Telescoping Two-Piece Plunger for Compact Tampon Applicator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Compact tampon applicators with two-piece telescoping plungers face challenges in achieving a reduced length while maintaining a comfortable grip and easy insertion, often compromising on grip size and requiring higher assembly force, and lack sensory feedback for correct assembly.
Innovation Solution
A tampon applicator design featuring a barrel with a grip region, transition region, and main body region, along with a telescoping two-piece plunger having an outer and inner sleeve with detent mechanisms, allowing for a stable connection and easy assembly with tactile and auditory feedback, enabling a compact form with full-size features.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Length of moving object
If the applicator is designed as a compact format with reduced overall length, then the applicator can be discretely stored and handled, but the grip region becomes smaller making the product more difficult to use
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies nesting by placing the inner sleeve inside the outer sleeve to create a telescoping two-piece plunger structure. This allows the plunger to be compact when stored (inner sleeve within outer sleeve) yet extend to full length during use, providing both discrete storage and full-size grip region without compromise
2Force
If the two-piece plunger is designed to require low assembly force, then the assembly process becomes easier, but sensory feedback for correct assembly becomes insufficient
Solution Approach 1:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms including audible click indicators and tactile snap sensations that occur when the inner sleeve engages with the outer sleeve during assembly. This provides clear sensory confirmation of correct assembly while maintaining low assembly force requirements through the elastic engagement mechanism
3Length of moving object
If the petals are shortened to achieve reduced overall length in compact applicators, then the applicator becomes more compact, but the insertion experience is degraded
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dynamics by making the plunger a telescoping two-piece structure that transitions from a compact stored configuration to an extended deployed configuration. This dynamic transformation allows the applicator to maintain a compact form factor for storage while providing full-length petals and insertion end for optimal insertion experience when needed
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 achieves a compact length with a comfortable grip, reduced assembly force, and clear assembly feedback, enhancing user experience and applicator usability.
Implementation Method 1
The inner sleeve and outer sleeve each have features that assist with one or more components the assembly of tampon applicator assembly
Data Source
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Figure 8~10B
AI summary
A compact applicator has a two-piece telescoping plunger. The compact applicator, with such telescoping plunger, has a full-size barrel region while maintaining an overall applicator length that is the same and/or slightly shorter than current known compact applicators. In a non-deployed configuration, the inner sleeve of the plunger is generally telescoped within the outer sleeve of the plunger, and the outer sleeve of the plunger is generally telescoped within the applicator barrel.