Tampon ejector tube and apparatus

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION Reference is now made to the drawing and initially to FIG.
1 which shows a tubular blank 21 from which a tampon applicator ejector tube 22 (FIGS.
2 and 3) is formed.
The blank 21 is preferably of a plastic material and itself is formed in an extrusion molding apparatus that produces endless tubing which is severed into segments equal in length to that of blank 21.
The tubing and blanks 21 formed therefrom have a relatively thin wall which permits radial deformation although the blanks are rigid in a longitudinal direction.
The applicator ejector tube 22 shown in FIGS.
2 and 3 is slightly shorter in length than blank 21 due to the distal end 23 of tube 22 being curved inwardly and the proximate end of the tube being shaped into a semi-circular rim or bead 24 as shown.
Tube 22 also is provided with a plurality of abutments 25 spaced around the outer periphery of the tube near its distal end.
These abutments co-act with detents formed on the inner surface of a tampon carrier tube to prevent tube 22 being inadvertently withdrawn from the carrier tube when the two are assembled together prior to use as a tampon applicator.
Instead of providing tube 22 with spaced abutments 25, an annular ridge could serve the same purpose provided the carrier tube is formed accordingly.
The distal end of tube 22 is curved inwardly a distance sufficient to provide an adequate surface area to bear against a tampon and push or eject it from a carrier tube.
However, the distal end of tube 22 cannot be completely closed but must be provided with an aperture 26 since a string normally provided to facilitate withdrawal of a tampon from a body cavity will initially pass through aperture 26 and tube 22 with its loose end adjacent the proximate end of tube 22.
The semi-circular rim 24 provided at the proximate end of tube 22 enables a tampon applicator user to press on that end of tube 22 and not encounter a sharp edge as would be the case if the end of blank 21 was not finished as illustrated