U.S. patent number 3,895,634 [Application Number 05/407,711] was granted by the patent office on 1975-07-22 for tampon inserter.
This patent grant is currently assigned to Rapid-American Corporation. Invention is credited to Leonard Berger, Robert A. Underhill.
United States Patent |
3,895,634 |
Berger , et al. |
July 22, 1975 |
Tampon inserter
Abstract
A tampon inserter is disclosed having a tubular front barrel
member including an insertion tip formed from a plurality of
triangular-shaped segments which converge to a predetermined
desired shape to aid insertion. The cross-sectional wall thickness
of the tubular portion of the barrel member and insertion tip are
tailored to provide a relatively high strength side wall and a
relatively flexible and supple insertion tip such that insertion is
facilitated and a tampon may be ejected at an acceptable tampon
ejection pressure.
Inventors: |
Berger; Leonard (Ridgewood,
NJ), Underhill; Robert A. (Ringwood, NJ) |
Assignee: |
Rapid-American Corporation (New
York, NY)
|
Family
ID: |
23613216 |
Appl.
No.: |
05/407,711 |
Filed: |
October 18, 1973 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
604/14 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A61F
13/2051 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
A61F
13/20 (20060101); A61f 015/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;128/263,270,285,264 |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Gaudet; Richard A.
Assistant Examiner: Layton; Henry S.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Fried; Stewart J. Schwab; Jeffrey
A.
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A tampon inserter comprising a barrel member adapted to contain
a tampon and an ejection means in telescoping relation with said
barrel member, said barrel member having a substantially
cylindrical, hollow tubular body and a tapered front insertion end
comprising a plurality of resilient substantially triangular
segments having their bases integral with said tubular body and
their sides and apexes converged toward each other to form said
insertion end, said tubular body having a predetermined mean
cross-sectional wall thickness sufficient to provide wall stability
to said tubular body and said triangular segments having a
predetermined mean cross-sectional wall thickness which is
substantially less than that of said tubular body such that the
flexibility of said segments is increased while the overall
strength and stability of the major portion of said tubular body is
maintained.
2. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said tubular body and
said triangular segments are thermoplastic and are integral members
of a single injection molded thermoplastic piece.
3. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said tubular body and
said triangular segments are integrally formed of thermosetting
plastic.
4. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said tubular body and
said triangular segments each comprise a plurality of layers of
cardboard, said tubular body having more layers than said
triangular segments.
5. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional wall
thickness of said tubular body is greatest at its rear end and less
at the bases of said triangular segments.
6. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional wall
thickness of said triangular segments is greatest at the bases of
the segments and tapers toward the apexes of the segments.
7. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein the cross-sectional wall
thickness of said barrel member continually decreases from the rear
of the tubular body of the member to the apexes of the triangular
segments which form the insertion end.
8. The tampon inserter of claim 7 wherein the rate of decrease in
wall thickness is uniform over the entire length of the barrel
member.
9. The tampon inserter of claim 7 wherein the rate of decrease in
wall thickness accelerates toward the insertion end of said barrel
member.
10. The tampon inserter of claim 7 wherein a step is provided on
the interior wall of said barrel member and extending
circumferentially around the interior of said member to obtain a
substantial decrease in wall thickness over a relatively short
length of said barrel member.
11. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said barrel member
further includes a circumferential finger grip at the end of said
tubular body opposite said insertion end, said finger grip having a
cross-sectional wall thickness greater than that of said tubular
body.
12. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said barrel member and
said ejection means are thermoplastic and the cross-sectional wall
thickness of said barrel member continually decreases at a rate
which accelerates toward the insertion end of said barrel
member.
13. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said barrel member is
thermoplastic and includes an integrally molded finger grip at the
end of said barrel member opposite said insertion end, the mean
cross-sectional wall thickness of the tubular body of said barrel
member being substantially greater than that of said insertion end
and substantially less than that of said finger grip.
14. The tampon inserter of claim 13 wherein said finger grip is
cylindrical and is of less diameter than said tubular body.
15. The tampon inserter of claim 1 wherein said insertion end is
substantially hemispherical in shape and is comprised of six
substantially triangular segments having their sides and apexes
approaching each other and having a length, from their bases to the
apexes less than the diameter of said tubular body.
16. A tampon inserter comprising a polyethylene barrel member
adapted to contain a tampon and an ejection means in telescoping
relation with said barrel member, said barrel member having a
tubular body, an insertion tip at one end of said tubular body and
a cylindrical finger grip of less diameter than said tubular body
at the opposite end of said tubular body, said finger grip having a
cross-sectional wall thickness sufficient to withstand the forces
applied to said finger grip during use and greater than that of the
major portion of said tubular body, said tubular body having a
cross-sectional wall thickness over the major portion of its length
substantially greater than that of said insertion tip, said
insertion tip comprising a plurality of resilient upstanding
projections bent inwardly into a predetermined desired tapered
configuration to facilitate placement of said tampon inserter
within the vagina, said upstanding projections, tubular body and
finger grip being integral parts of a single molded component.
17. The tampon inserter of claim 16 wherein the cross-sectional
wall thickness of said tubular body continually decreases from a
point proximate said finger grip to the furthest extension of said
upstanding projections.
18. The tampon inserter of claim 16 wherein said upstanding
projections are substantially triangular segments having their
bases extending around the circumference of said tubular body and
their sides and apexes converged to a substantially closed
dome-shaped insertion tip.
19. A tampon inserter comprising a thermoplastic barrel member
adapted to contain a tampon and an ejection means in telescoping
relation with said barrel member, said barrel member having a
tubular body, an insertion tip at one end of said tubular body and
a finger grip at the opposite end of said tubular body, said
tubular body having a cross-sectional wall thickness over the major
portion of its length substantially greater than that of said
insertion tip, said insertion tip comprising a plurality of
resilient upstanding projections bent inwardly into a predetermined
desired tapered configuration to facilitate placement of said
tampon inserter within the vagina, said upstanding projections,
tubular body and finger grip being integral parts of a single
molded component.
20. The tampon inserter of claim 19 wherein the cross-sectional
wall thickness of said tubular body continually decreased from a
point proximate said finger grip to the furthest extension of said
upstanding projections.
21. The tampon inserter of claim 19 wherein the mean
cross-sectional wall thickness of the upstanding projections of
said insertion tip is at least 0.0075 inch less than the mean
cross-sectional wall thickness of said tubular body.
Description
FIELD OF INVENTION
This invention relates generally to catamenial devices and more
particularly relates to tampon inserters which are constructed in a
manner which facilitates their use and imparts further advantages
which will be described in detail hereinafter.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PRIOR ART
Catamenial tampons have, in recent years, increasingly been
replacing sanitary napkins in preference among large numbers of
women due to their ease of use and their imperceptibility during
use which does not restrict the particular type of fashions which
may be worn, as is sometimes the case with relatively bulkier,
externally worn sanitary napkins.
Since a tampon is worn internally, it is much smaller than a
sanitary napkin, and its size and shape must necessarily permit
easy insertion and removal. Proper placement of the tampon within
the vagina is extremely important to prevent the possible
embarrassment to the wearer which may be caused by improper
placement and possible resultant leakage.
Two general methods of tampon insertion are currently in widescale
use. The first involves use of a tampon holder consisting of a
hollow cylinder having openings at both ends and a slidable,
telescoping plunger arrangement through one open end for ejecting
the tampon through the opposite end after the cylinder has been
placed within the vagina. The second method involves direct
placement of the tampon within the vagina with one's finger or a
stake removably emplaced in the rear of the tampon.
The present invention relates to the first of these methods of
insertion involving use of a tampon holder, or inserter, which
contains the tampon prior to insertion and which is itself inserted
into the vagina before tampon ejection. Subsequent to tampon
placement, the insertion device is removed and discarded.
Inserters of this general type are extensively shown in the prior
art and have been in use for many years. Typically, they comprise a
generally tubular body formed from cardboard or plastic and have a
mating ejection means extending from an opening in their rear end.
The tampon, which comprises an absorbent material formed into a
cylindrical shape, is contained in the front portion of the
inserter and has a removal string extending out the back of the
tubular body part of the inserter adjacent to or through an opening
in the ejection means.
Various configurations for container and ejection means pairs have
been proposed to facilitate the manufacture, handling, placement
and removal of the inserter as well as ejection of the tampon.
These have included forming the components from materials having
different physical properties; varying the size and shape of the
inserter, ejection means or tampon; and, of particular pertinence
to the present invention, modifying the front end of the inserter
to ease insertion into the vagina and prevent irritation,
scratching or the capture and pulling of pubic hairs.
The prior art developments most closely related to the present
invention involve the reconstruction of the forward end of the
inserter to form a partially, substantially, or completely closed,
tapered insertion end which will open sufficient to permit passage
of the tampon during ejection. Such an insertion end, which may be
formed in different shapes for convenient insertion, assists in
parting the vaginal walls slowly to guide the inserter into proper
position and resiliently gives way upon ejection of the tampon.
An early attempt at forming such a temporary closure is shown in
U.S. Pat. No. 2,178,840 to Lorenian wherein it is disclosed that
the front barrel portion of a medicament inserter is cut in a
sawtooth manner to yield upstanding triangular projections which
are converged inwardly to form a dome-shaped insertion end. A
plunger is provided at the rear of the inserter and, upon
actuation, pushes the medicament contained within the inserter
through the temporary closure and forces the converged triangular
projections to extend substantially to their original upstanding
configuration to permit passage of the medicament and deposit
within the body.
Subsequent refinements on the basic teaching of the Lorenian Patent
have indicated that, while the basic design proposed by Lorenian
will assist in positioning a tampon inserter within the vagina, its
construction has certain inherent disadvantages in use which
subsequent patentees have sought to overcome.
A better understanding of the advantages and disadvantages of the
various tampon inserter constructions of the prior art will be had
by a brief review of the requirements for an optimized tampon
inserter of the general type disclosed in the Lorenian Patent.
The front barrel portion of the tampon inserter is typically
cylindrical, having a diameter and length which are predetermined
to contain a tampon of sufficient capacity. Its length must be
sufficient to permit insertion within the vagina and to extend
within the vagina a sufficient distance to place the tampon beyond
the introital region of the vagina which, due to its high
sensitivity, is not suitable for contact with the tampon over an
extended period of time. The barrel portion of the tampon inserter,
and particularly its leading edge, must be constructed of a
material which will not irritate the introital region of the vagina
during insertion. At the same time it must have sufficient wall
stability to prevent its distortion or collapse during handling,
shipping and the manipulations which are necessary for insertion.
This is particularly important during the actual thrust of
insertion which is accomplished solely by a force being applied at
the rear end of the barrel portion of the inserter. Not only will
collapse or distortion of the insertion end present problems of
discomfort, but also such distortion can, through frictional
engagement with the tampon, raise the force necessary to expel the
tampon into the body.
Thus, while the use of a dome-shaped tip at the ejection end of the
tampon inserter has the potential to ease insertion, a major
problem has existed in constructing an insertion tip that is
sufficiently flexible and yieldable to permit easy ejection of the
tampon. The forward movement of the tampon must spread the discrete
projections which make up the shaped end to form an opening which
will permit passage of the tampon without prohibitively increasing
the manual force or ejection pressure required on the ejection
means at the rear of the inserter.
The need for a highly stable wall over the major portion of the
front barrel of the inserter and simultaneously a highly flexible
forward insertion end has presented at least one obstacle which may
have prevented the commercial success of this type of arrangement.
To maintain the smooth surface of the insertion member it is
desirable that the barrel portion and insertion end, of the
inserter be formed from the same material. In an apparent attempt
to deal with this problem Lorenian employed a large number (the
drawings seem to show at least twelve) of triangular projections at
the forward end of the inserter to obtain the necessary flexibility
of these projections to permit easy ejection of the inserter
contents. Not only does the use of such a large number of
projections present difficulties in fabrication, since it is
necessary to conform each of these in a precise manner to obtain
the closure, but also it presents many lateral side edges which, if
out of registry, can present problems of irritation.
Subsequent patentees have sought to alleviate the need for a large
number of projections by attempting to obtain the necessary
flexibility in other ways.
Typical of these proposed solutions are U.S. Pat. No. 2,413,480 to
Winter which discloses the adhesion of an insertion tip of a
different material from that of the main body of the tampon
inserter to the forward end of the inserter barrel. This
construction permits the barrel to be formed of a material having
greater wall stability and the insertion tip to be formed from a
more flexible material. While accomplishing its intended purpose of
tailoring the strength of the materials of construction to the
particular requirements of their application, it can be seen that
such a construction requires the use of an additional component,
the insertion tip. This requires the separate fabricating step of
adhering the tip to the inserter barrel and introduces the
possibility of the tip coming loose during use and deposit of same
within the vagina. The resultant product also provides an inserter
with an external ledge which may create an irritation problem upon
withdrawal of the inserter. U.S. Pat. No. 3,499,447 to Mattes et
al. discloses a similar two-piece inserter barrel element.
Attempts at fabrication of a one-piece front barrel have usually
sought to overcome the high ejection pressure problem referred to
above by either only partially forming an insertion end (U.S. Pat.
No. 3,717,149 to Morane and U.S. Pat. No. 2,754,822 to Emelock); by
forming a "hinge" at the base of the tip to increase flexibility of
the triangular segments which form the tip (U.S. Pat. No. 3,433,225
to Voss et al.); or by providing camming devices on the interior
walls of the triangular members to assist in removing the apexes of
the triangular members from the path of the tampon as it is ejected
from the inserter (U.S. Pat. No. 3,628,533 to Loyer).
In some instances, prior workers have employed dome-shaped tampons
within this general type of inserter thus, providing an assist to
the ejection process.
While the attempts of the past have been many, to date there has
yet to be a simple, easily and economically constructed inserter,
of the general type described which has enjoyed large commerical
acceptance.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of this invention to provide a tampon inserter
which has sufficient strength to withstand handling and
manipulation prior to and during tampon ejection and yet has a
substantially closed insertion end of triangular petals which are
sufficiently flexible to permit ejection of a tampon upon
application of an acceptable ejection pressure to the ejection
means of the inserter.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
In accordance with the present invention there is provided a tampon
inserter of the general type comprising a substantially
cylindrical, hollow tubular member adapted to contain a tampon and
having a tapered front insertion end and an opening in its rear
end. An ejector, in telescoping relation with the tubular member,
extends through the opening in its rear end and is adapted to eject
a tampon from the front end of the tubular member. The tapered
front insertion end is formed from a plurality of resilient
substantially triangular segments which are integrally formed as
part of the tubular member and have their bases extending
circumferentially around the tubular member and their sides and
apexes converging to form an end of desired shape. The mean
cross-sectional wall thickness of the cylindrical portion of the
tubular member is of a predetermined thickness sufficient to
provide wall stability to the tubular member prior to, during, and
following tampon ejection. The mean cross-sectional wall thickness
of the triangular segments is of a predetermined thickness
sufficient to provide flexibility to the segments during tampon
ejection, the mean wall thickness of the triangular segments being
substantially less than the mean wall thickness of the cylindrical
portion of the tubular member. Thus, there is provided a tampon
inserter having a tampon-containing tubular member of sufficient
strength to withstand normal forces applied during handling,
insertion, tampon ejection and inserter removal, and an integrally
formed insertion end which is of substantially less thickness than
the tubular member to provide a resilient closure which is
sufficiently flexible and supple to permit tampon ejection at an
acceptable tampon ejection pressure but is stable to deformation in
handling, storage and shipping.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will be more particularly described with reference to
the accompanying drawings in which:
FIG. 1 is an enlarged perspective view of a catamenial device in
accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 2--2 of FIG.
1;
FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view, similar to that of FIG. 2, but
showing an alternate embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 4 is a front view of a catamenial device taken along line 4--4
of FIG. 1;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the front barrel portion of a
thermoplastic tampon inserter in accordance with the present
invention shown after molding but prior to fabrication of the
insertion end;
FIG. 6 is a perspective view, partially in cross-section, showing
the fabrication of the insertion end on a catamenial device
including the front barrel component shown in FIG. 5;
FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing tampon ejection in a
catamenial device in accordance with the present invention;
FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the catamenial device of FIG.
7 subsequent to tampon ejection.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS AND PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
The catamenial device of the present invention, as depicted in the
drawings, comprises a tampon inserter, generally designated 10
which contains, and is constructed to permit insertion within the
vagina of, an absorbent catamenial tampon, generally designated 12.
Tampon inserter 10 comprises an elongated, generally cylindrical,
front barrel member 14 which tapers at its rear end to a
cylindrical finger grip 16 of lesser diameter than the front barrel
member and including a plurality of spaced external circumferential
ribs 18 which provide finger grips to facilitate use of the
inserter. An ejection means, such as a cylindrical plunger 20 is
provided at the rear of the front barrel member 14 extending
through the cylindrical finger grip 16 into the interior of the
front barrel member.
The absorbent catamenial tampon 12 comprises an absorbent material,
e.g. rayon, formed into a generally cylindrical shape 22, having a
withdrawal string 24 securely fastened to its rear end at fastening
point 26 and having its free end extending through the cylindrical
plunger 20.
The forward end of the front barrel member 14 is fabricated into an
insertion tip 28 comprising a generally hemispherical dome formed
from converged triangular segments 30 which are integrally formed
from the same material of construction as the front barrel member
14 and are extentions of the forward terminus of the front barrel
member. The number, size and shape of these triangular segments are
selected to yield an insertion tip of the desired configuration.
Preferrably six triangular segments are employed and are converged
(see FIG. 4) in a manner which minimizes the space 32 between the
individual segments and yet forms the desired shape without
segments overlapping on their sides or at their tips 34.
Additionally, the tips 34 are preferrably rounded to further reduce
the possibility of overlapping at their juncture and to prevent
possible scratching of vaginal tissue during use.
As can best be seen in FIG. 2, the embodiment of the invention
there depicted has a front barrel member having a wall thickness
which is at its maximum in the area of the finger grip 16, becomes
progressively thinner as it approaches the forward end of the
inserter, and has its thinnest area at the tips 34 of the
triangular segments 30. Through such a construction, the wall
thickness along the major tubular portion of the length of the
front barrel member 14 of the inserter is of a predetermined
sufficient thickness to give product stability during storage and
handling and to prevent wall collapse during the manipulations and
application of forces which are sustained by the barrel member
during insertion, tampon ejection and subsequent removal of the
inserter. The finger grip 16, having a wall thickness which is
greater than that of the major portion of the front barrel member
14, is sufficiently stable to permit it to withstand the
compressive forces which are exerted on the finger grip during
insertion and additionally aids in preventing the cylindrical
plunger 20 from becoming disengaged from the front barrel member of
the inserter by exerting a uniform force on the plunger prior to,
during and after tampon ejection. The cross-sectional wall
thickness of the insertion tip 28, on the other hand, being thinner
than that of the main body portion of the front barrel member 14 is
sufficiently flexible and supple to feel soft during insertion of
the device into the vagina and to permit easy passage of the tampon
through the opening which it creates in the insertion tip during
ejection. The rate of taper of the wall thickness may be uniform
for the entire length of the front barrel member, but preferably
accelerates as it approaches the front end of the member. Such a
construction maintains wall thickness at a high level over a
maximum length of the tubular portion of the front barrel
member.
A second embodiment of the invention is shown in FIG. 3 of the
drawings wherein the various components are identical to those
shown in FIG. 2 except that the tapering of the wall thickness of
the front barrel member 14 is accomplished through an abrupt step
36 in the interior surface of the wall at a point near the
insertion tip 28 but below the bases of the triangular segments 30.
This step 36 also permits continuation of the thickened portion of
the tubular body of the front barrel member 14 for a major portion
of the length of the tubular body thereby providing a high degree
of wall stability to the front barrel member 14 over its entire
length.
The method of fabricating and using the catamenial device of the
present invention is shown in FIGS. 5 through 8 and is identical
for either the embodiment of FIG. 2 or that of FIG. 3 of the
drawings. The external appearance of the catamenial device, e.g.
FIGS. 1 and 4, will also be substantially the same for both
embodiments.
The material of construction of the tampon inserter of the present
invention is not critical and numerous materials such as carboard
and thermoplastics, have been widely used in the past. The material
for use in this invention must be capable of being formed into
various thicknesses in closely adjacent areas. This can be
accomplished in cardboard laminates by omitting certain of the
laminate layers from specific portions of the fabricated components
but is more easily accomplished through molding techniques
employing thermoplastic materials. Therefore, thermoplastics, and
particularly polyolefins, are preferred materials of construction
of the tampon inserter of the present invention with polyethylene
being particularly preferred due to its low cost, availability and
ease of molding.
FIG. 5 of the drawings shows the front barrel member 14 of the
tampon inserter 10 formed from polyethylene subsequent to molding
but prior to assembly into the completed tampon inserter. It can be
seen from this drawing that the front barrel member of the inserter
is molded with its tubular main body portion, cylindrical finger
grip 16, circumferential ribs 18 and triangular segments 30 as
integral components of a one-shot injection molded piece. The
triangular segments 30 are molded in an "open" configuration, i.e.
extending parallel to and as a continuatoin of the circumferential
wall of the front barrel member 14 of the inserter. The front
barrel member is also molded to its desired wall thickness
including any differences in wall thickness which are required to
obtain the combination of high body strength and insertion tip
flexibility which are desired.
With regard to molding a component of this type, it will be obvious
to those skilled in the art that the configuration of the component
requires that the injection mold have a draft which will provide
the component with a small degree of wall taper and possibly that
the diameter of the component will be slightly greater at the
forward end than at the rear. This is necessary to permit the
molded component to be removed from the mold and, in components of
this general type, usually ranges from about 0.001 to about 0.003
inch in decreased wall thickness over the entire length of the
cylindrical portion of the front barrel member of the inserter. The
decrease in wall thickness provided in the tampon inserter of the
present invention is substantially in excess of that required for
mold draft. The term "substantially in excess", "substantially
greater" or similar language, as used herein, is intended to mean
"at least 50 per cent greater" but may well exceed 50 per cent.
Typically, therefore, the cross-sectional thickness of front barrel
member of inserters in accordance with this invention will be at
least 0.005 inch less at the tips of the triangular segments or
petals of the insertion tip than at the rear end of the cylindrical
portion of the front barrel member. Preferably, the mean
cross-sectional thickness of the petals will be at least 0.005
inch, and most preferably at least 0.0075 inch, less than the mean
cross-sectional thickness of the cylindrical portion of the front
barrel member.
