Abstract A catamenial tampon is disclosed having rapid initial and high total moisture absorptivities. The tampon is generally cylindrical and has a blunt forward end provided with a forwardly facing, diverging cavity for physically trapping and pooling menstrual fluid. The cavity, which may be in the form of a Vshaped notch, has a width across the forward extremity at least about one quarter of the overall diameter of the tampon. The portions of the tampon defining the cavity are flexible and resilient so that they may be pressed toward one another to facilitate insertion and removal of the tampon. Further, these portions expand forwardly and outwardly during menstrual fluid absorption thereby exposing more internal surface area of the tampon to enhance further absorption of fluid and block egress of the trapped fluid. Methods for making the foregoing catamenial tampon are also disclosed. Generally, the tampon is made by providing a strip of cellulosic cotton with a forwardly diverging cavity in the forward end. This may be accomplished by moving a continuous web of cotton material past a cutter device which separates the web into strips having an initial shape and size. Each individual strip is then compressed both radially and longitudinally into a generally cylindrical configuration having the desired final shape and size.
A method of making an improved catamenial tampon, which method comprises folding an elongated, fibrous, cellulosic strip upon itself to provide a pair of limbs permanently connected at the rear end thereof; forming complementary, forwardly diverging cavities in the front ends of said limbs; and shaping and compressing said limbs to bond said limbs together along the length thereof and form said limbs into a generally cylindrical main body and an integral, generally conical forward end, the cavities of said limbs together defining in said forward end a centrally disposed, forwardly diverging cavity having an open front end with a width across said front end at least one-quarter the transverse diameter of said main body.
Claim 2
Independent Claim
115 words
A method of making an improved catamenial tampon, which method comprises folding an elongated, fibrous, cellulosic strip upon itself to provide a pair of limbs permanently connected at the rear end thereof; forming complementary, forwardly diverging cavities in the front ends of said limbs; and shaping and compressing said limbs to bond said limbs together along the length thereof and form said limbs into a generally cylindrical main body and an integral, generally conical forward end, the cavities of said limbs together defining in said forward end a centrally disposed, forwardly diverging cavity having an open front end with a width across said front end at least one-quarter the transverse diameter of said main body.
Claim 3
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of fabricating tampons, each tampon having a forwardly diverging cavity in the front end and a blunt rear end, comprising the steps of feeding a continuous web of cellulosic material in a longitudinal direction; successively severing strips from said web by cutting said web transversely to form a rearwardly directed projection and a mating, forwardly directed cavity in successive strips; and compressing said strips in succession both longitudinally and transversely and simultaneously shaping said strip into the final tampon configuration.
Claim 4
Independent Claim
82 words
A method of fabricating tampons, each tampon having a forwardly diverging cavity in the front end and a blunt rear end, comprising the steps of feeding a continuous web of cellulosic material in a longitudinal direction; successively severing strips from said web by cutting said web transversely to form a rearwardly directed projection and a mating, forwardly directed cavity in successive strips; and compressing said strips in succession both longitudinally and transversely and simultaneously shaping said strip into the final tampon configuration.