Abstract: A tampon applicator of the telescoping tube type including an ejector tube adapted to store a tampon in its distal end, a plurality of fingers formed in said distal end, an outer tube slip fit over the ejector tube, directionally-locking inward projections fixed within the distal end of said outer tube so as to pass between said fingers and engage a tampon carried therein thus securing the latter relative to said outer tube while permitting only distal expulsion therefrom. Said applicator charged with a tampon is packaged and stored in a telescopically collapsed position. It is activated for use by partial withdrawal of the ejector tube from the outer tube until the fingers of the ejector tube pass beyond the tampon and catch behind the proximal end of said tampon. The applicator is then used in the usual manner by telescopically collapsing the ejector tube into the outer tube, whereby the ejector tube serves as a plunger bearing against the proximal end of the tampon to expel the latter.

Abstract: An absorbent device for aqueous liquids, particularly useful as a catamenial tampon, e.g. of cotton or rayon fibers and a plurality of initially protectively-coated discrete portions of a super-absorbent material incorporated with the overall mass of absorbent material. Preferably a liquid soluble material surrounds and protectively encapsulates each discrete portion of super-absorbent material. The liquid soluble material of each encapsulated unit is designed to dissolve in the presence of different predetermined levels of menses to permit absorption of the menses by the super-absorbent material within respective encapsulated units. Accordingly, the greater the menstrual flow, the greater number of encapsulated units which become absorbent. The units may be microencapsulated. Trigger mechanisms other than solubility are contemplated for activating the absorbency of the discrete portions of super-absorbent material, when needed.