Surgery – Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material – Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
Patent
1995-08-16
1997-11-18
Prebilic, Paul B.
Surgery
Means and methods for collecting body fluids or waste material
Absorbent pad for external or internal application and...
604904, 604358, 28118, A61F 1315
Patent
active
056882572
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a menstruation tampon.
A tampon of this kind is known, for instance, from British Patent Specification 2,010,680. The absorbent body of this known tampon is formed from a helically wound web of absorbent material and has a central channel which passes axially through the body. The tampon includes an embracing soft casing of non-woven material, which prevents fluff from loosening from the absorbent material of the tampon and remaining in the vagina of the wearer as the tampon is removed after use. The casing material is also folded in and covers the through-passing channel in the centre of the tampon, at least partially. The withdrawal string is able to extend freely from the tampon through said channel, without needing to provide a separate opening in the casing material to this end.
The object of the present invention is to provide an improved tampon of the aforedescribed kind which is more effective in preventing body fluid from leaking from the tampon.
Another object of the invention is to provide a tampon of improved stability. It is also desired to prevent the string end of the tampon from being widened or from swelling as the tampon absorbs body fluid, so that the used tampon will have a form which facilitates its removal. Another object of the invention is to provide a tampon in which the casing is attached to the absorbent body more securely. Naturally, the tampon shall be as comfortable as possible when used.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY
According to the present invention, these objects are achieved with a tampon of the kind described in the introduction in which the casing includes a thermoplastic material at least at the string end of the tampon, and in which the casing on the surface of said end is heat-sealed to a generally fluid-impervious state, at least in the central parts of said end surface.
The invention also relates to a method of manufacturing such a tampon. Heat-sealing is effected preferably with the aid of a hot mandrel or some like device and by pressing the end surface of the encased tampon against the mandrel and holding the mandrel and said end surface in pressure contact with one another until the thermoplastic casing material has coalesced to an essentially liquid-impervious state, and thereafter separating the tampon from the mandrel.
The coalesced casing material forms a more or less fluid-impervious, leakage-preventing region at the string end of the tampon. It is not necessary to achieve a completely fluid-impervious state, although effectiveness against leakage will increase with increasing imperviousness. The coalesced casing material will also stabilize the end of the tampon and prevent said end from swelling when the tampon absorbs body fluid.
Maximum softness is retained in the outer cylindrical surface, or mantle surface, of the tampon, when the heat-sealed region of said end surface does not extend out to the mantle surface. However, the heat-sealed region may be extended over the whole of the end surface and optionally slightly along the mantle surface, without causing discomfort to the wearer. This improves security against fluid leakage still further and also greatly increases the stability of the string end of the tampon, thereby facilitating insertion and removal of the tampon.
The thermoplastic material in the tampon casing is preferably a non-woven material. The use of other materials, such as perforated plastic film or a thermoplastic net is also conceivable. Suitable materials include all heat-meltable plastics, such as polyethylene and polypropylene. The plastics may be present in mixtures or in the form of bicomponent fibres. The entire tampon casing is preferably comprised of one and the same material, which facilitates manufacture.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
An exemplifying embodiment of the invention will now be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which
FIG. 1 is a schematic, sectional view of a known tampon during a stage of its manufacture; and
FIG.
REFERENCES:
patent: 4222381 (1980-09-01), Widlund et al.
patent: 4743237 (1988-05-01), Sweere
patent: 4816100 (1989-03-01), Friese
patent: 5084038 (1992-01-01), Sheldon et al.
patent: 5153971 (1992-10-01), Van Iten
patent: 5350371 (1994-09-01), Van Iten
patent: 5374258 (1994-12-01), Lloyd et al.
Molnlycke AB
Prebilic Paul B.
Ruhl Dennis
LandOfFree
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