US3696812A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tampon applicator
Assignee: Tambrands Inc
•
Filing: 1970-08-13
•
Granted: 1972-10-10
•
Expires: 1990-08-13
Abstract
Abstract A tampon applicator made with telescoping tubes, the outer tube having a series of rings convex in longitudinal section which meet, forming internal annular ridges, the inner diameter of which is slightly less than that of the undeformed portion of the same tube. The radius of the inner tube is substantially that of the annular ridges to give frictional engagement, and said inner tube has a nib of a height to snap into locking engagement with the concave valleys between said ridges. The rings in the outer tube form an enhanced finer-grip pattern in the rearward end.
Inventors
- 👤 Willard R Jaycox
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 01:33
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
186 words
A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube adapted to contain a tampon in the forward end thereof, an inner tamponejecting tube fitted within said outer tube, said outer tube having in the rearward portion thereof a series of at least four adjacent substantially circumferential internal ridges with at least three shallow, equally-sized, valleys alternating therebetween and with similarly positioned grooves formed externally in a finger-grip pattern, said inner tube having at least one raised nib being of substantially the same longitudinal curvature and size of said valleys in order to frictionally interlock within any one of said valleys to inhibit relative longitudinal movement of said applicator tubes and being of a transverse circumferential extent of less than a total of 240*, the outer diameter of said inner tube being sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of said outer tube so as to form a loose fit therebetween, said internal ridges all having the same minimum inside diameter which is approximately the same as the outside diameter of said inner tube whereby to give a snug fit between said tubes with a controlled range of expulsion pressure.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
186 words
A tampon applicator comprising an outer tube adapted to contain a tampon in the forward end thereof, an inner tamponejecting tube fitted within said outer tube, said outer tube having in the rearward portion thereof a series of at least four adjacent substantially circumferential internal ridges with at least three shallow, equally-sized, valleys alternating therebetween and with similarly positioned grooves formed externally in a finger-grip pattern, said inner tube having at least one raised nib being of substantially the same longitudinal curvature and size of said valleys in order to frictionally interlock within any one of said valleys to inhibit relative longitudinal movement of said applicator tubes and being of a transverse circumferential extent of less than a total of 240*, the outer diameter of said inner tube being sufficiently smaller than the inner diameter of said outer tube so as to form a loose fit therebetween, said internal ridges all having the same minimum inside diameter which is approximately the same as the outside diameter of said inner tube whereby to give a snug fit between said tubes with a controlled range of expulsion pressure.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 1 wherein said grooves and ridges are substantially continuous closed circles and are respectively equally spaced from one another.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
34 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said external grooves are formed into said outer tube correspondingly opposite said internal ridges between and said external rings are formed correspondingly opposite said internal vAlleys.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
26 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein the inner diameter of said outer tube is substantially the same as the maximum diameter of said valleys.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said inner tube has at least two nibs, widely spaced circumferentially.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said nibs and the valleys between said ridges are formed with corresponding curvature to snuggly interfit.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 5 wherein said ridges are circumferentially interrupted only by an extent less than the circumferential extent of said nibs.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
23 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 2 wherein said outer tube is formed from paper and said grooves and ridges are impressed thereon.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said rings and ridges have a substantially greater radius of curvature than their corresponding grooves and valleys.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
28 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said outer tube is formed of spiral laminated paper strip wound in overlapped spirals and bonded with a water-releasable adhesive.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
42 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 8 wherein said grooves and ridges are formed in the rearward quarter of said outer tube with from three to nine grooves formed to raise corresponding ridges which latter are effectively spaced to trap said nibs.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
38 words
An applicator as claimed in claim 9 wherein said grooves and ridges are each eight in number and are formed in an approximately one-half inch axial extent with groove depths, ridge and nib heights of approximately 0.01 inches.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-10-10 | 1976-04-10 | 1976-10-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-10-10 | 1980-04-10 | 1980-10-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-10-10 | 1984-04-10 | 1984-10-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |