Patent Publication Number: US-2012029415-A1

Title: Tampon

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present invention relates to a tampon. 
     BACKGROUND ART 
     Tampons having a tampon main body; an accommodating cylinder that accommodates the tampon main body, the accommodating cylinder having an opening at a leading end; and a pushing member that pushes the tampon main body outside of the accommodating cylinder from the opening by moving inside the accommodating cylinder, are widely known. 
     Then, by a user of the tampon handling the pushing member, the tampon main body is pushed outside from the opening, and the tampon main body is inserted into a vagina. 
     Citation List 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Laid-Open Patent Application No. Hei5-84263 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     In the prior art, at the time the tampon main body was to be pushed outside of the accommodating cylinder by the user handling the pushing member, there was a case where the tampon main body was not pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. Therefore, there is a demand for a tampon in which the tampon main body is pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. 
     The present invention has been made in view of such a disadvantage and the object of the present invention is to obtain a tampon in which the tampon main body is pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned object, the main aspect of the present invention is:
         a tampon including:   a tampon main body;   an accommodating cylinder that accommodates the tampon main body, the accommodating cylinder having an opening at a leading end; and   a pushing member that pushes out the tampon main body outside of the accommodating cylinder from the opening, by moving inside the accommodating cylinder,   wherein the accommodating cylinder has ribs along a longitudinal direction of the accommodating cylinder on an inner surface of the accommodating cylinder.       

     Other features of the present invention will become apparent from descriptions of this specification and of accompanying drawings. 
     ADVANTAGEOUS EFFECTS OF INVENTION 
     According to this invention, a tampon in which the tampon main body is pushed outside in a satisfactory manner is obtained. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a cross-sectional view showing elements of a tampon  10 . 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view showing elements of the tampon  10 . 
         FIG. 3  is an external view of an outer cylinder  40 . 
         FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the outer cylinder  40  shown in  FIG. 3  from the leading end side. 
         FIG. 5  is an A-A cross sectional view of  FIG. 1  or  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is a partial enlarged view of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is a diagram showing a tampon  10  according to a comparative example. 
         FIG. 8  is a diagram showing longitudinal ribs  54  according to another embodiment. 
         FIG. 9  is a diagram showing longitudinal ribs  54  according to yet another embodiment. 
         FIG. 10  is a diagram partially showing a tampon  10  according to another embodiment. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     At least the following matters are disclosed in the present specification and accompanying drawings. 
     First, a tampon is provided including:
         a tampon main body;   an accommodating cylinder that accommodates the tampon main body, the accommodating cylinder having an opening at a leading end; and   a pushing member that pushes out the tampon main body outside of the accommodating cylinder from the opening, by moving inside the accommodating cylinder,   wherein the accommodating cylinder has ribs along a longitudinal direction of the accommodating cylinder on an inner surface of the accommodating cylinder.       

     With such a tampon, a tampon is obtained in which the tampon main body is pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon:
         wherein the accommodating cylinder preferably has greater than or equal to three ribs arranged at equal spacing in an inner peripheral direction of the inner surface.       

     With such a tampon, the tampon main body is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon,
         wherein the tampon main body is preferably in contact with only the ribs, of the inner surface and the ribs.       

     With such a tampon, the tampon main body is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon,
         wherein the accommodating cylinder preferably has the ribs at least at the leading end side from the center in the longitudinal direction of the accommodating cylinder.       

     With such a tampon, the tampon main body is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon:
         wherein the accommodating cylinder preferably has a plurality of petaloid portions surrounding the opening, the accommodating cylinder not having the ribs on the petaloid portions.       

     With such a tampon, a problem that the opening is hard to open does not occur, and the tampon main body is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon,
         wherein the accommodating cylinder includes   a major diameter portion positioned at the leading end side, the major diameter portion being formed with the opening, and   a minor diameter portion positioned at a rear end side opposite to the leading end side, the minor diameter portion having an internal diameter smaller than that of the major diameter portion,   the tampon main body is accommodated in only the major diameter portion, of the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion,   the pushing member pushes out the tampon main body outside of the accommodating cylinder from the opening, by moving inside the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion of the accommodating cylinder, and   the accommodating cylinder preferably has the ribs in only the major diameter portion, of the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion.       

