Abstract: The present invention provides an improved tampon applicator having a grip area which provides the user better gripping ability. The grip area may be an area between two ridges on the outer tube of the applicator. In the alternative or in addition to the ridges, the grip area may be a raised pattern which is raised by a distance of between about 0.10 mm and about 0.75 mm. The present invention also provides an improved petal design for a tampon applicator. In this embodiment of the present invention, the petals are separated from each other on all sides by a non-linear gap and the gap is not parallel with the longitudinal axis of the tampon applicator.

Abstract: A method for rapidly producing a prototype includes the steps of conducting an interview of a participant in a product development study; presenting an item for review; providing physical sets of alternatives for components of the item; eliciting preference values for the alternatives from the participant; inputting the preference values into a computer software program; producing a virtual ideal item based on the preference values using the computer software program; and presenting the virtual ideal item to the participant.