US3762413A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tampon with multiple strings
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1972-06-21
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Granted: 1973-10-02
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Expires: 1992-06-21
Abstract
Abstract A tampon folded in a U-shape is equipped with multiple strings including a withdrawal cord affixed near the base of the U, and a pair of manipulating strings, one end of each of the latter being attached near the top end of each leg of the U. The multistringed tampon structure is combined with a telescoping inserter device and the manipulating strings are employed to spread open the tampon during or after insertion for the purpose of transversely blocking the vaginal cavity against leakage of menstrual exudate or the like. Traction applied to the withdrawal cord refolds the tampon to its initial U-shape for easy removal.
Inventors
- 👤 D Hanke
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-22 23:55
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; A61F13/2051; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 13
Claim 1
Independent Claim
201 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefor; said inserter comprising an elongate openended outer tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected by telescoping said plunger and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with said strings depending downward and being loosely disposed within said tube between said tampon and the inner wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings further extending thru the trailing end of said tube along with said withdrawal cord, the length of said strings and cord being substantially the same.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
201 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefor; said inserter comprising an elongate openended outer tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected by telescoping said plunger and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with said strings depending downward and being loosely disposed within said tube between said tampon and the inner wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings further extending thru the trailing end of said tube along with said withdrawal cord, the length of said strings and cord being substantially the same.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said withdrawal cord has tactile means associated with its trailing end.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
25 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said outer tube has indicia on its outer surface for identifying the radial disposition of said tampon therein.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 1 in which said manipulative strings are water soluble.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefore; said inserter comprising an elongate open-ended outer tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection, the wall of said tube having an aperture disposed therein adjacent and above said base; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with the withdrawal cord depending downward and extending through the bottom end of said tube and said manipulating strings depending downward within said tube and being loosely disposed between said tampon and the wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings being threaded through said aperture and extending out of said aperture beyond said base.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefore; said inserter comprising an elongate open-ended outer tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection, the wall of said tube having an aperture disposed therein adjacent and above said base; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with the withdrawal cord depending downward and extending through the bottom end of said tube and said manipulating strings depending downward within said tube and being loosely disposed between said tampon and the wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings being threaded through said aperture and extending out of said aperture beyond said base.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said aperture is perpendicular to a plane coincident with the plane defining the face of said U.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said manipulative strings are water-soluble.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefor; said inserter comprising an elongate open-ended tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with the withdrawal cord depending downward and extending through the bottom end of said tube and said manipulating strings depending downward within said tube and being loosely disposed between said tampon and the wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings extending between the base of said tube and said plunger, and said plunger being provided with a longitudinal groove coincident with said strings whereby said strings are loosely disposed therein.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
216 words
The combination of a transversely spreadable tampon and an inserter therefor; said inserter comprising an elongate open-ended tube and an inner plunger telescopically associated therewith, said tube having a leading end from which said tampon may be ejected and a trailing end provided with a gripping means at the base which is gripped by the user during insertion of the tube and tampon ejection; said tampon comprising a U-shaped absorbent element having a withdrawal cord attached to the bottom of the U and having a pair of manipulating strings attached near the top of the U, an end of one of said strings being attached near the terminus of one leg of said U and an end of the other of said strings being attached near the terminus of the other leg of said U; said tampon being disposed in said outer tube with the withdrawal cord depending downward and extending through the bottom end of said tube and said manipulating strings depending downward within said tube and being loosely disposed between said tampon and the wall of said tube, the free ends of said strings extending between the base of said tube and said plunger, and said plunger being provided with a longitudinal groove coincident with said strings whereby said strings are loosely disposed therein.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said gripping means has indicia means disposed above said groove.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 8 wherein said manipulative strings are water-soluble.
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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) | 1976-10-01 | 1977-04-02 | 1977-10-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-01 | 1981-04-02 | 1981-10-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-01 | 1985-04-02 | 1985-10-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |