Abstract:
A tampon applicator assembly including a barrel and a plunger. The barrel includes an internal surface, an external surface, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A finger grip portion is disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion. The internal surface includes at least one annular ridge within the finger grip portion and at least one longitudinally extending rib. The plunger is disposed within the barrel and includes flared proximal and distal end portions. The flared proximal end portion of the plunger has a larger circumference than a circumference of the at least one annular ridge of the barrel and the flared distal end of the plunger is in contact with the at least one longitudinally extending rib of the barrel.

Description:
RELATED APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a non-provisional based on and claiming priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/145,567, filed Apr. 10, 2015, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference in their entirety. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present disclosure relates to tampons, and in particular, to tampon applicators. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    A tampon is a cylindrical mass of absorbent material used as a feminine hygiene product. Tampons are designed for insertion into the vagina during menstruation to absorb menstrual flow. One way of inserting tampons is to use a push-type applicator. These applicators generally include a pair of concentric, telescopically mounted hollow tubes: a barrel (the outer tube) and a plunger (the inner tube). The barrel contains the tampon and has a smooth surface to aid insertion. A user may push the plunger from its distal end to eject the tampon from the barrel into the vaginal canal. The tampon may be provided with an attached string, which extends outside of the barrel and through the plunger. Once the tampon has been inserted, the string extends outside the vagina, which can then be used to remove the tampon after use. Cordless tampons that are not visible when worn may also be used. Tampon applicators may be made of plastic, cardboard, or other comparable materials. 
         [0004]    Conventional tampon applicators suffer from design flaws that have yet to be successfully addressed. For example, in current tampon applicators, the plunger is prone to accidental withdrawal from the barrel during normal use, which can be unsanitary and potentially dangerous. Further, in current tampon applicators, plungers can be pushed completely through the barrel and into the vagina during insertion, which can be a nuisance, unsanitary, or potentially dangerous to the user. Still further, current tampon applicators are prone to plunger misalignment that can damage the plunger, cause it to enter the barrel incorrectly, or in some cases, cause complete failure of the applicator assembly. Even if these design flaws are addressed, the result is often unsuccessful and/or associated with high manufacturing costs. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0005]    Accordingly, an object of the present invention is to provide a tampon applicator that solves the problem of accidental plunger withdrawal, misalignment, accidental push through into the vagina, and failure, while simultaneously providing a simple design that is easier to manufacture as compared to conventional applicators. 
         [0006]    The tampon applicator of the present invention includes two coaxially mounted hollow tubes: a plunger (inner tube) and barrel (outer tube). The barrel retains the tampon and the plunger is used to eject the tampon from the distal end of the barrel. The plunger may be a hollow tube that is tapered from its distal end to its proximal end. Both ends of the plunger may be flared, with the distal end having a larger diameter than the proximal end. 
         [0007]    The barrel may be a hollow tube having a first opening at its proximal end and a second opening at its distal end. Located near the proximal end of the barrel is a finger grip. The finger grip is used to facilitate insertion of the barrel into the vagina. Inside the barrel&#39;s first opening are a plurality of ribs, which are raised bumps that protrude and terminate into the inner finger grip portion of the barrel. Located further into the barrel&#39;s inner finger grip portion is an annular ridge. The annular ridge may have a diameter smaller than that of the plunger&#39;s flared proximal end. 
         [0008]    The ribs and the annular ridge are designed to interact in sliding relation with the plunger. The ribs serve to stabilize the plunger to prevent misalignment. The annular ridge, having a smaller diameter than the flared proximal end of the plunger, serves to prevent accidental plunger withdrawal from the barrel&#39;s distal end. The location of the annular ridge within the finger grip along with the ribs also limits the distance which the user can push the plunger, preventing the user from forcing the plunger back through the annular ridge. 
         [0009]    When pushed inward into the barrel during use, the plunger&#39;s flared distal end ejects the tampon through the barrel&#39;s second opening, which may comprise a plurality of petals. 
         [0010]    In some embodiments, the barrel has an internal surface, an external surface, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A finger grip portion is disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, where the internal surface comprises at least one annular ridge within the finger grip portion and at least one longitudinally extending rib. 
         [0011]    In some embodiments, the at least one longitudinally extending rib extends from the proximal end portion to the finger grip portion. 
         [0012]    In some embodiments, the at least one longitudinally extending rib comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. 
         [0013]    In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinally extending ribs are uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0014]    In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinally extending ribs are non-uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0015]    In some embodiments, the finger grip portion comprises an hourglass shape. 
         [0016]    In some embodiments, the finger grip portion comprises at least one rib on the external surface of the barrel. 
         [0017]    In some embodiments, the at least one annular ridge comprises a plurality of annular ridges. 
         [0018]    In some embodiments, the plurality of annular ridges are uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0019]    In some embodiments, the plurality of annular ridges are non-uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0020]    In some embodiments, the distal end portion comprises a plurality of petals that define an opening. 
         [0021]    In some embodiments, a tampon applicator assembly has a barrel comprising an internal surface, an external surface, a proximal end portion and a distal end portion. A finger grip portion is disposed between the proximal end portion and the distal end portion, the internal surface comprising at least one annular ridge within the finger grip portion and at least one longitudinally extending rib. A plunger is disposed within the barrel, the plunger comprising flared proximal and distal end portions, the flared proximal end portion having a larger circumference than a circumference of the at least one annular ridge and the flared distal end being in contact with the at least one longitudinally extending rib. 
         [0022]    In some embodiments, the tampon applicator assembly has at least one longitudinally extending rib extending from the proximal end portion to the finger grip portion. 
         [0023]    In some embodiments, the at least one longitudinally extending rib comprises a plurality of longitudinally extending ribs. 
         [0024]    In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinally extending ribs are uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0025]    In some embodiments, the plurality of longitudinally extending ribs are non-uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0026]    In some embodiments, the finger grip portion comprises an hourglass shape. 
         [0027]    In some embodiments, the finger grip portion comprises at least one rib on the external surface of the barrel. 
         [0028]    In some embodiments, finger grip may have any suitable cross sectional shape, such as rectangular, triangular, ovoid, or spherical. 
         [0029]    In some embodiments, the finger grip may have a plurality of uniformly or non-uniformly spaced circular ridges, grooves, pits, or the like, around the circumference of the barrel. 
         [0030]    In some embodiments, the at least one annular ridge comprises a plurality of annular ridges. 
         [0031]    In some embodiments, the plurality of annular ridges are uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0032]    In some embodiments, the plurality of annular ridges are non-uniformly spaced from one another. 
         [0033]    In some embodiments, the distal end portion of the barrel comprises a plurality of petals that define an opening. 
         [0034]    These and other features of this invention are described in, or are apparent from, the following detailed description of various exemplary embodiments of this invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0035]    The foregoing summary as well as the following detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention will best be understood when considered in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like designations denote like elements throughout the drawings and wherein: 
           [0036]      FIG. 1  is a side view of the tampon applicator assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0037]      FIG. 2  is a side view of the barrel according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0038]      FIG. 3  is a side view of the plunger according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
           [0039]      FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional detail view of the barrel interior according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0040]    The present invention relates to tampons, and in particular, to an improved tampon applicator assembly. The applicator assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention includes a barrel that has internal ribs. The internal ribs stabilize the plunger within the barrel and prevents the plunger from being accidentally withdrawn during use. 
         [0041]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , a tampon applicator  1  is illustrated according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Tampon applicator  1  includes a tampon  10 , a plunger  20 , and a barrel  30 . Tampon  10  is retained inside barrel  30 . Plunger  20  is used to eject tampon  10  from the distal end of barrel  30  into the vaginal canal. 
         [0042]    Tampon  10  is preferably a cylindrical mass of absorbent material that may be made of materials such as, for example, cotton, rayon, or blends of rayon and cotton, to name a few. Rayon is made from wood pulp cellulose fibers. Surfactants or other finishes may also be used in tampon  10  as a process aid or to increase absorbency. Tampon  10  may be formed from a nonwoven process or contain components made from a nonwoven process. Nonwovens are widely used in the manufacture of tampons because they have outstanding mass per unit area and characteristics that are desirable in tampons, such as absorbency, resilience, softness, strength, and cushioning, to name a few. In some embodiments, tampon  10  may have a withdrawal string (not shown) that extends through plunger  20  and is long enough for a user to grasp after tampon  10  has been inserted into the vagina. 
         [0043]    Referring now to  FIG. 2 , barrel  30  is shown. Barrel  30  retains tampon  10 . Barrel  30  may be a hollow tube having a first opening  31  at its proximal end. Located near first opening  31  is a finger grip  32 . Finger grip  32  is used to facilitate insertion of barrel  30  into the vagina. Preferably, a user may place finger grip  32  between a thumb and a middle finger for insertion, but any gripping method may be used. In an exemplary embodiment, finger grip  32  may have an hourglass shape. In yet other embodiments, finger grip  32  may have any suitable cross sectional shape, such as rectangular, triangular, ovoid, or spherical, to name a few. In other embodiments, finger grip  32  may have effectively the same diameter as the rest of barrel  30 . In yet other embodiments, finger grip  32  may have a plurality of uniformly or non-uniformly spaced circular ridges, grooves, pits, or the like, around the circumference of the barrel to provide the user with enhanced grip. In other embodiments, a single ridge, groove, pit, or the like may be provided. 
