Patent Publication Number: US-2006004319-A1

Title: Applicator with low placement indicia on the insertion member

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION  
      This invention relates to an applicator, particularly, to a tampon applicator that includes indicia of low placement on the insertion member of the applicator.  
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
      Tampon applicators have been used for inserting a tampon into a vaginal cavity to prevent leakage of menstrual fluids or other fluids. In the field of tampon applicators, “push” type tampon applicators are well known. These applicators in their simplest form comprise a pair of coaxial hollow cylinders or tubes. The larger outer tube serves as a vaginal insertion tube that includes the tampon, while the smaller inner tube, or plunger, ejects the tampon from the outer tube.  
      It has been recognized that “push” type tampon applicators have certain deficiencies. It is also recognized that the position of the tampon within the vaginal cavity can directly impact the tampon&#39;s efficiency of reducing and/or eliminating leakage. For example, conventional “push” type applicators can place a tampon too high in the vaginal cavity above the major path of fluid flow, so that menstrual fluids can pass by the tampon without being absorbed. Alternatively, tampon applicators can place a tampon too low in the vaginal cavity, which can lead to discomfort due to the pressure exerted from the sphincter muscles of the wearer against the tampon. Another highly undesired risk of placing the tampon too low is accidental expulsion of the tampon.  
      To solve the above problem of positioning the tampon, it would be beneficial to provide a tampon applicator which properly places the tampon at a desired position in the vaginal cavity.  
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
      The present invention comprises an applicator device capable of housing a tampon. The applicator comprises an insertion member and a plunger. The insertion member includes an inside diameter, an insertion end opposed to a gripper end and an indicia of low placement. The plunger is slideably configured within the insertion member. The plunger includes an outside diameter, longitudinal axis, a first end opposed to a second end. The indicia of low placement is located on between the insertion end and the gripper end of the insertion member. 
    
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the applicator of the present invention with a cut away section in the insertion member revealing the position of the tampon and plunger.  
       FIG. 2  is a side view of the applicator of the present invention.  
       FIG. 3  is a side view of one embodiment of the applicator of the present invention with a cut away section in the insertion member revealing the position of the tampon and plunger.  
       FIG. 4  is a side view of one embodiment of the applicator of the present invention with a cut away section in the insertion member revealing the position of the tampon and plunger. 
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION  
      As used herein “applicator” refers to a device or implement that facilitates the insertion of a tampon, medicament, treatment device, visualization aid, or other into an external orifice of a mammal, such as the vagina, rectum, ear canal, nasal canal, or throat. Nonlimiting specific examples of such include any known hygienically designed applicator that is capable of receiving a tampon can be used for insertion of a tampon, including the so-called telescoping, tube and plunger and the compact applicators, an applicator for providing mediament to an area for prophylaxis or treatment of disease, a spectroscope containing a microcamera in the tip connected via fiber optics, a speculum of any design, a narrow hollow pipe for guiding surgical instruments, and the like.  
      The term “expelled” as used herein, is the position of the tampon after the tampon is fully or partially forced out of the tampon applicator. It follows, that as used herein, “expulsion,” is the act of or partially forcing the tampon out of the tampon applicator.  
      As used herein, the term “hymenal ring” refers to the demarcation between the vaginal cavity and external genitalia and is identified by the position of the hymen or residual tissue of the hymen.  
      The term “indicia,” as used herein, refers to a mark, demarcation, point, or cue. Recognizing that the dictionary definition of indicia is a plural noun, as used herein, the term is intended to include one or a plurality of marks, demarcations, points or cues.  
      As used herein, the term “low placement” refers to a vertical position of the tampon inside the vaginal cavity, wherein the insertion end of the tampon is positioned generally below the cervix and the withdrawal end of the tampon is positioned generally above the hymenal ring. The withdrawal end of the tampon does not include any overwrap, secondary absorbent member, or withdrawal cord which extends beyond the tampon&#39;s main absorbent material.  
      The term “joined” or “attached,” as used herein, encompasses configurations in which a first element is directly secured to a second element by affixing the first element directly to the second element; configurations in which the first element is indirectly secured to the second element by affixing the first element to intermediate member(s) which in turn are affixed to the second element; and configurations in which the first element is integral with the second element; i.e., the first element is essentially part of the second element.  
