The present invention provides a tampon applicator assembly having an applicator barrel with an insertion tip with a maximum of three petals. Additionally, the tampon applicator assembly can be provided with a tapered insertion tip. A shaped pledget can be housed in the applicator barrel, which provides support to the petals.

A tampon assembly having a barrel, a plunger, and a pledget is provided. The plunger is slidably received in the barrel. The pledget is in the barrel between the insertion tip and the plunger so that a force applied on the plunger can expel the pledget from the barrel. The barrel has a plurality of petals defining an insertion tip, which has a first taper ratio of more than about 0.3 to less than 1.0. The pledget has a shaped tip that is disposed in the insertion tip.

The present invention relates to novel and secure tampons that overcome the problems associated with conventional non-secure tampons, and methods of using the novel and secure tampons.

A tampon includes an absorbent body and a string, the absorbent body has a helical portion and a cushion space, the cushion space is axially formed in the helical portion, and the string is disposed on one end of the absorbent body.

This invention relates to a feminine hygiene apparatus, system, and kit that is made of natural absorbent material for the absorption of uterine fluid. The natural absorbent material is has a substantially parallelepiped geometry and configured into a truncated hexahedron shape. The apparatus could be positioned in pelvic cavity below the opening of cervix on both left and right side of vaginal wall into the vaginal fornices. The apparatus could be cleaned, sterilized and reused. Moreover, the apparatus does not produce irritations and discomfort during use as well as it permits sexual intercourse while being present in the vaginal canal.

A tampon comprising an absorbent pledget and a time-lapse indicator associated therewith is provided. The time-lapse indicator includes a sensory material surrounded by, embedded in, covered by, or coated with a release-retarding material that protects the sensory material and prevents its release, until after a predetermined period of time has elapsed. The time-lapse indicator is located on or in the tampon or tampon removal string, or, optionally, the tampon packaging. After the time-lapse indicator is activated and a predetermined period of time has elapsed, the sensory material is released and alerts the user that it is time to change the tampon.

A tampon applicator includes an outer tube for containing at least a part of an absorber therein, a first inner tube and a second inner tube. The second inner tube is telescopically received within the first inner tube. The first inner tube and the second inner tube are connectable to each other during use to push out the absorber from the outer tube. At least a part of the first inner tube and at least a part of the second inner tube overlap with each other in an overlap region outside the outer tube. A color difference between the outer tube and the overlap region is higher than a color difference between the overlap region and the second inner tube.

A tampon with an absorbent body of which at least a part of its volume is made from an absorbent material and having a middle part, a distal end and a proximal end, and which is connected to an extraction device. The volume of absorbent material in such a tampon is designed to absorb between 0.5 g and 4 g, preferably 3.5 g, of liquid.

The disclosed tampon may include a pledget having a rearward end; a wicking member having a trailing portion trailing the rearward end and having a rearward edge; and a withdrawal cord with an attached portion attached to the pledget and a free portion trailing the rearward edge. In an opened condition the pledget has a pair of side edges and a pledget width, and includes fibrous absorbent material and an outer cover of a first section of nonwoven web at least partially covering the absorbent material, the trailing portion of the wicking member including at least four layers of nonwoven web, at least one of which is an extension of the first section of nonwoven web. The wicking member may have a width substantially equal to the pledget width; and the trailing portion may have a length of at least about 10 mm and no greater than about 60 mm.

The present invention comprises methods and devices for collection of fluids, including cells and cellular materials, from the uterus. A device of the present invention comprises a central tubing member to which, at least, a flexible tubing member and an absorbable member are connected at least at one point. The absorbable member is connected to at least one portion of the central tubing member and to at least one portion of the flexible tubing member. The devices of the present invention are useful in methods of collection of uterine fluids, including blood, cells and cellular material.