Tampon pledget with improved by-pass leakage protection

Abstract

A tampon has two pledgets or one pledget with an absorbent layer and a leak shield located therebetween. The pledgets or pledget with the absorbent layer and the leak shield are folded such that the leak shield covers a portion of the surface of at least one of the pledgets. Both pledgets or the one pledget with the absorbent layer have absorbencies that are each greater than an absorbency of the leak shield. In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises a fluid impervious or fluid repellent material(s). In another embodiment of the tampon, the leak shield comprises of an absorbent or hydrophilic material. Yet in another embodiment, the leak shield comprises of multiple layers of materials that are hydrophilic, hydrophobic, or a combination thereof. A method of fabricating a tampon includes forming a pledget, combining a fluid-impervious polymer material with an absorbent material to define a polymer laminate, ramming the pledget and the laminate into an oven tube, and stitching the laminate to the pledget.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]This invention is directed to tampons and, more particularly, to tampons having improved absorbency characteristics and anti-leak abilities.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION[0002]Tampon leakage typically ranges from about 15% to about 20% incidence of tampon leakage for all sizes of tampons. Most leakage is attributed to the bypass of blood or other body fluids from the vagina during menstruation, such bypass being due to a less-than-optimal fit of the tampon within the vagina. The propensity of any commercially-produced tampon to leak is highly unpredictable due to tampons being mass produced and further due to wide anatomical variations among users. Both MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) analysis with actual users as well as ION simulations (anthropometrically correct simulation devices) indicate that a higher likelihood of bypass leakage exists when the tampon is inserted high into the vaginal canal and angled to either the right or left side of the fornices of the ...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0013]One advantage of the present invention is that in the dual pledget configuration (due to the lower pledget), the tampon has superior absorbency characteristics. These absorbency characteristics are improved over the absorbency characteristics of conventional tampons. Considering that gravity has a considerable effect on the flow of menstrual fluids when the user is standing or engaged in activity, the presence of the lower pledget provides “backup” protection against leakage. Thus, even in instances in which the tampon has a less-than-optimal fit in the vagina (due to, for example, anatomical variations among users, activity, or the like), the user can rest assured that she will have sufficient protection against the loss of body fluid around the tampon.

[0014]Another advantage of the present invention is that the material of the leak shield assists in preventing the user's fingers from becoming soiled during tampon removal. When the material of the pledget absorbs body fluids, the leak shield operates to contain those body fluids. Even though a string is typically used to pull the tampon from the vagina, the user often grasps tampon with her fingers and applies pressure. In doing so, the material of the leak shield (such as the fluid-impervious material) acts as a bag and maintains the body fluid in the tampon as opposed to allowing the body fluid to be squeezed out of the pledget material and onto the user's fingers.

[0015]Yet another advantage of the present invention is the fact that the opening edges of the anti-leak shield are facing upwards against the flow of the menstrual fluid, allowing it to be more capable to contain the fluid flowing downwards (like a cup). In addition, the upper edges of the anti-leak shield are “free” to open up, away from the pledget itself (in the manner of an umbrella), and catch by-pass menstrual fluid, thus reducing the possibility of leakage.

Problems solved by technology

Most leakage is attributed to the bypass of blood or other body fluids from the vagina during menstruation, such bypass being due to a less-than-optimal fit of the tampon within the vagina.

The propensity of any commercially-produced tampon to leak is highly unpredictable due to tampons being mass produced and further due to wide anatomical variations among users.

However, movement on the part of the user may cause the tampon 20 to shift in the vagina 12, thereby causing the outer surfaces of the tampon to be spaced from the wall of the vagina, thereby further allowing leakage to occur around the tampon.

Larger sizes of the tampon (e.g., “Super Plus” absorbency) may alleviate some of the problem; however, it is still possible and likely that gaps would be formed.

Images