      As used herein the term “tampon,” refers to any type of absorbent structure that is inserted into the vaginal canal or other body cavities for the absorption of fluid therefrom, to aid in wound healing, or for the delivery of active materials, such as medicaments, or moisture. Generally, there are two types of tampons, self-sustaining and deformable, such as, fluid permeable bag tampons. Tampons that are generally “self-sustaining” in that they will tend to retain their general shape and size before use. Thus, when a tampon pledget has been compressed and/or shaped such that it assumes a general shape and size, which is vaginally insertable, absent external forces. It will be understood by one of skill in the art that this self-sustaining shape need not, and preferably does not persist during actual use of the tampon. That is, once the tampon is inserted and begins to acquire fluid, the tampon can begin to expand and can lose its self-sustaining form. The tampon can be compressed into a generally cylindrical configuration in the radial direction, axially along the longitudinal axis or in both the radial and axial directions. While the tampon can be compressed into a substantially cylindrical configuration, other shapes are possible. These can include shapes having a cross section that can be described as rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, semi-circular, hourglass, serpentine, or other suitable shapes. Tampons have an insertion end, withdrawal end, a length, a width, a longitudinal axis and a radial axis. The tampon&#39;s length can be measured from the insertion end to the withdrawal end along the longitudinal axis. A self-sustaining tampon for use for low placement is less than about 60 mm in length and typically from about 30 mm to about 56 mm in length, or 35 mm to about 48 mm in length measured from the top of the tampon to the base of the tampon along a longitudinal axis. The measurement to the base of the tampon does not include any overwrap, secondary absorbent member, or withdrawal cord which extends beyond the tampon&#39;s main absorbent material. A typical self-sustaining tampon is 5-20 mm wide corresponding to the largest cylindrical cross section. The width can vary along the length of the self-sustaining tampon. The second type of tampon is a “deformable, fluid-permeable bag tampon”. These deformable, fluid-permeable bag tampon are typically not compressed and consists of a fluid permeable bag containing small pieces of absorbent material such as chips, spheres, or fibers. These tampons readily deform with a force of less than about 3 psi.  
      As used herein, the terms “vaginal cavity,” “within the vagina,” and “vaginal canal” refer to the internal genitalia of the human female in the pudendal region of the body. The term “vaginal canal” is not intended to include the interlabial space including the floor of the vestibule. The externally visible genitalia generally are not included within the term “vaginal canal” as used herein.  
       FIG. 1 -FIG. 3  show embodiments the applicator  10  of the present invention.  FIG. 1  is a side view of one embodiment of the applicator  10 A of the present invention with a cut away section in the insertion member  20 A revealing the position of the tampon  36  and plunger  30 A. The insertion member  30 A is adapted to house the tampon  36 . The insertion member  20 A comprises a hollow interior, which in  FIG. 1  is filled with a tampon  36 , an insertion end  22  opposed to a gripper end  24 . The plunger  30 A comprises a longitudinal axis L, and a first end  26  opposed to a second end  28 . The plunger  30 A is slideably configured within the inside diameter of the insertion member  20 A. In addition, the first end  26  is the portion of the plunger  30  which contacts the tampon  36  housed within the insertion member  20 A. The second end  28  is the portion of the plunger  30  in which a force along the longitudinal axis L is applied to expel the tampon  36  through the insertion member  20 A. The applicator  10 A of the present invention can include a locking mechanism, not shown. The insertion member  20 A also comprises one or multiple indicia of low placement  40 A that is located between the insertion end  22  and the gripper end  24 . The indicia for low placement  40 A in this case is a thin solid line encircling the perimeter of the insertion member  20 A. Typically, the indicia of low placement  40 A is proximate to the center of the insertion member  20  between the insertion end  22  and the gripper end  24 . The indicia of low placement  40  will not typically be located at either the insertion end  22  or the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 .  
      To use the applicator, the consumer will typically position the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  appropriately, grasp the insertion member  20  at the gripper end  24 . Next, the consumer will plunge the applicator  10 . As used herein the term “plunge ” or “plunging” refers to an action in the step in the process of insertion of the tampon  36  that results in the second end  28  of the plunger  30 , which is slideably configured within the inside diameter of the insertion member  20 , to be in closer proximity towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 , such that the second end  28  of the plunger is in contact or proximate with the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  or until 1250 grams of force has been applied to the plunger. The force can be measured in numerous ways know to those skilled in the art including by a hand held gauge, such as Accu Force Cadet available from AMETEK corporation of Paoli, PA. During the plunge, the consumer can either position the insertion member  20  in two ways. In the first way, the consumer can position the indicia for low placement  40 , so that the indicia  40  is located at or proximate to the labia majora. In the second way, the consumer can place their fingers on the indicia of low placement  40  and insert the insertion member  20  into the vagina until their fingers press against or are proximate to the labia majora.  
      The indicia of low placement  40  can be any mark, demarcation, point, cue in the insertion process which exhibits a sharp or gradual sensorial impression, including visual, auditory, or tactile so as to signify when the desired low placement of the tampon  20  has been attained. The indicia  40  are optionally modifiable by the user so as to conform to a predetermined level of insertion ideal for that person. In that vein, there can be more than one indicia of low placement  40  which corresponds to various insertion depths. In such a case, the different indicia of low placement  40  can be a different shape or color corresponding to a specific depth of insertion, in order for the user to distinguish and choose the appropriate depth of insertion for their uses. The user can utilize the position of the indicia  40  relative to a suitable reference point, such as a part of the body, to achieve a desired placement.  
      For example, the indicia of low placement  40  can be visual indicia that can comprise a single line, color boundary, a color difference, a pattern difference (including a surface pattern difference) or can be a point where the two colors, two patterns, or a pattern and a color meet between the from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  and the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 B. Embodiments of visual indicia for low placement  40  are shown in  FIG. 1-2  In  FIG. 1 , the indicia of low placement  40 A is in the form of a line around the perimeter of the insertion member  20 A. As illustrated in  FIG. 2  the indicia for low placement  40 B is a difference in the texture or pattern. The insertion member  20 B has a smooth texture or lacks a pattern from the insertion end  22  to the starting point  50  of the indicia for low placement  40 B and a pebbled pattern or texture from the starting point  50  of the indicia for low placement  40 B to the ending point  52  of the indicia for low placement  40 B proximate to the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 B. Note that the indicia of low placement  40  as illustrated in  FIG. 2  has a starting point  50 B and a ending point  52 . Depending on the type and width, the indicia for low placement  40  can comprise a starting point  50  and ending point  52 . In some cases, the starting point  50  and ending point  52  can be coexistent or can be so close in proximity as to not be distinguishable from the indicia for low placement  40  itself, such as the thin solid line indicia  40  illustrated in  FIG. 1 .  
      Alternatively, the indicia of low placement  40  can be an auditory indicia comprising a single sound, a graduation of sound, or a plurality of different sounds. An example of an auditory indicia of low placement  40  can form an auditory component of a sensor attached to the insertion member  20 . One example can be a moisture sensing conductive material positioned on the insertion member  20 , which completes a low ampere circuit which induces an audible alarm via sound generator attached to a power source positioned within the applicator.  
      Moreover, the indicia of low placement  40  can be tactile cue, such as a plurality of holes, depressions of pits, channels, changing surface texture, changing coefficient of friction, located on the insertion member  20  or a plurality of raised portions or a collar portion on insertion member  20 .  
      The insertion member  20  and the plunger  30  can be in the form of a spirally wound, convolutely wound or longitudinally seamed hollow tube, which is formed from paper, paperboard, cardboard or a combination thereof. The insertion member  20  and plunger  30  can also be injection molded, extruded or formed from flexible plastic, such as thermoformed from plastic sheet or folded or wound from plastic film. The insertion member  20  and plunger  30  can also be formed from a combination of paper and plastic.  
