Tampon Applicator Tip Geometry for Low Ejection Force
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing tampon applicators with tapered insertion tips face challenges in achieving user comfort while maintaining an acceptable ejection force, often requiring modifications that increase manufacturing complexity and material costs, and may cause discomfort or injury due to thin, flexible petals.
Innovation Solution
A tampon applicator design with a tapered insertion tip featuring a unique closure geometry, extended petal length, and varying radii of curvature, which reduces ejection force and enhances petal stability, allowing for robust manufacturing and improved user comfort.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Force
If thin petals are used to reduce ejection force, then ejection force decreases, but petal stability and structural strength deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the thickness of different parts of the petals. The petals have a thicker base region (providing structural strength and stability) that gradually transitions to a thinner tip region (reducing ejection force). This gradient thickness distribution allows the petals to maintain both stability and low ejection force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the petals, specifically the thickness distribution along the petal length. By optimizing the thickness profile and the curvature radii, the patent achieves a balance between petal stability and ejection force, moving from uniform thickness to a optimized gradient thickness profile.
2Ease of operation
If tapered insertion tip is used to improve insertion comfort, then insertion comfort improves, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses curved surfaces and varying radii of curvature in the insertion tip region to improve insertion comfort. The tapered geometry with optimized curvature profiles provides a more comfortable insertion experience while the design is integrated into the molding process to minimize manufacturing complexity.
3Adaptability or versatility
If non-linear slits are used to improve petal flexibility, then petal flexibility improves, but manufacturing precision requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs non-linear, asymmetric slit patterns in the barrel wall that create petals with optimized flexibility. The slits are positioned and shaped to allow natural petal movement and opening while maintaining structural integrity. The asymmetric design provides better flexibility compared to linear slits.
Data Source
AI summary
An insertion end for a tampon applicator assembly. The insertion end has an insertion tip region and optionally an inflection region. The insertion end of the tampon applicator assembly is unique in one or more ways, including one or more of the following: having a unique degree of closure, an inflection region length that is different than an insertion end region length, petal slits that form a tear-drop shape, petals having multiple radii of curvature, the insertion end having a unique radius of curvature, the insertion end having a unique part thickness.