Kimberly-clark Corporation

Tammy J Rentmeester

Steven James Nielsen

Yihua Chang

Donald George Fox

Allan James Krueger

Richard R Tews

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 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 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.

Apparatus for coating a strip of paper

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

A tampon applicator is disclosed which includes first and second telescopically assembled members. The first member is designed to house an absorbent tampon. The first member has first and second spaced apart ends and is formed from at least two separate and distinct layers. An insertion tip is integrally formed on the first end of the first member and extends outwardly therefrom. The insertion tip is constructed from at least one of the two distinct layers and has a thickness which is less than that of the first member. The second member is telescopically mounted in the second end of the first member and is adapted to expel the tampon through the insertion tip as it is pushed into the first member.

Tampon applicator

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 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 facilitate insertion of the applicator into the body cavity.

Growing community of inventors

Appleton, WI, United States of America

Tammy J Rentmeester