Surgery – Means or method for facilitating removal of non therapeutic...
Reexamination Certificate
1997-05-05
2001-09-04
Weiss, John G. (Department: 3761)
Surgery
Means or method for facilitating removal of non therapeutic...
C604S011000, C604S380000, C604S385010, C604S904000, C028S118000, C028S119000, C028S120000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06283952
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to tampons.
Tampons for use in absorption of menstrual flow have typically been inserted using an applicator, as is well known. However, more recently, “digital” tampons have been developed, i.e., tampons which are inserted manually by the user, without the need for an applicator, thereby eliminating waste and providing a smaller, more compact product.
Most digital tampons are produced from rolled or spirally wound pledgets. Generally, the withdrawal cord of the tampon is rolled into the pledget and extends from the center of the withdrawal end. When the withdrawal cord is attached in this manner, the user can “flare” the withdrawal end of the tampon prior to insertion, to provide a well for the user's finger, by holding the tampon and pulling the cord against the periphery of the withdrawal end.
When the withdrawal cord is rolled into the pledget, however, the tampon may “telescope” when withdrawn, i.e., the central windings may be pulled out of the wound tampon. Accordingly, an alternate method of cord attachment was developed, in which the withdrawal cord is punched through the pledget, e.g., as disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,467. These tampons, while eliminating the problem of telescoping, typically cannot be flared by the user, making insertion more difficult.
Digital tampons typically include an overwrap on the tampon to prevent fiber fluff-off and ease insertion. Conventional methods of overwrapping tampons, e.g., that disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,004,467, leave excess, baggy overwrap at the tampon base after compression of the pledget, increasing the difficulty of insertion, and reducing the aesthetic qualities of the product.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides an improved tampon, particularly suited for use as a digital tampon.
In one aspect, the invention features a digital tampon which includes an elongated pledget formed of absorbent material that has been radially compressed, and a withdrawal cord attached to the pledget. The pledget has, at one end, an insertion end shaped for insertion into a body cavity, and, at the other end, a withdrawal end shaped to permit the user to apply an axial force thereto for inserting the tampon. The fiber density of the pledget in the vicinity of the withdrawal end is lower than the average fiber density of the pledget. The reduced fiber density of the withdrawal end allows the user to easily flare the soft withdrawal end, providing a well for digital insertion.
The tampon of the invention preferably also includes an indentation in the compressed pledget, extending axially from the withdrawal end into the interior of the pledget. This indentation further facilitates flaring, provides a finger well for the user even if the user does not flare the withdrawal end, and allows excess overwrap at the withdrawal end of the tampon to be tucked in. Preferably, the indentation comprises a substantially hemispherical region nearest the withdrawal end followed by a substantially conical region further from the withdrawal end.
In a second aspect, the invention features a tampon in which, prior to compression, radially central portions of the absorbent material are displaced at the withdrawal end in an axial direction toward the insertion end, resulting in increased fiber density in at least some locations along the central region of the tampon. This higher fiber density provides a firmer, denser central core for transferring force between a pushrod (applied to the withdrawal end) and a header (applied to the insertion end) during the head-forming operation in a tampon manufacturing process. This improved transfer of force allows formation of more elongated head shapes which are difficult to form on conventional tampons; e.g., the length of the head can be made at least 75% (and more preferably more than 100%) of the diameter of the pledget. The invention also provides a more stable head. Head formation is accomplished with a lower average fiber density than with conventionally formed pledgets, providing a softer tampon with a greater absorbant efficiency.
The tampon of the invention can thus be made softer than conventional tampons, allowing the tampon to expand more easily and provide higher absorbency. The high absorbency of the tampon, in turn, allows a lower tampon weight for a given absorbency.
In preferred embodiments, the tampon is constructed by rolling a layer of absorbent material. During the above mentioned displacement of central portions of the uncompressed tampon, some central layers of material are displaced to some degree throughout the length of the pledget and project outwardly at the insertion end, to give a rounded shape to the insertion end. The tampon further includes a permeable overwrap material surrounding at least a portion of the pledget.
In another aspect, the invention relates to a method of forming a digital tampon, having an insertion end shaped for insertion into a body cavity, a withdrawal end shaped to permit the user to apply an axial force thereto for inserting the tampon, and having a cord attached thereto for withdrawal from the cavity. The method includes the steps of: (a) rolling a length of compressible absorbent material to form a pledget with one end corresponding to the withdrawal end and another end corresponding to the, insertion end, (b) displacing radially central layers of the absorbent material from the withdrawal end of the pledget towards the insertion end, (c) radially compressing the pledget, and (d) forming an indentation in the withdrawal end of the compressed pledget”.
In preferred embodiments, the indentation is formed by a pushrod having an elongated, substantially conical member extending from a substantially hemispherical base.
In another aspect, the invention features a tampon formed using a method of the invention.
Other features and advantages of the invention will be apparent from the following description of the preferred embodiments and from the claims.
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Child William M.
Tarr Warren
Fitzpatrick Matthew P.
Johnson Kevin C.
Miller Steven W.
Reichle K. M.
Tambrands Inc.
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