Kimberly-clark Corporation

Kimberly-clark Worldwide, Inc.

Richard R Tews

Yihua Chang

Steven James Nielsen

Donald A Sheldon

Allan James Krueger

Jeffrey Michael Weyenberg

Noel J Rasmussen

Tammy Jo Balzar

Bruce G Stokes

Tammy J Rentmeester

Amnuey Lilaonitkul

An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper which has an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. The exterior surface of the tubular member is coated with a compostable coating. The coating is comprised of at least 85 percent by weight of a polymeric material, at least 10 percent by weight of additives, and up to about 5 percent by weight of a residual monomer.

Paper applicator containing a compostable coating

An applicator is disclosed for inserting a substance into a body cavity. An apparatus for coating paper and a method of forming the paper into an applicator are also disclosed. The applicator is especially useful for inserting a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member formed from at least one layer of paper and has an interior and an exterior surface. The tubular member is capable of holding the substance which is to be inserted. At least one of the surfaces of the tubular member is coated with a water-insoluble coating which is comprised of from between about 95 to about 98 percent by weight of a polymeric material and from between about 2 to about 5 percent by weight of a slip agent. The coating provides the tubular member with a dry coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.35 to about 0.56 and a wet coefficient of kinetic friction ranging from between about 0.78 to about 1.06. These low dry and wet coefficient of kinetic friction values facilitates insertion of the applicator into the body cavity and expulsion of the substance from the applicator.

Paper applicator containing a water-insoluble coating

An apparatus and method are disclosed for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube. The apparatus includes a first punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube and having a configured tip with a plurality of elongated grooves formed therein. The first punch also contains a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The first punch and tube are mateable with a first die. The first die includes a base having a plurality of blades extending axially outward therefrom. Each blade is designed to engage with one of the grooves formed on the first punch and causes the tip of the tube to be crimped therebetween. After an end of the tube has been crimped, it is transformed into a plurality of pleats and configured into a semi-spherically shaped tip having a central aperture formed therethrough. This is accomplished using a second punch having a tubular section sized to receive the tube. The second punch also has a semi-spherically shaped tip with a pin extending outward from the apex thereof and a shoulder formed at an opposite end of the tubular section which acts as a stop for the tube. The second punch and tube are mateable with a second die. The second die includes a base having a semi-spherical cavity formed therein with a central passageway formed at the bottom of the cavity. The cavity is sized to receive both the second punch and the tube while the passageway is sized to receive only the pin. The method of engaging the punches and dies to crimp, pleat and form one end of the tube is also described.

Apparatus for crimping, pleating and forming a tip on a hollow tube

An apparatus and method are disclosed for reducing the force required to expel a catamenial tampon from a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator is also disclosed. The tampon applicator includes a first member which is capable of housing an absorbent tampon. The first member has an inside diameter, first and second spaced apart ends, and an insertion tip formed adjacent to the first end. The insertion tip at least partially closes the first end of the first member and facilitates insertion of the tampon applicator into a woman's vagina. The insertion tip is opened, expanded and reclosed prior to positioning the tampon in the first member. This action allows the insertion tip to be reopened with a minimum amount of expulsion force. The apparatus includes a first punch having an outside diameter which is sized slightly less than the inside diameter of the first member. This enables the first punch to slide within the first member from the second end toward the first end. The first punch has a forward end which is capable of opening the insertion tip. The apparatus also includes a second punch having a forward end with an outside diameter which is sized larger than the inside diameter of the first member. The second punch is capable of entering the opened insertion tip and expanding at least a portion of the inside diameter thereof. The method discloses using the above mentioned apparatus as well as the step of reclosing the insertion tip such that a reduced force is required to reopen the insertion tip and expel the tampon.

Apparatus and method of reducing the force to expel a tampon from a

A method of forming a tube is disclosed which has the strength and stiffness required for a tampon applicator tube and which can rapidly disintegrate in water. A method including the steps of directing a web of paper, a web of adhesive film and a web of superabsorbent material on to a mandrel. Wrapping said webs on the mandrel to form a laminate, and then heating the laminate to form a seal between the various layers to produce a finished tube.

Method of forming rapidly disintegrating paper tubes

The invention provides a tampon tube that is formed of a series of layers of paper, adhesive sealing means and superabsorbent material. The method of formation generally is to provide each of these materials in a sheet form and wind the tube convolutely with heat sealing during winding.

Rapidly disintegrating paper tubes

The invention is generally accomplished by providing a generally rectangular blank of absorbent material. Adjacent one strip of the rectangular sheet is placed a generally continuous line of adhesive. The rectangular blank is then wound and compressed to form a tampon. As the tampon is compressed the adhesive fuses one end of the wound tampon. The blank is provided with a string prior to winding that is also adhesively connected to the tampon. As the tampon expands in the vagina it will open at the insertion end but not expand significantly at the withdrawal end. Therefore this tampon is easier to withdraw but expands readily at the insertion end to prevent leakage. The tampon also resists telescoping during withdrawal.

Adhesively held spiral wound tampon and method of its formation

This invention relates to a coated paper outer tube for a tube tampon providing low friction inner and outer surfaces after the tube has been formed by convolutely winding.

Reverse folded convolutely wound tampon tube

This invention relates to a method for forming a wound cellulosic tampon in the shape of a truncated cone by winding a flat cellulosic web while a portion of the web which forms the outer surface of the pledget of the tampon is in contact with a tapered receptacle. The wound tampon resists telescoping during withdrawal after use.

Growing community of inventors

Larsen, WI, United States of America

Richard R Tews