Package assembly for or with a tampon applicator

Abstract

Disclosed is a tampon applicator package assembly having a tampon applicator and a cap having a closed end and an open end. The tampon applicator has a barrel for housing a pledget and a plunger. The plunger has an end portion that is a cap cover that connects to a remainder of the plunger and mates with the cap at the open end to provide a seal with the cap that completely encloses the tampon applicator in the cap. Also disclosed is an assembly having a tampon applicator, a cap having both a closed end and open end, and a cap cover for covering the open end of the cap. When the cap cover is placed on the open end, the open end is sealed and the tampon applicator is completely enclosed in the cap.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A tampon applicator package assembly, comprising:
 a compact tampon applicator, comprising:
 a barrel region having an insertion end and a grip end; 
 a hollow plunger having a telescoping portion and an end portion, said telescoping portion engaging said grip end of said barrel; and 
   a pledget having an insertion end and a distal end, said distal end having a string attached thereto, said pledget being housed within said barrel region;   a cap having a closed end and an open end, wherein said compact tampon applicator is disposed in said cap; and   a cap cover that is hingedly connected to said cap at said open end such that said tampon applicator and said string are enclosed within said tampon applicator package assembly;   wherein said string is viewable when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap.   
     
     
         2 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said plunger is transparent such that said string is viewable prior to use. 
     
     
         3 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said string is in a folded condition within said tampon applicator package assembly prior to said cap cover being at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap. 
     
     
         4 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said string is reachable when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         5 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 1 , wherein said string stays within said tampon applicator package assembly when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         6 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said string is maintained in a discrete condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         7 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 6 , wherein said string is maintained in a sanitary condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         8 . A tampon applicator package assembly, comprising:
 a tampon applicator, comprising:
 a barrel region having an insertion end and a grip end; 
 a hollow plunger having a telescoping portion and an end portion, said telescoping portion engaging said grip end of said barrel; and 
   a pledget having an insertion end and a distal end, said distal end having a string attached thereto, said pledget being housed within said barrel region;   a cap having a closed end and an open end, wherein said tampon applicator is disposed in the cap; and   a cap cover matingly engages said cap at said open end such that said tampon applicator and said string are enclosed within said tampon applicator package assembly;   wherein said string stays within said tampon package applicator assembly when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap.   
     
     
         9 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said plunger is transparent such that said string is viewable prior to use. 
     
     
         10 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said string is in a folded condition within said tampon applicator package assembly prior to said cap cover being at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap. 
     
     
         11 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said string is reachable when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         12 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said string is maintained in a discrete condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         13 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 8 , wherein said string is maintained in a sanitary condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         14 . A tampon applicator package assembly, comprising:
 a tampon applicator, comprising:
 a barrel region having an insertion end and a grip end; 
 a hollow plunger having a telescoping portion and an end portion, said telescoping portion engaging said grip end of said barrel; and 
   a pledget having an insertion end and a distal end, said distal end having a string attached thereto, said pledget being housed within said barrel region;   a cap having a closed end and an open end, wherein said tampon applicator is disposed in the cap; and   a cap cover that matingly engages said cap at said open end such that said tampon applicator and said string are enclosed within said tampon applicator package assembly;   wherein said string stays within said tampon applicator package assembly when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap.   
     
     
         15 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said plunger is transparent such that said string is viewable prior to use. 
     
     
         16 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said string is in a folded condition within said tampon applicator package assembly prior to said cap cover being at least partially disengaged from said open end of said cap. 
     
     
         17 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said string is reachable when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         18 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said string is maintained in a discrete condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged. 
     
     
         19 . The tampon applicator package assembly of  claim 14 , wherein said string is maintained in a sanitary condition when said cap cover is at least partially disengaged.