Patent ID: 8458882

Claim:
A method of assembling a tampon applicator comprising, providing a barrel, wherein the barrel has an insertion end, a plunger end, and a plurality of internal ridges, wherein the plurality of internal ridges define a guide channel having an effective diameter, and wherein the plurality of internal ridges have a leading end and a trailing end; providing a plunger, wherein the plunger has a finger-contacting end, a tampon-contacting end, and a flare on at least one of the finger-contacting end or the tampon-contacting end and wherein the flare has an effective flare diameter that is greater than the effective diameter of the guide channel; and assembling the plunger and the barrel by pushing the flare into the guide channel, deforming the flare while moving the flare through the guide channel, and reestablishing the flare after the flare exits the guide channel.