      The size of the insertion member  20 , also commonly referred to as outer tube, can be determined primarily by the dimensions of the tampon  36 . Specifically, the diameter of the insertion member  20  can be varied to accommodate different absorbency tampons  36 . The inside diameter of the insertion member  20  is usually less than about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm) and less than about 0.625 inches (about 16 mm). Although the exterior diameter of tampons  36  does vary, most tampons  36  utilized by women have an external diameter of less than about 0.75 inches (about 19 mm). However, if one desired to use this invention to administer medication to an animal, such as a farm animal or other mammal, larger size tampons  36 , which would require insertion members with a larger diameter, could be used. Moreover, the inner diameter of the insertion member  20  can have varying diameters and shapes to conform to the profiled shape of the enclosed tampon  36 . Generally, the inner diameter of the insertion member  20  should be suitably greater than the diameter of the tampon  36  to prevent the outer member  20  from interfering with the expulsion of the tampon  36  from the insertion member  20 . The plunger  30  has a smaller diameter relative to the insertion member  20 . The plunger  30  is dimensioned to slidably move within the insertion member  20 , with minimal clearance therebetween.  
      The insertion member  20  and the plunger  30  have walls with a predetermined thickness of about 0.1 mm to about 2 millimeters. The walls of the insertion member  20  and the plunger  30  can be constructed from a single ply of material or be formed from two or more plies that are bonded together to form a laminate.  
      The use of two or more plies or layers is typical for making the insertion member  20  and the plunger  30  because it enables the manufacturer to use certain materials in the various layers that can enhance the performance of the tampon applicator  10 . When two or more plies are utilized, all the plies can be spirally wound, convolutely wound or longitudinally seamed to form an elongated cylinder. For example, in some embodiments the wall can be constructed using a smooth thin ply of material on the outside or exterior surface that surrounds a coarser and possibly thicker ply. In the embodiments that contain at least three plies, the middle ply can be the thicker ply and the interior and exterior plies can be smooth and/or slippery to facilitate expulsion of the tampon  36  and to facilitate insertion of the insertion member  20  into a woman&#39;s vagina, respectively. By sandwiching a thick, coarser ply of material between two thin, smooth plies, an inexpensive insertion member  20  can be provided which is very functional. The wall can contain one to four plies, although more plies can be utilized if desired. As well, the ends of the insertion member  20  can be lipped.  
      An adhesive, such as glue, or heat, pressure, ultrasonics, etc, can hold the plies forming the wall together. The adhesive can be either water-soluble or water-insoluble. A water-soluble adhesive is for environmental reasons in that the wall will quickly break apart when it is immersed in water. Such immersion will occur should the insertion member  20  and plunger  30  be disposed of by flushing it down a toilet. Exposure of the insertion member  20  and plunger  30  to a municipal&#39;s waste treatment plant wherein soaking in water, interaction with chemicals and agitation will cause the wall to break apart and evenly disperse in a relatively short period of time.  
      Alternatively, the material can be overlapped into a tubular configuration. Spirally or convolutely winding the insertion member  20  and/or plunger  30  into a cylindrical tube is especially advantageous when the insertion member  20  and/or plunger  30  are formed from a laminate. In the case of other tube construction methods such as fiber or plastic molding, or integral tube forming (e.g. thermoforming plastic) no seams will be present and the corrugations could optionally be formed as part of the tube molding or forming process.  
      The insertion member  20  is sized and configured to house an insertable element, such as an absorbent tampon  36 . As stated above, the insertion member  20  should have a substantially smooth exterior surface or an exterior surface that exerts low drag that will facilitate insertion of the insertion member  20  into a woman&#39;s vagina. When the exterior surface is smooth and/or slippery, the insertion member  20  will easily slide into a woman&#39;s vagina without subjecting the internal tissues of the vagina to abrasion. The insertion member  20  can be coated to give it a high slip characteristic. Wax, polyethylene, a combination of wax and polyethylene, cellophane, clay, mica and other lubricants are representative coatings that can be applied to the insertion member  20  to facilitate comfortable insertion.  
      The applicator  10  of the present invention can have geometries or cross-sections that are useful to contain the object to be inserted. Often, the shape of the tampon  36  contained suggests the shape of the insertion member  20 , but departures from this general rule can be made such that a cylindrical tampon  36  can be house in a rectangular shaped applicator, for example. The insertion member  20  and plunger  30  can take on numerous cross-sectional shapes including without limitations, circular, oval, polygonal (e.g. trapezoidal, rectangular, triangular) and the like. In addition the insertion member  20  and plunger  30  can be substantially elongated, such as in a linear fashion like TAMPAX PEARL SUPER, curved or flexible, or it can take on other shapes that are apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art. Some examples of applicator shapes are described in WO 2004/024193 published by Lecan, et al. on Mar. 25, 2004 and European Patent Application No, 1101473 published by Mitsuhiro, et al on May 23, 2001.  
      The insertion end of the insertion member  30  can be open-ended, or closed ended comprising petals, corrugations, pleats, or a film cap. During insertion, when the tampon  36  is pushed upward by the plunger  30 , the petals open and to let the tampon  36  through, into the vagina.  
      The gripper end of insertion member  30  can comprise a fingergrip  46  configuration that is located on the insertion member, which allows the consumer to more securely hold the applicator during insertion of a material into the body cavity. Various fingergrip  46  configurations have been proposed to facilitate the handling of the applicator and to improve the insertion experience. One approach is a tampon applicator having an integral fingergrip  46  that is formed by embossing the outside surface of the insertion member of the tampon applicator. The embossed portion of the applicator can take the form of a series of circumferential rings or a series of discrete raised dots. Examples of such fingergrips  46  be found in U.S. Pat. No. 6,045,526 issued to Jackson; U.S. Pat. No. 5,395,308 issued to Fox, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 5,290,501 issued to Klesius; U. S. Pat. No. 4,573,964 issued to Huffman; U.S. Pat. No. 4,573,963 issued to Sheldon; U.S. Pat. No. 4,891,042 issued to Nelvin, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 4,412,833 issued to Weigner, et al.; U.S. Pat. No. 3,895,634 issued to Berger; U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,533 issued to Berger; U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,533 issued to Leyer; U.S. Pat. No. 2,922,423 issued to Rickard; U.S. Pat. No. 2,587,717 issued to Foumess; U.S. Pat. No. 2,489,502 issued to Ruth, U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,787 and U.S. Pat. No. 6,685,788 both issued to Linares, et al.  
      As well, the plunger  30  of the applicator  10  of the present invention can have a similar fingergrip portion or gripping means. The fingergrip on the plunger  30  can be any type of embossment or depression known in the art. An example of a fingergrip portion on a plunger  30  shown as a substantially flattened portion of the plunger as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,867 issued to Bletzinger, et al on Dec. 18, 1962, a series of circumferential indentations to assist in gripping as described in the European Patent Application publication number 034922 published by Alexander, et al. on Mar. 1, 1990, or a pair diametrically disposed and axially extending guide channels on the plunger as shown in U.S. Pat. No. 3,196,873 issued to Bletzinger, et al on Aug. 27, 1962.  
      The plunger  30  of the applicator  10  of the present invention can be hollow or solid. An example of a solid plunger  30  is one that is rod shaped, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 3,068,867 issued to Bletzinger, et al on Dec. 18, 1962, The plunger  30  of the present invention can range from 45 to 100 mm in length measured from the first end  26  of the plunger  30  to the second end  28  of the plunger  30 .  
      The insertion member  20  and the plunger  30  can combine to have a locking mechanism such as in tampon applicator  10  as disclosed in U. S. Pat. No. 6,019,744, with a locking mechanism comprising a tongue shaped retention element that is integrally connected to the plunger  30  so as to be bendable and project through the longitudinal slit of the insertion member  20 . Another approach is a tampon applicator  10  as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 6,450,986, comprising a plunger  30  having a rim comprising a shoulder projecting radially outward from the plunger and a return margin. The rim creates an interference with the barrel of the insertion member  20  to provide a stop.  
