VIBRATING TAMPON APPARATUS WITH REMOTE CONTROL

• US 20070260210A1
• Filed: 05/02/2007
• Published: 11/08/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 05/02/2006
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Marlafin AG
• Original Assignee: Another Way Products, Inc.
• Inventors: Conroy, David
• Granted Patent: US 8,535,286 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 604/385.10
• CPC Class Codes: A61F 13/2051 characterised by the material or the structure of the inner absorbing core
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 19/44 Having substantially cylindrical shape, e.g. dildos
• CPC Class Codes: A61H 23/0263 using rotating unbalanced masses

Abstract

A vibrating tampon apparatus to provide relief from feminine menstrual cramps comprises a vibration element, a housing unit, and a tampon member. The vibration element provides a source of vibrations and is contained within the housing unit. The tampon member is fabricated of an absorbent material and covers at least a portion of the housing unit, while being held in place by retaining elements on the exterior of the housing unit. Electric power is supplied to the vibration element by a remote electric power source. The electrical connection between the electric power source and the vibration element is controlled remotely by a control unit that allows the apparatus to operate either momentarily, in a testing situation, or continually for the lifetime of the electric power source, which is for normal usage and cannot be interrupted by the user.

Claims

1. A vibrating tampon apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a vibration element operable to provide vibratory motion;

a housing unit for housing the vibration element, the housing unit including a plurality of external retaining elements; and

a tampon member operable to cover at least a portion of the housing unit, the tampon member being formed of an absorbent material, and securely fastened to the housing unit by the plurality of external retaining elements, the tampon member and the housing unit being appropriately dimensioned so as to be received in a female'"'"'s vaginal canal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, further comprising an electric power source, located externally from the housing unit and operable to supply electric power to the vibration element.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, further comprising a control unit, collocated with the electric power source, operable to control an electrical connection from the electric power source to the vibration element.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit includes a removable cap, that when removed provides continuous operation of the apparatus for the lifetime of the electric power source.

5. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit further includes a momentary button, that when activated provides temporary operation of the apparatus.

6. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein the control unit further includes a pushbutton, that when pushed with a lesser force provides temporary operation of the apparatus and when pushed with a greater force provides operation of the apparatus for the lifetime of the electric power source.

7. The apparatus of claim 3, further comprising an electric cable providing an electrical connection between the control unit and the vibration element.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, further comprising a mechanical cable coupled to the electric cable, providing mechanical pull strength for a connection between the control unit and the housing unit.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of external retaining elements includes a plurality of barbs and a plurality of nubs.

10. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the plurality of external retaining elements includes a plurality of cylindrical stub elements.

11. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the exterior of the housing unit is coated with an adhesive.

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the tampon member includes an analgesic and other medicaments to provide pain relief upon contact with the walls of the vaginal canal.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibration element is an electric motor that rotates a counterweight.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the vibration element includes a piezoelectric transducer.

15. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the frequency of the vibratory motion is from 20 Hertz to 400 Hertz.

16. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the electric power source is a battery.

17. A vibrating tampon apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a vibration element operable to provide vibratory motion;

a water resistant housing unit for housing the vibration element, the housing unit including a plurality of external retaining elements;

a tampon member operable to cover at least a portion of the housing unit, the tampon member being formed of an absorbent material, and securely fastened to the housing unit by the plurality of external retaining elements, the tampon member and the housing unit being appropriately dimensioned so as to be received in a female'"'"'s vaginal canal;

an electric power source operable to supply electric power to the vibration element, the electric power source being located externally from the housing unit;

a control unit operable to control an electrical connection from the electric power source to the vibration element, the control unit being collocated with the electric power source, and including;

a removable cap, that when removed provides continuous operation of the apparatus for the lifetime of the electric power source, and

a momentary button, that when activated temporary operation of the apparatus;

an electric cable providing an electrical connection between the control unit and the vibration element; and

a mechanical cable providing mechanical pull strength for a connection between the control unit and the housing unit, the mechanical cable being coupled to the electric cable.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the tampon member includes an analgesic and other medicaments to provide pain relief upon contact with the walls of the vaginal canal.

19. A vibrating tampon apparatus, the apparatus comprising:

a vibration element operable to provide vibratory motion;

a water resistant housing unit for housing the vibration element, the housing unit including a plurality of external retaining elements;

a tampon member operable to cover at least a portion of the housing unit, the tampon member being formed of an absorbent material, and securely fastened to the housing unit by the plurality of external retaining elements, the tampon member and the housing unit being appropriately dimensioned so as to be received in a female'"'"'s vaginal canal;

an electric power source operable to supply electric power to the vibration element, the electric power source being located externally from the housing unit;

a control unit operable to control an electrical connection from the electric power source to the vibration element, the control unit being collocated with the electric power source, and including a pushbutton, that when pushed with a lesser force provides temporary operation of the apparatus and when pushed with a greater force provides continuous operation of the apparatus for the lifetime of the electric power source;

an electric cable providing an electrical connection between the control unit and the vibration element; and

a mechanical cable providing mechanical pull strength for a connection between the control unit and the housing unit, the mechanical cable being coupled to the electric cable.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the tampon member includes an analgesic and other medicaments to provide pain relief upon contact with the walls of the vaginal canal.