Abstract: There is provided a tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel with a tapered insertion, which provides enhanced insertion comfort to a user. The taper of the insertion tip is defined by a ratio of the length of the taper projection along a longitudinal axis of the barrel to the length of the taper projection along a radius of the barrel at a base region of the insertion tip. The insertion end of the barrel preferably has two or more petals for enhanced user comfort. Preferably, the petals have a substantially uniform thickness. The barrel may also have a fingergrip for ease of use of the applicator during insertion, expulsion of the pledget, and removal from the vagina.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to an ergonomically improved tampon applicator having a plunger and a barrel. The barrel has four distinct sections, namely a finger grip section, a reverse taper section, a main body section, and an insertion tip section. The reverse taper section is tapered towards the fingergrip section and the main body section is tapered in an opposite direction towards the insertion tip section. A maximum diameter is formed where the reverse taper section and main body section meet on the barrel. The maximum diameter provides a sensory means to the user to alert the user when the applicator has been inserted at the proper depth in the vagina.

Abstract: There is provided a tampon having a plurality of pledget segments with each segment having one or more layers of absorbent material and one or more layers of semipermeable material. The one or more semipermeable layers of each segment forms an absorption restriction boundary to the next adjacent segment that allows each segment to absorb and expand independently from the other segments. The plurality of pledget segments can be positioned in a coverstock bag.

Abstract: There is provided a multiple-component tampon applicator formed from at least three separate components. A fingergrip having a reduced cross-section as compared to that of the barrel may be formed such that it is a separate component or is integrally formed with a barrel component. The reduced cross-section fingergrip provides exceptional grippability to the user. The multiple components may be formed from materials including, for example, biopolymer including starches and proteins, cardboard, heat shrink plastic, paper slurry, plastic, plastic tubing, pulp slurry, pulp-molded paper, or any combinations thereof. Prior to assembly of the applicator and prior to loading the barrel component with an absorbent pledget, petals may be formed on the insertion end of the barrel using existing processes and equipment. Alternatively, a separate insertion tip component having petals may be formed.

Abstract: There is provided a tampon pledget that expands without the aid of moisture or menses. The tampon pledget has a plurality of high resiliency, non-absorbent materials and a plurality of absorbent materials. The tampon pledget has improved comfort as compared to conventional fully compressed tampon pledgets. The tampon pledget preferably has all of its non-absorbent and absorbent materials enclosed in a coverstock. The coverstock may be inverted or turned inside out, prior to filling the coverstock with a plurality of non-absorbent and absorbent materials.

Abstract: The present invention provides a tampon applicator adapted to allow a pledget to be laterally loaded into the barrel of the applicator. By laterally loading the pledget, the applicator may include pre-formed petals on the insertion end of the barrel and/or a fingergrip having a reduced diameter. The applicator may be formed from any suitable material, such as, for example, biopolymer, paper, paperboard, paper slurry, plastic, thermoplastic polymer, thermosetting polymer, or any combinations thereof.

Abstract: The present invention is an applicator barrel with a taped finger grip. The applicator barrel includes a barrel body having an outer surface. A three-dimensional tape is connected to a portion of the outer surface and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. The first surface has at least one integrally formed gripping structure extending outwardly from the first surface to provide a gripping surface, and the second surface is adhesive to connect the tape to the barrel.

Abstract: The present invention is an applicator barrel with a taped finger grip. The applicator barrel includes a barrel body having an outer surface. A three-dimensional tape is connected to a portion of the outer surface and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. The first surface has at least one integrally formed gripping structure extending outwardly from the first surface to provide a gripping surface, and the second surface is adhesive to connect the tape to the barrel.

Abstract: There is provided a tampon having a plurality of pledget segments with each segment having one or more layers of absorbent material and one or more layers of semipermeable material. The one or more semipermeable layers of each segment forms an absorption restriction boundary to the next adjacent segment that allows each segment to absorb and expand independently from the other segments. The plurality of pledget segments can be positioned in a coverstock bag.

Abstract: The present invention provides a pre-expanded tampon pledget formed from cellulosic absorbent fibers. The fibers are not tightly compressed, thus, the pledget has a reduced fiber density. As a result, a softer, more pliable pledget is formed that not only increases user comfort during use, but also affords a user with comparable and/or increased leakage protection over conventional tampons or tampon pledgets.

Abstract: The present invention is an applicator barrel with a taped finger grip. The applicator barrel includes a barrel body having an outer surface. A three-dimensional tape is connected to a portion of the outer surface and includes a first surface and a second surface opposite said first surface. The first surface has at least one integrally formed gripping structure extending outwardly from the first surface to provide a gripping surface, and the second surface is adhesive to connect the tape to the barrel.

Abstract: There is provided a dispensing orifice. The edge surfaces of the orifice define a breadth and a width for the orifice. The ratio of the minimum breadth of the orifice to the thickness of a dispensed sheet is preferably about 8:1 to about 18:1. The ratio of the width of a dispensed sheet to the maximum width of the orifice is preferably about 2:1 to about 5:1. In a preferred embodiment, at least one of the sides of the orifice is curved. Moreover, at least one of the sides of the orifice preferably has a plurality of nodules extending a distance into the orifice. Preferably, the ratio of the minimum breadth of the orifice to the distance that the nodules extend into the orifice is about 2:1 to about 8:1.

Abstract: An applicator is disclosed that is adapted for insertion into a body cavity. The applicator has an outer surface that is coated with a nitrocellulose layer and an pierce-through fingergrip area. Also disclosed is a method for forming such an applicator, and tampon assemblies constructed with same.

Abstract: A tampon including a pledget with a textured tampon string. The string is one or more of the following constructions: crocheted, cabled, braided or a combination of two or more thereof. The textured tampon string may have a siloxane solution applied thereto or included therein.

Abstract: A method of forming a cardboard tampon applicator having a petal tip is disclosed, in which a permanent plasticizer, preferably a hydrophilic plasticizer, is applied to at least a portion of the petal tip. Tampon applicators formed by this method are also disclosed.

Abstract: An applicator is provided that has a textured finger grip. The textured finger grip is formed by exposing the applicator barrel to a beam of a laser to form deformations in the applicator barrel surface. The textured properties of the laser engraved finger grip of the present invention are enhanced when protuberances are superimposed on laser engraved areas by conventional embossing techniques. In addition, it is disclosed that effects of conventional embossing techniques are improved by embossing over areas that have been previously been exposed to a beam of a laser. Processes for manufacturing applicator barrels having the aforementioned textured fingergrips are also provided.

Abstract: An applicator barrel is disclosed that is adapted for insertion into a body cavity. The applicator barrel has a pierce-through fingergrip area and an outer surface that is coated with an epoxy layer. Also disclosed is a method for forming such an applicator barrel, and tampon assemblies constructed with same.