     With such a tampon, a satisfactory pushing out of the tampon main body can be efficiently performed. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon:
         wherein a projection height of the ribs in a radial direction of the major diameter portion is preferably smaller than an internal diameter difference between the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion.       

     With such a tampon, a problem that the tampon main body accommodated in the major diameter portion enters the minor diameter portion occurs is to be prevented. 
     Further, a tampon is provided:
         wherein the accommodating cylinder includes
           a major diameter portion positioned at the leading end side, the major diameter portion being formed with the opening, and   a minor diameter portion positioned at a rear end side opposite to the leading end side, the minor diameter portion having an internal diameter smaller than that of the major diameter portion,   the tampon main body is accommodated in only the major diameter portion, of the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion,   the pushing member pushes out the tampon main body outside of the accommodating cylinder from the opening, by moving inside the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion of the accommodating cylinder, and   the accommodating cylinder preferably has the ribs in both the major diameter portion and the minor diameter portion.   
               

     With such a tampon, it is possible to make the pushing member move in a satisfactory manner. 
     Further provided is the above-mentioned tampon:
         wherein a product is applied on an outer surface of the tampon main body.       

     With such a tampon, there occurs an effect that a problem that an amount of the product to be administered into the vaginal cavity lessens is prevented. 
     Structure of Tampon 
     Structure of a tampon  10  will first be described with reference to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
       FIGS. 1 and 2  are cross-sectional views illustrating components of a tampon  10 .  FIG. 1  shows the tampon  10  in a state where an inner cylinder  50  is contracted and  FIG. 2  shows the tampon  10  in a state where the inner cylinder  50  is extended.  FIG. 3  is an external view of an outer cylinder  40 .  FIG. 4  is a diagram showing the outer cylinder  40  of  FIG. 3  from its leading end side.  FIG. 5  is an A-A cross sectional view of  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 .  FIG. 6  is a partially enlarged view of  FIG. 2 . In the following description, along a longitudinal direction of the tampon  10 , a side that is inserted into a vagina will be referred to as a leading end and an opposite side will be referred to as a rear end. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the tampon  10  of the present embodiment has a tampon main body  20  and an applicator  30 . 
     The tampon main body  20  is an absorbent body that blocks a vaginal cavity and absorbs liquid such as menstrual blood. The tampon main body  20  is an absorbent main body made of a rayon fiber (cotton body) covered with a covering body made of a polyester spun-bonded nonwoven fabric, and has a substantially bullet like shape. 
     Further, in this embodiment, a product M is applied on an outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20 . This product M is administered into the vaginal cavity, and is a mixture of a pine bark extract (Flavengenol of Toyo Shinyaku Co., Ltd.) and a polyethylene glycol. The pine bark extract exerts for example an antioxidant action, an anti-inflammatory action, an antimicrobial action, an antiviral action, an anti-allergic action, a deodorizing action, a vasodilatation action, or a lipoperoxidation inhibiting action. A mixing ratio of the pine bark extract and the polyethylene glycol is 1:9 (namely, the pine bark extract is 10 weight %, and the polyethylene glycol is 90 weight %). Note that, in this embodiment, the product M is coated on an entire outer surface of the tampon main body in a uniform manner with an approximately 0.1 mm thickness. 
     Further, the tampon main body  20  according to this embodiment is attached (sewn) with an extraction cord  22  as an example of a cord. This extraction cord  22  is a twine made of cotton. The extraction cord  22  extends from a rear end side of the tampon main body  20  and the extraction cord  22  is held by a user at the time of pulling out the tampon main body  20  from inside the vaginal cavity to outside the vaginal cavity. Further, as shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the extraction cord  22  extends through the applicator  30  and is somewhat extended out from a rear end of the applicator  30 . Namely, a portion of the extraction cord  22  is exposed outside from the rear end of the applicator  30 . 
