Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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TAMPON APPLICATOR TOBE RAVING APERTURED FINGER GRIP
Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to tubular insertion
devices having an apertured finger grip to improve the
ability of a user to maintain a secure grip on the
applicator tube during use. In particular, the
insertion devices have a plurality of finger-accepting
apertures in the gripper end of the tube.
Background of the Invention
Tubular insertion devices, such as tampon
applicators, are generally constructed of one of two
basic materials: plastic and cardboard. These devices,
whether cardboard or plastic, generally incorporate
surface features at the rear or gripper end to allow the
user to more or less securely hold the applicator during
the following activities: inserting the device,
ejecting a substantially enclosed element from the
device, and withdrawing the device. Attempts have been
made to add surface treatments to the gripper end of
tampon applicator tubes in both plastic and cardboard
devices. For example, Wiegner et al., U.S. Patent No.
4,412,833, teaches a lightly grooved grip; Beastall et
al., U.S. Patent No. 5,087,239, teaches a series of more
pronounced grooves forming rings in the gripper end;
Fiinzmann, U.S. Patent No. 4,755,164, discloses both a
grip area having a reduced diameter and surface
indentations; and Whitehead, U.S. Patent No. 4,508,531,
and Huffman, U.S. Patent No. 4,573,964, both teach
finger grip areas having substantially reduced diameter.
The finger grips disclosed in this prior art generally
have a limited ability to prevent finger slip during
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insertion of the applicator and ejection of the tampon.
In those finger grips which have some improvement in
their ability to prevent finger slip, the production
requires severe manipulation of applicator material to
provide sufficient finger grip height.
In addition, other applicators have features
located in or near the gripper end to achieve other
purposes. For example, Fourness, U.S. Patent No.
2,587,717, discloses the use of an inwardly folded
locking ear to prevent accidental displacement of the
ejector tube from the outer tube. However; Fourness
teaches the use of an outwardly punched roughened
surface to provide the finger grip. In addition,
Bletzinger et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,196,873, discloses
the use of a single, relatively 'small aperture or some
other touch sensitive or visual indicating means to
allow the user to carefully orient the applicator. This
is critical to the Bletzinger product, as the
orientation of the tampon must be carefully controlled
2o to provide its described benefit.
Sheldon, U.S. Patent No. 4,573,963, teaches a
finger gripping section formed by a series of spaced,
circumferentially disposed slits in conjunction with
inwardly turned ribs. The inwardly projecting ribs
reduce the effective inside diameter of the outer tube.
Thus, the plunger used in conjunction with this outer
tube must have a diameter which is substantially less
than the outer tube.
In addition, tampon applicators on the market are
moving toward the use of higher gloss surfaces which are
more slippery than previously used cardboard applicator
tubes. Therefore, attempts have been made to provide
even more pronounced finger grip protrusions. For
example, Voss et al., U.S. Patent No. 3,764,438,
~r.-anmEO sH~~
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discloses a tampon applicator having a finger grip ring
adhered to the outer surface of the applicator. In
addition, Campion et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,346,468,
discloses a cardboard tampon applicator having a
polymeric coating on the outer tube and finger grip
rings which have a height of at least 0.010 inches.
This applicator requires even more violent manipulation
of the applicator tube material.
In view of the shortcomings of the prior art, what
is needed is a tampon applicator which has substantial
resistance to finger slip while inserting the device,
ejecting a substantially enclosed element from the
device, and withdrawing the device without requiring
severe manipulation of the device material during
manufacture which may result in~damage to this material
or which may notlprovide sufficient protrusion to
prevent finger slip.
AMENDED SHEET
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Summary of the Invention
The present invention relates to an insertion
device form~_d of a tubular element capable of
substantially containing an insertable element. The
tubular element has an insertion end and a gripper end.
The gripper end has a plurality of finger-accepting
apertures in the surface thereof. These apertures are
dimensioned to accept a portion of a user's finger. For
example, they may be arranged and configured to allow
l0 the skin of a user's finger to project into the
apertures. This insertion device is particularly useful
in a device which has a high-gloss outer surface.
The insertion devices of the present invention may
be used as tampon applicators for feminine hygiene.
Another configuration of the insertion device may be for
the vaginal or rectal delivery of prophylactic
compositions and/or medicaments.
The invention also relates to a method of forming
an insertion device. Thus, a tubular element capable of
substantially containing an insertable element and
having an insertion end and a gripper end is formed. A
plurality of finger-accepting apertures are formed in
the gripper end. The finger-accepting apertures are
dimensioned to accept a portion of a user's finger. The
finger-accepting apertures may be formed before or after
tube-forming material is manipulated into the tubular
element.
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The invention further relates to an insertion
device comprising a tubular element capable of substantially
containing an insertable element, the tubular element having
an outer surface, an insertion end and a gripper end, the
gripper end having a plurality of finger-accepting
apertures, the apertures having leading and trailing edges
corresponding to the insertion and gripper ends of the
tubular element, respectively, the apertures being
dimensioned to accept a portion of a user's finger and at
least the leading and trailing edges of the apertures
providing relatively abrupt, finger-accepting edges to
fractionally resist movement of the user's finger in
response to longitudinal forces on the insertion device.
The invention still further relates to a method of
forming an insertion device comprising the steps of forming
a tubular element capable of substantially containing an
insertable element having an insertion end and a gripper
end; and forming a plurality of finger-accepting apertures
in the gripper end; wherein the finger-accepting apertures
are dimensioned to accept a portion of a user's finger.
As used in the specification and claims, the term
"aperture" and variants thereof, mean an opening in the
surface of the tubular insertion device which forms a
discontinuity in the tube-foaming material at the edges of
the opening, at least at the leading and trailing edges
thereof. This aperture thereby provides relatively abrupt,
finger-accepting edges to
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frictionally resist movement of a user's finger in
response to longitudinal forces on the device.
Brief Description of the Drawing
Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a tampon applicator
tube according to the present invention.
Fig. 2 is a cross-section along line 2-2 of Fig. 1.
Fig. 3 is a side elevation of the gripper end of
the tampon applicator tube of Fig. 1 during use.
Figs. 4A-4G are side elevations of tampon
applicator tubes illustrating various finger-accepting
apertures contemplated by the present invention.
Fig. 5 is a perspective view of a tampon applicator
incorporating the tampon applicator tube of Fig. 1.
Fig. 6 is a side elevation of a plunger tube which
can be used in the present invention.
Fig. 7 is a cross-section of the gripper end of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention
incorporating indented surfaces adjacent a pair of
finger-accepting apertures.
Fig. 8 is a cross-section of the gripper end of an
alternative embodiment of the present invention
incorporating projections adjacent a pair of finger-
accepting apertures.
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Detailed Description of the Invention
Referring to Figs. 1-3, one embodiment of the
present invention relates to a tampon applicator tube to
formed of a tubular element 12 having an insertion end
14 and a gripper end 16. The gripper end 16 has a
plurality of finger-accepting apertures 18. The
insertion end 14 may have a plurality of inwardly curved
petals 20 forming a substantially closed dome 22.
The finger-accepting apertures 18 of the gripper
end 16 are dimensioned to accept a portion 24 of a
user's finger 26. Experimentation has shown that a
useful longitudinal dimension of the apertures 18 can
vary from 1 mm or less to greater than 10 mm. Useful
circumferential dimensions of the apertures 18 can vary
from about 1 mm to greater than 2o mm. Preferably, the
longitudinal dimension is about 1 mm to about 10 mm, and
more preferably, about 6 mm to about 8 mm. Preferably,
the circumferential dimension is about 3 mm to about 20
mm, and most preferably about 8 mm to about 16 mm. If
the aperture dimensions are too large, the tube may lose
stability necessary for processing and handling and the
user's finger may project too far into the tube and
clamp on a telescopically-enclosed plunger. If the
aperture dimensions are too small, the user's finger
will not sufficiently penetrate into the aperture to
enhance the user's grip.
The finger-accepting apertures 18 are
preferentially arranged circumferentially about the
gripper end 16. These apertures 18 can be arranged in a
single circumferential arrangement as illustrated in
Figs. 1, 3, 4A-4F, or they can be arranged in multiple
circumferential arrangements as illustrated in Fig. 4G.
The apertures 18 may be spaced apart in the
circumferential direction by about 3 mm to about 20 mm,
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preferably about 4 mm to about 16 mm. Adjacent
circumferential arrangements can be spaced apart in the
longitudinal direction by about 3 mm to about 15 mm,
preferably about 3 mm to about 6 mm.
The apertures 18 may take essentially any desired
shape including circles, ovals, hearts, lines, alpha-
numeric symbols, and various other geometric patterns.
Representative, non-limiting examples of some of these
apertures are illustrated in Fig. 4A-4G. Preferred
apertures have at least one major axis which is in the
circumferential direction. The apertures 18 may be
arranged to provide a plurality of apertures 18 in each
circumferential arrangement, preferably two to four
apertures per circumferential arrangement, and more
preferably, two apertures approximately oppositely
disposed about the circumference. This more preferred
arrangement allows a user to grip the applicator tube
10, usually between a finger 26a and a thumb 26b, on
opposite portions of the gripper end 16.
A tampon applicator 50 is illustrated in Fig. 5.
This applicator 50 includes an outer tubular element 52
having a pair of finger-accepting apertures 53 and an
inner tubular element 54. While the outer tubular
element 52 of Fig. 5 is similar to that described above
in reference to Figs. 1-3, it may also be configured
like those tubular elements illustrated in Figs. 4A-4G.
The inner tubular element 54, or plunger, is used to
expel a tampon 56 from the outer tubular element 52.
Thus, the leading end 58 of the plunger 54 bears against
the tampon 56 when a user's finger pushes the trailing
end 60 of the plunger 54.
Referring now to Fig. 6, the plunger 54 has at
least one protrusion 62 proximate the leading end 58
which is engageable with at least one of the finger-
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accepting apertures 53. This protrusion 62 may also be
dimensioned to be engageable with one or more of the
embossed or indented grip-enhancing features described
below.
The tampon applicator tubes of the present
invention can be made of materials generally known to
those of ordinary skill in the art. The applicators may
be conventional plastic, such as injection-moldable or
blow-moldable plastic, biodegradable plastic, such as
those disclosed in the commonly assigned patent
Dabi et al., U.S. Patent No. 5,910,520
filed January 15, 1993, or
cardboard. The cardboard used in tampon applicators can
be a single layer of cardboard material, or it can be a
plurality of laminated layers to provide multiple
benefits relating to the various layers. Useful
cardboard stock for the formation of the tubular
elements include, without limitation, paperboard,
cardboard, cup stock, paper, and the like. The
laminated cardboard material may include a surface layer
or coating of plastic, wax, silicone, and the like,
which may be useful to increase the comfort to the user
during insertion and withdrawal. The plastic coating
may include, without limitation, polyolefins such as
polyethylene and polypropylene, polyesters such as
polyethylene terephthalate, polycaprolactone, polyvinyl
alcohol, ethylene-vinyl acetate copolymers, cellophane,
and the like.
Preferred tubular element materials include
laminated cardboards. Preferred laminated cardboards
include plastic laminated or plastic coated cardboard
materials. These plastic laminated cardboard materials
may include additional layers such as adhesive layers,
tie layers, and the like.
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Typical dimensions for the tubular elements useful
in tampon applicators include a length of about 5 to 8
cm, a diameter of about 8 to 16 mm, and thicknesses of
about 0.4 to 0.6 mm. Preferably, the diameter of the
inner tubular element is less than the diameter of the
outer tubular element to allow for a telescopic
arrangement of the inner tubular element within the
outer tubular element as shown in Fig. 5.
While it is believed that the use of finger-
accepting apertures at the gripper end provides
sufficient resistance to finger slip while inserting the
applicator, ejecting the tampon from the applicator, and
withdrawing the applicator, on occasion, it may be
desirable to add additional grip-enhancing features to
the gripper end of the outer tubular element in a tampon
applicator. Possible grip-enhancing features include,
without limitation, embossed or indented surfaces,
protrusions, and the like. Preferably, these additional
grip-enhancing features are used in close proximity to
the finger-accepting apertures to provide more effective
resistance to finger slip and to guide a user to correct
finger placement.
