Tampon applicator assembly

Abstract

The tampon applicator assembly includes a tampon applicator section, an outer housing section, and a plunger section. The combined tampon applicator section and plunger section function as a conventional plunger-type tampon applicator. The outer housing section includes a sleeve with a proximal portion and a distal portion. The (distal) insertion end of the tampon applicator section essentially fits inside the proximal portion of the sleeve, and the distal portion of the sleeve is designed to accommodate a feminine hygiene product, such as a pad, a disposable wipe, a towelette disposal mitt, a simple disposal bag, and other products associated with menstruation.

1 . A tampon applicator assembly, comprising:
 a tampon applicator section having:
 a tampon; 
 a tampon casing encompassing the tampon, the tampon casing having an insertion end and a proximal end; and 
 a finger grip portion extending from the proximal end of the tampon casing; and 
   an outer housing section coaxial with the tampon applicator section, the outer housing section having:
 a rigid sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion encompassing at least the insertion end of the tampon casing; and 
 at least one feminine hygiene product, the feminine hygiene product being disposed in the distal portion of the sleeve; 
   wherein the proximal portion of the sleeve protects the insertion end of the tampon casing and the distal portion of the sleeve protects the feminine hygiene product so that the feminine hygiene product, the insertion end of the tampon casing, and the tampon remain uncontaminated prior to use.   
     
     
         2 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a plunger section coaxial with the outer housing section and the tampon applicator section, the plunger section having a plunger mechanism. 
     
     
         3 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the distal portion of the sleeve has a larger diameter than the proximal portion of the sleeve, and the proximal portion of the sleeve has a larger diameter than the tampon casing. 
     
     
         4 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 3 , wherein the distal portion of the sleeve has a frustoconical shape. 
     
     
         5 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein the proximal portion of the sleeve envelops the entire tampon casing except the finger grip portion. 
     
     
         6 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the finger grip portion is knurled. 
     
     
         7 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 5 , wherein an interior of the proximal portion of the sleeve is one of textured and threaded to mesh with the finger grip portion of the tampon casing so that the sleeve is securely joined with the tampon casing. 
     
     
         8 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 5 , wherein the proximal portion of the sleeve has a rounded end. 
     
     
         9 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the plunger mechanism is textured and threaded to mesh with the finger grip portion of the tampon casing so that the plunger mechanism is joined securely with the tampon casing. 
     
     
         10 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 2 , wherein the sleeve is elongated so that the sleeve encompasses the tampon applicator section and the plunger section. 
     
     
         11 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said at least one feminine hygiene product comprises two feminine hygiene products disposed in the distal portion of the sleeve. 
     
     
         12 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 11 , wherein the two feminine hygiene products are selected from the group consisting of a panty liner, a sanitary napkin, an extra tampon, an absorbent pad, a moistened towelette, a towelette disposal mitt, a simple disposal mitt, a pharmaceutical, a medicinal lotion, a non-medicinal lotion, a lubricant, a cleanser, a spermicidal agent, and an anti-fungal agent. 
     
     
         13 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 1 , further comprising a partition separating the proximal portion of the sleeve from the distal portion of the sleeve. 
     
     
         14 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 13 , wherein the partition comprises a rigid material and is rigidly attached to the sleeve. 
     
     
         15 . A tampon applicator assembly, comprising:
 a tampon;   a rigid sleeve coaxial with the tampon, the sleeve having a proximal compartment and a distal compartment, the tampon being disposed within the proximal compartment; and   a first feminine hygiene product disposed within the distal compartment, the distal compartment having a larger diameter than the proximal compartment, the rigid sleeve encompassing the tampon and the feminine hygiene product so that the tampon and the feminine hygiene product are protected from contamination prior to use.   
     
     
         16 . The tampon applicator of  claim 15 , further comprising a second feminine hygiene product disposed within the distal compartment of the sleeve. 
     
     
         17 . A tampon applicator assembly, comprising:
 a tampon;   a tampon casing encompassing the tampon;   a sleeve having a distal portion and a proximal portion, the proximal portion encompassing the tampon casing; and   a towlette disposal mitt disposed in the distal portion, the towelette disposal mitt being adapted to be used during insertion and removal of the tampon.   
     
     
         18 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 17 , wherein the sleeve is rigid. 
     
     
         19 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 18 , wherein the towelette disposal mitt includes means for attaching the mitt to a user's person in order to keep the mitt raised above a floor during a tampon insertion and removal process. 
     
     
         20 . The tampon applicator assembly of  claim 19 , wherein means for attaching is selected from the group consisting of: an adhesive strip, an adhesive, a clip, a clamp, a pin and a magnetic attachment device.