# US 7,044,928 B2 · Tampon applicator assembly having an improved plunger and methods of making

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- Number: US 7,044,928 B2
- Document ID: US7044928B2
- Status: Granted
- Kind: B2
- Application number: 10/407,861
- Filed: 2003-04-04
- Published: 2004-10-07
- Granted: 2006-05-16
- Earliest claimed: 2003-04-04
- Assignees: Platex Products, Inc.
- Inventors: Jessica LeMay; Keith J. Edgett; Kathryn G. Bennett; Wayne David Melvin
- Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7044928B2

## CPC

- A61F 13/26: Means for inserting tampons {, i.e. applicators}
- A61F 13/2097: {method of manufacturing tampon 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

A plunger having a first end, a second end, and a main body is provided. The first end of the plunger is about 10% to about 15% larger than the main body and the second end is more than about 50% larger than the main body.

## Claims

### Claim 1

A tampon applicator assembly comprising:
a barrel having a main section disposed between an insertion tip and a finger grip;
a plunger having a first end, a main body, and a second end, said plunger being slideably received in said barrel; and
a pledget disposed in said barrel between said insertion tip and said first end of said plunger so that a force applied on said second end of said plunger expels said pledget from said barrel at said insertion end,
wherein said first end of said plunger has a first outer dimension, said second end has a second outer dimension, and wherein said main body has a third outer dimension, said first outer dimension is about 10% to about 15% larger than said third outer dimension and said second outer dimension is more than about 85% larger than said third outer dimension.

### Claim 2 (depends on 1)

The assembly as in claim 1, wherein said first outer dimension is about 15% larger than said third outer dimension.

### Claim 3 (depends on 1)

The assembly as in claim 1, wherein said main section of said barrel has a maximum outer dimension located closer to said finger grip than to said insertion tip.