Tampon Loop String Design for Grip and Removal

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional tampons with straight strings can be difficult to grip and remove due to their length, often protruding from garments and interfering with the urine stream, necessitating a more manageable and discreet solution.

Innovation Solution

A tampon design featuring a string with a looped configuration that extends from the second end of the elongate body, allowing the first and second ends to be securely attached within the body, providing increased grip and tensile strength, and optionally incorporating knots or beads for enhanced removal assistance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a straight string is used in conventional tampons, then the tampon can be easily manufactured, but the string is difficult to grip and remove, often protruding from garments and interfering with the urine stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip and removal easeVSAvoidstring configuration complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies curvature by transforming the straight string into a looped configuration. The string is configured to form a loop with a predetermined diameter that extends from the tampon, allowing fingers to easily grip the loop for removal. This curved/looped shape eliminates the protrusion issues of straight strings while maintaining ease of manufacture through simple string folding and attachment processes.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

2Strength

If the string is made longer to improve grip, then grip strength is enhanced, but the string protrudes from garments and interferes with the urine stream

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvegrip strengthVSAvoidprotrusion and interference

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent resolves the contradiction by changing the string from a linear one-dimensional configuration to a looped two-dimensional configuration. The loop provides sufficient surface area for finger grip (improving grip strength) while the looped structure collapses or remains compact within the garment coverage area, eliminating protrusion and interference with the urine stream. This dimensional transformation allows both grip enhancement and harm reduction simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

3Object-affected harmful factors

If the string is made shorter to prevent protrusion, then garment exposure is reduced, but grip strength is diminished

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccidental exposureVSAvoidgrip ability

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the string into a looped configuration where both ends of the string are attached to the tampon body, forming a closed loop structure. This merging creates a compact form that prevents protrusion and accidental exposure, while the loop itself provides ample surface area for effective finger grip. The looped structure combines the benefits of short string (no protrusion) with the benefits of long string (good grip) simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9566194B2Tampon

Publication Date: 2017.02.14 EAT DONT TALK

AI summary

A tampon for use in feminine hygiene. The tampon has an elongate body and a string. The elongate body has a first end, a second end, and an interior. The string has a first end, a second end, and an intermediate portion. The first end and the second end of the string are attached to the interior of the elongate body such that the first end and the second end are separated and the intermediate portion of the string forms a loop that extends from the second. end of the elongate body. The loop provides a grip to assist in removing the tampon.