Abstract: A tampon applicator for placing a feminine hygiene tampon into a vagina which has a tampon, a tampon housing member, a cover member, and a tampon positioning member. The tampon is partially housed within the tampon housing member. The tampon extends beyond the tampon housing member. The cover member covers at least a portion of the tampon housing member. The tampon housing member is telescopically mounted within the cover member. The tampon positioning member positions the tampon within the tampon housing member. The tampon positioning member can be disposed inside the tampon housing member and can be co-axial with the tampon. The tampon positioning member can be fixedly joined to the cover member. Alternatively, the tampon positioning member can be fixedly joined to the tampon housing member.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member for housing a tampon. The outer member has a substantially rigid first section and a collapsible section adjacent to the first section. The tampon positioning member is disposed within the outer member and co-axially with the tampon for expelling the tampon from the outer member and for placing the tampon into the proper position within the vaginal cavity.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member for insertion of the pessary into the vaginal cavity. The inner member is slidable within the outer member wherein at least 15% of a length of the pessary remains in the outer member when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the pessary. The remaining portion of the pessary requires a force of less than about 0.30 N to be removed from the pessary applicator. Alternatively, when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the pessary, the remaining portion of the pessary requires a force of less than about 0.04 N/mm to be removed from the outer member.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member, an inner member which is slidable within the outer member, and a pessary which is housed within the pessary applicator. The inner member has an effective length of less than about 58 mm.

Abstract: A pessary applicator for positioning a pessary inside a vaginal cavity. The pessary applicator includes an outer member, an inner member, a pessary, and a pessary positioning member. The outer member is disposed co-axially with the inner member for insertion of the pessary into the vaginal cavity. The inner member includes a first end, a second end, and an interior surface. The inner member is slidable within the outer member. The pessary is at least partially housed within the inner member. The pessary positioning member is positioned within the inner member. The pessary positioning member includes a pessary pushing surface positioned between the first end and the second end of the inner member.

Abstract: An applicator device capable of housing a tampon is shown that includes an insertion member and a plunger. The insertion member includes an insertion end opposed to a gripper end. The plunger is slideably configured within the insertion member. The plunger includes an outside diameter, longitudinal axis, a first end opposed to a second end and an indicia of low placement. The indicia of low placement is located on between the first end and the second end of the plunger.

Abstract: An applicator device capable of housing a tampon including an insertion member and a plunger. The applicator comprises an insertion member and a plunger. The insertion member includes an inside diameter, an insertion end opposed to a gripper end and an indicia of low placement. The plunger is slideably configured within the insertion member. The plunger includes an outside diameter, longitudinal axis, a first end opposed to a second end. The indicia of low placement is located on between the insertion end and the gripper end of the insertion member.

Abstract: A tampon and a tampon applicator in combination for expulsion of a tampon. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, a force controller, and at least one side expulsion member. The side expulsion member has a weakened region located at its base. The tampon has a body having a first end, center, and a second end; body has a joined portion; the body has a plurality of absorbent strips joined at the joined portion. The strips are selected from the group consisting of nonwoven materials, films, woven materials, absorbent foams, superabsorbent polymers, and mixtures thereof. The tampon is housed within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for expulsion of a tampon. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube and optionally a plunger. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a longitudinal axis, an outer perimeter, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, a force controller, and at least one side expulsion member. The side expulsion member has a weakened region located at its base. The tampon is housed within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. A plunger may also be slidably mounted in the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and adapted to expel the tampon through the force controller.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member for insertion of the tampon into the vaginal cavity. The inner member is slidable within the outer member wherein at least 15% of a length of the tampon remains in the outer member when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the tampon. The remaining portion of the tampon requires a force of less than about 0.30 N to be removed from the tampon applicator. Alternatively, when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the tampon, the remaining portion of the tampon requires a force of less than about 0.04 N/mm to be removed from the outer member.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for in vitro testing of catamenial tampon-and-applicator systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an in vitro receptacle for accepting tampons deployed during the testing procedure. The in vitro receptacle comprises a sleeve with a tampon-deflecting zone, representing an in vivo vaginal channel with a frontal area of a cervix.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus for in vitro testing of catamenial tampon-and-applicator systems are disclosed. The apparatus comprises an in vitro receptacle for accepting tampons deployed during the testing procedure. The in vitro receptacle comprises a sleeve with a tampon-deflecting zone, representing an in vivo vaginal channel with a frontal area of a cervix.

Abstract: A tampon and a tampon applicator in combination for expulsion of the tampon. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube and optionally a plunger. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a longitudinal axis, an outer perimeter, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, a force controller, and at least one side expulsion member. The side expulsion member has a weakened region located at its base. The tampon is a fluid permeable bag and absorbent material loosely dispersed within the fluid permeable bag. The tampon is housed within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. A plunger may also be slidably mounted in the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and adapted to expel the tampon through the force controller.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member. The outer member has an outer member length. The tampon has a tampon length. The inner member is slidable within the outer member. The inner member has an inner member length which is at least about 12 mm less than the outer member length.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member. The outer member has an outer member length. The tampon has a tampon length. The inner member is slidable within the outer member. The inner member has an inner member length which is less than or equal to the tampon length.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member for insertion of the tampon into the vaginal cavity. The inner member is slidable within the outer member wherein at least 15% of a length of the tampon remains in the outer member when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the tampon.

Abstract: A tampon applicator for positioning a tampon inside a vaginal cavity. The tampon applicator includes an outer member disposed co-axially with an inner member for insertion of the tampon into the vaginal cavity. The inner member is slidable within the outer member wherein at least a portion of the tampon remains in the outer member when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the tampon. The remaining portion of the tampon requires a force of less than about 0.30 N to be removed from the tampon applicator. Alternatively, when the inner member is fully engaged with the outer member to define a remaining portion of the tampon, the remaining portion of the tampon requires a force of less than about 0.04 N/mm to be removed from the outer member.

Abstract: A tampon that has a body including a first end, a second end, a center portion, a longitudinal axis and a radial axis. The body includes a plurality of cords or strips joined at the first end, the second end, the center portion or both the first and second ends. The plurality of strips and cords being selected from the group being selected from the group consisting of, films, woven materials, absorbent foams, superabsorbent polymers, and mixtures thereof.

Abstract: A feminine hygiene product which has a tampon and a tampon applicator. The tampon applicator has a rupturable membranous cap permanently associated with a tampon holder tube. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, an outer perimeter, a longitudinal axis, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, and a second end positioned oppositely to the first end. The tampon is housed in a tampon holder tube within a hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and is substantially aligned with the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. The rupturable membranous cap covers at least a portion of the tampon. During expulsion of the tampon from the tampon holder tube, the rupturable membranous cap reorients the tampon into a direction substantially non-aligned to the longitudinal axis of the tampon holder tube in the tampon's pre-expelled position.

Abstract: A tampon and a tampon applicator in combination for expulsion of the tampon. The tampon applicator has a tampon holder tube and a plunger. The tampon holder tube has a hollow interior portion, an interior surface, an exterior surface, a longitudinal axis, an outer perimeter, a first end dimensioned for insertion into a vaginal cavity, a second end positioned oppositely to the first end, an end expulsion force increaser, and at least one side expulsion member. The tampon is a fluid permeable bag and absorbent material loosely dispersed within the permeable bag. The tampon is housed within the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube in a pre-expelled position. A plunger may also be slidably mounted in the hollow interior portion of the tampon holder tube and adapted to expel the tampon through the end expulsion force increaser.