JP4643565B2 - Outer cylinder and formation method for tampon applicator assembly - Google Patents

Description

Detailed Description of the Invention

  The present invention relates to an outer cylinder of a tampon applicator assembly and a method of forming such an outer cylinder.

  The tampon applicator assembly is used to insert an absorbent, known as sanitary material, into the vaginal cavity, known as tampon cotton removal. Commercially available tampon applicator assemblies typically have an outer cylinder and a plunger that is used to release a cotton swab that is contained within the outer cylinder.

  The use of such an assembly requires that the user grasps the outer tube and can easily guide it into the vaginal cavity. This is particularly important because during insertion some or all of the assembly will deviate from the straight line of view of the user. Thus, assemblies that are difficult to grasp and control may prevent proper and comfortable insertion of the cotton swab.

  Another problem associated with the difficulty of gripping and controlling the assembly is that the user often places excessive gripping force on the outer sleeve to compensate for the lack of gripping ability. This excessive gripping force can partially deform and damage the outer cylinder and / or plunger, thereby distorting the assembly and obstructing the normal path of travel from the cotton swab assembly. Thus, the user needs to apply a significant amount of force to release the swab from the assembly, which can be uncomfortable.

  A number of factors combine to improve user comfort while using a tampon applicator assembly. For example, user comfort is affected by one or more ease factors. These ease factors include the ease with which the assembly is inserted into the vagina, the ease with which the cotton swab is released from the assembly, and the ease with which the used assembly is removed from the vagina. Is included. However, designing this assembly to incorporate properties that improve one or more of these areas greatly increases the manufacturing cost of the assembly.

  Thus, there is a need to provide a simple and low-cost method of forming an improved tampon applicator assembly to increase user comfort by improving one or more of the eases described above.

  One object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming an outer cylinder of a tampon applicator assembly.

  Another object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming an outer cylinder having an overhanging finger grip.

  It is a further object of the present invention to provide a method for forming an outer cylinder having a finger grip with a shoulder region and an overhang region.

  Yet another object of the present invention is to provide a method of forming an outer cylinder having a tapered tip, a tapered main portion, and an overhanging finger grip.

  These and other objects of the present invention are accomplished by a method of forming an overhang area in one area of the outer cylinder after molding the outer cylinder.

The present invention is a method of forming an outer cylinder for a tampon applicator assembly comprising an insertion tip, a shoulder region, a flare portion and a gripping region located between the shoulder region and the flare portion. ,
A first portion having an insertion tip in the first casting portion, a shoulder region and a second portion having the shoulder region in the second casting portion, the first portion and the second portion; Molding so that the first and second casting portions contact at the largest outer dimension of the first portion such that
After molding the first part and the second part, removing the integrated first part and second part from the first casting part and the second casting part; ,
Forming a flare portion in a predetermined region of the extracted second portion .

The present invention is also a method of forming an outer tube for a tampon applicator assembly comprising an insertion tip, a shoulder region, a flare portion, and a gripping region located between the shoulder region and the flare portion. And
The first casting cavity and the second casting cavity are connected to each other such that the first casting cavity and the second casting cavity contact at the largest outer dimension of the first casting cavity. Fluid communication;
The second casting cavity forms a shoulder region and a gripping region so as not to form a flare portion, and the first casting cavity and the second casting cavity are formed so as to form the outer cylinder. Injecting material into the
Taking out the outer cylinder in which the flare portion is not formed from the first casting cavity and the second casting cavity;
Forming a flare on a portion of the outer cylinder removed from the second casting cavity .

The present invention further provides an outer tube for use in a tampon applicator assembly. The outer tube is positioned between the insertion tip and the finger gripping portion and has a tapered main portion having a taper ratio of about 1.07 to about 1.15;
A plurality of petals formed at the insertion tip,
The finger gripping unit has a first region, a second region, and a gripping region located between the first region and the second region,
The first region intersects the tapered main portion in a first plane having a first outer dimension, and the gripping region intersects the first region and has a second outer dimension. The second region intersects the gripping region and has a third outer dimension, and the first outer dimension is larger than the second outer dimension, and the third outer dimension is Greater than the second outer dimension;
The first outer dimension defines the largest outer dimension of the outer cylinder. The outer cylinder having the exception of the second region is formed by a two-part molding operation, and the second region is formed by performing the forming operation after the two-part molding operation.

  The above described and other features and advantages of the present invention will be understood by those skilled in the art from the following description, drawings, and appended claims.

  In the drawings, and in particular in FIGS. 1 and 2, an exemplary embodiment of an improved tampon applicator assembly, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, is illustrated. The improved assembly 10 is simple to insert, use, and remove compared to prior art tampon applicator assemblies.

The assembly 10 has a cotton removal thread 12, an outer cylinder 14, and a plunger 16. The cotton removal thread 12 can be disposed in the outer cylinder 14. A pullout cord 18 is connected to the cotton removal thread 12, and this cord extends to the outside of the assembly 10 through the outer cylinder 14 and the plunger 16.

  The outer cylinder 14 is divided into three parts, that is, an insertion tip part 20, a main part 22, and a finger grip part 24. The insertion tip 20 forms a first or tip end 26 of the outer cylinder 14, and the finger gripping portion 24 terminates at a second or plunger end 28 of the outer cylinder. Yes.

  The plunger 16 can discharge the cotton removal thread 12 from the outer cylinder 14. For example, the first end 26 may have a plurality of separate petals 30 disposed in the vicinity of this end. The petal 30 can be opened when a predetermined release force is applied by the cotton removal thread 12 (FIG. 2). The plunger 16 is slidably disposed at the second end portion 28 in the outer cylinder. The cotton swab 12 is released from the first end 26 by the movement of the plunger 16 in the direction of the arrow 32. As the plunger 16 moves in the direction of arrow 32, the plunger urges the cotton strip 12 into the petal 30 until the petal opens and the cotton strip is released from the outer cylinder 14 through the first end 26. To do.

  The petal 30 is formed in the insertion tip 20 by a plurality of slits 34. Although the insertion tip 20 of the outer cylinder 14 is shown as having four petals 30, it should be appreciated that this is merely an example. Of course, an insertion tip 20 with four or more or four petals is also within the scope of the present invention. For example, the insertion tip 20 has a predetermined number of petals, preferably from about 2 to about 6 petals, more preferably from about 3 to about 5 petals, and most preferably about 4 petals. Yes.

  3 and 4, the insertion tip portion 20 and the main portion 22 intersect with each other on the first plane 36, and the main portion and the finger gripping portion 24 intersect with each other on the second plane 38. The second plane 38 is preferably formed at a location where the finger gripping portion 24 curves in a direction away from the main portion 22.

  When in the closed position as shown in FIG. 1, the entire plurality of petals 30 provides the insertion tip 20 with a shape that facilitates insertion. Qualitative and quantitative consumer research has determined that tapering the insertion tip 20 can greatly improve the actual perceived level of comfort associated with the insertion of the outer tube 14 of the assembly 10. ing.

  The insertion tip 20 has a length 40 and an outer dimension 42. The assembly 10 preferably has a circular cross section such that the outer dimension 42 is the outer diameter. However, it is also contemplated by the present invention that the assembly 10 has a non-circular cross section such as an oval or polygon.

  The length 40 is defined as the distance between the first plane 36 and the first end 26. The outer dimension 42 tapers (eg, decreases along the length 40) from the maximum of the first plane 36 to the minimum of the first end 26, either linearly or non-linearly. The taper of the insertion tip 20 is defined as the ratio of the length 40 of the insertion tip 20 divided by the largest outer dimension of the tip. The largest outer dimension of the insertion tip 20 is the outer dimension 42 of the first plane 36. The insertion tip 20 preferably has a taper ratio greater than about 0.55 to about 1.6, more preferably greater than about 0.66. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the insertion tip 20 has a taper ratio of about 0.66 to about 1.6, more preferably about 0.7 to about 0.9.

  The petal 30 has a length 44 and a width 46. The insertion tip 20 has a ratio of length to petal width defined as length 44 divided by width 46. The insertion tip 20 preferably has a ratio of length to petal width in the range of about 0.8 to about 3.0, more preferably greater than about 2.0.

  Further, by tapering the main portion 22, the actual perceived level of comfort associated with the insertion sleeve 14 of the assembly 10 can be improved.

  The main portion 22 has a length 48 and an outer dimension 50 that defines the largest outer dimension of the outer cylinder 14. The length 48 is defined as the distance between the first plane 36 and the second plane 38. The outer dimension 50 is linearly or non-linearly tapered (eg, decreases along the length 48) from the largest outer dimension 50 of the second plane 38 to the smallest outer dimension 42 of the first plane 36. ing.

  The main section 22 has a main section taper, which is defined as the ratio of the dimension 50 of the second plane 38 divided by the dimension 42 of the first plane 36. The main portion 22 preferably has a taper ratio of about 1.07 to about 1.15, and more preferably has a taper ratio of about 1.08 to about 1.13.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the outer cylinder 14 has a total length 52 defined as a distance between the first end portion 26 and the second end portion 28. The second plane 38 is preferably located closer to the second end 28 than the first end 26. That is, the second plane 38 and thus the largest outer dimension (eg, dimension 50) of the main portion 22 is located more than half of the total length 52 from the first end 26 of the outer cylinder 14. . Preferably, the second plane 38 is located about 55% to about 85% of the total length 52 from the first end 26 and is located about 60% to about 75%. More preferably.

  When the main portion 22 is tapered in this way, it gradually enters into the vulva channel over the length of the outer cylinder 14 which is longer than the length of the insertion tip portion 20 alone, thus promoting comfort during insertion. Is done. The taper of the main part 22 is preferably a constant taper.

  Also, by forming the finger grip 24 in the assembly 10, the comfort associated with inserting the outer cylinder 14 of the assembly 10, releasing the cotton removal thread 12 from the outer cylinder, and removing the outer cylinder. It has been determined that the actual perceived level of sex can be improved.

  In FIG. 3, the finger grip 24 is bounded by a shoulder region 54 and an overhang region 56 that define a grip region 58 therebetween. The shoulder region 54 intersects the main portion 22 on the second plane 38 and intersects the gripping region 58 on the third plane 60. Similarly, the overhang region 56 intersects the grip region 58 at the fourth plane 62 and terminates at the second end 28.

  The shoulder region 54 provides a firm gripping surface while the outer tube 14 is inserted into the vaginal cap. The overhang region 56 provides a firm gripping surface during the release of the cotton swab 12 from the outer cylinder 14 and when removing the outer cylinder from the body. Thus, the areas 54 and 56 can reduce the user's finger sliding from the gripping area 58.

  The gripping area 58 may be concave, convex, or a predetermined combination thereof, and has a length 64. This length 64 is defined as the distance between the third plane 60 and the fourth plane 62. The length 64 is from about 13 mm (0.5 inch) to about 25 mm (1 inch), more preferably from about 17 mm (0.67 inch) to about 21 mm (0.83 inch), most preferably about 19 mm (0.75 inch).

  The gripping region 58 has an outer dimension 66 that is substantially smaller than the outer dimension of the regions 54, 56 in at least one plane along the length 64. The gripping region 58 may have a constant cross-sectional shape or cross-sectional area along the length 64. For example, the outer dimension 66 may be from about 4.5 mm (0.175 inch) to about 20.5 mm (0.80 inch), more preferably about 11.5 mm (0.45 inch).

  In the illustrated embodiment, the shoulder region 54 has the largest outer dimension 50 in the second plane 38 and the overhang region 56 has the largest outer dimension 68 at the second end 28. Yes. The outer dimension 50 of the shoulder region 54 may be the same as or different from the outer dimension 68 of the overhang region 56.

  Preferably, the outer dimensions 50 or 68 are each larger than the outer dimension 66. The outer dimension 50 is preferably about 10% to about 30%, more preferably about 25% larger than the outer dimension 66. Further, the outer dimension 68 is preferably about 10% to about 30%, more preferably about 15% larger than the outer dimension 66.

  The gripping region 58 may also have one or more gripping structures 70 so as to improve the gripping properties of the outer cylinder 14. Suitable gripping structures 70 include, for example, embossing, ridges, slits, grooves, louvers, through-holes, lances, abrasive media, high wetting coefficient friction materials, pressure sensitive adhesives, or certain of these One or more, more preferably two or more of the combinations are included. Further, the gripping structure 70 may be, for example, an arc shape, a circular shape, a concave shape, a conical shape, a convex shape, a diamond shape, a linear shape, an elliptical shape, a polygonal shape, a rectangular shape, a rib shape, a square shape, a triangular shape, or a predetermined value thereof. It can be formed into a predetermined shape including a combination shape.

  The assembly 10 provides a combination of characteristics and provides consumer benefits that were not possible with conventional assemblies. For example, the assembly 10 is easily and comfortably inserted into the body. Here, the taper of the insertion tip portion 20 and the main portion 22 is combined to gradually enter the vulva channel and the user can firmly hold the outer cylinder 14 by the shoulder region 54 of the finger grip portion 24. .

  Further, the assembly 10 increases user comfort by providing an assembly from which the cotton swab can be easily released. The petal ratio, the ratio of the length to the width of the petal 30 and the increased dimensions of the two ends of the plunger 16 combine to facilitate and comfort when releasing the cotton removal thread 12 from the outer sleeve 14. Is increasing. Further, the overhanging area 56 of the finger gripping portion 24 allows the user to firmly grip the outer cylinder 14 while releasing the cotton removal thread from the outer cylinder.

  Furthermore, the assembly 10 is easily and comfortably removed from the body. Further, the taper of the insertion tip portion 20 and the main portion 22 and the overhang region 56 of the finger grip portion 24 are combined to improve ease, comfort, and grip when removing the assembly 10.

  While the above-described configuration of the outer cylinder 14 (e.g., the taper between the main portion 22 and the overhanging region 56 of the finger gripping portion 24) improves user comfort, on the other hand, this configuration provides for manufacturing the assembly 10. May increase costs.

One low-cost method of forming a typical tampon assembly outer cylinder is to injection mold the outer cylinder using a two-part casting 72 comprising a first portion 74 and a second portion 76. There is. The first portion 74 forms a first cavity 78 having a first extraction opening 80. The first cavity 78 defines the front portion 82 of the outer cylinder 14. The front portion 82 is a portion that transitions from the first end portion 26 of the outer cylinder 14 to the second plane 38. The front portion 82 begins where the outer cylinder 14 has the smallest outer diameter (eg, the first end 26) and ends where the first portion has the largest outer diameter (eg, the outer dimension 50). Yes. Further, the front portion 82 is tapered from the flat surface 38 to the first end portion 26 (for example, the taper of the main portion and the taper of the insertion tip portion).

  Similarly, the second portion 76 forms a second cavity 84 having a second extraction opening 86. The second cavity 84 forms a rear portion 88 of the outer cylinder 14. The rear portion 88 is defined as a portion that transitions from the second plane 38 to the second end portion 28. This rear portion 88 begins with the outer cylinder 14 having the largest outer dimension (e.g., outer dimension 50) and is reduced in size to the outer dimension 66 of the gripping region 58 so that the second end 28 is Increasing again at outer dimension 68.

  The first and second portions 74, 76 are biased together such that the first and second cavities 78, 84 are in fluid communication with each other as shown in FIG. Molten material is injected into the first and second cavities 78, 84 and subsequently cooled to form the outer cylinder 14. After molding the outer cylinder 14, the first and second portions 74, 76 are separated such that the outer cylinder can be removed from the casting mold 72 through the first and second openings 80, 86, respectively.

  The front portion 82 has a minimum outer dimension at the first end 26 and a maximum outer dimension at the plane 38 so that it can be easily removed from the first portion 74 through the first extraction opening 80. Can be. However, the rear portion 88 has an outer dimension 68 at the second end 28 that is larger than the outer dimension 66 of the gripping region 58. Thus, the outer dimension 68 of the second end 28 may prevent the rear 88 from being easily removed from the second end 76 through the second extraction opening 86.

  One exemplary embodiment of a low cost method 90 for manufacturing the outer cylinder 14 having the desired configuration is described with reference to FIGS. The outer cylinder 14 is preferably formed using the two-part molding operation 92 in FIG. 6 and the subsequent operation 94 after molding in FIG. As an example only, the outer cylinder 14 is described as being low density polyethylene (LDPE). Of course, the molding operation 92 and the forming operation 94 can be performed using other meltable materials.

The two-part molding operation 92 uses a two-part casting 72 comprising a first portion 74 and a second portion 76 as described in detail with reference to FIG. However, the second cavity 84 defines only the shoulder region 54 and the gripping region 58 of the outer cylinder 14. Since the rear portion 88 formed by the second cavity 84 does not have the overhang region (flared portion) 56, it can be easily removed from the second portion 76 through the second extraction opening 86.

  After the outer cylinder 14 is removed from the casting mold 72, an overhang area 56 is provided by the forming operation 94. In the forming operation 94, the first mandrel 96 and the second mandrel 98 are used so as to form the overhang region 56.

  In an example in which the outer cylinder 14 is made of LDPE, the first mandrel 96 is about 99 degrees Celsius (about 210 degrees Fahrenheit) to about 110 degrees Celsius (about 230 degrees Fahrenheit), more preferably about 104 degrees Celsius ( To about 220 degrees Fahrenheit. Subsequently, the first mandrel 96 is brought into contact with the second end 28 of the outer tube 14 for about 1 second to about 3 seconds, more preferably about 2 seconds. Since the first mandrel 96 is heated to a temperature close to the melting temperature of the material of the outer cylinder 14, the material of the outer cylinder is softened when the first mandrel is brought into contact with the outer cylinder.

  The second mandrel 98 has a forming end 100 that is dimensioned to form an overhang region 56 of the desired shape at the second end 28 of the outer tube 14. The second mandrel 98 is cooled to about 18 degrees Celsius (about 65 degrees Fahrenheit) to about 24 degrees Celsius (about 75 degrees Fahrenheit), and more preferably to about 21 degrees Celsius (about 70 degrees Fahrenheit). After the first mandrel 96 is removed from the second end 28, the forming end 100 of the second mandrel 98 is inserted into the second end. The second mandrel 98 is in contact with the second end 28 of the outer tube 14 for about 1 second to about 3 seconds, more preferably about 2 seconds. Since the formation end portion 100 includes the overhang region 56 having a desired shape and has a temperature sufficiently lower than the melting temperature of the material of the outer cylinder 14, the second mandrel cures the material of the outer cylinder ( The outer cylinder is held in a desired shape during set).

  The first mandrel 96 can also have a forming end 102. The forming end 102 may have the same or different outer shape as the forming end 100 of the second mandrel 98, but more preferably has the same outer shape as the forming end 100. Thus, the forming end 102 of the first mandrel 96 both softens the second end 28 and initiates reshaping of the second end so as to form an overhang region 56. Can be used for. The forming end 100 of the second mandrel 98 then maintains the rear taper region in the desired shape while the second mandrel at the predetermined temperature cures the material to the desired shape.

  The dwell time of the forming operation 94 for removing the mandrel 96 and inserting the second mandrel 98 is preferably about 0.5 seconds to about 1.5 seconds, and more preferably about 1 second. Thus, in the forming operation 94, the total cycle time is about 2.5 seconds to about 7.5 seconds, more preferably 5 seconds.

  It has been determined that method 90 advantageously forms outer cylinder 14 having the desired structure without incurring the cost and time associated with complex molding operations that would otherwise be required. Further, the method 90 can be used to improve current manufacturing processes to simply and easily provide an overhang region 56 at the second end 28 of the outer cylinder 14.

  It should also be noted that terms such as “first”, “second” and “third” may be used herein to modify various components. These modifiers do not indicate a spatial, sequential or hierarchical order for the modified parts unless otherwise stated.

  Although the invention has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, various changes can be made and equivalent parts can be substituted without departing from the scope of the invention. Will be understood by those skilled in the art. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the disclosed teachings without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus, the present invention is not intended to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed as preferred aspects for carrying out the invention, but is intended to include all embodiments that fall within the scope of the appended claims. .

1 is a side view of an exemplary embodiment of a tampon applicator assembly according to the present invention. FIG. FIG. 2 is a side view of the assembly of FIG. 1 during the release of a cotton swab. It is sectional drawing of the outer cylinder of FIG. It is a side view of the outer cylinder of FIG. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the molding operation of the outer cylinder of FIG. It is sectional drawing of the molding operation | work concerning this invention. It is a side view of the formation work concerning this invention.

Claims (20)

An outer cylinder for use in a tampon applicator assembly,
A tapered main portion positioned between the insertion tip and the finger gripping portion and having a taper ratio of about 1.07 to about 1.15;
A plurality of petals formed at the insertion tip,
The finger gripping unit has a first region, a second region, and a gripping region located between the first region and the second region,
The first region intersects the tapered main portion in a plane having a first outer dimension, the gripping region intersects the first region and has a second outer dimension; The second region intersects the gripping region and has a third outer dimension, and the first outer dimension is larger than the second outer dimension, and the third outer dimension is the second outer dimension. Larger than the outer dimension of
The first outer dimension, that specify the maximum outer dimension of the outer cylinder, the outer cylinder.   The outer cylinder according to claim 1, wherein the maximum outer dimension is located closer to the finger grip portion than the insertion tip portion.   The outer cylinder according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the third outer dimension is equal to the first outer dimension.   The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the insertion tip has a taper ratio greater than about 0.66.   5. The outer cylinder of claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of petals has a length ratio to a petal width of about 2 to about 3. 5. An outer cylinder for use in a tampon applicator assembly,
A main portion that is tapered adjacent to the insertion tip, and a finger grip that is adjacent to the tapered main portion on the opposite side of the insertion tip,
The insertion tip and the tapered main portion intersect at a first plane;
The finger gripping unit has a first region adjacent to the finger gripping region, and a second region adjacent to the finger gripping region on the opposite side of the first region,
The first region intersects the tapered main portion in a second plane having the largest outer dimension, and the finger grip region intersects the first region and has a second outer dimension. The largest outer dimension is greater than the second outer dimension, and the first region is curved from the tapered main portion of the second plane toward the finger gripping region. ,
The tapered main portion has an outer cylinder having a taper that decreases from the second plane to the first plane.   The outer cylinder of claim 6, wherein the largest outer dimension is located from about 55% to about 85% of the total length of the outer cylinder from the insertion tip.   The outer cylinder of claim 6, wherein the largest outer dimension is located from about 60% to about 75% of the total length of the outer cylinder from the insertion tip.   The outer cylinder of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tapered main portion has a taper ratio of about 1.07 to about 1.15. The outer cylinder of any one of claims 6 to 8, wherein the tapered main portion has a taper ratio of about 1.08 to about 1.13.   The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 10, wherein the insertion tip portion further includes a plurality of petals.   The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 11, wherein the insertion tip has a taper ratio of about 0.66 to about 1.6.   The outer cylinder of claim 12, wherein the taper ratio is about 0.7 to about 0.9.   14. The outer cylinder of claim 12 or 13, wherein the plurality of petals have a length to width ratio of about 0.8 to about 3.0.   The outer cylinder of claim 14, wherein a ratio of length to width of the petal exceeds about 2.0. 16. The outer cylinder of any one of claims 6 to 15, wherein the largest outer dimension is about 10% to about 30% greater than the second outer dimension.   The finger gripping region has a predetermined length, and the finger gripping region has at least an outer dimension substantially smaller than an outer dimension of the first region and an outer dimension of the second region. The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 16, wherein the outer cylinder is provided on one plane along the predetermined length of the finger gripping region.   The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 17, wherein the largest dimension is a largest dimension of the outer cylinder.   The second region intersects the finger gripping region in one plane and terminates at one end of an outer cylinder, and the second region has a maximum outer dimension at the one end. The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 18.   The outer cylinder according to any one of claims 6 to 19, which is formed by a two-part molding operation.

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