Jessica LeMay, Paramus, NJ; Kathryn Bennett, Fairfield, CT; Keith Edgett, Ramsey, NJ; Dane Jackson, Bloomingdale, NJ; Mario Turchi, Tenafly, NJ; and Susanne Weber, New York, NY.
Assigned to Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC, Chesterfield, MO.

Filed: 12/19/14
Issued: 8/22/17

A tampon applicator, comprising: an insertion tip section having between three and eight petals; a main body section adjacent said insertion tip section, said main body section having a maximum diameter of said tampon applicator; a reverse taper section adjacent said main body section, wherein said reverse taper section tapers downwardly in a direction away from said insertion tip section; and a finger grip section having a forward end adjacent said reverse taper section, said finger grip section having a flared rearward end opposite said forward end defining an opening, wherein said finger grip section has at least one gripping structure, said finger grip section having a generally circular cross-sectional shape, wherein said finger grip section has a minimum diameter that is less than said maximum diameter of said main body section, wherein said flared rearward end has a rearward end diameter greater than said minimum diameter in said finger grip section, wherein said flared rearward end diameter is less than said maximum diameter of said main body section, wherein said at least one gripping structure has a grip structure diameter that is less than said flared rearward end diameter, wherein said tampon applicator has a straight central axis, and said insertion tip section, said main body section, said reverse taper section, and said finger grip section are all coaxially positioned around said central axis of said applicator, wherein said petals have a curved shape that taper towards said central axis.