US3765416A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Locking arrangement for plastic telescoping tubes used to insert tampons and the like
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1971-08-04
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Granted: 1973-10-16
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Expires: 1991-08-04
Abstract
Abstract A smoothly releasable temporary locking arrangement for a pair of telescoping plastic tubes such as are employed for inserting tampons or the like into body orifices. The locking arrangement assures against premature bidirectional longitudinal movement between the tubes. Backward movement of the inner tube is prevented by a circumferential raised shoulder portion near the front end of the inner tube which cooperates with a portion of reduced internal diameter at the trailing end of the outer tube. Forward movement of the interior tube is inhibited by the frictional relationship between the tubes provided by a particularly defined degree of interference between a circumferential portion of the inner tube adjacent the raised shoulder portion and the reduced diameter terminal portion of the outer tube.
Inventors
- 👤 E Werner
- 👤 E Wollangk
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-24 19:39
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 7
Claim 1
Independent Claim
220 words
An applicator consisting of a pair of telescopically associated plastic tubes and comprising: an outer tube of right cylinder configuration with a substantially uniform internal diameter A throughout the major portion thereof and having a small area adjacent the trailing end gradually tapered down to a rear opening of predetermined smaller diameter B; and an inner tube with a stepped exterior cylindrical configuration comprising a front right cylinder shoulder portion C of substantial length with an exterior diameter C'' slightly smaller than the uniform internal diameter A of said outer tube, an intermediate right cylinder barrel portion D of substantial length adjacent said shoulder portion C with an exterior diameter D'' less than said shoulder portion C, and a back portion E of substantial length adjacent said barrel portion D, the outer diameter of said back portion E being gradually tapered rearwardly to a smaller exterior diameter than said barrel portion D and terminating at the back end of said inner tube; the exterior diameter of said barrel portion D being slightly larger by a predetermined amount than the internal diameter B of said rear opening in said outer tube; said inner tube being disposed within said outer tube with said barrel portion D in circumferential frictional engagement with the edges of said rear opening B in said outer tube.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
220 words
An applicator consisting of a pair of telescopically associated plastic tubes and comprising: an outer tube of right cylinder configuration with a substantially uniform internal diameter A throughout the major portion thereof and having a small area adjacent the trailing end gradually tapered down to a rear opening of predetermined smaller diameter B; and an inner tube with a stepped exterior cylindrical configuration comprising a front right cylinder shoulder portion C of substantial length with an exterior diameter C'' slightly smaller than the uniform internal diameter A of said outer tube, an intermediate right cylinder barrel portion D of substantial length adjacent said shoulder portion C with an exterior diameter D'' less than said shoulder portion C, and a back portion E of substantial length adjacent said barrel portion D, the outer diameter of said back portion E being gradually tapered rearwardly to a smaller exterior diameter than said barrel portion D and terminating at the back end of said inner tube; the exterior diameter of said barrel portion D being slightly larger by a predetermined amount than the internal diameter B of said rear opening in said outer tube; said inner tube being disposed within said outer tube with said barrel portion D in circumferential frictional engagement with the edges of said rear opening B in said outer tube.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
42 words
The applicator of claim 1 wherein the axial force required to overcome the resistance of the frictional engagement between said barrel portion of said inner tube and said rear opeNing of said outer tube is from about 200 to about 650 grams.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
39 words
The applicator of claim 2 wherein the exterior diameter of said barrel portion of said inner tube is from about 0.003 inch to about 0.0165 inch larger than the internal diameter of said rear opening of said outer tube.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
29 words
The applicator of claim 1 wherein the outer tube has an open front end and a compressed tampon is disposed therein in frictional engagement with the interior wall thereof.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
25 words
The applicator of claim 1 wherein the outer tube has a tapered front end and in which said front end is comprised of flexible segments.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
18 words
The applicator of claim 5 wherein a loose fitting bullet shaped tampon is disposed within said outer tube.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
US2516846A
Cited
FR983625A
Cited
US2619087A
Cited
US2826198A
Cited
US3148680A
Cited
US3409011A
Cited
US3347234A
Cited
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1976-10-15 | 1977-04-16 | 1977-10-16 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1980-10-15 | 1981-04-16 | 1981-10-16 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1984-10-15 | 1985-04-16 | 1985-10-16 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |