Foam Tampon with Rounded Contours and Detachable Thread
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional soft tampons are difficult to handle due to the lack of a retrieval thread and larger volume, leading to discomfort during insertion and removal, and increased storage and transport costs, which limits their availability in retail stores.
Innovation Solution
A soft tampon with a foam body featuring rounded outer contour sections for easy gripping and a detachable retrieval thread, allowing for improved handling and optional use without the thread for specific applications, packaged in a vacuum-sealed sachet to reduce packaging size and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If soft tampons are designed without a retrieval string to be suitable for sexual intercourse and skimpy swimwear, then comfort and suitability for specific applications are improved, but ease of removal deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The tampon design allows dynamic adaptation: the retrieval thread can be attached when needed for easy removal, or left detached for comfort during sexual intercourse and swimwear use. This dynamic configuration enables the same tampon to serve multiple purposes with different removal needs.
Solution Approach 2:
The retrieval thread is separated from the tampon body as an optional component. Users can attach the thread to the tab only when removal ease is needed, rather than having it permanently attached. This segmentation allows flexible adaptation to different usage scenarios.
2Ease of operation
If soft tampons are made with a larger volume to provide soft material benefits, then comfort is improved, but handling difficulty and storage costs worsen
Solution Approach 1:
The foam material parameters are optimized to provide softness and comfort while minimizing volume. The rounded outer contour sections are designed to provide gripping surfaces without significantly increasing overall tampon volume, balancing comfort with compactness.
Solution Approach 2:
The tampon features rounded outer contour sections instead of sharp edges or flat surfaces. This curvature provides comfortable gripping surfaces that conform to finger shapes, improving ease of handling while maintaining a compact form factor that reduces packaging volume.
3Ease of operation
If soft tampons use foam material with rounded outer contour sections, then ease of insertion and comfort are improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The foam tampon is manufactured with rounded outer contour sections using molding or die-cutting processes. These rounded shapes are easily formed in foam material and provide smooth insertion surfaces that reduce microtrauma risk while being compatible with standard foam manufacturing techniques.
Solution Approach 2:
The foam tampon has varying local properties: the outer contour sections are rounded for comfortable insertion and gripping, while the internal structure maintains appropriate density for absorption. The tab area is specifically designed with a loop for thread attachment, providing localized functionality without complicating overall manufacturing.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
The design enhances ease of insertion and removal, reduces microtrauma risk, and significantly reduces storage and transport costs by minimizing packaging volume, making the tampon more user-friendly and accessible.
Implementation Method 1
The soft tampon is packaged in a vacuum-sealed sachet. The vacuum sealing process significantly reduces the dimensions of the soft tampon, particularly its height. This is primarily due to the compressible material from which the tampon body is made.
Implementation Method 2
The soft tampon expands again after the sachet is opened. In other words, the soft tampon slowly unfolds to its full size after the sachet is opened
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2~3
AI summary
A soft tampon (10) with a body (12) made of foam has an outer contour section (16, 18, 20, 22) on a top surface (25) of the body (12) that defines an insertion end (26) of the body (12). The body (12) has a tab (30) that is associated with a retrieval end (28) of the body (12), the retrieval end (28) being opposite to the insertion end (26) along a longitudinal axis of the body (12). The soft tampon (10) according to the invention is characterized in that the body (12) has several adjacent rounded outer contour sections (16, 18, 20, 22) on at least one side, such that a gripping section (24) is formed between two adjacent rounded outer contour sections (16, 18, 20, 22). Furthermore, a soft tampon assembly, a method for packaging a soft tampon in a vacuum-packed sachet, and a vacuum-packed soft tampon assembly are described.