     The applicator  30  is an aid device for facilitating the guiding of the tampon main body  20  into the vaginal cavity. As shown in  FIG. 1  and  FIG. 2 , the applicator  30  includes the outer cylinder  40  that is an example of an accommodating cylinder and the inner cylinder  50  that is an example of the pushing member. 
     The outer cylinder  40  is for accommodating the tampon main body  20 . This outer cylinder  90  is a cylindrical body made of a thermoplastic resin (in this embodiment, a polyethylene resin) by injection molding and has a satisfactory flexibility. The outer cylinder  40  includes a major diameter portion  41  positioned at the leading end side (that is, one end side in a longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 ) and a minor diameter portion  42  positioned at the rear end side opposite to the leading end side (that is, another end side in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 ), the minor diameter portion  42  having an internal diameter smaller than that of the major diameter portion  41  (Note that, the major diameter portion  41  has an external diameter that is greater than that of the minor diameter portion  42 .). Thus, the external diameter (internal diameter) of the leading end portion of the outer cylinder  40  is greater than that of the rear end portion. As a result, an annular stepped portion  47  is formed between the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42 . 
     The major diameter portion  41  is a portion of the outer cylinder  40  that serves mainly to accommodate the tampon main body  20  inside. That is, with the tampon  10  according to this embodiment, the tampon main body  20  is accommodated in, of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42 , only the major diameter portion  41  (Thus, a length of the major diameter portion  41  in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40  is made longer than a length of the tampon main body  20  in the longitudinal direction.). Further, the major diameter portion  41  is a portion that is inserted into the vaginal cavity with the tampon main body  20  being accommodated therein at the time of using the tampon  10 . 
     The major diameter portion  41  (the outer cylinder  40 ) includes an opening at the leading end (Hereinbelow, referred to as “a leading end opening  43 ”) and further includes a plurality of petaloid portions  44  (in the present embodiment, six petaloid portions  44 ) surrounding the leading end opening  43 . Each of the plurality of petaloid portions  44  is inwardly bent in an arc in the radial direction of the outer cylinder  40  as shown in  FIG. 3 . Therefore, at the time the outer cylinder  40  is inserted into the vaginal cavity, the leading end portion of the outer cylinder  40  is substantially hemispherical as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , and the leading end opening  43  is in a substantially closed state as shown in  FIG. 4 . Further, at the time the tampon main body  20  is to be pushed out from the leading end opening  43  by an inner cylinder  50  to be described later, the leading end opening  93  is to be opened. 
     The minor diameter portion  42  is a portion of the outer cylinder  40  that serves mainly to provide a space in which a later-described inner cylinder  50  moves (However, of course, the inner cylinder  50  does not move in just the minor diameter portion  92 , but also moves in the major diameter portion  41 .). The minor diameter portion  42  is a grip portion held by a user when using the tampon  10 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIG. 3 , the minor diameter portion  92  (the outer cylinder  40 ) includes an opening at a rear end (hereinbelow, referred to as a rear end opening  45 ) and also an annular rib  46  is provided, formed slightly nearer to the leading end side than the rear end opening  95 . 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 ,  2 ,  5 , and  6 , the outer cylinder  40  is provided with ribs (hereinbelow, referred to as longitudinal ribs  54 ) on its (the outer cylinder  40 &#39;s) inner surface  40   a,  the ribs being provided along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 . The outer cylinder  40  according to this embodiment is provided with the longitudinal ribs  54  at least at the leading end side from the center C (refer to  FIG. 1 ) in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 . Further, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder  40  is provided with the longitudinal ribs  54  in only the major diameter portion  41 , of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , thirty-two longitudinal ribs  54  are arranged at equal spacing in an inner peripheral direction of the inner surface  40   a.  That is, the outer cylinder  40  (major diameter portion  41 ) is provided with equal to or more than three longitudinal ribs  54  arranged at equal spacing in the inner peripheral direction of the inner surface  40   a.  Note that, in this embodiment, the longitudinal ribs  54  that are next to each other are not in contact with each other. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , each of the longitudinal ribs  54  is formed in a linear shape from the leading end side to the rear end side of the major diameter portion  41 . More specifically, the longitudinal ribs  54  according to this embodiment are provided on the one hand up to the rearmost end E 2  of the major diameter portion  41 , but on the other hand are not provided up to the foremost end of the major diameter portion  41 . That is, the longitudinal ribs  54  are not provided in the petaloid portions  44 , and are provided up to the foremost end E 1  of the major diameter portion  41  excluding the petaloid portions. 
     As shown in  FIG. 5 , furthermore, the longitudinal ribs  54  according to this embodiment are ribs projecting out in a radial direction of the major diameter portion  41 , and the width of the rib becomes narrower as it gets closer to the center in the radial direction. Then, as shown in  FIG. 6 , a projection height h of the longitudinal ribs  54  in the radial direction of the major diameter portion  41  is made smaller than a difference between the internal diameters of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42  (inner radius R of the major diameter portion  41 −inner radius r of the minor diameter portion=R−r) (h&lt;R−r). In other words, the internal diameter of the major diameter portion  91  taking into consideration the longitudinal ribs  54  R−h (hereinbelow, referred to as a rib-considering internal diameter, for the sake of convenience) is made larger than an internal diameter r of the minor diameter portion (r&lt;R−h). 
     Then, the tampon main body  20  has an external diameter substantially similar to the rib-considering internal diameter, and as shown in  FIG. 5 , the tampon main body  20  is accommodated in the major diameter portion  41  of the outer cylinder  40  in a state contacting, of the inner surface  40   a  and the longitudinal ribs  54 , only the longitudinal ribs  54 . That is, the outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20  is in contact with only the leading end portions projecting in the radial direction of the longitudinal ribs  54 , and is not in contact with the inner surface  40   a.    
     The inner cylinder  50  serves to push out the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  40  from the leading end opening  43 , by moving inside the outer cylinder  40 . This inner cylinder  50  is inserted into the outer cylinder  40 , and is positioned at the rear end side of the tampon main body  20  in the outer cylinder  40 . Then, the inner cylinder  50  travels along the outer cylinder  40  longitudinally, and pushes the tampon main body  20  from the rear towards the leading end opening  43 . Thereby, the tampon main body  20  pushes each of the plurality of petaloid portions  44  outwardly in the radial direction of the outer cylinder  40  (i.e., opens the leading end opening  43 ), and is pushed out of the outer cylinder  40 . In other words, the inner cylinder  50  is movable in the outer cylinder  40  and has a function of pushing the tampon main body  20  out of the outer cylinder  40 . 
     Further, the inner cylinder  50  according to the present embodiment has a telescopic structure in order to provide a shorter overall length of the tampon  10  to make it compact. In detail, when the inner cylinder  50  is retracted as shown in  FIG. 1 , the length of the inner cylinder  50  becomes shorter than the length of the outer cylinder  40  and becomes a length that is convenient for carrying. On the other hand, when the inner cylinder  50  extends as shown in  FIG. 2 , the length of the inner cylinder  50  becomes a length that is sufficient to push the tampon main body  20  out of the outer cylinder  40 . In the present embodiment, in order to achieve the telescopic structure of the inner cylinder  50 , the inner cylinder  50  has a two-tier structure. In detail, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the inner cylinder  50  of the present embodiment includes the first inner cylinder  51  and the second inner cylinder  52  that is slidably inserted into the first inner cylinder  51 . 
     The first inner cylinder  51  is a cylindrical body made of plastic by injection molding. The first inner cylinder  51  has an external diameter that is slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the minor diameter portion  42  of the outer cylinder  40 . As shown in  FIG. 1 , the first inner cylinder  51  is slidably inserted into the minor diameter portion  42 . An annular flange portion  51   a  is formed on an outer peripheral surface of the leading end part of the first inner cylinder  51 . The flange portion  51   a  has an external diameter that is slightly smaller than the rib-considering internal diameter of the major diameter portion  41  of the outer cylinder  40  and engages an inner wall of the stepped portion  47 , to thereby prevent the inner cylinder  50  from falling off from the rear end opening  45  of the outer cylinder  40 . When the inner cylinder  50  pushes the tampon main body  20  out of the outer cylinder  40 , the inner cylinder  50  moves in such a manner that the outer peripheral surface of the flange portion  51   a  comes into contact with the longitudinal ribs  54  of the major diameter portion  41 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , at the rear end side on an inner peripheral surface of the first inner cylinder  51 , an annular protrusion  51   b  protruding inwardly in the radial direction of the first inner cylinder  51  is provided. 
     The second inner cylinder  52  is a cylindrical body made of a thermoplastic resin by injection molding. The second inner cylinder  52  has an external diameter that is slightly smaller than an internal diameter of the first inner cylinder  51 . The second inner cylinder  52  is, when the inner cylinder  50  is in a contracted state, inserted in the first inner cylinder  51  as shown in  FIG. 1  and, when the inner cylinder  50  is in an extended state, connected to the rear end part of the first inner cylinder  51  at the leading end part of the second inner cylinder  52  as shown in  FIG. 2 . On the outer peripheral surface of the leading end part of the second inner cylinder  52 , an arcuate flange portion  52   a  and a protruded part  52   b  provided at a position nearer to the rear end side than the flange portion  52   a  are formed. As shown in  FIG. 2 , a height of the protruded part  52   b  gradually lowers towards the rear end. Note that a space between the flange portion  52   a  and the protruded part  52   b  of the second inner cylinder  52  is slightly greater than a thickness of the annular protrusion  51   b  of the first inner cylinder  51 . 
     Then, as the second inner cylinder  52  is pulled towards the rear end side, the annular protrusion  51   b  of the first inner cylinder  51  will be at a position between the flange portion  52   a  and the protruded part  52   b  of the second inner cylinder  52 . In such a state, as shown in  FIG. 2 , the annular protrusion  51   b  engages the flange portion  51   a  and the protruded part  52   b,  and thus the first inner cylinder  51  and the second inner cylinder  52  are connected. 
     Further, as shown in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a flared portion  52   c  is formed at the rear end part of the second inner cylinder  52 . An external diameter of the flared portion  52   c  is preferably at least greater than the internal diameter of the first inner cylinder  51  and greater than or equal to the internal diameter of the minor diameter portion  92  of the outer cylinder  40 . 
     As described above, in the tampon  10  according to this embodiment, the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  on its inner surface  40   a  along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 . Then, as a result, the tampon  10  in which the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside in a satisfactory manner is obtained. 
     The above will be described using  FIG. 7  and by comparing the tampon  10  according to this embodiment and a tampon  10  according to a comparative example.  FIG. 7  is a diagram corresponding to  FIG. 5  and shows the tampon  10  according to the comparative example. 
     When the tampon  10  according to this embodiment and the tampon  10  according to the comparative example are compared, they have a common feature that they include the tampon main body  20 , the outer cylinder  40  that is for accommodating the tampon main body  20  and that has the leading end opening  43  at the leading end, and the inner cylinder  50  that is for pushing out the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  40  from the leading end opening  43  by moving inside the outer cylinder  40 . However, the tampon  10  according to the comparative example does not have the longitudinal ribs, and as is clear from  FIG. 7 , a contacting area of the outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20  and the inner surface  40   a  of the outer cylinder  40  becomes large. Therefore, there is a case where at the time the inner cylinder  50  pushes the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  40  from the leading end opening  43  by a user handling the inner cylinder  50 , the tampon main body  20  is not pushed outside in a satisfactory manner due to an excessively large friction that occurs between the outer surface  21  and the inner surface  40   a.    
     On the contrary, with the tampon  10  according to this embodiment, since the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  on its inner surface  40   a  along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 , the outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20  and the longitudinal ribs  54  come into contact, and their contacting surfaces become significantly smaller compared with the comparative example, as is clear from  FIG. 5 . Therefore, at the time the outer cylinder  50  pushes out the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  40  from the leading end opening  43  by the user handling the inner cylinder  50 , the friction becomes smaller, and the tampon main body  20  is to be pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. 
     Further, the tampon  10  according to this embodiment has a merit that generation of static electricity is suppressed due to the friction becoming smaller. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder  40  has equal to or more than three longitudinal ribs  54  that are arranged at equal spacing in an inner peripheral direction of the inner surface  40   a,  so that the tampon main body  20  is to be completely supported by the longitudinal ribs  54 . This makes it easy to create a situation where the tampon main body  20  contacts only the longitudinal ribs  54  (a situation where the tampon main body  20  does not contact the inner surface  40   a ). Therefore, at the time the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside of the outer cylinder  40 , it is certainly possible to make the friction smaller, and the tampon main body  20  is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further, in this embodiment, since the tampon main body  20  is to contact only the longitudinal ribs  54 , of the inner surface  40   a  and the longitudinal ribs  54 , at the time the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside of the outer cylinder  40 , the friction certainly becomes smaller, and the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further, in this embodiment, since the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  at least at the leading end side from the center C in the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40 , there are the below improvements. That is, while the tampon main body  20  has started to be pushed outside of the outer cylinder  40  until it has finished being pushed outside, more of the tampon main body  20  slides in the portion at the leading end side from the center C than in the portion at the rear end side from the center C (That is, only the rear end side of the tampon main body  20  slides in the portion at the rear end side than the center C, but the rear end side as well as the leading end side of the tampon main body  20  slides in the portion at the leading end side from the center C.). Therefore, if the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  at least at the leading end side from the center C of the outer cylinder  90 , the tampon main body  20  is to be pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     In this embodiment, since the outer cylinder  40  does not have the longitudinal ribs  54  in the petaloid portion  44 , there are the following improvements. That is, supposing that in the case that the longitudinal ribs  54  are provided in the petaloid portion  44 , the rigidity of the petaloid portion  44  increases, and it becomes harder for the leading end opening  93  to open. Therefore, there is a possibility that the tampon main body  20  will not be pushed outside in a satisfactory manner. In this embodiment, since there are no longitudinal ribs  54  in the petaloid portion  44 , a problem that it becomes hard for the leading end opening  43  to open does not occur, and the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside in a more satisfactory manner. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the tampon main body  20  is accommodated in only the major diameter portion  41 , of the major diameter portion  91  and the minor diameter portion  42 , and the inner cylinder  50  pushes out the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  90  from the leading end opening  93  by moving inside the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42  of the outer cylinder  40 , and the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  in only the major diameter portion  41  of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42 . Thus, the longitudinal ribs  59  are provided in only the portions that are necessary in which the tampon main body  20  is accommodated, and therefore there is an improvement in that the tampon main body will be efficiently pushed out in a satisfactory manner. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the projection height h of the longitudinal ribs  54  in the radial direction of the major diameter portion  41  is made smaller than a difference in internal diameters R-r of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  92 . That is, the rib-considering internal diameter R-h of the major diameter portion  41  is made larger than an internal diameter r of the minor diameter portion  42 . Thus, a problem that the tampon main body  20  accommodated in the major diameter portion  41  enters the minor diameter portion  42  occurs is prevented. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the product M is applied on the outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20 , so that the structure in which the outer cylinder  40  has on its inner surface  40   a  the longitudinal ribs  54  along the longitudinal direction of the outer cylinder  40  creates the following effects. That is, supposing that in the case the longitudinal ribs are not provided, the contacting surface of the outer surface  21  of the tampon main body  20  and the inner surface  40   a  of the outer cylinder  40  becomes large. Thus, at the time the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside of the outer cylinder  40 , a large amount of the product M applied on the outer surface  21  moves to the inner surface  40   a  of the outer cylinder  40 . Therefore, the amount of the product M that is administered into the vaginal cavity becomes less. On the contrary, this embodiment has the above structure so that the contact surface between the outer surface  21  and the inner surface  40   a  becomes smaller. Thus, at the time the tampon main body  20  is pushed outside of the outer cylinder  40 , the amount of the product that moves from the outer surface  21  to the inner surface  40   a  lessens, so that the problem that the amount of product M that is administered into the vaginal cavity lessens can be avoided. 
     Other Embodiments    
     The tampon according to the present invention has been described with reference to the above embodiment. However, the above-described embodiment is provided for the purpose of facilitating the understanding of the present invention only and does not give any limitation to the present invention. It goes without saying that any modifications and improvements to the present invention can be made without departing from the spirit of the invention and the present invention includes its equivalents. 
     Further, in the above embodiment, the width of the longitudinal ribs  54  is narrowed the closer it gets to the center in the radial direction, however, it is not limited to such. For example, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the width of the longitudinal ribs  54  may be the same across the radial direction. However, the longitudinal ribs  54  according to the above embodiment are more preferable in that the above contacting surface can be made smaller.  FIG. 8  is a diagram corresponding to  FIG. 5 , and shows longitudinal ribs  54  corresponding to another embodiment. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the longitudinal ribs  54  next to each other do not contact each other (are not bordering each other), however it is not limited to such, and as shown in  FIG. 9 , the longitudinal ribs  54  next to each other may be contacting each other.  FIG. 9  is a diagram corresponding to  FIG. 5 , and shows the longitudinal ribs  54  according to another embodiment. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the outer cylinder  40  has the longitudinal ribs  54  in only the major diameter portion  41 , of the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42 . However it is not limited to such, and as shown in  FIG. 10 , both the major diameter portion  41  and the minor diameter portion  42  may have the longitudinal ribs  54 . In this case, as is clear form  FIG. 10 , the inner cylinder  50  (the first inner cylinder  51 ) and the longitudinal ribs  54  of the minor diameter portion  42  come into contact, and both contact surfaces become significantly smaller. Thus, at the time the inner cylinder  50  pushes out the tampon main body  20  outside of the outer cylinder  40  from the leading end opening  43  by the user handling the inner cylinder  50 , the friction between the inner cylinder  50  and the longitudinal ribs  54  becomes small, and the inner cylinder  50  is to be appropriately moved.  FIG. 10  is a diagram corresponding to  FIG. 6 , and shows the tampon  10  according to another embodiment. 
     Further, in this embodiment, the pine bark extract is given as an example of a constituent of the product M, but it is not limited to such. For example, it may be plant extracts, for example, such as red clover, anil extract, and indirubin. Further, Flavangenol is given as an example of a pine bark extract, but it is not limited to such. For example, Pycnogenole distributed by Nihon SiberHegner or Enzogenol distributed by Valentine Company Limited may be used. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     
         
           10  tampon, 
           20  tampon main body,  21  outer surface,  22  extraction cord,  30  applicator, 
           40  outer cylinder,  40   a  inner surface,  41  major diameter portion, 
           42  minor diameter portion,  43  leading end opening (opening), 
           44  petaloid portions,  45  rear end opening, 
           46  annular rib,  47  annular stepped portion, 
           50  inner cylinder,  51  first inner cylinder, 
           51   a  annular flange portion,  51   b  annular protrusion, 
           52  second inner cylinder,  52   a  arcuate flange portion, 
           52   b  protruded part,  52   c  flared portion, 
           54  longitudinal ribs, C Center, E 1  foremost end, E 2  rearmost end, product