      The applicator  10  of the present invention could be part of a kit for providing low placement of the tampon  36 . The kit is a package that comprises at least one applicator  10  capable of housing a tampon  36 . The applicator  10  within the kit comprises an insertion member  20 , a plunger  30  and tampon  36 , positioned within the insertion member  20 . The insertion member  20  comprises an insertion end  22  opposed to a gripper end  24 , and an indicia for low placement  40  positioned between the insertion end  22 , a gripper end  24 . The plunger  30  is slidably configured with the insertion member  20 . The plunger  30  has a longitudinal axis L, a first end  26  opposed to a second end  28  and an indicia of low placement  40 . The indicia of low placement  40  is positioned between the insertion end  22  and the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  when the applicator  10  is in a pre-insertion position.  
      The kit also comprises a set of instructions in association with a package. The set of instructions comprises instructions for placing the tampon  36  in a low placement position within the vagina. The package comprises one of the two set of written instructions:  
      The first set of instructions are as follows: First, the instructions state that the consumer should grasp the insertion member  20  with their fingers at low placement indicia  40  on the insertion member  30 . Next, the instructions state that the consumer should position the insertion member  20  at the vaginal opening and end  22  and slide the insertion member  20  into the vagina until her fingers are proximate with or touch her body. Next, the instructions state that the consumer should push the second end  28  of the plunger  30  in closer proximity with the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  until the plunger  30  resides within the insertion member or until there is resistance to pushing the plunger.  
      The second set of instructions are as follows: First, the instructions state that the consumer should grasp the insertion member  20  at the gripper end of the insertion member  30 . Next, the instructions state that the consumer should position the insertion member  20 , such that the indicia for low placement  40  is at or proximate to the vaginal opening. Next, the instructions state that the consumer should push the second end  28  of the plunger  30  in closer proximity towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  until the plunger  30  resides within the insertion or until there is resistance to pushing the plunger.  
      The applicator of the present invention is made by first providing an insertion member  20  having an insertion end  22  and a gripper end  24 . Next, a plunger  30  is provided having a diameter, a first end  26 , and a second end  28 . Next, the plunger is inserted into the insertion member  20 . In some embodiments, the locking mechanism is arranged for the plunger  30  to be slideably introduced into the insertion member  20 . The indicia of low placement  40  can be produced during or after the formation of the insertion member  20 . In the case where the indicia  40  is a line, color or a change or graduation in color and pattern the plunger  30  can be sprayed, soaked, painted, dyed, screen printed, laser printed, or otherwise marked. Any dye, paint or pigment can be used. Suitable dyes, paint and pigments are permanent, so as to not to stain the user or garments of wearer, and nontoxic and nonirritating to the wearer.  
      The indicia for low placement  40  is positioned on the plunger  30  to insure that the tampon  36  is inserted at a low placement position in the vagina. A low placement position refers to a position of the tampon  36  inside the vaginal cavity, wherein the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  is positioned generally below the cervix and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  is positioned generally above the hymenal ring. To achieve a low placement position of the tampon  36 , the indicia for low placement  40  must be in the correct position on the insertion member  20 . If the indicia  40  is put in an incorrect position, following the plunging of the applicator  10 , the tampon  36  can be placed too high in the vagina or too low in the vagina. Thus, for the purposes of the present invention, the indicia for low placement  40  is positioned on the insertion member  20  at a distance Im. The measured distance Im at which the indicia for low placement  40  are placed can be derived by the following equation, Im=A+TL−P.  
      In the equation, the value of “A” describes the distance that the tampon  36  must move for the tampon  36  to be in a low placement position. It follows that the value of “A” in the equation, is the distance between the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  at a pre-insertion position, which is at the labia majora, and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  within the vagina after insertion. The value of “A” can vary depending on the target depth of insertion for the tampon  36  to be in low placement position within the vagina.  
