illustrate one embodiment of the present invention and the consecutive steps in the use of that embodiment. Figures 4, 5 and 6 illustrate consecutive steps in the use of another embodiment of the applicator and tampon of the present invention. C OMPI DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT An applicator and tampon in accordance with the present invention and its manner of intended use will now be described in reference to Figures 1, 2 and 3. The applicator and tampon, referred to generally by the reference numeral (10) , includes a tampon (12) com¬ prising an absorbent fiber body, which is compressed to such an extent that it is substantially stable under normal atmospheric conditions but expands when wetted as during its intended use. The tampon (12) is provided with a conventional insertion rod (14) which may com¬ prise wood, paper or any other material of a suitable nature, and which is appropriately joined at the distal end (16) of the tampon (12) . The applicator and tampon is further provided with a conventional withdrawal string (18) suitably anchored to the tampon (12) and exists adjacent to the distal end (16) . The applicator, referred to generally by the refer- ence numeral (20) , comprises a flexible sleeve about the tampon and overlapping a portion of the forward end (22) of the tampon (12) . A suitable material for use as the sleeve (20) may be, for example, polyethylene or poly¬ propylene or other material having sufficient flex- ibility to form the desired convolution. The sleeve (20) is wrapped about the tampon (12) in such a manner as to form a convolution (24) toward the forward end (22) of the tampon (12) , the convolution forming an opening (26) axial with the central axis of the tampon (12) and overlapping the forward end (22) . The convolution (24) thus separates the sleeve (20) into two sidewalls (28) and (30) , the first sidewall (28) being next adjacent to the tampon (12) , and the outer OMPI sidewall (30) being next adjacent to the first wall (28). The manner in which the applicator and tampon (10) is employed will now be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3. Noting Figure 2, the applicator and tampon (10) are inserted into the vagina, with the muscle tissue coming in contact with the outer wall (30) of the sleeve (20). As the tampon (12) is forced into the vagina by applica- tion of pressure on the insertion rod (14) , the sleeve (20) rolls at the convolution (24) , with the outer wall (30) remaining substantially stationary. After the tam¬ pon is inserted in the desired manner, the insertion rod (14) may be . removed in a conventional fashion by rota- tion thereof, and the sleeve (20) may be removed by simply pulling the outer extremity of^ the outside wall (30) away from the vagina. Alternatively, the tampon (12) is placed into position and the sleeve (20) is re¬ moved while the tampon remains relatively stationary. It will thus be seen that a tampon and applicator con¬ structed in accordance with the present invention reduces significantly the amount of tampon insertion discomfort. Further, the use of the thin poly-resin sleeve (20) provides relatively easy entry during the insertion, process. It will be understood that the sleeve (20) may be coated with an appropriate lubricant. It will be further understood that the sleeve (20) may be adapted for use with tampons of different sizes and configura- tions, i.e., rectangular or other shapes. While the applicator has been described above for use with tampons, it will be understood that the appli¬ cator may be employed with other products as well. A second embodiment of the applicator and tampon in accordance with the present invention will now be described with reference to Figures 4, 5, and 6. The combination applicator and tampon, referred to gener- ally by the reference numeral (50) , includes a tampon (52) having a longitudinal central axis. The tampon (52) includes a conventional insertion rod (54) and a withdrawal string (58) suitably anchored to the tampon (52) adjacent the distal end thereof. The applicator, referred to generally by the reference numeral (60) , comprises a flexible sleeve about the tampon (52) and overlapping the forward and rearward ends of the tampon. As is clearly shown in Figure 4, the applicator sleeve (60) surrounds the tampon (52) and has a longi- tudinal slit (62) along a portion thereof substantially parallel with the central axis of the tampon. This slit (62) extends from one end of the tampon (52) through the forward extremity (64) of the ~ sleeve (60) . With contin¬ uous reference to Figure 4, the sleeve (60) further includes a perforated line (66) which is aligned with the slit (62) adjacent the tampon (52) . The applicator sleeve (60) of Figures 4, 5, and 6 further preferably include a second slit (68) in the sleeve extending from the other extremity (70) , the slit being out of align- ment with the first slit (62) . In the embodiment shown in Figure 4, second slit (68) is out of alignment with slit (62) by 180°. However, it will be understood that the second slit (68) need not necessarily be parallel with the central axis of the tampon (52), but preferably is so parallel with that axis. The mode of operation of the applicator and tampon (50) of Figures 4, 5, and 6 will now be described with reference to Figures 5 and 6. First, note in Figure 5, the applicator sleeve (60) is initially folded back along the convolution (72) adjacent the forward extremity of the tampon (52) , and the tampon and applicator combination (50) has been inserted. As is shown in Figure 6, the insertion rod (54) is then pushed forward, causing the tampon (52) to move forward into the appropriate position in the vagina. The use of the insertion rod (54) (or other means, such as the user's finger) is facilitated by the wider opening at the distal extremity (70) of the sleeve (60) , effectuated by the second slit (68) . The sleeve (60) may then be removed along with the insertion rod (54). While the second embodiment of Figures 4, 5, and 6 has been disclosed as including both first and second slits (62) and (68) , as well as a perforated line (66) , it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the arrangement here disclosed may include only the first or second slit alone or in combination with the perforated line (66) . __ OMPI

Claims: I CLAIM: 1. A flexible applicator (20) for a member (12) having a surface, with said applicator (20) along said surface, said applicator characterized by a convolution (24) so as to double said applicator (20) upon itself to form parallel walls (28, 30) each lying in contact with the other, and with said convolution (24) therebetween, the outside wall (30) having a sufficient length to extend along said member (12) from said convolution (24) to the end of said member (16) opposite said convolution (24) and wherein said surface of said member (12) may be exposed by grasping said outside wall (30) at said opposite end (16) of said member (12) , and a relative movement of said outside wall (30) of said application with respect to said member (12) , causing said applicator to roll at said convolution (24) . 2. The applicator recited in Claim 1 wherein said flexible applicator (20) comprises a layer of non- absorbent poly-resin material. 3. The applicator and tampon recited in Claim 2 wherein said flexible sleeve is formed of two substantially parallel walls (28, 30) separated by said convolution (24) . 4. A flexible applicator for a tampon formed of an oblong absorbent member (12) having a central axis and a forward end (22) adapted to be extended first into the vagina, said applicator characterized by a non- absorbent, flexible sleeve (20) formed of a first wall (28) surrounding and next adjacent to the periphery of said tampon (12) and a second wall (30) surrounding and next adjacent said first wall (28) , said first and second walls (28, 30) being substantially parallel and said sleeve (20) further including a convolution (24) between said first and second walls (28, 30); said sleeve (20) overlapping a portion of the forward end (22) of said tampon (12) and forming an opening (26) adjacent said forward end (22) of said tampon (12) in the direction of extension into the vagina, said second wall (30) having a lengthwise dimension to extend substantially to the rearward end (16) of said tampon (12); and wherein upon insertion of said tampon (12) and sleeve (20) into the vagina, said second wall (30) comes into frictional contact with the walls of the vagina to permit a relatively comfortable insertion of said tampon (12) , while the rolling of said sleeve (20) permits a comfortable removal of said sleeve by grasping said second wall (30) adjacent said rearward end (16) and effectuating relative motion between said second wall (30) and said tampon (12) . OMPI 5. An applicator for an oblong member (52) having a longitudinal central axis, said applicator characterized by a flexible sleeve (60) surrounding said member and having a longitudinal slit (62) along a portion thereof and substantially parallel with said central axis of said member (12) ; and a convolution (72) along said portion of said sleeve (60) , said portion having a sufficient length to extend rearward from said convolution (72) to the end of said member (52) opposite said convolution (72) , permitting said portion of said sleeve (60) to be grasped and to be rolled at said convolution (72) along a direction substantially parallel with said central axis. 6. The applicator recited in Claim 5 wherein said slit (62) in said portion of said sleeve (60) extends from one end of said member to one extremity (64) of said sleeve (60) , said sleeve (60) having perforations (66) therein along a line which is aligned with said slit (62) in said portion of said sleeve (60) . 7. The applicator recited in Claim 5 further comprising a second slit (68) in said sleeve (60) extending from the other extremity (70) , said second slit (68) being out of alignment with said first slit (62) , and substantially parallel with said central axis of said member (52) . 8. An applicator for a tampon (52) formed of an oblong absorbent member having a central axis and a * forward end adapted to be inserted first into the vagina, said applicator characterized by a flexible sleeve (60) around and substantially longer than said tampon (52) , and having a slit (62) along at least a portion of said sleeve (60) and being substantially parallel with said central axis, said slit (62) extending away from said forward end of said tampon (52) to the extremity (64) of said sleeve (60) ; and wherein said portion of said sleeve (60) beyond said forward end is adapted to be folded back along the remainder of said sleeve (60) to thereby form a convolution (72) along said sleeve (60) , permitting said sleeve (60) to be removed from said tampon (52) by relatively low-friction motion between said tampon (52) and sleeve (60) during insertion of said tampon (52) . 9. The applicator recited in Claim 8 further comprising said sleeve (60) having perforations (66) therein along a line which is aligned with said slit (62) in said portion of said sleeve (60) , and a second slit (68) in said sleeve (60) extending from the other extremity (70) , said second slit (68) being out of alignment with said first slit (62) , and substantially parallel with the central axis of said tampon (52) . 10. The applicator and member recited in Claim 9 wherein said sleeve comprises a poly-resinous material.

Inventors: CUNNINGHAM THOMAS W, CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS, W.
Applicants: CUNNINGHAM THOMAS W, CUNNINGHAM, THOMAS, W.
Application year: 1981
Main classification: A61F15
IPC codes: A61F13