WO2013080756A1

WO2013080756A1 - Tampon applicator

Info

Publication number: WO2013080756A1
Application number: PCT/JP2012/078705
Authority: WO
Inventors: 八巻　孝一; 章恵木下; 健太谷口; 宜秀石川; 伊藤　幸博
Original assignee: ユニ・チャーム株式会社
Priority date: 2011-11-28
Filing date: 2012-11-06
Publication date: 2013-06-06
Also published as: JP2013111180A; JP6030830B2; TW201334762A

Abstract

The tampon applicator (1) comprises: an outer tube (2); an inner tube (3), which, by being inserted into the outer tube, extrudes the absorbent (4) inside the outer tube; and an auxiliary gripping member (10). An opening is formed at one end of the outer tube, and a gripping part (7), which the user grasps, is formed at the other end of the outer tube. The auxiliary gripping member (10) comprises a cover (11) that covers the outer circumferential surface of the outer tube gripping part, and a flange (12) that extends radially outward from the outer circumferential surface (11a) of the cover. Projections (5) that protrude radially outward are formed on the outer circumferential surface of the gripping part. Interlocking parts (13), which catch the projections and restrict the movement of the auxiliary gripping member relative to the outer tube in the insertion direction, are formed on the inner circumferential surface of the cover.

Description

Tampon applicator

The present invention relates to a tampon applicator.

Conventionally, a sanitary tampon with an applicator has been provided. The tampon applicator includes an outer cylinder and an inner cylinder. The absorber which has a drawer string is accommodated in the inside of an outer cylinder. When using the sanitary tampon, the user inserts the outer cylinder into the vagina while holding the outer cylinder, and then presses the inner cylinder toward the outer cylinder. When the inner cylinder is pressed toward the outer cylinder, the absorber is pushed out of the outer cylinder and disposed in the vagina. However, when the sanitary tampon is used, if the user pushes out the absorber without inserting the outer cylinder to an appropriate depth, the absorber is not disposed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

Patent Document 1 describes a tampon applicator made in view of such a problem. The tampon applicator includes a collar extending around the outer cylinder. When using the sanitary tampon, the user presses the outer cylinder through the buttocks and inserts the outer cylinder into the vagina. The buttock comes into contact with the vaginal opening when the outer cylinder is inserted to an appropriate depth. Therefore, the user can insert the outer cylinder to an appropriate depth. When the user pushes out the absorber with the outer tube inserted to an appropriate depth, the absorber is placed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

Japanese Patent No. 3217617

However, the applicant has discovered the following problems with the above-described tampon applicator.

In the flange portion of the tampon applicator described in Patent Document 1, a hole portion penetrating in the thickness direction is formed, and an outer cylinder is inserted into the hole portion. As shown in FIG. 1 of Patent Document 1, the collar portion has a relatively thin plate shape. Therefore, a sufficient contact area between the collar portion and the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder cannot be secured, and there is a possibility that the collar portion cannot be mounted in a stable state on the outer cylinder. For example, if the position of the buttocks shifts when inserting the outer cylinder into the body, the outer cylinder cannot be inserted while maintaining an appropriate insertion angle, and the absorber may not be placed at an appropriate position in the vagina. was there.

Therefore, the present invention has been made in view of the above-described problems, and an object thereof is to provide a tampon applicator in which an absorbent body can be easily arranged at an appropriate position in the vagina.

In order to solve the above-described problems, a tampon applicator (tampon applicator 1) according to the present invention is inserted into an outer cylinder (outer cylinder 2) in which an absorber is accommodated, and the outer cylinder. By this, it has the inner cylinder (inner cylinder 3) which pushes out the said absorber (absorber 4) in the said outer cylinder outside the said outer cylinder, and the said absorber is extruded to the end of the said outer cylinder. The tampon applicator is formed with an opening (opening 8) and a gripping part (gripping part 7) gripped by a user at the other end of the outer cylinder. A cover portion (cover portion 11) that covers the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion of the outer cylinder, and a flange portion (鍔) that extends from the outer peripheral surface (outer peripheral surface 11a) of the cover portion toward the radially outer side of the outer cylinder. Part 12), and an auxiliary gripping member (auxiliary gripping member 10) that is detachably attached to the outer cylinder. The outer peripheral surface of the gripping part projects outward in the radial direction. A protruding portion (protruding portion 5) is formed, and the inner peripheral surface of the cover portion is hooked on the protruding portion, and the fitting for restricting the relative movement in the insertion direction between the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder The gist is that a portion (fitting portion 13) is formed.

1 is a perspective view of a tampon according to a first embodiment of the present invention. It is a top view of the tampon shown in FIG. It is a figure which shows the holding part of the outer cylinder which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a side cross-sectional view, and (B) is a diagram schematically showing a deformation mode in the AA cross section. It is a figure which shows the auxiliary | assistant holding member which concerns on 1st Embodiment. (A) is a front view, (B) is a side view, and (C) is a BB cross-sectional view. It is sectional drawing which showed typically the state with which the auxiliary | assistant holding member was mounted | worn with the outer cylinder. It is a figure for demonstrating the manufacturing process of the tampon which concerns on 1st Embodiment. It is a figure which shows the auxiliary | assistant holding member which concerns on 2nd Embodiment. (A) is a rear view, and (B) is a CC cross-sectional view. It is a figure which shows the auxiliary | assistant holding member which concerns on 3rd Embodiment. (A) is a rear view, (B) is a DD cross-sectional view, and (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view in a state of being mounted on an outer cylinder. It is a figure which shows the auxiliary | assistant holding member which concerns on 4th Embodiment. (A) is a rear view, (B) is a cross-sectional view taken along line EE, and (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view in a state of being attached to an outer cylinder. It is a figure which shows the auxiliary | assistant holding member which concerns on 5th Embodiment. (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where it is attached to the outer cylinder, and (B) is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of being attached to the outer cylinder. It is the figure which showed typically the deformation | transformation aspect of the auxiliary | assistant holding member.

(First embodiment)
A tampon applicator according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. The tampon applicator 1 includes an outer cylinder 2, an inner cylinder 3 inserted into the outer cylinder, and an auxiliary gripping member 10 attached to the outer cylinder 2.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the entire tampon applicator 1 according to the first embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a plan view of the tampon applicator shown in FIG. FIG. 3 is a view showing the outer cylinder 2 of the tampon applicator, and FIG. 4 is a view showing an auxiliary gripping member. FIG. 5 is a schematic cross-sectional view of the auxiliary gripping member attached to the outer cylinder.

The outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 have a cylindrical shape having a hollow portion inside. The cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 is a perfect circle. The outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are entirely formed of a polyolefin-based resin such as polyethylene or polypropylene, or cardboard whose surface is laminated with a polyolefin film.

In the present embodiment, the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are individually molded by injection molding by mixing polyethylene or polypropylene, pigment 1% or more, and lubricant 1% or more. In addition, although the cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 which concerns on this Embodiment is a perfect circle, the cross-sectional shape of the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 should just be a shape which can be easily inserted in a vagina, For example, it may be oval.

The outer cylinder 2 has an insertion portion 6 to be inserted into the body and a gripping portion 7 (see FIG. 3) that can be gripped with a finger when the tampon applicator 1 is inserted into the body. In the state shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grip portion 7 is covered with the auxiliary grip member 10 and is configured so that it cannot be seen from the outside. The absorber 4 is accommodated inside the insertion portion 6. An extraction string 4 a is connected to the absorber 4. The take-out string 4 a is inserted through the inner cylinder 3 from the end of the absorber 4, and the end is extracted from the inner cylinder 3. The absorbent body 4 can be pulled out from the body by pulling the take-out string 4a during use.

An opening 8 through which the absorber 4 is pushed out is provided at one end of the outer cylinder 2. The opening 8 is formed with a petal body 8a that is deformed outward in the radial direction when the absorber 4 is pushed out. The petal body 8a is formed of four divided pieces divided every 90 degrees. The petal body 8a is normally closed at the edge of the opening 8, but when the absorbent body 4 is pushed out by the inner cylinder 3, it is spread and opened by the absorbent body 4. Thereby, the absorber 4 is pushed out from the outer cylinder 2, and the absorber 4 can be inserted in a body.

The other end of the outer cylinder 2 is provided with a gripping portion 7 that can be gripped with a finger when the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are moved when the auxiliary gripping member 10 is not attached. Note that the user can use the tampon applicator while holding the cover portion 11 and the collar portion 12 in a state where the auxiliary gripping member 10 is mounted.

FIG. 3 shows the gripping portion 7 of the outer cylinder 2 with the auxiliary gripping member 10 removed. FIG. 3A is a schematic side cross-sectional view, and FIG. 3B is a diagram showing a modification of the BB cross-sectional view. 3 is a cross-sectional view above the FL1 line, and is a side view below the FL1 line.

The distal end portion of the inner cylinder 3 is inserted into the gripping portion 7, and the outer diameter of the gripping portion 7 where the distal end surface of the inserted inner cylinder 3 faces the absorber 4 is larger than the outer diameter of the insertion portion 6. Small diameter. The diameter gradually decreases from the insertion portion 6 toward the gripping portion 7, and the auxiliary gripping member 10 is configured to be caught by the constricted portion 9 having a small diameter.

The protrusion part 5 is formed in the outer peripheral surface of the holding part. The protruding portion 5 abuts on a fitting portion 13 described later of the auxiliary gripping member 10, and restricts movement of the auxiliary gripping member 10 along the insertion direction with respect to the outer cylinder 2. In the present embodiment, the movement of the auxiliary gripping member 10 is restricted in a state in which the protruding portion 5 and the constricted portion 9 of the outer cylinder 2 are in contact with the fitting portion 13. You may be comprised so that a movement of the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 may be controlled in the state which 2 outer peripheral surfaces contact | abutted to the fitting part 13. FIG.

The protrusion 5 has a first protrusion 51 formed in four arcs extending in the circumferential direction and a second protrusion 52 formed on the entire outer periphery of the outer cylinder at the rear end in the insertion direction. The four arc-shaped first protrusions 51 are arranged so as to be shifted by 90 degrees, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. Moreover, the 1st protrusion part 51 is formed in 4 rows at intervals in the axial direction.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the grip portion 7 is provided with an auxiliary grip member 10 that covers the outer peripheral surface along the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion 7. FIG. 4 is a view showing the auxiliary gripping member 10. 4A is a front view, FIG. 4B is a left side view of FIG. 4A, and FIG. 4C is a BB cross-sectional view. FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view schematically showing a state where the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder 2.

The auxiliary gripping member 10 covers the outer peripheral surface 7a of the gripping portion 7 and extends outward from the outer peripheral surface 11a of the cover portion 11 in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2 (X direction and Z direction shown in FIG. 1). The protruding flange 12 is integrated. On the outer peripheral surface of the cover portion, a protruding portion 14 is provided so as to protrude from the outer peripheral surface. The protrusions 14 have an arc shape extending in the circumferential direction, and are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction.

The auxiliary gripping member 10 is made of polyolefin resin, elastomer, paper, or other material. The auxiliary gripping member 10 according to the present embodiment is formed of polyethylene or polypropylene resin.

The auxiliary gripping member 10 has a hole 15 into which the gripping portion 7 is inserted. On the outer peripheral surface of the hole portion 15, a fitting portion 13 that is caught by the protruding portion 5 of the grip portion 7 and restricts relative movement in the insertion direction between the auxiliary grip member 10 and the outer cylinder 2 is formed. The insertion direction of the tampon applicator is the longitudinal direction of the tampon applicator (Y direction shown in FIG. 2).

The front surface 12 a of the collar portion 12 is in contact with the constricted portion 9. When the surface 12a of the collar part 12 and the constricted part 9 contact | abut, the movement to the front end side (opening 8 side of the outer cylinder 2) of the insertion direction of the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 is controlled.

The fitting portion 13 protrudes radially inward from the outer peripheral surface of the hole portion 15 and extends in the axial direction. The fitting part is arrange | positioned along the outer peripheral surface of a hole. The outer peripheral surface of the hole part 15 is the inner peripheral surface 11b of the cover part 11 surrounding the hole part. (See FIG. 4C). The fitting part 13 includes a first fitting part 131 and a second fitting part 132. The innermost diameter in the first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132 is configured to be smaller than the outermost diameter in the protruding portion 5. Therefore, the protrusion part 5 and the fitting part 13 are caught.

The 1st fitting part 131 and the 2nd fitting part 132 are alternately arranged at intervals in the peripheral direction. The first fitting portions 131 according to the present embodiment are arranged at intervals of 120 degrees. The second fitting parts 132 are arranged one by one between the first fitting parts, and are arranged 120 degrees apart from each other. The first fitting part 131 and the second fitting part 132 are arranged so as to be shifted by 60 degrees.

Thus, the fitting portion 13 is arranged with a shift of 60 degrees, and the protrusion 5 is arranged with a shift of 90 degrees. According to such a configuration, any one of the plurality of fitting portions 13 and the protruding portions 5 and the protruding portion without adjusting the circumferential angle between the fitting portion 13 and the protruding portion 5. And fit. Therefore, when mounting the auxiliary gripping member on the outer cylinder, it is not necessary to perform relative angle alignment, and the mounting process can be simplified.

Since the first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132 are alternately arranged in the circumferential direction with an interval therebetween, a portion that fits with the first protrusion 51 and a fitting with the second protrusion 52 Are distributed in a balanced manner and can be held in a stable state. Furthermore, the damage due to the stress concentration can be suppressed by arranging the portion that fits with the first protrusion and the portion that fits with the second protrusion in a balanced manner.

The tip of the first fitting portion 131 in the insertion direction is formed with an inclined surface 131a that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction. The inclined surface 131a protrudes radially inward as it goes rearward in the insertion direction. As described above, since the inclined surface 131a is formed at the tip of the first fitting portion 131, when the auxiliary gripping member 10 is pushed into the outer cylinder 2, it can be gradually fitted and smoothly mounted. it can. The inclined surface of the fitting part 13 should just incline with respect to an insertion direction, and the angle which an inclined surface and an insertion direction make is not limited.

Further, in the present embodiment, the tip 131b (see FIG. 5) of the first fitting portion 131, which is a portion that contacts the outer cylinder in the auxiliary gripping member, is configured to contact the constricted portion 9. However, in the configuration in which the auxiliary gripping member is in contact with the protruding portion formed at the tip of the gripping portion as in the tampon applicator according to the fifth embodiment described later, the tip 131b of the first fitting portion 131 is You may be comprised so that it may contact | abut to a protrusion part.

The rear portion of the first fitting portion 131 relative to the inclined surface 131a is parallel to the insertion direction. The rear end portion of the first fitting portion 131 is fitted to the second protruding portion 52 together with the second fitting portion. That is, the first fitting portion 131 is in contact with the constricted portion 9, and the first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132 are in contact with the second protruding portion 52.

According to such a configuration, the number of fitting parts contacting the constricted part is smaller than the number of fitting parts contacting the second projecting part. The number of fitting portions that come into contact is proportional to the fitting force between the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder, that is, the force that restricts relative movement in the insertion direction. Therefore, it is difficult for the auxiliary gripping member to be detached from the outer cylinder 2 by configuring the number of fitting portions to be in contact with the second projecting portion.

Further, when the auxiliary gripping member 10 is attached to the outer cylinder 2, the outer cylinder 2 is configured to be deformed radially inward. FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically showing a deformed state of the outer cylinder in the BB cross section. FL2 shown in FIG. 3B is an imaginary line indicating the outer peripheral surface of the hole portion 15, and FL3 is an imaginary line indicating the innermost diameter position of the fitting portion.

In the gripping part 7, four first projecting parts 51 that form the outermost diameter are arranged at equal intervals on the same circumference of the gripping part 7. The region where the protruding portion of the grip portion is formed is thicker and more rigid than the region where the protruding portion of the grip portion is not formed. Furthermore, since the outermost inner diameter of the fitting portion 13 is smaller than the outermost diameter of the first protruding portion 51, when the auxiliary gripping member is pressed in the insertion direction, the fitting portion 13 and the first protruding portion 51 come into contact with each other. The fitting part 13 presses the 1st protrusion part 51 toward radial inside. And the area | region in which the protrusion part of the holding part with comparatively low rigidity is not formed deform | transforms, and a protrusion part deform | transforms to radial inside.

Although the outermost diameter position of the first protrusion 51 protrudes outward from the circular gripping part in the state before deformation, stress to reduce the diameter concentrates on the first protrusion 51, so that after deformation In this state, it is equivalent to the innermost diameter position of the fitting portion. The cross-sectional shape of the grip portion is a substantially square shape. In this state, the auxiliary gripping member is further pressed, and the fitting portion 13 gets over the first protruding portion 51, whereby the first protruding portion 51 is deformed radially outward and is in a state before being deformed. The first projecting portion 51 and the fitting portion are caught, and the movement in the direction in which the auxiliary gripping member 10 is detached from the outer cylinder 2 is restricted.

Further, when mounting the auxiliary gripping member, first, the first fitting portion 131 deforms the second protruding portion 52 inward in the radial direction. Since the first fitting portion 131 extends in the insertion direction, the auxiliary gripping member 10 can be further pressed in the insertion direction while maintaining this deformation. And a 2nd fitting part deform | transforms the 2nd protrusion part 52 further to a radial inside. As described above, by deforming the second protrusion 52 in the radial direction in two stages, it is possible to apply the external force necessary for the deformation in two times, and to reduce the maximum stress required at the time of insertion. .

On the other hand, when trying to remove the auxiliary gripping member 10 from the outer cylinder 2, the external force necessary for the deformation of the first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132, which was two steps at the time of insertion, is one step. Therefore, the maximum stress becomes larger than that at the time of insertion. When attempting to remove the auxiliary gripping member 10 from the outer cylinder 2, a force greater than that at the time of insertion is required. Therefore, the auxiliary gripping member is easy to insert and difficult to come off.

Furthermore, the fitting part 13 is in contact with the constricted part 9 and the second projecting part 52 located at the rearmost position among the plurality of projecting parts 5. For example, when the insertion direction distance of the contact portion with respect to the outer cylinder in the fitting portion is short, the fitting state is not stable and the auxiliary gripping member is likely to wobble. However, it is possible to reduce the wobbling of the auxiliary gripping member and increase the stability by configuring the insertion direction distance of the contact portion with the outer cylinder in the fitting portion to be long.

By mounting the auxiliary gripping member 10 configured in this manner on the gripping portion 7 of the outer cylinder 2, the auxiliary gripping member 10 configured separately from the outer cylinder 2 can be mounted on the outer cylinder 2 as appropriate. . Moreover, the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 and the outer cylinder 2 are fitted by the protrusion part 5 and the fitting part 13, and the movement of an insertion direction is controlled. Therefore, even when the outer cylinder 2 is pressed into the body via the auxiliary gripping member 10, it is possible to prevent the displacement of the auxiliary gripping member 10 and to arrange the tampon at an appropriate position.

Next, a usage mode of the sanitary tampon having the tampon applicator configured as described above will be described. The user presses the auxiliary gripping member 10 in a direction in which the outer cylinder is inserted into the vagina while the tip of the outer cylinder 2 is in contact with the vaginal opening. Since the first fitting portion of the auxiliary gripping member 10 is in contact with the constricted portion 9 of the outer cylinder, the auxiliary gripping member 10 is restricted from moving toward the opening side with respect to the outer cylinder 2. Thus, the outer cylinder 2 is inserted into the vagina when the user pushes the auxiliary gripping member 10 into the vagina.

Since the buttocks 12 are disposed on the distal end side of the auxiliary gripping member 10 in the insertion direction of the sanitary tampon into the vagina, the surface 12a of the buttocks 12 is inserted with the outer cylinder 2 inserted to an appropriate position. Placed near the vaginal opening. Even if it is going to insert the outer cylinder 2 further in this state, the collar part 12 contacts the user's body. That is, the collar part 12 exhibits the function as a stopper, and the user can grasp that the outer cylinder 2 has been inserted to an appropriate position.

In the state where the outer cylinder 2 is inserted to an appropriate position, the buttocks 12 are disposed between the vaginal opening and the finger. At this time, since the width of the collar portion 12 is longer than the outer diameter of the cover portion 11, the collar portion 12 is disposed between the finger having the auxiliary gripping member 10 and the vaginal opening, and the body fluid such as menstrual blood is used by the user. Fingers can be prevented from getting dirty.

Next, after the user inserts the outer cylinder 2 to a predetermined position in the vagina, the user presses the inner cylinder 3 toward the opening 8 side of the outer cylinder 2 to thereby absorb the absorbent body 4 from the opening 8 of the outer cylinder 2. Is pushed out and the absorbent body 4 is placed at an appropriate position in the vagina. Thus, by providing the collar part 12, the absorber 4 can be easily arranged at an appropriate position without the user's finger touching the vicinity of the vaginal opening. By arranging the absorber 4 at an appropriate position, the user can feel uncomfortable during use and can feel comfortable using the tampon.

The auxiliary gripping member 10 includes a cover portion 11 that covers the outer peripheral surface 7a of the gripping portion 7. Since the cover portion 11 and the flange portion 12 are integrated, the auxiliary gripping member for the gripping portion 7 of the outer cylinder 2 is integrated. The angle and position of 10 are stable. Therefore, the outer cylinder 2 can be inserted into the body while the buttocks 12 and the gripping part 7 are maintained at an appropriate angle, and the absorber 4 can be disposed at an appropriate position in the vagina.

Next, a method for manufacturing the sanitary tampon configured as described above will be described. FIG. 6 is a diagram schematically showing a manufacturing process of a sanitary tampon. In step 101, the components constituting the sanitary tampon are molded. Specifically, the outer cylinder 2, the inner cylinder 3, the absorber 4, and the auxiliary gripping member 10 are manufactured. In the state of step 101, the end of the outer cylinder is formed with a petal body 8a, but each of the plurality of petal bodies 8a is open (in other words, the opening 8 is open).

In step 102, the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3 are assembled. The inner cylinder 3 is inserted from the front end side of the outer cylinder 2. In this state, the distal end portion of the inner cylinder 3 is engaged with the inner peripheral surface of the constricted portion of the outer cylinder 2. The inner cylinder 3 is restricted from moving backward relative to the insertion portion 6 of the outer cylinder 2.

In step 103, the absorber 4 is disposed in the outer cylinder. Specifically, the absorber is inserted from the distal end side of the outer cylinder. At this time, the absorber 4 is inserted from the side where the take-out string 4a is formed. And the extraction string 4a of the absorber 4 is pulled out from the rear end of the tampon applicator 1 (specifically, the opening on the rear end side of the inner cylinder 3).

In step 104, the plurality of petal bodies 8a are bent. Specifically, each of the petal bodies 8a is bent so as to fall inward in the radial direction of the outer cylinder 2, and the distal end portion of the outer cylinder 2 is thermoformed into a substantially hemispherical shape (hereinafter also referred to as a tip processing process). I do. When the tip processing is completed, the sanitary tampon is completed.

In addition, the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 may be comprised so that it may mount | wear with an outer cylinder in any process of the above-mentioned manufacturing process, and when providing a sanitary tampon to a user, it is different from a sanitary tampon. And when using it, you may comprise so that a user may mount | wear with the outer cylinder 2. FIG.

The timing for mounting the auxiliary gripping member in the above manufacturing process may be, for example, after forming the outer cylinder 2 between step 101 and step 102 or between step 102 and step 103. It may be after assembling the inner cylinder and the outer cylinder, or after arranging the absorber between step 103 and step 104, or after processing the petal body after step 104 It may be later.

For example, when the auxiliary gripping member is integrally molded with the outer cylinder 2 and the inner cylinder 3, the shape is complicated and the size is larger than when the auxiliary gripping member is not integrally molded. Therefore, the productivity may be significantly reduced as compared with the integral molding of the tampon applicator that does not have the auxiliary gripping member 10.

Also, it is conceivable that the auxiliary gripping member 10 molded separately is fixed to the outer cylinder 2 or the like with an adhesive or the like. However, when trying to fix the auxiliary gripping member 10 with an adhesive, a joining process is required, and the manufacturing process becomes complicated. Furthermore, since a component (adhesive) different from the outer cylinder 2 or the like is used, the productivity may be reduced.

However, as described in the present application, the above-described problem can be solved by mounting the auxiliary gripping member on the outer cylinder by fitting the protruding portion and the fitting portion. Furthermore, for example, when the auxiliary gripping member is integrated with the outer cylinder, the tampon applicator has a large volume and may be difficult to carry because it extends outward in the radial direction of the collar portion. However, since the auxiliary gripping member is configured to be detachable with respect to the outer cylinder, the auxiliary gripping member can be attached as necessary during use. Furthermore, complication of the manufacturing process can be suppressed.

(Second Embodiment)
Next, the auxiliary gripping member 10A according to the second embodiment will be described in detail with reference to FIG. In the following description of the embodiments, the same reference numerals are used for the same configurations as those in the first embodiment, and the description thereof is omitted. FIGS. 7A and 7B are diagrams showing an auxiliary gripping member 10A according to the second embodiment, FIG. 7A is a rear view, and FIG. 7B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line CC.

The auxiliary gripping member 10A according to the second embodiment includes three first fitting portions 131 arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction and three second fittings arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction. The first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132 are arranged with an interval in the insertion direction. Therefore, the 1st protrusion part 51 fits only with the 1st fitting part 131, and the 2nd protrusion part 52 fits only with the 2nd fitting part 132. FIG.

The auxiliary gripping member is configured to be deformed in the radial direction when attached to the outer cylinder. In addition, since the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are arranged with a gap in the insertion direction, the auxiliary gripping member is substantially omitted when the first fitting portion is deformed with respect to the protruding portion 5. When the second fitting portion is deformed with respect to the projecting portion 5 by being deformed into a regular triangular cross-sectional shape, the auxiliary gripping member is deformed into a substantially inverted triangular cross-sectional shape.

Since the protruding portion of the gripping part receives only one stress at a position shifted by 60 degrees on the circumference, it is possible to suppress fatigue due to repeated stress, and the auxiliary gripping member is fitted to the outer cylinder 2. The trouble in the process to combine can be suppressed.

(Third embodiment)
Next, the auxiliary gripping member 10B according to the third embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 8 is a view showing an auxiliary gripping member 10B according to the third embodiment, FIG. 8 (A) is a rear view, FIG. 8 (B) is a DD sectional view, and FIG. (C) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where it is mounted on an outer cylinder.

The protrusion part of the outer cylinder 2 which concerns on 3rd Embodiment is formed in one place in the rear-end part of a holding part. In the auxiliary gripping member 10B according to the third embodiment, three fitting portions 13 extending in the insertion direction are formed at intervals in the circumferential direction. The front end of the fitting portion 13 is in contact with the constricted portion 9, and the rear end portion of the fitting portion 13 is in contact with the protruding portion 5. The fitting portion is disposed between the constricted portion and the protruding portion 5 in the insertion direction, and restricts bidirectional movement of the auxiliary gripping member 10B in the insertion direction.

(Fourth embodiment)
Next, the auxiliary gripping member 10C according to the fourth embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 9 is a view showing an auxiliary gripping member of a tampon applicator according to the fourth embodiment, FIG. 9 (A) is a rear view, and FIG. 9 (B) is a sectional view taken along line EE. FIG. 9C is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where the outer cylinder is mounted.

The first fitting portion 131 and the second fitting portion 132 of the auxiliary gripping member 10C according to the fourth embodiment are arranged with an interval in the insertion direction similarly to the auxiliary gripping member 10A according to the second embodiment. However, unlike the auxiliary gripping member 10A according to the second embodiment, the positions in the circumferential direction are the same.

The first fitting portion 131 of the auxiliary gripping member 10 </ b> C is in contact with the constricted portion 9 between the insertion portion 6 and the gripping portion 7, and the second fitting portion 132 is in contact with the protruding portion 5. The first fitting part 131 is arranged behind the constricted part 9, and the second fitting part 132 is arranged ahead of the protruding part 5. In the state shown in FIG. 9, the auxiliary gripping member 10C is restricted from moving forward in the insertion direction and moving backward in the insertion direction with respect to the outer cylinder.

In addition, the auxiliary gripping member 10C according to the fourth embodiment has a portion that abuts on the constricted portion 9 and a contact portion that is divided into a protruding portion, as compared with the auxiliary gripping member 10B according to the third embodiment. Therefore, material can be reduced.

(Fifth embodiment)
Next, an auxiliary gripping member 10D according to the fifth embodiment will be described in detail based on FIG. FIG. 10 is a view showing an auxiliary gripping member according to the fifth embodiment, FIG. 10 (A) is a schematic cross-sectional view of a state where the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder, and FIG. 10 (B) is an outer cylinder. 2 is a partially enlarged cross-sectional view schematically showing a state of being attached to 2. FIG.

The protruding portion 5 of the outer cylinder 2 according to the fifth embodiment includes a first protruding portion 51 formed at the tip of the gripping portion and a second protruding portion formed in a plurality of rows behind the first protruding portion 51. 52. The fitting portion 13 of the auxiliary gripping member 10 </ b> D is an outer peripheral surface of the hole portion 15 of the auxiliary gripping member 10. The front end portion and the rear end portion of the fitting portion 13 are formed with an inclined surface 13a that is inclined with respect to the insertion direction. In this embodiment, it is inclined approximately 45 degrees.

The angle with respect to the insertion direction of the inclined surface 13a is not limited to 45 degrees. For example, when the inclination angle is smaller than 45 degrees, it is possible to obtain an effect of suppressing rattling due to looseness during fitting, but it is difficult to obtain a fitting force. On the other hand, when the inclination angle is larger than 45 degrees, it is easy to obtain the fitting force, but there is a possibility that the effect of suppressing rattling due to looseness cannot be obtained sufficiently. The angle of the inclined surface is preferably adjusted between approximately 30 degrees and approximately 60 degrees in consideration of the balance between the effect of suppressing rattling and the fitting force.

The front end portion of the fitting portion does not contact the constricted portion as in the above-described embodiment, but contacts the first protruding portion. The fitting part is restricted from moving in the insertion direction in a state of being disposed between the plurality of protruding parts. FIG. 10B is a diagram schematically showing a state where the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder 2. The fitting portion of the auxiliary gripping member is configured to be disposed between the plurality of second projecting portions.

The auxiliary gripping member may be fitted between the first protruding portion and the second protruding portion, or may be fitted between the second protruding portions. Moreover, the 2nd protrusion part 52 is formed in multiple rows, and can change the fitting position of the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 suitably. The user can appropriately adjust the insertion position of the tampon according to his / her preference, that is, the depth of the vagina having individual differences, and can arrange the absorber at a desired position.

(Other embodiments)
In the case where the protruding portion of the outer cylinder is deformed when the auxiliary gripping member is attached, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion with respect to the insertion direction of the gripping portion changes the vertex that forms the circumscribed circle before and after the deformation. However, in consideration of maximizing the surface to be fitted, the cross-sectional shape of the protruding portion 5 is preferably such that the outer peripheral shape after deformation is substantially circular.

In consideration of the shape change that provides a suitable fitting strength between the protruding part of the gripping part and the fitting part of the auxiliary gripping member, the number of protruding parts having the outermost diameter is 2 to 6 (the shape after deformation is elliptical, positive (Triangular to hexagonal) is preferable. For example, if the number of protrusions is two or less, it is difficult to fix the auxiliary gripping member, and if it exceeds six, it becomes difficult to obtain a change in the outermost diameter due to elastic deformation, and an appropriate fitting force is obtained. You may not be able to.

In addition, the more the cross-sectional shape at the time of deformation of the grip portion becomes a polygon, the more the number of protrusions increases and the stress for deformation also increases. For example, the stress necessary for deforming the outer cylinder formed with three protrusions from a circular cross section into a substantially equilateral triangle, and the outer cylinder formed with six protrusions from a circular cross section to a regular hexagon. The stress required to deform into a shape is theoretically doubled. However, since the gripping portion has a cylindrical shape, the reaction of the stress deformed by each protruding portion is affected, and it is considered that a stress twice or more is required.

In the first embodiment, the outer cylinder is configured to be deformed when the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder, but the present invention is not limited to this configuration. When the auxiliary gripping member is mounted on the outer cylinder, at least one of the gripping part 7 of the outer cylinder and the cover part 11 of the auxiliary gripping member 10 may be deformed. For example, you may comprise so that both the holding part 7 of an outer cylinder and the cover part 11 of the auxiliary | assistant holding member 10 may deform | transform.

For example, when the auxiliary gripping member is deformed, the rigidity of the cover part 11 in the area between the plurality of fitting parts is configured to be lower than the rigidity of the cover part 11 in the area where the fitting part 13 is formed. It is preferable. When the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder, the cover member is gripped from the outside of the auxiliary gripping member, and a force is applied to the distal end side in the insertion direction. In that case, since the area | region between fitting parts is comprised easily, the area | region between fitting parts deform | transforms into the outer cylinder side (inner side). When the gap between the fitting parts is deformed inward, the fitting part is deformed in a direction away from the outer cylinder. Therefore, when the auxiliary gripping member is attached to the outer cylinder, the fitting portion and the protruding portion can be easily fitted.

FIG. 11 is a diagram schematically showing a deformation mode of the auxiliary gripping member, and shows a state before and after the deformation of the auxiliary gripping member configured so that the cover portion of the auxiliary gripping member is deformed. FL4 shown in FIG. 11 is an imaginary line indicating the outermost diameter of the protruding portion, and FL5 is an imaginary line indicating the outer peripheral surface of the gripping portion.

In the state before the auxiliary gripping member is deformed, the innermost diameter of the fitting portion is smaller than the outermost diameter of the protruding portion, and the cover portion is radially inward with the gripping portion inserted into the hole of the auxiliary gripping member 10. When pressed, the region between the fitting portions 13 of the cover portion is deformed so as to approach the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion. The region where the fitting portion of the cover portion is formed is deformed so as to be separated from the outer peripheral surface of the grip portion in accordance with the deformation between the fitting portions.

At this time, when the innermost diameter position of the fitting portion becomes equal to the outermost diameter position of the protruding portion, the auxiliary gripping member can be further pressed in the insertion direction. After the auxiliary gripping member is pressed to a position where the fitting portion gets over the protruding portion, when the deformation of the cover portion is released, the cover portion returns to a circular cross-sectional shape, and the protruding portion 5 and the fitting portion are caught. Therefore, the movement in the direction in which the auxiliary gripping member is detached from the outer cylinder is restricted.

In addition, the auxiliary gripping member may be configured by only the flange portion and the fitting portion as in the auxiliary gripping member according to the fifth embodiment, or may be further covered as in the first to fourth embodiments. It may have a portion.

For example, the shape of the buttocks of the auxiliary gripping member is not limited. The shape of the auxiliary gripping member may be a polygon such as a rectangle or a triangle in plan view, or may be a circle including an ellipse. Furthermore, the shape of the auxiliary gripping member may be a heart shape, a star shape, an apple shape, a teardrop type, an animal head shape, or an insect shape such as a butterfly. Good.

Also, the outer peripheral shape of the buttocks is preferably a curved shape. The curved shape may be any configuration that does not have a sharp corner, and may include a linear shape in part. Since the outer peripheral shape of the buttock is a curved shape, it is possible to reduce the feel when the user grips the buttock.

Further, the collar portion of the auxiliary gripping member may not be arranged at the tip of the cover portion in the insertion direction, and may be arranged behind the tip of the cover portion. In the configuration in which the collar portion is arranged behind the front end of the cover portion, the front end of the cover portion contacts the outer peripheral surface of the outer cylinder or the protruding portion, and the auxiliary gripping member moves toward the front end side. Is configured to be regulated.

As for the number of protrusions and the number of fitting parts, the position where the protrusions do not exist matches the position where the fitting parts exist, or the position where the protrusions exist and the position where no fitting parts exist Then, there exists a possibility that the fitting of a protrusion part and a fitting part may remove | deviate. Therefore, it is desirable that the protruding portions and the fitting portions are not provided with the same number and the same interval.

As described above, the present invention naturally includes various embodiments that are not described herein. Therefore, the technical scope of the present invention is defined only by the invention specifying matters according to the scope of claims reasonable from the above description.

Hereinafter, Examples 1 to 6 were cited, and the fitting strength between the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder was evaluated. Specifically, compressive force and tensile force were measured by the following compression test method and tensile test method. In addition, this invention is not limited by these.
(Measurement condition)
Measuring device: Shimadzu AGS-50NG
<Compression test conditions>
Stroke speed: 100mm / min
Test force limit: 40N
Stroke limit: 13mm (length of cover)
Break detection sensitivity: No level check <Tensile test conditions>
Stroke speed: 100mm / min
Test force limit: None Stroke limit: None <Compression test method>
The outer cylinder which concerns on 1st Embodiment is installed. Install the outer cylinder so that the opening side is down, and fix the side of the outer cylinder with a fixture. The auxiliary gripping member according to the first embodiment is placed on the rear end portion of the gripping portion of the outer cylinder installed in the fixture, and the gripping portion of the outer cylinder is inserted into the hole of the auxiliary gripping member. The auxiliary gripping member was pressed from the upper side of the auxiliary gripping member to the distal end side of the outer cylinder through a pressing jig and compressed until the protruding portion and the fitting portion were fitted, and the compression force was measured. The pressing jig has a cylindrical shape with a diameter of 97 mm and a thickness of 24 mm.

<Tensile test method>
In a state where the auxiliary gripping member according to the first embodiment and the outer cylinder according to the first embodiment are fitted, the hole is larger than the diameter of the outer cylinder, and is larger than the diameter of the flange of the auxiliary gripping member. Install in a fixture with small holes. At this time, it is installed so that the opening of the outer cylinder is on the bottom and the collar portion of the auxiliary gripping member is caught in the hole. That is, in the state installed in the fixture, it is installed so that the distal end side of the outer cylinder protrudes upward from the hole of the fixture. In addition, in order to make it easy to hold | grip the front-end | tip of an outer cylinder, the front-end | tip (opening) of an outer cylinder is cut | disconnected beforehand. In this example, the outer cylinder was cut so that the length of the outer cylinder was 53 mm. Then, a gum tape as a grip was adhered to the tip of the outer cylinder after cutting, and the gum tape was gripped with a chuck and pulled in the pulling direction until the auxiliary gripping member was removed from the outer cylinder, and the tensile force was measured.

(Measurement result)
Table 1 shows the measurement results.

“Location 1” in the compression test result is a compression force in a state where the first fitting portion and the protruding portion are in contact with each other and the protruding portion is deformed by the first fitting portion. “Location 2” is a compressive force in a state where the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are in contact with the protruding portion, and the protruding portion is deformed by the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion. The tensile test result is a tensile force in a state where the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are brought into contact with the protruding portion and the protruding portion is deformed by the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion.

The maximum compressive force during compression was 10.9 N, and the maximum tensile force during tension was 44.1 N.

At the time of compression, the projecting portion is deformed by the first fitting portion to change from a circular cross-sectional shape to a triangular cross-sectional shape, and then the projecting portion is deformed by the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion, and from the triangular cross-sectional shape Hexagonal cross-sectional shape. That is, it can be seen that the outer cylinder deforms step by step, so that the compression force is relatively low. On the other hand, since the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are deformed from a circular cross-sectional shape to a hexagonal cross-sectional shape during tension, it can be seen that the tensile force is higher than that during compression. According to the auxiliary gripping member configured in this way, it can be seen that since the tensile force is higher than the compressive force, it is easy to insert and difficult to pull out.

Note that the entire content of Japanese Patent Application No. 2011-290552 (filed on November 28, 2011) is incorporated herein by reference.

The tampon applicator has an auxiliary gripping member formed with a flange extending radially outward from the gripping portion of the outer cylinder. For a tampon that allows the user to place the absorber at an appropriate position in the body by pressing the applicator for tampon through the buttocks of the auxiliary gripping member and inserting the outer cylinder to an appropriate position in the body An applicator can be provided.

The relative movement in the insertion direction of the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder is restricted by the fitting of the fitting portion and the protruding portion. Therefore, even when the user holds the auxiliary gripping member and inserts the entire tampon applicator into the body, the auxiliary gripping member can be prevented from moving too far to the distal end side in the insertion direction of the outer cylinder. A tampon applicator that can maintain the gripping member at an appropriate position of the outer cylinder can be provided. Therefore, it is possible to provide a tampon applicator capable of preventing the displacement between the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder and arranging the absorber at an appropriate position in the body.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 ... Applicator for tampons, 2 ... Outer cylinder, 3 ... Inner cylinder, 4 ... Absorber, 4a ... Extraction string, 5 ... Projection part, 51 ... First projection part, 52 ... Second projection part, 6 ... Insertion part 7 ... gripping part, 7a ... outer peripheral surface, 8 ... opening, 8a ... petal body, 9 ... constricted part, 10, 10A, 10B, 10C, 10D ... auxiliary gripping member, 11 ... cover part, 11a ... outer peripheral surface, 11b ... inner peripheral surface, 12 ... collar, 12a ... surface, 13 ... fitting part, 131 ... first fitting part, 131a ... inclined surface, 131b ... tip, 132 ... second fitting part

Claims

An outer cylinder in which the absorber is housed,
An inner cylinder that pushes the absorber in the outer cylinder out of the outer cylinder by being inserted into the outer cylinder;
At one end of the outer cylinder, an opening through which the absorber is pushed out is formed, and at the other end of the outer cylinder, a grip part that a user grips is formed,
A tampon applicator in which a projecting portion projecting radially outward is formed on the outer peripheral surface of the gripping portion,
The tampon applicator includes an auxiliary gripping member having a flange portion that extends radially outward from the outer peripheral surface of the gripping portion, and a fitting portion that fits into the protruding portion,
A tampon applicator in which relative movement in the insertion direction of the auxiliary gripping member and the outer cylinder is regulated by fitting the protruding portion of the outer cylinder and the fitting portion of the auxiliary gripping member.
In the collar part, a hole part into which the outer peripheral surface of the grip part is inserted is formed,
The tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion is disposed along an outer peripheral surface of the hole portion.
In the collar part, a hole part into which the outer peripheral surface of the grip part is inserted is formed,
2. The tampon applicator according to claim 1, wherein the fitting portion is formed to project radially inward from an outer peripheral surface of the hole portion.
The auxiliary gripping member includes a cover portion that extends rearward in the insertion direction from the collar portion and covers at least a part of the gripping portion of the outer cylinder,
The tampon applicator according to claim 3, wherein the fitting portion is provided in the cover portion.
5. The tampon applicator according to claim 3, wherein at least one of the fitting portion and the protruding portion is formed in a plurality and arranged at intervals in a circumferential direction of the outer cylinder.
A plurality of the fitting portions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder,
The tampon applicator according to claim 3 or 4, wherein rigidity of the cover portion in a region between the plurality of fitting portions is lower than rigidity of the cover portion in a region where the fitting portion is formed.
A plurality of the protrusions are arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the outer cylinder,
The applicator for a tampon according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein a rigidity of the grip part in a region between the plurality of protrusions is lower than a rigidity of the grip part in a region where the protrusions are formed.
The protrusion has a first protrusion, and a second protrusion disposed rearward in the insertion direction than the first protrusion,
The tampon applicator according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the fitting portion is disposed between the first protrusion and the second protrusion.
The first projecting portion is provided at a distal end portion in the insertion direction of the grip portion,
The applicator for tampon according to claim 8, wherein the second projecting portion is provided at a rear end portion in the insertion direction of the grip portion.
The fitting portion includes a first fitting portion that is hooked on the first protrusion, and a second fitting portion that is hooked on the second protrusion.
10. The tampon applicator according to claim 8, wherein the first fitting portion and the second fitting portion are alternately arranged at intervals in the circumferential direction of the cover portion. 11.
The tampon applicator according to claim 10, wherein the first fitting portion is configured to be hooked on the first protrusion and the second protrusion.
The tip end portion in the insertion direction of the fitting portion is inclined with respect to the insertion direction, and protrudes inward in the radial direction toward the rear in the insertion direction. Applicator for tampon according to crab.