Patent US3857395A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US3857395A
Expired / Lapsed
US
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Conformable absorbent tampon and inserter device therefor
Assignee: Kimberly Clark Corp
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Filing: 1974-01-28
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Granted: 1974-12-31
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Expires: 1994-01-28
Abstract
Abstract A conformable absorbent tampon in combination with a device adapted to insert the tampon into the vaginal tract as well as to bilaterally spread the tampon open within the vaginal cavity after insertion at the option of the user. The preferred tampon comprises a soft, thin conformable absorbent pad which is initially of planar configuration. The planar pad is draped at its approximate geometric centerpoint over the leading end of an elongate rod-like inserter device and in this position is inserted through the vaginal orifice. That portion of the inserter device which is disposed internally of the draped tampon preferably is provided with a hinged structure capable of bilaterally spreading the draped tampon within the vagina after insertion. During insertion the draped tampon is effective in wiping clean the lower vaginal canal. After insertion, the bilaterally spread tampon is immediately effective in intercepting vaginal fluids which flow along the walls of the vaginal cavity and which fluids otherwise tend to bypass prior art tampons not possessing positive bilateral deployment capabilities.
Inventors
- 👤 D Fries
- 👤 L Kaczmarzyk
- 👤 R Johnson
- 👤 R Peerenboom
- 👤 A Buss
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-23 17:12
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61F; A61F13/00; A61F13/15; A61F13/20; A61F13/34; A61F13/2051; A61F13/26
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 32
Claim 1
Independent Claim
139 words
In combination, a conformable absorbent tampon and an elongate inserter means; said inserter means having a bilaterally spreadable forward end portion and a trailing end portion for grasping by the user when inserting said tampon; said tampon comprising a flat absorbent pad draped over and enclosing the forward end portion of said inserter means; said forward end portion being of hinged construction; said hinged construction comprising a pair of flexible arms having a means for bilaterally diverging the arms from each other at an intermediate portion of their length when longitudinal pressure is exerted against one end of said arms by said trailing end portion; said inserter means being adapted to insert said tampon into the vagina while said tampon is draped over said forward end and to bilaterally spread said tampon within the vaginal cavity after insertion therein.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
139 words
In combination, a conformable absorbent tampon and an elongate inserter means; said inserter means having a bilaterally spreadable forward end portion and a trailing end portion for grasping by the user when inserting said tampon; said tampon comprising a flat absorbent pad draped over and enclosing the forward end portion of said inserter means; said forward end portion being of hinged construction; said hinged construction comprising a pair of flexible arms having a means for bilaterally diverging the arms from each other at an intermediate portion of their length when longitudinal pressure is exerted against one end of said arms by said trailing end portion; said inserter means being adapted to insert said tampon into the vagina while said tampon is draped over said forward end and to bilaterally spread said tampon within the vaginal cavity after insertion therein.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination, an absorbent tampon body in association with an elongate inserter for said tampon adapted for inserting said tampon into the vaginal cavity and bilaterally spreading said tampon within said cavity after insertion; said inserter having a forward portion provided with fixed support means for said tampon and bilateral spreading means associated with said fixed support means; said tampon body comprising an absorbent pad spreadably disposed over and around said fixed support means and said bilateral spreading means; said fixed support means comprising a base and a pair of elongate beams extending from said base and being joined to each other at their forward extremities; said bilateral spreading means being disposed within said fixed support means and comprising a bifurcated front portion and a rod-like rear portion slidably disposed within said base; said bifurcated front portion comprising a pair of arms hingedly connected at said forward extremities and at said rod portion; said arms being adapted to flexibly diverge from each other intermediate the points where said arms are hingedly connected, whereby when said rod portion is slidably activated said arms will diverge and bilaterally spread said tampon.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
189 words
In combination, an absorbent tampon body in association with an elongate inserter for said tampon adapted for inserting said tampon into the vaginal cavity and bilaterally spreading said tampon within said cavity after insertion; said inserter having a forward portion provided with fixed support means for said tampon and bilateral spreading means associated with said fixed support means; said tampon body comprising an absorbent pad spreadably disposed over and around said fixed support means and said bilateral spreading means; said fixed support means comprising a base and a pair of elongate beams extending from said base and being joined to each other at their forward extremities; said bilateral spreading means being disposed within said fixed support means and comprising a bifurcated front portion and a rod-like rear portion slidably disposed within said base; said bifurcated front portion comprising a pair of arms hingedly connected at said forward extremities and at said rod portion; said arms being adapted to flexibly diverge from each other intermediate the points where said arms are hingedly connected, whereby when said rod portion is slidably activated said arms will diverge and bilaterally spread said tampon.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said fixed support means and said bilateral spreading means are of unitary construction.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said fixed support means is separate from said bilateral spreading means and is provided with sockets at said joined portion of said forward extremities, said sockets providing the hinged connecting means for the front end of said arms.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
44 words
The combination of claim 2 wherein said tampon initially comprises a thin, flat, soft, conformable and substantially uncompressed pad of absorbent material having a withdrawal string attached at a point on the periphery thereof and said pad is draped over said fixed support means.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the pad of absorbent material is made up of a core of absorbent fibers enclosed in a fluid pervious wrapper.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
24 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein the pad of absorbent fibers comprises a batt of wood pulp fluff enclosed in a fluid pervious wrapper.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said wrapper is woven gauze.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said wrapper is non-woven scrim.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said wrapper is a non-woven web of staple length fibers.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
11 words
The combination of claim 10 wherein said fibers are synthetic fibers.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 11 wherein said fibers are hydrophobic.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 7 wherein said wrapper is a non-woven web of continuous synthetic filaments.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
10 words
ThE combination of claim 13 wherein said filaments are hydrophobic.
Claim 17
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is in the form of an elongate rectangle.
Claim 18
Dependent Claim
26 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is in the form of an elongate rectangle with a portion of the diagonally opposed corners excised.
Claim 19
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is in the form of a Maltese cross.
Claim 20
Dependent Claim
17 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is in the form of a Greek cross.
Claim 21
Dependent Claim
16 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is in the form of a triangle.
Claim 22
Dependent Claim
13 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said thin pad is elliptical in shape.
Claim 23
Dependent Claim
23 words
The combination of claim 5 wherein said pad is of rectangular shape and has a thickened portion extending along its longitudinal center line.
Claim 24
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 21 wherein said thickened portion is comprised of folded areas of a fluid-pervious outer wrap for said pad.
Claim 25
Dependent Claim
19 words
The combination of claim 21 wherein said pad also has a thickened portion extending along its transverse center line.
Claim 26
Dependent Claim
22 words
The combination of claim 23 wherein said thickened portion is comprised of folded areas of a fluid-pervious outer wrap for said pad.
Claim 27
Dependent Claim
38 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tampon comprises a compressed strip of absorbent material with a withdrawal string at one end and said strip is folded at its mid-point and draped over said inserter at said mid-point.
Claim 28
Dependent Claim
54 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tampon comprises an elongate pad of absorbent material enclosed in a fluid pervious wrapper, said wrapper extending beyond one end of said pad and being twisted to form a withdrawal string therefor, said pad being folded transversely in half and draped over said inserter at said fold.
Claim 29
Dependent Claim
14 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said inserter is comprised of flexible thermoplastic material.
Claim 30
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said material is polyethylene.
Claim 31
Dependent Claim
10 words
The combination of claim 27 wherein said material is polypropylene.
Claim 32
Dependent Claim
18 words
The combination of claim 1 wherein said tampon and inserter are enclosed in a tight-fitting removable protective wrapper.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1977-12-30 | 1978-07-01 | 1978-12-31 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1981-12-30 | 1982-07-01 | 1982-12-31 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1985-12-30 | 1986-07-01 | 1986-12-31 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |