Eugene P Dougherty, Newark, DE; Phillip Ebert, Camden/Wyoming, DE; and Keith Edgett, Middletown, DE.
Assigned to Edgewell Personal Care Brands, LLC, Chesterfield, MO.

Filed: 1/23/20
Issued: 1/31/23

A tampon applicator assembly, comprising: a tampon pledget having a longitudinal axis and comprising multiple fibrous pads or webs that are adjacent and connected thereby forming said tampon pledget and enabling said tampon pledget to catch and/or absorb fluid, said tampon pledget having a knotted removal string attached thereto; and a tampon applicator, comprising: a lubricious barrel region comprising low density polyethylene or a biopolymer having an insertion tip and a second end, said barrel region having dimensions to house said tampon pledget therein; a grip region having a barrel end adjacent said second end of said barrel region, said grip region having a plunger receiving end opposite said barrel end, said grip region sized and shaped to receive one or more of a user’s fingers, said grip region comprising at least three ribs; and a plunger having a forward plunger end inserted into said grip region and a flared rearward plunger end; wherein said pledget has a first portion and a second portion, said second portion configured to catch or absorb fluid likely to bypass said first portion; wherein said string is threaded through said plunger; wherein said plunger forward end pushes said pledget through the barrel and out said insertion tip to a selected insertion depth; wherein said grip region comprises a biopolymer or an otherwise soft and resilient material such as a thermoplastic elastomer and/or a medical-grade foam; and wherein said barrel region and said grip region are formed in a two-part process.