      TABLE 1 shows the values of A. The values for A in TABLE 1, below, are based on the data collected by the applicants from the dozens of panelists according to MRI and testing. The value of A 1  describes the distance that the tampon  36  must move if the target depth is at or just above the hymenal ring. A 1  is the distance between the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  at a pre-insertion position at the labia majora and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  at the hymenal ring. The value of A 2  describes the distance that the tampon  36  must move if the target depth is 5 mm above the hymenal ring. A 2  is the distance between the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  at a pre-insertion position at the labia majora and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  at a distance is 5 mm above the hymenal ring. The value of A 3  describes the distance that the tampon  36  must move if the target depth is 10 mm above the hymenal ring. A 3  is the distance between the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  at a pre-insertion position at the labia majora and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  at a distance of 10 mm above the hymenal ring. The value of A 4  describes the distance that the tampon  36  must move if the target depth is 15 mm above the hymenal ring. A 4  is the distance between the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  at a pre-insertion position at the labia majora and the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  at a distance of 15 mm above the hymenal ring.  
               TABLE 1                       Values of A                                                A 1     21 mm           A 2     26 mm           A 3     31 mm           A 4     36 mm                      
 
      In these equations, “TL” describes the length in mm of the tampon  36  measured from the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  to the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36 .  
      The applicator of the present invention has a value of A that between 21 mm to about 42 mm when the value A+TL is less than 79.  
      As stated above, a plunge refers to an action in the step in the process of insertion of the tampon  36  that results in the second end  28  of the plunger  30 , which is slideably configured within the inside diameter of the insertion member  20 , to be in closer proximity towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 , such that the second end  28  of the plunger is in contact or proximate with the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  or until 1250 grams of force has been applied to the plunger. Hence, as shown in the examples below, the length of the plunger  30  used during the plunge or P may be described in two ways when the applicator is in a pre-insertion position: The value of P may be (1) the exposed length of the plunger  30  from the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  to the second end  28  of the plunger  30  or (2) the length of the plunger  30  used during the plunge where a 1250 gram force has been applied, as measured from gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  to the point at which the force of 1250 grams is applied. In some instances, the measurements described in (1) and (2) are the same in that 1250 grams of force is met where the second end  28  of the plunger  30  is at or proximate to the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  after the plunge.  
      The term “pre-insertion position,” as used herein refers to the arrangement of the applicator  10  prior to insertion, where the first end  26  of the plunger  30  is contact with the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  and the insertion end  54  of the tampon  36  is in contact with the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20 , such that any additional movement of the plunger  30  would cause an equal and mutually corresponding movement of the tampon  36 . Note that the applicator, as received by the consumer, may or may not be in the pre-insertion position  
       FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  is a side view of the applicator  10  that has the insertion member  20  with a portion cut away, so one can view the position of the tampon  36  and plunger  30  within the insertion member  20  when the applicator  10 .  FIG. 4  is an embodiment of the applicator, which is open ended.  FIG. 3  and  FIG. 4  illustrate applicators  10  in their pre-insertion position showing the values of P and Im.  
      The value of “Im” that results from the equation describes the length of the insertion member  20  that should be placed beyond the labia majora to achieve a low placement position of the tampon  36  after proper insertion in the vagina. For, the purpose of this application, “Im” is the distance at which the indicia for low placement  40  should be positioned on the insertion member  20 , as measured from the insertion end  22  toward the gripper end  24 . To measure Im properly, so that the indicia for low placement  40  is in the correct position, the applicator must be placed in a pre-insertion position.  
      When the indicia  40  is marked in the correct position, a low placement position of the tampon  36  will be achieved following proper plunging of the applicator. The indicia for low placement  40  is a cue for the consumer to position the insertion member  20  inside the vagina. The consumer can either position the insertion member  20  in two ways. In the first way, the consumer can position the indicia for low placement  40 , so that the indicia  40  is located at or proximate to the labia majora. In the second way, the consumer can place her fingers on the indicia of low placement  40  and insert the insertion member  20  into the vagina until her fingers press against or are proximate to the labia majora.  
     EXAMPLE 1  
      The applicator  10  of the present invention is comprised of plastic. The applicator  10  includes a tampon  36  that has a length from insertion end  54  to withdrawal end  56  or TL, which is 42 mm. The applicator  10  includes a plunger  30 , which has a length that is exposed from the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  to the second end  28 , or P of the plunger  30  of 45 mm when the applicator  10  is in the pre-insertion position. Using the equation Im=A+TL−P; the value of Im would the following at various values of A that fall in the low placement range.  
                                                   The value of A   The value of Im                          A 1  = 21 mm   18 mm           A 2  = 26 mm   23 mm           A 3  = 31 mm   28 mm           A 4  = 36 mm   33 mm                      
 
 Note, that the Im could be at or between any of the distances in the table for the tampon  36  to be inserted in a low placement position. 
 
      However, if one would want to place the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  to be at the hymenal ring, the Im would be 18 mm, so the starting point  50  of indicia of low placement  40  would be positioned on the plunger  30  at a distance of 18 mm as measured from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 . The indicia of low placement  40 , can be a moisture sensing conductive material that completes a low ampere circuit which induces an audible alarm via sound generator attached to a power source positioned on the insertion member  20  at a distance of 18 mm as measured from the from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  towards the second end  28  of the plunger  30 .  
     EXAMPLE 2  
      The applicator  10  of the present invention is comprised of plastic. The applicator  10  includes a tampon a length from insertion end  54  to withdrawal end  56  or TL, which is 48 mm. The applicator  10  includes a plunger  30 , which has a length that is exposed from the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  to the second end  28  of the plunger  30 , or P of 43 mm when the applicator  10  is in the pre-insertion position. Using the equation Im=A+TL−P; the value of Im would the following at various values of A that fall in the low placement range.  
                                                   The value of A   The value of Im                          A 1  = 21 mm   26 mm           A 2  = 26 mm   31 mm           A 3  = 31 mm   36 mm           A 4  = 36 mm   41 mm                      
 
 Note, that the Im could be at or between any of the distances in the table for the tampon  36  to be inserted in a low placement position. 
 
      However, if one would want the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  to be at a distance 10 mm above the hymenal ring, the A is 31 mm and the Im would be 36 mm. The indicia of low placement  40  can be a transition point between two textures on the surface of the insertion member  20 , such that 36 mm on the insertion member  20 , as measured from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  is smooth and the remainder of the insertion member  20 , as measured  36  from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  to the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  is a pebbled texture.  
     EXAMPLE 3  
      The applicator  10  of the present invention is comprised of paperboard. The applicator  10  includes a tampon  36  a length from insertion end  54  to withdrawal end  56  or TL, which is 48 mm. The applicator  10  has a plunger  30 , which has a length that is used during during a plunge to 1250 grams of force, as measured from the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  toward the second end  28  of the plunger  30  at the point where the force applied to the second end  28  of the plunger  30  is 1250 grams. In this case, the value of P is 47 mm although the exposed portion of the plunger  30  is 57 mm in length as measured from the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20  to the second end  28  of the plunger  30 . Using the equation Im=A+TL−P; the value of Im would the following at various values of A that fall in the low placement range.  
                                                   The value of A   The value of Im                          A 1  = 21 mm   22 mm           A 2  = 26 mm   27 mm           A 3  = 31 mm   32 mm           A 4  = 36 mm   37 mm                      
 
 Note, that the Im could be at or between any of the distances in the table for the tampon  36  to be inserted in a low placement position. 
 
      However, one could put two indicia for low placement  40  on the same applicator so the consumer could have a choice of insertion depths. The first indicia  40  would be for placing the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  to be at a distance 5 mm above the hymenal ring, so the Im is 27 mm. The indicia of low placement  40  is a 2 mm band of blue color encircling the perimeter of the insertion member  20 , the starting point  50  of the indicia  40  is positioned at a distance of 27 mm, as measured from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 . The second indicia  40  would be for placing the withdrawal end  56  of the tampon  36  to be at a distance 10 mm above the hymenal ring, so the Im is 32 mm. The indicia of low placement  40  is a 3 mm band of lavender color encircling the perimeter of the insertion member  20 , the starting point  50  of the indicia  40  starting point  50  is positioned at a distance of 32 mm, as measured from the insertion end  22  of the insertion member  20  towards the gripper end  24  of the insertion member  20 .  
      All documents cited in the Detailed Description of the Invention are, in relevant part, incorporated herein by reference; the citation of any document is not to be construed as an admission that it is prior art with respect to the present invention.  
      While particular embodiments of the present invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. It is therefore intended to cover in the appended claims all such changes and modifications that are within the scope of this invention.