Embossed or indented surfaces may take the form of
dots, grooves, and the like. An example of the use of
an embossed surface in conjunction with finger-accepting
apertures is illustrated in Fig. 7. In this embodiment,
embossed surfaces 70 are positioned proximate a finger-
accepting aperture 72 at the gripper end 74 of an outer
tubular element 76 of a tampon applicator.
Protruding features may take the form of bumps,
pyramids, rings, and the like. An example of the use of
a protruding ring in conjunction with finger-accepting
apertures is illustrated in Fig. 8. In this embodiment,
a first raised ring 80 is positioned adjacent a rear
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edge 82 of a finger-accepting aperture 84 at the gripper
end 86 of an outer tubular element 88 of a tampon
applicator, and a second raised ring 90 is positioned
adjacent a front edge 92 of the aperture 84.
The tubular elements of the present invention can
be made from plastic or cardboard materials. When
plastic is used in the practice of this invention, the
tubular elements can be formed by injection molding,
blow molding, rolled sheets, and the like. The finger-
accepting apertures of the gripper end can be formed by
means recognized by those of ordinary skill in the art.
For example, the finger-accepting apertures can be
formed during the molding of the tubular element, or
they can be formed after the tubular element has been
formed ("post-formed"). If the finger-accepting
apertures are post-formed, the apertures may be obtained
by die cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting,
thermoforming, grinding, and the like. The additional
grip-enhancing features can also be formed during the
2o molding of the plastic tubular elements or can be post-
formed. Plastic tubular elements formed of rolled
sheets can be formed as discussed below for cardboard
stock.
Cardboard tubular elements can be formed in several
ways currently known to those of ordinary skill in the
art. The cardboard tubes may be formed as a continuous
spiral-wound tube and subsequent cutting to form the
tubular elements. On the other hand, rectangular sheets
of cardboard can be rolled up to make individual tubular
elements or shorter tubes having longitudinal seams.
The shorter tubes can be cut to form a small number of
tubular elements, similar to the continuous, spiral-
wound tubes. When a continuous tube is used, the
finger-accepting apertures and other optional grip-
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enhancing features will generally be post-formed. When
shorter tubes having longitudinal seams are used, the
finger-accepting apertures and other optional grip-
enhancing features can be formed in the rectangular
cardboard blanks, or they can be post-formed as
discussed above. Again, the apertures may be obtained
by die cutting, laser cutting, water jet cutting,
thermoforming, grinding, and the like.
The apertures may be formed in the surface of the
tubular element by grinding away only the outer surface
of the tubular element, by laminating one or more layers
with a portion of the layer removed in the shape of the
aperture to one or more layers without a portion
corresponding to the aperture removed, by slitting the
leading and trailing edges of the aperture through the
tubular element and depressing the tubular element
material radially inward, and by deeply embossing a
sharp edged aperture into the tubular material. Other
useful aperture-forming methods will generally be known
to those of ordinary skill in the art. Apertures which
exist in the surface of the tubular material may
therefore be opaque, or with an appropriate choice of
material, they may be transparent. The bottom of the
surface apertures may be treated with a contrasting
color to help the user to locate these finger-accepting
apertures.
The finger-accepting apertures which are formed
through the tubular element at the gripper end of the
applicator tube also allow for the use of contrasting
color at the leading end of the inner plunger to signal
the location of the apertures. This color can also be
useful in compact tampon applicators which require the
plunger to be partially withdrawn prior to expelling a
tampon. Generic compact tampon applicators are known to
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those of ordinary skill in the art. The plunger can
have a signalling color at its leading end to signal to
the user when the plunger is sufficiently withdrawn to
allow the leading end of the plunger to bear against the
rear of a tampon held within the applicator.
While the detailed description above relates
specifically to a tampon applicator, one of ordinary
skill in the art will readily recognize that the same
device can be used for the vaginal or rectal delivery of
prophylactic compositions, such as spermicides, and/or
medicaments, such as fungicides. These compositions
and/or medicaments may be in the form of solids, creams,
foams, gels, and the like.
The specification and embodiments above are
presented to aid in the complete and non-limiting
understanding of the invention disclosed herein. Since
many variations and embodiments of the invention can be
made without departing from its spirit and scope, the
invention resides in the claims hereinafter appended.