         [0044]    At the distal end of barrel  30  is a second opening  33 , which includes a plurality of petals  34 . The petals  34  are rounded and nearly converge at the top of barrel  30 , leaving a small opening. Petals  34  are preferably designed such that minimal expulsion force is needed to expel tampon  10  through second opening  33  and petals  34 , while still keeping tampon  10  in place such that it does not accidently eject through second opening  33  when stored. Barrel  30  may have any suitable diameter and may have a substantially cylindrical shape between finger grip  32  and petals  34 . This portion of barrel  30  may be referred to as tampon retaining portion  37 . 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIG. 3 , plunger  20  is shown. Plunger  20  is a hollow tube that is tapered along its length from its distal end to its proximal end. In other words, the distal end of plunger  20  has a larger diameter than its proximal end. At its proximal end, plunger  20  may have a finger flared portion  21 . At its distal end, plunger  20  may have a tampon flare  22 . In exemplary embodiments, finger flare  21  and tampon flare  22  are conical. In other embodiments, finger flare  21  and tampon flare  22  may have any suitable shape, such as rectangular, triangular, or spherical, or a combination thereof, to name a few. 
         [0046]    Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a detail view of the inner finger grip region  38  of barrel  30  is shown according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. Inner finger grip region  38  includes internal annular ridge  35  and longitudinally extending ribs  36 . The combination of plunger  20 , internal annular ridge  35 , and ribs  36  produces a superior tampon applicator that solves the problems inherent in the prior art. Specifically, tampon applicator  1  solves the problem of accidental plunger withdrawal, plunger misalignment, and plunger failure, while providing a simpler design than the prior art that may be easier and cheaper to manufacture. 
         [0047]    During the manufacture of tampon applicator  1 , petals  34  are initially held open and finger flare  21  of plunger  20  is inserted first into barrel  30 . Plunger  20  then moves downward through barrel  30  toward inner finger grip region  38 . 
         [0048]    Once finger flare  21  reaches inner finger grip region  38 , finger flare  21  approaches internal annular ridge  35 . In an exemplary embodiment, internal annular ridge  35  is circular and located at or near the narrowest interior portion of inner finger grip region  38 . In other embodiments, internal annular ridge  35  may be a single ridge, broken ridge, dimple, or other suitable pattern. In yet other embodiments, internal annular ridge  35  may be a plurality of uniformly or non-uniformly spaced ridges, dimples, or other suitable patterns around the inner-circumference of the barrel. Finger flare  21  has a greater diameter than internal annular ridge  35 . Thus, during manufacture, finger flare  21  is temporarily compressed as it passes through internal annular ridge  35 . Once finger flare  21  has passed through internal annular ridge  35 , finger flare  21  thereafter expands to its normal size and will prevent plunger  20  from accidental ejection through second opening  33  of barrel  30  during manufacturing and use. 
         [0049]    At this point during the manufacturing process, plunger  20  has passed through first opening  31  and is now extended outside barrel  30 . Tampon flare  22  prevents plunger  20  from accidental withdrawal through first opening  31  of barrel  30  because its diameter is considerably larger than the narrowest part of finger grip region  32  or internal annular ridge  35 . Ribs  36  prevent plunger  20  from misalignment and serve to stabilize plunger  20  in barrel  30 . Ribs  36  begin at first opening  31  and protrude into inner finger grip region  38 . Ribs  36  may terminate at or before reaching internal annular ridge  35 . In some embodiments, ribs  36  may be a plurality of dimples, ridges, or other suitable patterns. In other embodiments, a plurality of ribs  36  are uniformly or non-uniformly spaced around the inner-circumference of the barrel and first opening  31 . In other embodiments, a single rib  36  may be used. In some embodiments, the channel formed by ribs  36  has a minimum diameter that is greater than the maximum diameter of tampon flare  22 . Thus, ribs  36  do not compress tampon flare  22 , but rather, serve only to assure proper alignment of plunger  20  in sliding relation with barrel  30 . Ribs  36  also serve to prevent lateral wobble and stabilize plunger  20  such that its distal end, or widest portion, contacts ribs  36 . Further, ribs  36  in conjunction with the location of internal annular ridge  35  prevents the user from forcing the plunger  20  beyond internal annular ridge  35  during use. 
         [0050]    At this point in the manufacturing process, tampon  10  may be inserted into tampon retaining portion  37  as petals  34  are held open. Alternatively, tampon  10  may be inserted into barrel  30  simultaneously with plunger  20  as a sub-assembly. Once assembled, petals  34  are closed (which may include a post-forming step) and then tampon applicator  1  is ready for use. When a user pushes finger flare  21 , tampon flare  22  contacts tampon  10  and ejects it through tampon retaining portion  37  and out of second opening  33 . The tampon must overcome the minimum expulsion force of petals  34  as it exits second opening  33 . 
         [0051]    While particular embodiments of the invention have been illustrated and described, it would be obvious to those skilled in the art that various other changes and modifications may 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.