US3706311A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Self-spreading catamenial tampon
Assignee: Procter and Gamble Co
•
Filing: 1970-11-27
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Granted: 1972-12-19
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Expires: 1990-11-27
Abstract
Abstract A self-spreading catamenial tampon made from a bundle of uncompressed absorbent material and a mechanical spreader inside the bundle which immediately spreads the folded legs of the tampon when the tampon is ejected from an inserter. The tampon is oriented within the vagina so that its spreading will be in a lateral direction and it is inserted just above the introital region. The immediate spreading allows the tampon to immediately contact the lateral walls of the vagina thereby spanning the vaginal passageway and minimizing bypass failures.
Inventors
- 👤 Darrel D Kokx
- 👤 Robert S Moore
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 22:03
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/2051; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
126 words
A tampon, comprising: a bundle of absorbent material having oppositely disposed legs, said bundle deformed so that said legs approximate, a self acting spreading means associated with said bundle for biasing said legs toward a spread position, and withdrawal means for removing the bundle from the vagina, the spreading means having potential energy stored therein when said bundle is deformed, said potential energy biasing said legs toward a spread position, whereby said tampon released in the vagina immediately spreads from the deformed configuration and obstructs the vaginal passage so that fluid flowing down the vaginal walls will be intercepted by the tampon due to the plugging of the vagiNal cross section by the spread tampon immediately after insertion and release of the tampon in the vagina.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
126 words
A tampon, comprising: a bundle of absorbent material having oppositely disposed legs, said bundle deformed so that said legs approximate, a self acting spreading means associated with said bundle for biasing said legs toward a spread position, and withdrawal means for removing the bundle from the vagina, the spreading means having potential energy stored therein when said bundle is deformed, said potential energy biasing said legs toward a spread position, whereby said tampon released in the vagina immediately spreads from the deformed configuration and obstructs the vaginal passage so that fluid flowing down the vaginal walls will be intercepted by the tampon due to the plugging of the vagiNal cross section by the spread tampon immediately after insertion and release of the tampon in the vagina.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
50 words
The tampon claimed in claim 1 wherein the bundle is initially folded at its approximate longitudinal center to form a substantially V-shaped tampon having two legs, whereby said spreading means causes immediate outward spreading of the legs of the tampon as soon as the tampon is released within the vagina.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
16 words
The tampon claimed in claim 2 wherein the bundle of absorbent material is of uniform cross-section.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tampon claimed in claim 2 wherein the bundle of absorbent material is of low density, not highly compressed, and retains little compressive set after moderate compaction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
46 words
The tampon claimed in claim 2 wherein the spreading means comprises a mechanical spreader in the form of a single leaf flat spring folded at its approximate longitudinal center to substantially a V-shape wherein the V-fold is transverse to the major cross-sectional dimension of the strip.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A tampon product comprising the tampon claimed in claim 1 in combination with inserter means for placing said tampon within the vagina.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
44 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 6 wherein said inserter means comprises an outer tube and an inner tube slideably positioned within said outer tube, said tampon positioned within said outer tube and being ejectable therefrom by moving said inner tube towards said tampon.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
27 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 6 wherein said inserter means has at least one index for angular orientation of said tampon during insertion into the vagina.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 8 wherein said index comprises a touch sensitive index on said inserter means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
18 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 6 wherein said inserter means has a depth of insertion limiting means.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 7 wherein said outer tube of the inserter means has a depth of insertion limiting means, said depth limiting means being a stop comprising an annular band around the periphery of said outer tube, the outside diameter of said annular band being greater than the outside diameter of said outer tube.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
71 words
The tampon product claimed in claim 6 wherein said inserter means has both at least one index for angular orientation of said tampon during insertion into the vagina and a depth of insertion limiting means, whereby the tampon is inserted through the introitus so the depth limiting means contacts the exterior of the introitus and the angular orientation index is properly positioned before the tampon is finally positioned within the vagina.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-12-19 | 1976-06-19 | 1976-12-19 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-12-19 | 1980-06-19 | 1980-12-19 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-12-19 | 1984-06-19 | 1984-12-19 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |