Importance

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Abstract

A curved tampon applicator is disclosed having an improved fingergrip for preventing rotation of the applicator during insertion of a catamenial tampon into a woman's vagina. The applicator includes a tubular member having an arcuate shape with a centerline formed on an arc having a predetermined radius of curvature. The tubular member has a stepped outer profile with an enlarged portion designed to house a tampon joined to a smaller fingergrip portion. The tubular member has a forward end through which the tampon is ejected and a rearward end through which a plunger is slidable. The fingergrip portion has a passageway formed therethrough which is sized and configured to receive the plunger and an exterior periphery. Formed on the exterior periphery of the fingergrip portion are first and second pairs of flat surfaces. The first pair of the flat surfaces is aligned parallel to a plane coincident with a radius forming the arcuate centerline of the tubular member and the second pair of flat surfaces is aligned perpendicular to the first pair of flat surfaces. The fingergrip portion also contains a plurality of spaced apart ribs, each of which completely surrounds the exterior periphery. The ribs cooperate with the first and second pairs of flat surfaces to prevent rotation of the curved tampon applicator during insertion of a tampon into a woman's vagina.

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First Claim