US4648867A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Tampon system and method
Assignee: Henry Dreyfuss Associates LLC
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Filing: 1986-03-19
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Granted: 1987-03-10
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Expires: 2006-03-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved tampon system includes a tampon, a sheath which surrounds the tampon and is open at one end, a broad-collared ring with an opening therein for passage of the tampon and the sheath, and a closure which is removably secured over the opening in the ring.
Inventors
- 👤 James M. Conner
- 👤 Daniel K. Harden
- 👤 Donald M. Genaro
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 14:28
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/551; A61F13/55175; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 20
Claim 1
Independent Claim
163 words
A tampon system comprising; a tampon; an impermeable sheath which surrounds the tampon and is open at one end, said sheath being unattached to said tampon; a broad-collared ring (i) which has an unobstructed opening therein for passage and withdrawal of a finger and the sheath and (ii) to which the open end of the sheath is affixed such that the opening in the sheath registers with the opening in the ring; and a sanitary sealing closure which is removably secured over the opening in the ring, the above elements being arranged such that (a) the portion of the sheath which contacts the bodily opening is kept sanitary, (b) the tampon, the sheath, and a finger can pass through the opening for digital insertion and location of the tampon, (c) while inserting the tampon, the finger is protected by the impermeable sheath from soiling, and (d) the sheath can be retracted through the opening to provide for clean disposal of the used sheath.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
163 words
A tampon system comprising; a tampon; an impermeable sheath which surrounds the tampon and is open at one end, said sheath being unattached to said tampon; a broad-collared ring (i) which has an unobstructed opening therein for passage and withdrawal of a finger and the sheath and (ii) to which the open end of the sheath is affixed such that the opening in the sheath registers with the opening in the ring; and a sanitary sealing closure which is removably secured over the opening in the ring, the above elements being arranged such that (a) the portion of the sheath which contacts the bodily opening is kept sanitary, (b) the tampon, the sheath, and a finger can pass through the opening for digital insertion and location of the tampon, (c) while inserting the tampon, the finger is protected by the impermeable sheath from soiling, and (d) the sheath can be retracted through the opening to provide for clean disposal of the used sheath.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
56 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the tampon includes a withdrawal string and the ring includes a second opening spaced apart from the first opening in the ring, said string being led from the tampon out of the sheath through the first opening and then back in the opposite direction through the second opening.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the closure is peelable.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
12 words
The tampon system of claim 3 in which the closure is resealable.
Claim 6
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for sanitary packaging and insertion of a tampon, comprising, a sheath which is open at one end, said sheath being unattached to said tampon; a broad-collared ring with an unobstructed opening therein to which the sheath is affixed in a location such that the sheath and tampon can pass through the opening therein and the sheath can then be retracted back through said opening; and a sealing closure which is secured over the opening in the ring.
Claim 7
Independent Claim
79 words
A device for sanitary packaging and insertion of a tampon, comprising, a sheath which is open at one end, said sheath being unattached to said tampon; a broad-collared ring with an unobstructed opening therein to which the sheath is affixed in a location such that the sheath and tampon can pass through the opening therein and the sheath can then be retracted back through said opening; and a sealing closure which is secured over the opening in the ring.
Claim 8
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for sanitary packaging and insertion of a tampon, comprising, a sheath which is open at one end; a broad-collared ring with an unobstructed opening therein to which the sheath is secured in a location such that the sheath can pass through the opening therein and then be retracted back through said opening; and a closure which is secured over the opening in the ring, in which device the ring includes a second opening spaced apart from the first opening.
Claim 9
Independent Claim
81 words
A device for sanitary packaging and insertion of a tampon, comprising, a sheath which is open at one end; a broad-collared ring with an unobstructed opening therein to which the sheath is secured in a location such that the sheath can pass through the opening therein and then be retracted back through said opening; and a closure which is secured over the opening in the ring, in which device the ring includes a second opening spaced apart from the first opening.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the tampon is a catemenial tampon.
Claim 11
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of inserting a tampon comprising the steps of: placing a tampon inside an impermeable sheath which is capable of surrounding the tampon, is not attached to said tampon, and is open at one end; affixing at the open end of the sheath a broad-collared ring which has an unobstructed opening therein that permits unobstructed passage and withdrawal of a finger and the sheath and return of the sheath to its original position; removably securing a sealing closure over the opening in the ring; removing the removable closure; placing the broad-collared ring adjacent a bodily opening; inserting the tampon by means of digital pressure on the sheath and passage of a finger free from soiling and the sheath through the opening in the broad-collared ring; contacting the bodily opening only with sanitary portions of the sheath; withdrawing the sheath from the bodily opening; and removing the finger from the broad-collared ring.
Claim 12
Independent Claim
152 words
A method of inserting a tampon comprising the steps of: placing a tampon inside an impermeable sheath which is capable of surrounding the tampon, is not attached to said tampon, and is open at one end; affixing at the open end of the sheath a broad-collared ring which has an unobstructed opening therein that permits unobstructed passage and withdrawal of a finger and the sheath and return of the sheath to its original position; removably securing a sealing closure over the opening in the ring; removing the removable closure; placing the broad-collared ring adjacent a bodily opening; inserting the tampon by means of digital pressure on the sheath and passage of a finger free from soiling and the sheath through the opening in the broad-collared ring; contacting the bodily opening only with sanitary portions of the sheath; withdrawing the sheath from the bodily opening; and removing the finger from the broad-collared ring.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
17 words
The method of claim 8 including the additional step of returning the sheath to its original position.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
42 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the sheath, the ring and the closure in combination constitute a sanitary package for the tampon and provide sanitary protection to the portion of the sheath which contacts the interior of the bodily opening.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the sheath, the ring and the closure in combination constitute a sanitary, impermeable package for the tampon.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the closure is planar, impermeable, and arranged such that before removal it provides sanitary protection to the tampon.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tampon system of claim 1 in which the broad-collared ring is flat.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
23 words
The tampon system of claim 12 in which the opening in the ring remains unobstructed without application of radial pressure on the ring.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
25 words
The device of claim 5 in which the broad-collared ring is flat, thin, and sufficiently rigid to maintain an unobstructed opening without application of force.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
33 words
The process of claim 8 which includes the step of selecting a closure which is planar and impermeable, and arranging said closure such that before removal it provides sanitary protection to the tampon.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
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Cited
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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) | 1990-03-09 | 1990-09-08 | 1991-03-10 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1994-03-09 | 1994-09-08 | 1995-03-10 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1998-03-09 | 1998-09-08 | 1999-03-10 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |