US3674029A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Catamenial tampon and wrapper therefor
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
•
Filing: 1968-03-26
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Granted: 1972-07-04
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Expires: 1988-03-26
Abstract
Abstract A compressed catamenial tampon designed for digital insertion. The tampon is centered on a protective wrapper which is gathered and folded around the tampon to completely enclose it. The gathered wrapper is closed near the top of the tampon with an easily removable closure means. A central portion of the wrapper is releasably fastened to the base of the tampon.
Inventors
- 👤 John D Bates
- 👤 Virginia A Olson
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 23:31
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/551; A61F13/55175; A61F13/20; A61F13/26; Y; Y10; Y10S; Y10S604/00; Y10S604/904
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 11
Claim 1
Independent Claim
143 words
A catamenial tampon device designed for digital insertion and comprising a compressed tampon body, a withdrawal string depending therefrom and a flexible wrapper therefor; said tampon body comprising absorbent material compressed into a selfsustaining substantially cylindrical shape; said wrapper comprising a rectangular sheet of flexible, fluid-impervious material; the bottom of said tampon body being releasably fastened to the approximate geometric center of said sheet; the attachment strength of said sheet to said tampon is such that no more than a 100 gram pull is required to separate said sheet from said tampon, said sheet being gathered and folded upward to surround and fully enclose said tampon body; said string being folded upward inside said sheet and extending beyond the gathered ends of said sheet; and removable closure means encircling the gathered portion of said wrapper immediately above the top end of said tampon.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
143 words
A catamenial tampon device designed for digital insertion and comprising a compressed tampon body, a withdrawal string depending therefrom and a flexible wrapper therefor; said tampon body comprising absorbent material compressed into a selfsustaining substantially cylindrical shape; said wrapper comprising a rectangular sheet of flexible, fluid-impervious material; the bottom of said tampon body being releasably fastened to the approximate geometric center of said sheet; the attachment strength of said sheet to said tampon is such that no more than a 100 gram pull is required to separate said sheet from said tampon, said sheet being gathered and folded upward to surround and fully enclose said tampon body; said string being folded upward inside said sheet and extending beyond the gathered ends of said sheet; and removable closure means encircling the gathered portion of said wrapper immediately above the top end of said tampon.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
28 words
The tampon device of claim 1 in which at least the inner surface of said sheet is thermoplastic and is attached to said tampon by a heat bond.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
14 words
The tampon device of claim 2 in which said sheet comprises thin polyethylene film.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
21 words
The tampon device of claim 3 in which said sheet comprises a polyethylene-tissue laminate with the polyethylene comprising the inner surface.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
19 words
The tampon device of claim 1 in which the forward end of said tampon is treated with a lubricant.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
26 words
The tampon device of claim 1 in which at leAst the front half of said tampon is tapered to a narrower diameter than the rear portion.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
20 words
The tampon device of claim 1 in which said closure means comprises an encircling tape having a loose tab end.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
34 words
The tampon device of claim 7 in which the tape comprises a single loop with the ends thereof bonded to each other by a cohesive material coated on the interior surface of said tape.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
25 words
The tampon device of claim 7 in which the tape comprises a single loop with the ends thereof bonded to each other by heat-sealable means.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
13 words
The tampon device of claim 7 in which said tape is readily frangible.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2499414A
Cited
US2587515A
Cited
US2922422A
Cited
US3024788A
Cited
US3058469A
Cited
US3135262A
Cited
US3358686A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1975-07-04 | 1976-01-03 | 1976-07-04 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1979-07-04 | 1980-01-03 | 1980-07-04 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1983-07-04 | 1984-01-03 | 1984-07-04 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |