Patent US1604478A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
Patent US4361150A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4361150A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Extruded plastic hygienic applicator
Assignee: Individual
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Filing: 1980-04-07
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Granted: 1982-11-30
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Expires: 2000-04-07
Abstract
Abstract A novel and improved applicator has been devised for insertion of hygienic mediums, such as, for example, suppositories or tampons, either rectally or vaginally, respectively. The applicator is characterized by having an outer tube provided with a segmental, tapered end which is so formed and constructed as to avoid sharp edges along the segmental end portions and avoid any possibility of damage or injury to sensitive membranes or body tissue when the applicator is inserted. A removable plunger is insertable into the outer tube for the purpose of advancing the hygienic medium through the tube and is characterized by having a tapered end which is limited in its extent of projection through the tube so as to assure complete discharge of the hygienic medium through the segmental end of the tube without expanding the segmental ends beyond the outer diameter of the tube. Limit stops and locator pins are provided between the applicator tube and plunger to limit the distance of movement of the plunger through the tube, and a gripping ring is so formed on the external surface of the tube as to facilitate handling of the applicator. A method of manufacturing has been devised for high volume production of the applicator tube and plunger under close tolerances and in a minimum number of steps and specifically wherein any special cutting or forming operations following extrusion are avoided.
Inventors
- 👤 Joseph A. Voss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 18:47
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; A61F6/00; A61F6/06; A61F6/08; A61F6/12; A61M; A61M31/00; A61M31/007; B; B29; B29C; B29C45/00; B29C45/17; B29C45/26; B29C45/261; B29C45/27; B29C45/2701; B29C45/2708
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 26
Claim 1
Independent Claim
181 words
A hygienic applicator assembly comprising: a thin-walled shell of generally tubular configuration having an outer wall along its greater length adapted to contain a hygienic medium therein and a generally dome-shaped end at one end of said shell defined by a series of resilient fingers converging forwardly in a radial direction from the one end of said outer wall, each of said fingers having inclined side edges converging forwardly toward one another in a generally circumferential direction to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end, and a clearance space formed between the inclined side edges of adjacent said fingers; and male inserter means of a length corresponding substantially to that of said thin-walled shell, said male inserter means being movable in close-fitting telescoping relation through the one end of said thin-walled shell, said male inserter means having a convergent sidewall adjacent to its leading end conforming substantially to the contour and length of said resilient fingers, said convergent sidewall terminating in a closed, forwardly convergent leading end conforming substantially to the contour of said rounded terminal end of said resilient fingers.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
181 words
A hygienic applicator assembly comprising: a thin-walled shell of generally tubular configuration having an outer wall along its greater length adapted to contain a hygienic medium therein and a generally dome-shaped end at one end of said shell defined by a series of resilient fingers converging forwardly in a radial direction from the one end of said outer wall, each of said fingers having inclined side edges converging forwardly toward one another in a generally circumferential direction to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end, and a clearance space formed between the inclined side edges of adjacent said fingers; and male inserter means of a length corresponding substantially to that of said thin-walled shell, said male inserter means being movable in close-fitting telescoping relation through the one end of said thin-walled shell, said male inserter means having a convergent sidewall adjacent to its leading end conforming substantially to the contour and length of said resilient fingers, said convergent sidewall terminating in a closed, forwardly convergent leading end conforming substantially to the contour of said rounded terminal end of said resilient fingers.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
68 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 1, said fingers each being self-supporting and composed of a resilient material whereupon ejection of a hygienic medium contained in said thin-walled shell by said male inserter means, said fingers are operative to expand in an outward radial direction under the opening pressure of the hygienic medium and to contract against said convergent sidewall upon discharge of the hygienic medium therefrom.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
50 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 2, there being a series of four triangular fingers arranged uniformly in circumferentially spaced relation about the one end of said outer shell, the bases of said triangular fingers being located at the one end of said outer wall of said thin-walled shell.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
76 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to either of claims 1 or 3, said shell having a plurality of inwardly directed projections disposed in circumferentially spaced relation about the inner surface of said outer wall adjacent to the rearward open end of said outer wall, said outer wall tapering forwardly toward said resilient fingers with the diameter of said outer wall at said one end corresponding to the effective diameter of said outer wall between said projections.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
36 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 1, the rearward open end of said outer wall and the rearward end of said male inserter means each having a radially outwardly directed, unitary gripping ring extending therefrom.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
55 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 4, each of said triangular fingers having a base in the form of a quadrant of a circle whose diameter corresponds to that at said one end of said outer thin-walled shell, the base of each triangular finger being greater than the height of each said triangular finger.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
23 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 6, each of said traingular fingers provided with a bead at its forward, common terminal end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
180 words
A hygienic applicator assembly comprising in combination: an outer, generally thin-walled shell of tubular configuration having a forwardly tapering outer wall along its greater length adapted to contain a hygienic medium therein and provided with a gripping ring at one end and an opposite segmental end being defined by a series of segments converging forwardly from said outer wall in an inward radial direction, each of said segments being of generally triangular configuration having inclined, equilateral side edges converging forwardly toward one another to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end with a forwardly divergent, open slotted area being formed between said side edges of adjacent of said triangular segments; and a plunger of a length corresponding substantially to that of said outer wall of said shell and a maximum diameter corresponding to the diameter of said outer wall at its juncture with said segmented end, said plunger movable in telescoping relation through said open end of said outer wall and having a forwardly convergent leading end conforming substantially to the contour of said segmented end of said outer shell.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
180 words
A hygienic applicator assembly comprising in combination: an outer, generally thin-walled shell of tubular configuration having a forwardly tapering outer wall along its greater length adapted to contain a hygienic medium therein and provided with a gripping ring at one end and an opposite segmental end being defined by a series of segments converging forwardly from said outer wall in an inward radial direction, each of said segments being of generally triangular configuration having inclined, equilateral side edges converging forwardly toward one another to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end with a forwardly divergent, open slotted area being formed between said side edges of adjacent of said triangular segments; and a plunger of a length corresponding substantially to that of said outer wall of said shell and a maximum diameter corresponding to the diameter of said outer wall at its juncture with said segmented end, said plunger movable in telescoping relation through said open end of said outer wall and having a forwardly convergent leading end conforming substantially to the contour of said segmented end of said outer shell.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
70 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 8, including locator means in the form of radially inwardly directed dimples on the inner surface of said outer wall adjacent to the rearward end of said outer wall whereby to guide said plunger in close-fitting relation through the rearward open end of said outer wall, and limit means on said plunger to limit the forward projection of said plunger through said shell.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
57 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 9, said plunger being of uniform diameter throughout its length which diameter corresponds to that of said locator means, and said outer wall being tapered in a forward direction from said locator means to a diameter corresponding to that of said plunger at the forward end of said outer wall.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
40 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 8, said plunger being of generally tubular configuration having a rearward open end and a radially outwardly extending flange at said rearward open end provided with forwardly directed projections defining said limit means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
28 words
A hygienic applicator assembly according to claim 11, said forwardly convergent leading end of said plunger being of generally frusto-conical configuration and terminating in a squared end surface.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a hygienic applicator, an exterior, thin-walled shell having an outer wall extending its greater length adapted to receive a hygienic medium therein said shell being provided with a rearward open end at one end of said outer wall and a plurality of corresponding, generally triangular segments converging forwardly in a generally radial direction from the opposite end of said wall, said triangular segments composed of a resilient material and having inclined side edges converging forwardly toward one another in a generally circumferential direction to terminate in a rounded terminal end forming the apex of each triangular segment, each of said triangular segments provided with a bead at its forward, common terminal end.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
113 words
In a hygienic applicator, an exterior, thin-walled shell having an outer wall extending its greater length adapted to receive a hygienic medium therein said shell being provided with a rearward open end at one end of said outer wall and a plurality of corresponding, generally triangular segments converging forwardly in a generally radial direction from the opposite end of said wall, said triangular segments composed of a resilient material and having inclined side edges converging forwardly toward one another in a generally circumferential direction to terminate in a rounded terminal end forming the apex of each triangular segment, each of said triangular segments provided with a bead at its forward, common terminal end.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
43 words
In a hygienic applicator according to claim 13, said outer wall of said shell tapering gradually in a forward direction throughout its greater length, and said triangular segments converging forwardly at an acute angle to the leading tapered end of said outer wall.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
52 words
In a hygienic applicator according to claim 14, each said triangular segment in its relaxed state being disposed in closely-spaced relation to each adjacent segment, each segment having an inclined, straight wall section converging forwardly from said outer wall and terminating in a radially inwardly curved extremity at its rounded terminal end.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
61 words
In a hygienic applicator according to claim 13, said segments each being self-supporting and composed of a resilient material, there being a series of four triangular segments arranged uniformly in circumferentially spaced relation about the one end of said outer wall, the bases of said triangular segments being located at the forward end of said outer wall of said thin-walled shell.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
58 words
In a hygienic applicator according to claim 16, wherein a plurality of inwardly directed projections are formed in circumferentially spaced relation about the inner surface of said outer wall adjacent to the rearward open end of said outer wall, the rearward open end of said outer wall having a radially outwardly directed, unitary finger gripping ring extending therefrom.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
49 words
In a hygienic applicator according to claim 13, each of said segments having a base in the form of a quadrant of a circle whose diameter corresponds to that of said outer thin-walled shell, the base of each segment being greater than the height of each said triangular segment.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
182 words
A suppository applicator comprising in combination: an outer, generally thin-walled shell of tubular configuration having a forwardly tapering outer wall adapted to contain a generally bullet-shaped suppository therein, said shell having a split end defined by a series of resilient triangular segments converging forwardly from said outer wall in an inward radial direction and curving radially inwardly at their forward extremities, each of said segments having inclined, equilateral side edges converging forwardly toward one another to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end at each said forward extremity with a forwardly divergent, open slotted area being formed between side edges of adjacent of said triangular segments; and a tubular plunger of a length corresponding substantially to that of said shell, said plunger movable in telescoping relation through said open end of said outer wall and having a forwardly convergent sidewall conforming substantially to the contour and length of said split end of said outer shell, said plunger having limit stop means to limit the forward projection of said leading end to a point adjacent to said forward extremities of said triangular segments.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
182 words
A suppository applicator comprising in combination: an outer, generally thin-walled shell of tubular configuration having a forwardly tapering outer wall adapted to contain a generally bullet-shaped suppository therein, said shell having a split end defined by a series of resilient triangular segments converging forwardly from said outer wall in an inward radial direction and curving radially inwardly at their forward extremities, each of said segments having inclined, equilateral side edges converging forwardly toward one another to terminate in a common, rounded terminal end at each said forward extremity with a forwardly divergent, open slotted area being formed between side edges of adjacent of said triangular segments; and a tubular plunger of a length corresponding substantially to that of said shell, said plunger movable in telescoping relation through said open end of said outer wall and having a forwardly convergent sidewall conforming substantially to the contour and length of said split end of said outer shell, said plunger having limit stop means to limit the forward projection of said leading end to a point adjacent to said forward extremities of said triangular segments.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
52 words
A suppository applicator according to claim 19, including locator means in the form of radially inwardly directed portions on the inner surface of said outer wall adjacent to the rearward end of said outer wall whereby to guide said plunger in close-fitting relation through the rearward open end of said outer wall.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
56 words
A suppository applicator according to claim 20, said plunger being of uniform diameter throughout its length, and said outer wall of said shell being tapered in a forward direction from a diameter slightly greater than that of said plunger to a diameter corresponding to that of said plunger at the forward end of said outer wall.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
42 words
A suppository applicator according to claim 19, said plunger being of generally tubular configuration having a rearward open end, and said convergent sidewall being of generally frusto-conical configuration having an inclined straight wall section terminating in a more sharply convergent leading end.
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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) | 1985-11-29 | 1986-05-31 | 1986-11-30 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1989-11-29 | 1990-05-31 | 1990-11-30 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1993-11-29 | 1994-05-31 | 1994-11-30 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |