Patent ID: 7727208

Claim:
A tampon applicator comprising: a plunger having a first end and a second end; and a barrel having a center axis, said barrel having an insertion tip section, a main body section adjacent said insertion tip section, a reverse taper section adjacent said main body section opposite said insertion tip section, and a finger grip section adjacent said reverse taper section opposite said main body section each entirely positioned about said center axis, said insertion tip section having a plurality of petals, wherein said insertion tip section begins where there is a substantial change in curvature of a forward portion of said barrel and terminates where said plurality of petals converge at said main body section, wherein said main body section is tapered toward said insertion tip section, wherein said reverse taper section is tapered toward said finger grip section in a direction away from said insertion tip section, and wherein said portions of said center axis in said insertion tip section, said main body section, said reverse taper section and said finger grip section are entirely in the same plane.