Tampon Wicking Member for Fluid Capture and Manufacturability

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current tampon designs with wicking members are inefficient and less effective in capturing menstrual fluid, leading to bypass failure and leakage, particularly due to the withdrawal cord acting as an escape route for fluid and residual fluid left near the introitus.

Innovation Solution

The tampon design incorporates a wicking member attached to the withdrawal cord or pledget, with specific material and structural configurations to enhance fluid wicking capabilities, ensuring effective absorption and minimizing leakage.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a wicking member is included as part of the withdrawal cord to extend further down the vaginal cavity, then the tampon can capture and wick back menstrual fluid flowing along the vaginal cavity, but the current manufacturing approaches are inefficient and the configurations and materials selected are less effective than hoped

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid capture effectivenessVSAvoidmanufacturing efficiency

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The wicking member is segmented into multiple sections with different configurations - a first section attached to the withdrawal cord and a second section attached to the pledget, allowing each segment to perform specific wicking functions at different locations in the vaginal cavity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The wicking member is constructed from composite materials including a first material (such as hydrophobic polymer) and a second material (such as hydrophilic polymer or natural fiber), combining the advantages of both material types to achieve effective fluid wicking while maintaining manufacturability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Reliability

If the wicking member extends further down the vaginal cavity than the pledget, then it can engage menstrual fluid flowing along the vaginal cavity past the pledget, but the withdrawal cord acts as an escape route for fluid and residual fluid left near the introitus

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvebypass failure preventionVSAvoidfluid escape through withdrawal cord

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The harmful wicking capability is extracted from the withdrawal cord by making it hydrophobic, while a separate hydrophilic wicking member is attached to the pledget to perform the fluid capture function, eliminating the escape route problem

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

A hydrophobic barrier layer is introduced as an intermediary between the withdrawal cord and the vaginal cavity environment, preventing fluid from traveling along the withdrawal cord while allowing the hydrophilic wicking member to effectively capture and wick fluid

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Quantity of substance

If the wicking member is made from highly absorbent materials to maximize fluid capture, then absorption capacity increases, but the manufacturing complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefluid absorption capacityVSAvoidconstruction complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Quantity of substanceVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

Different sections of the wicking member have different material properties - the first section uses hydrophobic material for structural integrity and the second section uses hydrophilic material for fluid wicking, optimizing each local area for its specific function without unnecessary complexity

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The improved tampon design effectively captures and wicks menstrual fluid back to the pledget, reducing leakage and enhancing overall absorption capacity.

Implementation Method 1

a wicking member (15) comprising a second nonwoven web material that is distinct from the first nonwoven web material and distinct from the withdrawal cord, the wicking member being joined in direct contact with the first broad surface (35)... the wicking member having a trailing portion (15B) extending rearwardly from the rearward end of the pledget

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectCapillary action: Capillary Action

Data Source

PatentUS12414880B2Tampon with wicking member adapted for improved manufacturability and wicking performance

Publication Date: 2025.09.16 PROCTER & GAMBLE CO

AI summary

A tampon including a pledget, a wicking member and a withdrawal cord is disclosed. The pledget includes a mass of fibrous absorbent material disposed within or between one or more layers of an outer cover formed of a first nonwoven web material. The wicking member includes a second nonwoven web material distinct from the first nonwoven web material and the withdrawal cord. The wicking member is joined in direct contact with a surface of the pledget, and has a width less than the width of the pledget width.