Patent ID: 8728022

Claim:
A tampon applicator assembly with an insertion end and a rear end containing a tampon made from absorbent material and an applicator comprising an outer tube and an inner tube able to slide telescopically in the outer tube, and the outer tube has an insertion end including at least two integrally formed, inwardly directed closure portions which are separated from one another by slots extending from the insertion end of the outer tube, the inner tube has an insertion end including at least two integrally formed, inwardly directed closure portions having terminal edges which are separated from one another by slots extending from the insertion end of the inner tube, and a head of the tampon which protrudes out at the insertion end of the inner tube is held in place between the terminal edges of the at least two integrally formed, inwardly directed closure portions of the inner tube and is accommodated completely inside the outer tube when the tampon applicator assembly is in a packaged state, wherein the outer tube comprises a smooth, internal wall extending from the at least two integrally formed, inwardly directed closure portions toward the rear end of the tampon applicator assembly without any inwardly extending projections.