A typical front barrel member for a tampon inserter of the present
invention, as molded, i.e. with the forward triangular segments of
the insertion tip fully extended, would measure about three inches
in overall length and would have an external diameter, at its
widest point, of about 0.6 inch. Typical wall thicknesses for such
a front barrel member would be approximately 0.04 inch at the
finger grip (Section A of FIG. 2), 0.028 inch at the rear end of
the elongated cylindrical portion of the front barrel (Section B),
0.025 inch at a point approximately two-thirds of the way forward
(Section C) on the elongated cylindrical barrel member, 0.0217 inch
at the base (Section D) of the triangular segments, and 0.015 inch
at the tips (Section E) of the triangular segments. It can be seen,
therefore, that maximum thickness is provided in the finger grip
portion of the barrel member to increase the strength of this
portion since it will receive the greatest handling and force
exertion. The wall thickness is then decreased and is fairly
constant over approximately two-thirds of the cylindrical portion
of the barrel member to provide the required degree of strength but
not to the extent present in the finger grip. The wall thickness
then tapers sharply as it approaches the forward tips of the
triangular segments to provide increased flexibility to these
segments to facilitate tampon ejection.
After molding, the front barrel member is provided with an ejection
means and the tampon is loaded. The ejection means may comprise a
cardboard, wooden, thermoplastic or thermoset rod or tube which, as
shown in the drawings, extends through the opening in the finger
grip of the inserter and is of a size and configuration sufficient
to check inadvertent removal from the inserter. This may be
accomplished by forming the tube in a somewhat oval shape to exert
a transverse pressure on the internal walls of the cylindrical
finger grip and thereby increase the friction between the two
components. In addition the end of the thermoplastic tube within
the front barrel member of the inserter may be flared slightly to a
diameter greater than the passage in the finger grip to prevent the
tube from being inadvertently withdrawn from the rear end of the
barrel member.
The tampon may be formed of any material and in any size and
configuration which can be loaded into the inserter of the present
invention and ejected from same. Typically, the tampon will be
formed from an absorbent material, e.g. absorbent cotton, rayon,
sponge etc., and will be formed into an elongated cylindrical
shape. The relative diameters of the tampon and internal wall of
the inserter should be tailored in a manner such that the tampon
will not be so loosely contained within the inserter as to move
about nor should it be so tight as to undesirably increase the
ejection pressure required for insertion.
It is apparent from FIG. 5 of the drawings that, since the finger
grip 16 is of less diameter than the main body portion of the front
barrel member 14, it is necessary that the tampon be loaded into
the barrel member through its front end. The assembly of the
inserter components involves the insertion of the telescoping
plunger 20 through the finger grip 16 and the placement of the
tampon 12 in the front barrel member 14 with the withdrawal string
24 extending through the plunger 20.
After assembly, the insertion tip 28 of the tampon inserter may be
formed as shown in FIG. 6 by forcing the front end of the inserter
into a shaped heated die 38 wherein the triangular segments 30 are
converged inwardly to form an insertion tip of desired shape. The
die 38 is brought to a temperature sufficient to heat the
thermoplastic material of the triangular segments but lower than
that which would melt the thermoplastic. After the triangular
segments are brought to appropriate shaping temperature, the die is
cooled to set the segments in the desired configuration. This can
be accomplished in an electrically heated die by merely turning off
the electrical current but may be done more quickly by externally
cooling the die after the current is turned off.
The manner of using the inserter of the present invention involves
placing the front barrel member of the inserter within the vagina a
sufficient distance such that only the finger grip 16 and plunger
20 remain exposed. While the finger grip is held, a forward
movement of the plunger will force the tampon through the insertion
tip causing the flexible, supple triangular segments to part and
closely adhere to the tampon as it emerges. As can best be seen in
FIG. 7 of the drawings, the extended triangular segments conform
closely to the sides of the tampon as it is ejected thereby
preventing the possibility of pinching sensitive tissues or
capturing pubic hair.
When the plunger is fully depressed (FIG. 8), the tampon is set
free of the inserter and the triangular segments again converge
until they contact the forward end of the plunger. They remain
there, partially closed and gripping the plunger, during withdrawal
of the inserter to prevent retention of the plunger within the
vagina or the closing of the triangular segments while being
withdrawn through the introital region of the vagina.
It will be obvious to those skilled in the art that various
modifications can be made in the specifics of the above description
of the preferred embodiments of the invention without departing
from the novel features described and claimed herein.
For example, with regard to the materials of fabrication, it has
been described that polyolefins are the preferred materials of
construction with polyethylene being particularly preferred. It
will be obvious to those skilled in the art that thermoplastics
other than polyolefins as well as thermosetting materials will also
be useful and that these may contain various plasticizers, fillers,
anti-oxidants, dyes, etc., as are commonly used in thermoplastic
molding or thermosetting. The choice and mixing of such materials
to obtain a formed piece of proper physical properties and
appearance is well within the ordinary skill of the artisan.
The shape of the insertion tip is also not critical to the present
invention and, while a substantially blunt hemisperical tip is
preferred, other shapes will also be useful. For example, more
pointed, steeple-shaped, frusto-conical or parabolic tips may also
be used.
The number of segments or petals employed to form the tip may also
be modified but here it has been found that the use of six petals
is particularly preferred. To facilitate molding from a
thermoplastic material it is desirable that the number of petals be
even since mold fabrication is thereby simplified.
In addition, as the number of petals decreases, the length of the
curve at the base of each petal increases. Conversely, as the
circumference of the front barrel member decreases, the radius of
curvature of the base of the individual petals also decreases. In
both instances the force required to set the petals into the
desired configuration and to straighten the petals during tampon
ejection is substantially increased.
As the number of petals increases, ejection pressure is reduced but
difficulties are encountered in forming a smooth closure and
controlling the individual petals during and after tampon
ejection.
The height of the individual petals is preferrably less than the
diameter of the front barrel member of the inserter to minimize the
possibility of a tip of one of the petals being exposed by
extending beyond the circumference of the front barrel member
should the petals inadvertently collapse during use. The
significance of this constructional feature can be appreciated from
FIG. 5 of the drawings wherein it can be seen that, if the petal
length is longer than the diameter of the barrel and if the petals
collapse inwardly, it would be possible for one of the petals to
overlie the front end of the barrel and extend beyond its
circumference on the opposite side of the barrel. A petal tip
extending in this manner could cause irritation during placement or
withdrawal of the inserter.
In addition, to minimize the possibility of the edges of the petals
from irritating or scratching, the tips are preferably rounded and
the edges are preferably feathered to further enhance the
flexibility and supple texture of the petals.
As can be seen in FIG. 4, the petals are preferably arranged with
their sides as close as possible, within the tolerances of mass
production techniques, but do not overlap either at their side
edges or their tips. Such a configuration is referred to herein as
being "closed", but it is to be understood that this terminology is
intended to permit a slight spacing, e.g. of the order of about
0.010 to 0.025 inch, between petals. The blunted tips of the petals
will also usually be separated by a space of about 0.040 to 0.075
inch.
The finger grip of the inserter may also be modified to provide a
grip which is of the same circumference as the front barrel member
or is of greater circumference than this member. In this latter
instance, where the finger grip extends beyond the circumference of
the front barrel member, it may be provided as a collar around the
base of the barrel member and may leave the rear end of the barrel
open for substantially its entire diameter. This type of
construction, which is well known in the art, permits loading of
the tampon and ejection means from the rear of the front barrel
member. Such a construction will permit the injection molding of
the petals into the desired configuration at the same time the
front barrel member is molded or will permit post-forming of the
insertion tip with mating mold members. The embodiments of the
invention shown in the drawings allow fabrication of the insertion
tip with only a female die and only through a post-forming
technique.
Other modifications of the present invention will be obvious to
those skilled in the art from the foregoing teachings. Moreover,
while the present invention has been described with reference to
many particular details thereof, it is not intended that these
details shall be construed as limiting the scope of the
invention.
* * * * *