Opinion ID: 212038
Heading Depth: 4
Heading Rank: 1

Heading: a cylindrical front portion adapted to house said tampon;

Text: 9 (b) a rearward portion adapted to partially house and engage said plunger, said rearward portion of said barrel comprising two diametrically opposed, substantially flattened surfaces; and 10 (c) a transitional section between said rearward portion and said front portion, said transitional section having a reduced diameter relative to said front portion of said barrel; 11 whereby said flattened surfaces and said transition section provide a finger and thumb hold enabling a user to comfortably eject and control the position of said tampon. 12 '178 patent, cols. 5-6 (emphasis added). The written description of the '178 patent does not specifically define the term substantially flattened surfaces. However, during prosecution of the '178 patent, Playtex distinguished the claimed substantially flattened surfaces from those tampon applicators well-known in the art containing substantially, relatively, or generally cylindrical surfaces. As set forth in the '178 patent the substantially flattened surfaces perform two functions: (1) they provide the user with greater control of positioning and (2) they reduce rotational movement and play. '178 patent, col. 2, II. 28-33. 13 The district court's construction of dependent claim 9 is also challenged on appeal. It reads as follows: 14 The applicator of claim 1 further comprising means for limiting the movement of said plunger through said rearward portion of said barrel. 15 '178 patent, col. 6 (emphasis added). The parties agree that claim 9 is a means-plus-function claim under 35 U.S.C. § 112 ¶ 6. The written description of the '178 patent expressly provides a corresponding structure for the limiting means. The abstract reveals that [o]ne manner of limiting the movement of the plunger is by providing at least one curled lip integral with the inner end of the plunger and engageable with the angled shoulders and preferably a second curled lip integral with the outer end of the plunger and engageable with the plunger entry area of the barrel. '178 patent, col. 4-5 (emphases added). The only drawing in the specification depicting the limiting means shows a plunger with a curved lip at both ends.