US3645263A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking arrangement for tube-type applicators for tampons and the like
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1969-08-21
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Granted: 1972-02-29
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Expires: 1989-08-21
Abstract
Abstract An improved locking arrangement for a tampon applicator of the type employing inner and outer tubes with a tampon seated in the outer tube and in which the inner tube is telescopically movable to eject the tampon or similar ejectable element. The improved arrangement temporarily locks together the inner and outer tubes to prevent premature separation during handling and processing. The locking arrangement is formed by punching through the wall of the outer tube, in an area where the inner and outer tubes overlap, an aperture defining at least one forward pointing, downwardly bent, triangular-shaped tab with a convex base depending from a concavely arcuate hinge line. The concavely arcuate hinge line from which the convex base the triangularshaped tab downwardly depends, provides a stable construction which prevents the tab from losing its downward bend, due to its natural resilience until the tubes are manually pushed together by the user to eject the tampon. The aperture forming the locking arrangement may be circular and define a plurality of downwardly bent triangular segments with their convex bases and concavely arcuate hinge lines collectively forming the circumference of the aperture.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Bates
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 02:10
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; A61F13/263
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
141 words
In the applicator device comprising telescopically interfitted inner and outer tubes wherein the forward portion of the outer tube is adapted to receive an ejectable element and the inner tube is forwardly movable within the outer tube to eject said element therefrom and wherein said inner tube is provided with an aperture spaced rearwardly from its front end and a portion of the wall of said outer tube is disposed over said opening and provided with temporary locking means depending downwardly through said opening, the improved locking arrangement in which said locking means comprises at least one triangularshaped segment with a forwardly disposed point and a rearwardly disposed convex base with said base depending downwardly from a concavely arcuate hinge line, and in which said concavely arcuate hinge line is depressed below the outer wall surface to form an arcuate shoulder.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
141 words
In the applicator device comprising telescopically interfitted inner and outer tubes wherein the forward portion of the outer tube is adapted to receive an ejectable element and the inner tube is forwardly movable within the outer tube to eject said element therefrom and wherein said inner tube is provided with an aperture spaced rearwardly from its front end and a portion of the wall of said outer tube is disposed over said opening and provided with temporary locking means depending downwardly through said opening, the improved locking arrangement in which said locking means comprises at least one triangularshaped segment with a forwardly disposed point and a rearwardly disposed convex base with said base depending downwardly from a concavely arcuate hinge line, and in which said concavely arcuate hinge line is depressed below the outer wall surface to form an arcuate shoulder.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
40 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 1 in which the aperture in said inner tube is provided by a downwardly depending triangular-shaped segment similar to and in registry with the triangular-shaped segment depending from the wall of said outer tube.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
164 words
In an applicAtor device comprising telescopically interfitted inner and outer tubes wherein the forward portion of the outer tube is adapted to receive an ejectable element and the inner tube is forwardly movable within the outer tube to eject said element therefrom and wherein said inner tube is provided with an aperture spaced rearwardly from its front end and a portion of the wall of said outer tube is disposed over said opening and provided with temporary locking means depending downwardly through said opening, the improved locking arrangement in which said outer tube is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending tabs projecting through said opening, said tabs comprising triangular-shaped segments with convexly arcuate bases, the apices of said segments being bent downward to extend through said opening, and the convex bases of each of said segments depending downwardly from hinge lines which form the downward bend, said hinge lines being concavely arcuate in plan view, and which hinge lines collectively form a circle.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
164 words
In an applicAtor device comprising telescopically interfitted inner and outer tubes wherein the forward portion of the outer tube is adapted to receive an ejectable element and the inner tube is forwardly movable within the outer tube to eject said element therefrom and wherein said inner tube is provided with an aperture spaced rearwardly from its front end and a portion of the wall of said outer tube is disposed over said opening and provided with temporary locking means depending downwardly through said opening, the improved locking arrangement in which said outer tube is provided with a plurality of downwardly depending tabs projecting through said opening, said tabs comprising triangular-shaped segments with convexly arcuate bases, the apices of said segments being bent downward to extend through said opening, and the convex bases of each of said segments depending downwardly from hinge lines which form the downward bend, said hinge lines being concavely arcuate in plan view, and which hinge lines collectively form a circle.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
20 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 3 in which said concavely arcuate hinge lines collectively form a depressed circular shoulder.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
46 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 3 wherein the opening in said inner tube is provided by a plurality of triangular shaped downwardly bent segments with convex bases similar to and in registry with the downwardly bent segments depending from the wall of said outer tube.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
54 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 5 in which a set of said registered triangular segments comprising one overlying outer tube segment and one underlying inner tube segment is arranged with apices of said set pointing towards the forward end of said tubes along a line substantially parallel to the axis of said tubes.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 6 in which said apices are offset forward from the geometric center of said aperture.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
37 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 3 in which one of said triangular segments is arranged with its apex pointing towards the forward end of said outer tube along a line substantially parallel to the tube axis.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
21 words
The improved locking arrangement of claim 8 in which said apex is offset forward from the geometric center of said aperture.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2040155A
Cited
US2587717A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-02-28 | 1975-08-30 | 1976-02-29 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-02-28 | 1979-08-30 | 1980-02-29 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-02-28 | 1983-08-30 | 1984-02-29 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |