How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented
Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.
Original patent title: “Catamenial device”
Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator. Granted to Individual in 1934 with 36 forward citations, and it is now in the public domain.
Key facts
Coverage
What does this patent actually cover?
The patent describes a catamenial device, which is a medical term for a menstrual product. It consists of a compressed cylinder of absorbent material, such as cotton, designed to be inserted into the vaginal canal to absorb menstrual flow. The invention includes a tubular applicator that allows the user to insert the absorbent core hygienically without direct contact, which was a significant shift from external pads of the era.
The gap
What does this patent NOT cover?
- Does not cover external sanitary napkins or pads
- Does not cover non-absorbent menstrual cups or discs
- Does not cover chemical or pharmaceutical treatments for menstruation
- Does not cover digital tampons that are inserted manually without an applicator
These exclusions are unique to PatentBrief — derived from the actual claim language, not patent-office boilerplate.
What made this novel
The innovation was the combination of a highly compressed, absorbent material with a simple, disposable cardboard applicator, making internal use both sanitary and easy for the average user.
The Patent Drawing
Schematic visualization of the patent's claim structure. Hand-drawn diagrams in progress for each landmark patent.
Where you've seen this
Real-world examples
Tampax brand tampons
Most modern applicator-style tampons
Why it matters
The bigger picture
This patent laid the foundation for the modern feminine hygiene industry. It provided a discreet and convenient alternative to bulky external belts and pads, fundamentally changing how millions of women managed menstruation in the 20th century.
Filed
May 22, 1933
Granted
July 3, 1934
Market context
Who's building on this
Companies in this space
Procter & Gamble and Edgewell Personal Care continue to dominate this space, refining the materials and applicator designs based on the original mechanical principles established by Haas.
Market impact
This patent effectively created the modern tampon market. It enabled the transition from reusable, external cloth-based systems to convenient, disposable, and mass-produced internal products, which remain a staple of the global feminine hygiene market today.
Claim 1 — Plain English
What this patent covers
The patent describes a catamenial device, which is a medical term for a menstrual product. It consists of a compressed cylinder of absorbent material, such as cotton, designed to be inserted into the vaginal canal to absorb menstrual flow. The invention includes a tubular applicator that allows the user to insert the absorbent core hygienically without direct contact, which was a significant shift from external pads of the era.
The clever bit
The innovation was the combination of a highly compressed, absorbent material with a simple, disposable cardboard applicator, making internal use both sanitary and easy for the average user.
What it does not cover
- Does not cover external sanitary napkins or pads
- Does not cover non-absorbent menstrual cups or discs
- Does not cover chemical or pharmaceutical treatments for menstruation
- Does not cover digital tampons that are inserted manually without an applicator
Patent Journey
From filing to expiry
PatentBrief Score
Impact Score
Early stage
Citation count
31/40
Moderately cited
Claim breadth
0/20
Narrow claimsclaimsThe numbered statements at the end of a patent that legally define what the inventor owns.Read more →
Recency
0/20
Older than 20 years
Assignee scale
0/20
Independent or smaller assigneeassigneeThe entity that owns the patent — usually the inventor's employer or a company.Read more →
PatentBrief Impact Score — based on citation count, claim breadth, recency, and assignee scale. Not a legal assessment.
Heuristic Value Estimate
What this patent might be worth
$20K – $63K
Midpoint $40K · expired or expiring · industry ×2.2
Heuristic only — blends forward/backward citation counts, claim scope, time remaining, litigation history, and CPC-derived industry baseline. Real valuations need a professional appraisal.
Concepts involved
Citations
Patent lineage
Cite this patent
Haas, E. C. (1934). How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented (U.S. Patent No. 1,964,911). U.S. Patent and Trademark Office. https://patentbrief.org/patent/us/1964911/tampon-applicator-haas
Auto-generated from the patent record. Double-check author order and the issue date against the official USPTO document before submitting.
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Common Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What does How the modern internal menstrual tampon was invented cover?
Earle Haas's 1933 patent describes the first modern internal menstrual tampon, designed to be inserted into the vagina using a cardboard applicator.
Who owns patent US 1964911?
Individual owns this patent, granted in 1934.
When does this patent expire?
This patent has expired and is now in the public domain — anyone can use the invention freely.
What is patent US 1964911 cited by?
This patent has been cited by 36 later patents that build on its ideas.
What problem does this patent solve?
This patent laid the foundation for the modern feminine hygiene industry. It provided a discreet and convenient alternative to bulky external belts and pads, fundamentally changing how millions of women managed menstruation in the 20th century.
What does this patent NOT cover?
Does not cover external sanitary napkins or pads
Same assignee
More from Individual
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