This application is based on and claims the benefit of priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2005-024284, filed on 31 Jan. 2005, the content of which is incorporated herein by reference.
1. Field of the Invention
The present invention relates to an applicator for use in inserting a feminine hygiene tampon (hereinafter also simply called a tampon) into a vagina, relates in particular to an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon which can avoid a push rod of the applicator from remaining in the vagina, and relates in particular to a feminine-hygiene product having the applicator.
2. Related Art
Conventionally, for feminine-hygiene products, a feminine-hygiene napkin and tampon are generally known. The feminine-hygiene tampon is an absorbing material which is inserted into a vagina to absorb and hold bodily fluids such as blood. Generally, feminine-hygiene tampons which are commercially available are accommodated in an applicator for use in inserting it into a vagina. Here, the applicator for the feminine-hygiene tampon is formed with a casing which accommodates the tampon and a push rod which is disposed inside the casing and is used to push the tampon out of the casing tip end (see JP-A-61-249464, Patent Reference 1).
According to the applicator 100, when the push rod 120 pushes the tampon 130 out of the casing 110 to insert it into a vagina, the push rod 120 is thrust too, causing the petals 150 of the casing 110 to sit at a tip end 170 of the push rod 120. At this time, the force that the petals 150 having opened return to the original state acts on the push rod 120, which triggers the push rod 120 to come out of the tip end 150 of the casing 110. Consequently, a problem sometimes arises that the push rod 120 remains inside the body (in the vagina) even though the casing 110 is taken out.
For a method to solve the problem of the push rod remaining inside the body, for example, a method may be mentioned in which after the push rod is set in the casing during assembly, the end part of the push rod that does not abut against the tampon is extended in diameter, and thus the push rod is prevented from entering the casing. However, according to this method, since process steps for extending the end part of the push rod in diameter are increased in production, productivity is decreased.
For another method to prevent the push rod from coming out, adopting a push rod with a flange (stopper) may be mentioned (see JP-UM-A-1-072219, Patent Reference 2).
However, in the applicator 101 described in Patent Reference 2, the outer diameter of the push rod 121 is nearly uniform in the portion from the tip end 171 of the push rod 121 to the flange 161, and the outer diameter of the push rod 121, except the flange 161, is almost the same size. Thus, a structure is formed in which only the presence of the flange (stopper) 161 contributes to preventing the push rod 121 from coming out and the other parts do not serve to prevent coming out. Therefore, the effect of preventing the push rod from coming out can be obtained to some extent, but it is not perfect, making further improvement desirable.
The present invention has been made in view of these problems. Objects of the invention are to provide an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon which can reliably prevent a push rod of an applicator from coming out of a casing and remaining inside a vagina, and to provide a feminine hygiene product having the applicator.
In order to solve the problems, the inventors diligently researched as attention was focused on the point that the effect for preventing the push rod from coming out needs to be provided to parts other than the flange (stopper). Consequently, the outer diameter from the tip end of the push rod to the flange is formed to gradually increase overall. Thus, when the petals which form the tampon outlet reach the flange, a force that pushes back the push rod into the casing can be exerted on the push rod. As a result, it was found that the push rod can be securely prevented from coming out of the casing. Accordingly, the present invention has been completed. More specifically, the present invention provides the following.
In a first aspect of the present invention, an applicator for use in inserting a feminine hygiene tampon into a vagina includes: a casing which accommodates a tampon, and a push rod which is disposed inside the casing to push the tampon out of the casing, the push rod has a flange having a maximum diameter of the push rod at a predetermined distance from a tip end abutting against the tampon, and an outer diameter from the flange to the tip end is gradually reduced overall.
According to a first aspect of the present invention, the flange is disposed midway of the push rod, and the outer diameter from the flange to the tip end is gradually reduced overall. Thus, when petals being the tampon outlet (generally meaning the tip ends of the tampon outlet) reach the portion from the tip end of the push rod to the flange, a force that returns the push rod into the casing acts on the push rod. Therefore, a force that returns the push rod into the casing also acts on the portion from the tip end to the flange in addition to the flange. Accordingly, the push rod can more reliably be prevented from coming out.
In addition, for “the diameter being gradually reduced overall” in the present invention, it is acceptable that the diameter be reduced overall in appearance, and it is not necessarily reduced in diameter continuously. More specifically, the part increased in diameter may partially include a flat part, a stepped part, a recess, etc.
In a second aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the first aspect of the present invention is a predetermined distance of 3 mm to 25 mm, inclusive, from the tip end.
According to the second aspect of the present invention, the distance from the tip end to the flange is 3 mm or more to allow the tip end of the push rod to be protruded out of the petals at the tip end of the casing, and the tampon can be inserted securely. On the other hand, it is 25 mm or less to secure a volume to accommodate the tampon in the casing.
In a third aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the first or second aspect of the present invention has a portion from the flange to the tip end formed with a continuous beveled part.
According to the third aspect of the present invention, when the petals which form the tampon outlet reach the beveled part of the push rod, the force of the petals acts obliquely on the plane of the beveled part. Thus, and a lift is generated that is perpendicular to the force of the petals acting on the slope in the direction toward the inside the casing. Therefore, a force that returns the push rod into the casing acts on the push rod, and the push rod can more reliably be prevented from coming out.
In a fourth aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to any one of first to third aspects of the present invention, the beveled part has an angle of 3 degrees to 70 degrees, inclusive, with respect to the push rod in the longitudinal direction.
In the applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the fourth aspect of the present invention, the beveled part of the push rod forms an angle of 3 degrees or more to 70 degrees or less with respect to the push rod in the longitudinal direction in accordance with the balance of the shape of the tampon, the outer diameter of the push rod, the outer diameter of the tip end of the push rod, and the length of the beveled part. The angle is formed within this range to more reliably prevent the push rod from coming out.
In a fifth aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the first aspect of the present invention has a portion from the flange to the tip end which is formed with a stepped slope.
According to the fifth aspect of the present invention, when the petals forming the tampon outlet reach the portion of the push rod having the stepped slope, in the slope, the force of the petals acts obliquely on the slope. Therefore, a lift is generated that is perpendicular to the force of the petals acting on the slope in the direction toward the inside of the casing. Thus, a force that returns the push rod into the casing acts on the push rod, and the effect can be obtained that prevents the push rod from coming out. At the same time, since a drop exists in the slope when the petals pass through a step of the stepped portion, vibrations are transmitted to the petals. Accordingly, a user of the applicator is made aware that the rod is coming near the insertion limit by vibrations, and the user can stop pushing the push rod as desired. Therefore, the push rod can be prevented from coming out of the casing.
In a sixth aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the first aspect of the present invention has a portion from the flange to the tip end that is formed with a step.
According to the sixth aspect of the present invention, a wall is formed at the portion having the step by the adjacent step. Thus, when the petals forming the tampon outlet reach that portion, the petals are caught at the wall formed. At this time, at the top of each wall, a lift is generated that is perpendicular to the force of the petals acting on the top in the direction toward the inside of the casing. Therefore, a force that returns the push rod into the casing acts on the push rod, and the push rod can more reliably be prevented from coming out.
In a seventh aspect of the present invention, an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to the first aspect has a portion from the flange to the tip end which is formed with a recess and a projection.
According to the seventh aspect of the present invention, when the petals forming the tampon outlet reach a wall formed by a step, the petals are caught at the wall formed. At this time, at the top of each wall, a lift is generated that is perpendicular to the force of the petals acting on the top in the direction toward the inside the casing. Therefore, a force that returns the push rod into the casing acts on the push rod, and the push rod can be more reliably prevented from coming out. At the same time, when the petals pass through the recess disposed between the walls, a drop causes vibrations which are transmitted to the petals. Accordingly, a user of the applicator is made aware that the rod is coming near the insertion limit by the vibrations, and the user can stop pushing the push rod as desired. Therefore, the push rod can be prevented from coming out of the casing.
According to an eighth aspect of the present invention, a feminine hygiene product has an applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon according to any one of the first thorough seventh aspects of the present invention, and a tampon.
The feminine hygiene product of the eight aspect of the present invention has a tampon inside the casing of the applicator. According to the feminine hygiene product of the eight aspect of the present invention, it is unlikely that the push rod of the applicator will come out of the casing and remain in the vagina, and the tampon can be inserted into the vagina easily.
According to the present invention, the applicator for a feminine hygiene tampon can more reliably prevent the push rod of the applicator from coming out of the casing and remaining in the vagina, and the feminine hygiene product having the applicator can be provided.
Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. In addition, in the descriptions of the individual embodiments other than the first embodiment, those in common with those in the first embodiment will be assigned the same numerals and symbols, descriptions thereof will be simplified or omitted.
Overall Form of an Applicator for a Feminine Hygiene Tampon
Furthermore, a pull cord 40 is extended from the tampon 30. The inside of the push rod 20 is hollow. The pull cord 40 of the tampon 30 passes through the inside of the push rod 20, and the pull cord 40 is extended to the outside of the applicator from the end of the tampon 30 on the side where the push rod 20 does not abut. Herein after, the individual components of the applicator 90 will be described.
Casing
The casing 10 has a circular cross section, and a hollow is formed inside to accommodate the tampon 30. At the tip end of the casing 10, the tampon outlet 50 in a petaloid shape is formed which is opened in pushing the tampon 30. At the other end (rear end) of the casing 10, an opening through which the push rod 20 penetrates is disposed.
Preferably, the diameter of the casing 10 (L9 in
The casing 10 can be fabricated by injection molding with a thermoplastic such as polyethylene resin. For materials of the casing, materials having flexibility are preferably used for the purpose of providing a bendable function to the petals (slits) which form the tampon outlet 50. Among the materials, polyethylene resins can be used preferably. Furthermore, in order to enhance aesthetic appearance, mica, titanium oxide, pigments, etc., may be added appropriately.
For the casing used for the applicator and the feminine hygiene product according to the present invention, it is acceptable to have a hollow to accommodate a tampon inside, and the shape of the casing is not particularly limited. In order to reduce user discomfort when inserting the applicator into the body as much as possible, it is preferably nearly a cylindrical shape. Moreover, the shape of the opening to be the tampon outlet is also not particularly limited. In order to open bendably, to prevent a tampon from coming out accidentally, and to smoothly insert a tampon into a vagina in pushing the tampon, the petaloid (radial) slit shape is preferable.
Push Rod
Preferably, the length of the push rod 20 in the longitudinal direction (L5 in
The flange 60 is a portion that is the maximum diameter of the push rod, and that serves to prevent the push rod from coming out of the tampon outlet in pushing the tampon out of the tampon outlet of the casing, and that also serves as a stopper to prevent the push rod from coming off the opposite end of the tampon outlet.
Since the length of the push rod 20 of the flange 60 in the longitudinal direction (L10 in
Furthermore, the diameter of the flange 60 (L1 in
The tip end 70 on the side abutting against the tampon 30 has an outer diameter smaller than the outer diameter of the flange 60. The diameter of the tip end of the push rod 70 (L2 in
Beveled Part of the Push Rod
The portion from the tip end 70 of the push rod 20 to the flange 60 has the beveled part 80 by which the diameter of the push rod 20 is gradually increased. The length from the tip end 70 to the flange 60 in the longitudinal direction (L4 in
A beveled angle of the push rod 20 in the longitudinal direction (O in
Modification of the Beveled Part
Materials and Shapes of the Push Rod
The push rod may be of the same material as that of the casing, or may be of a different material. For example, a thermoplastic such as polyethylene resin is used for fabrication by injection molding. Since forth pushes a tampon out of the casing to insert it into the body, a hard material such as polypropylene and polyester resin can be used. Furthermore, in order to enhance aesthetic appearance, mica, titanium oxide, pigments, etc., can be added as appropriate.
In the push rod according to the present invention, the other end (rear end) projected outside the applicator is pressed, and the push rod slides inside the casing to push the tampon that is accommodated inside the casing out of the tampon outlet of the casing. Therefore, the shape is not particularly limited as long as these functions are satisfied. Furthermore, the inside may or may not be hollow, but hollow is preferable because the pull cord of the tampon can penetrate therethrough.
Tampon The shape of the tampon 30 is not particularly restricted as long as it can be accommodated in the casing, but it is preferably a nearly cylindrical shape for the purpose of reducing discomfort as much as possible when a user uses the tampon. Generally, the length of the vagina is 80 to 100 mm. Since the portion with sphincters that fells discomfort extends about 40 to 50 mm from the vagina opening, in consideration of these circumstances, the length of a tampon (L6 in
The material of the tampon 30 is not particularly restricted as long as the material can be formed an absorbing material to absorb and hold bodily fluids. For example, it can form a lump of fibers mainly formed of rayon and cotton having water absorbing properties. Furthermore, in order to prevent fibers from coming off and to reduce discomfort when a user uses a tampon, a surfacing material can be used on the surface of a tampon. For the surfacing material, the following may be mentioned: nonwoven fabric sheets formed of hydrophilic fibers and synthetic fibers such as rayon and cotton, which are fabricated by span lacing (nonwoven fabric formation by high-pressure water flow entangling), a through-air method, and thermal embossing, and perforated films and perforated nets having materials of polyethylene resins. For the tampon for use in the present invention, for example, such a tampon is mentioned in which a lump of fibers mainly formed of rayon and cotton having water absorbing properties is covered with a nonwoven fabric having polyester fibers on the surface thereof by spanbonding, and a pull cord is provided.
Pull Cord
The pull cord 40 is a cord for use in pulling the tampon out of the body. For the material of the pull cord, it is not particularly limited as long as it has the strength so that the tampon can be pulled out. For example, cotton yarn, and intertwined yarn of cotton yarn and polyester yarn can be mentioned.
For a method of providing the pull cord to the tampon for use in the present invention, for example, the following method may be mentioned: cotton yarn as the pull cord is sewn to the tampon having a lump of fibers wrapped with a surfacing material by a sewing machine. Furthermore, as another method, the following method can be mentioned: a lump of fibers wrapped with a surfacing material is perforated, the pull cord passes through the hole, and then the end part of the cord is tied. Moreover, when a lump of wide fibers is used, the end part of the pull cord is tied to form a loop, a lump of wide fibers passes through the loop, and then the lump of fibers is folded to wind the cord.
Method of Fabricating a Feminine Hygiene Product Having the Applicator and the Tampon
An exemplary method of fabricating a feminine hygiene product having the applicator and the tampon of the embodiment shown in
Operation Next, the operation of the applicator of the first embodiment will be described. First, the rear end of the push rod 20 is pushed in the initial state in
Here, suppose the push rod 20 is further pushed, the tip end of the push rod 20 is protruded through the tampon outlet 50, and the tip ends of the petals 55 are sit at near the tip end of the push rod 20 (the state shown in
At this time, in the conventional push rod 121 as shown in
On the other hand, in the embodiments of the present invention, for example, as shown in
Ideally, to the operation like this, friction to hamper the motion between the petals 55 of the tampon outlet 50 and the plane P is little or nothing. Therefore, for the materials of the petals 55 of the tampon outlet 50 and the beveled part, materials with low friction such as plastics are more likely to exert effects. In addition, the operation described is assumed that a user releases the push rod.
The push rod for use in the present invention may be formed to have the outer diameter of the tip end smaller than the outer diameter of the flange, and the outer diameter from the tip end to the flange may be gradually increased overall. More specifically, the portion from the tip end to the flange may be the beveled part with a slope, or may have irregularities with a step, etc. When the portion from the tip end of the push rod to the flange is formed in the beveled part with a slope, the bevel may be constant, or more it may be a curved surface in which a slope is curved. Furthermore, when a step is provided, not only a single step but also multiple steps may be provided, or bumps and dips may be formed.
A push rod 22 shown in
In this case, in addition to the operation and advantages of the first embodiment, the advantages below are further provided. More specifically, even though the petals 55 step over the first slope C, the step B causes vibrations, ‘clicks’ to a user. Thus, the user is likely to recognize that that point is the insertion limit, and the user will not push the push rod further. Even if the push rod is further pushed, the presence of the second slope D and the wall of the flange 62 prevent the push rod from being pushed hard as the rod extends over them. Therefore, the push rod can be effectively prevented from coming off the casing and remaining in the body.
A push rod 23 shown in
In this case, as shown in
However, as shown in
A push rod 24 shown in
A push rod 25 shown in
In this case, sine the wall is designed to gradually increase in height from the push rod tip end side, the rod is caught at the projection J in the state in which the petals 55 open slightly, and the rod drops in the recess even though the petals 55 pass over the projection J. Consequently, the petals 55 of the casing will not pass over the flange 65 of the push rod, and thus the push rod can be prevented from coming out of the casing and remaining in the body.
While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described and illustrated above, it is to be understood that they are exemplary of the invention and are not to be considered to be limiting. Additions, omissions, substitutions, and other modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be considered to be limited by the foregoing description and is only limited by the scope of the appended claims.
Number | Date | Country | Kind |
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2005-024284 | Jan 2005 | JP | national |