Tampon Applicator Insertion Tip Geometry for Petal Stability
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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 due to thin or weak petals.
Innovation Solution
A tampon applicator design with a tapered insertion tip featuring a unique closure geometry, extended petal length, and inflection 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 the petal thickness is reduced to lower ejection force, then the ejection force decreases below 25 oz, but the petal stability deteriorates causing tip deformation and collapse
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by varying the petal thickness along its length, with the thickest section located at the petal tip rather than uniformly distributed. This localized thickening at the critical tip region provides structural stability where deformation occurs most, while maintaining thinner overall petals to reduce ejection force requirements.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the geometric parameters of the petal structure, specifically the thickness distribution profile and the tapered insertion tip geometry. By modifying these physical parameters, the patent achieves both reduced ejection force and improved petal stability simultaneously.
2Stability of the object's composition
If the petal thickness is increased to improve petal stability, then the petal tip stability improves, but the ejection force increases above 25 oz
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by concentrating material thickness at the petal tip region where structural integrity is most critical, rather than uniformly increasing thickness throughout the entire petal. This localized approach provides stability where needed while minimizing the overall increase in ejection force.
3Ease of manufacture
If the insertion tip is made blunt and open-ended for simplicity, then the manufacturing complexity is reduced, but the insertion comfort deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies curvature by designing a tapered insertion tip with a rounded, dome-shaped profile rather than a blunt or angular geometry. This curved, tapered shape naturally guides the applicator during insertion, improving user comfort while remaining compatible with standard manufacturing processes for molded applicators.
4Force
If the petals are made thin and flexible to open with minimal force, then the ejection force decreases, but the petal strength deteriorates causing potential injury during insertion
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by strategically positioning the maximum petal thickness at the tip region, which is the area most susceptible to deformation and potential injury during insertion. This localized reinforcement provides necessary strength and structural integrity at the critical location while maintaining overall petal flexibility for low ejection force.
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.