Playtex Products, Inc.

Playtex Family Products Corporation

Platex Products, Inc.

Wayne David Melvin

Michael L Miller

Jessica Elizabeth LeMay

Jamshid Rejai

Dane R Jackson

Keith J Edgett

Kathryn Bennett

Van T Pham

Joseph S Konrad

Wojtek Drewnowski

Robert C Norquest

Jessica E Lemay

Kevin M Coverdale

Wojrek S Drewnowski

James C Armour

Richard M Wiernicki

Jessica Elizabeth Lemay

There is provided a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate components. A fingergrip having a reduced cross-section as compared to that of the barrel may be formed such that it is a separate component or is integrally formed with a barrel component. The reduced cross-section fingergrip provides exceptional grippability to the user. The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, biopolymer including starches and proteins, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Prior to assembly of the applicator and prior to loading the barrel component with an absorbent pledget, petals may be formed on the insertion end of the barrel using existing processes and equipment. Alternatively, a separate insertion tip component having petals may be formed. This separate component may then be connected to the barrel component either before or after an absorbent pledget is loaded into the barrel component.

Multiple-component tampon applicator

A tampon applicator barrel including a cardboard tube having a first end and a second end and at least one gripping structure defined from the cardboard tube proximate the second end is provided. The cardboard tube has a wall thickness of between about 0.015 and about 0.020 inches, while the gripping structure has a height of up to about 0.035 inches.

Tampon applicator barrels having gripping structures and methods of forming

A method of forming a barrel for a tampon applicator assembly including molding a barrel then forming a rearward taper region in an area of the barrel is provided. The method includes molding a first portion of the barrel in a first mold part and a second portion of the barrel in a second mold part, the first and second mold parts meeting at a maximum outer dimension of the first portion, ejecting the barrel from the first and second mold parts, and forming a flared region in an area of the second portion.

Barrel for a tampon application assembly and methods of forming

The present invention provides a tampon applicator barrel having a fingergrip with one or more gripping structures that have an acute edge for improved gripping. Preferably, the one or more gripping structures are one or more embossed ring-like structures. The present invention also provides a method for forming the one or more gripping structures on the applicator barrel. The method preferably includes forming at least one embossed ring-like gripping structure on the barrel such that the radial compressive strength of the applicator barrel is not compromised.

Tampon applicator with improved fingergrip and method of making same

A method of making a tampon applicator having four separable components includes forming a barrel having a forward end and a rearward end opposite the forward end, forming a fingergrip having a barrel end and a plunger end, where the fingergrip has an axially extending channel between the barrel end and the plunger end and the plunger end has a cross-sectional area that is less than a cross-sectional area of the barrel end, forming an insertion tip having a first end and a second end, forming a plunger having a forward end, connecting the barrel end of the fingergrip with the rearward end of the barrel, where the barrel end of the fingergrip and the rearward end of the barrel create a continuous surface flush with the barrel when connected, connecting the second end of the insertion tip to the forward end of the barrel, and inserting the forward end of the plunger into the channel of the fingergrip.

Barrel for a tampon applicator assembly and methods of forming

A plunger having a first end, a second end, and a main body is provided. The first end of the plunger is about 10% to about 15% larger than the main body and the second end is more than about 50% larger than the main body.

Tampon applicator assembly having an improved plunger and methods of making

There is provided a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate components including a barrel, a plunger, a fingergrip, an insertion tip. The at least three separate components are formed independently from one another, prior to forming the applicator. The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, biopolymer including starches and proteins, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Methods for making a multiple component tampon applicator are also provided.

A two piece compactly packaged application for a tampon which includes a discrete first member and a discrete second member, the first and the second members being of comparable length. The first and the second members are initially packaged in a side by side manner. The applicator also includes a plurality of spaced apart tabs on either the first member or the second member for retaining one of the first and the second members in the other of the first and the second members when the members are assembled together in their operative position. The method assembly of the applicator includes grasping one of the first and the second members, manually aligning the first and the second members and axially moving the first and the second members together so that the first and the second members slide relative to each other and are maintained telescopically in operative position.

Compact tampon applicator

A compact and short tampon applicator is formed of an outer barrel which surrounds a tampon-holding inner tubular plunger. The barrel has a pair of opposed tongues formed from portions of the wall of the outer barrel which are partially cut and deflected inwardly. The openings in the wall of the barrel provide effective means for holding the barrel during the insertion process. The tongues project into the interior of the plunger, through a pair of elongate slots in the wall of the plunger, so that the tongues are in position behind the tampon. The applicator is readied for being used by retraction of the plunger rearwardly to cause the tampon, which is restrained by the tongues, to be ejected from the plunger into the barrel. The tongues also serve to prevent the plunger from separating from the barrel. The front of the plunger collapses inwardly to form an effective tampon contacting surface for engaging the rear of the tampon in a manner which permits the plunger to push the tampon out of the barrel. Subsequent forward actuation of the plunger expels the tampon through the front of the barrel into the catamenial canal.

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Camden, DE, United States of America

Wayne David Melvin