US3058468A - Catamenial tampon - Google Patents

Description

Oct. 16, 1962 FIG. 4.

FIG. 3.

FIG. 2.

FIG. I.

E. A. GRISWOLD ET AL CATAMENIAL TAMPON Filed July 21, 1958 ATTORNEY$ United States Patent Office 3,fl58,4fi8 Patented Oct. 16, teen This invention relates to catamenial tampons and, more particularly, to such tampons in which the fluid absorbing and retaining means is formed of a compressed mass of absorbent fibres having highly compressed paths or channels therein to enhance the capacity of the tampon to absorb fluid.

Catamenial tampons of the character to which this invention relates are formed generally of a mass of stably compressed, but otherwise uncontained, absorbent cotton fibres by taking a bat or mass of fibres, preferably attached to a withdrawal cord, and compressing the fibres in the presence of heat into a small cylindrical mass for ready insertion by the user into the Vagina, along the lines disclosed in, for example, the patents to Voss and McLaughlin, No. 2,076,389 and No. 2,416,706. After insertion in to the vagina, the tampon fluffs out, particularly when Wetted by menstrual fluid, to provide a residual absorbing mass for the absorption and retention of menstrual fluid.

It has been found, with tampons of this type, that absorbed fluid is entrapped or retained by the tampon in the interstices among the various fibres thereof. Accordingly, in order to produce a tampon having the greatest capacity for menstrual fluid for a given weight of fibres, it may be desired that, in place and in use, the compressed mass of fibres fluffs out or opens out to the greatest degree achievable in order to present the largest and greatest number of fluid retaining interstices. Indeed, it has been suggested to incorporate, in the mass of absorbent fibres, additional fibres having increased resiliency, although they may not necessarily be absorbent, merely for the purpose of causing the tampon to open out to the greater extent for more fluid absorption and retention.

Concomitantly, it has been found that a compressed mass of, for example, absorbent cotton fibres which is over-compressed or compressed to such an extent that the fibres remain compacted or compressed in use demonstates a reduced absorbency per gram of cotton. Nevertheless, whereas the capacity of a mass of absorbent fibres to retain menstrual fluid may decrease as the compressed fibre density thereof increases, it has also been found that menstrual fluid travels or flows through or into a compressed mass of absorbent fibres most rapidly through those parts thereof having the greatest fibre density, perhaps explicably on the basis that the capillary action of the fibres may be greater in areas where the fibres are highly compressed together than in those areas where the interstices among the fibres are larger.

According to this invention, there is provided a catamenial tampon of the character described and formed of a stably compressed mass of absorbent fibres, which includes, in the mass of fibres from which the tampon is formed, a plurality of highly compressed or overcompressed paths or channels for conducting menstrual fluid into the interior of the tampon, by the increased capillary action of the overcompressed paths or channels, for absorption within the tampon and nothwithstanding the fact that other portions of the tampon, adjacent the overcompressed paths or channels, may be fluffed out or opened out to the greatest possible extent for the entrapment or absorption and retention of fluid therein.

One object of this invention is to provide a catamenial tampon of the character described including as the fluid absorbing and retaining means thereof a compressed mass of absorbent fibres which, in use will open out for maximum extension of interstices thereamong, but which mass also includes densified or compressed paths or channels where the fibres open out only to a lesser extent and/ or remain compressed to provide an enhanced capillary action for leading flow of liquid into the interior of the tampon for retention therein.

Another object of this invention is to provide, in a catamenial tampon of the character described, a plurality of highly densified or overcompressed channels leading from the outside of the tampon into the interior thereof for enhancing the flow of menstrual fluid into the tampon for absorption and retention therein and notwithstanding the fact that other portions of the tampon flufi out or open out in use for maximum extension of interstices thereof for a fluid entrapment and retention.

Other objects and advantages of this invention will be apparent from the following description, the accompanying drawing, and the appended claims.

In the drawing:

FIG. 1 is a perspective illustration of a tampon embodying this invention as it might appear expanded in use;

FIG. 2 is a perspective illustration of a bat or plurality of bats of absorbent cotton fibres for making a tampon embodying this invention, but prior to formation into the compressed tampon, and with pre-compressed channels or paths therein;

FIG. 3 is a side view of the partially formed tampon of FIG. 2; and

FIG. 4 illustrates a different configuration of overcompressed or highly densified channels in a bat of fibres from which a tampon embodying this invention is to be made.

As will be understood by men skilled in the art of catamenial tampon manufacture, it is desired to provide a tampon having maximum absorption per weight of fibre, not only because of the question of expense but also because a desire to provide the user of the tampon with as small a mass or size of tampon for insertion as may be expected or intended to efiiciently absorb the menstrual flow. To this end, attention is understandably directed among tampon manufacturers to producing a tampon in which the greatest absorption will obtain for the tampon mass, and, as noted above, such results are normally to be expected to be obtained when the mass of absorbent fibres in the tampon flufifs out or opens out for the entrapment or retention of the greatest amount of menstrual fluid in the interstices among the fibres. To this end, it is known that the absorbent fibres should, for maximum retention capacity, be compressed no more than is necessary to maintain their stable form because, among other reasons, excessive compression and resulting fibre density in the mass diminishes the absorption and retention qualities of the mass of fibres if only by reducing the size of available entrapment interstices thereamong.

Whereas the foregoing is understood regarding the absorbent fibres themselves, it is also known, from the standpoint of physiology, that the menstrual flow, particularly at the peak thereof, may come in gushes which achieve a momentary volume of flow which exceeds the normal capacity of absorbent fibres to assimilate the menstrual flow. That is, at an extreme gushing period of menstrual flow, the volume and rate of flow may be such that, although the tampon could indeed accommo date and retain the total flow, this flow arrives at the tampon in gushes at a rate beyond which the tampon could legitimately accommodate.

The foregoing situation is, perhaps, exemplified by the fact that, a normally and stably compressed tampon receives, absorbs, and retains menstrual fluid presented thereto according to the penetration or impregnation of the tampon by the menstrual fluid. With a completely fluffed out or opened out tampon, although such a tampon has the maximum capacity for fluid absorption and retention, a gushing menstrual flow presented thereto can only be absorbed or retained as it penetrates into the tampon along completely random lines. At such a gushing peak of menstrual flow, the volume of menstrual fluid presented to the tampon, if presented thereto in a gushing manner of minutes instead of cumulative matter of hours, may possibly be such that the tampon, although capable of absorbing and retaining that volume of fluid, cannot assimilate or induce penetration during the gushing period.

Although, it is desirable to have the absorbent fibres of a compressed tampon of the character to which this invention relates open out or fluff out or present the maximum interstices for absorbence of menstrual fluid, such maximum size or number of interstices is not most efficiently utilized unless the flow of menstrual fluid can be led into the interior of the tampon for entrapment or absorption by or into the available interstices. As will be understood, the flow of menstrual fluid from the outside into the interior of a tampon is a function, to some extent, of capillaryor wicking or other penetrating action. It has been discovered that the capillary or wicking flow-inducing action of a compressed mass of absorbent fibres is enhanced by the over-compresison or high densification thereof considerably beyond the point Where the maximum absorption and retaining capacity is achieved.

Accordingly, this invention includes the precompression or over-compresion or high densification of channels leading from the outside of the tampon into the interior thereof for providing a wicking or other flow-inducing action for gushing volumes of menstrual fluid into and through the tampon to achieve an increased flow into the tampon notwithstanding the maximum flufling out or opening out of the absorbent fibres to present for fluid absorption and retention the most eificient a nd largest number of interstices among the fibres. As will be understood, it is still desired to provide for use a compressed absorbent cotton tampon of minimum fibre density for absorption and retention of a maximum amount of menstrual fluid, and this is, as noted, achievable by providing a mass of absorbent fibres of minimal mean density. Nevertheless, the higher capillary action of flow-inducing action of over-compressed areas of the absorbent fibres (notwithstanding the fact that these areas are, admittedly, less capable of absorbing and retaining menstrual flow) has a tendency to lead menstrual flow (particularly gushing menstrual flow) from the outside of the tampon into the interior thereof where it may be advantageously absorbed and retained by other areas of the tampon.

Referring to the drawing, in which like reference characters refer to like parts throughout the several views thereof, a catamenial tampon embodying this invention is illustrated as comprising a more or less cylindrical mass of absorbent cotton fibres to Which is attached a withdrawal cord 11 for withdrawing the tampon after use. As noted in the aforementioned patents, such a tampon may be manufactured by superimposing one or more flat bats of absorbent cotton, such as 15 in FIG. 2, and running a row of stitches 16 axially therealong and indeed, beyond the end thereof to form withdrawal cord 11. Thereafter the stitched and. substantially flat and rectangular bat 1'5 of absorbent cotton is subjected to the action of heat and pressure in cylindrical tampon forming dies to provide a small highly compressed cylindrical mass for insertion into the vagina. After insertion, and particularly after having been wetted by menstrual fluid, the compressed tampon Will fluff out or open out and expand and assume a configuration somewhat as illustrated in FIG. 1.

In such a tampon embodying this invention a pluralityof highly compressed creases or channels 20 are pressed or compressed into the cotton bat 15 under the action of heat and pressure to provide, at various parts of the bat 15, compressed lines or creases or areas where the inherent resiliency of the cotton fibres has been sufiiciently overcome to maintain the compressed lines 20 even after the tampon flufis out in use. Aftere having been formed into the desired compressed cylindrical configuration and then inserted for use, and even when the tampon fiutfs out as in FIG. 1, still the over-compressed or highly compressed creases or channels 20 maintain a higher fibre density than the rest of the tampon to provide, as indicated in FIG. 1, a plurality of wicking or highly compressed channels or lines of flow for inducing and enhancing more rapid flow of menstrual fluid into the interior of the mass of fluid absorbing fibres.

As will be understood, although channels 20 may be superimposed upon or incorporated in bat 15 in a regular or symmetrical pattern, the usual compressing, distorting, and convoluting of bat 15 in the forming step of manufacturing and forming the cylindrical tampon results in the distortion of the regular pattern of channel 20 in the finished tampon. This, of course, does not diminish the utilization of highly compressed channels 20- in providing, at various spaced points along and through the tampon, channels or avenues of increased fibre density and, also, increased wicking or capillary action for inducing flow of menstrual fluid into the interior of the tampon fibre mass for absorption, entrapment, and retention therein. Although the V configuration for channels 20 indicated in FIG. 2 may be preferred, other specific configurations may also be utilized in accordance with this invention, e.g., the parallel configurations, illustrated in FIG. 4, for channels 22 embossed on or compressed in rectangular bat 15 prior to the formation therefrom of the desired generally cylindrical tampon.

While the methods and products described herein constitute preferred embodiments of the invention, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to these precise methods and products and that changes may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A compressed substantially cylindrical catamenial tampon of the character described for insertion into a body cavity for absorption and retention of body fluids therein comprising a stably compressed mass of absorbent fibers for retaining said fluids in the interstices of said tampon among said fibers, said tampon as manufactured and prior to use being compressed transversely and longitudinally into a self-sustaining and stable but rcleasable cylindrical configuration for ease of insertion and adapted to expand after insertion into said body cavity when contacted by said body fluids for said absorption and retention of said fluids therein, and said tampon also including a plurality of fluid-conducting channels through said fibers and leading from the outer circumferential surface of said tampon in said expanded condition and terminating in the interior of said tampon for leading body fluids contacting said outer surface of said tampon quickly to penetrate into the interior thereof for avoiding premature filling and saturation of interstices adjacent said outer surface before fluid has penetrated and is absorbed for retention in interstices in the interior of said tampon.

2. A compressed cylindrical tampon as recited in claim 1 in which said fluid-conducting channels are defined by permanently compressed areas in which said fibers are locally distorted to an extent which is retained to define said channels into said tampon notwithstanding said expansion of said tampon and passage of fluid over said locally distorted fibers.

3. A compressed cylindrical tampon as recited in claim 2 in which said locally distorted compressed areas defining said fluid-conducting channels are formed by precompression in a fiat bat of said fibers prior to said compression thereof into said cylindrical form of said tampon.

4. A compressed cylindrical tampon as recited in claim 1 in which said mass of absorbent fibers comprises absorbent cotton fibers.

5. A compressed cylindrical tampon as recited in claim 1 which also includes a withdrawal string extending from one end thereof and stitched through said mass of fibers substantially throughout the longitudinal extent of said tampon, and in which said plurality of fluid-conducting channels leading from the outer surface of said tampon terminate adjacent said stitched Withdrawal string within said tampon whereby said stitching interrupts said channels for avoiding conducting fiuid completely across said tampon without retention of said fiuid within said tampon.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,146,985 Rabel-l Feb. 14, 1939 2,416,706 McLaughlin Mar. 4, 1947 2,508,214 Biederman May 16, 1950 FOREIGN PATENTS 1,010,472 France Mar. 26, 1952

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