Tampon Applicator Grip Shape for Insertion Orientation
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tampon applicator assemblies lack ergonomic design features that enhance user comfort and ease of use, particularly in terms of grip and orientation for effective insertion and expansion within the vaginal cavity.
Innovation Solution
The applicator assembly features a barrel portion with flexible petals and a gripping portion that transitions from a larger to a smaller lateral dimension, providing a tactilely perceivable grip and distinct rotational orientation cues, along with a plunger mechanism for easy ejection of the tampon, ensuring optimal insertion and expansion alignment.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If a traditional cylindrical applicator assembly is used, then the structure is simple and easy to manufacture, but the user comfort and ease of gripping are insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The applicator assembly transitions from a symmetric cylindrical shape to an asymmetric form with a gripping portion that has varying lateral dimensions. The gripping portion features a maximum lateral dimension that is greater than the barrel portion's lateral dimension, creating an ergonomic shape that is easier to grip and manipulate, directly resolving the contradiction between operational ease and structural simplicity.
Solution Approach 2:
The applicator assembly incorporates a gripping portion with distinct local characteristics - a larger lateral dimension and different surface properties compared to the barrel portion. This localized modification provides enhanced grip areas without complicating the entire structure, allowing the device to maintain manufacturing simplicity while improving user comfort and ease of operation.
2Reliability
If the applicator assembly lacks rotational orientation cues, then the manufacturing is simpler, but the insertion alignment and expansion effectiveness are reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The gripping portion is designed with asymmetric features including a maximum lateral dimension and surface characteristics that differ from other portions of the applicator. These asymmetric elements serve as rotational orientation cues that guide proper insertion alignment, ensuring the tampon expands effectively within the vaginal cavity while adding minimal complexity to the manufacturing process.
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 user comfort and ensures effective insertion and expansion of the tampon by providing ergonomic grip and orientation cues, improving the overall user experience.
Implementation Method 1
The forward end of the barrel portion may be rounded or tapered to a gently rounded but openable tip to facilitate insertion. An openable configuration may be formed of a group of radially-arranged flexible petals that are rounded and curved inwardly at their distal ends toward the longitudinal axis of the applicator assembly, to close off the forward end and contain the new tampon, but flex radially outwardly under contact and forward pressure by the tampon
Data Source
AI summary
A tampon product including a tampon within an applicator assembly is disclosed. The applicator assembly includes a barrel portion joined to a gripping portion, imparted with features that improve utility and convenience for the user. In one example the gripping portion has a rearward edge defining differing first and second lengths. In another example the gripping portion has a lateral outer cross section profile that is substantially oval-shaped, ovoid-shaped, elliptical or stadium-shaped and has major and minor axes, each perpendicular to a longitudinal axis, along first and second lateral perpendicular directions, wherein following absorption of fluid the tampon will expand laterally to a first lateral dimension to a greatest extent along a first lateral direction, and to a lesser second lateral dimension along a second lateral direction 90 degrees from the first lateral direction, wherein the first lateral direction is substantially parallel to one of the major and minor axes.