METHOD FOR PRODUCING A TAMPON

Abstract

A tampon (1) has at least one absorbent body made from an absorbent material (6), the tampon (1) having a proximal end (2) and a distal end (3) and a middle part extending between the distal end and the proximal end, as well as an extraction device (5) connected to the absorbent body and situated at the distal end (3). The tampon has a covering made from a nonwoven material (4), which, with the exception of a pass-through opening (13) for the extraction device (5), completely covers at least the distal end (3), by which the escaping of fibers at the distal end (3) is prevented, and the covering additionally forming a protection against the fluid leakage.

Claims

1. A tampon (1) comprising at least one absorbent body made from an absorbent material, wherein the tampon has a proximal end and a distal end and a middle part extending between the distal end and the proximal end, as well as an extraction means connected to the absorbent body and situated at the distal end, wherein the tampon has a covering in the form of a closed sleeve or made from a fluid pervious foil, made from a strip of a nonwoven material having a weight per unit area of at least 6 g/m.sup.2, in particular between 12 and 30 g/m.sup.2, or made from a fluid pervious foil, which, with the exception of a pass-through opening for the extraction means, completely covers at least the distal end, which strip or foil prevents the escaping of fibers at the distal end, wherein the covering additionally forms a protection against fluid leakage.

2. The tampon as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tampon comprises a watertight or hydrophobic coating.

3. The tampon as recited in claim 1, wherein the distal end of the tampon comprises a covering made from watertight or hydrophobic material.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0042] Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description considered in connection with the accompanying drawings. It is to be understood, however, that the drawings are designed as an illustration only and not as a definition of the limits of the invention.

[0043] In the drawings, in respectively greatly simplified illustrations,

[0044] FIG. 1 shows a conventional, rolled tampon telescoping when pulling at the extraction means;

[0045] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of a tampon according to the present invention;

[0046] FIG. 3 shows a perspective view of an assembly of an absorbent material and a nonwoven material according to the manufacturing steps for the manufacture of the tampon from FIG. 2;

[0047] FIG. 4 shows a top view of the assembly from FIG. 3;

[0048] FIG. 5 shows the assembly from FIG. 3 in a rolled state;

[0049] FIG. 6 shows the assembly from FIG. 5 having a distal end closed by the nonwoven material;

[0050] FIGS. 7 through 10 show embodiments of a tampon according to the present invention having the distal end coated or covered by a watertight or hydrophobic material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0051] First, it is to be noted that in the differently described embodiments, same parts are provided by the same reference characters or the same component designation, and the disclosures included in the total description may analogously be applied to the same parts having the same reference characters or the same component denotations. The positional information selected in the description, such as top, bottom, lateral, etc. are in reference to the directly described and illustrated figure and this positional information is to be appropriately transferred to the new position when the position is changed.

[0052] The exemplary embodiments show possible variant embodiments of the tampon according to the present invention, at this point it being noted that the present invention is not limited to the specifically illustrated variant embodiments of the present invention, but that rather a diverse combination of the individual variant embodiments among one another is also possible and that these possible variations, owing to the technical teachings by the present invention, are part of the technical skill set of those skilled in the arts in this field.

[0053] Furthermore, individual features or combinations of features from the shown and described different exemplary embodiments may also illustrate independent, inventive solutions or solutions according to the present invention.

[0054] The object underlying the individual inventive solutions may be concluded from the description.

[0055] All information regarding value ranges in the present description are to be understood in such a way that these value ranges include any and all subranges, for example, the specification 1 through 10 is to be understood in such a way that all subranges, starting from the lower limit 1 to the upper limit 10 are included, that is, all subranges starting at a lower limit 1 or greater and ending at an upper limit 10 or less, for example, 1 through 1.7, or 3.2 through 8.1, or 5.5 through 10.

[0056] According to FIG. 2, a tampon 1 according to the present invention includes an absorbent body made from an absorbent material 6, for example absorbent cotton. Tampon 1 has a proximal end 2 and a distal end 3 and a middle part extending between proximal end 2 and distal end 3. It is advantageous if tampon 1 at proximal end 2 is configured in a rounded or beveled manner.

[0057] An extraction means 5 connected to the absorbent body is situated at distal end 3. A covering made from a strip 4 of a nonwoven material completely covering, with the exception of a pass-through opening for extraction means 5, denoted by reference character 13 in FIG. 6, distal end 3 is disposed at its distal end 3. Preferably, pass-through opening 13 has a diameter which is substantially equal to a diameter of extraction means 5. The covering prevents a telescoping of the tampon and that fibers escape at distal end 3. In this way, FIG. 1 in an exemplary manner illustrates how a conventional tampon may be drawn apart (telescoped) when pulling at extraction means 5. In this instance, a winding of a strip 6 made from an absorbent material, which is connected to extraction means 5, is drawn apart in the longitudinal direction, as a result of which conventional tampons may unravel.

[0058] The middle part of tampon 1 may be cylindrically configured. It is however also possible that at least the middle part is frustoconically configured. The cylinder or cone or frustum may however also extend continuously from the proximal end to the distal end. For all mentioned spatial shapes of tampon 1, any cross-sectional changes over the length of tampon 1 are possible, for example, a wave-shaped contour or recesses extending at least over a portion of the circumference and/or in the longitudinal direction.

[0059] A further advantageous embodiment provides that at least the middle part of tampon 1 is provided with recesses or grooves extending in the longitudinal direction of the middle part, and/or that the recesses or grooves extend in the direction of the longitudinal center axis of tampon 1 in a wave-shaped manner, preferably extending at a consistent height of the amplitude, as a result of which the surface of tampon 1 is enlarged, making an increased absorption of bodily fluid possible. An even greater surface for the absorption of fluid may be achieved in that the grooves or recesses extend in a spiral-shaped or helical manner.

[0060] In a method according to the present invention for the manufacture of tampon 1 shown in FIG. 2, according to FIGS. 3 and 4, strip 4 made from nonwoven material is positioned on a strip 6 made from an absorbent material, a part 8 of strip 4 protruding over a narrow side 7 of strip 6 made from absorbent material. Furthermore, strip 4 is positioned on strip 6 in such a way that it also protrudes over a longitudinal edge 10 of strip 6. A section 11 of strip 4 protruding over longitudinal edge 10 of strip 6, in this instance, is selected to be of such size that, after rolling up strips 4 and 6 into a roll 9, an end face 12 of this roll 9 may be completely covered by protruding section 11, as it is shown in FIGS. 5 and 6. In this instance, the used nonwoven material has a weight per unit area of at least 6 g/m.sup.2, in particular however between 12 and 30 g/m.sup.2. Instead of the nonwoven material, a fluid pervious foil made from plastic material may be used. The foil may be rendered fluid pervious, for example, by inserting perforations.

[0061] The absorbent construction of strip 6 may be produced in a plurality of sizes and shapes and from a plurality of fluid-absorbent materials.

[0062] Of course, it is desirable that absorbent materials are used, which include a minimum content of soluble foreign materials because the product remains in the body for a certain amount of time. Retained soluble foreign materials could pose a safety risk if toxic, irritant or cause sensitivity.

[0063] A list of useable materials includes materials including cellulose, for example, rayon, cotton, cellulose, cellulose wadding, tissue laminates, sphagnum, bamboo and chemically reinforced, modified or cross-linked cellulose fibers; synthetic materials, for example, polyester fibers, polyolefin fibers, absorbent foams, for example an elastically resilient polyurethane foam, absorbent sponges, extremely absorbent polymers, absorbent gel-forming materials, processed fibers, such as capillary channel fibers and fibers having several members, for example; and synthetic fibers or an equivalent material or combinations of materials or mixtures thereof.

[0064] If using such synthetic foams, it is also possible, for example by setting a specific temperature for the manufacture of the absorbent body, to partially close the outer skin, that is, to achieve a closed skin in the external region owing to a partial temperature effect. In so doing, an escaping of fluid absorbed in the foam structure is additionally made more difficult or is prevented. Such a configuration may be advantageous, in particular in the proximal end region 4 of tampon 1.

[0065] Within the scope of the present invention, the manufacture of tampon 1 may be carried out by a broad range of materials which maintain, under the conditions prevailing in the region of the vagina and the uterus, that is, at body temperatures a pH value of approximately 4, their condition over a longer period of time, and which do not give off toxic substances or solutions damaging to the mucous membranes or the like. Advantageously, materials such as flexible polyurethane foams having a very low volumetric weight and a predominantly open-celled structure may be used for strip 6. Using a more absorbent material further reduces the risk of leaking fluid. Another advantage of such foamed structures is that the open cells in the delivered state or before being introduced into the vagina can be filled with medicaments or lubricants which can be discharged to the mucous membranes of the vagina and uterus when inserted.

[0066] Furthermore, it is advantageous if the materials used for the nonwoven material are bio-degradable and, for example, are made from PLA or other bio-degradable plastic materials or plastic compounds and/or from filaments or fibers made from or recycled from plastic materials, such as R-PP, R-PET or the like, and optionally are formed from these materials in different mixtures or as multi-layered parts.

[0067] Preferably, strip 6 has a length l, the size of which stemming from a value range, which has a lower limit of 150 mm and an upper limit of 400 mm. Strip 4 has a length c, the size of which stemming from a value range, which has a lower limit of 50 mm and an upper limit of 250 mm. Preferably, strip 4 is positioned in such a way that it protrudes over longitudinal edge 10 of strip 6 at least by a width b, which substantially equates to the radius of roll 9.

[0068] According to a preferred embodiment, strip 6 has a length l of 255 mm, part 8 having a length a of 30 mm and strip 4 having a total length c of 127 mm. In this instance, section 11 has a width b of 30 mm.

[0069] Moreover, a total width of strip 4 may be greater than a total width of strip 6. Particularly preferably, strip 4 is positioned on strip 6 in such a manner that strip 4 extends over at least three quarters of the width of strip 6, as it is shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

[0070] After positioning strip 4 on strip 6, strip 4 is connected to strip 6. The connection of strips 4 and 6 may be carried out, for example, by welding, adhesive bonding, sewing or any other form suitable for connecting.

[0071] In a further step, an extraction means 5, for example a filament or a string, is attached to strip 6 made from absorbent material. Preferably, strip 6 is looped by extraction means 5, as it is shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. Then, strips 4 and 6 are wound onto roll 9. In this instance, the direction of winding is selected in such a manner that strip 4 covers a section of a surface shell of roll 9, such as it is, for example, shown in FIG. 5.

[0072] Protruding part 8 of strip 4 is, by a section 15 of strip 4 connected to a strip 6, connected into a closed ring, for example, by welding and/or adhesive bonding and/or sewing.

[0073] A distal end of roll 9, from which extraction means 5 projects, is, with the exception of pass-through opening 13 for extraction means 5, completely covered by protruding section 11 of strip 4. Subsequently, protruding section 11 of strip 4 is connected to form a closed sleeve completely covering the distal end, except for pass-through opening 13.

[0074] Particularly preferably, covering the distal end of roll 9 by protruding section 11 of strip 4 occurs while the extraction means 5 is elongated. Covering the distal end of roll 9 may be carried out by bending or folding a circumferential edge region 14 of protruding section 11 in the direction towards the elongated extraction means 5, and pass-through opening 13 is left unobstructed or the extraction means, before being folded on the end face of the roll, is passed through protruding section 11. This, for example, may be carried out with the aid of a needle, to which the extraction means is fastened. Sections of protruding section 11 touching one another then may be connected to one another, for example by welding, sewing or adhesive bonding so that a closed covering results. In this embodiment, it is advantageous if section 11 is at least approximately equal to a radius of roll 9.

[0075] Alternatively or additionally to the variation mentioned in the last paragraph, section 11 of strip 4 for generating the closed sleeve could also be connected to section 15 made from nonwoven material, which is situated at the surface shell of the roll. If width b of section 11 is slightly greater than the diameter of roll 9, an area of section 11 may be folded over entire distal end face 12 of roll 9 and be connected to section 15. In so doing, it has been proven to be advantageous if the part of section 11 folded over the end face of roll 9 has an opening, for example in the form of a slot, for passing through extraction means 5.

[0076] Roll 9 shown in FIG. 6, which has the covering of the distal end in the form of a closed sleeve made from a nonwoven or from nonwoven material 4 represents a preform, which subsequently is, in the manufacturing steps known per se, for example pressing and compacting in a press, further processed into tampon 1, as shown in FIG. 2. Alternatively or additionally to covering the distal end by a nonwoven material, the distal end may also be covered by a fluid pervious foil made from plastic material. Covering the distal end implements a leakage protection.

[0077] In this way, a tampon according to the present invention has a significantly greater pass-through time for a fluid than a conventional tampon has. In Table 1, results for the tampon, determined according to the EDANA Standard Test WSP 350.1.R3 (12), are compared to one another having or not having a covering at the distal end. The same test requirements were selected for all tampons to produce comparable findings. In this test, the time until the first drop of the test fluid, the so-called Syngina fluid, reaches the ground, was measured.

TABLE-US-00001 TABLE 1 Nonwoven 14 g/m.sup.2 Nonwoven 12 g/m.sup.2 With covering Means: 14 min. 59 sec. Means: 15 min. 48 sec. Without covering Means: 13 min. 46 sec. Means: 15 min. 02 sec. Improvement of the 8.84% 5.1% leakage protection as a percentage

[0078] According to FIG. 7, tampon 1 at its distal end may be provided with a watertight or hydrophobic coating 16. Coating 16 may be implemented by dampening or soaking the distal end of tampon 1 using an impregnation liquid, for example, a lacquer, wax, resin, etc.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 7, coating 16 may completely cover the distal end, or, as shown in FIG. 8, partially cover the distal end. In FIG. 8, the coating is denoted by reference character 17. The coating of tampon 1 by watertight or hydrophobic coating 16, 17 may be carried out independently from the other manufacturing steps of tampon 1 and individually constitute the subject of an invention.

[0080] According to FIG. 9, the distal end may also be formed using a covering 18 made from a water impervious or hydrophobic material. As shown in FIG. 9, covering 18 may be manufactured as a sleeve, which also includes the side areas of tampon 1; however, the greater part of the side areas of the tampon are not covered.

[0081] According to FIG. 10, covering 19 made from water impervious or hydrophobic material may also only cover the distal end without including the side areas of tampon 1. In this case, covering 19 is implemented as a disk.

[0082] It is advantageous if the materials used for coverings 18, 19 are bio-degradable and, for example, are formed from PLA or other bio-degradable plastic materials or plastic compounds and/or from filaments or fibers made from or recycled from plastic materials, such as R-PP, R-PET or the like, and optionally are formed from these materials in different mixtures or as multi-layered parts.

[0083] Providing tampon 1 with watertight or hydrophobic coverings 18 and 19 also may be carried out independently from the other manufacturing steps of tampon 1 and individually constitute the subject of an invention.

[0084] Coverings 18, 19 may be directly applied to strip 4 (for example by welding, adhesive bonding or sewing). Strip 4 may be applied before or after step i).

[0085] For the record, in conclusion it is to be noted that, for a better understanding of the composition of the tampon, the tampon or its components are in part illustrated in a manner not to scale and/or in an enlarged and/or reduced manner.

[0086] Although only a few embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described, it is to be understood that many changes and modifications may be made thereunto without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

LIST OF REFERENCE CHARACTERS

[0087] 1 tampon [0088] 2 proximal end [0089] 3 distal end [0090] 4 strip made from nonwoven material [0091] 5 extraction means [0092] 6 strip made from absorbent material [0093] 7 narrow side [0094] 8 part of the strip made from nonwoven material [0095] 9 roll [0096] 10 longitudinal edge [0097] 11 protruding section [0098] 12 end face of the roll [0099] 13 pass-through opening [0100] 14 edge region [0101] 15 section of the strip made from nonwoven material [0102] 16 coating [0103] 17 coating [0104] 18 covering [0105] 19 covering [0106] a length [0107] b width [0108] c total length [0109] l length