TAMPON INSERTION DEVICE

Abstract: The invention provides a tampon insertion device comprising a tampon applicator having a first end and a second end and a covering that is removably attached to the tampon applicator. The covering covers the tampon applicator at its first end prior to use of the tampon applicator. The covering has at least a pair of compression areas that are oppositely opposed to one another and also a pair of covering areas that are oppositely opposed to one another. The compression areas, where no material exists, allow the covering areas to flex toward one another to either touch together or nearly touch together. This flexing is important because the covering, once removed, is then used as a plunger to expel a tampon residing within the tampon applicator from the tampon applicator. In practice, the covering is removed from the tampon applicator and inserted through the second end of the tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon during use of the tampon applicator.

Description: TITLE TAMPON INSERTION DEVICE FIELD OF THE INVENTION The present invention provides a compact tampon applicator having a covering that may also be used like a plunger to expel a tampon inserted therein. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Most commercially available tampon applicators for introducing catamenial tampons intravaginally consist of a pair of telescoping tubes. The tampon applicator is designed to store a tampon therein at one end. Typically, the plunger is slightly smaller in diameter and is slidably positioned behind the tampon carried in the tampon applicator. In use, the tampon is ejected from the tampon applicator by pushing the plunger into the tampon applicator to expel the tampon. Several drawbacks are associated with such applicators for certain uses. First, the tampon applicator must be of length sufficient to assure proper depth of insertion. For example, such tampon applicators are substantially longer than the tampons. Next, when the tampon and tampon applicator are assembled with the plunger, a major portion of the plunger necessarily extends out from the end of the tampon applicator. This results in the over-all length of the packaged ready-for-use tampon applicator being approximately two and one-half times the length of the tampon. As a result of such a relatively large size, the bulk and cost of the packaging for such applicators are often greatly increased. Women commonly carry such packaged tampons (with applicators) in their purses. Because of the length of such applicators, they occupy a relatively large amount of space in the purse. It is therefore also desirable to produce a tampon applicator of smaller or compact size which is less obtrusive. This is a particular problem for younger women who often prefer not to carry purses and with today's fashions often must use pockets in relatively tight-fitting clothing. One type of tampon applicator which has been proposed to solve the above problems utilizes a substantially flat, elongated plunger arm which is stored positioned along the outside of and in longitudinal alignment with the tampon applicator. For example, please see U.S. Patent Nos. 2,222,088; 3,059,641; 3,059,642; 3,103,929; 3,115,876; 3,424,159; 3,759,258; 3,831,605; and 4,269,187. Another type of tampon applicator has been proposed to solve the foregoing problems of telescoping the plunger completely into the tampon applicator while storing the tampon completely in the tampon applicator while storing the tampon in the distal end of the plunger. This also shortens the tampon and applicator assembly by the length of a tampon. Operatively, the plunger is then drawn out most of the way from the proximal end of the tampon applicator leaving behind the tampon until the distal end of the plunger can engage the proximal end of the stored tampon. Each patentee discloses a different way of securing the stored tampon in the distal end of the tampon applicator to prevent proximal displacement end of the tampon while the plunger is withdrawn therefrom. See U.S. Patent No. 3,101,713; British Patent No. 2,033,754; U.S. Patent Nos. 2,832,342 (distal end of withdrawal string secured to slot in distal of tampon applicator); 3,090,385 (having an ejector arm, rather than an plunger); 4,276,881; 4,286,595; 4,411,647 and 4,479,791. Apparently, none of the foregoing types of applicators has ever been commercially successful. In the field of compact tampon applicator embodiments have been created which have attempted to accommodate consumer's needs for economy of space in packaging. For example, U.S. Patent Nos. 4,726,805; 4,846,802; and 4,960,417 provide compact tampons wherein the plunger is packaged in a substantially inserted position within the tampon applicator itself. Upon use, a user retrieves the embodiment from the package and then extends the plunger outwardly but not out of the tampon applicator. This approach does indeed save space and provides for discretion when carrying the embodiment herein. Nonetheless, these embodiments provide only for a plunger that must be pre-inserted into the tampon applicator. Thus, a need exists to provide embodiments, i.e., compact tampon insertion devices, in which a plunger is not substantially pre-inserted within a plunger. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly, the invention provides a tampon insertion device comprising a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end opposed to the first end, and an opening through which a tampon and/or plunger may be inserted. The tampon insertion device further comprises a covering having a first end and a second end opposed to the first end thereof. The covering is removably attached to the tampon applicator. The covering preferably covers the tampon applicator at its first end prior to use of the tampon applicator but also alternatively covers the tampon applicator at its second end prior to the use of the tampon applicator. The covering has at least a pair of compression areas that are oppositely opposed to one-another and also a pair of covering areas that are adjacent to the compression areas but also held oppositely opposed to one-another. The compression areas, which are open areas where no material exists, allow the adjacent covering areas to flex toward one-another. This flexing or transformation of the covering into a plunger allows the covering areas to either touch one-another at their ends or nearly touch one-another. This flexing is important because the covering, once removed, is then used or transformed into use as a plunger to expel a tampon residing within the tampon applicator from the tampon applicator. In practice, the covering is removed from the tampon applicator, transformed for use as a plunger and then inserted through the second end of the tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon during use of the tampon applicator. In one embodiment herein, the compression areas extend along the entire length of covering. In another embodiment herein, the compression areas extend substantially along the length of the covering. In yet another embodiment herein, the compression areas extend along a portion, and preferably a substantial portion, of the covering. Preferably, the tampon applicator will already comprise a tampon placed therein by a manufacturer prior to use of the tampon insertion device. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS While the specification concludes with claims particularly pointing out and distinctly claiming the subject matter which is regarded as forming the present invention, it is believed that the invention will be better understood from the following descriptions which are taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which like designations are used to designate substantially identical elements, and in which: FIG. 1 is a plane view of one embodiment of the tampon insertion device; FIG. 2 is a plane view of the embodiment of FIG. 1 that shows the separation of the covering from the tampon applicator; FIG. 3 is a plane view of the embodiment FIG. 2 showing the transformed covering prior to its insertion into the tampon applicator; FIG. 4 is a plane view of the embodiment of FIG. 3 showing the inserted, transformed covering inserted into the tampon applicator; and FIG. 5 is a plane view of an alternative embodiment of the tampon insertion device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION As is shown in FIGS. 1-2, the invention provides a tampon insertion device 20 comprising a tampon applicator 25 having a first end 27 and a second end 26 opposed to the first end 27. Also provided is a covering 30 that covers the tampon applicator 25 and that is removably attached to the tampon applicator 25. The covering 30 has a first end 30A and a second end 30B opposed to the first end 30A. In practice, the covering 30 covers the tampon applicator 25, preferably, at its first end 27 prior to use of the tampon applicator 25 to expel a tampon 40 (not shown) therefrom. The covering 30 has at least a pair of compression areas 32 that are opposed to one-another and also a pair of covering areas 34 that are opposed to one-another and which are adjacent to the compression areas 32. The compression areas 32, where no covering material exists, allow the covering areas 34 to flex toward one-another to either touch together or nearly touch together at the second end 30B of the covering 30. At such flexing together of the covering areas 34 at the second end 30B of the covering 30, the diameter of much, and preferably most, of the covering 30 is decreased to allow the easy insertion of the covering 30 into the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25. This flexing is important because the covering 30, once removed, is then transformed and used as a plunger 35 to expel a tampon 40 (FIG. 3) residing within the tampon applicator 25 from the tampon applicator 25. In practice, the covering 30 is removed from the tampon applicator 25 and inserted through the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25 for expulsion of a tampon 40 during use of the tampon applicator 25. Obviously, at such insertion of the transformed covering 30 or plunger 35, the second end 30B of the covering is inserted into the second end 26 of the tampon applicator 25. It should also be mentioned that the covering 30 preferably comprises a cap 33 (FIG. 1) to which the covering areas 34 are preferably attached. As is shown in FIG. 2, a user holds the covering 30 at or about the cap 33 and then lifts the covering 30 from the tampon applicator 25. Conversely, the tampon applicator 25 may be pulled down from the covering 30. As is seen in FIG. 3, once the covering 30 and the tampon applicator 25 are liberated from one-another or detached, the covering areas 34 of the covering 30 are substantially pressed together in order to decrease the diameter of the covering areas 34. Note that in a preferred embodiment, the covering areas 34, when un-compressed, form a perfect or nearly perfect circle about the cap 33 except, of course, for the material-less compression areas 32. Once the covering areas 34 have been compressed to a satisfactory position, the covering 30 can be said to have been transformed and is now usable as a plunger 35 for expelling a tampon 40. By the term "satisfactory position" it is meant herein that the diameter of the second end 30B of the covering 30 is decreased to the point at which the transformed covering 30 may inserted into the tampon applicator 25. After their compression, the now plunger 35 is inserted through the opening 28 of the tampon applicator 25 at its second end 26. As is seen in FIG. 4, once the plunger 35 is inserted into the tampon applicator 25, a user pushes it against a tampon 40 to expel the tampon 40 from the first end 27 of the tampon applicator 25. Thus, a user can carry a small, compact tampon insertion device that economizes both space, packaging and material usage. In one preferred embodiment herein, the compression areas 32 extend along the entire length of the covering 30. In another embodiment herein, the compression areas 32 extend substantially along the length of the covering 30. In yet another embodiment herein, the compression areas 32 extend along a portion of the covering 30. Preferably, the tampon applicator 25 will already comprise a tampon 40 (FIG. 4) as placed therein by a manufacturer. FIG. 5 provides a slightly different looking embodiment in the tampon insertion device 20. In FIG. 5, the tampon insertion device 20 provides a pair of connection zones 50 by which the covering areas 34 are connected to the cap 33. The purpose of the connection zones 50 is to provide greater stability to the covering areas 34 when they are flexed, i.e., when the covering 30 is transformed into a plunger 35 to expel an awaiting tampon 40. Also, the connection zones 50 allow the string of a tampon 40 not to be caught or impeded by the covering 30 when it is used as a plunger 35. While not necessary for the practice of the main embodiment, the inclusion of the connection zones 50 is preferred. The tampon applicator 25 can be constructed similarly to tubular holders of the type used in tampon applicators currently in use. Examples of such a tubular tampon applicator are described in U.S. Patent 5,346,468 issued to Campion, et al. on September 13, 1994, and U.S. Patent 5,558,631 issued to Campion, et al. on September 24, 1996. The tampon applicator 25 can be of any suitable cross-sectional shape. Suitable cross- sectional shapes include, but are not limited to circular, oval, flattened circular, and elliptical. Preferably, the tampon applicator 25 has a circular cross-sectional configuration. The disclosures of all patents, patent applications (and any patents which issue thereon, as well as any corresponding published foreign patent applications), and publications mentioned throughout this patent application are hereby incorporated by reference herein. It is expressly not admitted, however, that any of the documents incorporated by reference herein teach or disclose the present invention. It is also expressly not admitted that any of the commercially available materials or products described herein teach or disclose the present invention.

Claims: WHAT IS CLAIMED IS: 1. A tampon insertion device comprising a tampon applicator having a first end, a second end and an opening positioned at the second end of the tampon applicator for insertion of a tampon and a member to expel the tampon, characterized in that: the tampon insertion device further comprises a covering having a first end, and a second end opposed to the first end, the covering being removably attached to the tampon applicator, the covering covering the tampon applicator at the first end thereof prior to use of the tampon applicator, the covering having at least a pair of compression areas being oppositely opposed and a pair of covering areas being oppositely opposed, the covering being removed from the tampon applicator and transformed into a plunger, the plunger being inserted through the second end of the tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon during use of the tampon applicator. 2. The tampon insertion device of Claim 1 wherein the compression areas provide compression to the covering for insertion of the covering into the second end of the tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon during use of the tampon applicator. 3. The tampon insertion device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the compression areas extend along the entire length of covering. 4. The tampon insertion device of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the compression areas extend substantially along the length of the covering. 5. The tampon insertion device of Claims 1 or 2 wherein the compression areas extend along a portion of the covering. 6. The tampon insertion device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tampon applicator further comprises a tampon inserted therein. 7. The tampon insertion device of any one of the preceding claims wherein the tampon insertion device is encompassed about by a package.

Inventors: SMITS CHRISSIE MELINDA, STEVENS TIFFANY APRIL, STYONS GARY ROSS, SMITS, CHRISSIE, MELINDA, STEVENS, TIFFANY, APRIL, STYONS, GARY, ROSS
Applicants: PROCTER & GAMBLE, THE PROCTER & GAMBLE COMPANY
Application year: 2000
Main classification: A61F13
IPC codes: A61F13