The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Mar. 26, 1996
Filed:
Sep. 06, 1994
Richard R Tews, Larsen, WI (US);
Jeffrey M Weyenberg, Appleton, WI (US);
Noel J Rasmussen, Oshkosh, WI (US);
Kimberly-Clark Corporation, Neenah, WI (US);
Abstract
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.