# US 2014/0155808 A1 · Applicator for feminine care device > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 2014/0155808 A1 - Document ID: US20140155808A1 - Status: Published application - Kind: A1 - Application number: 14/086,126 - Filed: 2013-11-21 - Published: 2014-06-05 - Earliest claimed: 2012-11-30 - Assignees: The Procter & Gamble Company - Applicants: The Procter & Gamble Company - Inventors: Eva Grace NELLENBACH; Ayub Ibrahim KHAN - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US20140155808A1 ## CPC - A61F 13/266: {Insertion devices, e.g. rods or plungers, separate from the tampon} - A61F 13/26: Means for inserting tampons {, i.e. applicators} - A61F: FILTERS IMPLANTABLE INTO BLOOD VESSELS; PROSTHESES; DEVICES PROVIDING PATENCY TO, OR PREVENTING COLLAPSING OF, TUBULAR STRUCTURES OF THE BODY, e.g. STENTS; ORTHOPAEDIC, NURSING OR CONTRACEPTIVE DEVICES; FOMENTATION; TREATMENT OR PROTECTION OF EYES OR EARS; BANDAGES, DRESSINGS OR ABSORBENT PADS; FIRST-AID KITS (dental prosthetics A61C) ## Abstract Applicators for inserting feminine care devices into the body are provided. The applicators include an applicator barrel having unique insertion tip designs. The insertion tips employ a plurality of petals that can have an inflection or bending point above the bases of the petals. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising: a. a barrel comprising an insertion tip proximal a first end; b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals having a petal base defined by the lowest point of a slot between the spaced apart petals and a petal length extending from the petal base to a petal distal end; c. wherein the insertion tip has a tip length defined from a point 5 mm below the petal bases and extending to the petal distal ends; d. wherein the insertion tip along the tip length comprises a wall thickness angle of greater than or equal to 0.4 degrees. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the insertion tip along the tip length comprises a wall thickness of greater than or equal to 0.5 degrees. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the insertion tip along the tip length comprises a wall thickness of greater than or equal to 0.6 degrees. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The applicator of claim 1, wherein the insertion tip along the tip length comprises a wall thickness of greater than or equal to 0.7 degrees. ### Claim 5 An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising: a. a barrel comprising an insertion tip proximal a first end; b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals having a petal base defined by the lowest point of a slot between the spaced apart petals and a petal length extending from the petal base to a petal distal end; c. wherein the insertion tip has a tip length defined from a point 5 mm below the petal bases and extending to the petal distal ends, and an insertion tip thickness; d. wherein the insertion tip thickness varies by at least 15% over a 3 mm section along the tip length to create a petal doming inflection point. ### Claim 6 (depends on 5) The applicator of claim 5, wherein the petal doming inflection point is proximal the petal bases. ### Claim 7 (depends on 5) The applicator of claim 5, wherein the petal doming inflection point is above the petal bases. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The applicator of claim 7, wherein the petal doming inflection point is at least 2 mm above the petal bases. ### Claim 9 An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising: a. a barrel comprising an insertion tip proximal a first end; b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals having a petal base defined by the lowest point of a slot between the spaced apart petals and a petal length extending from the petal base to a petal distal end; c. wherein the insertion tip has a tip length defined from a point 5 mm below the petal bases and extending to the petal distal ends, and an insertion tip thickness; and d. wherein the insertion tip thickness varies along the tip length via a first taper angle and a second taper angle that is greater than the first taper angle. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The applicator of claim 9, wherein the first taper angle is less than or equal to 0.3 degrees. ### Claim 11 (depends on 10) The applicator of claim 10, wherein the second taper angle is greater than or equal to 0.4 degrees. ### Claim 12 (depends on 9) The applicator of claim 9, wherein the second taper angle is greater than the first taper angle by at least 50%. ### Claim 13 An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising: a. a barrel comprising an insertion tip proximal a first end; b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals including a petal base, a petal distal end, a petal length between the petal base and the petal distal end, and a petal thickness; c. wherein the petal thickness varies in a non-uniform manner along the petal length. ### Claim 14 (depends on 13) The applicator of claim 13, wherein the petals are angled radially inwardly at an inflection point that is above the petal bases. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The applicator of claim 14, wherein the inflection point is 2 mm above the petal bases. ### Claim 16 An applicator for inserting feminine care devices into the body, the applicator comprising: a. a barrel comprising a vertical axis, and an insertion tip proximal a first end; b. a plurality of spaced apart petals disposed about the insertion tip, each of the petals having an opposing first and second edges, a petal width extending between the opposing first and second edges, an inner surface, and a petal thickness; c. wherein the petal thickness varies across the petal width at a single reference location along the barrel vertical axis. ### Claim 17 (depends on 16) The applicator of claim 16, wherein one or more ribs extend along part of the inner surface of the petals. ### Claim 18 (depends on 16) The applicator of claim 16, wherein a rib extends along a portion of each of the opposing first and second edges.