02.28.03
A lubricated tampon system with an applicator comprising a cylindrical casing with a front and a rear end and a constant circumference has been patented. The tampon has a front and a rear end and is located within the cylindrical casing and tapers inward from the rear to the front end from a point about one-quarter of the way from the rear end, defining an annular void between the tampon and the cylindrical casing in the vicinity of the front end of the cylindrical casing. An insertion plunger is slidable through the rear end of the cylindrical casing and extends to a point adjacent to the rear end of the tampon.
A retrieval string is attached to the rear end of the tampon and a lubrication cell contains a lubricant and a compressible gas and located at the front end of said casing and attached around said circumference, thereof, said lubrication cell comprising:
1) a front hemispheric membrane having an outer side and an inner side and a perimeter, and projecting forward of the front end of said casing and having a series of scores on said inner side, thereof, so configured as to selectively fail at a first pressure level applied in an outward direction from said cylindrical casing; and
2) a rear hemispheric membrane having an inner side and an outer side and a perimeter, and projecting forward of said casing front end and sealed around its perimeter to the perimeter of said front membrane and having a series of scores on said inner side, thereof, relative to said cylindrical casing, said front membrane and said rear membrane forming said lubrication cell, said scores being so configured as to allow integral failure of said rear membrane at a second pressure applied in an outward direction from said cylindrical casing, said second pressure being less than said first pressure.