Tampon and applicator and manufacturing related thereto
AssigneeEdgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC
InventorsJoseph Garthaffner, Michael Burt, Christopher O'Kelly, Pankaj Nigam
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A tampon pledget having a unique forming process enables a reduction in material (by weight) without reducing gram per gram absorbency and optionally improving absorbency. The tampon pledget is formed by a unique carding, cross-lapping, and needle-punching process. A tampon applicator is formed having one or more components from at least one of a sustainable material and a compostable material. A tampon applicator plunger has at least one deformed end. A tampon applicator plunger has improved strength. A tampon assembly has an improved retention force.
Claims18
1-34. (canceled)
A tampon applicator assembly comprising:
- a pledget, wherein the pledget has an absorbency of between about 6 g and about 9 g and a basis weight of between about 120 gsm and about 145 gsm or the pledget has an absorbency of between about 9 g and about 12 g and a basis weight of between about 160 gsm and about 190 gsm, wherein the gram-per-gram absorbency is between about 5 g/g and about 6 g/g;
- and
- a plunger having an insertion end and a consumer end generally opposite the insertion end, the plunger having a body portion between the insertion end and the consumer end, wherein the insertion end is deformed from a generally cylindrical shape to a polygon shape, wherein a diameter of a circumscribed circle about the polygon is between about 9.25 mm and about 10.25 mm, wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical after to the insertion end is deformed, and wherein the length of the insertion end is between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm.
A regular pledget having an absorbency of between about 6 g and about 9 g, wherein the pledget has a basis weight of between about 120 gsm and about 145 gsm, and wherein the gram-per gram absorbency is between about 5 g/g and about 6 g/g.
A super pledget having an absorbency of between about 9 g and about 12 g, wherein the pledget has a basis weight of between about 160 gsm and about 190 gsm, and wherein the gram-per-gram absorbency is between about 5 g/g and about 6 g/g.
A plunger for a tampon applicator having an insertion end and a consumer end generally opposite the insertion end, the plunger having a body portion between the insertion end and the consumer end;
- wherein the insertion end is deformed from a generally cylindrical shape to a polygon shape;
- wherein a diameter of a circumscribed circle about the polygon is between about 9.25 mm and about 10.25 mm;
- wherein the body portion is generally cylindrical after to the insertion end is deformed;
- and
- wherein the length of the insertion end is between about 0.5 mm and about 5 mm.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.